Years ago I had the sweetest female pit bull. She was great with the kids and always quick to make new friends. Sadly she died from an blood clot at the early age of two. I am not allowed to own a pit in PG county, so I have, in my opinion, the next best thing, an American Bulldog and also an English Bull Terrier. I would add a pit to the mix if I could. By the way, both of my dogs are spayed.

Two years ago, our close friends were walking with their children down on the Laurel river trail. A visitor to Laurel was walking down there with their Pit Bull. The visitor was very sweet and encouraged the children to feel comfortable petting the dog, as it was a good dog, and in a muzzle. When the 4 year old boy reached forward to pet the dog, the Pit Bull ripped through it's muzzle and tore into the child's face.

-- Massive puncture wounds from the teeth, scars (physical and emotional). I hate to imagine what would have happened if the dog had decided not to let go. --

The handful of Pit Bull supporters (a vocal minority) must know the court opinion is valid, but it is painful I'm sure to think of their beloved pet as being capable of such violence. The owner said the Dog had no previous history; no hints or indications of it's violent side. I'm actually not surprised by that. There is no need for a Pit Bull to display signs of aggression. It is in their breed.

The court did not reach their decision lightly I'm sure; but they did reach it:

"Because of its aggressive and vicious nature and its capability to inflict serious and sometimes fatal injuries, pit bulls and cross-bred pit bulls are inherently dangerous."

So what should be done throughout the state about pit bulls?

Yes, they are dangerous. It's not that the breed is intrinsically unstable; it's that owners don't know how to raise and socialize them. They are too far tied in with the thug/dog fighting culture. It's unfortunate; I also know some pits who are sweet and docile. But there have been far too many incidents of people and pets hurt by them; need to be realistic and say "Yes", they are a threat and a problem. Any dog can be aggressive; have to know how to socialize and train them.

Our neighbor has two pits & one jumps the fence. She goes after people in our
yard if she feels like it. She did not bite anyone yet but barks, snarls. You never know when its safe to go out in the yard. You have to stand perfectly still or get in the shed and hope that she will not harm you. She sometimes runs the neighborhood on trash day and gets into the bags etc. The owners always say they are sorry and it won't happen again. They telll us she won't hurt you!! I got very little help from animal control. The dog is danger to us and the community. This breed needs to be in a controlled setting because of its unpredictable temperment and ability to injury people. Janice