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Pit Bulls Are Weapons, Not Pets, Lawmaker Seeking Ban Says

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... [MORE]

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