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Are Pit Bulls Inherently Dangerous?MAY 15, 2012 03:00 AM ET // BY JENNIFER VIEGAS (HTTP://NEWS.DISCOVERY.COM/JENNIFER-VIEGAS.HTM)

THE GIST- A Maryland court recently decided that pit bulls are "inherently

dangerous."

- Animal experts and advocates disagree with the ruling.

- The problem is complex, with some pit bulls bred specifically for

fighting.

The Maryland Court of Appeals recently deemed pit bulls and pit bull

mixes "inherently dangerous," but many animal experts and dog

advocates believe the court overstepped its authority.

"Inherently dangerous" implies that all pit bulls are, through genetics

or their environment, born with a vicious streak. The science does

not appear to support this.

For example, a University of Pennsylvania study on dogs found that

the top three biters of humans were actually smaller dogs:

Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers.

Nevertheless, pit bulls are often in the news for attacking, and

sometimes even killing, people and other animals. A mid 1990's

effort by the San Francisco SPCA and the Wisconsin Humane Society

to rename socialized pit bulls "St. Francis terriers" was suspended

when some of the adopted dogs killed housecats and engaged in

other unsaintly behavior.

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Are pit bulls "inherently dangerous," as a Maryland court recently ruled?

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Pit bulls didn't always have such a bad rap. In the early part of the

20

Some have.

"It is possible to breed in or out certain traits, with some dogs

purposefully bred for fighting," Jennifer Scarlett, a veterinarian who

is also co-president of the San Francisco SPCA, told Discovery News.

She said that studies on foxes suggest that a trait possibly affecting

personality can appear in just two to three generations. Pit bulls

bred this way seem to be more aggressive against other dogs, but

not necessarily humans.

"In the fighting ring, humans will sometimes pry open the dog's

mouth, so the aggression is usually very focused against other

dogs," she explained.

Scarlett, who disagrees with the Maryland ruling and has herself

debated the issue in court and other public forums, said that

countless pit bulls nationwide are highly socialized and well trained,

never hurting anyone.

"Dogs of any breed that are truly strong and aggressive can be

managed, but what is nature and nurture in those cases?" she

asked. "Should all dogs be let loose in a dog park? No."

Much then comes down to the owners, and therein lies the real

problem.

Scarlett indicated that at least one study is underway to see if

certain factors predict if a segment of the population is at greater

risk for being attacked by a dog.

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