Vick dogs saved

[red dog]

http://www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D7568007%26nav%3DZolHbyvj&itemid=200801080146140.0591957

This is amazing. In most locations, as far as I'm aware, dogs previously trained for fighting are automatically killed. It's a horrible case ... but honestly, the rescue is the part that shocks me most.

[Karen]

Wow, that is amazing that the surviving animals were all placed! If it weren't such a high-profile case, I have to wonder if so much effort would have been made. Let me add I don't doubt the rescue groups efforts, I doubt the "authorities" who make the rules about adoptions.

I've read that some US counties with breed specific legislation will euthanize every "pit-bull" that comes into a pound, even puppies and even if people have expressed interest in adopting. I don't know if the same is true in Canada, but I wouldn't doubt it based on the stereotypes of the "fighting breeds". Erg. Let me prevent a rant and just stop there...

[alibuch]

Well... I live in an area where there are verrry strict rules on pit bulls. Pits are illegal in my county. There have been many attacks on children by pits (some resulting in death) so the county wants to keep them out of the city. However, I know soooo many people with pits. They just register them as mix breed dogs (pit/rottweiler, etc).
There's also a growing dog fighting problem in my city... so I'd like to keep pits out. Once the dogs have been trained for fighting, the chances of them snapping and attacking someone are going to be so high. If a family has the Pit as a puppy and on, then I think it's different...

Not that I'm condoning forced euthenasia...

[pukka]

I think it is hoirrible that pit bulls are seen as ''killers'' and mostly the
media makes the pit bulls as bad dogs.
See how many kids are attacked by other breeds dogs as well.
Sometimes it does involved people buying this breed without training them.
Childeren should never be left alone with any dog.
I have small dogs and if I leave my dogs alone with small kids I cannot
guarantee my dogs will not bite them eventhough they never bit before.

Kids get attacked or killed because their dogs are not trained well and
because adults/owners are careless.
In my country you can have pit bulls though they have to be registered
and only from a real breeder ( 1500euro or more for a puppy)
Importing a pittbul is also forbidden.

I experience pit bulls from a real breeder very sweet and good dogs!

[cyrax]

I am quite happy to know that these dogs have been rescued instead of being euthanised. I did hear of laws that state that dogs bred for fighting and dogs that are aggressive are euthanised. This is perhaps only in some regions.
The people who make these laws are narrow minded. If a dog is bred and trained to attack and kill people or dogs it will do just that. The culprit there is the human. To prevent any further attacks by dogs like that perhaps the HUMAN must be euthanised. Dogs can be retrained and rehabilitated because it is nature at work when they attacked people/dogs. With humans it is mostly lack of responsibility or greed.
Some breeds though are extremely dominant. One that comes to my mind is the Tibetan Mastiff. I would not adopt/foster one myself because I do not consider myself capable of handling a dog like that as yet. The other breed that I heard stories about is the "Caucasian Ovcharka". It would be better if people were not allowed to even adopt/buy/foster dogs of these types unless they are well trained themselves.
More than the breed, I would say it is the temperament of the dog that matters. I know of GSDs that are so lazy that you can never expect them to even chase a ball let alone cats or thieves. I also know of Pomeranians that are cute from a distance but quite aggressive when you approach them. Genetics do play a part in the aggressiveness of a dog. Depends on the sire and the dam, but more often than not it is the humans who spoil their dogs.
I strongly believe that "owning" a dog is not a right. It is a privilege.

[red dog]

I'm not sure about other parts of Canada, but I know Ontario introduced a ban since I left. It's depressing. :confused: