[Lara's mom]

Denmark is looking at banning pit bulls, mastiffs and rottweilers. According to the Danish Kennel Club there has been a dramatic rise in the number of "fighting breeds" (their term) from 1,000 to 20,000 within the past five years.
Apparently, a violent incident is reported once every two weeks. Several people have been mauled and a number of cats and small dogs have been killed.

There is a great deal of concern that the owners of these breeds will circumnavigate the law by cross-breeding the banned breeds. To ensure that this doesn't happen, a proposal has been put forth to kill all "mongrels" (their term). This just made my blood run cold!!! I got this information out of the Toronto Newspaper. Are there any members from Denmark who could shed some more light on this? So far, there is a lot of opposition to the proposed ban. However, there was a fair amount of opposition to the ban on pit bulls in Ontario where I live and it still got passed.

[Lunareclipse]

That sucks. Where I live, they are not banned, but they run loose on the streets. The dog warden picks up 5 or 6 a week around here. But they aren't violent. In fact, most of them are friendly with people and the dog warden has no problem with when they pick them up. Makes me wonder who breeding them and setting them free.

[Lara's mom]

You know Luna, it has been my experience that pit bulls are for the most part very people friendly. Personally, I'm not afraid of them and after checking with the owner, have no problem petting and playing with them.

On the other hand, I wouldn't let my girls within a city block of a pit bull who is not muzzled. Unfortunately, many of them are VERY dog aggressive. I feel that my primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of my girls. They have both played with muzzled pit bulls in the park. I have absolutely no problem with that.

What really frightens me about this ban in Denmark is, how far will it go? Will they start seizing people's pets? That never happened in Ontario where I live. They all had to be spayed/neutered, leashed and muzzled. However, any puppies that were born 90 days after the ban was enacted in 2005 are automatically euthanized.

The proposal to "kill all mongrels" just makes me sick!!! Just how far is this going to go? Is any dog who doesn't have a pedigree condemned to death?

[evanhog]

Really if so i will be the most happiest person. really got fed up with seeing too many dogs let free.

[Lara's mom]

You are missing the point. I completely agree with you that no dog should be running free. However, the point here is the ban, seizure and killing of peoples' companions!!!

[lil mutt]

That was so terrible to hear. As always it is the people who should be banned from having them. Many pitts and rotts have heroic stories around, all because of the loving home..