Pantagraph.com | News | Laws about dogs differ by location

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Megan wrote on Jan 9, 2007 6:32 PM:

" no no no no no. these pitbulls should not be put down for any reason. if their trained right they most likely wont bite. even if their trained they should wear a mussle. "

ABPT owner wrote on Dec 20, 2006 11:28 AM:

" It seems noone wants to take any responsiblity for anything today. Someone trips and falls, they sue whoever owns the property, someone doesn't train there dog correctly, it attacks, they ban the breed. Why can't anyone admit that humans error accounts for 95% of all "accidents." The reason you only hear about pitbull attacks is because, big surprise, they do the most damage. wow thats crazy, a dog that is pound for pound the strongest dog does more damage than a 12 LB poodle?! well duh! What's your point? A hummer does more damage when it hits you than a beetle. Should we ban all hummers? NO, we should however ban stupid people from driving them. Just as we should ban ignorant people, who buy pets for presents with no thought or research into the breed, from owning animals. Until Humans can start taking responsiblity for their actions, and stop blaming everyone but themselves, attacks and accidents will still happen. get used to it, that doesn't look like it's happening any time soon. "

Learned a lesson wrote on Dec 20, 2006 10:04 AM:

" I learned from experience that there is no such thing as a "BAD BREED". I have a Pit Bull now, and she is great with everyone, race creed, color, size and age are not an issue. Many years ago I had a female Collie, and a baby boy yet to walk. In the summer while playing on a planket in our yard with our baby, the Collie was being a pet to the baby. A neighbor boy, only 4 years old came to the blanket to pet the Collie and it was terror to the baby. The baby let out a cry, and the Collie attacked the little neighbor boy with terror. Bitting him, leaving puncture wounds in the head and arms counting more than 50 wounds. I being the reactionary I was at that time took the dog into the garage and shot her. Since then I have never let a dog "guard" or allow it to have an attitude. That makes for a bad pet, and not at all comfortable when there are visitors. So.. I learned to socialize my pets, and learned how. "

re: been there wrote on Dec 19, 2006 9:43 AM:

" i have the local animal control. those people have no training on breed identification at all, yet their philosophy is, if it has clipped ears, kill it! "

BeenThere wrote on Dec 18, 2006 8:44 AM:

" To the person who posted that the pit bull in the story should be taken by Animal Control and rehomed if it isn't aggressive. Per McLean County Animal Control, they do not adopt out pit bulls. If an owner comes in and claims his/her dog, that is one thing. But if the owner doesn't come in they put the pit down. "

misty wrote on Dec 18, 2006 12:03 AM:

" The only breeds of dog we have ever owned are rotweillers & pit bulls. Living on the west side of Bloomington our 1yr & 3mo old pit bull broke loose from her collar one night & there were two men walking on the sidewalk. Our dog ran straight for them one of the guys jumped on top of our car, the other guy just stood there on the sidewalk. While most of you prolly think she attacked the man, she jumped right in his arms and began licking his face. A strange man walking down the sidewalk in the dark,and all she did was lick him. So we are with the other people when they say do some research or better yet try getting to know a pit bull before judging them. I'm sure every breed of dog has some story of one dog attacking a person or animal. But it seems everyone is focusing only on the pit bulls. I think it is the owners responsibility not the dog. I tell you what we will move before we ever get rid of our pit bull over some lame banning laws. They are like kids to us. "

Malinda Yoakum Pt. 3 wrote on Dec 17, 2006 3:28 PM:

" My Black Laborador that I used to have was one of the most gentle dogs I knew. But one day this neighborhood dog who had been coming into our yard and stealing his food snapped at my Lab. So my Lab attacked the dog. And we could not get them apart. My Lab killed the dog in our yard. Should we have put him down. NO! Because he was defending his territory and protected his best interests. Believe me My Lab and this dog and fought before, and My Lab always lost and ran into his dog house. So I say bravo to my Lab for what he did. Sure its cruel but they are not like us....They do not have our deep thought processes and ablilty to reason.(Though some come very close) And judging from some of the responses I have read here, Few of you have any deep thought processes or ability to reason. I feel sad for people without common sense. You make the rest of us look bad. "

Malinda Yoakum PT. 2 wrote on Dec 17, 2006 3:27 PM:

" I have four dogs. A chihuahua, a Pomerian, A Mountain Curr, and A pit bull puppy. The Chihuahua has bit me more times than I can count. But do you know why few people die from Chihuahua bites? Because they are under 20 LBS! If a chihuahua found you in a compromised situation such as paralyzed and attacked you they could kill you. A pit bull's body is very muscluar and they have jaws that can deliver a powerful bite due to its muscles. Responsible Owners know that you must socialize and properly train these animals EVEN YOUR LITTLE LAP DOG! This attack is just an example of a lazy, ignorant, and trashy person being too stupid to properly care for his animal. The man should be punished severely. The dog should have been taken into and animal shelter and the employees should have checked it for any signs of aggression. If none are found then they should adopt the dog out to a responsible family. If there are signs of aggression found, its sad but he should be either put down or put through obedience training. "

Malinda Yoakum wrote on Dec 17, 2006 3:26 PM:

" It saddens me that so many people can be so narrow minded and void of any common sense what-so-ever. If you have a dog that is large and defensive of its territory then you MUST have it in a fence or on a leash. If you leave it out to run free it is going to get into trouble. The same is true with small animals. "

Banning pit bulls wrote on Dec 16, 2006 5:57 PM:

" Do you honestly think banning pit bulls will have any effect on the number of dog bites in Illinois? People who raise and train these dogs to be aggressive to humans are going to do so regardless of whether or not they are legally allowed to own them. The solution doesn't lie in banning a certain breed of dog but in punishing more heavily the people who abuse, neglect, and overbreed these dogs. "

Concerned wrote on Dec 16, 2006 12:26 PM:

" To me it seems awfully funny that it's always Pit Bulls that are causing harm to humans and even other animals...how many reports of collies and other breeds do you hear of that are maiming and killing people? It's always pit bulls..seems to me that Illinois needs a law to ban these dogs...It seems the human owners of these kind of dogs don't know how to handle them or train them correctly in most cases. I think human life is more important when it comes to these kind of dogs..Btw..I am an animal lover and I love dogs..but I think humans need to be taken into consideration first when it comes to safety "

BeenThere wrote on Dec 15, 2006 9:50 AM:

" You may be a responsible pit bull owner, though by your belligerent statement, I'm not assured. Especially since you made a blanket statement about all pit bull owners. They are not all responsible, and as I've said before, you need to exercise a greater amount of care because yours is a powerful breed. I know not all pit bull owners around here are responsible, because I've experienced several incidents in the area of Bloomington I live (Old East Side) which includes several pits running loose on a frequent basis, having my dog threatened by one of these chronically loose dogs, and having her attacked by yet another loose pit bull. "

For all the negative comments wrote on Dec 14, 2006 10:56 PM:

" Okay, so a pit bull is not a recommended breed for you. We don't care. We that own pit bulls love our dogs and raise them the right way. You can say as much negative things as you want, but we will continue to raise our dogs the right way. You don't have to live with them, so why bother wasting your time and posting comments that don't mean anything. We have already educated you on the breed and you still feel the same way about the breed. Just get over it. Pit bulls are here to stay. You can own whatever breed you want and you don't hear us discriminated against them. So just leave it alone. Let this rest. "

To: ABPT Owner & UpNorth wrote on Dec 14, 2006 10:51 PM:

" Thank you. I'm a pit bull owner too and mine would never harm anything or anyone. I just wish more people would research this breed to see what they are all about. About the puppy pit chewing off the baby toes, excuse me wasn't the baby in pain and crying while the puppy was ripping into the skin?? Where were the parents of this baby?? I don't believe that for one minute. I'm just glad to see we have some intelligent people that can post educated comments. Thank you again. "

UpNorth wrote on Dec 14, 2006 7:21 PM:

" Thanks to all of you who are helping to discount the pitbull reputation! I have 2 8.5 month old pitbull puppies and they are nothing but sweet. They don't try to bit anyone!!! They only want to lick them. There was recently a dog attack where 2 pitbulls jumped a fence and killed a smaller dog. The vet that we go to said that this story just made the news because it was pitbulls. She said that she has NEVER been bit by a pitbull but has been bit many times by those various little fluffy dogs. As someone else said, go to the American Temperament Test Society website. Pitbulls pass more often than Beagles so why is no one down on them??? I have taken my dogs walking and had many dogs run up and try to bit them- blakc lab, husky, some little brown rat, etc. They just roll over in submission. It has a lot to do with how you treat them as well. ANY dog can be mean... Pitbulls and Rottweilers are the nicest dogs I have known and good with kids... People who are writing negatively about them... do some research and then talk. "

APBT Owner Cont. wrote on Dec 14, 2006 1:38 PM:

" I got cut off...I am 5'1 100 lbs and live alone. He barks at every sound he hears, which can be annoying, but I know nothing is getting in with out him knowing and that makes me feel safe. However, If he ever showed signs of aggression, I would put him down no questions asked. he has been attaked several times but never attacked another dog. He does play rough, but as long as he's playing with a dog that can take it, he is fine. This breed is not a lab, it needs to be socialized and trained in order to be a good dog, but Ias long as that is done, they can and are one of the best breeds to own. I have met 1 person in my life who was bit by a Pit, 4 by a retriever, 1 by a St. Bernard, 1 by a toy poodle, and 3 by a chow. Stop kidding yourselves, ALL dogs bite! But it has been proven, by impartial agencies, that Pits have one of the best tempermants. You can't argue with proof. There are way more good than bad pits. Don't punish the breed. punish the deed. "

APBT owner wrote on Dec 14, 2006 1:36 PM:

" I live in NH and I own a 1 1/2 year old male "pitbull" I got him when was 3 months old from a AKC breeder. To those who wonder why people pick these types of dogs I'll say this. I read extensivly about this breed before purchasing him and since I am an informed and educated APBT owner and not an ignorant (not meant as an insult, look it up, it means unknowledgable) person I can say that they were bred to have all the qualities a person looks for in an animal companion. Roman, my dog, is smart as hell, he listens well, and plays with children wonderfully. They have even yanked on his tail, taken his bones/toys, and tried to ride him. He stands there and takes it with the patented pitbull smile on his face. he is loyal, eager to please, and downright lovable. "

BeenThere wrote on Dec 13, 2006 3:40 PM:

" Frequency and severity of biting are two separate things. I would still rather be bit several times by a toy poodle than once by a pit bull or any other substantial-sized dog. And while well-bred pit bulls may like people and hardly ever attack them, we have a right to walk or dogs without risking them being torn up by a dog that doesn't just nip and stop at that, but just keeps going for the jugular. "

OFGS!! wrote on Dec 13, 2006 10:42 AM:

" When we you all wake up and realize they are dangerous dogs! There is account after account of this breed of dogs biting people. GOD, get a clue!! "

Bad Media wrote on Dec 13, 2006 10:33 AM:

" OFGS if you new anything about the bulldog breed you might be compitent enough to make a comment. All you know is what you've heard and that is very obvious. Let me give you a little insite about these dogs. This breed is bred to be human friendly, and this is why they will not use these dogs for protection purposes. In the PSA ( protection sporting association) and shitzin world they will not use the American Pit Bull Terrior because they like humans to much. On a scale from 1-10 they rate a pit bull a 3 for biting. Why and I'll say it again because they are a people friendly breed. I ask you please do a little more research before you make such a harsh comment about a breed you know nothing about. Your precious golden retriever, cocker spainiel, poodles and all lap dogs have a higher bit record than any pit bull terrior and that is a fact of many studies. "

OFGS!! wrote on Dec 13, 2006 9:46 AM:

" When we you all wake up and realize they are dangerous dogs! There is account after account of this breed of dogs biting people. GOD, get a clue!! "

OFGS!! wrote on Dec 13, 2006 9:46 AM:

" When we you all wake up and realize they are dangerous dogs! There is account after account of this breed of dogs biting people. GOD, get a clue!! "

Bad Media wrote on Dec 13, 2006 3:45 AM:

" Shame on you media personel and all gossip loving people. In reguards to the 6 week old pit bull puppy and baby girl in Louisiana. It takes an incompitent individual to believe that a pup could even comprehend much more besides eating and sleeping. Anybody who has ever raised any breed of k-9 should know this. This is all a tragedy that could have been prevented with just a little bit of responsibility and parenting skills. To all of you who shame the breeder for the vacination comment this puppy is way to young to recieve a rabbies vacination. The major bad decision this individual made was not doing better research of the new home for this innocent pit bull "

Let's Throw a Little More Craziness Into the Mix! wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:31 PM:

" Anybody interested? I recommend you go to CNN.COM and see today's video-story on the Louisiana BABY who had her TOES CHEWED-OFF by a PIT-BULL PUPPY! I'm not sure I supprt the negativity towards pit-bulls as a breed, but hell- I can't see a Yorkie Puppy or a Beagle Puppy, or a Collie Puupy chewing a human baby's toes off? What in the world is this all about? "

I used to bathe dogs wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:29 PM:

" for a living, and many people brought in Pit Bulls; I would hug them, kiss them on their snouts, and just love them like my own. There is NO such thing as a bad dog, but there is BAD owners, I read that on one commentary, and I agree 100% "

to Haven't posted yet wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:26 PM:

" Did you see a comment about a person looking in a mirror and running? I suggest you follow that advice as well "

Sinple Solution... wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:24 PM:

" Anyone who wants to own ANY dog, needs to go to a 6 week course to learn how to train the dog, so the owner doesn't end up with a vicious monster, due to their own stupidity. "

Dog Lover wrote on Dec 12, 2006 10:37 PM:

" Everyone on the comments are all talking about pitbull's Well let me tell you, this town does'nt discriminate against Breed. They are deeming all dogs vicious, a little begal was deemed vicious not to long ago. Before long all of our dogs will be locked away in cages if we allow the city to get by with everything they do. We are Home ruled. The city can make up whatever laws they want to. The Vicious law in Bloomington says that any dog who bites scratches or nips unprovoked is vicious. That's bulls**t. State law says the dog has to cause serious injury that requires medical attention. All dogs can and will bite, nip or scratch no matter how responsable the owner is. Iam very easy going person. It takes alot to make me mad, but catch me on the wrong day and I too can bite, nip or scratch. "

To Haven't Posted Yet wrote on Dec 12, 2006 7:07 PM:

" And what exactly is your point? The puppy was only 6 weeks old, way too young to be away from its mothers, and was probably trying to nurse on the toes. Puppies also bite and chew on anything they can get their teeth on, especially when they're separated from their mothers too young. Any breed of puppy could unintenially injure a child if not supervised. A Jack Russell Terrier did something similar to an infant not too long ago. Your comment proves your ignorance. "

Spelling Advocate wrote on Dec 12, 2006 3:22 PM:

" My dear Ms. Whitney: Yes, please send me somewhere. To a town where people can spell, can use the proper grammar, and can put a sensible comment together. Where would that town be? Please advise. "

Haven't posted yet, wrote on Dec 12, 2006 2:55 PM:

" But have been following these postings closely. Here is the headline from today's Pantagraph cut and pasted directly..."Police: Puppy gnawed off baby's toes" - any more questions? Oh yeah, the puppy? A pit bull. "

Barb whitney wrote on Dec 12, 2006 2:02 PM:

" I think spelling advocate need to go somewhere "

BeenThere wrote on Dec 12, 2006 9:04 AM:

" Ok, so the defenders of pit bulls have posted the last several times. I myself do not hate all pit bulls, despite the fact that per my previous post my dog has been attacked by one and was repeatedly threatened by a chronically loose pit bull in my neighborhood before Animal Control captured it. However, can we agree that not everyone should own a pit bull or any other powerful dog? Not everyone is willing to take the care needed for an average dog, and pits and other powerful dogs need to have owners who exercise a greater amount of care in handling them, i.e. making sure they don't keep getting loose, socializing them, treating them well, using appropriate equipment to keep them under control. One girl with a pit in my neighborhood that keeps getting loose doesn't understand that her Daisy may be very friendly, but we don't want her Daisy, or any other dog, off-leash running around the neighborhood. "

What about other breeds?? wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:50 AM:

" What are your thoughts on Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds? These are also big powerful dogs who can do a lot of damage if they attack. Many of these dogs are also abused and trained to be people-aggressive. Should we ban them as well? Or what about wolves? What about sharks and poisonous snakes? Should we ban them too, and kill all the ones we come in contact with because they have the potential to cause harm? Cars, knives and cigarettes are not banned, yet they cause many deaths. "

Please respect our dogs wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:48 AM:

" Please do not support the punishment of Pit Bulls for the sins of some of the unscrupulous people who own them. There are many kind and responsible people who have Pit Bulls as members of their family. These dogs do not pose a threat to anyone. We should not be denied our loving Pit Bull companions because some people chose to make their dogs aggressive. Also, if Pit Bulls are banned they will still be in the hands of the criminal because they have no respect for the law. Criminals will still fight Pit Bulls and breed Pit Bulls. The only people a pit bull ban will hurt, will be the law-abiding good citizens who can provide loving homes for them. Pit Bull rescue groups would not be able to operate if they were banned. We would not be able to rescue Pit Bulls from the shelter and adopt them out. Backyard breeders would be the only ones creating Pit Bulls and rescue would not have the ability to continue its good work. "

continue wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:40 AM:

" Many of the pit bulls in New Orleans are the result of uneducated back yard breeders, which lower the quality of the dog and may fuel the negative trait responsible owners are trying to manage. Urban dwellers across the country see these dogs as money makers and a fashion statement. The dogs become an extension of the person, a type of self-expression. Walking down the street with a pit bull on a chain can get the same response as walking down the street with a shotgun. People move to the other side of the walkway; precisely what the owners are hoping. Although pit bulls can be animal aggressive, they typically dont make great guard dogs as theyre people lovers. They may bark, but when it comes down to it, they would much rather lick your hand than bite it. For more information about this impressive breed, check out www.badrap.org. Their site is comprehensive and balanced. "

continue wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:38 AM:

" A pit bull rescue organization in San Francisco, BAD RAP (www.badrap.org) advises that In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Association (ATT), pit bulls achieved a passing rate of 81.7% which is as good as or better than beagles (78.7%), and golden retrievers (81.1%). In these tests, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of the pit bull in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that pit bulls are inherently aggressive to people. On the flip side, pit bulls do tend to be animal aggressive. Pit bulls were first bred to bait bulls. When the sport was outlawed in England in the mid 1800s, dog fighting was born. Animal aggression in pit bulls is common and 100% manageable, and cannot be "trained out" with behavior modification. The dog is simply displaying the results of hundreds of years of selective breeding. Managing this trait is what separates the responsible owners from the irresponsible reports BAD RAP. "

Pitbulls get bad rap wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:35 AM:

" The pit bull dog conjures up many emotions and opinions among McLean County residents. Most of the people I encounter think of them as dangerous or untrustworthy and would never consider adopting one. Is this a result of media attention, dogfighting sport phenomena, or truth? The truth about pit bulls is that they are affectionate, loyal, tough, playful, athletic, intelligent, and exhibit a strong drive to please their owners. It was once the most popular dog in America. You may remember Our Gang on Little Rascals television show. Their beloved dog was a pit bull. Teddy Roosevelt had a pit as well as Helen Keller. The most decorated World War I dog was Stubby a dutiful pit bull. Pit bulls, or bulldogs as they were called in the late 1800s, were bred for their devotion to people. They enjoy children and will play happily with them for hours. "

dixie wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:30 AM:

" In Toledo, Ohio, pit bulls who broke no law have been forcibly removed from their homes. Seized pit bulls have been killed before owners, lawyers and dog groups could save them. Right now in Washington, D.C., officials are trying to outlaw pit bulls. Dog lovers around the country are protesting by telephone, e-mail and "snail" mail. Others are traveling great distances to protest in person. Breed-specific legislation is being enacted around the country. Think it couldn't happen to your dog or your breed? In Reading, Pa., a new law says all pit bulls are dangerous and owners will face special restrictions, including insurance mandates, that most people will not be able to meet. Other dogs will join the Reading list when a breed is responsible for 40 percent of dog bites in that town. This puts popular breeds like Labs and golden retrievers at high risk. "

dixie wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:29 AM:

" Call me pro-choice on dog ownership. I think people who love dogs should be free to own as many dogs as we can take care of -- as long as we are loving, responsible owners andthe dogs create no problems and pose no threat to people, property and other animals. We have the right to buy a pure-bred from a responsible breeder or to rescue a homeless mixed-breed from a shelter. And we should certainly be able to love the breed of our choice. I put the 55-pound child that I love more than life itself in the company of a 75-pound sharp-toothed carnivore. I trust them together implicitly, for Mickey the Labrador retriever gazes upon my son, Dante, with looks that can only be love. It's what I love best about my dog and I would fight to keep him. I will continue to fight for the right of people like the Humphries to keep dogs like Dixie. There are laws to "punish" people who let their dogs attack and bite. Use those laws. Don't target entire breeds. "

continue about Dixie wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:26 AM:

" The breed of a hero-dog shouldn't matter, really. But it does matter because this is a breed of dog that is feared, hated and reviled by so many people, including many who call themselves animal lovers. Many individuals and organizations, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, are trying to outlaw this breed. They can't stop at merely despising pit bulls and related breeds, including American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers. They want to outlaw pit bulls, even those owned by loving, responsible dog owners. Even child-loving life-savers like Dixie. Dixie is reason enough to rail against breed-specific legislation -- laws that target an entire breed. Other breeds are under siege all over the country, especially rottweilers. Proposed legislation in other parts of the country target an ever-growing list of breeds, including boxers, Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Akitas, chow chows, German shepherds and Doberman pinschers. "

Dixie wrote on Dec 12, 2006 12:22 AM:

" When the deadly cottonmouth snake struck out at "her" children, Dixie never hesitated. The dog pushed the children aside, putting her 50-pound body between them and the snake. Dixie saved Frank Humphries, 9, and his 7-year-old twin siblings, Katie and Codi. But the venomous snake inflicted two bites on the face of the 16-month-old dog. Valerie Humphries of Fayetteville, Ga., -- the children's mother and Dixie's co-owner -- killed the snake with an ax and rushed the dog to veterinarian Francoise Tyler. "Seeing Dixie's unconscious body in the arms of that doctor was one of the worst things I've ever been through," Humphries said. "Dr. Tyler had to keep her for several days, hooked up to intravenous antibiotics." Then the vet nominated Dixie for the Hero Dog category in a contest sponsored by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. Dixie won over 300 nominated dogs and this month is being inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame. Now here comes one of the cheapest writing tricks in the book -- the "O'Henry ending": Dixie is a pit bull. "

Leave pits alone wrote on Dec 11, 2006 11:50 PM:

" You can not blame the breed, only the owners. Every breed of dog is born innocent and loving. Once that pup leaves the mother it can not be blamed on how it is raised. We have all read the negative & positive comments, and none of you have convinced us pit owners to give up on our dogs. Any breed can be trained to attack & kill, but everyone wants to think they are educated on the pit bull breed and know so much about them. It is so tiring to keep hearing all the negative remarks. If you were to go & talk to others in this county, you will realize there is more positive points then nnegative. "

I've lived on a farm my whole life wrote on Dec 11, 2006 6:07 AM:

" and we had dogs for many different purposes: work-dogs, watch-dogs, hunting, indoor pets/lap-dogs. We were responsible owners who trained our animals and disciplined them correctly. I can recall two occasions while growing up where dogs we owned "lost it" for unknown reasons- once a setter attacked a mail carrier and chewed the man's boot, and another time a spaniel bit a neighbor child. Both times my father made the decision to put the dogs down. It was sad as hell and we mourned but it was the responsible thing to do. The safety of people- unless it's a criminal home-invasion/guard-dog situation situation, weighs out over all else. If a person is hurt or threatened, the animal should be put-down. That's responsible pet ownership. If you can't handle it pass your animals on to someone willing to train them and raise them correctly. Dogs are a wonderful way of life- but when they become a part of death, or injury, they must be dealt with. Period. "

Pixie wrote on Dec 10, 2006 1:46 PM:

" A dog's breed does not guarantee any specific temperament, appearance, or behavior - even if the dog is purebred. Each and every dog is an individual, a product of genetics and environment - both of which are strongly influenced by owners and breeders. Your dog is what you make of it. It is every dog owner's duty to raise, train, and manage their dog appropriately. Dog ownership is a privilege and a responsibility that must be taken seriously. This is especially true for pit bulls, whose current sorry situation is the result of gross human incompetence and ignorance, both at the hands of bad owners and among the general public. "

Pixie wrote on Dec 10, 2006 9:08 AM:

ALL DOGS... wrote on Dec 9, 2006 10:18 PM:

" Are born nice and sweet..it's the owners who should be caged for teaching these dogs to act like monters! "

Curious wrote on Dec 8, 2006 6:25 PM:

" To Pit Bull.....seems to me that you are not as educated as you want us to BELIEVE not beleive. "

Spelling Advocate wrote on Dec 8, 2006 5:33 PM:

" To km: That is spelled s m A r t. And just exactly what is the purpose of these comments? Rude, perhaps -- appalled, absolutely. "

km wrote on Dec 8, 2006 4:08 PM:

" To Spelling Advocate, We are not here to judge ones spelling. You are so very rude! Not everyone can be as smrt as you. "

Pit Bulls wrote on Dec 8, 2006 2:24 PM:

" How many of you in here can actually DEFINE a "pit bull"??? No one, because there is no such thing. "pit bull" is a grouping of 3 different breeds, none of which are violent dogs, if you do your research. The Presa Canarios is a breed of dog that is extremely violent, yet looks exactly like what is classified as a 'Pit Bull'. That is the breed of dog responsible for most 'Pit bull attacks', yet all of you uneducated and ignorant people fail to actually do research, so you just beleive what you read or what you were told. Why don't you research some facts so you don't look stupid every time you speak? "

Spelling Advocate wrote on Dec 7, 2006 11:36 PM:

" To: hmmmm: I have read your posts on this and on other subjects, and you are consistently the poorest speller, worst grammarian, and sad writer of the English language. Please check your comments before you press the "Post Comment" button. What you write for all to read makes you appear to be a child that failed first grade. Aren't you embarrassed? I sure would be. Better yet, don't post until you are more proficient in spelling. "

karynb wrote on Dec 7, 2006 6:49 PM:

" Toby is recovering. He is still nervous outdoors which wasn't a problem for him before the incident. His wounds are primarily healed except for the deepest one on his left hip which is still open and draining. He will be checked out by his vet again tomorrow. Thanks to all for your concern. "

Ban the breeders, not the breed wrote on Dec 7, 2006 6:36 PM:

" The owners of “loving” pitbulls who insist that the woman and dog must have done something to “make” the pit attack are the reason why this breed should be banned. All dog owners who let their ”babies” run loose should be neutered. "

seriously.... wrote on Dec 7, 2006 3:46 PM:

" It seems so silly to stereotype a breed. I was walking my 'lick you to death' German Shepard mix in Clearwater park when three big Chocolate Labs circled around me and my dog. They were jumping all over us. They didn't bite, but I was so scared that my dog and I were going to get hurt. My dog just stood there looking at me to see what to do. The owner's reply?? "They are just puppies!" Yeah, 75 pound puppies. and then after I pointed out how there are leash laws, she yelled "I live here, so they don't have to be on a leash". Just because she lived in the apartments next to Clearwater Park she felt like she owned the land. If that owner had trained and leashed her dogs there would have been no problem. It all comes down to the owner. Karyn, I hope your dog has fully recovered, and at some point you can safely walk down a street without fear of a dog on the loose. "

Marsh wrote on Dec 7, 2006 3:36 PM:

" Exactly! A pomeranian attacked and killed someone so it made the news. If the media was singling out pit bulls then you would not have heard about that. However they are not singling them out as evidenced by the story you reference. But we don't hear about pomeranians killing kids and adults regularly. However, they same thing cannot be said about pit bulls. "

To: Marsh wrote on Dec 7, 2006 1:27 PM:

" You must have missed the story about the Pomeranian that killed a 6-week-old infant a few years ago... Properly raised pit bulls are no more inclined to attack than any other breed. I completely support legislation that would make it difficult or impossible for irresponsible people and criminals to own them. "

EAMC wrote on Dec 7, 2006 11:50 AM:

" Ultimately the owner is resposible for the animals behavior. Here, (in the country) some people let their aminals run wild. If they come on our property and harrass our livestock we warn the owner 1 time. After that it is sss. Shoot, shovel and shut up. "

Marsh wrote on Dec 7, 2006 11:38 AM:

" Sure, llasas and chihuahuas might bite as often or more often as pit bulls. And no we do not hear about those in the news. But it is not because the news is just looking to jump all over pit bulls. It's because when a chihuahua bites someone they do not get killed or spend 3 days in the hospital. It is the combination of factors that make pit bulls dangerous. They have the inclination to bite/attack and the physical ability to be deadly when they do. "

backatyou wrote on Dec 7, 2006 7:52 AM:

" to Well: Please, please take your medication today before YOU bite someone. "

Well??? wrote on Dec 6, 2006 11:12 PM:

" Why not just make another STUPID LAW? Kill all animals that were put onto this Earth by GOD!! Humans first!! "

Pit Bull Apologists II wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:36 PM:

" Can you imagine what would have happened if she'd gotten him down? My Dad wouldn't be alive today. Animal control took the dog but the family next door bailed her out of the pound and brought her back! That's what's unbelievable! I'm sorry, I've met SOME socialized and well behaved pits (and I do know the difference between the breeds) but most are dominant dogs that the owners allow to grow up "wild". It takes a strong owner to have a pit--and that doesn't mean strength. It means strength of character and understanding of dog psyche and a willingness to train, train, train and enforce the rules. To LT: Your yard dog should have boundaries and if a child wanders into your yard, how would you feel if your unsocialized dog attacked? I've had watchdogs that were also "lap" dogs. There's nothing wrong with a socialized animal and everything right with it. "

To woman from the article wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:32 PM:

" How is your dog doing? I love the Shih Tzu breed, I have a six year old myself. I hope he's doing well.... and I also hope that those rediculous zones are worked out soon. Best Wishes JD "

Pit Bull Apologists wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:30 PM:

" I'm sorry but those pit bull breeds have been contaminated by irresponsible breeders and there are more unstable and bad tempered pit bulls out there than you can imagine. My parents live next door to a female pit bull, owned by a family that never bothered to teach her manners. She reverted to pit bull behavior in the yard and every time my father would be in their shared driveway (yes, this was in the city of Springfield) the pit would growl, snarl, bark and run the fence. My dad made no eye contact, made no moves to tease or otherwise aggravate the dog. He's 80 years old and on blood thinners. The family that owns the pit kept telling Dad that she wouldn't hurt a flea. The growling and snarling on the fenceline said different. Then, one day, they left the gate open....Dad didn't see her as he opened the driveway door to take out the garbage. As he stepped out, she started for him--growling. He dropped the bag and got back in the house before she hit the door. "

Pixie wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:23 PM:

" I really hate to stereotype but I do see a large portion of pit owners who walk their dogs on big fat chains with thick large spikey collars on &their pants hanging down past their butts and strutting around as if their dog makes them look cool, &it really bothers me everytime I see it. Personally, I didn't pick my dog out, she picked me. She was in need of a loving home &I took one look at her adorable face &just couldn't help but fall in love with her. I got lucky to have such an amazingly well behaved loving Pit (technically she is a staffordshire bull terrier which is a smaller stockier dog but looks similar to a "pit") I too feel that people should know what they are getting in to before adopting, they require room to run &play, lots of love, tons a attention from a loving family, an adequete diet &plenty of physical activities to do on a daily basis. Its statistically proven that in cases of dog agression it comes from being poorly treated or crated for long periods of time (they go cage mad). No dog should be treated this way. "

backatyou wrote on Dec 6, 2006 5:31 PM:

" Kudos Lauren! Very well stated. "

Lauren wrote on Dec 6, 2006 4:16 PM:

" The issue is not what breed the dog is - the issue is what the dog's and owner's behavior is. Every dog can bite under the right circumstances, and in nearly every biting instance it is the owner's fault. Roaming or loose dogs, dogs who live chained, and dogs that are not sterilized or socialized are the most common to bite or attack regardless of their breed. Until the legislators, state's attorneys and other officials begin to take public safety in relationship to dog attacks seriously, animal control personnel have little or no authority to assist the public. Dogs should be deemed vicious or dangerous based on their behavior and owners should be severely penalized for irresponsible care of their pets. One bite is too many - millions of dogs go their entire lives without biting anyone yet we have many dogs that bite several times over their lives with little repercussion. Support reponsible legislation that severely penalizes owners of dogs that bite and attack, legislation that promotes responsible pet care and neutering, and legislation that allows animal control personnel and the police to restrict or remove dogs that bite or attack. "

BeenThere wrote on Dec 6, 2006 4:02 PM:

" To all the defensive Pit Bull Owners who say I'm a responsible Pit Bull Owner. You may be. I know there are responsible dog owners of all sort s of breeds out there. The problem is the dog owners who aren't. Pit Bulls are the all the rage currently and not what most would consider classically beautiful, you have to wonder what the big draw is to so many people who haven't had one before. I think some of the new owners are making an aggressive statement by owning a pit. Others are showing off, the way people do with exotic pets. Perhaps some just like to be in on the current trend. But according to the Pro Pit Bulls sites, "owning a Pit Bull requires a higher degree of responsibility than needed with most breeds." I'm not seeing that level of responsiblity in my neighborhood. You want to defend your breed? Defend it by making it hard for irresponsible people to own pit bulls. "

amanda wrote on Dec 6, 2006 3:04 PM:

" i believe this dead horse is tenderized already. irrational people will always remain idiots no matter how sound the argument you provide and no matter now much statistical information you give them. i agree with to all pitbull owners, lets just put this one to bed already. "

What about labs? wrote on Dec 6, 2006 2:49 PM:

" Many labradors are just as big and powerful as pit bulls. Why aren't they considered dangerous, too? They have the potential to maim and kill. Look at the lady in France who had the first facial reconstruction surgery. She was attacked by her pet labrador. "

Regarding the bad apple argument wrote on Dec 6, 2006 2:39 PM:

" Responsible owners know the warning signs of potential aggression before it leads to an attack and take appropriate measures, with the most responsible action being euthanizing the animal. Well-bred, well-trained, and well-socialized pit bull terriers are no more of a danger than any other breed. They don't just snap, and they are not dangerous or deadly. They are no more likely to attack a person than a Cocker Spaniel is. (Actually, that's not true. Cockers are notorious for poor temperaments due to careless overbreeding. I'd trust a well-bred, well-socialized, and well-trained pit bull over a backyard bred/puppy mill Cocker any day.) "

bad apple pit bull wrote on Dec 6, 2006 2:03 PM:

" the bad apple pit bull argument is ridiculous. The problem is that when a pit bull is a bad apple, as opposed to say a cocker spaniel, the pit bull will rip your head off. This is why pit bulls are dangerous, because they have the potential to be deadly at any time, whereas other breeds don't. "

You can pet mine...she's friendly wrote on Dec 6, 2006 1:53 PM:

" I have an absolutely gorgeous pit bull that people are always asking to pet. I frequently take her to the pet stores in town, and almost everyone stops me to ask me about her. Most of them don't know she's a pit bull at first glance, and they're always amazed at how sweet she is. She is great with kids and takes their abuse with a big ol' slobbery grin. Kids can pull on her tail, her ears, try to sit on her, and she loves every second of it! "

You can pet mine...she's friendly wrote on Dec 6, 2006 1:50 PM:

To pitbullsaredangeous wrote on Dec 6, 2006 1:47 PM:

" How many pit bulls are there in the United States right now? How many have attacked a small child? I'm certain that you'll find the proportion is no different than any other breed. Pit bulls are the most popular breed in the country right now. Of course some of them are going to be bad apples, but the vast majority are not vicious baby-killers. I'm willing to bet that you've never even seen an American Pit Bull Terrier IRL and couldn't identify one out of a lineup of several similar breeds. "

Yippee! wrote on Dec 6, 2006 1:34 PM:

" Hey can I pet your pit bull?!?! Please please can I? I'll have to pass, just out of curiosity, how many people actually stop you on the street to pet your pit bull? Can't see it being too many. Don't exactly strike me as an adorable pup. I also do believe that there are dogs which are much smarter, sociable, and less likely to freak out little kids than pit bulls that can do everything they can (ie protection) and then some. "

pitbullsaredangerous wrote on Dec 6, 2006 1:03 PM:

" People with pit bulls need to figure out a safer way to overcompensate for their inferiority complex. Like I said, buy a big truck, or a flashy sports car, put a coconut in your jockstrap, or just put a big phallus in your front yard. Anything is better than having your pit bull's jaws around a small child's neck. "

Limit Laws wrote on Dec 6, 2006 12:43 PM:

" In Bloomington you are allowed to have 3 of each breed of any kind of pet, you can have 100 puppies if you want as long as they are under 6 months, after 6 months of age, you are in violation. Town of Normals limit is 2 of each breed no matter what it is (dog, cat, mouse, bird ect..) If you are taking good care of your pets and are within the limits of the law there is nothing they can do, however if your pets are thin, dirty, unsocialized, or being fed a poor diet, they can act on it. "

continue wrote on Dec 6, 2006 11:57 AM:

" And nobody is forcing any of you to own a pit bull. Just because the breed is not right for you, does not mean it’s not right for others. We will own pit bulls, and others will own whatever they want. To be honest, when I walk my pit bulls I don’t let them go near anyone unless that person wants to pet them. Then I allow whomever to pet them. "

To all pit bull owners: wrote on Dec 6, 2006 11:57 AM:

" There is no reason for us to sit here and defend our dogs. We all know our pits are the good ones and we love them very much. What everyone else says about them should not matter to us. They will always have their own opinions and they have to right to. We can’t help that those individuals that choose to be irresponsible with their pits, have caused our dogs to have a bad name. No, others do not have to like our pits, they don’t have to accept our pits, and they don’t have to own our pits. We know our dogs are not aggressive, but they will protect us. I think we all agree IF they do ever show aggression towards someone for no reason, and that’s not just pit bull, but any breed, should be put down. People will continue to bash our dogs as long as they exist. As to the one speaking about a puppy mill, you need to know what one is before you accuse someone of having one. A puppymill is a combination of a lot of breeds in one kennel. "

BeenThere wrote on Dec 6, 2006 10:47 AM:

" Dog lover on Chestnut? Near the Jr. High in Bloomington? I was walking my dogs on Locust on 10/22 and my female dog was attacked by a female pit bull. So, based on that and other neighborhood incidents, yes pit bulls have a tendency to be stealth missiles. As in they don't announce themselves--they are just there. FYI, Boston Terriers used to be called Boston Bull Terriers; they are one of Bully Breeds. When my dog was attacked by the pit I wasn't injured. I took my dogs to the vets (both had blood on them) and it turned out the blood on the male was from the other dogs involved. I believe not all pit bulls are evil, but my neighborhood has had too many loose and poorly raised pits in it. Three people stopped to help me as I couldn't keep pulling the pit off my dog due to a recent illness--it was just too strong for me. I carry Citronella spray with me now and understand others fear while walking their dogs after an attack. Oh, and the pit owner has don't taken responsibility for the vet bill! "

To: To Hey Baby wrote on Dec 6, 2006 10:34 AM:

" Have you even gotten to know any pit bull owners? How have you convinced yourself that a statement generalizing every single one of them is true? None of the pit bull owners I associate with use their dogs to compensate for what you call an inferiority complex. None of them use their dogs to make themsevles appear more tough or manly - most of the pit bull owners I know are young women! And none of them have vicious dogs that warrant a sign being put up to warn of them. Take the time to get to know some responsible pit bull owners, and you'll see just how off base you are about them. "

Quinn wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:33 AM:

" None of us anti-pit bull people have inferiority complexes; we just can't stand stupid people..... "

To Hey Baby wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:31 AM:

" Sorry, but someone already failed miserably at making this a race issue, how about you get over yourself, cause that would be super. Dogs are not even slightly comparable to humans in that way, oh and nice rhyme by the way, clever with the drool and the dog topic, but still, not cute. Yeah so about that last sentence, I actually identify pit bulls as little fairy dogs, and the owners who have them obviously have an inferiority complex. For those people, I suggest staking a sign in your yard saying “I’m tough, don’t mess with me” or “Me are Manly Man” or even “BEWARE OF VICIOUS DOG” "

Pitbull owner wrote on Dec 6, 2006 9:06 AM:

" People's. Is there not anything else too talk about other than pitbulls? These dogs are getting the raw end of the stick. They already have a bad reputation. All dogs can be dangerous, depending on the way they are raised. So, the ones that keep responding to this article, Get a life and move on. "

to pitbullsaredangerous wrote on Dec 6, 2006 8:55 AM:

" me thinks the poster doth protest too much. perhaps you are the one with an inferiority complex. or perhaps it's just inferior intelligence-dog aggression and human are aggression are two completely different things. and "pitbulls" by nature were bred to never ever display any human aggression. "

Hey baby wrote on Dec 6, 2006 7:38 AM:

" Pit bulls rule, you losers drool. Dogs should not be judged by their breeds, just as you should not judge a man by the color of his skin or ethnicity. Get over yourselves, this is secretly a racist issue, since you know darn well that most of you identify pit bulls with virile black men who make the white guys have secret man crushes. "

Pit bull owner to pitbullsaredangerous wrote on Dec 5, 2006 10:08 PM:

" 1.) I don't have an inferiority complex; I'm very happy with myself. 2.) My dogs are not aggressive; if they were, I wouldn't own them. I am a 5'3", 105 pound female. I don't ever want to handle aggressive dogs because I'm not physically strong enough to. 3.) I don't like trucks. "

pitbullsaredangerous wrote on Dec 5, 2006 8:58 PM:

" Unfortunately a lot of dog owners are irresponsible with their dogs. You know why? Because people think dogs are children, not dogs, and they think that dogs should be afforded the same rights as people. Everyone loves their own dog and thinks that everyone else should love their dog as much as they do. There are some responsible dog owners out there, the ones that don't walk their dog without a leash or let it poop in your yard or on the sidewalk without picking it up, or let a PIT BULL run wild in the streets for crying out loud! Soon it's going to be a small child instead of a small dog that gets a Pit Bull's jaw for a necklace. Here's a tip to all Pit Bull owners: instead of overcompensating for your inferiority complex with an aggressive dog, why don't you just buy a big truck or something? "

Amanda to Quinn: wrote on Dec 5, 2006 6:31 PM:

" When i was a child growing up on a farm, my parents had a APBT that was a rescue from a fighting ring. Duke was by far the sweetest and most laid back dog we had ever had (we had Dobermans, beagles, labs, mutts, you name it) I never had a dog more loyal until now. When choosing my dog, I made sure that i saw both parents and checked for aggressive behavior with the other puppies or signs of food aggression (like i would for any dog) She loves small dogs and kids and is extremely gentle. We’ve taught kids in the neighborhood about how to approach a dog that is not one of their own pets (after owner permission) and she has helped heal a friend who previously was terrified of dogs due to a severe attack as a child. she has no food aggression, is registered, fixed and while she isn't the smartest dog in the world, she is a huge tub of love and has added so much quality to my life. Aesthetically, i think her breed is really quite beautiful. i wouldn't trade her for a million dollars. "

To Quinn wrote on Dec 5, 2006 3:47 PM:

" My pit bulls (one purebred, one mix) are goofy, sweet love muffins that make me laugh on a daily basis. They love to cuddle but they can also run a marathon and not get winded. My dogs are canines first, pit bulls second. Yes, they require firm but fair leadership that other breeds can get away with not having, but they are well-socialized, well-trained beautiful animals and excellent pets. Contrary to popular belief, pet dogs do not just "snap" out of the blue, attacking family and neighbors; there are always warning signs. Owners who fail to recognize these warning signs (or make excuses for them) are the ones to blame for dog attacks, especially those of children. There are bad apples in every breed; please don't punish MY dogs for the deeds of other pit bull type dogs. "

Quinn wrote on Dec 5, 2006 3:22 PM:

" Yeah, well, uh I know of this one person who has had a hyena since it was born, and he's had no problems with it... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! A PIT BULL IS A PIT BULL. You can't slice it any other way. Thank you to the people who post and sound responsible, i.e. would put their pit bull down if it showed aggression, you should be the only people allowed to have them, because they are much harder to raise than other breeds, so not just anyone should be able to own them, but the rest of you are idiots!!! This forum is proof that you should have to have a license to own a dog, bottom line. Too bad this site doesn't require you be at least, say, 18. That would keep 5th graders like Hmmm.... from posting. One honest question though for all of you: Other than the tough appearance, what makes a pit more desirable than other athletic/ sport dogs? Jw. "

To Carin wrote on Dec 5, 2006 2:18 PM:

" Just as I suspected...a backyard breeder/puppy peddler! That's exactly what this breed DOESN'T need! "

backatyou wrote on Dec 5, 2006 2:10 PM:

" I would guess that Carin pushes the envelope on that time limit for keeping puppies too. So far, nothing she has claimed makes any sense. Remember the 11 cops that came to her house at 2am? "

to backatyou: wrote on Dec 5, 2006 1:53 PM:

" even thought the banter between you both is amusing at best, use atleast a little common sense. the ordinance is for keeping that many dogs on your property for a long term (ie life span of the pet). there is a time span after a litter is born when you are able to care for the puppies and find them homes. "

To: hmmmm wrote on Dec 5, 2006 1:20 PM:

" dont=don't teh=the fthat=that i=I realy=really its=it's I HAVE the authority to say you're NOT SMART. Please return to the 3rd grade for spelling and punctuation lessons. Thank you and have a nice day. "

hey hmmmm wrote on Dec 5, 2006 1:19 PM:

" If you don't want to be criticized then create an INTELLIGENT post that we can read without having to guess at your spelling/grammar. It is that simple. "

madd maxx wrote on Dec 5, 2006 1:12 PM:

" sick of all pitt-bulls. owners are idiots. all pitts should be brought to one location and shot dead. they are a menace and that is all they ever will be. "

hmmmm..... wrote on Dec 5, 2006 12:51 PM:

" "To Hmm....I really dont understand why you have teh authority to claim or say fthat i am not smart... dont realy think its your place now is it? NOPE..thanks! "

Me wrote on Dec 5, 2006 12:45 PM:

" The only good Pit Bull is a Dead Pit Bull! "

backatyou wrote on Dec 5, 2006 10:58 AM:

" To Carin: Are you aware that the City of Bloomington has an ordinance that limits the number of dogs someone can keep at a residence at one time? Sounds like you've been in violation more than once with your breeding 7 litters over the last 7 years. No wonder 11 cops showed up at your house (if that is true). Your little attempt at making this a race issue ("my husband is black and I am white") fell flat. That is not the basis of any of your problems. "

To Carin: wrote on Dec 5, 2006 10:46 AM:

" It's sounds like you have a little puppy mill going on in your own home? You do know what a puppy mill is don't you? That's intelligent-breed these dogs to death. Instead of breeding why don't you help save a few. That's right there's no money in that is there. So your saying you only give your puppies to people who live a law abiding lives and traffic offenders? Or are you talking about talking about misdemeanors vs. felonies? "

Re: To Carin wrote on Dec 5, 2006 8:49 AM:

" Yes, there is a reason for all my breeding. My dogs are in shows and weight pulling contests. I would never just breed dogs for no reason. You do need to understand, alot of my buyers just want a good family dog. I at least stay in contact with my buyers up to 2 years due to I guarantee their health up to 2 years. Also my litters were born over the last seven years. It's not like I go and breed my dogs every 6 months. Thanks for your concern. "

Re: Back at you wrote on Dec 5, 2006 8:33 AM:

" A minor crime is something like traffic. If you know anything about the legal system, then you would understand what I'm saying. No, pitbulls and pitbull owners are TREATED poorly. Your parents made the mistake of making you, but I don't feel I'm putting anyone in danger when I breed. There is a difference between bad owners and good owners. For your information, I keep in close contact with my buyers. I know you are trying to strike a nerve, but I just feel sorry for uneducated people as yourself. I know what kind of pet owner I am. And another thing, you would never survive on the West Side. "

To Carin wrote on Dec 5, 2006 12:51 AM:

" I'm an owner of two pit bulls and a serious advocate for the breed, and hearing anyone say that they've bred 7 litters makes me shudder. I sincerely hope that you actually do something with your dogs (showing, competitive obedience, agility, etc.) and aren't just producing puppies for the sake of bringing more pets into the world. "

backatyou wrote on Dec 4, 2006 10:18 PM:

" I'm sure you have no way to enforce that these people bring back the puppies to you if they cannot care for them. Wow, it is so good to know that you check to see if potential owners haven't been convicted of "major crimes". I guess minor crimes are ok, huh? Then you go on to say. . . . "I'm trying to prove that pitbulls and owners of pitbulls are treating badly." Huh? I think you meant to say you were treated badly but "treating badly" is more like it since that is what happens to the rest of us when you procreate these vicious animals. Now I have yet another reason to stay away from the West side. "

Re: To Carin wrote on Dec 4, 2006 8:53 PM:

" You are so right, pitbulls will always live on. I love the breed. My one bitch had 4 litters and my other bitch had 3 litters. I know where everyone of my puppies went and each buyer was told for any reason they are unable to care for that puppy, the puppy comes back to me. I still get pictures of all the puppies I sold. All my puppies are being well taken care of. I'm able to do a back ground check on each buyer to assure they have not been convicted of any major crimes. So you need to leave all your comments to yourself. You said you don't hate pitbulls, I don't belive that one bit. "

Re: To Carin wrote on Dec 4, 2006 8:48 PM:

" First of all, I did take care of my dogs. After Animal Control decided to come out and look at the enclosed kennel that my husband had built for my dog, they gave me the amount of money I needed to get my dog out. Unlike a person going to jail, that don't give you a lot of time to come up with the money to get your pet out of the pound. Today's society treats hard core criminals better than animals. My dog bit one time and didn't even break the skin. The bite looked more like a scratch than a bite. What I'm posting is not dirty laundry. I'm basically making a point. I'm trying to prove that pitbulls and owners of pitbulls are treating so poorly. Until people realize that the breed is not the problem it's the people that raise them to be vicious. "

To Carin: wrote on Dec 4, 2006 5:05 PM:

" Your the one airing your dirty laundry on these postings. I don't hate Pit Bulls I just dislike the owner's who give these dogs a bad name. And in regards to taking care of animals-Well you didn't take care of the pit bull animal control put down. That's right they are all expendable-you'll just breed more. "

toocool wrote on Dec 4, 2006 1:59 PM:

" Most humans are gentle, loving folks but some are axe murders - - what exactly is your point, Arno? "

ARNO wrote on Dec 4, 2006 10:14 AM:

" More positive reading. 2. Popsicle, Cool K9! One year ago, Popsicle helped the feds seize 3,075 pounds of cocaine from a pineapple-laden truck at the Mexican border-the biggest drug bust ever at the Hidalgo, Texas, port of entry. 3.Petunia visits area classrooms with the Greenbelt-based Partnership for Animal Welfare's Responsible Pet Owner (RPO) program. "Petunia waited while 40 children petted her," said Towson parent Karen Sindall. "I've never seen a more warm, loving and patient dog." Yet Petunia is a pit bull, a name applied to several breeds originally bred for strength, agility, dog-fighting and -- worth noting -- absence of aggression toward humans, because handlers had to work closely with the dogs. Today, bull breeds score high on temperament tests, and the majority are family pets. Man makes dogs bite . There are so many good things about these dogs. They are movie stars. Rescue dogs. Police dogs. Therapy dogs. It goes on and on. Give them a break. Go for the bad owners. Not the the breed. Hate is not a family value. Little Rascals Buster Brown RCA Do an internet search for PITBULL POSITIVE PRESS. "

ARNO wrote on Dec 4, 2006 10:12 AM:

" Positive reading. 1.World War 1 had just ended on the day that Stubby marched proudly at the head of the 102nd infantry as they passed in review before President Woodrow Wilson. Stubby was an American hero. He was also a brown-and-white American pitbull terrier. Mascot and member of the 102nd, the young dog had served his men and his country in 17 battles in France. He had saved hundreds of lives, and his loyalty and courage had inspired thousands of soldiers. Now he delighted the president with his customary salute, a paw raised ceremoniously to his face. Recognition of his valor came from all directions. Named a life member of the Red Cross and the American Legion, he was awarded many medals. "

ARNO wrote on Dec 4, 2006 10:03 AM:

" I am a pitbull owner for 20 years, a business owner since 1988, a taxpayer and give to the community. I have never had 1 problem with mine or people that I have been around that have this breed. I am so tired of hearing the feedback from people who have know idea about these dogs. These dogs have been around for over 80 years. Our grandparents had these dogs. also. You cannot just ban these breeds. Denver tried to do this. Responsible owners found homes for their dogs, but the fighters and lowlifes that fight these breeds let them go on the the streets. Guess what? They have a huge problem now. These dogs are out on the streets breeding now they have a population problem with them. Be careful what you wish for. "

continue wrote on Dec 4, 2006 9:15 AM:

" Everyone knows to confine a dog like that, makes their temperment change. "

Carin wrote on Dec 4, 2006 9:14 AM:

" To anyone of you talking about containment. I've been through the whole run away when it comes to your dog being deemed as vicious. I was told I had to keep my dog confined in a enclosed kennell where he was unable to escape. It had to be confined all 4 sides, on top, and on bottom. he could never come out of the kennel except to go to the vet for his shots. And when he did come out to go to the vet he had to be muzzled. I couldn't ever take my dog on a walk. I was told I couldn't even take him indoors when the weather was too hot or too cold. I mean not even the criminals in prison get treated this way. My dog bit one time and he was deemed vicious. Why?? Because he was a pitbull. Bottom line. He would never get a second chance. He couldn't protect my home anymore. He couldn't be my family's companion anymore. Basically his life was over. "

continue Re: Questions to Carin wrote on Dec 4, 2006 9:07 AM:

" Third, the reasons so many officers had to arrive at my home because it was a pitbull that bit and the whole city has to make a big deal out of it. Are you trying to say something illegall was going on at my home that officers had to show up?? No nothing was going on. I live on the west side of Bloomington, I own pitbulls, and oh yeah, I'm white and my husband is black. There is your answers. Also who are you tell someone that they don't care about their dog?? My dogs were very well taken care of. Rather you want to believe that or not, is up to you. You don't know me, so don't judge me. "

Re: Questions for Carin wrote on Dec 4, 2006 9:05 AM:

" First of all, I never said I was treating my dogs to lock. Just because I said from experience I know you have to teach them, doesn't mean I was the one teaching them. Get your facts straight before you decide to bad mouth me. Second, I did have the amount of money it should have been to get my dog out, but since Animal Control played games with me and the amount became larger. I did love my dog very much, that's why I disputed with The City of Bloomington when my dog was deemed vicious. My dog was protecting his property and nobody should have been on my property without my permission. Wouldn't you want your dog to protect your property if you were not home?? "

Continued: wrote on Dec 4, 2006 12:24 AM:

" I'm sorry Carin it was 11 Officer's not 20 I must have got confused with all of your postings. 11 or 20 it still doesn't add up. "

Questions for Carin: wrote on Dec 3, 2006 11:35 PM:

" I have a couple of questions for you: If you truly loved your Pit Bull then why didn't you find a way to get the money to pay Animal Control? You obviously didn't love or care about your dog that much. And why are 20 Officer's coming to your residence over one dog bite? What's really going on there? 20 Officer's wouldn't show up for one dog bite even if it was a Pit Bull. And why are you teaching your Pit Bull's to lock their jaws? "

re: to dog containment wrote on Dec 3, 2006 10:10 PM:

" I know that electric fences aren't perfect, but it's better than nothing. We've had an electric fence for 4+ years at two different houses to contain a husky/border collie mix. Huskies love to run. Can I say he's never bolted through it? No. Can I say there were specific reasons - like moving and him not knowing the boundary yet? Yes. If you train the dog properly and have the right brand - there is a difference - it can be very effective. The other thing you have to do is keep good batteries in the receiver. "

To: dog containment wrote on Dec 3, 2006 10:19 AM:

" My neighbor has an electric fence and it doesn't always stop their dog. He was chasing a bird once and ran right past the boundary line, then stood just past the line and barked until the owner shut off the fence and he could get back "in". If the dog wants something bad enough, not too much will stop it. "

karynb wrote on Dec 3, 2006 9:53 AM:

" It is not up to me whether the dog is deemed "vicious" or even "dangerous" (two separate distinctions per the Illinois Animal Control Act). Per the Pantagraph article this would be handled by Animal Control & the State's Attorney's office. "

dog lover wrote on Dec 2, 2006 9:04 PM:

" Karynb when a dog is in fact deemed vicious. They must be kept in a cage for the rest of its life unable to have any human contact, unable to run free at all, ever. Only allowed out of its small cage to go to the vet , muzzled and on a 300 pound chain no longer than 3 feet to be walked on. Special arrangements must be made at the vet to take dog directly to the room. If the dog is ever outside of the cage animal control can take the dog and kill it and the owner can be put in jail. Why are dogs held at a higher standard than what humans are? We want our dogs to protect us they know to bite when we are in danger. This need not be taught, They know it because its there role. We only expect them to act like dogs when we are the one's that are benefiting from it. If your dog bit, nipped scratched someone because even your dog is capable of it, could you put it in a cage forever? "

karynb wrote on Dec 2, 2006 9:01 PM:

" to "v" and "andreah": v -

Rules differ

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