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.

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Man shoots attacking dog at Rocky River Metropark
Posted by Donna J. Miller/Plain Dealer Reporter December 30, 2008 20:09PM

A Metroparks visitor carrying a concealed gun fatally shot a rottweiler that attacked his leashed dog at Tyler Field off Valley Parkway.

Rangers spokeswoman Dianna Kall said this is what happened about 3:30 p.m. Saturday:

The armed man was walking his Labrador on a leash when the leashed rottweiler broke free from its owner and attacked. The two dog owners tried to separate the dogs. When pulling and kicking failed, the Labrador owner shot the rottweiler dead.

Rangers collected statements from the two men and five witnesses. They said the man with the guy was carrying it legally. Concealed carry is allowed in the Metroparks. Park Prosecutor Joe Feighan will decide whether charges will be filed.

The Labrador is recovering from its injuries.

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Thanks to @Jeffr0 for the story!