posted on Dec, 5 2008 @ 06:34 PM
Hey ATS, just wondering how you all feel about breed specific legislation. From what I have read so far, BSL is an attempt to limit the ownership of
particular dog breeds. In the past, these limits have included out right bans on certain breeds, forcing owners to place a muzzle on certain breeds,
and not allowing certain breeds to go to off leash dog parks.
I recently adopted a pit bull pup, hoping to give him a loving home. He is now about a year old and is a wonderful dog. Every time he meets a
new person, he showers them with love, and new dogs are met with the same enthusiasm. The pup has met a ton of children, and every time he acts like
a perfect gentleman. He gives sloppy dog kisses, and follows the kids around the house like a bodyguard. I have seen these kids (family and friends
children) hang off his ears, pull his tail and basically climb all over him. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to ban him from the local dog park, or
requiring him to wear a muzzle. On more than one occasion I have had strangers come up to him, pet him and kiss his head. Every once in awhile,
these same people will recoil in horror when I tell them he is a pit bull.
I have known quite a few pit bulls in my day, and have yet to meet one I would not trust. While I realize many less than reputable characters
seek these dogs out to turn vicious, I fail to see why so many people seem to hate the breed. They have been referred to as the 'nanny breed'
(because of the love they show children) and Roosevelt wanted the breed to be the mascot of America.
I will say this pup is very protective of our home. He barks at people he doesn't know, and recently forced a power company worker into one of
the trees in our backyard. I ran outside when I heard him barking, and after a brief introduction the pup followed the guy around like he was a new
best friend. I just hope the guy learned a valuable lesson about walking into someones fenced backyard without notice!
So what are your thoughts ATS? Are pit bulls evil, and deserving of such extreme measures, or should these problems be addressed on a case by
case basis?