I voted for this as a 4th generation lover and owner/breeder of the wonderful APBT. My Father owns and bred APBT his father did and his father before him and it goes on documented in only 4 generations but most likely more. I was born into this breed and it now consumes my life in a way.
My father and I bred our last litter this past year they were born exactly one month after my daughter was born. She spend an entire weekend at 6 weeks covered in puppy drool. She also had her best friend there another BSL slated breed a Shepherd mix. He is her best friend, big brother and protector. She and him play like two little kids and he would fight to the death for her just like my APBT did for me. Would someone really deny a child that protection, love and joy. There are pictures all over the net of babies and kids sleeping with and on these dogs, sticking hands in mouths and other crazy activites. I know for one that there is a picture of me riding my first APBT like a horse at the age of 5.
These dogs were bred to be HUMAN friendly even the fighting bred dogs or game bred dogs. Only the undersocialized and poorly trained dogs exhibit this behavior. In fact in the rescue I volunteer for we have a 2 year old bitch that was kept in a ROOM alone for 3 WEEKS with no electricity or anything. Ive spent time with her myself many times and she has spent time with my daughter. In fact one time I was there and my daughter dropped her bottle this little dog who was abused and used for god knows what gently picks up the bottle and puts it in my hand. Then precedes to lick my daughter. Is that the sign of a dangerous dog? I think not.
Yes aggression has its place in these dogs but its DOG aggression. A trait that is EASILY managed by someone willing to do so. My father and I alone kept 10-15 dogs and never had a fight. How would that be possible if these were blood thirsty killers?
We had to hide our results from sites like OFA and CERF in fear of the wrong person finding out we are listed there in case BSL hit us. We spent many nights discussing plans in case it hit us. I still have to worry with my Shepherd 24/7 if the people in my city will suddenly put BSL into action. I can barely even rent a place for me and my daughter that is in a safe and nice place JUST because of his breed. He and my past APBT are and were my Service Dogs if these breeds are what the government says they are how was that possible? The government tells me that should not have been abtainable because they are blood thirsty killers.
I hope this world turns into a place where we dont have to plan backup plans for our dogs just in case the government decides they shouldnt live. Where a little girl may not get to have her best friend and loyal partner. Where we are told what breed we can and can not own until we no longer have any breeds to own. I hope in my generation we see this change. I hope our new president understands these concerns and these dogs.
I must now go cuddle my Shepherd.
