Denver News Blog

All living things are born with a set of genetic blueprints. These genes control physical appearance and general temperament. Temperament is not a guarantee of behavior. You could say that a person is "quick-tempered," but if they existed in a vacuum, would they still be short-fused? If nothing exists, what could possibly cause such a person to be angry? Similarly, you could call a dog "friendly," but that dog is friendly because it has people and dogs to act friendly towards; if it had a friendly temperament but was the only living creature on the planet, what "friendly" behaviors could it exhibit?
The "pit bull problem" seems to center around whether aggression is inherent or learned. Let's cut to the chase. Aggression is a behavior. A complex behavior, to be sure, but a behavior nevertheless. And what do we know about behavior? It is influenced by environment and experience.
John Paul Scott is a renowned scientific researcher who was interested in the interplay between genetics and behavior. He did experiments with mice to determine whether highly aggressive mice could be created through breeding.
"The experiments with mice show us that aggression has to be learned. Defensive fighting can be stimulated by the pain of an attack, but aggression, in the strict sense of an unprovoked attack, can only be produced by training... Heredity can enter into the picture only in such ways as lowering or raising the threshold of stimulation, or modifying the physical equipment for fighting... In considering hereditary effects, we must always remember that the environmental situation is also important..." - John Paul Scott, Aggression
Mr. Scott has done all the hard work for us. Aggression is a learned behavior.

"But," shouts a voice in the crowd, "I knew someone who had a dog that was never trained to be aggressive, but it still attacked someone without provocation. Scott is full of it!" This line of reasoning is fallacious because this person assumes that learning only occurs when a dog is formally trained by its owner. This idea is both naive and arrogant. Dogs learn life lessons from a variety of sources, including but not limited to the owner. For example, a dog's play, in which two dogs pounce, growl, and tussle in a playful manner, is actually ritualized aggression. When dogs play, they are practicing aggression.
Aggressive behavior typically progresses along a line, starting with very minor signs, such as growling and raised fur. If the dog is given more opportunities to rehearse aggression, the dog is learning, practicing, and getting better at the behavior, even without direct training. Owners, especially those who rarely interact with their dogs, may not even notice that the aggressive behavior is progressing until an animal or a person gets seriously injured. Dog attack researcher Karen Delise notes: "Many owners [of dogs that committed fatal attacks] expressed shock at the 'sudden' and deadly aggressiveness of a pet they believed they knew. But, in reality, most owners did not really know their dogs. The fact that 25% of these dogs lived their lives at the end of a chain, 17% were running loose and 3% were kenneled indicates that many of these dogs were not spending a lot of quality time with their owners." (Fatal Dog Attacks: The Stories Behind the Statistics)

I rescued a 5 y.o. pit bull mutt, and he is the best pet anybody could wish for. My Loki is simply guilty by association - because a few bad breeders use cruel techniques to create mean dogs. Ban the breeders, not the breed. Some laws are stupid, and should be repealed.

I find this absolutley heart breaking. There are many responsible dog owners out there. Where does the AKC and UKC stand on this. There are many "Dog Show People" within the city limits. Do they all have to move out of Denver or are their CHAMPION SHOW DOGS put down? Shows how a few people can spoil it for the rest. How sad for the many family friendly dogs that have been put down based on the breed.

The Trouble with Pets =
http://www.filthyrichmond.com/2008/09/trouble-with-pets.html

This whole article just regurgitates shit I already know, instead of trying to tug my heartstrings and wallet how about making a fucking point about these stupid pathetic animals.

Oh and P.S., this is LIFE, life's unfair, and buying into this sappy pig shit wont make any fucking difference, MOVE ON.

~BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY ROCKIN' EVERYWHERE!

Breed sterotyping is a horrible thing indeed. Pit bulls (amongst otehrs, such as Rottweilers) are considered dangerous only because their inherent temperment makes them more susceptible to the whims of greedy, inhumane people. They are often one-person or one-family dogs: very loyal and protective, which, when raised well, poses no threat whatsoever. Unfortunately some see this opportunity to use those traits to turn them into vicious attack animals.

I've worked with many, many dogs. One of the sweetestm most harmless I've had the pleasure of knowing was Hazel, a pit bull. One of the most aggressive was a labrador who's been neglected and abused. Any dog is capable of violence at the hands of humans, and instead of focusing on banning breeds, we should focus on banning people from owning animals instead.

In my opinion the individuals that breed and raise aggressive animals should be the ones that are punished. I understand If an animal injures someone sevearly should infact be down for the simply fact that they can or are a dangerous thret. But being a person who has onwend so many pitbulls i disagree with the ban in denver, especially considering the fact that my most recent loveable rednose pitbull was hit by a car in the last week of august. My boyfriend and I plan on movining to denver this december, and plan on owning another one of these extradorniary animals. However I assume we'll live in thorton so we can own a pitbull. People have had their bad experiences with such breeds but in my own opinion its not always the animals fault. Some breeds are raised for fighting, some animals become the victums of abbuse and some are just completely terrified and find the need to protect themselves. In some cases yes these animals do become dangerous to an extent. I think you should think about removing this ban and start taking action with the individuals responsible for such abuse and mistreatment of a breed of animal.
Infact the animals were here before us this was their home their territory. yes we have made certain breeds but this breed or any should not be ban, put down, or be blamed for someone else's mistakes. As a former animal rescue member, and on my way to becoming a vet I think you should take peoples opinons into consideration.

I'm not sure where to begin, but let me start with a little bit of background. I'll bounce around a little on this post.

I volunteer as a dog walker for the Western PA Humane Society in Pittsburgh, and because of our location in the city, a large number of the dogs we deal with are Pits, sometimes full blood but mostly mixed. In just the last few months alone, I've handled well over a hundred different Pit Bulls. Guess how many even showed aggressive behavior? Zero. Not even the ones brought in from suspected dog fighting.

As far as when a Pit goes bad, 99.999% of the time bad ownership is to blame, either by not giving the dog enough attention, being cruel to them, or training them to be aggressive. I'll be the first to admit that they need a little more supervision than some other breeds, but nothing that a little work can't fix.

Now, I've been bitten a few times in my life. Poodles, Chihuahuas, Mini Pinchers, Terriers, Labs, and a Mastiff. Not once, however, by a Pit Bull.

Finally, one last question. Not being in Denver, I'm not familiar with the law, but are other breeds banned from the city, or just Pit Bulls? What about Rots or Dobermans or German Shepherds or Bulldogs or Bull Terriers?

Denver City Council are dumbasses for having this ban. This is like imprisoning african americans because some of them commit crimes. Stupid. Its not the dog's fault but the owner.

I agree with Chris. I personally rescued a pitbull and he is the sweetest, most caring dog, ever. I don't understand why people don't 'get' that if you put an animal that is 'sensitive and loving' into absolutely inhumane conditions (underfed, under loved, beaten, trained to fight) and they think it's the dog that is to blame? We watch movies every day that extol the virtues of the 'hero' who comes from such environments and fights his way out to our cheers and adoration. But a dog shows such instincts and it should be banned?

Oh boy. Bad PR for Denver.

It's not the Pitbull's fault! This ban on this breed is terrible. There needs to be a ban on backyard breeders that breed aggression and give these dogs to just anyone without spaying and neutering them. Basically, the breed has fallen into the wrong hands and NOW the animals die because of what humans have done to them. Hundreds if not thousands die every day and rescue groups are so full trying to save them...it's very sad. Denver's ban on Pitbulls is not the solution, why can't Denver understand this....go to the source ban these people that are doing this to these poor dogs.

Don't blame the dogs. Blame the ghetto-trend slave blacks who think owning a pit-bull and beating it until it's aggressive will make them somehow a man. Call me a racist if it isn't true, and locating a handful of idiotic whites who ascribe to this horrible trend in animal abuse does nothing to disprove the ugly truth.

These things cannot be erradicated quickly enough.

There is no good reason under the sun to own/breed one of these animals.

Let's be responsible, take charge and end this line of dangerous animals.

Denver should take a page from the City of Lakewood where it was wisely concluded that vicious animals be banned...not entire breeds.

This is horrible. My family had a Staffordshire bull terrier for 15 years. Jasmine was a great family dog. She was never aggressive. She was a loving dog. She was afraid of kittens! These breeds deserve better than this. This is wrong.

It would be great if the Assholes who came up this law had to witness the killing of each of these dogs! Or better yet they would have to preform the disgusting act!

How horrible.

Why is this canine witch hunt and discrimination allowed?

Not all pit bulls are aggressive, in any way. Why let the city snatch the sweeter pit bulls away from their responsible families, and kill them, for not reason?

There is no proof that the ban has done any good.

The ban must be euthanized... NOW!

I am disgusted at this law. It is just wrong. Why is the focus on pitbulls? All the aggressive dogs I've encountered in my life were chows and dobermans and even now I still don't run away from those breeds. My dog is a Rott mix and people judge him too....and he's super friendly to people and other animals. A lot of people I know have pitbulls and pitbull mixes and are scared to even walk the dogs because they worried about them being taken from them. It saddens me. This law is genocide, its wrong.

This is the wrong thing to do. The people on the Denver City Council should re-evaluate this law. It is inhumane. It is cruel. Residents of Denver, please appeal!

This is terribly wrong. Denver's City Council members must re-evaluate this law. It is inhumane, it is cruel. Residents of Denver, please appeal to your representatives.

I wonder, that dog Doug Kelley is hugging and making a fuss over --- as soon as the cameras were off - Did Kelley kill that dog?

After all, it looks like a pit -

How nice, Kelley making all nicey-nicey with the dog before letting the "evaluators" label it a pit bull and then take him to the back room to be killed.

Disgusting, if Kelley gave a damn about these dogs he would have stood up like a man and said how wrong, unfair and CRUEL Denver's pit bull ban is.

Instead he cuddles with them for the photographer and kills them off camera.

Amercian Veteran - calm down, take a couple of breaths and read this:

Denver has the highest rate of dog bite hospitalizations in the entire state of Colorado.

Their breed ban has NOT stopped serious/severe dog bites.

Oh, and check out how many kids are helplessly, painfuly, mutilated by their own "loving" parents each year.

You want to talk about sickening - look at these dead kids first and than talk to me about "HUMANITY"

American Veteran in the whole USA there are less than 20 dog fatalities per annum(all breeds)Obviously HSUS have there figures wrong
or you have an overly active imagination.How many of the gruesome attacks have you actually
seen?Or is it just media hype that you base your facts,
For the record in excess of 3000 people perish
from drowning each year in the US and 700 cyclists get killed on the road maybe that highly intelligent council that Denver possesses should create a ban for these very
DANGEROUS passtimes.
I stand to correction ,has there been a pitbull attack in Denver since !989.
The sad part is this council will fight to
keep this neo-Nazi law in place,if they now rescind it they would be admitting that they SCREWED up and all that they have achieved
is MURDERING thousands of family pets.
VOTE THEM OUT.

looks like a place michel vick would call home

To Mr Asscheeks Sounds like you need to be euthanized. No empathy for any living thing. No like is not fair and it wouldn't surprise me if you were one of the morons who fight these dogs out of greed and stupidity.

I'm reading this from colorado springs. Does anyone know if there is a ban on pitts here? I just bought a house and dont have a doggy, so if it's possible to save one of these undeserving pups I would love to do so!!!

I wonder just how how many of Denver`s 'pit bulls' would turn out to be 'pit bulls'
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf

or 'pit' mixes
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/find-a-bull1.pdf

if they had DNA tests?

Just met a couple from Colorado the other day who were traveling.
When asked exactly where they were from in Colorado they said and I quote "A hell hole called Denver"
They said they actually wished they could cover up their licence plate because everywhere they went,the topic of Conversation always turned to the Denver Slaughter.

Great for Tourism.
The Places not to explore...Denver,Colorado and Ontario,Canada.

This is AMERICA! Responsible dog owners should be allowed to own whatever breed of dog they choose. Reckless owners should be prevented from owning any dog. Canine profiling fails to make a community safer-it just makes folks distrust the police and animal control.

This is unconscionable.

I live with 2 pitbulls - one who was lucky to escape Denver thanks to Colorado Pit Bull Rescue - these daogs are wonderful, fun, loving, and definitely not 'killers'. Get rid of the bad owners not the victemized dogs!

Well then Steph,
With that gigantic leap of logic,then all cats should be killed to prevent future tragedies.

I almost died after being bitten by a cat.
I just "knew" they should have been wiped off the face of the earth because of my experience with that cat.

And Steph...animals like 'pit bulls' are called DOGS.

Canis Lupus Familiaris
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Canis_lupus_familiaris.html

What`s sad is that you actually believe what you wrote.

Please visit NCRC(read the whole site) and quit reading Media hype
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/dog-bites-and-the-media/

i cannot express how much these pictures and information breaks my heart. i am a pit bull owner myself. have been for the last 6 1/2 years. how can any one person make the decision to start eliminating "literally!" a breed of dog?! i can understand that they have a bad rep and when raised inappropriately they can possibly be dangerous. but isn't that true with us humans too? Pit Bulls are the most loving and loyal dogs i have ever encountered. it's all in how you raise them! ... why are you killing our children that are innocent and didn't do anything? Instead of spending $250 some odd dollars to kill them, why not put that towards appropriate obedience training for them? why not try and help these animals instead of taking the easy way out? what have we come to if we can't even try to help the ones that are so called "goners"? enough with this Prejudice crap! ... Please reconsider what you are doing to them. do you remember the saying "man's best friend?" would you do that to your friend?

News2U - Please do some research before making such claims. Ethology is a growing field and the scientific evidence in support of emotional reactions in dogs is becoming undeniable. Unfortunately, the methodology behind the Dog Whisperer is outdated, in some instances inhumane, and completely unfounded by the latest scientific developments.

Elizabeth - There are lots of ways you can help pitbulls. Go to DenverKillsDogs.com and find the contact info section. They are always in need of volunteers, especially those in the Denver area.

CV - Pitbulls are not only legal in Colorado Springs, but are likely protected, as many legislative members own the breed themselves. I recently moved to Denver from Colorado Springs, where I lived until my pitbull passed away. I also worked for an EXCELLENT organization there as a trainer and adoption counselor for many dogs, including pitbulls. They are huge supporters of pitbulls and their website is www.haveanicedog.org. They are called All Breed Rescue & Training.

The ban is horrible but it looks like it isn't going away anytime soon. If Denver insists on keeping the ban, it should at least be amended to allow other shelters (ie Dumb Friend's League)to take in these dogs and adopt them out outside the city and county. I know the non-profit shelters are filled to the brim, but maybe they could save at least a few of these dogs...

My home was recently burglarized & I have 2 pit bulls! Real vicious. Good thing I love them for more than home protection.

Thanks for a well thought out and intelligent post Seattle!!

I just wanted to clarify that my dog was not chased as stated in this article. The leash was ripped from my hands, and my dog never moved. She cowered the entire time and offered NO resistance, even as I was thrown on the ground. She was dragged away on a rabies pole, which caused severe burns to her body. She was labeled vicious only because of her breed, not because of her behavior. Lumpy has her canine good citizen award and is also a therapy dog. She is a gem of a dog and deserves to live.

Hey Denver City Council,

I hope you repeal this ban so I can visit your city. It sounds like a nice place, but I'm not going there while this insane law is on the books.

And no, I do not and have never owned a pit bull. I just hate stupidity and cruelty--two traits that go hand in hand all too often.

All of you have a vote,vote these Scumbags out
then hopefully the next time we see the cages,one will have hinklepooper,next door will be kelley and lets not forget the smallest cage for nelson.These people should be charged criminally.
Vote them out,get rid of these Murderer's.

smarock10@yahoo.com

this is nothing but a crying shame. that jerk off's in this world only look at these animals as fighters. i myself own a 6 year old american pit bull. i have had that dog since day one from when he was born. he does not have a single ounce of mean in him. he gets to go to dog parks and dog beaches. where he has been attacked many times. and he doesn't even know what to do (meanning the stereo type pit bull) DOES NOT FIGHT BACK. all i can hear is him yulping and running to me to save him from the killer poodle that's attacking him. this dog is the most loving dog i have ever owned. he is FULLY trusted around my new born son, and he is great around all other children. all he wants to do is play with other animals. in which he tryed once with the neighbors cat. in which he was chased into our home. all the way upstairs and on to the bed from the cat. so this is proof that IT IS NOT THE BREED OF DOG, BUT THE BREED OF PEOPLE WHOM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MESS... my pit bull is as much as a member of the family as my children and my wife is. it's a shame that there are places in america that i would not be able to live because of what type of dog i own. NOTE TO SELF.... i will not ever live in a city like Denver. nor will i ever vacation to a place where there are such idiots making laws like these in their citys.

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so dogos , ca de bou , filas , boerboel , thai ridgebacks, cane corso , presa canario , dobermins , belgin shepards , mastiff mixes , ? are these dogs next they are big and strong dogs much tougher than a pit... if so I say we form a ban on barking dogs because they hurt my ears .....kill em

show me the DOG FACTS are there less fatal and or vicious bites since the ban ? showing proving this made a difference ?
Can we ban the dogs I hate now ?

What kind of dog is Pete from Little Rascals? Petey was registered as both an AKC American Staffordshire Terrier and a UKC American Pit Bull Terrier. For more information on Petey, check out the related link below. http://www.answers.com/topic/pete-the-pup

I don't think anyone has given it any thought that The Little Rascals TV show had this dog with the circle around his whole eye. Had the dog been vicious, he wouldn't have been allowed on the set everyday! They are the best family dog!

I have been taking care of my daughter's Pit for about 10 months now and he is my best buddy. He is SOOOO smart!

This is the most horrible, inhumane thing I have ever seen. I'm sitting here crying for these beautiful animals who have done nothing wrong, but are getting punished because of prejudice and ignorance.
Bans like this do absolutely nothing positive. Because of bans like this one I am unable to save a pit bull. My husband is in the Air Force and because of the possiblity of being relocated to one of these stupid cities, and also the fact that most landlords won't rent to you if you have a "dangerous breed", I have to lose out on some of the best dogs.
This is all bullshit. I hate the city of Denver and I think the people who do this are absolute scum. THEY should be put on death row. Not the babies they are hurting.

I am doing a research paper on the banning of pit bulls. I own 3 myself that are the biggest babies you will ever meet. All of the research I have done and all the websites that I have visited today, you will be happy to hear that there are no facts supporting the ban on pit bulls! All it boils down to is the stupidity and ignorance of people that see on the news all of the bad things that happen. The problem is that any dog that has a square head and stocky body that bites someone is called a pit. How many people have been attacked by a chihuahua? Now those are some irritating little animals! My oldest pit killed one dog a long time ago, but let me tell you, the barking little joker deserved it! I would have killed it to if I had been home when it came in our yard just so I could sleep at night without listening to it yelp. Do your research then tell me something bad.

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/pospress.php

Here is a website for those that don't know how good a pit is, tell these people we should ban the pit bull and let them die!

This is why I will never visit Denver. Any dog can be aggressive; it all depends on how it is raised. Thankfully, I live in an area where pitbulls are permitted.

I saw a post earlier that said the article only showed cute puppies and sweet dogs, but what about the vicious ones. Well, why don't we ask the people who house and care for these animals how many have actually demonstrated true vicous or aggressive behavior toward their captors. I have worked in the veterinary field for 10 years and have handled many, many pitbulls and pitbull type dogs from all types of situations - not a single one ever threatened me or demonstrated aggressive tendencies. Even the obvious fighting dog that an animal control officer brought in to be euthanized - with his ears ripped off and front leg broken from fighting...he leaned in to me and licked my face as we injected the euthanasia solution into his veins. His crime that resulted in death?? Being born a pitbull.

Breed bans are disgusting. What we should do is to enforce responsible pet ownership no WHAT the breed!! Dogs should be on leashes, not tied up in back yards to enhance socialization and reduce the anxiety, frustration and loneliness known to contribute to dog bites. Dogs should be spayed and neutered to reduce roaming tendencies.

And if you wonder if I have a pitbull, let me enlighten you...yes I do. My family owned Dobermans all through the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000's. Anyone around then will remember the hysteria surrounding that breed then...we heard it for years about how they would turn on you, their brains grew too big for their heads and they went crazy, they would maul all our grandchildren, etc. How many dog bites did we have in 40 years of breeding these vicious animals and having them in and around the 4 children and 11 grandchildren of our family - ZERO!

I now have 3 children and one grandchild of my own. My own pitbull was neutered early, taken to obedience class, is well socialized and has earned his Canine Good Citizen designation...but this wonderful family pet would be illegal in Denver. I fully accept the responsibility of pet ownership of ALL my animals. What a disgrace that Denver and other municipalities are so short-sighted. Maybe we should outlaw certain types of people too! Let's start with the morons who think that breed specific legislation is the answer.

all pitbulls should be put down. no reason for those dogs to exist.

You will get my pit bull after you have pulled my guns from my cold dead fingers. You get that Denver.

hang your heads in shame denver.

i think you guess should feed them more

Boo hoo. The poor dogs are dying. There's fucking billions of them out there, who gives a shit?

And why isn't anyone talking about the number of HUMAN lives saved by euthanizing the dogs?

Sure, I agree that the owners of the dog bear the brunt of the responsibility, I just cannot muster any sympathy for an uncontrollable ball of muscular aggression when it is deleted for the sake of public safety.

How about this, you want a pit bull so bad, DON'T LIVE IN FUCKING DENVER. They are fully justified in slaying as many of this dangerous breed as they see fit. And just because a few of you have a pit bull that is not aggressive (yet) doesn't mean that they aren't inherently dangerous animals.

"Hey, stop killing those mountain lions! Sure they sometimes kill children, but MINE is a SWEETHEART!" It's as ridiculous an argument for mountain lions as it is for pit bulls. Fuck them.

This is not fair to the dogs. There are no different than any other dogs. Thay just need to be loved like children to. If you raise it to be mean then it will be it you raise it to love,and with love then it will love.The people that treat the dogs cure are the ones that should be impounded behind bars, not the dogs. The dogs did not do anything wrong. I have a pit bull and she is the sweetest dog and friend you could ask for. Give these dogs a chance at agood life, not death.

I think that the politicians who make such horrid laws have forgotten one thing, THEY WORK FOR US ! No matter where in the world this ban has been placed which leads to the taking and killing of innocent animals and destroys the lives of their owners, it is a law that deserves only one thing - TRASHED, and anyone who supports these laws needs to be voted out of their positions. What is needed is finding the real criminals and putting them away for a very long time, the ones who breed for the purpose, train the dog, and fight them because their only crime isn't dog fighting - because down the line more often than not, they are involved in much more that destroys our communities ! These people, not the dogs - are evil to the core - find & punish them !

Wow Nate...All I have to say is...you should probably be euthanized with all these "vicious dogs" for being so FUCKING ignorant. Please...show me all the HUMANS killed by pit bulls in AMERICA. I'm willing to bet it wouldn't add up to the amount of Pit bulls unjustifiably killed by Denver. And comparing Pit Bulls to Mountain Lions, is like comparing Apples to Oranges...you just can't do it. THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS! Do everyone a favor, including yourself, and stop posting bullshit onto the website...it just takes up space and you look like an asshole...but then again...you probably don't even realize that your so intelligent.

Doug Kelly became director of Denver's animal control in 2000. He can offer no definitive proof that the pit bull ban works. Still, his agency must enforce what's written in the ordinance.

NO PROOF! It doesn't work. BSL does not work. After years of banning "pit bulls" in the Netherlands they finally realized, as did Doug Kelly, that the ban had no effect whatsoever on reducing dog bites. Guess what? They repealed the ban. Unfortunately Denver is too stupid to realize this and will continue to callously and cold-bloodedly murder innocent animals.

BOYCOTT DENVER

October 1986, a three-year-old boy had wandered onto a neighbor's property in southwest Denver, where he'd been bitten to death by a pit bull. The next year, Denver City Council had enacted an ordinance ordering that any dog that bit a human be labeled a "dangerous dog," and confined by its owner in a nine-foot pen.

ANY DOG THAT BIT A HUMAN BE LABELED A DANGEROUS DOG

Regardless if they decided that law wasn't good enough. What about the german shepherds, dobermans, etc that have bitten people?

this is ridiculous , when i was younger my cat was attacked and killed by a pitbull but i dont blame the dog its because of how the owner raised him. i am very angry that pitbulls are judged just because of their breed its not fair. but life isnt.now i have 4 female pitbulls and previously owned 5. and out of all the breeds of dogs ive have in my life theses are the most lovin and compationate dogs! they are the biggest sweethearts ever. and the are great watch dogs they since badness in people and thats very helpful.my dogs would never snap unless they fear that im in danger. its not the dogs people its their owners and the way they're punished. i never hit my dogs"my kids" but they do kow right from wrong. so dont be one to judge and vote against this kill shelter. if your kid bit another kid would u want them killed..i didnt think so.

punish the deed not the breed-this is what happens gov. steps in to correct a problem they make the situation worse every time create yet ANOTHER BULLSHIT LAW to be obeyed...our gov. has done a piss poor job and there is no consequences for them (lie cheat n steal) should be there motto my point is we have white collared crooks of a lesser intelligence making important decisions and this law is one of many that proves my theory hey guys let's make a law to where we can legally kill thousands of pitbulls because we all know there the ultimate threat to mankind DOUCHEBAGS!!!this should be the lowest of priorities anyhow since this is somehow humane to some people who support this pile of crap well you where you can shove it
MICHEAL VICK got convicted of killing i believe 45 pitbulls he gets a slap on the wrist what a crock of shit he simply says hey guys i'm sorry but i never had a father figure how was i supposed to know it was wrong hehe!!2x loser but he's human so i guess it's ok as long as he learns his lesson and eats all of his vegetables now-wrong maybe he should be singled out just like pitbulls there's a possibility he may attack again is it hereditary or poverty filled surroundings????

this is such a bullshit law! i hate how people can discriminate about dogs but not people. its so wrong how they can have bans for dogs. oh and master asscheeks, why do you talk shit about these amazing dogs but you dont put your real name down? your a bitch, you dont know shit about pitbulls, if you feel so strongly about your opinoin than put your real name down. i would gladly beat your ass for talking shit about these dogs you little bitch.

*DOGS are demons incarnate, and a real danger to our world, and especially to our children and the elderly, face it! They (dogs) were not here first. Like the German Doberman, it was bred by man, with a sick cross-breeding, and many other dogs and animals were man-made. People who need dogs in the first place to replace their lonely need to be loved, they need help. They can't get their sick need for love from humans, so they turn to dogs, or other animals, which is simply sickning. Kissing, licking, sucking, fucking animals is even sicker.

Why not help train kids in orphanages or foster care, to be your best friend, and give them a home to make a better world. Help them, (HUMANS) who are in desperate need!!!

Something is wrong with people needing animals to sleep, eat, have sex with, share a home with, etc.. These animals weren't created for you, sicko. Even their saliva causes stomach flu among humans. People who let dogs lick on them, and tongue kiss them, are subjected to all types of disease.

Who in the hell do we think we are, finding excuses for vicious DEMONIC/DEVIL SPIRITED ANIMALS BY NATURE,are canivorous man hating, killing mechanisms, especially DOGS. ALL ANIMALS have a tendancy to attack. Face the fact, that alarming numbers of dog, and other animal attacks is on the rise, and is epIdemic proportions.

You animal licking out-of-touch-with reality F O O L, and it could happen to
Y O U, at anytime.!!! WHILE TAKING A WALK, WHILE SLEEPING, WHILE WALKING INTO YOUR YARD, TO YOUR NEIGBOR, TO A CHILD TAKING STROLL, TO AN INFANT, A CHILD RIDING A BIKE, AN ELDERLY PERSON TAKING A WALK FOR EXERCISE, OR HANDLING A FAMILY DOG. THESE ANIMALS ARE Dangerous, and anything dangerous should be fixed, at all costs, even banning, and total eliminating.

We have enough problems dealing with sick humans, who need healing. DOGS ARE ANGRY, THEY ARE SICK OF YOU, AND THEY ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WHEN THEY ATTACK, ESPECIALLY, WHEN IT'S A FAMILIAR OWNER, FOR FAMILY MEMBER. THEY HAVE AN EVIL EYE,(EVIL-SPIRIT). THEY'RE VICIOUS BY NATURE, AND CAN STRIKE WITHOUT WARNING, TO ANYONE. THEY CAN BE NICE AND SWEET IN APPEARANCE, BUT HAVE EVIL ALWAYS LURKING INSIDE THEIR CUNNING, DECEITFUL, JEALOUS, EVIL MINDS. N E V E R T R U S T T H E M!!

AGAIN, DOGS ARE OF A DEMONIC/DEVIL NATURE, AND MAN IS ALMOST MESMERIZED, AND EVEN INFLUENCED BY THEIR EVIL NATURE. REMEMBER THE SAYING, A DOG IS OF IT'S OWNERS SPIRIT OR BEHAVIOR. THEY CAN MANIPULATE YOU INTO DOING WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO DO, AND YOU THINK YOU HAVE THEM TRAINED. THEY ARE TRAINING YOU TO SUBMIT TO THEIR EVERY WHIM. SO MUCH SO, THAT A HUMAN IS STUPID ENOUGH TO EVEN LEAVE EVERYTHING TO THEM IN THEIR WILL, HA HA HA..

THOSE WHO DEFEND THEM, AND CALL "LASSY," SWEET AS PIE, THEN JUST MISS FEEDING THEM FOR A DAY, AND IT'S YOUR ASS FOR SURE. "THE LASSY SYNDROME IS OVER." IT'S KILLER TIME WITH DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS. JUST LOOK AT THE STATISTICS, OVER 4.7 DOG MAULINGS ANNUALLY, IN AMERICA ALONE, NOT TO MENTION WORLD-WIDE. AN EPIDEMIC, EPIDEMIC, EPIDEMIC IS BREWING. WILL IT BE YOU NEXT?

IT IS SELFISH FOR A HUMAN TO THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO HARBOR OR OWN THESE VICIOUS THINGS. "GET REAL," GET WITH YOUR OWN SPECIES, OR HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOU ARE "HUMAN"-"HUMANE?"

GET REAL, DOG LOVERS, WHO SLEEP WITH DOGS, CATS, SNAKES, AND OTHER FILTH. HUMANS ARE LICKING, SUCKING, FUCKING, AND SLEEPING WITH OVER 75-M I L L I O N D O G S ALONE IN AMERICA, NOT TO MENTION WORLD-WIDE. HELP US!

***WE ARE IN AN ATTACK ON HUMANS CRISIS BY VICIOUS ANIMALS IN GENERAL!!!

ESPECIALLY, DOG/DEMON/SPIRITS WHO ARE KILLING HUMANS IN ALARMING PROPORTIONS.

***EVEN THE BIBLE SPEAKS AGAINST LAYING WITH THIS FIFTH.

***GET REAL PEOPLE, SEARCH THE ADOPTION MARKET FOR HUMAN CARE, NOT DOG OR ANIMAL CARE. WE MUST GET RID OF THIS VIRUS, BEFORE IT OVERTAKES US ON THE PLANET. THINK HUMAN ONCE AGAIN, AND TAKE CARE OF THE SICK, ABANDONED, HOMELESS, STARVING, POOR, PEOPLE WHO NEED LOVE.

WE DON'T NEED A PIG, DOG, CAT OR RAT TO FULFILL US, WE HAVE A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM, AMONG OURSELVES, AS HUMANS. THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS BIG, BIG, BIG, AND WE DON'T NEED A DOGS TO FULFILL US, OR TO AID TTHE HUMAN PROBLEM.

***HUMANS FIRST NOT DOGS!!! "WAKE UP PEOPLE"

HUMANS FIRST, NOT DOGS!!! "WAKE UP PEOPLE"

HUMANS FIRST, NOT DOGS!!! "WAKE UP PEOPLE"

***RID THE PLANET OF EVIL SPIRITED DOGS, AND SAVE OUR CHILDREN, AND SPARE OUR ELDERLY OF UNNECESSARY DEATHS. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PLAY FREELY, AND WALK THE STREETS FREELY, WITHOUT THE FEAR OF DANGEROUS DOGS SAVAGELY MAULING THEM.

IF WE GAVE AS MUCH ATTENTION TO SAVING HUMANS AS WE DID ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY DOGS, WE WOULD HEAL THE PLANET, AND HAVE A BETTER, AND SAVE WORLD TO LIVE IN.

WHY DON'T WE START TO HEAL THE WORLD BY TURNING YOUR D O G S IN (RIDDING YOURSELVES OF DOGS) FOR A HUMAN BABY WHO NEEDS TENDER LOVING CARE, AND TREAT IT, AND TRAIN IT TO BE A LOVING BEST-FRIEND, AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, VOID OF DOG MAULINGS AND ANIMAL ATTACKS ON HUMANS IN GENERAL.

GIVE A PARENTLESS CHILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME. GET WITH A KID WHO NEEDS A HOME, LOVE, CARE, AND NURTURING. FIND LOVE, HUMAN LOVE, ON A HUMAN LEVEL, NOT DOG OR ANIMAL FALSE, UNCERTAIN LOVE.

LIKE I SAID, DONT' FEED THE DEMON/DEVIL-SPIRITED DOG FOR A DAY, AND YOU'LL SEE HOW MUCH LASSY REALLY LOVES YOU. BETTER YET, GO 2-DAYS WITHOUT FEEDING IT, AND YOU'LL DISCOVER IT'S TRUE NATURE. DOG'S NATURE IS TO KILL AND DESTROY, AND MAN HAS BECOME DOG-LIKE. LET'S ADOPT A HUMAN, AND TRAIN IT IN A BETTER WAY. HUMANS NEED EVERY BIT OF LOVE OUR WORLD HAS TO OFFER. WE MUST BE REALISTIC, AND SELFISH IN GIVING ALL WE HAVE TOWARDS THE NATURE OF MAN, NOT THE NATURE OF A DOG. STOP THIS AWFUL SICKNESS BREWING IN OUR WORLD, OF LOVING, KISSING, SUCKING, FUCKING, AND SLEEPING WITH ANIMALS, AND ESPECIALLY KILLER DOGS. EVEN THE MOST DOSCILE DOG CAN TURN ON YOU IN AN INSTANT..BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE.

***TAKE CARE OF OUR KIND, THE HUMAN KIND. PARENTS ARE TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN TO RELATE TO A DOG, BECAUSE THEY AREN'T CAPABLE OF LOVING THEM RIGHT, AND THIS IS FALSE LOVE. LIKE SINGER/SONGWRITER MARVIN GAYE SAID IN HIS CLASSIC, "WHAT'S GOING ON," LOVE A KID, LOVE A HUMAN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER, "SAVE THE BABIES, AND IF YOU WANT TO LOVE, THEN SAVE THE BABIES, ALL OF THE CHILDREN, AND SAVE OUR DYING WORLD."

***PLEASE, LET'S WAKE UP PEOPLE, FACE REALITY, DOGS/DEMON-SPIRITS ARE OUR TRUE ENEMY BY NATURE, AND A BAD SPIRIT IN DISGUISE.

***STOP THE MAULING-KILLING, ESPECIALLY, ON OUR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 10 AND OUR ELDERLY OVER AGE 95 WHO HAD A DEVINE RIGHT TO LIVE, WITHOUT BEING MAULED TO DEATH BY THESE VICIOUS DOGS!!!

***STOP BLAMING HUMANS FOR A NATURAL TRAIT OF DOGS, DOGS, DOGS, TO ATTACK AND KILL.

***AGAIN, "PEOPLE" FACE THE FACT, THAT DOGS HAVE AN INNATE KILLER INSTINCT, AND A CANIVEROUS NATURE, TO KILL AND DESTROY!!!

***DON'T LET THE DOGS GET YOU!!! UNLEASH YOUR MENTAL HOLD ON DOGS AND GET RID OF THEM, AND RID THE WORLD OF THIS EVIL, THAT IS AN UNDERLYING DESTRUCTION OF HUMAN LIFE, THAT IS BREWING, BREWING, BREWING, EVERYWHERE, AND CAN STRIKE AT ANYTIME!!!!

***WE AS HUMANS ARE BEING WARNED BY A HIGHER SPIRITUAL POWER, AGAINST THIS EVIL THAT IS AN EVIL INFLUENCE ON THE HUMAN MIND, AND OUR WORLD.

***THESE ANIMALS ARE THINKING ANIMALS, AND CAPABLE OF DOING YOU IN ON A LARGE SCALE. THEY ARE COMMUNICATING, AND UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT HUMANS ARTICULATE, AND ARE VERY CUNNING, AND AWARE OF THEIR ACTIONS IN ATTACKING HUMANS.

THEY DON'T LIKE HUMANS, THEY ARE MANIPULATIVE, AND GET WHAT THEY WANT, AND KNOW JUST WHAT TO DO TO GET IT. THEY ARE PLANNERS, AND WILL ATTACK AND KILL WITH PRECISE PRECISION, AND AWARENESS.

BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE!!!

***THEY CAN AND WILL STRIKE WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN AFTER THEY PLAY, AND LICK ON YOU. NEVER TRUST AN ANIMAL, ESPECIALLY, A DOG.

***YOU'VE ONLY BEEN LUCKY SO FAR, JUST BEWARE, IT COULD BE YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE, OR A STANGER BY ACCIDENT.

***NEVER, EVER, EVER, TRUST AN ANIMAL, ESPECIALLY, A DEMON-DEVIL-SPIRITED, D O G!

DOG LOVERS, FACE REALITY, DOGS ARE NOT HUMAN, AND NEVER WILL BE! NOW HUMANS CAN BECOME DOG LIKE IN BEHAVIOR, THROUGH ASSOCIATION, AND WRONG TRAINING, AND EVEN INNATELY, BUT THROUGH SPIRITUALITY THEY CAN CHANGE, BUT A DOG'S NATURE IS SET. LIKE I SAID, YOU'VE ONLY BEEN LUCKY.

GIVE HIM A BONE, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE A DOCILE ACTING ONE, BUT NEVER TRUST A DOG. DOGS ARE LIMITED TO HUMAN FUNCTIONS, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE TRY TO MAKE THEM HUMAN-LIKE. ANIMALS ARE ANIMALS, LIKE IT OR NOT, AND THEY CAN STRIKE AGAINST YOU AT ANYTIME.

THOSE WHO HAVE ESCAPED THEIR EVIL WAYS WERE JUST PLAIN LUCKY! AGAIN, SKIP A MEAL, AND SEE HOW LASSY REALLY LOVES YOU.

HUMANS, NEED EACH OTHER TO PET, AND FOR COMPANIONSHIP, IT'S NATURAL. THROUGH PROPER TRAINING, AND THROUGH SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND GREATER SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, YOU'VE GOT A GOOD HUMAN MATE OR FRIEND. THEREFORE, A BETTER WORLD DEVELOPS, BUT A DOG ONLY LOVES YOU WHEN YOU GIVE IT WHAT IT NEEDS.

D O G S ARE BLOOD SUCKERS, AND YOU DOG LOVERS, ANIMAL LOVERS ARE JUST THAT, SUCKERS FOR ANIMALS.

***PLEASE PEOPLE,
WAKE UP!!!
TO THE HUMAN-BLOOD-SPILL,
AND FACE THE FACT
THAT OVER 4.7 MILLION
CHILDREN, AND ELDERLY MOSTLY HAVE BEEN VICIOUSLY, AND SAVAGELY MAULED BY DOGS
OF ALL KINDS,
EVEN A FAMILY DOG,
A YOUNG POODLE MAULED THE TESTICAL OFF A 2-MONTH OLD BABY, WHILE IT LAYED IN IT'S BED!!!
EVEN A GREAT-DANE KILLED IT'S OWNER,
AN ELDERLY WOMEN. HELP US!
SOMEBODY, HELP US, HELP US, FOR WE AS A SOCIETY, AND A WORLD HAVE GONE TO THE DOGS!!
IT IS W A K E- U P- TIME!!! BEWARE OF DOGS!!

I just want to say I agree with all of you, here in Canada they also BAN the breed, this is the most stupid thing I ever seen, why not punish the owners for not taking the proper training or care for them? and re-abilitate the dog and evaluate him to be sure that he is NOT that BEAST as the government and un educated people think they are.
I had one about 14 years ago, pure bread, and was the sweetest dog ever, but every time i walk him in the streets of Toronto, people would look at him and myself and cross the street so they don't pass beside me...
The funy thing is, there are WAY more bites by dogs like chiwawa dog, but because their mouth si small not too much damage makes it "ok"? and most are never reported because of that.

I hope that the world does not loose this great breed since it's my #1 in my heart

Thank you everyone that supports this breed, and only people like us can keep them alive... THEY did not choose to be like this, the looks, the strengh, oh yah, we breed them to be that way, not we don't like them, just kill them... wow..

I live in Westminster Colorado. Most my family and friends live in Denver. Ive heard the horror stories. From my neghibor getting seriously attacked by a pit in the alley where she use to live, To the events back in the 70's and 80' that caused the ban. i was horrified of these dogs that Ive never even given a chance, until about year ago my son who is 9 saved up wanting to buy his own puppy. Okay Son but not a pit bull! We looked through every shelter and every add until... one day he said "i found her mom!!!" a beautiful blue-fawn 3 month old pit bull who had been abandoned!" NO NO No! Well my convincing 9 year old begged and finally I gave in with the whole talk, "a dog in a big responsibility you cant only love it when its a puppy then tire of her yadda yadda" lol. Well I fell totally in love with this pup. she is the best dog in the world! She is now 15 months old, huge as ever and my 2 year old daughter adores her, even rides her like a pony. my son didnt like her as much when she was no longer a puppy. So im glad to say she now belongs to ME!!! Pit bulls are smart, loving, hyper, and very loyal. when a pit bull atacks its not because theyre loose cannons. there is always a reason I blame the owner. Back when the ban was brought about a pit named Tate atacked a neighbor who was a church minister in an alley, Broken bones compleatly mauled this man, well the owner said that his dog has never acted like this before..... turns out after further investigation this dog has had multiple incidents of agression. After 20 years of the pit bull ban Denver still has the most people going to the hospital for dog bites! mostly from Labs!!! lol needless to say I was a pit bull hater, now I'm a pit bull lover!!!!!!!!

I seem to remember Hitler doing this to Jews.

Where the hell is the amy for these dogs????

This makes me saddened and disguested. I don't understand how you can blame a dog for it's behavior. It's his owners job and responsiblity to raise the animal correctly. The blame should go to them for a mishap or an accident, that can occurr with ANY BREED OF DOG. When your child is raised incorrectly or not corrected or treated well when he or she is being brought up, and does some horrible thing. Who is the FIRST PERSON to be blamed? THE PARENT. That is what these supposed "owners" are to these dogs.

The AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER was bred to origionally fight bears and boars. it was then that the tenacity for pleasing their owners were they taught to be fighters. Unfortuately, it is breed in them to be ANIMAL agressive. NOT people agressive. That comes from bad training, abuse and neglect. If you have one of these dogs as a family member you CANNOT be ignorant to the fact was BRED into them for hundreds of years. Your dog at some point, can attack another dog or animal. It is that simple, just like you cannot train a greyhound not to run or small terriers not to dig. IT'S IN THEIR NATURE. I don't care what anyone says about their dog WOULD NEVER do something. It is always a possiblity. Training and socilizing from a young age is so important with big and powerful breeds like the APT.

YOU need to aware and knowledgeable about the dog you intend to bring into your life. Know it's lineage, learn all you can about a breed before making a decision about bring one into your home. They are handfuls, but they are well worth the fight. I have grown up around The AMPT and similiar breesd. I have seen them lunge and attack another dog. It's the upbrining that makes the dog who it is. They are the most gently, amazing and loving dogs you can find. They think they are lap dogs, they are used for therapy dogs. Some places use them as drug sniffing dogs. They make the WORST gaurd dogs immaginable. They are TOO LOVING to attack a humane if they have been taught right and wrong and shown the love and compassion they deserve.

This is HITLER back in motion, this is racsim against a breed of animal and these "educated" people are disgusting and I don't understand how they sleep at night. Why do you think some wolves and sharks were hunted because of ONE bite or ONE animal was attacked by them, to the point of extinction? BECAUSE PEOPLE FEAR WHAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

Sergeant Stubby, is the most decorated dog in military history. He was a Pit Bull Mix who fought in the trenches of France during WWI. http://pitbullextreme.com/pit-bull-history/sergeant-stubby-most-decorated-dog/

Petey, the lovable dog from the little rascals was a pitbull. He was constantly around young children. Were they ever attacked? No.

Michael Vick had dog fighting ring, he ruined and destroyed so many innocent animals. Why? because THEY WOULDNT FIGHT BACK. THE WEREN'T TOUGH ENOUGH FOR HIM TO SEE THEM AS ANY MORE OF A USE TO WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. He saw them as money and when they didnt bring him any, they threw them away like trash. That is no way to live or be treated. The majority of the dogs they took from him, were rehabiliated and are not living out happy and healthy new lives with new families like the deserve. EXPLAIN THAT.

You can't take your fear and aggression out on innocent animals who would do anything for their owners to the point of death. Just to please them. Annilate the people that treat them horribly, starve them, prode them, drown them, electricute them, punch them, kick them, hit them, tie chains around them, leave them to die when they are no longer of use to them, pull out teeth, cut ears with scissors, and make them fear the ones who took an oath, the ones who are supposed to love them and protect them.

An APT or similar breed was not born into the world, ready to be the agressive, viscious killer they are being portrayed to be. They are born just like every other dog, blind, defensless and waiting for someone to love them and teach them right and wrong. They DO understand the difference.

Anyone who agrees with this, maybe you should be the ones being put down for being just as ignorant as the people in Denver.

"The Coalition for Living Safely with Dogs, a Colorado group made up of veterinary associations and animal welfare groups, gathered information from animal control divisions across the state. Their report found that the severity of pit bull bites -- 1 being a "bruising" and 5 being a "maul (serious bodily injury)" -- was about the same as bites from breeds such as Australian Cattle Dogs and Akitas, and below breeds such as American Bull Dogs, Dalmatians and Dachshunds."

From investigation to impound to euthanization, it costs the city roughly $256 per dog.

REALLY???? SO YOUR STUPID CITY HAS SPENT 895,232 DOLLARS ON KILLING ANIMALS?

The recent case of a Pomeranian that was banned from Aspen shows that any dog breed can be vicious.

But which breeds have killed in Colorado? As this list reveals, out of nine reported dog attack fatalities in the state since 1980, pit bulls were responsible for two.

I have owned several pit bulls over the years and none of them were aggresive!! I raised them from puppies and did not teach them to fight or be aggresive. They are like our children! Would you kill your 2 or 3 year old child if they misbehaved or threw a temper tantrum? I think not!! My daughter went through her terrible two's and didn't get put to sleep for it. So all of you that are killing dogs just because of a certain breed are crazy!! How can you sleep knowing you are killing innocent animals that have been put on this earth by God. You should be putting the people to sleep that teach these animals to fight and kill!!!!! These pictures discuss me!!

i am an animal lover! i have 2 pits an i gave then a second chance! they are so sweet and every pit ive come into contact with has wanted to show me nothing but love an excitement theres gotta be something else!