[ZTWsquared]

Flofocus,Apr 4 2007, 06:46 PM Wrote:And I'd also like to know if youve ever been around a well behaved bully?  Why do you hate them so much?  Is it because of the stuff you read in the paper?  Why just pitbulls and not bullmastifs, rotties and say....a Cane Corso?[right][snapback]233277[/snapback][/right]

If you think that this is about me hating a breed, then you haven't be paying attention. In fact hate doesn't play a role here at all ... and neither does unreasoned fear; although something closely related to fear is in fact at the heart of the matter for me.

The word is respect ... I respect what these animals are capable of ... I respect that they have natural instincts and tendencies that can put people at risk ... I respect that humans for centuries have been selectively breeding certain types of dogs to enhance specific characteristics ... characteristics that increase the potential for harm ... I respect that even good dog owners can have lapses of judgement and mishaps that they did not anticipate ... I respect that there are elements in our society who have no consideration whatsoever for the safety or well being of others, and these people have the same access to dangerous breeds as any good dog owner does ... and I respect that my 7 year old and my 4 year old simply are not old enough to understand the risks they face from certain dogs ... I respect the fact that my wife at 4'11" and 100 lbs is not only incapable of protecting my children from a Pitbull or similar, that she is in fact herself at risk ... and I respect the reality that I can't be with my family 24/7 and that I am forced to rely on the good sense of others, and the protection of our society, to help me keep my family safe.

If this ban saves just one person from a mauling or worse ... then it will have served its purpose and I will feel vindicated for my support of it. My personal believe is that over time it will significantly reduce the risk that we face from bad dog owners and dangerous dogs.