|
As always, I listen to the opposition and give a fair chance for
anyone to sway my opinion. I read the entire article that you
posted. A got a couple of impressions.
First off. I don't know who
the author of the paper is, or what their credentials are... but
the stats were different becuase my info was on all dog bites in
one country. The article you quoted was on mortalities in two
countries. Secondly, I feel that the tone of the article was biased.
The author described incedents involving Rottweillers and other
such dogs as "maulings"... while he described the deaths by Labs and
goldens to be "accidental"... or that the Lab had only "joined in"
after a set of Rotweillers had already begun the attack. Thirdly,
I question the statistics becuase I happen to know a child that was
killed by a chocolate Lab during this time frame and it was not
included in the study. In closing, the author makes statements
regarding temperament and behavior that no certified trainer or
handler would ever make. So I question his actual knowledge.
I guess it just frustrates me that people are so willing to jump
on the bandwagon and start a witch hunt without really researching
the subject. Has anyone actually studied canine behavior? I am not
saying that the statistics are wrong... I would have to be an idiot
in denial to say that Rottweillers, pit bulls and shepherds etc. are
all angelic and that there is no problem with these breeds... I
am just stating that not every shepherd, Rotti etc. is a psycho. I
am angry that people (not necessarily everyone on this board) are so
quick to judge my dog as psycho, and myself an irresponsible
citizen becuase I own a shepherd. It would be like calling all
minorities drug dealers and criminals. Ridiculous.
I do think that there is "another element" other than the real breed
lovers that find these breeds attractive. They are the type that
want a weapon or an attack dog... police depts and other responsible
parties would never train a dog to "attack"... There are "protection"
dogs and its really a whole different ball game. Real protection
dogs are only trained to bite and hold on command... not on their
own ever, and they have to be temperament tested to make sure that
they would not get carried away in the excitement. The "unsavories,"
drug dealers and the like, beat and harrass their dogs to make them
mean. They are abused and uncontrollable. This is the fault of the
owner. Not the dog. Unfortunately these people have given these
once fabulous breeds a bad name and ruined it for the rest of us.
I was at our very well known and respected local vet today with
my puppy. The entire office fell in love with her, just like my
last shepherd. I am constantly being complimented on how friendly
and loving she is. I just caution everyone against believing
everything that you read on the internet or hear on TV. If my son
was attacked by a Rottweiller or a pit bull instead of a Dalmatian,
you can bet that it would've made the 6 o'clock news... rather than
just the Gazette! There is something called sensationalism. The
media addresses what people want to hear and see. The media can be
very manupulative.
your community, on-line |