Have you ever been to or seen the aftermath of a Pit Bull fight? Coming from a small WNC town, such things were not uncommon; the next most common sport was cockfighting. No one really seemed to care; the police often turned a blind eye to it. One of my boyfriends had a batch of the most adorable Pit Bull puppies that he had rescued from the clutches of fighters. They were the sweetest things I had ever seen, and I was much relieved that they would not end up in the pits. I can only hope that now that he's moved, he found them all suitable homes.
Most people claim that Pit Bulls are vicious animals, right up there with Rottweilers and other so-called "mean spirited" animals. Personally, I've never known a Rottweiler or Pit Bull (beside the ones I've encountered in fight rings) that were anything but loyal, protective, and giant puppies at heart. I grew up with Rottweilers--as a baby I could stick my hand down our Rottweiler's mouth to retrieve toys. We also have a gigantic male Rottie named Zeus, who is so goofy he will chase a laser pointer for hours, only to wiggle his way up into your lap and shower you with kisses (he's 100 pounds; this is actually quite an exhaustive procedure for those being sat upon). However, the minute someone opens the house door, he's up and barking; doing his duty to earn his keep. Once he knows who it is, he's immediatley back to wiggling his adorable little butt and harassing the cats again.
There is no excuse for animal cruelty. We've rescued four horses from the clutches of neglectful and abusive owners. One of our mares, Cheyenne, was a baby mill to the point where her muscles completely atrophied and her back hooves turned under onto themselves. Five years later, they are almost completely back to their normal position. She was extremely timid, fearful, and completely saddening to look upon. We're only regretful we were not able to rescue her stud, Skipper, as well.
One of my aunt's neighbors was a very spiteful man. He beat his beautiful Collie puppy to death with a stick when it got out of the yard. The next month, he was beating his wife and children. They immediately left the household, and he now has a Saint Bernard that he has beaten into a vicious canine. Her other neighbor regularly buries cats up to their heads in his yard and runs them over with lawn mowers. I'm appalled. If I were able to operate a gun, he'd be shot in the face.
Too extreme? Not in my book. This is a man that has tortured animals, and moved on to his own wife and children. He is vengeful, sick, and in need of mental help. I have no sympathy for cruel people.
There is nothing right about beating an animal out of pure spite and cruelty. And remember, those who beat animals are only one step away from beating their signifcant others and children.
To see the results of Pit Bull fighting, click here. Warning: some of the pictures are graphic.
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The strangest criticism I get from people against animal rights is that these things are exagerrated. It is interesting that domestic abuse and rape are similarly criticized as being exagerrated.
Citizen Press Revolution
I've seen plenty of abused and neglected animals. Most of the time it's not exaggerated.
I know it isn't too, but the critics use the claim of exaggeration to belittle animal abuse, domestic abuse, and rape. I don't understand why this claim of exaggeration is so often used; I have seem the term exagerration used in many anti-animal-rights people here at progressiveu myself. Its something that I don't understand -- this "criticism" of exaggeration.
Citizen Press Revolution
I guess it all depends on what they mean by "exaggerated". Personally, I don't think there's even room for exaggeration; if it's happening, it's happening, and it should be coincidently stopped. Using the phrase, "it's just an exaggeration" seems kind of like a half-assed case of denial. :(
I missed your reply, but you are right on the point. It is a half-assed case of denial to shrug it off like that.
Citizen Press Revolution
This entire entry, for example, is based on calling PETA a big exagerration.
Citizen Press Revolution
Oh yeah; I skimmed over that a while ago. While I don't completely condone PETA due to some aggressive approaches they take towards non-vegans/vegetarians (and the fact that most PETA supporters I've met are incredibly self-righteous), as well as I've heard of a few cases where PETA members were arrested for animal cruelty (I think the biggest case was the couple who would go from shelter to shelter, adopting cats and dogs and then euthanizing them in their van), I find their plight commendable.
The organization itself as the potential to be very intregal to society, it's just some of the "bad eggs" that spoil it for everyone. What they do to stop animal abuse and poorly regulated slaughter houses is remarkable at best; most people I've met never knew that chickens regularly have their beaks melted off, amongst other atrocities. To think people have actually come up with such methods makes me nauseous. It's positively sick.
Moving on concerning PETA, I don't think that animals should be unable to be "owned"; in the world we're in today, most, if not all, domestic animals depend on their benefactors for survival. Taking away the right to "own" them would be kind of counter-productive, in the sense that everyone interprets things differently.
I really digressed with that; I'm sorry. Overall, it's not PETA that's really at fault, it's a handful of its weird-ass members that think that adopting shelter animals and euthanizing them in vans. To think that the videos on their websites concerning slaughter houses and the like is any type of an exaggeration is absolutely absurd. Anyone that believes so should visit one themself.
Err, sorry if any of that comes off as argumentive. I'm with you, really; I just have some issues with select PETA members, not the organization. :)
It's sad how so many people choose to ignore the fact that animals actually do possess many human qualities including emotions and feeling. You have to be really deranged in order to support animal abuse by simply turning a blind eye.
Seriously. :(
It's also sad that people get so upset over spousal abuse, but completely disregard the fact that the abuser had also maimed and perhaps killed his pets before even moving on to the spouse.
I never knew that pitbulls learned such an agressive behaviour.
Abusing an animal's noble instinct to defend itself and its human companion is sick. It's just wrong.
It's definitely learned behavior; any animal (or human) can learn to become extremely aggressive. Of course, some animals (and humans) are just naturally neurotic... but in such cases, that particular behavior is encouraged rather than anything else when it comes to abuse and neglect.
I agree completely.
It's wrong to disregard the feelings of anything living. Or, in the case of the video, to laugh at them.
I work at a veterinary hospital where I met the two sweetest pitbulls I've ever met. One had been a stray and was taken to a shelter, but had a broken paw that never got fixed and the nerves eventually died in it. That's when he came to our hospital and I came into work one day right after his surgery. I was the first one to take him out when he was just waking up, and he would lean on me and sit in my lap and kiss me. He was a mix, and since he was a stray I was allowed to take him home but my mother refuses to have pits, claiming the same story about their "viciousness" and how even if they're nice "they'll just snap one day". I loved him to death and now he got moved to an even farther shelter, specially for pit bulls though. My boyfriend also has a pit, sweetest thing ever, only want to play, and recently another pit mix visited our hospital from the same refuge for a little cough. All of them have been so sweet . . people need to understand the concept of compassion.
And I wrote to PETA once, or somewhere about them, and I got an interesting e-mail back. I'll find it and maybe post it here sometime soon.
I work at a veterinary hospital where I met the two sweetest pitbulls I've ever met. One had been a stray and was taken to a shelter, but had a broken paw that never got fixed and the nerves eventually died in it. That's when he came to our hospital and I came into work one day right after his surgery. I was the first one to take him out when he was just waking up, and he would lean on me and sit in my lap and kiss me. He was a mix, and since he was a stray I was allowed to take him home but my mother refuses to have pits, claiming the same story about their "viciousness" and how even if they're nice "they'll just snap one day". I loved him to death and now he got moved to an even farther shelter, specially for pit bulls though. My boyfriend also has a pit, sweetest thing ever, only want to play, and recently another pit mix visited our hospital from the same refuge for a little cough. All of them have been so sweet . . people need to understand the concept of compassion.
And I wrote to PETA once, or somewhere about them, and I got an interesting e-mail back. I'll find it and maybe post it here sometime soon.
I work at a veterinary hospital where I met the two sweetest pitbulls I've ever met. One had been a stray and was taken to a shelter, but had a broken paw that never got fixed and the nerves eventually died in it. That's when he came to our hospital and I came into work one day right after his surgery. I was the first one to take him out when he was just waking up, and he would lean on me and sit in my lap and kiss me. He was a mix, and since he was a stray I was allowed to take him home but my mother refuses to have pits, claiming the same story about their "viciousness" and how even if they're nice "they'll just snap one day". I loved him to death and now he got moved to an even farther shelter, specially for pit bulls though. My boyfriend also has a pit, sweetest thing ever, only want to play, and recently another pit mix visited our hospital from the same refuge for a little cough. All of them have been so sweet . . people need to understand the concept of compassion.
And I wrote to PETA once, or somewhere about them, and I got an interesting e-mail back. I'll find it and maybe post it here sometime soon.
Awww, that's so sad. :( Saying they're just going to snap someday is something I've heard about a lot of breeds; and I guess any dog will if they're treated badly. :(
"people need to understand the concept of compassion."
-For serious; I agree completely.
"And I wrote to PETA once, or somewhere about them, and I got an interesting e-mail back. I'll find it and maybe post it here sometime soon."
-You should. :D
Man there are some messed up people in the world. This problem won't correct itself so we need to be vigilant. If you see somebody torturing an animal or abusing say F- that stuff and hit that guy. I know that a lot of women care about this problem but feel they are too weak to do anything so get your boyfriend or brother or something. I am a guy but I was raised in a home with 2 dogs both are german shepherds. I've seen some stuff like this never anything as bad as a pitbull fight or anything, but there was a guy who lived up the road and I had thought he was abusing his pit, one day I heard it yelp so I took my cell phone taped it ont he little camera put it in my car and confronted the guy. He did the normal f-off not your business and came at me so yea long story short we fought and I had him on the ground the police came he was arrested and the dog was given to another person. The dog wasn't mean yet but it was definately scared. Point is if you see this do something, god knows when I see this stuff there are problems.
Animal cruelty is horrible. I totally agree with you that many animals that classified as "mean spirited" animals aren't mean spirited until put into situations like the pit bull fighting. A little girl I used to babysit had a huge Rottweiler and he was the sweetest dog I've ever been around. The little girl could hang all over him and he wouldn't even growl at her.
Aw man, Rottweilers have such big hearts. :) My Zeus-zeus is such a giant squishable puppy trapped inside a big burly body (in fact, all Rotts that I've met are). :)
I think animal cruelty is horrible and senseless. People who abuse defenseless animals should be severely punished. It has been proven multiple times that many serial killers, including jeffrey dahmer, also abused and tortured animals as a child. The cruelty towards animals definitely is directly related to cruelty to humans. It must be stopped! Who could hit and kick a poor little dog? They have no way to defend themselves. These people are just sick.
I agree. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had kicked or maimed an animal out of spite. :\
For any reason cruelty to animals is wrong. To humans like killers I'm more tolerant but an animal isn't as advanced as us so they are defenseless... even the big police dogs. If you have to kill like a dog for randomly attacking somebody which sometimes it happens but normally if you are a good owner it doesn't. However, it does and if you must be humane about it... take the dog out back give it a nice treat and put the gun right to where the skull and back meet. Other than that it's straight cruel. Or if you can afford it take it to the vet give it a nice treat and let the vet put it to sleep. If the vet screws up then oops he might get a foot in the ass.
It goes hand in hand with all the energtic young dogs that end up in shelters. If people don't spend enough time with them and the dog misbehaves, then it's the dog's fault. We're a culture always so quick to blame someone else, especially if that someone can't argue.
I've heard that pit bulls, bull terriers, staffordshire terriers, and their similar breeds are less likely to bite people than spaniels and retrievers; and why shouldn't they be? So often people pick a dog because it's cute without regard for what its breed was bred for--killing vermin or carrying larger prey, hunting on its own or protection. Pit bulls and their derivatives are protective and territorial, yes, but people don't consider that in the way they train their dogs wittingly and unwittingly.
Great post. Hopefully it'll help others see it's not the dog, it's the people who create the dog's atmosphere and teachings.
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i dont stand for any kind of animal cruelty, especially when its for entertainment
home equity line of credit
I tend not to care whether souless bundles of instinct fulfill their purpose by reverting to the feral state natural selection has plotted out for them. If anything domestication is truly the worst thing for an animal, making it weak and the lowest link in their species. Of course, the true viciousness is only one small taste of blood, or pack away...either way, and animal is vicious and untrustworthy, these pit bulls are born to kill either way, at least they're killing each other.
They're not born to kill; they are territorial and used as protection, not for senseless fighting amongst each other. Vicious behavior is encouraged and taught, and if properly socialized, they are complacent and fiercely loyal companions.
Exactly! Even in nature, there are few species that fight to the death for any reason, and none that I know of that will fight for no reason. Cruel conditioning is the cause for what is otherwise unnatural behavior.
You want vicious dogs: chihuahuas and poodles, on average, are more instinctively vicious than rottweilers or pit bulls. But who's going to use them in a fight?!
Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
~Henry Van Dyke
Chihauhuas freak me out with their buggy little eyes. :( They'll grab onto your ankles and never let go.
You are an idiot. It's not in their nature to fight to the death for no reason. They are territorial so yes if you walk into their house they may attack if you seem a threat. Other than that not even in nature will two animals fight to death for no reason. Point is if i see somebody doing that they get a size 13 in their ass.
Animals will fight for dominancy and furthering of their species, if anything poses a threat to their dominancy they will prove superiority. Everytime a dog "affectionatly" places their paws on your lap, it is a sign of dominancy, they think they rule you.
Everytime a dog "affectionatly" places their paws on your lap, it is a sign of dominancy, they think they rule you.
-Eh, depends on the context in which they're placing the paw on you. If it's rough housing, it could just be a habit they have; my Rottweiler slaps everyone when he gets too excited with playing because the cats would do it to him when he was a puppy, and he thought it was a game.
It's worse to break away from a stare with them; it's one of the higher forms of submission to look away first.
For dominancy yes but in general dogs walking along the street won't start shit because they can tell who is the dominant one. Sometimes the one challenges the other yes but you are a fucking retard because this pitbull fighting is forced. I wish I saw you in person because it seems you are condoning this, I would definately put my foot in your ass. You might like it though so maybe I'd do something else.
*raises eyebrow*
Yes, very intelligent.
sometimes intelligent discussions fail like in this situation... don't take advantage of something or someone. People are retarded.
*raises eyebrow*
besides not making sense, intelligence should never be thrown out the window.
So it's intelligent to fight animals for your own sick ass pleasure? Trust me you are fucked up.
did I say that?
I haven't seen many aftermath's of pitbull fights but here in Tennessee we see alot of rooster fighting where they hook spurs to their feet and fight them..... It's illegal here yet a high school team is called "the fighting cocks" Guess they don't think they show by example...
in 2004 a woman at her farm/ranch home outside doing chores was attacked by 3 pitbulls - the neighbors "friendly" dogs, who were not provoked on this day nor were they ever abused - these dogs mutliated the woman, critically injured her son and husband who were trying to save her, before running off after being shot at by another neighbor. The woman died from her injuries. In 2005 a little boy was murdered by the neighbors "friendly" pitbull, also never abused nor provoked on this day - severly injuring the childs mother during the attack. Colorado has many counties that have passed within the last year laws that forbid Pitbulls and require stiff rules who currently have them. These animals genetically have these habits in them and are not safe
You should check with the reporters to find out if they were actually pit bulls. Often times, dog attacks will occur and the news will automatically label the attackers as a breed in which they feel would adequately fit an unprovoked dog attack.
In general, Cocker Spaniels and Labradors are more likely to bite unprovoked. Pit Bulls are fourth from the bottom of the list.
Furthermore, a small percentage of the population cannot be an adequate example to the demeanor of a breed. If it were so, then the following would be true:
1. Rottweilers are demon dogs, often portrayed as hounds of Hell (a favorite for horror movies, such as "The Omen"--most Jehovah Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists are terrified of them. They refuse to come onto my property, saying I and my beautiful baby Zeus will burn in the bowels of Hell).
2. Chow Chows will eat small children.
3. Arabians will always take off with you and are virtually unmanageable.
4. Paints will run you through a fence because they are so braindead.
5. Thoroughbreds are useless except for running mindlessly; otherwise they will kill themselves thrashing in a stall.
6. Bengal cats are wild, angry, and will get into anything.
7. Poodles will eat your face and ankles.
8. Dobermans will go crazy later in life due to their pointy head.
9. Pet snakes will strangle you in your sleep and eat your cat.
10. Labradors are the stupidest dogs alive, and only useful for landscaping and retrieving ducks.
11. German Shephards will rip your head off.
12. Wolf mixes are not to be trusted.
13. Mastiffs are mean, cruel, and unpredictable.
I could go on for a long time with this.
Little kids. In the dog world ALL DOGS YES EVEN THOSE GAY ASS POODLES do this.... they see that the little kids are smaller and are running around screaming. They see this as them acting out and need to put them in line of course the parents will try to save kids so pitbulls attack them. Not saying it's ok yes those dogs should have been shot and killed cleanly not this bullshit of 100 shots in different parts. Also, like I said all dogs will do that. Also, that's not the point my point was simply pitbull fights are bullshit they are cruel and retarded and if I see somebody doing it or encouraging / abusing animals etc... they will promptly recieve an ass kicking!!! There are always animal attacks relax the point was pitbull fighting / animal abuse.
Although I have no physical evidence to prove this, except from past experiences, I believe that dogs if raised in a home where they would not have to resort to violence will not become aggressive unless provoked. Dogs, or any animal for that matter, will become vicious and attack other living things if raised in a violent environment.
Exactly. Social upbringing is the maker and breaker.
no one shoudl ever hurt an animal no matter what
Why not? Animals don't feel the same way, oh yeah, they don't feel.
LOL. I would love to put an gun in your hands and a foaming wolf in front of you. Gunna hurt it now? In my book, there are at least 3 reasons to hurt an animal.
1) In defense
2) For food or some other need
3) To put it out of its misery.
i dont agree with bull fighting. it is just crule to teh bull
I absolutley hate when dogs get put up to fight each other. I think it is the crulest and wierdest form of entertainment for people. I am also from a small town but now i live in columbus ohio where I have been for six years and I have witnessed many fights between animals(of course not occuring naturally). I like dogs, no more or less than the next person, but fighting dogs is absurd. I have actually called the police about a neighbor of mine that chose to fight their pitts. unbelievable!
My mom rescued a pit bull someone had dumped on the side of the road. She was pregnant and had 10! puppies!! We did our best to find them good homes (my mom practically does a background check on you before she'll let you take the puppy lol) We did however, keep Molly (The mommy) because my mom became so attached to her. She is the sweetest dog in the world and is extremely well behaved. I agree whole heartedly that there is no excuse for animal cruelty. Anyone who says animals don't have feelings is crazy. Dogs are completely loyal to the family they've been raised with. You can see it in the way that they look at you that they'd do anything to protect you.
~Jasmine~
It shows how people can drive perfectly kind dogs to kill on sight, and how love can work wonders.
You can't say because some pitbulls have attacked people that all such dogs are genetically wired to do so. In any case intentional animal cruelty should be stopped.
At this very moment, somewhere a committee is deciding your life, only you weren't invited
For cereal. You can say that some dogs are bred for tenancity (which they are), tracking, or watchdog behaviors, but you can't say that just because a dog is bred for these things they are going to kill anything, no matter what. I personally am raising a Pit Bull puppy (I've had her since she is 8 weeks), and though she goes through her Pit Bull moments (she runs around in circles and attacks her stuffed toys like crazy), she is actually one of the most loving and quirky dogs I've ever had.
Also, saying that Pit Bulls will automatically hate other dogs is a myth. Ruca LOVES other animals, small and large. She CRAVES to be in the company of other dogs. It's hysterical.
That, and her overwhelming capacity to love humans just proves that any dog, "aggressive breed" or not, can take to most, if not any, lifestyles depending on how they were raised. If you raise a dog with (firm) love, they will return it tenfold. If you raise a dog with fear and anger, they will be naturally aggressive and fearful. It's just basic psychology, folks.
I grew up with pits. Anytbody who knows me will generally discribe me as a calm person. However if anybody starts mindlessly calssifying pits as "killers" and evil dogs I will generally get very pissed off. Saying that all Pit Bulls Rotts Etc. are killers dogs is to me similar to stereotyping different colors of people. Why yes, alot of (and please understand I am saying this to make a point) black people kill each other and sell drugs etc. So do alot of white, hispanic, asain, middles eastren, whatever people. Most of that type of behavoir can be attributed to the enviroment they were raised in and how they were raised. Same thing with dogs.
Exactly. Yet in a lot of places, you have to pay higher insurance if you have an "aggressive breed" of dog and you're renting, and in even more places, you can't have them at all. This dude, Marcos, saw my dog, Ruca, and was shocked. "She is Pit Bull? You can have them here? In my country, Chile, you cannot have these dogs."
It's really sad that there's such prejudice against them, when really, it's all about how you raise them. Sure, some dogs might be more geared into a hunting set of mind, but all you have to do is redirect that instinct into something else: like soccer, retrieving, etc.
Personally, all Rottweilers I've had have had hearts of gold. And Ruca, well, Ruca is in a league of her own. She's my widdle baby girl. :)
The best dog I ever had was a Pit Bull-Rottweiler mix. Seems with those two breeds as her mix she should have been busy ripping out throats or something, but no, she was the kindest, sweetest dog I've ever known.
That must have been a really cool looking dog. :) Honestly, though, mixing those two breeds probably resulted in the biggest baby ever. They're both such loving dogs. :)