Absolutely not!!!! These beautiful animals are wonderful! It's the people that train them terribly that should be muszzled and put down! Humans are the danger, not Pits!

Need owners to be more responsible..there is a leash law for a reason!

If one breed is required then all should be. I don't agree the slightest with breed specific laws. I am a proud care giver to a wonderful pitbull and also have been bitten a few times in my life, never by a bull headed breed but actually a poodle and funniest of all a yellow lab.....I won't deny that any care giver of pits and all the other bully breeds as well as cane corso need to be viligent and pay more attention, it's lacadazical and fullish people who get these dogs bad raps

What is it about pit bulls that they need to be "properly trained" to NOT attack people or other dogs? Why is it I don't hear about Cocker Spaniels attacking people? Or Border Collies? It's in the nature of pit bulls to attack. They're bred to attack. Just like it's in the nature of Border Collies to herd other animals. Why is it whenever a pit bull attacks someone you hear the owner saying "I don't know why she attacked. She's always been so tame."? It's because pit bulls love to attack. Dogs are pack animals and they instinctively protect their "pack", i.e, their human family. Not pit bulls, they'll tear the face off their owners child if they feel like it.

NO they do not need to be muzzled any breed could have done the same thing. A small breed could have done the same injury to another dog. I think this BSL has gotten way out of control. What's next banning certain races because people think they are dangerous. Come on people any animal can bite., Remember they where once wild animals and we domesticated them.

No they do not need to be muzzled! Owner responsibility is the key! I have 5 dogs, 3 of which are pitbull. The other two are a teacup chihuahua and a husky mix, both of which are nervous natured and both have bitten someone. My pits are wonderful when we are in public becaused they have been socialized and love all people.

First of all, SOME big dogs, not just pit bulls, see a smaller dog like a bichon frise, and think it's a toy or prey. When the smaller dog is scampering about, the larger dog's predatory nature may kick in. Even small dogs can have a predatory instinct, I've seen a lot of very small dogs chasing after, and trying to catch squirrels. We are talking about carnivores here, after all. And if it's true, as it states above, that the pit bull was OFF leash, and if the bichon frise was ON leash, that can be A VERY bad dynamic, between any size dogs! The pit bull's owner was an IDIOT if he had his dog off leash. I have an American Staffordshire Terrier, who I adopted as an adult, and she is not aggressive with other dogs or people. She does not chase squirrels, but she always wants to play with other dogs by doing the typical terrier hopping around and body slamming. When we meet another dog, it's always with both dogs on leash, and if it's a small dog, I am taking care that all 49lbs. of her, does not land on a little dog. I have control with my leash. If I recognize that another dog is fearful or aggressive I can steer her away- I have CONTROL with a leash. The owner of the pit bull is an ABSOLUTE DOPE!!! Some dog parks have a small dog area, for this exact reason! Bigger, stronger dogs, OF ANY BREED, can sometimes have their predatory instinct triggered by a small, scampering, or fearful dog. Pit bulls don't need muzzling, HUMAN owners of ALL BREEDS need EDUCATION and TRAINING.

No. No specific breed is more or less likely to bit or attack. You do not get the news reports about small dog attacks because they simply can not do as much damage as large dogs and people aren't as afraid and do not turn in a report. Large dogs need training because their owners simply can't handle them properly without it, not because they are predisposed to act more inappropriately than any other dog. Breed Specific Legislation does not work and only discriminates against responsible owners. Deal with the deed, not the breed. The media has made the Pit something to fear. Responsible reporting is also called for in this debate. Fear mongering has got to stop.

Muzzling a dog should be based on each individual dog. Some dogs can't be muzzled period...or they could die. It's unfair to slap that law on a whole breed because of one dog. And I don't like the way people are trashing the owner of this Pit Bull. He was leashed, and got off leash on accident. He could have tore off after that dog when the owner wasn't paying attention and if that was the case, these dogs are so powerful that there is no way the owner could have held him back if he wasn't prepared so stop him. This article doesn't state if the dog was being aggressive or playful. It could have been his sheer strength that killed this poor little dog by accident; Not aggression at all. I have a Pit who is almost 80 lbs. He is so strong and doesn't have a mean bone in his body...but I always have bruises on my legs from him running at me full force to give me kisses and play...just because his block head slams into me!! I also have a toy poodle and a Shih Tzu that he plays with and it's in their nature to go for their necks...even in play...at least that's what I see...so who knows what went down in this scenario...the only way I see the owner being irresponsible is that unless he uses his male dog for breeding purposes, he should have neutered him. In all my research and in all the people I talk to, it HUGELY influences the aggression in male Pits.

@ Wally, you are extremely uneducated about breeds, when you spew your garbage it just spreads more ignorance. In regards to bully breeds being muzzled. No! All dogs should not pay the price over one man's lack of control over his dog . Clearly this man is not a very responsible owner as the dog is intact & does not have his tags in order. If he owned any type of dog it would probably have been the same. Unfortunately bully breeds are at the moment a status symbol for wanna be tough guys :/ stop BSL !!!!!!!!

Despite a plethora of research, reports, and testimonies, it's amazing that pitbulls are still misrepresented. horrible pet owners commit derelict acts which perpetuate society's misconception of large breed, nomatter how man responsible owners there may be in the world. We see you good owners, and we know you're out there! Thanks for making the world a better place. Nevertheless, the question at hand relates more to public safety than dog ownership. I say this as a former rottweiler owner..had 2 and a German shep @ the same time while living in NY...I hated that MY dogs had to be muzzled (and one of them hated it too). I find it offensive to all good owners and their pets. HOWEVER, since irresponsible owners don't wear a 'Scarlett letter'to distinguish them- or the potentially dangerous behaviors their animals display- from good ones, the public at large must be protected. Is that fair? No! But it's a matter of prevention before cure. It's only a matter of public safety, not a reflection of personal ownership. Just think, wouldn't it be safer for well trained dogs also, by preventing them from being attacked as well?

I really hope Biggie Smalls can be rehabilitated. I don't know what happens inJersey, but dogs are usually put down if their 'trigger' can't be discovered. Sad. Hopefully, the owner can just be ordered to use a muzzle in public, and he won't be put down. It's hard to say,but maybe anew owner? Oman idealistic world, he would become attained guard dog....but that's a stretch! Just hate to see the dog suffer.

I think if you know your dog, and most people should, and what triggers its prey instinct, whatever the breed, then yes you should muzzle it in public, or at the very least have a good strong leash. But making it a law is ridiculous, another waste of taxpayer time and money enacting a stupid law equivalant to BSL

No dog that has not exhibited aggression deserves to be muzzled. How would a rule like this be enforced? Leash laws aren't even enforced due to lack of funds and resources. Why should a dog that's received its Canine Good Citizen certificate be muzzled? Why should a service dog be muzzled? Why should therapy dogs be muzzled? There are many pit bulls that have earned their Canine Good Citizen, service dog or therapy dog certificates. Plus, many breeds of dogs have killed other dogs. A trainer I work with had a small dog killed by a neighbor's German shepherd. Should all shepherds be muzzled? As pointed out above, Labs have killed other dogs. Should Labs be muzzled? Greyhounds killed another dog. Should Greyhounds be muzzled? Beagles killed another dog at a dog daycare. Should Beagles be muzzled?

This is not a solution. Owner responsibility is. If we humans were all responsible, we would have no people killed by drunk drivers, guns and knives; there would be no drug dealers, rapists, thieves and bank robbers. We cannot force people to stop irresponsible activities. We can only educate and hope they change their ways.

Muzzle are for dangerous dogs, not just one breed. What happens when all pit bulls are forced to be muzzled, and a few labs or collies attack somebody? Then all labs and collies need muzzles? Where does it all end? Will we end up not being able to have a dog as a pet without a cage around its mouth at all times?

A muzzled dog becomes very anxious. You would too if you had to wear that on your face. If it is attacked, it will have no defense against the other dog. My grandmothers doberman (yes, an old lady with one of your so-called dangerous breeds) hates having just a gentle leader on.

When any dog has a good owner, that follows the leash laws, trains their dog well, treats it right, and socializes it, there is almost no chance of an accident happening. I know for a fact that there are many pit bull owners who do everything that I just listed, and more. Don't judge an entire breed. A dangerous dog should be judged as an individual.

Cocker Spaniels were very popular family dogs back in the 50's.......then became known for "Cocker Spaniel Rage Syndrome" !! Overuse of one popular stud dog with a terrible temperament created a breed-wide problem. The point is - It isn't about a particular breed - human owners need to be responsible for their dogs. If someone's dog causes damage, harm - the human owner is RESPONSIBLE & should PAY for the damage, for the medical bills. There should be more ENFORCEMENT of existing laws. If a police car sees a citizen with an unleashed dog, get out & give them a ticket with a hefty fine! We can't keep passing laws to try to solve every problem. Too many people want dogs for their "Macho" affect.......& those people are irresponsible regarding the proper training & care of the dogs. Forcing the muzzling of a particular breed of dog may make some people feel "safer" but, it's a false illusion - more education for owners, less tolerance for people's irresponsibility translated into REAL consequences when someone's dog does something bad - i.e. PAY UP!! & enforcing existing laws are the way to go.

Yeah they should be muzzled, by the business end of a gun! Pit bulls are ill bred mutant dogs that should be banned nationwide. Prevent the deed, ban the breed!

THREE CHEERS FOR RED WHITE AND BLUE! proud American with a dog worthy of carrying the name.

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&source=mog&hl=en&gl=us&client=ms-android-verizon&tab=wi&q=american%20pitbull%20terrier%20wwII&sa=N&biw=360&bih=640#i=5

Banning a breed is pure racism. Should all black people wear ankle monitors because the jail population is predominately black,no because its ludacris and racist.

Wally I see it as vic asking a question and giving a response. You are an animal racist Wally. You said all pits should be banned so you are racist against pits. They do have classes to train animals and not just obedience classes. Babies learn from birth as well as dogs. If they are not taught right from wrong then they will do as they please this is a fact in the animal world as well as the human world

Barbara Wheeler....I can't believe what I'm hearing! You actually agree with the above poster that black babies should be arrested before they become criminals? What is wrong with you? You worry about people discriminating against vicious dogs, yet you see nothing wrong with slandering an entire race of people? You sicken me.

Wally stop the personal attacks with me. I believe all dogs should NOT be muzzled I never said anything about people but you are saying we are racist and you are being racist on animal breeds. My other post was obviously removed because this forum is for our opinion on the muzzle and you are personally attacking me for my opinion