Pit bulls no longer seen as "vicious" in Ohio

CBS

(AP) COLUMBUS, Ohio - Pit bulls will no longer be labeled as "vicious" dogs under a new Ohio law.

The measure that took effect Tuesday changes current law that defines a vicious dog as one that has seriously hurt or killed a person, killed another dog or is among those commonly known as pit bulls. The new measure removes the reference to pit bulls from the definition and requires evidence to prove pit bulls are actually vicious.

Gov. John Kasich signed the measure in February.

Some dog wardens opposed it because of frequent pit bull attacks. Others have said pit bulls are not inherently vicious.

The measure takes effect less than a week after a 3-day-old baby was killed in northwest Ohio by what a dog warden described as a pit bull mix.

[hypnotoad72]

So what do they do now, sing and dance in airport foyers?

[chyenna-2009]

The measure takes effect less than a week after a 3-day-old baby was killed in northwest Ohio by what a dog warden described as a pit bull mix.

Bet that didn't make the parents feel any better. I loved my pit but he was a fence jumper and jumped the fence one day and I never saw him again.

[busterdawgggy]

by dot92141 May 22, 2012 2:26 PM EDT
Seems like people on this site think only pit bulls kill----your rotweiler and german shephard percentage wise are deadlier than pit bulls---it is just that there are many more pits in the country.

===============

Gee, I' ve never heard of a golden retriever involved in a deadly fight.

[Ljens]

Actually my mom was attacked by a golden retriever whose electric collar ran low on batteries... I Fostered a pit bull puppy for 8 months and she was the sweetest dog I've ever met. She was full of energy and thought she was smaller than she actually was, but 100% not dangerous. It's the deed, not the breed. Pit bulls are not inherently more dangerous than any other dog.

[superdem1]

Well, Ohio votes for Republicans, too. They are just as dangerous as the pit bulls, but apparently Ohioans don't have much sense.

[hypnotoad72]

Didn't the New Wave music band "Devo" come out of Ohio? Can't vouch for any sense firsthand, but they seemed to figure out a few things, and thankfully their music actually tells stories about observations in life instead of crooning for codependence like how most groups do, oh well... Jerry Casale riled on BP over the oil spill as well...

[caseym30]

Developed from the Bull and Terrier types of yesteryear, the American Pit Bull Terrier was bred as an all around farm dog, working the farms as a cattle/hog dog. Some chose to turn their talents into the sport of pit-fighting.
The APBT, as registered by the UKC, is an individual breed of dog and does not refer to just any ill-bred, mindless warrior-type mongrel. At one time, the Pit Bull was a much loved, trustworthy companion. People who chose to train these dogs to fight are chiefly responsible for the banning and witch-hunting that has been sweeping the U.S. The media, however, should not go unmentioned, for it is also responsible for escalating isolated incidences in a relentless and attention-getting way. In a lot of cases when the media is reporting about a Pit Bull attacking, it is indeed not even a Pit Bull at all, but a mixed breed of some sort, or another bull breed all together. An example, there was a report on KYW news in Philadelphia about two Pit Bulls attacking a person. The dogs did not look like Pit Bulls, but rather Boxer mix looking dogs. The news station was called and asked if they knew the dogs were in fact purebred American Pit Bull Terriers, or another bull breed of some sort, or a mutt for that matter. They stated they did not know, and to call the police station to verify that information. They were asked how they could report something that they were not sure of. They had no answer and they were not sure of the dog's breed. Even after admitting on the phone that they did not in fact know the breed of the dogs in question, they kept calling the dogs Pit Bulls in their reports. Why? Because the name Pit Bull will drawl out the most attention from the public. The Pit Bull's future has been perhaps irreparably undone and everyone is to blame except the dog itself. This very loyal dog is too set on pleasing his owner, and ironically this is the root of his own undoing. Accompanying this need to please are remarkable abilities of all kinds. Jack Dempsy, Teddy Roosevelt and Jack Johnson are just a few people who have owned Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls excel in practically every canine task including herding, guarding, hunting, policing, cart pulling and ratting. A Pit Bull, named Banddog Dread, holds more canine working titles than ANY other breed. The owner's name is Diane Jessup and you can reference her book, "The Working Pit Bull." It tells you all of Dread's accomplishments. These dogs are truly capable of many tasks.

[steve5712]

it may be that what's needed is not so much trying to ban certain breeds, as much as toughening up and ENFORCING dog laws about licensing, spaying/neutering, leash, confinement... and not to forget holding owners responsible for the damage and injuries caused by their animals. too much of the time the penalties are a slap on the wrist and the courts throwing up their hands because an owner doesn't have any money and can't be made to pay for damages. there needs to be very serious consequences for owners and serious steps taken with problem dogs too.

[steve5712]

it may be that what's needed is not so much trying to ban certain breeds, as much as toughening up and ENFORCING dog laws about licensing, spaying/neutering, leash, confinement... and not to forget holding owners responsible for the damage and injuries caused by their animals. too much of the time the penalties are a slap on the wrist and the courts throwing up their hands because an owner doesn't have any money and can't be made to pay for damages. there needs to be very serious consequences for owners and serious steps taken with problem dogs too.

[KansasCity-2012]

What kind of governor sticks up for a dog's right to bite when citizens with small children need protection?

Pit Bulls were bred to fight and kill. Their bite is three times the force of a German Sheppard.

I have heard the comparison to pet owners of snakes who say owning a poisonous snake is not any different from owning a non-poisonous snake, until it bites.

If you empower any animal with rights, you give it the right to eat, breed, bite, "make potty", make noise, hunt for a mate, hunt for food, and transmit pathogens and parasites into human habitats.

Licensing a dog doesn't imply that all things a dog does are acceptable or that the owner is successful in domesticating one.

[aennenir]

actually, rottweilers have a more powerful bite than both

[clayhund]

Actually, they were bred as farming dogs, and a-holes took advantage of their strength, loyalty, and human non-aggressiveness. you should really do some homework before repeating what you learned through hearsay.

[THALES457]

MUST SOMEONE BE MAIMED PERIODICALLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CONCEPT FRESH IN THE LAW MAKER'S MINDS? OR, WHO GOT TO THEM?

[prm777]

From all the dog attack stories I've read in the news over the last several years, I might agree that pit bulls are not "inherently" vicious; however, they do seem quite unpredictable and are certainly capable of inflicting serious injury. I personally would not have such a dog around small children. This is one breed of dog that I would not want to come across if it is in an agitated state or is feeling threatened. Their jaw strength, muscular builds and tenacity make this breed one of the most dangerous (potentially) in my opinion.

[steve5712]

"When treated right and trained properly, they can be your best friend."

and that's great, except way, way too many are owned by goofballs who either couldn't care less, don't have time, or actually think it's cool to watch their animals being vicious.

every dog is a potential biter until it bites someone. when rover the mutt goes off the rails his victim can probably drive him off or escape. when a pit bull blows its stack it's an unstoppable juggernaut of destruction.

there are many loyal, sweet, and intelligent dogs to choose from. no one should be allowed to own an animal that can be such a danger to the surrounding community

[WVU_2012]

Is the final sentence really necessary? Negative media coverage of the breed does nothing but set movements like these back. The image of the pit bull breed as a whole is continuously shoved into the ground by comments like that.

While history is against the breed, not all pit bulls are bad news. When treated right and trained properly, they can be your best friend. Any dog can be provoked in the right scenario.

Cheers to Ohio for passing this!

[davefromdayton]

Wise - seems like a good idea until put into practice...in many places with breed specific legislation, pits have been replaced with Argentinian Dojos...when those are outlawed, they are replaced by another breed. People are the issue, bad ones do bad things. Pits are a product of their enviorment.
2006 American Temperament Test Results
________________________________________
Pit Bulls are often victims of prejudice and discrimination. Responsible Pit Bull owners and their dogs will help restore the image of the breed.

In 2006 at the American Temperament Test, "pit bull" dogs achieved a combined passing score of 84.4%.

American Pit Bull Terrier: 542 tested 84.1% passed
American Staffordshire Terrier: 521 tested 83.9% passed
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 61 tested 85.2% passed
Total 1124 tested 84.4% passed

To put this in perspective, consider:
All Breeds: 27,162 tested 81.5% passed
Australian Shepherd: 571 tested 80.7% passed
Golden Retriever: 687 tested 83.8% passed