WOW this article explains it all perfectly! Take the time to read it!

http://internetservices.readingeagle.com/blog/editorials/archives/2008/01/city_should_tar_1.html

It's from someone in Reading, PA!

Whoever says that most Pit Bull owners live in rental properties have never tried to rent an apartment or house owning a pit bull. Every apartment complex in Tulsa has a ban on Pit Bulls and other media hyped breeds, rotties and dobes. Statefarm insurance will insure any breed of dog. They have a "no bad dogs only bad owners policy" So are you stereotyping and saying that Pit Bull owners can't afford to be home owners? You are just really stereotyping everything about this breed now, including it's owners. My dog (an american pit bull terrier) is as sweet as pie. She gets so excited when she meets new people all she wants to do is lick their faces, the same with other dogs. The only reason why it seems there are more pit bull attacks than other breeds because any dog can be falsely labeled as a pit bull, even if it's not. The media will lie to get coverage... and they rarely show a picture of the actual dog that made the attack. How many people can correctly identify a pit bull? Do you think you can? Try this

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

I bet most of you took a few tries.Another reason why Pit Bull attacks seem high is because they are one of the most popular dog breeds... they also have developed an image by irresponsible people who try to make the dogs mean and breed them to be so. Summer, you do not live with your neighbors you don't know how their dogs are actually treated. Never assume you know the situation of what a dog has been through. Pit Bulls are valuable because of their high drive and willingness to please. The number one drug sniffing dog in America is a Pit Bull called Popsicle. He was rescued in a drug bust where he was found in a freezer.

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/articles/popsicle.html

There are more children killed by their parents each year than in all pit bull attacks combined.

As far as I am concerned if you see a pit bull running loose in a neighborhood and don't report it, you are just as guilty and at fault as whoever let the dog get out in the first place.

Every owner of a pit bull, whether it is good, bad, or anything, has a responsibility different than any other dog. Summer if you had read about it and raised it right there is no reason it should have attacked. Somewhere along the line you messed up. Same as everyone else who has a dog that has bit someone. Just face it, own up to your mistake, and quit trying to pawn it off on someone else. Im sorry for your tragedy truly, but at the same time I can't help but believe it's owner error. DOGS ARE PRODUCTS OF THEIR TRAINING. There are only certain people who can handle a pet like a pit bull. The rest of you can stick with your everyday common house pets and never know the potential love a dog like mine has to offer.

LL: where are these site you keep "quoting"? so far it is just your word against all the facts that have been laid out. The center for disease control disagrees with your assessment.

maggers: you say you see an animal running loose, have you bothered to call animal control? or are you just going to be part of the problem? My dogs are behind a fence, my dogs are legal, the dog you are talking about is running loose which is against the law... but it is easier to go after something that doesnt require hunting down isnt it..

HAHAHA!!!!!!!!! You Pit Bull haters are so ridiculous! I honestly cant help but laugh at some of the moronic things you are saying! First off, if you want to criticize all those in favor of the dog for spelling errors, dont be so byist and check those against too. They look like they spell with a fifth graders education! They deliver their points like fifth graders too! All you can constantly say is that your not uneducated or narrowminded. But your comments are so contradicting it's ridiculous! Don't make this a personal thing because it's highly unlikely your silly law will pass. Petition your heart out but as long as there are citizens like me in this city I will not stand back and watch you narrowminded haters try to take my beloved pet away. FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IF YUO OWN A DOG AND IT BITES, ATTACKS, OR ANYTHING RELATED, IT IS YOUR FAULT. No one elses. you are the one raising and teaching the dog so if it doesn't know right from wrong you are the one to blame. Same for any child.

Why LL thank you so very much for pointing out the flaw I very much so apologized for. It's always nice to have those few that stoop to a new level instead of arguing the facts. And besides every time I reply to you, my message can get said again, Banning the breed is not the answer. Harsher punishments on dog owners and enforcing the existing laws is our only hope at ever successfully even trying to get a grasp on this situation. Hold please while I copy and paste into word, so the annal few that care will know I have no grammatical or spelling errors, oh wait that's not my concern, my concern is PUNISH THE DEED NOT THE BREED! Besides if the only argument you have is bashing me and not the points I've made, well that speaks volumes!

NAMECALLING? JEALOUS COMMENT? WHERE? DID I MISS SOMETHING, I HAD BETTER BE MORE CAREFUL WHAT I WRITE BETWEEN THE LINES,I SURE DID'NT REALIZE I DID ALL THAT! CHILDISH WHAT? DID YOU MEAN "TACTICS"? 'CAUSE I CONFESS, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT "TANTICS" MEANS. YOU MUST BE EDUCATED, YOU KNOW A WORD THAT IS'NT EVEN IN WEBSTERS DICTIONARY. OOOOOO I GIVE UP, YOU ARE TOO BRAINY FOR ME PITTYMOM.

Well I see those that are narrowminded are resulting into name calling and childish tantics. Excuse me for multi tasking and making a few mistakes in my post. And as for the jealous comment, never, I don't fear things I don't understand, I educate myself to over come that fear. As long as there are pit bull haters there will be those that love the breed. Don't think for a moment you can judge what kind of response you would to a city ban off of the post you get off of these comments. A majority of my friends are also responsible pit bull owners. Even though we may make grammer or spelling errors once in a while we are educated, we are all registered to vote, and we will make a difference. One of the best things about being young is being able to network and get your voice out so easily. I never once denied what any other dog would do other than mine. Every post I have made has been on the idea that I will be punished personally for a deed my dogs nor I had nothing to do with. My dogs have never even met a majority of you and yet you still hate them. I would hate to fear something just because I don't understand it and fear it's capabilities. Good luck with your quest. The city doesn't have the financial background to enforce the current laws that could prevent so many of these attacks so make more money woes for the city. I love your thinking!

Well kids, as much fun as this has been I have to go now, but I will close by saying I have made one interesting observation while on this site, the people who are in support of Pitbulls do not seem to be especially proficent in spelling or reading. Nighty Night, and don't let the Pitbulls Bite. LOL

Sorry to burden all you defenders of Pitbulls with the truth, you can and I'm sure will ignore that which you do'nt want to hear, but if you doubt my stats, check it out. I logged on to a Law website. There are a lot more stats out there, like over 50% of all fatalities are children, just over 39% of the attacks were on the dog owner or his family. Postal workers made up most of the other 61% there. Email the Mayor, your state Representative, Govenor Henry...........LETS BAN PITBULLS IN TULSA CITY LIMITS NOW!

hey summer u made our point for us.u said ANY dog can attack.yep thats right any dog can attack.not just pitbulls.the only reason ur throwin a litle tantrum is because thats the breed that attacked ur child.i have a friend u may know her as pitbull lover that owns a pitbull.dnt give me the crap about u raising ur dog right because ive seen first hand a pitbull that has been raised right and precious would never bite anyone.its ur fault and ur responsability that ur child got bit.not pitbulls.if a border collie attacked ur child then u would be fighting to get them banned too.so dnt blame it on the breed.blame it on urself and the rest of the irresponsible pittbull owners and shut up!

5 Breeds of dogs account for 2/3 of all accounts of dogs attacks in the US in 2007. In order of most fatalities: (1) Pitbull, twice as many as all other breeds together, and over half of all fatalities (Pittymom, fatality means the people died), (2) Rottweiler, (3) German Shepherd (4) Husky (5) Alaskan Malumut. 50% of all German Shepherds attacks were in the line of duty as K-9 Police Officers. Insurance companies paid out over one billion dollars last year as a result of dog attacks.

PittyMom, I didn't say locking jobs, I said locking jaws, .....and yes, I have read serveral different reports that confirm that they do have jaws that have more pounds per square inch of pressure then any other breed out there. and once they have attached to their victim, it is virtually impossible to get them to release. And on the river rat comment...honey, your just mad because I actually said something that was true about the ridiculous animal you call a pet!.

Oh, I'm not mocking I just have a problem with people who get in a bad spirit and call people names like narrowminded, you did say I was narrowminded, how can you deny it... my thoughts are me... you said I was uneducated and narrowminded then you try to discredit a serious and frightening experience I had with my child and myself regarding pitt bulls. You told me I didn't know what I was talking about and then I also experienced a tragedy first hand and I saw my poor neighbor's face, it was awful. I'm not screaming at anybody some people just can't read the facts and still insist on denial. Oh, I see you finally did admit dogs attack, thank you. By the way I don't care about the media and what the media says. I'm sharing from years of reading about animals, caring for them, yes, I can read, I have a subcription to a dog book too!!! I have firsthand experience with one bite, two almost attacks, and a neighbor's attack from loving pit bulls. Who cares about the media. Best wishes with you pets, may they keep you warm at night and be your friend!!!!

If Sara Bailey, reads this website, I would say to her, START A PETITION, from the responses in this comment column, I would say at least 50% would support a petition to ban pitbulls from the city limits. If it was my mother, I would fight to get the law changed any way I could. If I can help in any way, just let me know.

Summer it's not funny to mock God. I never once said I was testifying, is it revival season again already? I simply told you how I live my life and the belief I have, I have never called you a name, the things I have called you are reflections of your thoughts and narrowmindness. I am not in denial, once again I am an educated responsible pit bull owner. I have never once raised my voice (hence your caps). Sorry you think this is nuts everyone has a cause and obviously yours is screaming at people via the internet. Have a spectacular day sweetie!

LL thanks for listening and sharing your story. Finally somebody who will admit that it happened and it does happen. Nice dogs, loved dogs, good owners, it still can happen. Sorry to hear about your friend. This is why we didn't take anymore chances and got rid of our pitt. We are dog lovers. We have two dogs, a snake, and two rabbits. In perspective, what is more important --our family, friends, and children -- to us it wasn't worth the risk. Dogs are like people... there are good dogs and dogs that are bad, dogs that turn bad and you can't figure out why, and there are good people and bad people,,,,,yada yada yada. What bothers me is for the stubborn people who keep defending and will not acknowledge that yes, it does happen and it can happen in the best of circumstances. These people are scary!!!!

ROFLMA, pit bulls do not have locking jobs. Just another uneducated assumption. Since you stated you lived in SouthWest Tulsa could I assume you are a river rat? Sucks to be classified as something your not huh?

Summer are you sure you wheren't tryin to say ignorant? Because none of us have by any means acted greater than anyone on here!

Second LL and Summer,

Dogs do attack yes and I dont care what you say there are reasons, fear, sickness, possesion, etc. When I say educate yourself, I mean do your own research, not the medias. Find people and organizations that specifically pertain to what it is your wanting to know. I never once said my dog won't attack. I have said from the begining I take percautions. I will never leave my dog alone with a child, I will never leave my dog unattended with an adult that is not aquainted with my dog, I will provide my dog a good home and a sound structure to carry out his/her days, I will provide my dog the proper veterinary care, I will never let my dog roam my neighborhood or any where I have taken her/him off leash and with those cautions the chances of my dog biting anyone are very slim. Pit Bulls thrive to make their owner happy, as long as I stay calm and assertive and keep my dog well socialized my dog will be an ambassador for this breed. It is not not admiting, it is once again having faith and believing in something. It's not about passion, it's about learning and accepting the traits of a particular breed the reasons why I take the percautions I take with my dogs. When my dogs are old and gray I would love to come back and tell each and everyone I told you where wrong and believe me that day will come!

Pit Bulls are nothing but killing machines. They have jaws that lock down on whatever they are attacking. The last time I checked other dogs(such as Labs, Golden Retrievers etc.) don't have that characteristic. The breed makes me absolutly sick. They should be banned , period!. I live in Southwest Tulsa, and I see Pit Bulls running around that area on a daily basis. I think people are completely ignorant that let their dogs roam free anyways, but there is a big difference in a Cocker Spaniel getting out of their yard, then there is a Pit Bull getting out. A Pit Bull recently killed my in-laws dog in her very own yard. She was just minding her own business, and the Pit Bull attacked her, ....yea that really sounds like a wonderful breed....give me a break!

I can't stand the breed, and I truly wish they were banned from Tulsa County all together!

Pittymom -- This is God. You really should be nice if you are going to bring me (God) into the picture. Name calling and being hateful is not a christian witness. I (God) loves everyone, even the ignorant and narrowminded. So please be kind to my people who you think are so foolish and uneducatedfoolish dog people. funny. ALSO, you just don't give up do you. THE STUPID DOGS WERE TRYING TO ATTACK ME. Are you dense. LET ME BE MORE GRAPHIC.. MY HUSBAND HAD TO SWING AT THEM TO GET THEM TO BACK OFF. I KNOW THEY WERE ATTACKING ME, A FEW MONTHS LATER THEY DID IT YET AGAIN TO A NEIGHBOR THREE HOUSES DOWN BUT THEY WERENT AS LUCKY AS ME, THEY BIT THE POOR WOMAN SO BAD YOU COULDN"T RECOGNIZE HER FACE. EVEN THE NICE LOVING OWNER COULD NOT CONTROL HIS DOGS AND THEY STARTED TOWARD HIM THE MAN WHO FED AND LOVED AND TOOK GREAT CARE OF THEM. ARE YOU IN THAT MUCH DENIAL OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT GOOD TREATED AND GOOD LOVED DOGS MIGHT AND DO ATTACK? I'm done wasting my time, this is nuts

Pittymom, maybe I did'nt make it clear, the dogs don't have to come into your house, mine live in the yard. Your yard is considered part of your property, and therefore if someone gets bitten, the insurance company has to pay just like any other injury which happens on your property. My comment about meeting a dog you don't know, was in reference to the "sweet Pitbulls" you own, that you love,treat like your children, and who would never harm anyone. When they do turn on their owners, the owners all say the same thing, " I just could'nt believe that was MY wonderful, sweet dog coming at me with their teeth bared". Hope you never see that, I really do wish the best for all of you PB lovers. As far as educating myself on dogs, I spent many years training dogs for the USMC, we tried to use Pitbulls, but they made really poor soldiers, so we used Rotts, Dobermans, Labs and German Shepherds instead.

pittbulllover --- My point is that the pit we had bit my child not because it wasn't loved and well taken care of. You don't know what you are talking about. I did everything right with that dog. We read about it, we loved it, we trained it. One day he just bit my child hard and for no reason. THEn years later I was attached by two pit bulls who were loved and special and all that. THE POINT IS ANY ANIMAL OR PITT OR WHATEVER sometimes attacks, it happens. BUT what is scary is for all the people who love their dogs who are so blinded to not recognizing that it CAN, there is a possiblity that IT CAN happen and it does happen. WAKE UP PEOPLE, GET A GRIP. ANY thing can happen. TELL YOUR STORY TO THE VICTIMS, alot of them were bitten, attacked, etc. from the dogs all of you are defending with such passion. There are two sides and it's great you believe in your lovey pet bull and that you are wonderful owners I'm so glad you are, but admit to yourself it can happen and stop being so arrogant!!!!!

pittbulllover --- My point is that the pit we had bit my child not because it wasn't loved and well taken care of. You don't know what you are talking about. I did everything right with that dog. We read about it, we loved it, we trained it. One day he just bit my child hard and for no reason. THEn years later I was attached by two pit bulls who were loved and special and all that. THE POINT IS ANY ANIMAL OR PITT OR WHATEVER sometimes attacks, it happens. BUT what is scary is for all the people who love their dogs who are so blinded to not recognizing that it CAN, there is a possiblity that IT CAN happen and it does happen. WAKE UP PEOPLE, GET A GRIP. ANY thing can happen. TELL YOUR STORY TO THE VICTIMS, alot of them were bitten, attacked, etc. from the dogs all of you are defending with such passion. There are two sides and it's great you believe in your lovey pet bull and that you are wonderful owners I'm so glad you are, but admit to yourself it can happen and stop being so arrogant!!!!!

Summer if the only things those dogs did was bark and jump on your car then for the love of God I get attacked everytime I come home.

There are signs that you can watch for when a dog is going to bite, that's why I said educate yourself before you go around saying you was attacked.

God Bless You Pittymom you have said it all!

summer, I also kept a pit bull puppy for 6 months for a friend of my daughters, she was just adorable, my dog mourned herself half to death when Salina went home with her owner (my dog was rescued from the shelter and spayed so she can't ever be a mommy) I missed the puppy too, but I was SO glad when she left, my insurance company almost cancelled my home owners because of her, and all the danger of pitbulls. I have a friend who raised two dogs from birth, loved them, took them everywhere, even took them to get treats just like children, his pitbull was almost 4 years old,and he was working in his garage one day, the dog was just lying on the floor, he petted him from time to time, then for no reason the dog attacked him, knocked this 235 pound former linebacker down,tore off his ear,half his nose,his shoulder was torn to the bone, ripped his jugular, and even then he kept attacking,the other dog, a 3 year old German Shepherd tried to stop the pit bull, but the pitbull killed him, then went back to the attack. His neighbor was out in his drive way and came over and beat the dog to death before he would stop the attack. My friend would have given his life for that dog, and would have hurt anyone who tried to harm his dog, he was one of the people who fought for the pitbull owners rights, he never in a million years would have done anything to hurt the dogs, he spent so much money on training,medical care, maintainence, and the best food. He did'nt believe it until it happened to him, he is now on the other side of the fence on the pitbull issue for good reason.

LL if strange dogs are coming in my house then I have far bigger problems than owning pit bulls! ;)

What's your logic on pits that are 10-13 years old that still act the same way they did as a puppy?

Haven't any of you heard, you speak bad things and they will happen? Why would I set around pondering what ifs whether it be my dog or me driving on Tulsa streets. I walk in faith and the God I believe in has taught me with that anything is possible. It's really a sad deal the lack of knowledge and discrimination some of you people have. I have educated myself pertaining the breed of choice in my house, my dogs are trained well behaved, but because of your fear and ignorance you set there and tell me to beware of something I have total faith in, the fact that I have taken good care of my dog and he will do the same for me! My dogs have never once given any of you a reason to question them, but because of there stature, there bloodline you tell me to expect the worse out of them. I am sorry but anything I give my love, affection and belive in will prosper. I guess the rescue organizations are right on the nail when they say it takes a special person to own a pitbull. Not all of you deserve this kind of love, your fear, narrowmindness and lack of willingness to learn is absurd.

well summer for one pits aren't to be in company of any other dogs because they are territorial and you have to treat them like you would a child

If you are going to say that then note the comments i previously posted. They have been bred for companionship and better temperaments for centuries. It is a fact that you yourself can look up to validate.Your right it is true, they do have the traights from years of breeding. Good thing they have been bred for positive things all these years.

Well i wouldn't be telling anyone that summer because you are showing just how well you raised it if it bit your child. You are the one to blame in that situation. You are entitled to your opinion as well. It's just a shame that its so narrow minded. If you know your stuff so well and think you have room to talk then you probably already knew this: "Over a century of careful breeding for companionship has produced rock-solid temperaments in the vast mojority of bully breeds, who regularly work as therapy, police, and search and rescue dogs." That is straight from a dog magazine.

Well, since I don't worship or model my life after what celebreties do, I really don't care who owns a pitbull, it means nothing. Michael Jackson owned lions and tigers too, how about if your neighbor had several of them, or you knew there are dozens on every block, some unrestrained? Most pitbull owners, NOT ALL, probably live in rental property, otherwise they would know it is almost impossible to get homeowners insurance if you have a pitbull, rottweiler, wolf hybrid or several other breeds of dog, there is a very good reason for that, the amount of money insurance companies have paid out in the past for dog attacks, on the owners property. It is not a constitutional right, but a liberty that allows you to have the dog of your choice, but say what you will,Labs were bred to retrieve game birds, Beagles were bred for rabbits, and Border Collies were bred for herding, even those who have never seen birds,rabbits or cows and sheep still do those things instinctively, and Pit Bulls still do what they were bred to do, it is genetic, you can't change it, you might lessen it, you can't change it. We have not needed a tail for eons, but we still have one on the end of our spines, it does'nt show, but it is there. Your pitbull may not show his genetic traits immediately, but he has them, you say I don't know your dog, true, but one morning you could get up to go to the bathroom, or come in from work, and meet a dog you don't know. I hope not.

pitbull lover --- I'm entitled to my opinion that the dog is ugly. You can adore and love your dog and think it is beautiful, I don't care. BUT how dare you say I'm only listening to the press and giving my comments. READ all the posts. I was almost attacked by loving well behaved well taken care of pit bulls. I was there. I expererienced it. Futhermore I do have knowledge of the breed because I myself owned a pit bull for a little while but because he BIT MY CHILD and was always trying to attack my cocker spaniel I got rid of him!

pittymom--- Educate myself about what? I know they were going to attack. Where is your head? They were barking crazy and jumping at the car door and it is not because they wanted me to pet them. I was there and I'm not stupid, I know what happened. I have dogs and I know the difference of a pet wanting attention or trying to attack you. It took my husband getting a board in the yard waving it at them before they even started to back down. The owner ran over and couldn't even control his dogs. I did NOTHING to them and didn't even see them until I started to get out of the car. I don't care what you think or believe. I experienced a bad situation with these dogs for no reason and I know for a fact the owners adored the dogs and they were treated very well.

Here are some things you probably didn't know about bully breeds: The RCA dog Nipper you saw on commercials was half bull terrior. The "little rascals" had an American Pit Bull Terrior named Petey. A WWI canine hero named Stubby was a pit bull. He was a sergeant in the U.S. army. Superbowl dog Spuds Mackenzie was a bull terrior. Tom Hanks owns a bully breed. Jessica Alba owns a Pit Bull. These are just a few famous appearances of the breed through time. And personally, if a Pit Bull is good enough to work with children in a show like "Little Rascals" with stress, lights, noise, and other irritating factors and not attack anyone, that alone should get some credit.

My dog is far from ugly. The only ugliness coming from this topic is the attitudes of these uneducated narrow minded people negating American Pit Bull Terriors. Your only knowledge of the dog is the bad press you hear about or what you have been told. I can not believe in my heart that my dog, who is afraid of her own reflection, would ever hurt anyone. I am the one that has been with her every day of her life since she was five weeks old. I am the only one who knows enough about her to be saying anything. Until you have put that kind of effort out to understand the breed you have nothing worth saying.

So what makes you say they where going to attack? Because they where running towards you? Please educate yourself before you speak.

One more thing-- I can't resist saying-- Pit bulls have got to be the ugliest dogs!

I'm not sure it is correct to say only the mean trained pits will attack. We had neighbors that had two pit bulls and they were not trained to be mean at all and one day they were out running around as I pulled into my driveway and as I started to get out they rushed toward me (not to be friendly) but to attack. They pinned me in my car until my husband could run them off. They also were bad about ripping cats literally in two pieces. They were loved and well cared for by their owners and not taught to fight yet they would have attacked me that day if I had not have stayed in the car. So, who is to say for sure. I do wonder about the breed in itself.

I feel that it's not the dogs that you need to ban. It's the people that raise these dogs to be mean. We have raised 3 pits and none of them have been mean dogs. Any dog can be violent. Not just pits. I feel that if you are going to ban one breed of dog...BAN THEM ALL! It's only fair. If this woman had been attacked by a cute fluffy pup would it have been in the news? NO! The pits get a bad rep because they are so powerful and they are trained to be mean. Dispose of those dogs and their handlers and all the other good well manered dogs will get along just fine. If a dog, any shape or size, comes toward our pit.....he cowers down and rolls over on his back. Why take it out on everyone that raises their pits to be behaved? If there is only a few bad apples?

Nana03 "First I would like to say I own 4 Pits, 3 of which are chained out side..."

Why have them then? Nothing crueler than having a dog only to chain it up, pretty much on display huh? Look at me, we have 3 pits on chains. Or are they chained to keep them from hurting someone or something? Seriously, dogs are not supposed to be chained up. Its cruel.

sli: and yet through all that you twist and ignore the facts... Pit Bulls were bread to bull bait, then they were bred to fight OTHER DOGS. A dog in the ring that shown aggression to it's human handler WAS PUT DOWN, they didnt want that trait to continue on as the human handlers didnt want to get hurt dealing with an injured dog... the "killer" trait that you are talking about, is not aimed at humans. it is aimed at dogs, even this story represents that... the dogs attacked the lady to GET TO HER DOG. Any dog that is properly bred, trained & socialized will even have that trait diminished to the point that it is a non factor, as the national numbers reflect.

Heres some homework for you... do a search as to why it is not recommended to get a pit bull as a guard dog...

Thank you pitty mom! people act like we had no idea what we were getting into when we bought the dog in the first place. As if our only intention was to buy it and treat like any common house pet or to buy it for bad intentions such as fighting. NO! I actually have a lick of common sense! I already know the gentic traits and breeding story well. I did my research before i purchased my pet like any responsible owner would. And i have worked that much harder to ENSURE that she is the great dog i set out for. SHE IS

First I would like to say I own 4 Pits, 3 of which are chained out side and one of which stays inside with myself and my three grandchildren which live with me. We live in a rual area and not in town. My dogs have never shown any agressivness. The one in the house is 8yrs old and I've had her since she was 4wks. she has been spade and has never had a litter so I donot breed them they are pets only. I will tell you that when my two boys which are grown now first brought one of these dogs home (which was a stray that someone had droped off on our road because she was to worn out to have any more pups) I told them if she so muched as growled she was gone I would have her put down(shot). She ended up being the best dog I had ever owned. But foremost this statement still stands with any of the dogs I have now including my beloved Honey Girl.I will put them down if they show any agressiveness.I have read all of these comments and I have heard over and over about irresponsible owners and mistreated dogs but no one has mentioned the people who buy these dogs to fight and not only are they mistreated, they are hooked up to weights to build mussle, straved and then feed raw meat sometimes smaller animals.But worst than that they inbreed them over and over, if you inbreed something long enough you will get a very mean and retarted animal. I thought there was a law on dog fights! Well guess what folks it's still happening and as long as these dogs are raised this way and sold as pets to unsuspecting families we are going to have a problem!

I want to start by saying I am an animal lover. I own 4 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 12 chickens. The key point here is I TRULY understand the difference between an animal and a human. So many people including many of these pitbull owners see their dogs with rose colored glasses, and as if they were part of their human family. The truth is they ARE ANIMALS and subject to "traits" and "genetics" that they are designed and breed for. Many think it's all in the way they are raised... THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY TRUE!!!!!!! The way you raise the animal can play a part in their temperament or trained response. However, deep in their "makeup" is the genetics of natural instinct that they were breed and designed for that can come out at anytime. Horses that were breed to horses designed and trained for team roping are highly sought after even several generations down the road because of their genetic makeup. Hunting dogs are the same. Even several generations out, even if the mother and grandmother had not been hunted much or at all the dog still posses the possibility of the natural hunting instincts that the training and breeding had instilled in the genetics. Now the more recent the training i.e. if the mother and grandmother were hunted than the pup has a better chance of that genetic makeup. However, even several generations down it can still be there. Pitbulls were designed to KILL, not be a lap dog. So you pitbull owners who want to say it will never be my dog because how I raise him... you're just fooling yourself! Maybe you'll be lucky... maybe you won't, but you can't control the years of genetics that went into their breeding!!!!!!

Elm Creek Smith: can you guarantee that noone will come into your house, steal your guns and use them in a crime? you use the same arguments that the anti-gun people use... think about it...

Well considering they are 2 &4 and have never gotten out as of right now yep I can gaurantee that they aren't getting out of my yard. What part of responsible do you not comprehend? Go reread my post and you will see, I knew what I was getting into, I know they are better known as great escape artist. I have taken percautions since the first day they where brought to my house. I can't gaurantee much but I can promise you that I am a responsible owner, PERIOD.

In response to L.L. on 1/04/08 about the French woman. I hate to tell you but it was a lab that mauled her face, not a pitbull.