Community Chat

[Jazzygurl]

Yeah, but you never heard of a Papillon killing someone.  

[jubilant]

The pitbulls I have had contact with have been big babies.  With that said, imo, the larger and more powerful breeds need an owner who knows how to handle them.  One can defend themselves and have a chance against a smaller breed.  It would not be so easy with such a powerful animal.  Only people who know how to train a dog should have these more powerful breeds. Like all dogs, they need an Alpha around at all times when they are out.   Chaining a dog often  makes them more territorial.  It is not a breed I would recommend to first time dog owners or people who don't have a clue how a dogs mind works.  Dogs don't think like people do.  I have watched these youtubes with dog and baby sleeping together and I shudder when I see them.  

[CrazyDaisy]

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@Jazzygurl wrote:

Yeah, but you never heard of a Papillon killing someone.  

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According to the CDC there are 4.5 - 4.7 million Americans bitten by dogs a year, 20 - 30 result in death.  Any dog bite can be very damaging particularly to small children and not end in a death.

[151949]

I believe that once a dog attacks someone the dog is required, by law, to be destroyed. For this reason, I don't believe the story as told because, in reality,  the dog would have been taken from the owners immediately and would be put down immediately.Neither the owners or the victim get a say in it.

[QueenDanceALot]

Some animal owners should be put down.

[garmer]

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@151949 wrote:

I believe that once a dog attacks someone the dog is required, by law, to be destroyed. For this reason, I don't believe the story as told because, in reality,  the dog would have been taken from the owners immediately and would be put down immediately.Neither the owners or the victim get a say in it.

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That's not true.

[NicksmomESQ]

  Pit bulls are dangerous.I’ve heard to many horror stories about them.IMO they should be banned in this country too.Also, if a person can’t control their dog they shouldn’t be allowed to have one,period!!

[OfCourse]

It seems to me that some breeds are too aggressive for most dog owners.  I'm no expert, but it seems that only very knowledgeable people should own these difficult dogs.  I'm beyond tired of dog owners who will not rein in their dogs and insist that they won't harm anyone.  They consider it a personal insult if someone is afraid of their dog or doesn't want it racing at them.  This dog should be sent off to a place where it won't hurt anyone again or put down.  I've had problems with dogs when walking as well.

[Katcat1]

Pit Bulls must have that evil behavior in their genes.  I am pesonally afraid of of them.  You never know when the dog will turn on you.  Even if the owner does not train the dog to be mean, they still can snap.  I wish they would enforce a law against breeding pit bulls.  

[Isobel Archer]

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@151949 wrote:

I believe that once a dog attacks someone the dog is required, by law, to be destroyed. For this reason, I don't believe the story as told because, in reality,  the dog would have been taken from the owners immediately and would be put down immediately.Neither the owners or the victim get a say in it.

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https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter65/section3.2-6540/

Well according to this, it looks like that's not true.  IF the dog is - after evaluation - determined to be a "dangerous dog," the "penalty" can be as little as being so designated and having to wear a tag identifying it as such. It would also have to be confined to the owner's property - or leashed and muzzled if off the property.

If, after such designation, the owner willfully fails to comply, and the dog attacks again, the dog can be removed.

I don't know if the dog had already been designated as "dangerous" after the first attack - or even if the first attack was ever reported to the authorities.

I also don't know if - since the owners do not seem to believe they are responsible for this attack - and since the attack was serious enough to put the person in the hospital - if that would have additional weight as to the determination of "willful noncompliance" with the law - even if the dog had not been previously designated as dangerous.

All in all, this law does not seem to be very comforting to those of us who would like to walk safely in the neighborhood.