RETURN/HOME/SITE INDEX

DANGEROUS DOGS AND PITBULLS

The Marion County City/County Council recently passed an ordinance to attempt to deal with some really disturbing dog attacks. The ordinance was not breed specific and includes some stringent penaltys for owners who do not properly handle and restrain their animals. As with all laws, enforcement often falls short of intentions.

Still, the old adage remains true. Once when a fellow dog handler called his dog dumb, our trainer told him, "it runs down the leash." A dog can be trained to do almost anything of which the animal is physically capable. Training must be constantly re-enforced. Dogs are bred to do particular things. Some of their breed names are misleading, some are not. A German Shepard is not a herder as the name might imply. A Standard Poodle is a hunting dog with pretty hair. Hounds are ground trackers, other breeds track by air scent. All dogs bite - they have teeth. Pit Bulls are dog fighters - what part of pit do we not understand. That does not mean they are bad dogs. It means particular care must be taken.

All dogs are territorial to a greater or lessor extent. A dog might be a "pussycat" (photos below) away from the animal's home. The same animal may become aggresive if a strange person or animal trespasses on home turf. Almost any breed may be trained to be aggressive. Almost any aggressive behavior may be overcome by training. See "constantly re-enforced", above.



Chief and Apollo 6F46 1962

Stimpy the Cat and German Shepard 1996

Same as below, 2009

Polly the Blue Heeler and Rumpole alley cat, 2007
Dog is bred to herd, tracks both air and ground. The
breed is Dingo, Dalmation and Smithfield Bulldog. Who
says you can't herd cats?