Court orders most of 285 pit bulls to be put to death.

[Lisa0825]

:cry:

The poor dogs didn't ask to be born to the wrong owner!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4125344.html

By CINDY HORSWELL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Most of the 285 pit bull terriers seized from what authorities said was a nationwide breeding operation for dogfighting were ordered euthanized Thursday.

If carried out, it would be the largest number of dogs seized by the Houston Humane Society ever put to death, a spokeswoman said.

Liberty County Justice of the Peace Phil Fitzgerald issued the euthanasia order after a hearing in which a veterinarian testified that pit bulls trained for fighting usually cannot be rehabilitated as pets.

The only exception in Fitzgerald's order was for puppies under 6 months of age, which the veterinarian said could be reformed. Fitzgerald ordered pups under 6 months of age — about 60 of the seized dogs — to be sold at public auction....

I know there isn't much sympathy for pit bulls these days, but they can be WONDERFUL pets, and even though these dogs have been bred badly and treated inhumanely, I still think it is worth TRYING to save them. You'd be amazed by how many completely feral cats and VERY aggressive stray dogs have been tamed by the shelter I volunteer at. If they determine that some of them can't be tamed, so be it, but to just kill them all rather than trying seems like such a waste of life to me.

[WolverineDG]

1. Too bad we can't euthanize the assholes who did this

I hate it when the dogs have to pay for the actions of their "owners." :grr:

I know pits, rotties, & dobermans can be great loving pets, but in the wrong hands, they can be killers. It's not their fault, but the fault of the ones who trained them.

dg

[susanr516]

2. One of the finest dogs I ever had

as a member of my household was a female pit bull. My kids were very young, and she never once acted aggresively towards them. She was a 60 pound lapdog--with us. However, she was fiercely protective of both my children and my property.

A pit bull is an outstanding companion, but the pet owner must assume a lot of responsibility. Training is essential; I recommend a professional trainer. Pit bulls are very intelligent, and fences are generally only minor obstacles for them. Spaying or neutering your pet is also imperative. A unneutered male pit is a disaster waiting to happen--even females are difficult to handle when they're in heat.

Because of the training and control issues, I wouldn't recommend a pit bull as a first dog. However, if you're a dog-lover and are willing to spend the time and energy it takes to forge a close relationship with your dog, a pit bull is one of the most loyal and loving companions around.