From: elise@ticipa.pac.sc.ti.com (Elise Wade)
Subject: Re: Children and Pitbulls
Organization: Texas Instruments
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 17:38:02 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.130954.121357@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu> maw2@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (MICHELE A. WHITE) writes:
>
>I am looking for advice on how to deal with this situation:
>
>After recently moving into a new neighborhood, I have learned that one of the
>neighbors owns a dog that is part pitbull.  The neighborhood is very small and
>consists of 8 children under the age of four.  My son is 1YO.
>
>In conversation with the person who owns the dog, she told me that it's her
>husband's and she hates the dog.  They confine the dog to the basement or
>outside (with no shade or doghouse).  The other day they came home and found
>the dog on the front porch (she broke the chain and was waiting for them).
>This person assures me that the dog is fine with children.  On the same note,
>she told me that this dog ripped a hole in her other dog's neck when they
>first got married.  This happened after having the dogs together for a month
>on what seemed to be friendly terms.  (Seems unpredictable to me)
>
>I am in a panic state for my son (especially as he is growing up) along with
>the rest of the kids on the block. Is there a way to assure our kids safety?
>Am I overreacting?  If it's part pitbull - is it less dangerous??
>
>Any input would be greatly appreciated.
>Michele
>-- 
>
>
>Michele White - Lehigh University Computing Center - (maw2@lehigh.edu)

Well, I'd be concerned too.  The owners sound rather irresponsible.
Its not so much the breed of dog, as the dog's size and strength 
combined with the owner's lack of caring.  

If they keep the dog outside without proper facilities (shade in heat,
water, shelter in cold) and are *not* interested in taking better
care of this unfortunate dog, I suggest you call the humane society.
There are laws against this sort of treatment.

There are some saftey things you can teach your son as he gets older.
1. *NEVER* tease the dog.  
2. Don't "invade" the dog's territory.  Most dogs are very teritorial
    and will interpret a stranger coming around their yard or house as
    a threat.  Also, don't wrestle or play rough with the children
    that own the dog while the dog is around.  Again, the dog might
    interpret that behavior as an attack on his "pack".
3. Don't run away from a dog.  The dog can out run any child & nearly
    all dogs have a chase instinct.  (e.g. If it runs it might be
    food to catch).  Have your son stand still and yell for help.
4. Don't try to pat a dog on the head.  An anxious dog will misinter-
    pret this as an attack.  Always let the dog sniff you first, then
    (in the case of a normal dog) your child can scratch the dog under
    the chin, keeping his hands where the dog can see them.

As far as the pit-bull aspect is concerned, that really is less of
a worry than you might think.  Pit bulls have been irresponsibly 
breed, so there are a few crazy dogs amougnst them.  However, they
are basic terriers (like a good scrap amoung dogs, fiesty, independent)
but really not terribly agressive toward people.  About 30-50
years ago they were considered *ideal* for children.  If you've watched
the "Our Gang" reruns, the children's dog was a pit bull. 

Hope this helps,
Elise.