The it's the owner not the breed mantra sounds logical but it's not. This repetitive slogan is illogical. Other dog breeds owned in much greater numbers have equal chances of getting neglectful and abusive owners, yet they adapt to human shortcomings and don't maul people or pets at anywhere near the rate that pitbulls do. Labs are routinely forgotten and chained in backyards and they are the most popular dog breed in America, Labs are not the top killers, pitbull are. Beagles are routinely penned up in backyards and ignored. They are given no human socialization but they do not pose any threat to humans when they get loose. Most dog bites are nothing more than a minor annoyance, as they rarely break the skin. This is why you don't hear about them on the news. If a normal dog is in a fight it will fight until the opponent submits and then stop. Pitbulls don't bite, They maul. They do not stop when the victim submits, they keep on mauling until the pet or human is left in parts. The other problem with pitbulls is that they are extremely strong, and were bred to have fewer pain receptors, and are able to keep breathing while attacking. This makes it extremely hard for people to stop a pitbull attack in progress. News stories are full of stories of strong men being mauled and three or more men being unable to get a pitbull to let go of its victim.
Mortality, Maiming and Mauling by Vicious Dogs, Annals of Surgery, April 2011, is study of dog injuries in hospitals spanning the last 15 years. The study found that you have a more than 2500 times higher chance of dying if attacked by a pitbull. In addition it found that pitbulls caused the highest hospital charges, and the most deaths, dismemberments, permanent disability, and disfigurement of all breeds. The study also found that pitbulls attack children, and owners much more often than other breeds AND IT IS FAMILY LOVED AND UNABUSED PITBULLS THAT ARE MAULING PEOPLE. Despite be given all the love and care that other dogs enjoy, pitbulls turn suddenly and the owners are always shocked by the sudden change in behavior. Alexandra Semyonova, a world reknown animal researcher and author of the book, The 100 Silliest Things People say About Dogs, says pitbulls have a disconnect between the thinking and impulse control centers in the brain and a different chemical make up in the brain. Just as you can't see a gene that suddenly turns on cancer, you can't see the gene that is suddenly activated in a pitbull making them violent. I personally know of several people who had a pitbull turn on them after years of normal behavior. Personal accounts of owners who had "nice" pitbulls doesn't mean that pitbulls are not dangerous. This again is illogical. The statistics on pitbulls seriously harming people at a much higher rate than other dogs are overwhelming. You can't love out genes or untrain genes. Family owned and loved pitbulls can turn on a dime. If you believe that pitbulls are just like any other dog, and regurgitate the false "its the owner not the breed mantra" you might of believed the world was flat, too Just because something sounds good doesn't make it true. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, don't own a pitbull!
Support the first ever walk to honor VICTIMS of pitbull attacks. http://walkforvictimsofpitbulls.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pitbulldangers
http://pitbullvictims.org/memorial.php

The only reason those pit bulls attacked is because that's how they were raised. if I wanted to chihuahua to attack someone I could just by simply raising it that way. I know more than a hand full of put bulls owned by all types of people and they are all nice. a lot of people get the wrong impression of them because of how they look, and when someone gets bit it just blows up. But when someone is bit by a other breed its not blown up. Oh fyi you do have to have permit in city limits. You haters just keep filling yourself up before u have panic attack

Pit bulls suck. They need banned or a special permit to own one.

Mr. Nichols, If you are seeing this, please see my page on FB "Walk For Victims of Pit Bulls and Other Dangerous Dogs." Also, please see my website...http://walkforvictimsofpitbulls.blogspot.com

Also please consider writing to us about your former Mother in law...we'd really like to offer you some support and help....pet.attack@yahoo.com

I hope Nancy is doing better, she has our thoughts and prayers.

A lot of trashy people like Pit Bulls because it gives them an image that has been portrayed to them on TV. A bunch of low life people with insecurities. Thanks for the facts Quenton but I doubt most pitbull owners are smart enough to read.

In case the last 9 stats weren't good enough for you, here are some more Myths about Pits and the truth behind all the lies and misconceptions :)

Myth: Pit bulls have locking jaws. Once they bite, they can’t let go, even if they want to.

FACT: No dog of any breed has ever been found to possess a mechanism in their jaw which would allow them to “lock” their top and bottom jaw together. There is no such thing as a locking jaw!

Myth: Pit bulls have a unique bite style consisting of biting down, holding, and shaking.

FACT: Biting, holding, and shaking are not unique behaviors for pit bulls. All dogs will perform these behaviors. A dog may “bite and hold” when it is playing or when it has been taught to do this. You have probably seen police K-9 dogs, which are commonly German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois, doing bite work. These dogs are specially trained to bite hard and to not let go even when someone is hitting them. You have also seen many kinds of dogs playing with toys. Tug toys and rope toys are popular because many dogs enjoy grabbing, pulling, and shaking them. This is a natural behavior that all dogs engage in.

Myth: Pit bulls are genetically driven to kill people.

FACT: Dogs are not machines; they are living organisms. Like all living organisms, a dog’s behavior is influenced by both genetics and environment. How a dog owner manages his or her dog will determine whether the dog becomes a danger to humans. No dog is driven entirely by genetics to attack people, and no dog breed has been created or bred into such a state that all dogs of that breed are compelled to attack people. Dogs that are raised as beloved family pets do not kill people.

While some irresponsible breeders and owners may try to create “killer” dogs, these people are not the norm, and their activities are unethical and, in many cases, illegal. Responsible dog breeders understand that dogs are meant for companionship and love, not for fighting and killing. Responsible breeders understand the wonderful qualities that pit bulls have. They are interested in breeding quality dogs with excellent temperaments.

Myth: Pit bulls are not good for anything except dogfighting.

FACT: Pit bulls have excelled in many working-dog sports such as agility, search-and-rescue, tracking, weight pulling, carting, Shutzhund, hunting, obedience, therapy, and more. Millions of pit bulls serve society today as faithful family members and beloved companions.

Myth: Pit bulls are very aggressive.

FACT: Pit bulls are no more or less aggressive than any other type of dog. Many of the behaviors we expect from and encourage in dogs, including hunting, tracking, guarding, and even playing, are actually modified forms of aggression.

Although pit bulls have a reputation for aggression toward other dogs, in fact, many other breeds and types of dogs are also known for such aggression. Interdog aggression is actually a very common behavior and is not limited to pit bull type dogs.

Pit bulls may be aggressive toward small animals, but again, this is common with all breeds and types of dogs. Dogs are essentially domesticated predators. Many dogs will exhibit predatory behavior toward small animals that they consider prey.

A few pit bulls may be aggressive toward people, but again, this is not unique to pit bulls. All breeds and types of dogs may be aggressive toward people.

Aggression is an individual trait that varies from dog to dog, and has a lot to do with a dog’s environment and owners. Aggressive behaviors are common and normal in dogs of all breeds and types. Pit bulls do not exhibit any aggressive behaviors that are unique or extreme when compared to other breeds or types of dogs.

Myth: Pit bulls can not be trained or controlled.

FACT: Dogs are, generally speaking, trainable and controllable because they are intelligent domesticated animals. Pit bulls, likewise, are intelligent and domesticated, and like all dogs, they are obedient, friendly, and handle-able. Pit bulls have excelled in areas such as agility, tracking, Shutzhund, search-and-rescue, therapy, and many other canine activities. LawDogs USA, for example, opted to use pit bulls exclusively as drug detection dogs because the organization found pit bulls to be so trainable and eager to please.

Of course, individual dogs land on the spectrum of trainability and obedience at different points. While not every dog may be particularly trainable, it is extremely rare for a dog to be unmanageable. The overwhelming majority of dogs are quite trainable and manageable, and any behavior problems that a dog displays is more likely attributable to owner error than to something inherent or genetic.

Myth: Pit bulls are unpredictable; they can turn on anyone, even their owner, at any time.

FACT: Pit bulls are no more or less unpredictable than any other type of dog. Often, a person who claims that a dog is “unpredictable” simply doesn’t understand dog behavior. In the overwhelming majority of dog bite cases, the humans involved don’t understand or have missed canine warning signs preceding the bite. For more information on dog behavior and aggression, check out “The Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson.

The way our legal system handles dog bites only strengthens the myth that dogs are unpredictable. In the case of a dog bite, a dog owner that admits prior knowledge of their dog’s dangerous behavior will be more severely punished than a dog owner who claims to be ignorant of the danger. For this reason, after a dog bite happens, you will hear the dog owner say “My dog was nice before this! I didn’t expect this to happen.” It sounds like the dog unexpectedly snapped, but in reality, the dog owner is trying to reduce their punishment by claiming ignorance.

Myth: Pit bulls do not feel pain.

FACT: This is an urban legend started by dog fighters to justify the cruel activity of dog fighting. After all, if fighting doesn’t hurt the dogs, how can it be cruel? The myth is further perpetuated by fearful individuals who buy into the Hollywood monster myth of the unstoppable pit bull beast. There is no scientific evidence to support this idea. Pit bulls do indeed feel pain, just as any other dog does.

Myth: If a pit bull bites down and tastes blood, it will become aggressive and unstoppable.

FACT: Dogs bite because they are scared, in pain, or defensive. They bite so that the offending person/animal/object will go away—and it usually works. As a result, a dog learns that biting is a very successful tactic for getting what the dog desires. Subsequent bites have nothing to do with the “taste of blood.” In reality, the dog is repeating a behavior that has gotten a desired result in the past.

Myth: Pit bulls have jaw muscles that can clamp down with (insert high number here) PSI of pressure.

FACT: Many numbers are floating around that claim to be the PSI (pounds per square inch) of pit bulls’ jaw strength. The numbers range wildly, from 800 PSI to 2000 PSI. These numbers are completely unfounded; there are no scientific studies to back any of these numbers up. In fact, bite force cannot even be accurately measured in PSI; the proper term is “pounds of force” or “Newtons” (metric system).

One study conducted by Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic showed that the average domestic canine has an average bite of 320 pounds of force. In one portion of the documented study, Dr. Barr tested three dog breeds: a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler, and an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). The Rottweiler bit with 328 pounds of force—the highest ever recorded from a domestic dog. The German Shepherd bit with 238 pounds of force, and the APBT bit with 235 pounds of force.

It is important to understand that bite strength differs depending on the size of the dog, the situation that led to the bite, the dog’s training, and the state of mind the dog is currently in. The damage that a dog does when it bites depends on the location of the bite, the victim’s behavior while being bitten, and the size ratio between dog and victim, among other factors. Breed has very little to do with bite strength or level of damage. You cannot guess the breed of dog that bit a person by looking at the dog bite.

Myth: Pit bulls with certain nose or coat colors are “rare.”

FACT: There are no “rare” nose or coat colors. Historically, pit bulls have been bred for performance and temperament, not appearance. This means pit bulls come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. “Blue” coats (diluted black, or grey, coats) are a fad color right now, and greedy breeders are churning out “blue” dogs to make money off the fad, without concern for temperament or health. Similarly, “red nose” and “blue nose” pit bulls are very common. White pit bulls are also common—and may be deaf and prone to skin problems.

Potential pit bull owners who are looking to obtain a pit bull would be wise to steer clear of breeders who are breeding specifically for certain colors. Such breeders are in it for the money and could care less about the health or temperament of their dogs. Why not adopt a pit bull rather than support backyard breeders and puppy mills? You can find pit bulls of all colors waiting desperately for a home in shelters and rescue groups across the country.

Myth: Pit bulls are only owned by drug dealers and gang members.

FACT: This is a stereotype. The vast majority of pit bull owners are normal, law-abiding citizens, no different from you and me.

Myth: Pit bulls make up only 1 percent of the U.S. dog population.

FACT: No scientific studies have determined the actual pit bull population in the United States.

Random percentages seem to come out of thin air and are frequently bounced around in media reports without any legitimate source to back up such an assertion. I have heard population estimates ranging from 1 percent to 8 percent or more.

Still more problematic is the disagreement as to what a “pit bull” really is—and whether “pit mixes” should be included.

Pit bulls are undeniably a very popular and prolific breed-type. Some places, such as Oakland, CA, report that more “pit bulls” are registered with the city than any other breed. A few studies estimate that U.S. shelter “pit bull” populations reach 33% on average, and up to 50% or more in larger cities.

Unfortunately, however, without a very thorough and careful demographic study of “pit bulls” and their owners—something which has yet to be accomplished on a nationwide scale and may very well prove impossible—any pit bull population estimate is little more than a vague guessing game.

Myth: Pit bulls’ brains swell and become too large for their skull, ultimately causing the dogs to “snap” and attack people.

FACT: This particular falsehood stems from myths surrounding the Doberman in the 1960′s. It has also been applied to German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Chows, among others. Yet there is no truth to this myth.

There is in fact a rare genetic disease in which a dog’s brain is too large for its skull: syringomyelia. It is most common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This disease damages neurological functions and causes severe pain, weakness, and even partial paralysis. The disease does not cause random biting, and the weakness and paralysis makes it nearly impossible for a dog to attack.

1. Pit Bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, Pit Bulls are making a mark as outstanding therapy dogs.

2. Pit Bulls are used in Search and Rescue work. One example of well known SAR Pit Bulls is Kris Crawford and her dogs. Kris and her dogs have helped save the lives of many people during their efforts.
3. Pit Bulls serve as narcotic and bomb sniffing dogs. One Pit Bull, Popsicle (named that because he was found in an old freezer) has the largest recorded single drug find in Texas history. Read more about Popsicle here. Including how he found over 3,000 lbs of cocaine in Hildago, Texas.
4. Pit Bulls are great with kids. They weren't referred to as the "nanny's dog" for nothing that's for sure.
5. Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. The American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed is not human aggressive. In fact, quite the opposite is true of the breed. They are gentle and loving dogs. Like any dog individuals can be unsound and have behavior problems.
6. The Pit Bull was so popular in the early 1900's they were our mascot not only in World War One, but World War Two as well. They were featured on recruiting and propoganda posters during this time period.
7. Sgt. Stubby. A Pit Bull war hero. Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy.
8. Pete the Pup on the orginal Little Rascals was a Pit Bull.
9. Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society. That's better than the popular Border Collie (a breed who scores 79.6%).

FACT: Pit bulls account for 33% of all human fatalities while accounting for just 2% of all dogs.

FACT: Pit bulls lead in number of human fatalities since the 1970's according to the CDC.

FACT: Pit bulls are the breed of choice for dog fighters according to the Humane Society.

FACT: Pit bulls are a marker of human criminal activity; owners of pit bulls had 10 X the number of criminal convictions as other dog owners according to a study from the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

FACT: Several municipalities restrict the ownership in snub-nosed dogs.

FACT: Pit bulls are embargoed from traveling on several airlines, including British Airways, Continental and American.

Apologize for these dogs all you want.... THESE ARE FACTS!

No dog is born evil...in fact I have many friends who have pit bulls, ones that have NEVER gone after someone. Reguardless of the fact that her dog was being attacked, it's common knowledge that you do not put yourself into a fight between animals, without the possibility of putting yourself at risk of physical harm. I myself know people who have been attacked by other dogs however...with breeds to include ones like: Lab's, Schnauzer's, Poodle's, Chihuahua's, Pomeranian's, Beagle's and even Dachshund's. Does this make them evil as well? Of course not, they are just reacting on natural animal instinct...one that all animals have...not just pit bulls. The only reason they have developed such bad names is because they are commonly used for fighting (which is by no fault of their own). If people used Chihuahua's as fighting dogs I'm sure they'd have just as bad a rep. And it's because of their bad rep that even though hundreds of dog attacks are reported each year, the media only focus's on those commited by Pit Bulls. I think people should educate themselves before opening their mouths and start spewing hate over a breed they truelly know nothing about.

Okay I'm not saying that what the pit bull's done was right, but nobody has said nothing about the old lady's dog being "at large" as well. Had she been watching her own dog, and it hadn't got outside, all of this never would of happened. It's to bad what is going to happen to the pit bull's. I also hope the lady will be ok also.

I thought Pitbulls were banned in American Falls? The city limits of AF is becoming a cesspool for trash. Clean up up the town and people.

Pit bulls suck. When are the going to get banned? Show me the story of someone getting mauled severely by a collie, or a lab. Or how about a beagle or deutsch hound attack? Sure other dogs attack, but not as severely as a pit. They are a breed that was created for all the wrong reasons. They are a not a natural breed. They need eradicated or only allowed to be raised by certified trainers.[smile]

First of all only one of the dogs were pit bull, the other was a mutt which yes did have pit in it but was not what you could consider a pit bull. My heart, prayers, and apologies go out to the lady that was attacked, and also to the neighbors. This does not mean or make pit bulls bad dogs. It's all in how they are raised and when I had bought the one dog that is a pit bull, I had planned on spending lots of time with her. Something came up and I had to leave for a couple years and wasn't able to take her out to socialize and have other human and dog interaction. Pit bulls are pertective but they are not bad dogs by any means. I can pull up many innocendencs of any breed dog that have attacked people before. To sit here talking down on the whole breed of pit bulls is ridiculous and everyone that thinks so should do some research and not just listen and agree with the bs that gets put out.

Anyone who says that pits are normal dogs, and will not attack unless abused or traoined to attack, prove their gullibility and lack of understanding of the pit bull, and should not be permitted to own a pit bull.

Your pit hasn't attacked yet. But if instinct to tug, crush, shred, does pop into her pit bull mind,
she won't give warning, (surprised attacks helped win dog fights)
she won't try to avoid the fight,
she won't need a reason, other than those centuries of selective breeding, and
you will be amazed how fast she is, mauling killing others.
If you would let her, after killing the neighbor's dog or mauling the neighbor, she would love to go right back snuggling on the couch (wash off the victim's blood first)These are the behaviors of a good fighting dog.

Many fighting pits did not "turn on" until they were several years old. Before that time, they acted like normal dogs; suddenly one day tugging on a victim seemed like the right thing to do.

This attack was the work of "good" pit bulls, doing precisely what pit bulls were created to do.

It is not the dog's fault; however it is the fault of selfish, cruel pit breeders and pit mongers that these attacks happen. When pit mongers say, "pits will only attack if abused or trained to attack," gullible pit owners believe that nonsense.

Tugging is instinct for the pit bulls. Crushing, shredding, shaking are instinct too. You won't hear a normaal dog trainer saying, "if you don't abuse your beagle, or train her to sniff, bark and chase rabbits, she won't. She will walk right beside you on a leash, she won't snifff or run after rabbits. If you drop the leash, she will stop and walk back to you to see why you dropped the leash." No dog trainer will tell a beagle owner that garbage. Chasing rabbits is instinct to most beagles. A few won't sniff, but those are rare. And even with those who do not display the normal beagle instincts, if suddenly a beagle does, beagle instincts do not result in human maulings to death.

Pits are different from other dogs. Proof that pits are the best at attacking and mauling can be found at any USA dog fighting raid. The dog of choice of ALL US dog fighters, from countless breed combinations, remains the pit bull.

These pits were born, these pits attacked and these pits will die because of pit breeders and pit mongers. It is NOT the fault of those who believe that spaying/ neutering / microchipping should be mandatory for all pits, pit mixes, all dog aggressive dogs. Pits are victims too of these man-made mauling instincts. Let pits become extinct.