AP-Petside Polls Say It's The Owner, Not The Dog That's The Issue!

By SUE MANNING For The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The majority of American pet owners believe a well-trained dog is safe – even if it comes from one of the “bully breeds.”

Some dog breeds, such as pit bulls or Rottweilers, are considered truly dangerous by 28 percent of American pet owners, but an Associated Press-Petside.com poll found that 71 percent said any breed can be safe if the dogs are well trained.

“It’s not the dog. It’s the owner that’s the problem,” said Michael Hansen, a 59-year-old goldsmith from Port Orchard, Wash. “The dog will do whatever it can to please the owner, right down to killing another animal for you.”

“If they are brought up in a loving household, they can flourish just like any other dog,” agreed Nancy Lyman, 56, of Warwick, Mass.

Sixty percent of pet owners feel that all dog breeds should be allowed in residential communities, while 38 percent believe some breeds should be banned, according to the poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.

Denver and Miami-Dade County in Florida have pit bull bans that go back decades. The Army and Marine Corps have put base housing off limits to the dogs in the last few years.

Of the pet owners in the poll who support breed bans, 85 percent would bar pit bulls. Other breeds considered too dangerous were Rottweilers, Dobermans, German shepherds and chow chows. Seven percent said any violent, vicious or fighting dog should be banned and 2 percent said all large dogs should be outlawed.

Asked specifically about pit bulls, 53 percent of those polled said they were safe for residential neighborhoods, but 43 percent said they were too dangerous.

Age played a major role in the pit bull questions – 76 percent of those under age 30 said pit bulls were safe, compared with just 37 percent of seniors.

Janice Dudley, 81, of Culver City, Calif., was taking out her garbage when she was charged by a pit bull whose owner had been walking him in her neighborhood for years.

“He came within a few inches of my leg. It was shocking. There was nothing I could do. The owner controlled the dog and they went on their way but it was really very frightening,” she said.

She goes to great lengths to avoid the man and dog now, she said. “That was as close as I’ve ever come and as close as I ever want to be.

To read the rest, click here.

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T Zaluzney
T Zaluzney
13 years ago

So does Ms. Dudley, of Culver City, Calif believe dogs like the one who has been walking in her neighborhood for years and was under the control of his owner, a dog who did not harm her in anyway be banned? This is exactly the probelm with polls like this. They provide a voice to folks who really have nothing worthwhile to add. You are afraid of the way my dog looks, my dog who has never hurt anyone in anyway and therefore she and all that resemble her should be banned. Please.

T Zaluzney
T Zaluzney
13 years ago

So does Ms. Dudley, of Culver City, Calif believe dogs like the one who has been walking in her neighborhood for years and was under the control of his owner, a dog who did not harm her in anyway be banned? This is exactly the probelm with polls like this. They provide a voice to folks who really have nothing worthwhile to add. You are afraid of the way my dog looks, my dog who has never hurt anyone in anyway and therefore she and all that resemble her should be banned. Please.

Cjustpeachie
Cjustpeachie
13 years ago

I’ve got to say that I do believe that if the dog is raised in a gentle household..he will probably BE gentle. But that’s not to say that ANY dog at any given time would not strike out for various reasons!!

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