Dog owners respond to this column's suggestion that pit bulls and other dangerous breeds should be banned in view of numerous attacks on humans. Some pro and con:

Nick Brinley:

I am a proud owner of a "vicious breed" dog, a purebred Doberman Pinscher. She is my first dog....and she is not vicious or aggressive in any way. Neither is any Doberman or pit bull that I have ever met....The owners are more so to blame for a vicious or aggressive dog than the dog is. The mentality of "vicious breeds" is troubling for the dog owners .... I moved here in July and was turned down by every apartment complex and home community I went to because of my dog. Meanwhile, dogs like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and poodles are allowed and I've personally been attacked, unprovoked, by those breeds more than anything else. There are aggressive Dobes, Pits, Rotties etc., but the number of non-aggressive ones vastly outnumber the aggressive ones.

Realty Manager:

We don't allow dangerous breeds in our rental properties for one main reason: insurance! The majority of homeowners policies will cancel your insurance if a dangerous breed is kept on the property, no matter how responsible or "gentle" the particular pet is. You just can't train the dangerous out of the breeds' DNA and it is foolish to put people in jeopardy for the pet owners' selfish desires to own such a pet in a populated area.... Life is too short and way too many safer breeds are available for families and individuals to own and enjoy as a safer pet.

Chelsea Belcher:

Blame the owner! Not the breed! I have been a pit bull owner for years. I have raised my brother's pit bulls, along with my parents. They are loyal, protective animals. I would not give up my dog for anything in the world. This breed is abused and beaten and mistreated more then any other breed. It is irresponsible pit bull owners that give these dogs a bad name.... Do you know how many "pit bull" attacks are not actually pit bulls? Or a mixed breed of dog? I am not the only one who believes in these dogs, I'm not the only one who is willing to fight for them.

Meg Quigley:

I have been saying for years that these dogs should not be pets, nor should they continue to be bred. I'm an animal lover and I own two "Canine Americans" myself, but surely the statistics of injuries and deaths from the pit bull breed should be enough to have something done. My sister owns a pit bull mix and though terrifying to look at, Cricket is one of the sweetest animals on the planet. However, when my sister walks her dog through the streets of Fullerton, Calif., other folks glare at her and cross the street to get out of the way. Clearly the majority of folks feel the same way. What is to be done?

dmckee9613@aol.com