Published: Sunday, July 15, 2007
Big Dogs, Bad Rap?
Owners of large dogs don't agree with the bad reputation often
associated with their pets.
To view the costs of big dogs, click here
P
a malnourished pit bull and made it part of his family. Marycaye Bixler of Salem is leading an effort to create tougher laws on dogs such as pit bulls that attack people.
They are at opposite ends of the debate over whether big dogs are bad dogs.
Whether you view them as big or bad, breeds such as pit bulls, Rottweilers and Cane Corsos top the list of big dogs that are the "it" canines of the moment.
They are part of many Americans' perception that bigger must be better, says one official.
"More and more people are getting them. They want these big, big macho dogs," said Debbie Agostinelli, Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County shelter director. "I firmly believe that it's a macho issue, where someone might say he has a pit bull, so I will get something bigger like a Cane Corso. In this country, bigger is better."
Agostinelli also said the media influences such as music videos and television shows play a big part in the increasing popularity of the larger dogs. She said people have a tendency to want more of what they see.
As their popularity surges, so too do laws against them.
Bixler's efforts in Salem began when a Rottweiler knocked her 7-year-old grandson to the ground and attacked the boy not far from his home.
"The dog came charging out. He was not tied or anything and just came out," she said. "If my son had not been there [the dog] would have probably killed him."
Bans and laws
In Trumbull County, the city of Girard has had a ban on pit bull ownership and ownership of any other "vicious" dog for more than a decade. Mayor James Melfi said the ban ensures the protection of residents from the potential danger posed by such animals.
"As the pit bulls and other dangerous dogs became popular, council took that into consideration in the 1990s," he said. "There are isolated problems with all types of dogs, but we address them quickly and if they are of the pit bull variety, they must be removed."
Despite Girard's ban, four pit bulls are currently registered in the city. They are among 160 pit bull or pit bull-mixed dogs registered in Trumbull County. The county also has 385 registered Rottweilers or Rottweiler-mixed dogs.
Melfi said he had been unaware that these dogs were in the city, "but now that I am aware of it, we have to find out who these individuals are and tell them that their dogs are not permitted in town."
The mayor plans to ask the county dog warden whether licensing agents in the community would inform city dog owners that such dogs are not permitted before they can buy a license. The city could provide a standard form outlining its prohibition of these dogs, he said.
Mahoning County, meanwhile, has 1,793 registered Rottweilers, 311 registered pit bulls and 196 registered Cane Corsos.
Pit bulls are noted in Ohio laws and must be kept in a closed pen with a top and a lock that requires a key or combination. Owners of the dogs must also carry at least $100,000 insurance on each dog.
In Columbiana County, Salem city officials will meet July 24 to discuss strengthening dog ordinances. Bixler said she hopes any decisions take into account the safety of children who play in various parts of the city during the summer.
A love of big
Those who own these dogs have their reasons, and they don't want to give their pets up.
Joy Volle wanted a "dog" with a capital D. She didn't want a dog in the shape of a cat.
"I personally don't like smaller breeds. They get under my feet too much and are too yippy," she said. "They remind me of cats. I don't want a cat. I want a dog."
The Girard resident researched various breeds before settling on the female Cane Corso she and her husband bought several months ago. The dog, weighing more than 50 pounds at 5 months, could top 115 pounds by the time it reaches adulthood.
Volle, who has two children ages 2 and 5, said the large addition to her family is a gentle pet. The dog even sometimes sleeps with her 2-year-old.
Volle said buying the large mastiff breed had very little to do with family protection and more to do with personal choice and a love for large-breed dogs.
John Ackworth of Poland shares his home with two Rottweilers — one 92 pounds and the other 114 pounds. His son took one from a friend several years ago and the other came to the family after it had been found abused and homeless.
"I wouldn't give them up for anything," he said. "I prefer a bigger dog. After we got the first one, I knew I loved Rottweilers."
Robert Campana, Trumbull County dog warden, said there is definitely an increase in pit bull owners, especially in the city of Warren.
Training and socialization
Campana said these and other large-breed dogs are often easier to deal with than some smaller dogs. Everything, he said, depends on how the animal has been trained and socialized.
"They get a bad rap. Some of these dogs make good pets and a lot of people just want them as pets," he said.
Agostinelli said there are a few things to consider before buying any large-breed dog.
She said potential owners must take the time to research the breed they intend to buy and take the time to attend training and socialization classes with the dog. She said a failure to train and socialize dogs such as pit bulls, Cane Corsos or Rottweilers can lead to aggressive animals or to the dogs' ending up in rescue shelters or dog pounds.
"These dogs are ending up in pounds and shelters all over the country, especially once they get too big and haven't had proper training or go to bite someone," she said.
Bixler is hoping local governments do more than place dogs who bite into shelters — she wants to see every bite reported on the dog owner's homeowner's insurance. She is also pushing for tougher quarantine laws on dogs that bite.
"If people know there are more legal things that may happen to them, they will think twice about what breed of dog they are getting," she said.
Bevak, however, maintains that the fear over pit bulls is unfair. He said the once homeless female pit bull he adopted has been a wonderful addition to the house — and close to the perfect pet.
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