What Should Be Done About Pit Bull Owners?

I don't think they should do anything about pit bulls.  I think they should do something about pet owners.  That's the real problem.  And notice I said pet owners, not pit owners.  I think the question was very offensive to anyone that owns or likes that breed.  I happen to adore that breed.  I'd be very ticked off if that question was posed and rottweiler was in the place of pit bull.

I totally agree. We don't have a pit bull problem. We have a people problem.

ORIGINAL: mrs1885

I don't think they should do anything about pit bulls.  I think they should do something about pet owners.  That's the real problem.  And notice I said pet owners, not pit owners.  I think the question was very offensive to anyone that owns or likes that breed.  I happen to adore that breed.  I'd be very ticked off if that question was posed and rottweiler was in the place of pit bull.

 
That's more or less what I meant, Mrs1885.  I suppose it should have been titled "What Should Be Done About Pit Bull Owners?"  See, now you've turned the tone of this thread into the same old, same old.  I'm sorry the question wasn't exactly perfectly worded.  But you get my point, don't you?  There should be something done to make it harder for anyone to just own any dog.  I was prompted to write this since I saw the thread of the little girl who's entire head was in pit bull's mouth.  Yes, I know the importance of early socialization.  Please, let's not go there.  I just want to know if any organization or group has proposed a lan for lawmakers. 

Of course requiring new pit owners to attend a pit class would attract the people who already obey laws and likely would have pursued the same course on their own. You can't enforce laws on people who ignore laws. For example, consider the low levels of compliance generally seen in dog licensure.  Like gun control - the laws will only impact law abiding citizens and not in any way affect those who ignore them.

Paula

Whatever should be done about Pit Bull owners should also be done about German Shepherd owners... and Rottie owners... and Doberman owners and Chow Chow, Akita, AmStaff and Wolf Hybred owners... Oh and Boxer and Great Dane and Siberian Husky owners. And AK Malamute owners. And anyone who has a mix breed containing any of the above... I really could go on...

Whatever Pit Bull owners are forced to do, all dog owners should be forced to do. Should people be responsible dog owners? YES!!! Should Pit Bull owners be singled out? No It's no different than BSL.

I don't think it's true, that if you "outlaw" the breed only "outlaws" will own them. Not the way you mean it. There are people, myself included, that LOVE this breed, and will fight to keep their pets. I for one, can tell you, that if my dog is proposed to be banned in the city I live in, pay taxes in, etc. I am going to fight it like hell, and if I lose, oh well...Good luck getting my dog from me. I will move a city over as many times as I have to but I'm not giving up my dog. That doesn't make me an "outlaw". It makes me responsible for the life I have taken in to my house that I promised to provide for.
 
"For instance, would creating laws that make it mandatory for all new pit bull owners to take their new pit bull to obedience classes? Maybe there should be a certificate for dog trainers where they can decide if the pit bull has been fully trained or not.  "
 
I think you have the wrong idea here. I think the PUBLIC has the wrong idea here. ABPT's are not genetically, socially, or in any other way predisposed to be "bad" dogs. They are the same as any other dog, or terrier more specifically. They have energy. If you aren't going to take care of their needs you shouldn't have them, but that's ANY dog. I'm so tired of hearing about what needs to be done about "pit bulls". And being singled out. Pit bulls pass a temperment test better than a LOT of breeds. Pit bulls aren't loose running in my neighborhood scaring the kids, LABS are. Because their more common, and they don't have a boxy face and "locking jaws" [8|] they are forgiven for their bad behavior.  People have the idea that they are just labs(insert other common "friendly" dog here) what can they do?
 
I could get myself angry and go on about this forever because it's something that really bothers me and something I have to work so hard at where I live for people to see my dog as a DOG and not as a weapon.
 
Something else I want to say though, is don't count on PETA to propose any kind of solution for ANY kind of animal other than euth'ing them. They don't believe in having pets of ANY kind. So, good luck with that organization doing something GOOD for the animals. Last I checked, PETA was euth'ing almost twice the animals they were saving.

When you have people breeding Pit Bulls and selling them to anyone for $150 and up, like they do in the city where I live, you are going to have major problems, which we do. Many of these dogs  wind up untrained, unsocialized, aggressive,. and in shelters. Many  of the people that buy them, have no interest in raising  a friendly pet, but are looking for a dog that is "tough".  

Nothing. Like i've said many times before...bsl solves nothing. and i'm sorry-but this is a "free country" and i shouldn't be told what breed of DOG i can and can't own.

I don't have much to add, I agree with FourIsCompany and UndefinedMelody..
 
I just wanted to.....
 

ORIGINAL: UndefinedMelody
Something else I want to say though, is don't count on PETA to propose any kind of solution for ANY kind of animal other than euth'ing them. They don't believe in having pets of ANY kind. So, good luck with that organization doing something GOOD for the animals. Last I checked, PETA was euth'ing almost twice the animals they were saving.

 
Quoted for emphasis!

nocturnal76, you actually make a good point as far as I'm concerned. Whether or not the public perception is right, fair, bias or whatever, that is the public perception. All I ever here offered as an alternative to BLS is education. Education like idog? We are just preaching to the chior here! For every new person that is educated on pitbulls, one other pit bull attack will send most of them screaming back to the other side. And, yes their will be an other attack- lots of attacks. Because there are too many irresponsible pit bull owners. I don't know if obedience classes or special certification is the answer but I think it is a great question that you have posed.

The problem is not breed specific.  The enforcement of existing licensing and vaccination (rabies) rules would go a long way to addressing the problem.  This question is problematic because there are many breeds that could be substituted.
 
I live in a neighborhood where the absolute worst dogs were miniature poodles.  They would charge anyone anywhere.  The owner never confined them and never intervened when the dogs were harassing.  Most of the times the dogs would actually bite.  
 
  It was the USPS that actually did get their attention when the mail delivery to the house was stopped.  Finally the people got the message and confined the dog.  Granted those dogs did not do severe damage, but they were very bad owners.  I know plenty of staffie, bullie, pitt folks who do a terrific job with their dogs.

The problem is not breed specific.  The enforcement of existing licensing and vaccination (rabies) rules would go a long way to addressing the problem.  This question is problematic because there are many breeds that could be substituted

.

I totally agree that the problem is not breed specific but the perception is. If nothing is seen to be done to address the public opinion that pit bulls pose a threat, then people will opt for some sort of ban. Other breeds will come after the Pit ban for sure. That is why it is important that something constructive be done. It is in the best interest of all dog owners.

I know plenty of staffie, bullie, pitt folks who do a terrific job with their dogs.

Me too!

I agree something needs to be done...However, profiling is not the answer.  Enforce existing pet laws (leash laws, cleaning up waste, licensing).  I might even go as far as required pet classes (provided there is funding to do so).  I do not however feel it is appropriate to single out the owners of any specific breed.

What do I as an actual pit bull (mix) owner think needs to be done????

Well, for starters, I think that ALL dog owners should take RESPONSIBILITY for their pets.
MY pit bull isn't running the streets attacking people or dogs. MY pit bull is on her leash or in my house getting love and returning love.
MY pit bull is currently in training and I realize my dog's areas that need work and am working on them WITH her.

I as a responsible pit bull owner already realize the scrutiny I'm under as an owner to make sure my dog represents her breed well. I don't need people like YOU (OP) to tell ME that there is a pit bull problem.

Tell the lady up the street from me with the off leash shih-tzu. Or the couple down the street with the off leash mini-schnauzer.
Or, better yet, tell the people kitty corner from us with the Springer Spaniel that always likes to escape its house and rush my ON LEASH PIT BULL.

or, better yet. Why don't you learn how to read/speak better dog and THEN come tell me there's a pit bull problem.