Pit Bulls and other mean dogs

In my opinion, pit bulls and other mean dogs who hurt and sometimes kill people and other pets are a product of people who are mistreating the dogs or just not being responsible pet owners. The Florida Times-Union reports on 12/30/2007 of "A rash of serious pit bull attacks on the First Cost this year..." siting a sampling of local attacks this past year.

Cindy Bishop, executive director of the Florida East Coast Humane Society in St. Augustine, who counsels potential owners before adoption is quoted as saying: "I tell them, I have a dog that people are afraid of just based on what kind he is and what he looks like, I have to be 10 times as responsible as anybody else." And I know what she means. In my lifetime, I have owned 2 German Shepards and currently have a very sweet tempered mix between a Pit Bull and Dalmation. You should see my yard and the fence and concrete I have installed to keep my dog in the yard. She actually stays in the house with me most of the time.....You can see her on my website at www.plattrealty.com under ABOUT US....I talk and show pictures of some of my pets.

Because pit bulls are overbred by people who want mean dogs to fight them, the dogs are often mistreated and dumped. I think something should be done about allowing people to bred and fight dogs. And something should be done about people who chain the dogs, which will make them more violent.

Other dogs considered to be attackers are the Akitas, chowchows, Rottweilers, and German Shepperds.

"Experts say it's important to put dog attacks in a broader context. The number of fatal dog attacks is far fewer than fatalities from drowning, biking accidents and even lightning strikes, according to the National Canine Research Council, which records and investigates deaths caused by canines."

Shelter Policies:

Animal shelters screen dogs to make sure they are not dangerous, and are now screening humans to make sure they are a good match. Below is a list of shelters and their policies. (Info is taken from The Florida Times-Union, 12/30/2007. )

Jacksonville Animal Care and Control. No breed ban on adoptions. They discourage dog adoption to families with children under 6, and does a special screening for those who want to adopt pit bulls, Akitas, chowchows, Doberman pinschers, English bulldogs, German shepherds, Great Danes, mastiffs, Rottweilers, St. Bernards and Har-Peis, as well as mixes of those breeds.

Florida East Cost Humane Society (St. Augustine): No breed ban on adoptions. The shelter does a temperament exam on every animal and screens potential pit bull owners with extra caution, and may even conduct a home visit.

St. Johns Animal Control: Pit bulls not adopted out. They screen behavior of all dogs.

Putnam Animal Control: Pit bulls not adopted out. There is a possibility of an exemption for an extremely docile doge, although staff is reported to say that has never happened.

Clay Animal Control: No Breed ban on adoptions. They do a temperament exam on every animal.

Nassau Animal Control: No breed ban on adoptions. They do a temperament exam on every animal.

Jacksonville Humane Society: No breed ban on adoptions. They do a temperament exam on every animal and screen potential owners.