Bella Dea wrote:Chai Tea wrote:Bella Dea wrote:Quote:Mesa County Animal Control Director Penny McCarty provided figures that showed 230 dog bites in the first 10 months of 2005, the most current numbers she had available. Of those, small breeds, such as terriers, Pekingese and schnauzers, bit 53 people in the county.
Working dogs, such as border collies, bit 38 people, while pit bulls bit 28.
Could it be any more clear than that?
23% of the bites were from small breeds.
17% of the bites were from working breeds.
12% of the bites were from pit bulls.
48% unknown (it would be interesting to see what breeds the other half made up)
Bella - this is another case where statistics can make numbers say anything, depending on what we want them to say.
According to the above, we know that 12% of the dogs were PB's
23% were small breeds? Well, that could be 23 different small breeds each comprising 1%, all the way to 2 small breeds with one doing 22% and the other 1%.
Same with the working dogs, and the "unknowns".
In addition, some of the unknowns could also have been PB's.
Thirdly, how many of these "working and unknowns" Rottweilers or another breed with problems.
I agree. But the point is that people say half of all dog bits are caused by pit bulls....which is a bald faced lie. That stat there says that only 12% of all bites were pit bulls, making the rest of the bites by other breeds. Who cares what kind...the point is that pit bull bites aren't as common as they are made out to be.
ok, but look at the 48% unknown....
Some of those dogs were probably pitts and the person didn't know it, if it ran off.
My Aunt Tillie has no idea what a PB looks like, one could bite her and all she'd know was that it was a dog.
To me, PB's are pretty non-descript looking animals, if one walked up to me, I'm not sure if I'd be 100% correct in identifying one. Especially since it seems many are mixed with something else.
So, some of the unknowns were more than likely a purebreed PB.
Next, some of the unknowns were probably mongrels. How many of THESE dogs had PB as part of their makeup?
So, more of these unknowns had PB in them. When a bit occurs, was it because of the PB tempermant?
I have absolutley nothing to back this up, but it seems to me if someone has a mixed breed dog that is part PB, the other major part is NOT going to be something like a golden retriever or a bichon frise.
Interesting, I just cut and pasted the below from the AKA website. Seems Pit bulls are considered a Terrier, which says in part...
People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. . Many continue to project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument. Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs' lively characters.
Interesting, I just cut this from the AKA website. Pitt bulls are in the terrier class.
People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier.
Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument. Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs' lively characters.
I've known my share of terriers, and they are fiesty. I know someone with 2 Jack Russel terriers, and I'm not 100% comfortable around them.
You know, I can understand where people have a loyalty to their breed of choice, or to their individual pet, but, c'mon, these dogs were breed to hunt and kill.
This reminds me of when children are out of control, like in a restaurant but if you were to speak to any parent, they would say "Not MY child"
It's always "someone elses' child, or "my breed just gets a bad rap"
Why is it acknowledged that some breeds, like a border collie, innately need more mental stimulation because of their intelligence and herding instinct, but it can't be aknowledged that their dog must be monitored closely because it was bred to chase down, bite and kill?
Yes, yes, yes...any dog can bite. But, after what degree of provocation?
A big old goofy lab can be tussled around, have his ears pulled by children and will sit there with a smile on its face.
Be honest, if you had a 2 year old, and they approached a dog, with it's owner right there, and the toddler wanted to gently pat the dog on the head, would you feel more comfortable if it was a collie, or a pit bull?
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