1. I think pit balls should be put down. Even if the yare nice. The fact is they do lock and can cause a lot of damage. Sorry

Posted at 1:53PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Anna

2. You are WRONG! It's the monsters who use these
dogs in the WRONG way that needs to be put down.
These are puppies and have the right to live.
Think on it and think hard.

Posted at 2:24PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Carla Meyer

3. I think Pitbull haters should be put down! (plus people who can't spell) There is so much misunderstanding and hype about this breed, 20 years ago the same misunderstanding and hype was focused on Rotweillers and Dobermans. What I ESPECIALLY can't stand is owners of little yappy dogs who think it's okay to let their little dogs yap at bigger dogs. Barking is aggression, and it's very difficult to communicate to bigger dogs, yes, that dog hates you and is showing aggression toward you, but you are not allowed to retaliate in any way because you are bigger. Sorry, dogs are animals, and they just aren't capable of that kind of understanding. ALL DOG OWNERS need to act responsibly with their dogs, understand they are DOGS, which means understanding what dogs need in order to fit into our HUMAN society.

Posted at 2:35PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Jerry Smith

4. Pit bulls themselves are not the problem. They can be loving and loyal dogs. The problem is irresponsible owners and breeders. EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND, I see backyard breeders selling pitbulls on the side of the road, often the puppies are sitting in a pen in the sun without any protection. These people do not care about the dogs. What they care about is the almighty dollar. They will intentionally show that their dogs can be aggressive which indicates (at least to me) that they are selling their dogs to fight. of course, they're claiming the dogs are great protection but a dog with a proper owner is not aggressive in public.

Granted, pit bulls are not the only dogs that are being sold by backyard breeders on the side of the road. My personal feeling is that none of these people really care about their animals other than something they can make extra money from. It is devastating to know this is happening and not be able to do anything about it until state law is changed. Where I live 80,000 animals a year are put to sleep because there are not enough homes. There is a rescue group for almost every breed of dog here, as well as, numerous groups that work with all breeds. The city shelter has so many labs come in they are working with shelters in the Northeast where they don't have any going into the shelters as an attempt to reduce the number that must be euthanized. Note, I do not say they are humanely euthanized because I don't believe there is anything humane about killing a healthy animal simply because he/she has been at the shelter too long or because there isn't room simply because there aren't enough homes. Unfortunately, most pitbulls, even puppies, that go into local shelters end up being put to sleep if they can't find a rescue group that has room for it because the city shelter, the county shelter, and the local SPCA aren't willing to take a risk on the animals history or what COULD happen.

Yes, this is my soapbox. I hate the fact that many animals are discriminated against because of their breed when humans are the problem. And yes, I work rescue, mainly cats but I've never turned away an animal in need, including a 3 day old pit bull whose momma killed the others in the litter and owners didn't know that the puppy needed to eat! I had no hesitation about bringing him into my home with 2 other dogs and numerous cats and kittens. Of course, after feeding him (Thank goodness I was at Petco), I immediately contacted a dog rescue group to try and find a nursing mother so he could get the nutrients and antibodies he needed.

Posted at 4:04PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Trudy

5. I have had several dogs in my life, but none sweeter and more loyal than my Pit Bull,"Molly".
It saddens me to think how these poor animals are treated by some, simply exploiting their noble hearts and strength!! It sickens me that IGNORANT people get away with the abuse and mistreatment of these wonderful friends of mankind for financial gain, or for any reason. We need tighter, more humane laws to protect them and punish the abusers!
L.Diehl

L.Diehl

Posted at 5:16PM on Apr 26th 2007 by LYNNETTE DIEHL

6. Pitbulls are amazing dogs. We have one. We got her when she was about 6 months old. She was dropped on our doorstep a very abused little girl. Even now she still retains it in her mind. It breaks my heart everytime I have to tell her no because she still cowers for fear that she will be hurt, but she need not worry. It was a sad sight. My mom didn't want her at first because of the label that has been put on pitbulls, but i've spent my entire life learning about dogs. Needless to say I talked her into it. Anyways, now she is the sweetest dog we have. When we get new puppies, she never bites or nips them. Instead, she will gently butt them with her chest. We have to worry about our other dogs with children, but not her. These dogs, if treated justly, turn out amazing. they are a very smart breed. It's vile humans who provoke them into fighting back. All these gentle giants ask for is a little love and gentle discipline. So please, don't discriminate against any breed of dog just because you hear something bad about them. I mean, for example, would you discriminate a certain race of people just because a few of them did something bad?! It just isn't right or fair that these dogs are put down just because of the retarded misconception people have of them.

Posted at 5:39PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Court

7. I THINK PIT BULLS ARE LIKE ANY OTHER DOG...
ITS ALL IN THE LOVE AND ATTENTION THAT THEY ARE GIVEN AS PUPS. ALL DOGS ARE BORN SWEET, CUTE AND CUDDLY. IT IS THE HEARTLESS AND ROUTHLESS OWNERS THAT CAUSE DOGS TO DO BAD THINGS,AND THE ANIMAL PAYS FOR IT IN THE END...

OK YOU GOT ME STARTED NOW...

Posted at 6:01PM on Apr 26th 2007 by CARLA

8. WHERE DO YOU DISCRIMATORS GET OFF SAYING PIT BULLS ARE DANGEROUS ANIMALS, ANY ANIMAL COULD BE DANGEROUS IF PROVOKED,ABUSED, AND TAUGHT TO BE MEAN!I HAVE A SOLID WHITE FEMALE PIT. WE GOT HER WHEN SHE WAS 12 WEEKS OLD AND NOW SHE IS 1 1/2 YRS OLD. SHE IS NOTHING BUT A BIG LAP DOG IN OTHER WORDS SHE IS A BIG SPOILED BABY AND SHE KNOWS IT.I HAVE A 5 YR OLD SON AND HE IS THE ONE WHO PICKED HER OUT AND FEEL IN LOVE WITH HER, THEY PLAY TOGETHER AND AT NIGHT WHERE HE SLEEPS EITHER IN HIS BED OR IF DADDY AINT HERE HE SLEEPS IN MY BED AND GUESS WHERE PINKY IS, SAME BED HE SLEEPS IN. SHE HAS NEVER GROWLED AT NOBODY, AS A MATTER OF FACT SHE WOULD NEVER MAKE A GOOD GUARD DOG BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT KNOW A STRANGER SHE IS FRIENDLY TO EVERY ONE, SHE GETS ALONG WITH ALL THE NEIGHBOR HOOD DOGS AND EVEN MY CAT(SHE TRIES TO PLAY WITH THE CAT, BUT THE CAT ON THE OTHER HAND REALLY DONT WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH HER)SO YOU PEOPLE WANT TO MIGHT START JUDGING THE OWNERS WHO ARE MEAN AND ABUSIVE TO THEIR DOGS, DONT JUDGE THE TYPE OF BREED OF A DOG..... ANGEL IN MARION, NC

Posted at 6:39PM on Apr 26th 2007 by angel parton

9. Recently I started dog-sitting for my cousin's pit bulls and I found them to be the most wonderful of dogs, loyal & loving with facial expressions that are incredibly human and oftentimes comical.The bad press they get indicates just how uneducated and idiotic a lot of people are. I wanted to find out why there was so much prejudice against pit bulls and after researching their history, it is clearly shown that they were bred for dog fighting, not human fighting. It always comes back to the owner and how they are raised. I have absolutely no fear of these dogs, but that doesn't mean I don't take precaution when other dogs are in the vicinity-I would do this with any dog who showed aggressive tendencies. The discrimination against pit bulls is just another example of how the government and society wants to control and monitor our every move, how we think, and now even to what pets we can own. To all you pit bull owners out there, keep on loving these great dogs.

Posted at 8:36PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Ilene

10. I'm the human mom of these puppies and must state that this is a wonderful breed but it is important that people be familiar with the breed. I also have a chow mix and trust her less then I do my pits because she is very high strung.

Regarding the puppies, we will be requiring vet references, which will be checked, before alowing anybody we don't know to take one.

Posted at 11:36AM on Apr 27th 2007 by Laurentha

11. My trailer trash neighbor has a pit bull. It constantly leaps at the fence trying to attack us. The meter reader reads their electric meter from our yard. The animal shelters are full of pit bulls. Yes they can be sweet ( as can rotweilers) but the vast majority of the breed need to be put down as they have been bred to be aggresive and territorial.

Posted at 7:27AM on Apr 28th 2007 by j c porter

12. I believe as many have said before me it is how you have taught the animal to act and train them. In the detroit area all of the Rot's and pitts are put to sleep no matter what because they are considered dangerous they bite and it is on the news each time that an animal does this. this makes people hate these animals more. All animals are special All breads of dogs should be given the respect and love that they need.

Posted at 7:28AM on Apr 28th 2007 by kim

13. i started working at an animal hospital in south fla. in 1981. a pit bull pup came in injured by a doberman,.......she was tore up pretty badly,....but with tlc and the doctors she got well quickly,.....as a kid of 16 i became very attached to her during her stay at the hospital,.......she was one of a litter that was going to be sold,.......but the breeder couldn't sell her because she was missing parts of her feet and had lots of scars. the owner met with me one day during an office visit and i explained how i had fallen in love with the pup. the owner gave her to me,............everyone i wirked with including the doctors there at the hospital warned me not to take her because she would most likely become dog aggressive in the future. as most teenagers are,....stubborn,....i kept her anyway,.....she was the best dog i ever had,..... she died in 1991,.....of cancer. i have had many since then,.....own four now, but never has there been another like her,...........shes been gone many years now,.....but her picture is still in my house and she will remain forever in my heart,...her name was "TRUITT" thats the last name of the people in hollywood fla that gave her to me. i wish i could thank them for the best dog ever. thats my story,.......

Posted at 2:16PM on Apr 28th 2007 by crystal balsley

14. all dogs are good dogs. Pit bulls are no different the morons who raise them mean are to blame for these beautiful dogs getting such a bad rep. I have met and kissed someone else's pit bull, and they can be as affectionate and sweet as any dog who is trained and loved properly. Anyone who says differently, is uneducated and knows nothing about dogs. Long live ALL dogs.

Posted at 3:33PM on Apr 28th 2007 by shelly

15. Listen. Any animal is capable of being mean. They all have teeth, they all bite. Its like saying all little kids are bad. No it is the way they are raised and the morals we put into them. So why should an animal be any different. We make them what they become. It is natural for dogs to dislike one another and it is natural for one dog to want to be the Alpha dog in a confrontation. I think people should educate themselves about animals and their habit before they make them selves sound so STUPID as a large majority of YOU have done here.

Posted at 3:33PM on Apr 28th 2007 by Tracy

16. I have a pitt and a rott. I love these dogs dearly, but I must admit my husband had to talk me into getting them. Before, we got them I too was afraid because of all the negative talk about these breeds. Both of my dogs are just big lap dogs and spoiled rotten. They are the best dogs in the world.

Posted at 5:36PM on Apr 28th 2007 by Jessica

17. well i think its all in how you raise them. Im a dog trainer and pttbull rescue. I personally own 6 pitbulls and never had a roblem with them. im 26 years old and been raised around them. my mom had a pitbull for 14 years until it past away. it never bit anyone and always loved people. i had a pitbull in magnzines and everything. yes they can lock and do more damage, but if you raise them right the chances of them biting somone is the sam odds for any other dog. theyre great family dogs and my son loves them and hes 7.

Posted at 6:50PM on Apr 28th 2007 by kristy

18. Pittbulls are not the problem, but there are some breeders who should be ashamed of themselves with their breeding methods. The worse, are the owners, there are a lot of morons that think it is cool to raise them to attack and be vicious. I have seen many very wonderful loving dogs, then again it is reflective of their owners. You know the saying, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree............

Posted at 7:52PM on Apr 28th 2007 by Michie

19. I am soo sick of people blaming pitbulls for everything just because someone could not be in control of their dog does not make it the dogs fault and thereso the owners in some cases. I own 5 pitbulls out of my five I have come across a problem with one and he born with an attitude against all dogs. Its something nobody can change. There are no bad dogs they have attitudes like all of us and some can can get over things and some cant therefore it is up to us to make them our only companion and do not put them in a position that something can happen. Any dog can be mean not just the pitbulls they foucus on pitbulls so much these days and all of it is negative. I feel bad for their breed they dont understand what is going on and why so many people dont like them and they are the ones that have to suffer being thrown away and put to death every day. My pitbulls are also great with my 3 year old son and his 10 month old brother I could not ask for better dogs and I will always own pitbulls no matter what people say about them they will always have a place in my heart. Jenn from New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Posted at 7:37AM on Apr 29th 2007 by Jennifer

20. I own a pitbull mix we picked up from someome giving them away on the side of the road I saw him (Dozer) as my husband drove by and I made him stop got out and took him home, I couldn't leave him there, I have a 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter and Dozer is 3 and I would trust him over any dog in the world he is loving and gentle and protective but never mean or violent, he is wonderful

Posted at 11:18AM on May 10th 2007 by Michelle