Reader: Pit bull attacks get fifteen to twenty times the coverage as ones by other breeds

• I used to preach the positives of pit bulls-- I even used to take mine to Badrap outtings and hand out flyers educating people that pit bulls were essentialy perfect family pets. Then, a pit bull I had raised since a puppy and let stay at a friend's house went after her aunt for no reason. People say: "There's always a reason!" well, she was in a wheelchair watching Jeopardy, how's that for a reason? I got sued and had the dog put down. You can NOT trust pit bulls!

• J.M.D., thanks for the extra info, and for reading.

• Media Bias is not just a figment of the imagination either. Check out NCRC`s pit bull paparazzi Reports. http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/canines-issues/media-reporting/ The word pit bull sells(gets hits) and the Media is very,very aware of that. But if it`s a good story about one of these dogs they will do everything in their power to try to avoid the story entirely or they`ll use mutt in the headline rather than pit bull. They don`t want the public to know the truth about these dogs. They are individuals just like other dogs and their owners and their environment will determine what becomes of them. "Formerly lost San Jose mutt now a national champion of little-known sport of dock-jumping" http://www.mercurynews.com/san-jose-neighborhoods/ci_16725815?nclick_check=1 But if that exact same dog in that story was to scare someone or jump on someone or nip someone the Media will scream pit bull attack and feed the frenzy and hysteria surrounding these dogs. I don`t even own a pit bull Breed or a mutt that looks like one and I can see the Media Bias very clearly so it`s backfiring. All Breed Bans do is encourage the WRONG people rather than the right people to want these dogs.

• I agree with Dr Chagnon. I have a pit bull and used to have the same attitude. I have changed many people's minds about the breed with my own dog. He travels with me to my office and to job sites. The whole hype over pit bulls is media hyperbole. If you have any doubts, just educate yourselves with organizations like BAD RAP, Animal Farm Foundation, or Best Friends, just to name a few. The former Michael Vick dogs are excellent examples of this breed's capacity to be outstanding pets despite having endured such terrible conditions.

• Many people are afraid of my big American Bulldog, that is until they approach him and he rolls over on his back and starts kissing them. He is the sweetest dog I've ever had and that includes beagles, labs, and sheepdogs.... just my experience.

• Anyone who thinks BSL works to make humans safer doesn't know the data--take a look at the CDC's position or read the wonderful "Pit Bull Placebo" by Karen Delise, made freely available to all via the web (National Canine Research Council). I used to think pit bulls were "bad dogs" until I had one, and now I wouldn't have any other breed. I bring my pit bull Romeo to my office, where my patients love him. Aside from being smothered with kisses (when invited), there is nothing they have to fear from him. Romeo was found wandering the streets of a rough San Francisco neighborhood, and is a very typical pit bull, rescued from the pound a mere 24 hours before scheduled euthanization. Please educate yourselves on this wonderful breed and take it from someone who used to be biased and ignorant--don't believe the media hype!

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