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Monday, April 30, 2012

Maryland's Highest Court Says All Pit Bulls Are "Inherently Dangerous."

When pit bulls make the news, it's often for a vicious attack.  Animal advocates think their reputation is unfair, but the Maryland Court of Appeals is keeping count with cases like Keyniya Harris in mind.

"The dog came running after me because the door wasn't locked and he just came pushing the door open and running after me," said Harris.   

Seven-year-old Keyniya has deep gashes in her leg after a pit bull in her Rosedale neighborhood pinned her down.  It happened in October of last year.          

She needed 40 stitches and she missed a month of school.

"All she can do is holler mommy, mommy it just hurts, leg just all gashed over.  I never seen nothing like that in my life," said Loretta Harris, Keyniya’s mom. 

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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

i have never been bit by a pit.

but i have been bit by a few small little yappy dogs.

breed specific laws will not stand up

Anonymous said...

i get it. many don't. sad.

Anonymous said...

I would be more scared of a chow or a Doverman/Pincher Most dogs can be trained to be agressive My son has two pit bulls..they are protective of the family which most dogs are. They are not mean at all towards other people or even other animals.
Most people are afraid of their own shadows.

Anonymous said...

this is the duh statement of the year. anyone that does research into the breed knows they were bred to be large and aggressive.

Anonymous said...

All Pit Bulls are inherently dangerous-inherently meaning the potential to be dangerous.
You need look no further than their history and why they were created. They are a cross between bulldogs and terriers and each of those breeds has a distinct history and traits. Pit Bulls were bred as "catch dogs" to hunt down wild pigs and cattle, using their weight and teeth to immobilize them. Just as retriever types were created to retrieve and the guard classification (German Shepards example) were bred to guard.
Any dog bred for the specific purpose to chase and immobilize using their teeth is without a doubt inherently dangerous. Behavioural traits and tendencies in dogs are always there and no one can ever ever say otherwise.

Anonymous said...

It's not that they are so much trained to be agressive 11:14 but more a trait that was purposely bred into them that can at any time manifest itself.
For instance like a hunter will not get a doberman to go duck hunting with because retrievers are the dogs bred for the sport and have an ingrained tendancy toward retrieving.
Any expert on dog behavior will tell you this and I'm not taking the pseudo experts that run rescues or shelters or most pit bull owners themselves.

Anonymous said...

Having been around a few and owned one, they can be as much fun or more than the average dog. When they play tug-o'-war, they're in for the win.
They do have the traits mentioned previously and the many of the morons that get one don't understand that. Unless attended daily with affectionate care, those traits, more leonine than canine, will surface. Their bite and tearing force is phenomenal and their pain sensors almost non-existent.
Even with great care, their nature lurks. Ask Roy Horn (of Siegfried and Roy) about the nice white tigers he hand-raised.

Anonymous said...

This article is a crock. Every dog has the potential to be dangerous. I have a pitbull that I have never heard growl out of anger or aggression. But I have had a small terrier try to literally bite my hand off when I went to pet her. It's a sad thing to see an entire breed labeled all because of the actions of a few. Dogs need to be trained. Like I said, I have a pit now and I will never have a different kind of dog. My dog is everything I could possibly want.

Anonymous said...

The Md. Court of Appeals should not legislate from the bench. This ruling will force thousands of tenants to choose between their family dog and moving.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the vast majority of pits can be sweet, loving pets. BUT like others have said the agression has been bred into them & can surface at any time. How many times don't you hear of the "family dog" suddenly attacking a child? There was one in my neighborhood who got out & attacked a little dog (on a leash) as the owner was walking in the middle of the street. People, it's in the breed.

Anonymous said...

an aggression characteristic bred into them. That aggressive steak is what those who orginally bred Pit Bulls were looking for. Pit's are a cross between a pit terrier and a bull dog.
Though all dogs do have the potential to be dangerous not all are bred with the inherent trait to be agressive which can equate to dangerous.

Anonymous said...

I have a Beagle; no way he has the potential to be dangerous. A real wuss, but so gentle and lovable.

Anonymous said...

422-I have a pit bull. He's the same way.

Anonymous said...

But I bet your little Beagle has the potential to go snooping, 4:22? That's a Beagle breed trait.

Anonymous said...

Currently have a Pit-Mix and she is the sweetest dog i have ever had. Now the Cocker Spaniel my family used to have was the meanest thing alive. Bit several people and had a mean streak. I'll take my Pit any day thank you...

Anonymous said...

This article and most comments are stupid.according to the logic said....a rat terrier or yorkie is just as dangerous.they were breed to kill big rats and mice.and tend to attack small children and infants.the fact of the matter is.....these are animals.even domestic animals are still animals.humans are animals.we all will snap at some point.its just how will it happen and to what extent.