Saw this on a friend's LJ.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I can't imagine something like this actually getting passed in a place like San Francisco.

What is not being talked about at all is owner responsibility. A pitbull isn't born an attack dog. It's just not a viscious dog by nature, though I've come across a few breeds that seem particularly territorial, and they sometimes make me nervous. But a pitbull has to be trained to attack, from what I understand. And if someone is training a dog to attack, they should be held responsible if his or her dog attacks someone.

If the dog is a guard dog and attacks a burglar? That doesn't seem illegal. If a dog that is trained to attack intruders suddenly chases after a 6 year old girl, killing her, than the dog should be put down, and the owner should be in some way held responsible for the girl's death. People who train pits to fight to the death in pens should be arrested and jailed for a really long time. People who train attack dogs - not necessarily the same thing as guard dogs - deserve the same. Jail. For a long time.

And saddly the attack dogs should probably be put down, because I think it's hard to break those kinds of habits.

So, so, so effin' sad. In most of these cases it's probably the owner's fault and not the animal, certainly not the animal's breed.

Also, some consideration must be given to the possibility of a child or person antagonizing a dog. I have the most docile loving family dog, but if I started whacking him with blunt objects, I wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly bit me. Even good natured dogs can be provoked, especially if they're not used to that kind of abuse.

I was bit by a Chow once, and have been nervous around Chows ever since. They strike me as naturally protective and fierce. I could be wrong. I certainly wouldn't make a law against them, though I prefer to be out of their company. The dog growled at me when I came downstairs while staying at a friend's. She'd warned me to be careful around the dog, but when it growled I panicked and screamed and ran, and the dog came after me. I tried to claw my pathetic way up a wall, but it snapped at my leg, and punctured my calf with one of its teeth. I'm not really sure if it bit me, or if it just snagged me while barking violently. Either way, I was terrified.

Still, I'd save a Chow's life, man. No mass death for Chows!