While I am not a pit bull owner, I am a dog person - regardless of breed. These dogs are just the current "evil" dog - previously it had been rotties, dobies and GSDs.

It is terribly unfair to lump those dogs who are obviously bad representations of the breed in with the many good representations of this breed.

According to many sources across the Web, human aggression is not a tolerable trait in pit bull type breeds. It was not tolerable with the dogmen of old who fought these dogs and it certainly should not be tolerable today.

Dog aggression and human aggression are two seperate entities and one should not be linked to the other. Just because a dog wants to eat another dog does not mean it will lead to said dog biting a person.

Dog aggression can be managed. I know, I do it every single day with our 7 y/o JRT/spaniel mix. He positively hates other dogs. He is extremely people friendly, however.

It is true that pit bulls are getting more media attention right now, but again, they're just the devil dog of the current time. There is no reason to rush out and ban these animals with fear-based bans like Denver has done.

What needs to occur is dog owners, in general, need to be more responsible for their animals. They need to know when and where their dog is at all times and keep them maintained, attend proper obedience classes and be responsible for their animal.

If their dog shows signs of human aggression, regardless of breed, it should be seen by a canine behavioralist and checked by a vet to make sure their are no underlying causes. If it continues to worsen/cannot be managed, the dog should be humanely euthanized.

If it is a shelter dog, temperment testing is definately the way to go. Properly screened homes and euthanization of all dogs, pit bulls or otherwise, that are not of sound temperment.

It's called responsibility and those who don't want to take it should not own a dog.