I am concerned about the increasing number of pit bulls (dogs) in our country. I love animals, especially dogs, but pit bulls should not be allowed in public places without muzzles (a requirement in most other countries). These dogs are often taken to public beaches and recently I have seen them being walked on the Cable Beach Strip by young boys.

There are many advertisements about pit bull puppies for sale, which shows they are being actively bred here.

Also, pit bulls are often discarded by their owners and these dogs integrate into the “potcake” population – another serious concern.

A poor little Bahamian girl was mauled to death by a pit bull a couple of years ago and not too long ago, a policeman had to gun-butt a pit bull to get its teeth out of his arm.

We need some regulations on pit bulls – but PLEASE do NOT get mad at pit bulls and do NOT do them any harm. I’m sure they have their place in the community and many dog owners will find them to be as loving as any other pet – just keep them muzzled in public places!

Fay
http://www.bahamaswriter.com
"An informal guide & source of inspiration
for new & not so new writers worldwide"

I agree with you all the way Fay.
Yesterday morning I saw a pregnant Pit Bull roaming the main street of my neighborhood. This is not good for the community as it is a danger for children as well as adults. I feel that Pit Bulls enter into the same category as Tigers and Bears.
If it is against the law to own a Tiger or a Bear then it should be the same for these type o f violent dogs. But action will only be taken with this issue when something happens as you know.

I have seen pitbulls myself, being moved around by manlike characters but mostly young boys.

Let me describe a pit bull. They are short, heavy, broad-chested dog with large, powerful jaws and a short, smooth coat, also known as pit bull terrier. These kind of animals can be in the same category as Tigers and Bears as stated by Delroy.

They should have, they need to have some kinda restrain. It should be every owner obligation to strap those bad boys down esp. in public. Keep in mind of our children. A wise man once told me that pitbulls see children not as children but as a targets, as treats.

People if you don't know how to perseve them, leave them alone.

Until Next Time.......

well i feel that we need to take drastics steps to have these creatures band from are island because these are not pets the people who bred them use them as protection because of their negative dealing i feel thats like 90% of the owners

Many thanks to everyone for your responses on this topic.

Please remember though, that these animals did not ask to be born. They were bred. I urge everyone to be humane with the pitbulls.

Go to google.com and type in "Pitbulls" or "Pitbull terriors" and a wealth of information is at your fingertips.

Especially check out:-
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com - someone who cares (these dogs are often inhumanely bred for fighting).

However, the bottom line is that there don't seem to be any regulations in the Bahamas regarding pitbulls.

Contact everyone you know in government, the police force, etc., about this issue.

And spread the word about BahamasIssues.com, which can develop into a powerful forum!

Fay Knowles
http://www.bahamaswriter.com
"An informal guide & source of inspiration
for new & not so new writers worldwide"

Yes I feel that allot of the owners of these dogs are not educated on how to train them for living in the society around children or other individuals.

Not everyone should be permitted to have one of these animals and especially around kids.

On sunday morning i was going to church an i turned of Balliou Hill Rd. by B.E.C. to take a short cut, through Black Village in Big Pond. As i was nearing the cornor a saw my friends neice walking to her grandmother's house and she was walking kinda unusual, so i was gonna stop pick her up and drop her.

As i was nearing her i saw a big pitbull, comming towards her. I stop opened the door an told her to get in. As i was driving away, another pitbull was not to far from her. They look like they got loose from where ever they were and were roaming the street.

I have never saw nothing like that before. It was terrible, she was terrified. Can u just imagine what could have happened to that lil girl, there might have been another gruesome death what could have been avoided.

Something really needs to be done.

I know they were bred and they have to be treated as dogs, humane as bahama writer states, but when it comes to our children they r preditors. Our children comes first. Police needs to go through Big Pond and also Bain Town and check up on the animals around their. At least check to see how they r being bred and who is doing it, an let them get a liscence to do it, and also make sure they have the facility to maintain them.

People please spread the word around about the pitbulls. Report the people who have them an bred them an don't secure them. They are dangerouse. We as adults are afraid of them imagine a kid when he/she is in their prescence.

Are we gonna wait again until something terrible happen before we take action. Prevention is better than cure.

Until Next time...............................

This is absolutely awful, Sha`bez. Have you called the police about it? I suggest you report this as soon as possible.

Fay
http://www.bahamaswriter.com
"An informal guide & source of inspiration
for new & not so new writers worldwide"

Every dog should have an owner. The owner should be responsible for the health and welfare of the dog and for the actions of the dog. Dogs withour owners need to be put to sleep or otherwise controlled.

Nassau is a tourist town and it won't be too long before one of the dog packs attack a tourist. We will be sued of course and we will be blasted all over CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, BBC, and CBC. Then we will take the situation seriously.

The dog packs have already killed a Bahamian woman. But we do not count. We have to wait until a tourist is attacked and harmed, then we will rush around trying to do something about it. Of course then we will bring in some high-paid consultants to tell us the best ways to get rid of stray pot-cakes. Nassau isn't going funky anymore. Nassau has gone to the dogs.

Don't let the issue rest here. Spread the word. Call in to the talk shows, write the newspapers, call the police, and talk to anyone you know in government.

Fay Knowles
http://bahamaswriter.com
"An informal guide & source of inspiration
for new & not so new writers worldwide"

Hey guys , I realize that we Bahamians like a good story ,sorry I only have a few facts! A pitbull is a dog like any other dog.In the hands of a fool ,he has a foolish master that will do foolish things.In the hands of a dog lover he is what any other dog is a loyal companion that will protect his master with no regard for his{the dog's} , well being. Sha'bez please ask the wise man why the dog that they chose for the 70's Show "The Little Rascals",was a Pitbull. The most decorated dog in World War Two was a Pitbull.Delroy when I checked last ,they told me that a dog was a man's best friend.I don't remember them excluding the Pitbull." analyze the deed, don't punish the breed !!!" By the way I have that saying copyright protected!!

Uncle Bob,

In the U.K., pit bulls are not allowed out in public without muzzles. It's a fact that once they sink their teeth into your body, it's very hard to pry them off you.

I do not wish pit bulls any harm; we just need regulations to protect the public, especially innocent little children.

Fay
http://www.bahamaswriter.com
"An informal guide & source of inspiration
for new & not so new writers worldwide"

I beleive in and support responsible ownership. Pitbulls as with any other dog from the Guard Dog Family needs to have proper Training and responsible owners .I also feel that they should have muzzles when being taken in Public as with any other aggessive dog. An old proverb says "if you don't step on the dogs tail he won't bite you"

Well said, Uncle Bob.

The problem is that there are too many irresponsible pit bull owners here and the police don't seem to be doing anything about it.

Fay
http://www.bahamaswriter.com
"An informal guide & source of inspiration
for new & not so new writers worldwide"

Uncle Bob,

What i told was not a story, or fable in the way i perceived u were meaning, it was the actual truth.

I love dogs in fact, i have four of my own and they are well taken care off. My neighbor even had a pit bull as his pet, and he kept him very well and properly maintained him.

It became a noticeable problem when more an more young boys started to parade around with their pit bull on the streets in the communities where most of the time u find children playing. The dogs are on a leash that no one really knows for sure can restrain them and without a mussel esp. It became even more problematic when i may have prevented a possible attack on a child by not only one but two pit bulls.

I don't have a problem with people having pit bulls as pets. i have a problem with people having them but don't know how to maintain them.

Ohh i never watched the show little rascals, maybe they used the dogs as a contrast. Even though a dog portrayed in a child's movie doesn't necessarily mean that they are not harmful to children.

One more thing, yes a dog is a man's best friend, indeed they are, i agree with you on that but a child is a parents most precious, most cherished commodity. Do you agree?

Until next time......................