-> *** Quoting George Pope from a message to WAYNE CHIRNSIDE ***

->  GP> I've never had a Pit, and likely never will, but I know dogs well
->  GP> enough from my younger days, and I know that it's all about good
->  GP> caring ownership -- and that BAD ownership can(will) well lead to bad
->  GP> dogs! :P

-> This is true... I'd also like to add, that If for whatever reason ( any dog 
-> can go bad, just like people, some can get wacko ) If this happens lets say 
-> with a collie and the collie bites. It may just go down as a dog bite. 
   
Collie? make it a Doberman and I'd not be afraid.
Been bitten by two and by one of them twice.

-> But 
-> when a Pit bull or maybe a rottie bites someone with those powerful locking 
-> Jaws, 
   
The locking jaw is a myth but with a 2000 pound bite force per square
inch there's really not much difference and I can't see anyone prying
them loose with less than an EMT's hydraulic "jaws of life."   

I've been bitten my a large Pit Bull in rescuing my dog, a smaller Pit
Bull. My dog never reacted but did look to me for help.

 I'm left handed and could not pick up 2 pounds with that hand for near
six months however shortly thereafter it recovered fully.

I consider _that_ bite to have been minor compared to what might have
happened as there was no way I could fight off that animal.

Cheetahs by comparison have 700 pound per square inch bite force.

-> they can do much more damage, making the experience/episode even
worse.

No kidding, that monster almost killed my dog in under 20 seconds. He
was fortunate the teeth missed the trachea and arteries and veins.
                                                                   
I was hurt far less but bled a great deal more than my dog.        

My dog showed no pain but from day 2 throuigh say 2 weeks I had a tough
go of it.
Treated both of us with topical hydrogen peroxide once a day 
and betadine several times a day.

For weeks bit and pieces of my dog's fur and skin and some of my own
necrotic flesh oozed out of my wounds. Spanky suffered no infections at
all.

-> Just like if I hit your car doing 30 with a Geo metro, I'll do damage, but if 
-> I hit your car with a ford f350 loaded with bricks at the same speed. You may 
-> get hurt  Thats what I think also adds to the persecution of these 
-> dogs. They can be raised right, but in a case where even when the dog does 
-> something that comes natural to all dogs, when they do it, they can do a bit 
-> more damage. A dobie will bite like a machine gun, a pitbull can bite and rip 
-> with those jaws.

Dobie is a joke, never went to a doctor.
My Pit bull I've obsrved for over 15 1/2 years and see no signs of
aggression or instability.

Spanky serves as a companion dog for the disabled here and I cannot for
the life of me find a single bad habit or incident I'd alter in this
loyal, intelligent animal who has repeatedly exhibited the very best of
judgement.

My sister's neutered Labrador OTOH twice tried to tear out my throat
and they had to destroy their Dalmation when it went nuts and became
dangerous around the kids.
 
Then too there's Jimmy Nation's ( skinhead) Amstaff Pit that attacked my
dog and others that's a public menace.
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