Another Good Reason To Carry

[B2Tall]

On this past Friday a man in Central Florida was attacked in his yard by 2 Pit Bulls that had gotten loose. He's fighting for his life after basically being torn to pieces.

My neighbor two doors down has a Pit Bull that's kept behind a 5 1/2 foot chain link fence. "Friendly" is not a word that I'd use to describe this animal.

I did my yard work today with, as always, a pistol in my pocket. Today it was my .357 snubbie filled with Hornaday CD.

 

[ramrunnr]

I'm always armed around my home. I'm either carrying a Glock chambered in 9mm or a Ruger SP101 chambered in .357 Magnum, usually with hollowpoints.

 

[Tucker's Mom]

On this past Friday a man in Central Florida was attacked in his yard by 2 Pit Bulls that had gotten loose. He's fighting for his life after basically being torn to pieces.

My neighbor two doors down has a Pit Bull that's kept behind a 5 1/2 foot chain link fence. "Friendly" is not a word that I'd use to describe this animal.

I did my yard work today with, as always, a pistol in my pocket. Today it was my .357 snubbie filled with Hornaday CD.

I don't know...my son has a well-trained pit bull and he is as gentle as anything. I have trained Rotties for over 10 years and I have yet to see on that misbehaves. I guess some dog owners are just lapsing in training this beautiful animals.

And yes, I do not trust any dog that is not mine either so when I am doing yardwork with my husband, I carry too just in case.

 

[Firefighterchen]

The only good reason to carry is too save life. Be it from a dog (any kind), bear, cat, human...whatever...

I too have the sweetest American Stafford shire terrier (pit bull without a pit)/akira mix. She has never misbehaved either.

I said it before, irresponsible dog owners shouldn't have dogs like irresponsible gun owners shouldn't have guns.

 

[kelcarry]

Before everyone agrees on a firearm vs a dog or dogs, keep in mind that you must be able to hit or kill the dog. With a charging pit bull or two or other animal, the decision to fire will be made when the animal is fairly close to you and in some states, unless there is evidence of an attack, you will find yourself on the wrong side of a legal situation when you have no marks on you and a dog is dead from your firearm. If there is concern over a dog or dogs, keep in mind mace, pepper spray, even wasp spray, and a nice size serrated knife, which, in close situations where you are already being attacked, will serve you better than trying to present a firearm and using it.

 

[B2Tall]

I don't know...my son has a well-trained pit bull and he is as gentle as anything. I have trained Rotties for over 10 years and I have yet to see on that misbehaves. I guess some dog owners are just lapsing in training this beautiful animals.

And yes, I do not trust any dog that is not mine either so when I am doing yardwork with my husband, I carry too just in case.

All dogs are well-behaved.......until they're not.

Pitbulls are probably the most fearless and ferocious dogs in existence. That being said, ever wonder why you never see them being used as security animals by the police, military, prisons, etc.??? Because they're ultimately uncontrollable as a breed when the SHTF. They don't stop attacking until THEY are satisfied. It's not the dog's fault but Pits are the result of selective breeding gone too far. Rotties, Dobies, German Shepperds, etc. can all be trained to be reliable and controllable guard/police dogs. Attempts to do the same with Pitbulls have failed on a consistent basis because they're too agressive when put into the types of situations that security dogs frequently encounter.

You're right.....I don't trust any dog I'm not familiar with, Pitbulls least of all.

 

[B2Tall]

Before everyone agrees on a firearm vs a dog or dogs, keep in mind that you must be able to hit or kill the dog. With a charging pit bull or two or other animal, the decision to fire will be made when the animal is fairly close to you and in some states, unless there is evidence of an attack, you will find yourself on the wrong side of a legal situation when you have no marks on you and a dog is dead from your firearm. If there is concern over a dog or dogs, keep in mind mace, pepper spray, even wasp spray, and a nice size serrated knife, which, in close situations where you are already being attacked, will serve you better than trying to present a firearm and using it.

I'd rather be alive and answering questions as to why I shot a dog than be on the ground in bloody pieces with a full magazine in my pistol.

I like dogs and do well around them (they seem to like me as well). The animal's body language is everything. A couple of years ago I was doing some outdoor cardio when I was "charged" by an absolutely massive Harlequin Great Dane. It only took an instant to see the dog's body language said "play" and not "attack". I never even considered reaching for my pistol although I had ample time to.

 

[snatale42]

All dogs are well-behaved.......until they're not.

Pitbulls are probably the most fearless and ferocious dogs in existence. That being said, ever wonder why you never see them being used as security animals by the police, military, prisons, etc.??? Because they're ultimately uncontrollable as a breed when the SHTF. They don't stop attacking until THEY are satisfied. It's not the dog's fault but Pits are the result of selective breeding gone too far. Rotties, Dobies, German Shepperds, etc. can all be trained to be reliable and controllable guard/police dogs. Attempts to do the same with Pitbulls have failed on a consistent basis because they're too agressive when put into the types of situations that security dogs frequently encounter.

You're right.....I don't trust any dog I'm not familiar with, Pitbulls least of all.

Got to agree, I love pits, they can be great dogs but as said above when SHTF all the BAD in them comes out. The problem can never be fixed as no 2 pits are the same. I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually become illegal to breed. Some people think that can't happen but since Pits aren't a real breed to begin with...it might. For those who don't know there is no such thing as pure bred pit bull since their muts to begin with. People always continue to screw with the PitBull bloodline and it's always for the worse. Especially with the blues.

 

[Firefighterchen]

All dogs are well-behaved.......until they're not.

Pitbulls are probably the most fearless and ferocious dogs in existence. That being said, ever wonder why you never see them being used as security animals by the police, military, prisons, etc.??? Because they're ultimately uncontrollable as a breed when the SHTF. They don't stop attacking until THEY are satisfied. It's not the dog's fault but Pits are the result of selective breeding gone too far. Rotties, Dobies, German Shepperds, etc. can all be trained to be reliable and controllable guard/police dogs. Attempts to do the same with Pitbulls have failed on a consistent basis because they're too agressive when put into the types of situations that security dogs frequently encounter.

You're right.....I don't trust any dog I'm not familiar with, Pitbulls least of all.

I would like to see some studies on the reason bull dogs aren't used for guard dogs before I believe thats the reason.

Pitbulls are illegal to breed because they are bred to fight in pits. Bull dogs (many of the same breeds) that aren't bred to fight are great dogs. My bull dog listens to every one of my commands, so did my Labrador (died recently of cancer) . My dog has the same chance of becoming agressive as any one of us. But i don't label all gun owners as being responsible until one day they are not.

 

[snatale42]

I would like to see some studies on the reason bull dogs aren't used for guard dogs before I believe thats the reason.

Probably because they'd die of a heart attack if they had to chase somebody combined with the fact they can't really leap at them to get them.

Pitbulls are illegal to breed because they are bred to fight in pits.

Pits are absolutely NOT illegal to breed. Where are you getting this information?

 

[wooddoctor]

Owning a pit bull is like having a negligent discharge. The owners should be totally responsible and prosecuted to the fullest for owning a breed that should be terminated. Sorry pit owners.... do you let you kids play with a loaded gun. A time bomb waiting to blow up. I have read and heard more stories about the breed then any other. now, don't get your panties in a wad you may just have the 1 in 10,000 that might be a little non aggressive. How often do you hear about a Lab tear up your neighbor??? Not to long ago in South GA. a wild pack of dogs killed a elderly man and wife walking down a rural road....not sure if a pit bull was in the pack.

 

[dojoman]

Dogs are for sure something that I worry about just as much as BGs, if not more. I have a few "Street Pharmacists" (commonly known as Drug Dealers) that live near my area, and those dogs are always lurking around. With my safety, and many of the children that live around me as well, I cannot help but wonder if they get out will they attack. I have no issue (with my lawyer of course) making a statement to the police as to why I shot some crazy dog going on a biting rampage on myself or a child. I have seen first hand the damage those beats can cause and just as any other person, I say no thanks to that. I'm sure they will either sue me in Civil Court (or I'll have another BG to worry about) but, hmmmm....BG on my case, Injured for live, or death. The choice seems easy to me.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Sorry, my point was missed. Pitbulls, in my research, can be many breeds of bull dog (ie: american stafford shire terrier, the must common pitbull), the only difference is if they are fought in pits...I own an american stafford shire terrier, I know they aren't illegal to breed, but to breed a dog for its sole prose to fight is illegal.

I love my bull dog btw.

Also you read more stories about pitbulls because the media hates them. I read more stories about guns being used illegally, murdering children than I do about guns being used to save a family...guess that means guns are bad...I also respond to more labrador and shepherd attacks than pitbull attacks.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Follow up post...when I asked about bull dogs I meant the family of bulls, not the american bull dog or english bull dog...which btw I have seen both running around with a 10ft long bamboo stick, no heart attack happened then...90 lb bowling ball full bore into your legs will knock you down...its funny to boot!

Also owning a great dog is not like a negligent discharge...negligent discharge is like a negligent discharge...don't compare the two, its unfair to such a great breed that has done nothing wrong themselves compared to other breeds.

Irresponsible gun owners shouldn't have guns as much as irresponsible dog owners shouldn't have dogs.

 

[B2Tall]

I also respond to more labrador and shepherd attacks than pitbull attacks.

1. Labs, sheps, etc. are far more common than pitbulls.

2. Please define "attack" as you used it above.

 

[B2Tall]

I would like to see some studies on the reason bull dogs aren't used for guard dogs before I believe thats the reason.

Pitbulls are illegal to breed because they are bred to fight in pits. Bull dogs (many of the same breeds) that aren't bred to fight are great dogs. My bull dog listens to every one of my commands, so did my Labrador (died recently of cancer) . My dog has the same chance of becoming agressive as any one of us. But i don't label all gun owners as being responsible until one day they are not.

Go ask a K9 officer. I have. "Too aggressive" was the response I got.

All dog breeds are not the same. They have different inherent tendencies. This is the same reason that golden retrievers, labs, collies, etc. aren't used as police dogs.....they're not agressive enough.

I'm sure somewhere, sometime pits have been used in this capacity but virtually all agencies go with dobermans, rotties, shepperds, etc. for a reason.

 

[Firefighterchen]

1. Yes there are more, so there would be more attacks...but does that excuse the poor handling of these dogs? No, it does not. I stand by my personal experience, that other more common breeds are worse.

2. Anything that warrants 911, be it emotional crisis, or physical (ie lacerations or broken bones)

3. PD found the bull dog to be unfit for duty...some departments believe citizens shouldn't carry either...my uncle is a police officer who owns 2 staffordshire terriers, swears by their loyalty and obedience...

Dogs do have tendency, just like humans who were brought up in different environments. A dog brought up in a responsible environment well have less tendency to be randomly violent than any dog brought up in a violent environment. I believe violence to be a learned trait, not an inherited one.

I don't disagree, a firearm is great for defense against any threat, animal or human. I just disagree on the opinion I read in this thread about pitbulls.

 

[weagle83]

As happens all too often, a term or name gets picked up and mis-used to imply a generalized "profile", if you will. There are standards for the breeding of the American Pit Bull Terrier or "Pit-Bull". This dog is not a "Bulldog" but in the Terrier group, nor are breeds of actual bulldogs (English Bulldog and American Bulldog) "pit-bulls", although many try to call them so. The pit-bull does have some American Bulldog breed into it but that trait was for strength and agility. The terrier was breed into the pit-bull for the trait of ferociousness.

As the media and generally "scared people" have jumped on the hate pit-bull bandwagon, they have "profiled" many breeds into the pit-bull generalization. It is even happening in the posts on this topic. For the record, I am not a big fan of "Pit-Bulls" (American Pit Bull Terrier). I would not own one. However, I do own an American Bulldog. This breed has been one of the most popular "farm" dogs for decades throughout the South. My Dad owned American Bulldogs as I was going up on a farm. And yes, properly trained, they would catch a hog (3 times their size) or a cow (15 times their size).

I experienced these generalizations about 2 years ago. My insurance company, which I have used for 30 years, dropped my homeowners coverage because they found that I owned an American Bulldog. They joined the "crazed" panic created by the media and "scardies" and assumed(ass out of "u" and "me") that it was a "Pit-Bull". Even though my agent argued and even got statements from veterinarians verifying that the American Bulldog was not a "pit-bull", I still lost my insurance. I found out later that they were even starting to do the same with german shepards, dobermans, and rotts.

Pardon the ramble but generalizations about dog breeds kind of ruffles my feathers these days.

 

[Firefighterchen]

As happens all too often, a term or name gets picked up and mis-used to imply a generalized "profile", if you will. There are standards for the breeding of the American pit Bull Terrier or "Pit-Bull". This dog is not a "Bulldog" but in the Terrier group, nor are breeds of actual bulldogs (English Bulldog and American Bulldog) "pit-bulls", although many try to call them so. The pit-bull does have some American Bulldog breed into it but that trait was for strength and agility. The terrier was breed into the pit-bull for the trait of ferociousness.

As the media and generally "scared people" have jumped on the hate pit-bull bandwagon, they have "profiled" many breeds into the pit-bull generalization. It is even happening in the posts on this topic. For the record, I am not a big fan of "Pit-Bulls" (American Pit Bull Terrier). I would not own one. However, I do own an American Bulldog. This breed has been one of the most popular "farm" dogs for decades throughout the South. My Dad owned American Bulldogs as I was going up on a farm. And yes, properly trained, they would catch a hog (3 times their size) or a cow (15 times their size).

I experienced these generalizations about 2 years ago. My insurance company, which I have used for 30 years, dropped my homeowners coverage because they found that I owned an American Bulldog. They joined the "crazed" panic created by the media and "scardies" and assumed(ass out of "u" and "me") that it was a "Pit-Bull". Even though my agent argued and even got statements from veterinarians verifying that the American Bulldog was not a "pit-bull", I still lost my insurance. I found out later that they were even starting to do the same with german shepards, dobermans, and rotts.

Pardon the ramble but generalizations about dog breeds kind of ruffles my feathers these days.

Nice post. now that I read back on mine even I mixed up dog breeds. But I did know the stereotypical pit bull was a american staffordshire terrier. It gets under my skin as well, especially since I own one...and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

 

[weagle83]

Nice post. now that I read back on mine even I mixed up dog breeds. But I did know the stereotypical pit bull was a american staffordshire terrier. It gets under my skin as well, especially since I own one...and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Apparently the 2 breeds are very similar if not the same. The AKC recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier and the UKC recognizes the American Pit Bull Terrier. I read that even breeders have a difficult time explaining the difference. Both AKC and UKC recognize the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Pits can be great dogs. Had a close friend that had 2 and I was around them a lot. Very disciplined dogs but they still made me a little nervous but then I have been nervous around several dogs of different breeds.