Pitt Bull Attacks

[MP]

If we are looking for a legislative remedy I would suggest this.

Determine a baseline percentage for dog attack fatalities. If a breed exceeds the percentage, (say if a breed is responsible for 10% or more of  dog attack human fatalities and/or severe injuries) the breed will be classified as an "attack risk" breed. You may own such a breed with no extra registration or licence requirements other than common local pet registration.

However, if you own such an "attack risk" breed and the dog does attack and kill someone you will be held criminally responsible and charged with a minimum of Manslaughter if an accident and Murder if the owner's action or inaction was reckless. And if the victim is injured by such a dog, the civil liabilities will be x4.

You'all do know MC's are more dangerous than cars, don't ya?  If you want to propose restrictions on certain breeds of dogs because they are "more dangerous than average dogs", than I am 100% sure you will also support legislation that would propose further restrictions on modes of transportation that are more dangerous than average.  i.e. motorcycles.

You will support that, won't you?

MP

[MP]

My solution?????
short of annilating them........at the very least the owner of a pit bull should have to have a license to have one......

-Who decides which dog is a pitbull and which one isn't? Visual identification? DNA testing? What percentage of a match does it take to be a "pitbull"? 51% match? 100%?

-Do you support licensing of owners of some types of firearms as well? Should someone be required to be licensed to own a semi automatic rifle? A semi automatic handgun? Any gun?

-Should someone require special licensing to own a car over a certain amount of horsepower? Power to weight ratio possibly? If a specific make/model of car is responsible for lots of incidents, should that make and model require special licensing?

See where I'm going with this? Once you start demanding people with one thing jump through special hoops for their property, you have to expect the same sort of thing directed towards yourself as well.

Should the owner be responsible for what their property does? Absolutely. But should someone have to jump through special hoops to own a particular piece of property? No, I have a big problem with that one...

Do you feel that ordinary citizen Joe Blow should be able to own a lion or tiger?

Instead of deflecting to lions, why not answer the question?  What exactly do you propose to control the "dangerous" breeds of dogs?  I would assume that you would also be referencing the #2 dog breed for fatal bites, as that is much above average dangerous.  What do you propose for #2, those terribly dangerous  Spaniels?

[dreamaker]

I think it should be across the board, for all dogs that are aggressive, no matter what size or breed they may be. I have found ankle bitters to be more vicious than most big dogs. If a dog comes at me, that may cause bodily harm, I would defend myself in an aggressive manner, which maybe not be a happy ending. SIMPLE!!  I feel the owner should be responsible for their animal’s aggressions, and if needed to be, prosecute them, no matter what size or breed the dog may be. Dogs have a history of attacking, causing bodily harm and in several cases cause death. To be honest with you I love dogs, but if it is a choice between you or him, he is going down.

[Gavin_Sons]

I played with a neopolitian mastive pup today. Awesome dog would have brought him home if it wasn't a pet store dog and wasn't 2800 bucks.

[DIGGER]

Serk.....I support your having a right to your own opinion.....but......Does anyone else on this site feel that it should be alright for your next door neighbor to house a full grown tiger in his house???? especially if he has little children living there?   ESPECIALLY if I had small children living next door?.....

Do I think that there should be restrictions on owning a firearm?????  ABSOLUTELY......I feel that the govt or policing agency should not allow felons who used firearms in the commision of a crime to own a gun of any kind. 

Quit trying to make this discussion about lions, we're discussing breeds of dogs...

Lions attack and kill people
Tigers attack and kill people
Pitt Bulls attack and kill people

same type animal

[DIGGER]

My solution?????
short of annilating them........at the very least the owner of a pit bull should have to have a license to have one......

-Who decides which dog is a pitbull and which one isn't? Visual identification? DNA testing? What percentage of a match does it take to be a "pitbull"? 51% match? 100%?

-Do you support licensing of owners of some types of firearms as well? Should someone be required to be licensed to own a semi automatic rifle? A semi automatic handgun? Any gun?

-Should someone require special licensing to own a car over a certain amount of horsepower? Power to weight ratio possibly? If a specific make/model of car is responsible for lots of incidents, should that make and model require special licensing?

See where I'm going with this? Once you start demanding people with one thing jump through special hoops for their property, you have to expect the same sort of thing directed towards yourself as well.

Should the owner be responsible for what their property does? Absolutely. But should someone have to jump through special hoops to own a particular piece of property? No, I have a big problem with that one...

Do you feel that ordinary citizen Joe Blow should be able to own a lion or tiger?

Instead of deflecting to lions, why not answer the question?  What exactly do you propose to control the "dangerous" breeds of dogs?  I would assume that you would also be referencing the #2 dog breed for fatal bites, as that is much above average dangerous.  What do you propose for #2, those terribly dangerous  Spaniels?

never seen a newsarticle about a Spaniel Attack......see Pitt Bull attacks in the news several times a week

[DIGGER]

If we are looking for a legislative remedy I would suggest this.

Determine a baseline percentage for dog attack fatalities. If a breed exceeds the percentage, (say if a breed is responsible for 10% or more of  dog attack human fatalities and/or severe injuries) the breed will be classified as an "attack risk" breed. You may own such a breed with no extra registration or licence requirements other than common local pet registration.

However, if you own such an "attack risk" breed and the dog does attack and kill someone you will be held criminally responsible and charged with a minimum of Manslaughter if an accident and Murder if the owner's action or inaction was reckless. And if the victim is injured by such a dog, the civil liabilities will be x4.

You'all do know MC's are more dangerous than cars, don't ya?  If you want to propose restrictions on certain breeds of dogs because they are "more dangerous than average dogs", than I am 100% sure you will also support legislation that would propose further restrictions on modes of transportation that are more dangerous than average.  i.e. motorcycles.

You will support that, won't you?

MP

You are trying to compare a hunk of metal that responds only to human input.     Pitt Bulls are a living organism with one intent....to attack and kill

[DIGGER]

My solution?????
short of annilating them........at the very least the owner of a pit bull should have to have a license to have one......

-Who decides which dog is a pitbull and which one isn't? Visual identification? DNA testing? What percentage of a match does it take to be a "pitbull"? 51% match? 100%?

-Do you support licensing of owners of some types of firearms as well? Should someone be required to be licensed to own a semi automatic rifle? A semi automatic handgun? Any gun?

-Should someone require special licensing to own a car over a certain amount of horsepower? Power to weight ratio possibly? If a specific make/model of car is responsible for lots of incidents, should that make and model require special licensing?

See where I'm going with this? Once you start demanding people with one thing jump through special hoops for their property, you have to expect the same sort of thing directed towards yourself as well.

Should the owner be responsible for what their property does? Absolutely. But should someone have to jump through special hoops to own a particular piece of property? No, I have a big problem with that one...

Do you feel that ordinary citizen Joe Blow should be able to own a lion or tiger?

Yes.

I also feel ordinary citizen Joe Blow should be allowed to ride a motorcycle, with or without a helmet if he so chooses.

Now, on my questions?

Serk.....I support your having a right to your own opinion.....but......Does anyone else on this site feel that it should be alright for your next door neighbor to house a full grown tiger in his house???? especially if he has little children living there?   ESPECIALLY if I had small children living next door?.....

Do I think that there should be restrictions on owning a firearm?????  ABSOLUTELY......I feel that the govt or policing agency should not allow felons who used firearms in the commision of a crime to own a gun of any kind. 

Firearms are regulated and felons can not have them. Here in Indiana it is legal to have a lion or Tiger or Bear as a pet. Was on the news this morning. All you need is a special permit and you can house any wild animal of your choice, excluding protected species. I wouldn't care if my next door neighbor had a pet tiger, but you better keep that thing on your property because if it comes on mine it is open season and I'll feed it some lead.

to me that is insane.....must be a lot of Joe Blows living there.   
You say they better keep the lion or tiger or pitt bull on their own property are you will kill it......TOO LATE.....the lion, tiger, pitt bull done ate your kid.

[dreamaker]

Why do people upset themselves over what if scenarios, that didn't happen. Point is: the aggressive dog period, and  the simple minded human that owns the dog. Like a firearm, you must be accountable for it, and for what you do with it, so the same applies to an aggressive dog. Agree that some breeds tend to be temperamental, and the owners that trains them, to bring that out in them, should defiantly be accountable for their dogs actions, and should suffer the repercussions for the damages.

[Crackerborn]

I played with a neopolitian mastive pup today. Awesome dog would have brought him home if it wasn't a pet store dog and wasn't 2800 bucks.

Mastiff's are on the top 10 most likely to kill you list. A larger concern might be that $2800 initial cost will soon become the monthly dog food allowance once that puppy grows into its paws.   

[Gavin_Sons]

I played with a neopolitian mastive pup today. Awesome dog would have brought him home if it wasn't a pet store dog and wasn't 2800 bucks.

Mastiff's are on the top 10 most likely to kill you list. A larger concern might be that $2800 initial cost will soon become the monthly dog food allowance once that puppy grows into its paws.   

They cant eat any more than the 3 labs I have now. Also heard the poodle just made the top 10 deadliest dog breed too.
    

[Bighead]

Have any of you that are Breed Bashing EVER seen or spent time face to face with one of that breed no maTTER what the breed?
I think there are waaay too many paranoids out there.

[JimmyG]

Well, I'm not going to try to argue whether you should have a pit bull or not, or any of the politically bs that goes with such discussions and arguments. What I would suggest to those who think the right to own is so important to protect is this. come back in time with me to a night when a little boy, about eight years old,  was attacked   unprovoked and brought in to the hospital and I had to do some radio graphs to make sure bone structure was not damaged.  the child’s face was mangled, his lip was dangling by a few threads, he was in shock and crazy with terror. It took me several minutes calming him down to do my job. I followed the progress of plastic surgery, counselling, etc. for a while and it was  very sad, not only for the child, but for the parents as well.  Sad indeed.  Several years later, I was attending to a young man about 22 years old and he said,"you don't remember me do you"? I said,sorry, but no".  He said," I'm the one you took care of some 12 years ago when I was mauled and tore up by a pit bull.  I have never forgotten how you calmed me down, made me feel safe,  and took care of me".  We talked for a while and I asked how things went after that. He said he went through a lot of problems, nightmares, counselling, etc., but now he is doing great.  Well, I don't care if your liberal,conservative  or what, but if you brought your child in mauled by a certain breed of animal that had a reputation for being dangerous or unpredictable, you might have a different outlook on  unnecessary, dangerous animal possession.  I mean, it's an animal folks. It's not a human life. If it is dangerous, maybe there should be limitations put on ownership. It's not always about my rights as a free man.  We all need to put our child in the emergency room after being mauled and ripped apart by a vicious animal, then make a decision whether the animal is dangerous and if the owners rights are being trampled upon.  Make that decision while you are holding your child bleeding and screaming out of his mind.
  I'm like Gavin,  you let a dangerous animal stray into my property, he's dead meat.

[Gavin_Sons]

My mother in law had a pit that I spent lots of time around. Always thought she was an awesome dog til she bout took my mother in laws hand off. I had to go get her out of the house and taker her to the vet to be put down. Dont know what got into her but I guess her hand looked like a good chew toy. She had the dog for 6 years, before this she said she would just stare at her like she never done before. I told her then to get rid of her but it took a severe bite. She only has about 40 % movement left in that hand and almost no feeling. She use to ride a valk trike but was forced to sell it after this because she couldnt use the clutch.

[dreamaker]

Have any of you that are Breed Bashing EVER seen or spent time face to face with one of that breed no maTTER what the breed?
I think there are waaay too many paranoids out there.

Here in Mich. we have had several death do to aggressive dogs attacking people. One of the top of my head, in East Point MI. A couple bought a pit pup and raised it. Shortly after they had a child, at the age of 6 month , I believed they were outside, they turned their backs on the child and the pit grabbed the baby, shook it like rag doll killing the child. That is only one example, not paranoia.

[Gavin_Sons]

Well, I'm not going to try to argue whether you should have a pit bull or not, or any of the politically bs that goes with such discussions and arguments. What I would suggest to those who think the right to own is so important to protect is this. come back in time with me to a night when a little boy, about eight years old,  was attacked   unprovoked and brought in to the hospital and I had to do some radio graphs to make sure bone structure was not damaged.  the child’s face was mangled, his lip was dangling by a few threads, he was in shock and crazy with terror. It took me several minutes calming him down to do my job. I followed the progress of plastic surgery, counselling, etc. for a while and it was  very sad, not only for the child, but for the parents as well.  Sad indeed.  Several years later, I was attending to a young man about 22 years old and he said,"you don't remember me do you"? I said,sorry, but no".  He said," I'm the one you took care of some 12 years ago when I was mauled and tore up by a pit bull.  I have never forgotten how you calmed me down, made me feel safe,  and took care of me".  We talked for a while and I asked how things went after that. He said he went through a lot of problems, nightmares, counselling, etc., but now he is doing great.  Well, I don't care if your liberal,conservative  or what, but if you brought your child in mauled by a certain breed of animal that had a reputation for being dangerous or unpredictable, you might have a different outlook on  unnecessary, dangerous animal possession.  I mean, it's an animal folks. It's not a human life. If it is dangerous, maybe there should be limitations put on ownership. It's not always about my rights as a free man.  We all need to put our child in the emergency room after being mauled and ripped apart by a vicious animal, then make a decision whether the animal is dangerous and if the owners rights are being trampled upon.  Make that decision while you are holding your child bleeding and screaming out of his mind.
  I'm like Gavin,  you let a dangerous animal stray into my property, he's dead meat.

  well said Jimmy, I'm an animal person and absolutely love dogs, but if something is trying to attack me im not going to wait for the bite (if I can help it) to react and minimize the threat.

[dreamaker]

I watched part of this on Detroit PBS TV channel last week, I seen the first half, which I thought was interesting about dogs. I thought it was informative and gave me a better understanding of why they are what they are. I am not making excuses for them, just trying to understand.  The way I look at it, is humans always think they are smarter than Mother Nature, but what it boils down to is Eve biting into the apple again, and it blowing up in our faces again.


http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/dogs-that-changed-the-world-full-episode-dogs-that-changed-the-world-dogs-by-design/8372/

[Psychotic Bovine]

To the pit bull owners/supporters I only have a couple of questions:  What is this?  And why is it that it's only sold for pits?

[musclehead]

Not if his name is Joe Blow!  

I mean what kind of parents names their kid "Joe Blow"????

The kind of parents that would let their son own a tiger and lion in the same house as their small children.

what about large snakes and small children?

[dreamaker]

You got to focus on the problem,  which is dogs. And the primary problem are the owners, many of those people feel dogs have more right than the victims. Some act like these animals are their play toys, and dress them up like dolls or people and don't take them seriously. They don't want to understand that some of them are potential killing machines, until it happens. Like I said prosecute the owners for the damages the dog creates, spend time in jail and give them time to think.  The law is being to wimpy for the crimes they cause.

[DIGGER]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Officer-Shoots-Pitbull-After-it-Attacks-Father-Son-290312411.html

[DIGGER]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/27980122/pit-bull-attack-sparks-controversy-in-prior-lake-neighborhood

[Gavin_Sons]

To the pit bull owners/supporters I only have a couple of questions:  What is this?  And why is it that it's only sold for pits?

Looks like a jaw unlocking device. When a pitt bull bites their jaws lock. This must be used to pry open those chompers or to beat them into submission.

[Crackerborn]

A dog attack by any large breed can be fatal. A dog designed to have its jaw lock upon an opponent is obviously even more dangerous. Consider the result of that jaw locking in the wild if a person is not there to force the jawbone back into position. The animal now cannot drink or eat thus insuring the eventual starvation of that beast. That does not seem a natural occurrence since that characteristic would seem to lead to the eventual extinction of the creature.

So tell me again why a pit bull is different from a handgun.

[Willow]

I don't think the dog's jaw permanently locks.  It only locks to maintain the biting hold.

Big dogs be they pit bull, Rottie, or German Shepard carry a certain amount of danger due not to the number of attacks but due to the damage that likely will be done in the event of an even rare attack.  There are really not enough attacks as a percentage of the numbers of those dogs to legitimately disallow any one breed.  If we followed the thinking that leads us that way, all speed limits, even those on the flyways, would be at or below twenty-five miles per hour.

I agree wholeheartedly that owners are responsible for the damage done by their animals, be they big dogs, little dogs, or elephants.  Owners need to take precautions based upon the potential for damage should the animal get out of control.  Animals have brains.  They are not human brains but they do allow the animal to make its own decisions.  Sometimes injuries or illness to or within the brain can cause a person or animal to become more inclined to aggression.  What kind of risk is associated with that aggression can be directly related to the strength and size of the beast.

I am not unreasonably committed to the well being of every animal.  I enjoy pets.  I appreciate the relationship we have with our pets.  They are animals.  They're not furry humans.  If attacked by an animal my reaction will be governed by my expectation of the potential damage the animal threatens.  I would not be very likely kill and angry dachshund.   More dangerous beasts when becoming aggressive toward me, other than protecting their owner's property, be they rattlesnakes or St. Bernards are at risk of their continued well being.     

[Xtracho]

A pit's jaws do not lock....a myth perpetrated by the same ilk of people in this thread with nothing more than mere anecdotes to support their weak ass position on the animal. I trust my dogs around my kids more than I would many of you. Just as you trigger happy, "mouthful of lead" kind of paranoiacs would immediately shoot a pit, vicious or not, should it wander onto your property....I will defend my dogs with equal force. Don't like my dogs....there is a damn good chance I'm not going to care very much for you either.

[98valk]

Serk.....I support your having a right to your own opinion.....but......Does anyone else on this site feel that it should be alright for your next door neighbor to house a full grown tiger in his house???? especially if he has little children living there?   ESPECIALLY if I had small children living next door?.....

Do I think that there should be restrictions on owning a firearm?????  ABSOLUTELY......I feel that the govt or policing agency should not allow felons who used firearms in the commision of a crime to own a gun of any kind.  

Quit trying to make this discussion about lions, we're discussing breeds of dogs...

Lions attack and kill people
Tigers attack and kill people
Pitt Bulls attack and kill people

same type animal

u are really ignorant of many facts about dogs and the history of them

hey
people attack and kill people many times over what animals do
people act just like animals now cause the liberal/marxist have told them that they have evolved from animals for decades.
what are u going to do about it?
people are using these dogs to attack on sight no verbal commands, they train them that way. all protective working breeds would have to band as they have been doing in europe.
when the brown shirts come knocking on your door they want no way for u to protect yourself, no guns and no dogs that could do damage to the govt minions.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Man this thread is quickly approaching the vitriol of the Ford truck thread 

[Jess Tolbirt]

A pit's jaws do not lock....a myth perpetrated by the same ilk of people in this thread with nothing more than mere anecdotes to support their weak ass position on the animal. I trust my dogs around my kids more than I would many of you. Just as you trigger happy, "mouthful of lead" kind of paranoiacs would immediately shoot a pit, vicious or not, should it wander onto your property....I will defend my dogs with equal force. Don't like my dogs....there is a damn good chance I'm not going to care very much for you either.

you are sounding just like the media, only saying what you want to say so it will be interesting,,
so let me add, if your dog comes onto my property acting vicious towards me or any of my family guess whats gonna happen? also if YOU come onto my property acting vicious towards me or my family, guess whats gonna happen? doesnt matter if its animal or human the end result will be the same..

[Jess Tolbirt]

Man this thread is quickly approaching the vitriol of the Ford truck thread 

what ford truck thread? i just bought a new one...

[Serk]

Man this thread is quickly approaching the vitriol of the Ford truck thread 

I had the same thought... And after daring to insult the Holy Church of Glock in that other thread, I think I'm gonna back outta this one now...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Man this thread is quickly approaching the vitriol of the Ford truck thread 

I had the same thought... And after daring to insult the Holy Church of Glock in that other thread, I think I'm gonna back outta this one now...

come on and man up. I'm sure you can come up with a post combining Fords, Glocks, and pit bulls.

[Xtracho]

Man this thread is quickly approaching the vitriol of the Ford truck thread  

Lots of chest thumping and beating of drums in this thread and I am as guilty of it as anyone.

To say I am passionate about my dogs would be a gross understatement. I trust them implicitly with my kids, wife, and grandbabies. Even though there are some in this thread that are going to spout the obvious "Wait until he rips your grand daughter to shreds" crapola. Funny thing is, for every single negative link posted about pits I can post a positive in rebuttal. But I'm not a big fan of anecdotal evidence to support my position. As I mentioned earlier, I have had this breed for more than 20 years. Yes, I have seen the horrible things that humans do to force the pit to fight. Yet I have also seen, and witness to this day, the flip side of this animal when it is properly trained and socialized. They were once known as "nanny" dogs. There are pits used as therapy dogs. And perhaps the most noted story in the last decade was the story about that slime bag Michael Vick and the 30+ pits he used as fighting dogs. Interestingly, most of those dogs have been rehabilitated and adopted to families. Some even becoming therapy and service animals.

If it is someone's intent to rid the earth of the most vicious species on the planet....I suggest you begin with yourselves and hope that the domino effect manifests itself.

The notion that all pits should be annihilated from the planet is preposterous on its face.

If I have offended anyone with my comments I apologize. But I remain steadfast in my experience and opinion of this breed.

[Jess from VA]

The only brand of dog I really dislike is the chihuahua.  Every single one I've ever come across is a psycho, growling, yapping, snapping asshole.   And most of their owners think that's cute.

They should be used in replacement of balls for all field goals in college and NFL football.    
(they don't have to be inflated to regulation) (of course the long snap center will have to wear gloves)

[dreamaker]

Its interesting, those ankle biters seem always mean and aggressive. Maybe they are freaked out in the land of the giants to them and compensating for their fears.

[Lyn-Del]

.I will defend my dogs with equal force. Don't like my dogs....there is a damn good chance I'm not going to care very much for you either.

A friend put it very well when she said:

"I will kill your dog to protect my dog,
I will kill my dog to protect your child.
I will kill your child to protect my child."

I have several dogs, as most know.   My dogs are not permitted to run "free" though I have no problems turning one or two at a time loose in an unsecured area.  We work hard on recalls (coming to me when called), we work hard on just "hanging around".

I have no desire for one of my dogs to be hurt by traffic or other animals.  And I have NO desire to be sued because one of my dogs bites someone.  Which is not to say it could never happen, life take strange turns sometimes.

I am NOT a "pet parent."  I hate that phrase.  I did not give birth to any of my dogs, I am not raising them to be able to live independent lives.

I am a dog owner.  And darned proud of my dogs.

[Lyn-Del]

The only brand of dog I really dislike is the chihuahua.  Every single one I've ever come across is a psycho, growling, yapping, snapping asshole.   And most of their owners think that's cute.

I used to hate Chihuahuas too.  I've been bitten by 27, and gummed by one that was over 20 years old and had no teeth. 

You're right, many folks consider those antics to be "cute."

My Chihuahua doesn't act like that.  She's pleasant in the company of people and other dogs, but I protect her from being assaulted/mishandled by those people and dogs.  If she does choose to act like an idiot, she is straightened out. 

I now know almost a dozen Chihuahuas that were raised as if they were big dogs, and they're delightful. 

I also have known several large dogs that were raised like little dogs.  They were obnoxious, and darned near dangerous.

Again, it's not the breed, it's the owners.

[Jess from VA]

Lynn, I was almost certain someone would jump in to defend their chihuahua. 

I was just trying to inject some needed humor and misdirection into the thread.

I didn't say I hated them, just that I disliked them.

However, after....I've been bitten by 27, and gummed by one that was over 20 years old and had no teeth. .... Your honor, I rest my case.   

I doubt any have been killed by them.... but it's not for lack of trying. 

I can still hear my dear old mother at the kitchen sink.... Jess, there two things you absolutely cannot talk to people about; their kids and their dogs.   Mom was a smart cookie.

Again, it's not the breed, it's the owners.   So are you.   

[Lyn-Del]

Of course I had to defend my Chihuahua(s?), I have one purebred and one Chi mix.  Between them, they're not quite 11 pounds.  But when they're working, they do a darned good job.   They're DOGS, first and foremost.  And they're entertainers, keeping me shaking my head at their silly antics.

I'm also owned by several larger dogs.  Wouldn't trade a one of them.

[Crackerborn]

Myth?: Pit Bull jaws lock.
It all depends on your source as to your interpretation. Medically and structurally the jaw of a Staffordshire, American Staffordshire and American Bull Terriers are no different than any other canine. Nor do they have any more jaw strength than any other dog of comparable size. The tenacity of the various breeds mentioned is another matter. The pit bull reference in the names is what the dogs were originally bred for, bull baiting, where the dog would hold a bulls nose to the ground in a pit or die trying. The dog fighting came about later in the history of the various breeds. The origins of these breeds may date to the Roman Empire.

I can say without reservation the Staffordshire and American Bull Terriers that were used to hunt pig in the swamps on the west side of Lake Okeechobee would lock their jaws on a tusker and the jaws had to be forced open even after porky was ready to butcher. As a rule, it was inadvisable to allow the dogs to engage with pork-on-the-hoof. The only time it ever happened was when the tusker decided to attack first. Good pig dogs were hard to train and their death was usually hastened by allowing a tusker and dog to decide the victor. This meant the dog handler had to get 4 or 5 snapping, surly, excited ready to attack bull dogs to back down and into a truck kennel. Those same dogs lived at his home as yard dogs that played with his kids and any other neighborhood child that visited (me among them). The dog handler I knew only had one dog bite him in 15+ years of training pig dogs and that dog never bit anything again. This was the gentleman that introduced my father and I to bow-hunting and my father then introduced Dr. Harmes to deep sea fishing. All the youth from both families benefited from their friendship and love of the outdoors.

 I have decided that I will get the second most dangerous dog on the list with 59 confirmed kills once the wife's Puggle gives itself a heart attack chasing rabbits around the yard. A Cocker Spaniel???? REALLY????