-> WC> Now there IS a Pit Bull about 4 blocks from here that would have killed
-> WC> the dog that attacked mine this morning in a single bite, same dog
-> WC> nearly killed mine.
-> WC>
-> WC> Pinellas Animal Control won't label that animal dangerous unless he
-> WC> attacks yet another.

-> Why won't they?  I thought, for Pit Bulls, it's a one-strike-you're-out policy?

No witness, he said - he said and Jimmy Nation has been known for
cowardly retribution, he's the Pit owner.

He threatened to poison a neighbors Dacshund and it was dead
from poisoning the next day.
He threatened the life of a woman's grandchild, again police were called
but no witness so nothing was done.

-> WC> I was severely attacked once by a person I didn't know from behind,
-> WC> I didn't _quite_ go to my knees unconscious from the blow from the club.
-> WC>
-> WC> Still I refused to issue the attack command the original owners of
-> WC> Spanky had trained him to.
-> WC> I knew whatever the circumstances the dog would have been put down.

-> This is so wrong.  I know you certainly weren't concerned for the attacker's
-> safety! :P  

No I wasn't, big dude with big club, fresh cut 4' long green branch
about 1 1/2 - 2 inches around.
I didn't know him so paid no attention, walked by, wham.
Why I'll never know, big guy too, the blow should have killed me.

-> WC> The dog remained calm and stayed as expected and I even handed his lead
-> WC> to a stander by to hold while EMT's put a compression bandage on my head
-> WC> wound.
-> WC> I was soaked to the waist in my own blood.

-> The thing up here is now the cops are shooting the Pit Bulls with bare
-> provocation (eg. cops kick the door in and the dog, naturally, goes to defend
-> his home, as any good dog would, and the cops shoot to kill!) :(

My Pit would evaluate anyone entering.
If he knew them no problem.
If they didn't appear to be up to mischief still likely no problem. 

If they're strangers and  act in a way the dog senses something's up
he'd first display his teeth and snarl standing his ground, after that
if they elect to enter, well tough luck.
                                               
There _is_ a way to get the dog to accept a total stranger
and gain access to the house with the dog inside with no trouble but
that is known to very few people like my landlady who might require a
handyman access while I'm not here.
Oh yeah, he's trained not to accept food from strangers too.

As to cops the landlady's friend is a rather huge cop who stopped by one
day.
Curious as to who was outside I went out with the dog off lead.
One huge cop froze stiff as a statue... until Spanky went over and
licked his hand.      
Seems his experience with Pit Bulls were other than those with
temperments like mine 

-> WC> -> Because I care,
-> WC>
-> WC> Maybe my youthful idealism has been replaced by cynicism
-> WC> but I fear we're in the minority.

-> I'm afraid you have a point there. . . :(

-> But I refuse to give up! :)

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