Nashville Bans Pit Bulls from Dog Parks

[BigBark]

There is an article in this morning’s Nashville City Paper that says the Board of Parks and Recreation has banned Pit Bulls from the city’s 3 dog parks.

I know there have been debates on the forums before about dog parks, I personally don’t take my dog there for varying reasons, but I think it is a slippery slope that they are going down. The article also mentions the ban applies to “dogs having the characteristic of the pit bull breed.”, but doesn’t state what those “characteristics” are. Is it dogs that “look” like pit bulls? Dogs that they think “could” be aggressive, (which would cover lots of dogs)?

I also think it is interesting that they passed this ban after hearing from all of 2 witnesses that had “run-ins” with pit bulls. I’ve heard about instances at these parks involving several aggressive labs and goldens, but I’m sure they would never think of banning them.

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/in...&news_id=48943

[denverday]

[quote]“The kindest thing and most responsible [is to] take [pit bulls] for a walk” without contact with other dogs, Ladebauche said. Though “they love to be with you, I don’t really think most pit bulls gain a whole lot from playing with other dogs.”[/QUOTE]

This is one of the dumbest statements I've heard yet...As far as I know all dogs benefit spending time with other dogs. How can people be so narrow-minded and not realize it is the owners who raise certain breeds and not the breed itself, that causes the problems...
I'm just shocked(not surprised though) at such a foolish thought!!

[flyballmom]

While I agree that Pit Bull's don't belong in dog parks (NO OFFENSE to them, I have one!!), and that they would be much better off going for nice long walk or other activity that doesn't involve unknown dogs, I also agree that this is a slippery slope that could lead to other bans. And if Pits, then Rotts, then.......

[RottyMom]

While making blanket statements about any breed is never good you must remember that Pit Bulls (with a true stable bully temperment) LOVE people and I mean LOVE people they have high incidences of dog agression (it's what they were bred for)...most people knowledgable about the breed will tell you right out...never trust your Pit Bull not to fight...even if it's never shown any dog agression before. Now these owners would NOT be taking their dogs to a dog park anyway...banning is for those stupid enough to think it's ok to let a Pit run with a pack in a park (not good for any dog if you ask me). Banning is never an answer as Flyballmom said it's a slippery slope with our breed right behind.

[BigBark]

I agree...no dog parks, and it IS a slippery slope.

But it also seems like they have a problem identifying what a pit bull is. Especially with the "dogs having the characteristic of the pit bull breed" this could easily encompass lots of breeds.

I was recently on a site about pit bulls, and it had a page with pics of about 30 dogs and asked if you could pick out the few that were actually pit bulls. It was hard. So what about those that have terriers that some people think "look" like pit bulls, but don't have the "high incidences of dog aggression". I guess this ban covers them also...

A slippery slope, indeed.