NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2006

Dangerous Dogs

Harry Smith Is Not A Fan Of Pit Bulls

  • Play CBS Video Video Pit Bull Restrictions Debated

    More communities are guarding against dangerous dogs. Every year, about 800,000 people require medical care after dog attacks - and children are the most likely targets. Debbye Turner reports.

  • Video Toddler Mauled By Pit Bull

    A Northern California toddler is recovering from a pit bull mauling at Natividad Medical Center. His mother Kim Stofer describes the attack on The Early Show.

  • Video Outrage Over Pit Bulls

    A San Francisco woman faces ten years in prison because her pit bull dogs killed her son. The attack has some calling for a crackdown. CBS News' John Blackstone reports.

  •  (AP)

  • In The Spotlight Pets

    Learn more about caring for your pet and see some wacky video.

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



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

By Harry Smith
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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