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Pit Bulls Are Weapons, Not Pets, Lawmaker Seeking Ban Says
in response to reader comment: Unleash all pit bulls!

Submitted by Jessi, May 13, 2007 08:15

In response to your claim that we should just unleash all pits and let them roam through the parks, which you try to claim will automatically make them socialized and not bite: "Pit bulls" should NOT be left to roam unsupervised and OUT OF CONTROL! You don't seem to get it. Any dog can be abused and turned aggressive. Turning all dogs loose does not magically socialize them. Socializing means exposing the dogs to other people, children, and animals in a positive, controlled situation while TEACHING the dog what is and is not accepted when interacting. This means the owner must have control of the dog. There are some adult pits out there that have been abused and then kicked out on the street to roam the neighborhood. When these dogs meet up and form a pack, they revert to their instinctual mindset and can be a real danger, ESPECIALLY when they aren't spayed or neutered. I am a bully lover myself, but as a bully lover, I have researched my breed. I have fostered several abused/neglected pit bulls and rehabilitated them. I am a responsible owner, which includes spaying/neutering, and not taking chances by putting someone else's dog or my own at potential risk for injury. Also, dogs do not live in this happy-go-lucky world of "let's make friends with everyone I see!" They have a pack mentality. They are domestic, so people and their companions in the household are their "pack". Turning the dogs loose does not automatically socialize them - it puts them in a highly stressful situation where they must fend for themselves, out of the protection of their gaurdian, the pack leader, their human. read up my friend.


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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

It has been proven, that a pit bull's jaw does not, and is physically incapable of "locking." They do have... [MORE]

Monica 

Aug 8, 2008 16:14

Pitbulls have done nothing wrong. Why are we blaming the breed, they are like any other dog. They reflect the... [MORE]

LaWanna Holiday 

Aug 5, 2008 10:36

My little girl is a great dog. I have a toy poodle and the pit and they get alone well.... [MORE]

Julius Moore 

Feb 26, 2008 13:19

I will say it: Peter Vallone is right.. impossible; but there it is. And this for real, they, pit bulls... [MORE]

Peter Anthony Reale 

Mar 1, 2008 19:13

In today's society, we see pitbulls "mauling" and "targeting" children and other people. All we see within the media is... [MORE]

Angela 

Feb 19, 2008 20:52

I have a chihuahua and a pittbull.The Pitt is the most docile canine i have ever had the honor of... [MORE]

Ally 

Feb 14, 2008 15:00

actually you are soooooooo wrong!!!!!! In 1995 and 1996, a list of dog bites included ten Rottweilers, four pit bulls,... [MORE]

giocondo 

Feb 5, 2008 18:06

first of all if the only kind of dog you know is a Bichon Frise than why are you even... [MORE]

giocondo 

Feb 5, 2008 18:01

I'm not sure about all that I just no they are fearless dogs and are very mean. pittbulls are okay... [MORE]

Brytani Anderson 

Dec 4, 2007 19:34

I think its soo wrong to even think about a ban of a breed, a beautiful dog that god created... [MORE]

Jessie 

Aug 26, 2007 12:33

i lived in america all my life and they always say its a free country....with all the pit bull bans... [MORE]

Sawsha 

Aug 16, 2007 16:06

Pitbulls are sweet and docile creatures- I know I sleep next to a 100 lb. pitbull everynight. The problem isn't... [MORE]

brittany 

Aug 3, 2007 11:54

My dog got bit by pitbull last night. Just ran up to us and bit my dog on her chest... [MORE]

jinny 

Apr 19, 2007 17:58

My dog is a mix and she plays with other dogs and children at the dog park. My dog has... [MORE]

Melanie Pirozzi 

Apr 20, 2007 10:11

You know, i have loved pit bulls all my life and i was never able to get one because my... [MORE]

Chris Duke 

Apr 25, 2007 11:39

i think people are overreacting, my sister has a pure pit bull she adopted from a local town shelter about... [MORE]

Linda H. 

May 3, 2007 22:37

jinny says: "You may say no, I understand, but you know Pitbulls are bad." The ignorance of some people. I've got... [MORE]

Jeff D 

Jul 25, 2007 17:36

I own a pitbull...his name is Zeus he came into our home when he was six weeks old and has... [MORE]

Giovanna Gambino 

Aug 20, 2007 00:07

I am constantly shocked at the ignorance of people when it comes to this issue. I am sorry that your... [MORE]

katie 

Oct 20, 2007 14:51

Your dog may have been attacked by a pitbull, but can we place all of the blame on the dog?... [MORE]

Sam Dangerfield 

May 16, 2008 23:57

I think there are few bad people in this world who make it a diffcult place to live for everyone... [MORE]

Melanie Pirozzi 

Apr 19, 2007 09:24

For everyone who argues that pit bulls are worse than any other type of dog, I would direct you... [MORE]

DenverGirl 

Jan 9, 2007 18:21

After calling and emailing my local Councilwoman Melinda Katz, I am happy to say that I was told via email... [MORE]

Peter.Kefalas. 

Jan 8, 2007 02:31

Local Councilwoman Melinda Katz sadly doesnt think pitbulls are a danger to kids as actions speak for themselves and she... [MORE]

Lia Ferrari 

Apr 7, 2007 10:55

As a veterinary student and an owner of a pit bull I am extremely offended by your statement against pit... [MORE]

Lindsey Martell 

Apr 15, 2007 12:52

yes its not a problem for her because she has no children for if she did she surly would ban... [MORE]

dawn 

Jun 27, 2007 13:34

I've just been reading through a number of posts, the responses to those posts and of course the article that... [MORE]

Jon Bozak 

Jan 8, 2007 02:24

In response to "just a thought about the obvious", anyone who has watched Cesar Milan of the "Dog Whisperer" on... [MORE]

J. Lii 

Jan 9, 2007 18:17

You are spot on in your comments and I agree whole heartedly that we need to get respected and recognized... [MORE]

jon bozak 

Jan 9, 2007 19:40

I would like to see what Vallone has done to curb dog fighting all over the five boros, strange isn't... [MORE]

J. Lii 

Jan 6, 2007 18:20

pit bulls are only weapons if you make them. [MORE]

brooke 

Dec 7, 2007 14:28

Any dog can be aggressive, including a Bichon Frise. Laws should be enacted to limit time that a dog of... [MORE]

Terri L Young 

Jan 6, 2007 14:54


[w/response by The New York Sun Editors]You are right in a sense, that crimes are still likely to happen. HOWEVER, pit bulls are misused to be... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 4, 2007 18:48

No law can completely shield us from harm. In the case of responsible owner's pets breaking away and harming or... [MORE]

Mark 

Jan 5, 2007 11:57

Okay... If we make laws like that, there will still be countless accidents- because the most fatal attacks from pit... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 7, 2007 12:36

I heartily agree with Mark's response to this message. But I want to point out another pitbull myth in the... [MORE]

Danita 

Jan 8, 2007 21:55

We blame pit bulls and other large, strong, and loveable pets that are neglected, abused, and trained to be aggressive... [MORE]

Mark 

Jan 4, 2007 11:02

Any dog bite can be dangerous and people breed the dogs and train them. It is very similar to dogs... [MORE]

Mark 

Jan 4, 2007 09:14

With all the problems facing NYC I find it sad,crazy and stupid to go after Pit bulls!!! We have... [MORE]

Peter.Kefalas. 

Jan 3, 2007 17:29

After emailing several NYC Council members and asking them not to support Councilman Vallone Jr's push to ban Pit... [MORE]

Peter.Kefalas. 

Jan 3, 2007 16:54

Any unsocialized dog has the ability to do serious do harm. Most dog bites happen to children who would be... [MORE]

Terri 

Jan 3, 2007 12:17

As I said before, a pomeranian won't kill you! A pit bull will. I know that many ae wonderful pets,... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 3, 2007 18:13

But anyone, in turn, that has to resort to criticization of something like a person being anonymous, is hard to... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 3, 2007 19:08

pomeranians have killed. there was an incident not too long ago where a child was killed by the family's pomeranian.... [MORE]

Erika McCormick 

Jan 7, 2007 08:37

Your solution is to ban a breed that for many years has been kept as loving pets, companions and workers... [MORE]

irene mcdonnell 

Jan 8, 2007 10:23

if thats the case take away guns. they serve more deaths each year in america then the big bites combined... [MORE]

patrick 

Jan 8, 2007 21:13

Actually, your "fact" about a Pomeranian not killing you, is incorrect! About 5 years ago, 2 pomeranians mauled a small... [MORE]

Toni 

Jan 9, 2007 13:48

Dear NY SUN, I beg you to spend some time in local animal shelters and with pit-bull rescue organizations in... [MORE]

Andrea Lynn 

Jan 3, 2007 03:30

Pit bull bites are one of the most dangerous, and they have been bred for fighting and aggressiveness, more than... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 3, 2007 18:47


[w/response by The New York Sun Editors]What do you mean there is no killing involved here? What do you think will happen if pit bulls are... [MORE]

Andrea Lynn 

Jan 4, 2007 16:34

I agree that it starts with the owner. It was about the summer of 1993, I was 7 years old and... [MORE]

Jessica 

Jul 22, 2007 17:17

The humane society told us the puppy we adopted was a beagle/hound mix, but our vet says she has a... [MORE]

Mary 

Jan 1, 2007 09:01

I have 3 pure bread pit bulls that i rescued from shelters and i trust them playing with my infant... [MORE]

justin silver 

Jan 1, 2007 22:54

I do not own a pit bull, and my dog only took a small amount of training to be loving... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 3, 2007 18:50


[w/response by The New York Sun Editors]My beagle went through the same thing, the vet said it was normal for a young dog. What I found... [MORE]

Annon. 

Jan 4, 2007 17:43

We also brought home a "lab mix" from the shelter, only to have everyone tell us that "she definitely has... [MORE]

Laura 

Jan 6, 2007 21:59

If we are going to ban the various things in this country that are so called weapons - we would... [MORE]

K. H 

Dec 31, 2006 20:10

I recently came into ownership of a pit bull/basset hound mix, approx. 1 year old. She is the sweetest, most... [MORE]

Joe Mayfield 

Dec 31, 2006 11:13

BSL has been proven unconstitutional in Ohio and Alabama, and will be proven the same in CA (San Francisco)....Why? Because... [MORE]

Attorney in California--American Canine Foundation 

Dec 31, 2006 01:57

I live in the City of Canton and the pit bulls here are everywhere. Young kids are walking these dog... [MORE]

Patty 

Jul 26, 2007 13:03

I have owned Staffordshire Bull Terriers for a long time now and they are often classified as "pitbulls" although there... [MORE]

Robert Fleming 

Dec 30, 2006 17:14

pitbull are the best dogs anyone can ever own .people just make stupid laws and i can say none if... [MORE]

king t 

May 18, 2007 23:20

no they arent they are just like any other breed of dog. humans just train them to kill. [MORE]

jenny 

Feb 19, 2008 20:04

I HAD TWO PIT BULLS YEARS AGO, I GAVE THESE DOG LOTS OF EFFECTION AND LOVE, THEY WERE AS GENTLE... [MORE]

RITA BATTAGLIA 

Dec 30, 2006 16:45

Okay, but if pit bulls were banned, they would not continually be placed in the hands of drug dealers and... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 3, 2007 19:02

Numerous studies have shown that Pit Bull type dogs cause over half of dog bite related deaths and injuries each... [MORE]

Karol Briggs 

Dec 29, 2006 15:16

For years people like yourself have been quoting stats about the Pit Bull, but I'm sure you don't even know... [MORE]

J. Lii 

Jan 9, 2007 18:49

People have been stereotyping the Pit Bull for years. First, you are wrong when you state that they were bred... [MORE]

slj 

Mar 26, 2007 15:06

Just so Kim, Ed (btw I don't own a bully breed, I simply fight bad legislation) and anyone else that... [MORE]

Marla 

Dec 29, 2006 10:30

Give me A BREAK! seriously, what are you trying to prove? [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 3, 2007 19:05

I love dogs. I've had three dogs in my 24 years of life and all of them lived to be... [MORE]

Kim 

Dec 29, 2006 03:52

the poor girl who was mauled to death in S.F. was not killed by "Pitbull's", if you ban Bully breeds... [MORE]

rich 

Dec 30, 2006 15:28

wow you could'nt be more ignorant,this ban will probably include german shepperds.i'm from ohio where the general assembly just overturned... [MORE]

james tanner 

Dec 31, 2006 13:49

It's not ignorance it's fact. If you google Pit bull attacks it's like hundreds of responses. I took this page... [MORE]

Kim 

Jan 9, 2007 00:24

Go to this website please http://www.atts.org/about.html. You will see that pit bulls have tested better in temperament testing than... [MORE]

Toni 

Jan 9, 2007 14:11

So you think it would be better to just kill all of them when the majority of them are sweet... [MORE]

katie 

Oct 20, 2007 15:05

Oh my goodness lady, what a perfect example of a useless fallacious argument. The fact that pit bulls pass temperament... [MORE]

Humanitarian 

Nov 29, 2007 03:15

Of course with the proper upbringing and training a pit bull can be a loving, loyal and non-agressive pet....but you... [MORE]

Westie Lover 

Feb 22, 2008 01:10

Doesn't councilman Vallone have anything better to do with his time? While we, the taxpayers, are out working hard to... [MORE]

Joshua Rosenthal 

Dec 28, 2006 13:03

Please, Lawmakers.Enforce leash laws that are most likely already there. ANY dog can bite, but the wrong people, looking for... [MORE]

sandi stephenson 

Dec 28, 2006 12:35

Let me tell you. I own the most wonderful pitbull in the world. Her name is Faith and she will... [MORE]

Ashley 

Dec 28, 2006 03:57

yes i completely agree, pit bulls are given a bad reputation, just because these powerful dogs are getting into the... [MORE]

giocondo 

Feb 5, 2008 17:53

I work in an anima hospital on Long Island and the pitts that come in are all wagging their tails... [MORE]

Toni Columbo 

Dec 28, 2006 03:46

I KNOW PEOPLE THAT OWN PIT BULLS AND THEY ARE THE MOST LOVEABLE AND GENTLE DOGS .THEY GIVE KISSES AND... [MORE]

Frank Geraci 

Dec 31, 2006 19:34

Dear Sir, I just want to say that I own a Staffordshire bull terrier,better known as a Pit bull. My... [MORE]

Angel Gonzalez 

Dec 27, 2006 23:58

The problem is not the breed. The problem is that many pit bulls are trained to be attack dogs, which... [MORE]

Cheyne 

Dec 27, 2006 14:08

I happen to own a rescued German Shepard-Rottweiler who at the time that I rescued her, was more aggressive than... [MORE]

Corinna Testo 

Dec 27, 2006 12:59

First of all, you aren't even spelling his name right- so much for having "all the facts" on something. It's... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 1, 2007 17:45

I just have such a hard time understanding how the majority of US citizens can sit back and watch "government"... [MORE]

Bambi Neville 

Dec 27, 2006 10:58

It is difficult to understand how a person (or persons) entrusted with legislating for the common good can be so... [MORE]

R L Smith 

Dec 27, 2006 10:19

I thought this was America the land of the FREE? I guess it must not be if government agencies are... [MORE]

Sherry 

Dec 27, 2006 09:29

What exactly, would be an effecient way of punishing owners with pit bulls who attack? Would we just put everyone... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 1, 2007 18:04

i walk my dogs often and have had endless problems with pit bulls, akitas, and german shepherds, so i've had... [MORE]

ed 

Dec 27, 2006 03:48

Ed, I don't know if you have kids but I do, my "PIT" lives with another dog and 2 cat's,... [MORE]

Anne 

Dec 28, 2006 16:52

People who "know" all about "pit bulls" are frightening. There is no such breed. American Pit Bull Terriers are a... [MORE]

Rebecca Shaw 

Dec 30, 2006 10:43

Hey Ed, if your dog is getting attacked so often, your dog is CLEARLY the one starting the fights. TELL... [MORE]

Lydia 

Jan 3, 2007 17:33

The article states, " the breed is "often a weapon of choice of drug dealers and gangs seeking to intimidate... [MORE]

Nikole 

Dec 26, 2006 18:18

...and if you've got the nerve to approach the thing -- it lunges up at you and covers you in... [MORE]

Mike E. B. 

Dec 26, 2006 17:27

In Toledo v. Tellings, the Ohio Court found that the "pit bull" was no more or less dangerous that any... [MORE]

Eric Johnson 

Dec 26, 2006 16:55

Councilman Vallone seems to have acquired his erroneous beliefs about dogs from the Urban Myth Handbook of Lies and Distortions.... [MORE]

Cherie Graves 

Dec 26, 2006 16:22

Wait a second, tigers are banned as pets aren't they? Is that, also, going against individual rights? This is an... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 1, 2007 18:01

How, exactly, did the Bichon Frise owner Peter Vallone Jr. become such an expert on pit bulls? If he is... [MORE]

Lynn 

Dec 26, 2006 13:51

I am pleased to read how many people have written in defense of such a wonderful "breed", as there are... [MORE]

Amy-Lou 

Dec 27, 2006 00:30

I'm gald I don't live in New York. I am sorry this man does not have the mental capacity to run... [MORE]

Tracy 

Dec 27, 2006 06:20

To the comment: "Instead of trying to outlaw such a great "breed" (pits are usually extremely loving and loyal), Mr.... [MORE]

Lynn 

Dec 27, 2006 16:02

Okay, first of all, no one cares if a bichon frise bites you- you won't die! With almost any other... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 1, 2007 17:48

I would like to know how this law is magically going to 'assure us' that the drug dealers and gangs,... [MORE]

Lynn 

Jan 2, 2007 01:07

You, whoever you are, are obviously listening to people who are completely uneducated and ignorant about what these dogs are.... [MORE]

Toni 

Jan 9, 2007 16:28

Good grief! When will our legislators finally 'get it'? The locking jaw theory is a myth. These breeds of dog... [MORE]

Ann Nagy 

Dec 26, 2006 13:24

You know, people really need to get all the information on the bill before attacking it! Okay, this law is not... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 1, 2007 18:19

Yes, I know it's the owner's fault, and yes I know it's wrong to punish the dogs. In a perfect... [MORE]

Aaron 

Sep 5, 2007 10:19

Breed profiling is just as unfair as racial profiling. I want to know how many pit bulls Mr. Vallone knows... [MORE]

Sharon Sullivan 

Dec 26, 2006 12:00

Our son has two lovable pitbulls. I could hug them lay on them. They are friendler than my adopted Dachshund.... [MORE]

Jill Cohen 

Dec 26, 2006 17:35

our pit is our child. he sleeps with us even...he loves our kids and knows to be gentle with little... [MORE]

marie 

May 31, 2007 15:32

Are you people crazy? Pit bulls for weapons. You are out your mind. You could use as a guard dog... [MORE]

Barry Bonds 

Nov 19, 2007 10:38

Are you people crazy? Pit bulls for weapons. You are out your mind. You could use as a guard dog... [MORE]

Barry 

Nov 19, 2007 10:47

A pit bull can be a very kind and loving dog if it is raised properly. they should not be... [MORE]

hank hill 

Dec 26, 2006 11:41

It is not about the PitBull...all this BSL Legislation, it's about CONTROL of the Human Masss, thru the use of... [MORE]

Dean A. Ayers 

Dec 26, 2006 11:03

Banning Pit Bulls does not solve the problem. Criminals do not obey the law and, to them, dogs are a... [MORE]

Rose Norkus 

Dec 26, 2006 10:39

By simply unleashing the pit bulls in NYC parks, they will become socialized and no longer bite. The Department of... [MORE]

Matt Parker 

Dec 26, 2006 16:21

Banning Pit Bulls is not the answer. I have had Pit Bulls and have been around Pit Bulls my entire... [MORE]

Peter.Kefalas. 

Dec 28, 2006 11:01

it doesn't matter if its "the owner, not the dog", it doesn't change the fact that pit bulls have the... [MORE]

anonymous 

Jan 1, 2007 18:53

did you know that many dogs in fairfield IA are banned just because of their weight? if they weigh over... [MORE]

brittany 

Mar 19, 2007 18:23

I work as a groomer and trainer, and I have to say in ALL the time that I've worked. I... [MORE]

KANDI 

May 9, 2007 05:05

In response to your claim that we should just unleash all pits and let them roam through the parks, which...

Jessi 

May 13, 2007 08:15

Readers should be aware that the entry "Unleash all Pit Bulls" attributed to Matt Parker and pointing to the link... [MORE]

Matthew Parker 

Jul 10, 2007 21:16

Heavens, lets not turn fanatic, you are not doing your more reasonable PIB supporters any favours by putting up such... [MORE]

Humanitarian 

Nov 29, 2007 12:01

i dont live in nyc but i do live in ny i own a3 yr old pitbull and have 2... [MORE]

nancy 

Feb 7, 2008 16:17

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