As the linked source notes, “These breeds of dogs are stocky and have one of the strongest jaws of any type of dog.” Thus, the difficult link between genetics and behaviour (which the pro pitbull camp relies very heavily on) can be ignored. The basic fact is pitbulls are built in such a way that they can do significantly more damage than other breeds when engaging in a common behaviour exhibited by al dogs (i.e., biting).

Right, but what about the genetic factors impacting physiological features that augment damage (e.g., jaw strength)? The worst imaginable chihuahua owner could never result in the types of dog attack victims that “bad” pitbull owners can produce.

An ER doctor mentioned that they see more dog bites from things like retrievers and sheppards, but the Pit Bull bites are always more severe or deadly with so much tissue damage.

The breed related part is how damaging they are.

My kid had two. One was a complete softy sweetheart, the other one mauled their cat to death one day (after years of living together) and lunges for other dogs. But either one I wouldn't want to have bite me

border collies herd, pointers point, no one teaches these dogs to do these things. It's what they were bred for, its in their nature and instincts. But bring up how pitbulls were bred for aggression and they have an instinct for violence and out come the hysterics.

No one is breeding people for certain traits (at least, not anymore). Meanwhile, we breed all sorts of animals for specific factors. Making the comparison of "animal vs person" utterly devoid of brain mass.

#BanBanPitbulls

had reportedly been involved in an earlier attack and had recently been released from an animal shelter.

What the fuck? Like.... what the fuck?

i thought mister worldwide went crazy for a second

Y'all want to ban pit bulls but what we really need to do is hold the owner criminally liable.

God damn, this is just fucking tragic for everyone. People living out of their car trying to hold it together with their pet, and a poor baby hurt and traumatized by the dog.

Surprising that they even walk it.

"it was supposed to only maul them a little!"

Man, Pitbull owners are clueless. We have one near us that is aggressive and the owners are trying to find a home for it, but they don't muzzle it when they walk it. Just stupid idiots.

News4JAX was at the home when Animal Care and Protective Services arrived to check on the dog involved in the attack, but they didn’t take the dog. ACPS explained why.

“This is a dog that put somebody on their own property and it’s an unfortunate situation but after speaking to the owners, they have the dog contained they will be holding for the quarantine period and we visually put eyes on the dog today,” Michael Bricker, ACPS division chief said.

The only thing they are worried about is whether it has rabies or not?

Most of the downvotes are from baby accounts, pitbull nutters love their astroturfing.

"above and beyond" is crazy

We have Coyotes in our neighbourhood, that are not really afraid of approaching humans anymore. They stalked us on our walk before. Amazon sells a Coyote repellent spray for dog walkers. Might be of use to repell an aggressive approach from a dog too.

I worry walking small dogs (or even big ones), knowing that there are some pitbulls in my neighbourhood.

I've seen a pitbull attack and kill another dog. I've had plenty of encounters with dogs and never seen anything even remotely as vicious.

Pitbulls are one of the very few items that make me want to carry.

Fortunately they’re very rare to nonexistent here.

“I did not mean for my dog to go above and beyond,” she said. “He was just protecting his home. What he thought he was protecting his home.”

Pit bull owners are always irresponsible. A dog that attacks unprovoked or without command is not defending its territory, it’s just a mean dog.

I saw an old man and his small dog get attacked by a pitbull. The old guy was quick thinking and grabbed a pen from his pocket and stabbed at the pitbulls eyes, so it let go. The asshole owner came running out.. You made my pitbull bleed?? Completely oblivious to the damage his dog just caused to a small dog and the old guy.

The infant breathing must have provoked the nanny dog.

I know of a lot of ropes and chains that are stronger than pitbulls. You control it by restricting it's movement. You don't control it's nature. I think that it is a breed that should go the way of the dodo myself.

I grew up with a pitbull. When I was a child my dad was a logger and was extremely strong. One day our pitbull decided to attack another dog. My dad, even with all his might could not get our pitbull to let go. There is no controlling pitbulls. I Ioved that dog, but I would never recommend anyone have that breed.