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This is a bit off the topic, but I think the prejudice against certain breeds is part of the problem. ANY large dog can severely injure or kill someone. I believe it is the responsibility of the owner of the animal to put them down (sorry Cesar) when it becomes apparent the animal is aggressive.
Many years ago very good family friends adopted an adult male Pit Bull from a Pit Bull Rescue. Their children were 5 and 3 at the time. They had no knowledge of the animal or its history. It had been dumped in the Columbia River. They were familiar with the breed and comfortable having it in their home. The dog was very sweet, somewhat destructive to their home, but not a danger to their children.
A month after my daughter’s attack, two weeks after her stitches were removed, my brother came back to the area for a visit with his new wife and TWO Rotts. I was SO disgusted with him, I asked him what he was thinking! We had to give away our own family dog because my daughter was terrified, and here he brings these two huge animals.
This attack severely affected her sense of security. When she got out of the hospital she requested to stay at my parent’s house. Because “Papa [is a police officer and he] can protect me” it broke my heart. At the time I had no idea how I was ever going to get her to feel safe at home (no where near the attack). We didn’t own guns or have a police car in our driveway. My brother showing up for a visit with these dogs helped the things along, but it was NOT the way I wanted things to go.
My daughter has always been very intelligent, she called him on it. He said “sweetheart, if you had a Rott, that animal would have never touched you. When it approached you, the Rott would have killed it before it could have even scratched you.” She believed him. When his female had a litter of puppies the following spring, he sent two, one for us, and one my father trained and used as a police dog. We had that Rott for 14 years. She was the sweetest, smartest dog we’ve ever had, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind that she would have defended us if the need arose.
My point is, you CAN have a pet that will protect yourself and family without encouraging aggressive behavior. My uncle used to make fun of her all the time, calling her a wimp. He was a frequent guest in our home and could come and go as he pleased, she wouldn’t even raise her head. He stopped by to pick up something from the house, and we were not home. She made it perfectly clear that he wasn’t welcome there right now, while we weren’t home. He was stunned, didn’t think she had it in her. When he came back later that day, she greeted him just as affectionately as she always had. So the theory that a protection dog needs to be mean is wholly inaccurate.
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I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
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