Pitbulls are known for their aggressive tendencies and the latest case has again drawn attention to the fact they are over represented in attack statistics.
As reported on page 1 yesterday, Liz Smith was visiting her sister in Tauranga when she was viciously attacked by her sister's american pitbull terrier.
The dog
tore off Ms Smith's scalp and left her with puncture wounds and bruising all over her body in a brutal attack that lasted 20 minutes.
One of the most frightening aspects of this case is that the animal in question was just a puppy - prompting the question: Is it this breed's nature to attack?
Most pitbull websites say a dog's behaviour is due to a combination of genetics and environment. But this can be said of any other animal, including humans.
Happypitbull.com rightly says that dog owners cannot change genetics but they have total control over their animal's environment and learning experiences.
Therefore they should have significant control over their dog's behaviour.
Half an hour before she was attacked, Ms Smith had the dog in her lap and was patting it, proving that even with a seemingly friendly dog, you do not know when it may turn.
Statistics clearly show a pattern with these types of dogs.
Figures provided to this newspaper by Tauranga City Council animal services show american pitbull terriers are the biggest biters. They account for 18 per cent of attacks yet make up just 1 per cent of the Tauranga dog population.
There have been at least seven pitbull attacks on people or other animals that have made headlines last year and so far this year.
The argument of nature versus nurture is a divisive issue and one that may never be resolved.
City councillor Murray Guy, who has previously called for pitbulls to be banned, says the solution lies in neutering and muzzling.
There is evidence anyone who spends time around pitbulls should take extreme care.
If you do not know the dog, keep yourself and your children well away.
If you own a pitbull or any dog for that matter, you are responsible for controlling it - and for the consequences if it attacks.
Any dog that attacks a human must be destroyed.
Related stories:
Councillors divided over pitbulls
Pitbull mauls woman in Welcome Bay
