ZOO ANIMALS (HTTP://NEWS.DISCOVERY.COM/ANIMALS/ZOO … · mixes "inherently dangerous," but many...
Transcript of ZOO ANIMALS (HTTP://NEWS.DISCOVERY.COM/ANIMALS/ZOO … · mixes "inherently dangerous," but many...
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Are Pit Bulls Inherently Dangerous?MAY 15, 2012 03:00 AM ET // BY JENNIFER VIEGAS (HTTP://NEWS.DISCOVERY.COM/JENNIFER-VIEGAS.HTM)
THE GIST- A Maryland court recently decided that pit bulls are "inherently
dangerous."
- Animal experts and advocates disagree with the ruling.
- The problem is complex, with some pit bulls bred specifically for
fighting.
The Maryland Court of Appeals recently deemed pit bulls and pit bull
mixes "inherently dangerous," but many animal experts and dog
advocates believe the court overstepped its authority.
"Inherently dangerous" implies that all pit bulls are, through genetics
or their environment, born with a vicious streak. The science does
not appear to support this.
For example, a University of Pennsylvania study on dogs found that
the top three biters of humans were actually smaller dogs:
Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers.
Nevertheless, pit bulls are often in the news for attacking, and
sometimes even killing, people and other animals. A mid 1990's
effort by the San Francisco SPCA and the Wisconsin Humane Society
to rename socialized pit bulls "St. Francis terriers" was suspended
when some of the adopted dogs killed housecats and engaged in
other unsaintly behavior.
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Are pit bulls "inherently dangerous," as a Maryland court recently ruled?
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NEWS: Prehistoric Dog Lived, Died Among Humans(http://news.discovery.com/animals/zoo-animals/ancient-dog-burial-siberia-110228.htm)
Pit bulls didn't always have such a bad rap. In the early part of the
20
Some have.
"It is possible to breed in or out certain traits, with some dogs
purposefully bred for fighting," Jennifer Scarlett, a veterinarian who
is also co-president of the San Francisco SPCA, told Discovery News.
She said that studies on foxes suggest that a trait possibly affecting
personality can appear in just two to three generations. Pit bulls
bred this way seem to be more aggressive against other dogs, but
not necessarily humans.
"In the fighting ring, humans will sometimes pry open the dog's
mouth, so the aggression is usually very focused against other
dogs," she explained.
Scarlett, who disagrees with the Maryland ruling and has herself
debated the issue in court and other public forums, said that
countless pit bulls nationwide are highly socialized and well trained,
never hurting anyone.
"Dogs of any breed that are truly strong and aggressive can be
managed, but what is nature and nurture in those cases?" she
asked. "Should all dogs be let loose in a dog park? No."
Much then comes down to the owners, and therein lies the real
problem.
Scarlett indicated that at least one study is underway to see if
certain factors predict if a segment of the population is at greater
risk for being attacked by a dog.
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