Dangerous Dogs

(CBS)  This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

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So I'm walking down the street yesterday and I come to a corner where there's lots of people waiting for the light to change. And there's a guy with two pit bulls. The dogs weren't the biggest ones I've seen. They were though, untrained, tugging on the leash.

I got as far away from the dogs as possible, and wondered if the dogs' owner had any idea of the potential danger he was parading up Columbus Avenue.

I did my first pit bull story about twenty years ago. The victim said she didn't know what hit her when a neighborhood dog ran onto her porch and proceeded to take a portion of her leg off.

I've since heard the pleas of pit bull owners who say the attacks are the fault of bad owners, not the breed.

Still, I can't help but believe part of the allure of owning a pit bull is the danger. If it's not, then why bother? The issue has come to a head in dozens of cities across the country. Some towns have outright banned the breed.

You can keep your pit bull. Just keep him away form me.

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Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith