imported_Kat Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 I'm just watching a tv programme here and its saying that in new York the environmental health people are using pitbulls to kill the huge numbers of rats :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObedienceGrrl Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Ummmm..... :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuddysMom Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 I guess all I have to add is ... :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogPaddle Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Terriers in general were often used as ratters. I suppose the dogs might actually enjoy the job a fair amount. I hope they give them a good set of vaccines and treat any bites properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllAmericanPUP Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 it's actually one of the things they were originally bred to do.. except the people back then would put the dog in a pit with a bunch of rats and see how many they could kill :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairn6 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I have a border terrier mix who would love to join in the fun. The first week we got her she managed to knock over our hamster cage and kill the hamster. Then she brought it to my mother as a prize. She'd be good at this. My cairn would be useless though. I trained him from puppyhood to be nice to the small animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsailor Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I can definately see where they'd be good at ratting. Mine will dig a hole to China in the backyard if given the chance looking for something delicious underground! Yep...there's a reason Terrier is in their name :Dog_run: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Kat Posted February 25, 2005 Author Share Posted February 25, 2005 yeah I can see how they are certainly terriers! They really were having a field day on that programme chasing the rats and killing them. I absolutely am big time petrified of rats but I made myself watch it because there were dogs involved lol. It said nothing about vaccinations for the dogs at all and some dogs were getting bitten by the rats so thats definitely a concern. :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObedienceGrrl Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 [b]We[/b] all know what terriers were bred for. But not everyone in New York knows what terriers were bred for. So don't you think it will add to the 'killer pitbull' stereotype? I can just imagine seeing someone saying, "Oh, my sweet little Foo Foo would never kill any other animal. See how blood thirsty these dogs are?" Or am I not making any sense...... Just a thought..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crystal Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Oh I'm sure someone will find a way to hold it against them. A pit bull could lick someones hand being friendly and some people would swear the pit was just seeing if that person tasted good enough to bite. :evil: IT MAKES ME SO MAD!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowie-the-Pooh Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 This can be good or bad, IMO. Maybe this way, they'll adopt pits out of shelters to be used as ratters, and when people understand that the pits are [i]helping[/i] the community they'll probably like them more. On the other hand, people can see it as a "blood thirsy beast" type of thing, too. At least the pits are having fun. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Chaos Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 So, its not okay for say a "bloodthirsty pit bull" to kill a rat which most people consider pests. But when their dog kills say, a squirrel or bunny its just "natural instinct?" The dogs could of course get dieseses, but people expect cats to kill rats and mice, can't they get dieseses too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Debbie Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 :o Well I live in New York state, (not NYC) and I've not heard a word about that...... I should think it would be a health hazard for the dogs to be killing these rats. NYC is very dirty and the rats I should think are full of disease and infections. :x I would be very concerned about the dogs, no matter what breed they are. :wink: I don't think it's a matter of people not knowing what Terriers are bred for either....I think most people think of the smaller Terriers as being ratters. And most probably I don't think most people in NYC give a rats arse who/what kills the rats as long as they're exterminated !!! :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Kat Posted February 25, 2005 Author Share Posted February 25, 2005 I would seriously have second thoughts about going to New York now after seeing the size of those buggers. :o They were huge big brown rats with long tails and I had goosebumps and frozen muscles just watching them... I HATE rats! :o :shocked!: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObedienceGrrl Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 [quote name='Lucky Chaos']So, its not okay for say a "bloodthirsty pit bull" to kill a rat which most people consider pests. But when their dog kills say, a squirrel or bunny its just "natural instinct?" The dogs could of course get dieseses, but people expect cats to kill rats and mice, can't they get dieseses too?[/quote] If you are directing this toward me in a hostile way, then you need to re-read my post. [b]I understand[/b] what a terrier was bred for. [b] I understand[/b] that BSL is bullshit. [b]I understand[/b] that any bully breed is a wonderful dog. [b]JOHN PUBLIC[/b] has no idea other than what the media has brain washed them with. It's the other people out there that think any pitbull is a vicious killer and will eat your children if you let them get too close. Remember, not everyone out there understands that dogs were bred for a purpose other than to be a family pet. That is why the world is overrun with breed rescues and shelters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtnek Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 ok dont kill me, but I think its a good idea. terriers were bred to kill vermin, rats are vermin, so why not? I hope they are vaccinated and protected of course, but remember, rats caused the plague in europe centuries ago. and there is no cure for it still. they tend to infest cities because of the garbage, and barns because there is food available. they are terrible parasite-carrying plague bearing creatures. if the dogs are willing to get rid of them, I say go for it. just take care of the dogs (now these are wild rats, not pets. pet rats and mice are different) of course, Free has taken down her share of field mice and squirrels (no rats here thank goodness) maybe she would like this job??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mutts4Me Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 [quote name='courtnek'] remember, rats caused the plague in europe centuries ago. and there is no cure for it still.[/quote] Hey, [i]fleas[/i] caused the plague, really ;) Actually, last night I was watching a show on Discovery called "Life of Grime: New York City," which featured rats mostly, and feral cats. One of the segments followed the landlord of an apartment building which had a vacant lot across the street from it. Thousands of rats lived in that lot, burrowed underground, and they would get into his building, so the landlord went out on a regular basis and killed rats. They showed him using a giant baseball bat, and then he brought in a Pit Bull. I didn't hear the Pit Bull's introduction, and I just assumed that it belonged to the landlord, but now I'm wondering if it wasn't part of the program Kat's talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Chaos Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 [quote name='ObedienceGrrl'][quote name='Lucky Chaos']So, its not okay for say a "bloodthirsty pit bull" to kill a rat which most people consider pests. But when their dog kills say, a squirrel or bunny its just "natural instinct?" The dogs could of course get dieseses, but people expect cats to kill rats and mice, can't they get dieseses too?[/quote] If you are directing this toward me in a hostile way, then you need to re-read my post. [b]I understand[/b] what a terrier was bred for. [b] I understand[/b] that BSL is bullshit. [b]I understand[/b] that any bully breed is a wonderful dog. [b]JOHN PUBLIC[/b] has no idea other than what the media has brain washed them with. It's the other people out there that think any pitbull is a vicious killer and will eat your children if you let them get too close. Remember, not everyone out there understands that dogs were bred for a purpose other than to be a family pet. That is why the world is overrun with breed rescues and shelters.[/quote] Huh? I'm sorry I wasn't even thinking of you when I wrote that! I didn't mean it in any type of hostile way whatsoever. :o Sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObedienceGrrl Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 I just saw the 'blood thirsty pitbull' thing in quotes and that was what I said people would call them.... Soooo soooo sorry, LC. PMSing here big time.... My husband might kill me today if I don't keep my mouth shut!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Kat Posted February 26, 2005 Author Share Posted February 26, 2005 Fleas caused bubonic plague but the rat was a wonderful carrier and transport medium. I say they are all guilty as charged :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Chaos Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Oh Kat, come on. Even you can admit that this is cuuuute. :lol: [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/spiralcide/baby2.bmp[/img] My baby rats were born yesterday, I should be getting two in about 6 weeks. Off topic sorry. [quote] I just saw the 'blood thirsty pitbull' thing in quotes and that was what I said people would call them.... Soooo soooo sorry, LC. PMSing here big time.... My husband might kill me today if I don't keep my mouth shut!! [/quote] Its perfectly all right, I just didn;t want you to think I was slamming you or anything. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Kat Posted February 26, 2005 Author Share Posted February 26, 2005 LC he looks like a little JRT :o I'm not too bad with some pet ones especially the parti colour ones, but I hate the solid colours. Even when we dissected them in uni I couldn't be in the same room. I know people think Im pathetic having a zoology degree and all but I really am petrified of them and burst balloons too :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtnek Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 yes, fleas had the disease, but the rats were infested with the affected fleas, and thats how they got transferred to people, since rats will move into your home if they can. I dont care for fleas, either.... :lol: :lol: someone else said earlier that people have been using cats for millenia to kill mice and rats....I'm sure the rats bit them as well.....hmmmm....how did they, or did they, manage to stay healthy? thats a good question. now. some of those rats in NY and Chicago are nearly as big as some cats, so maybe thats why they went to larger vermin terriers...I think rats are one of those creatures who grows to match its available food supply. as far as bloodthirsty or natural instincts, I go for natural instincts. the people who are sponsoring and running this situation should make a point of educating the NY public about the original purpose of terriers in general, and get the "bloodthirsty" part out of it. rats have been a big problem there, and in Chicago, and I would assume most large, crowded cities. if this info was released, it would probably make most people look differently on the Pit, as a rescuer, rather than a villain. did they mention the purpose of terriers on the show Kat? I'm sure a lot of people watched it. as far as squirrels, I hate to disappoint but they too are members of the rodent family. rats with furry tails, or tree rats as they are fondly called around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mutts4Me Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Hey, you can't [i]blame[/i] rats for having parasites - so not fair ;) [quote name='Lucky Chaos']Oh Kat, come on. Even you can admit that this is cuuuute. :lol: [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/spiralcide/baby2.bmp[/img][/quote] I so want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolk9s Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Both of my girls have eagerly volunteered for critter control. Brittany has always been my 'first alert' system that there was a stray mouse in the house. No rats thank you very much, just mice! Some time ago, I was out back working on something, I noticed Candy trotting about, tossing her head up, stopping, then pouncing, then starting the whole routine over. I started walking towards her, she snatched up something from the grass and trotted off, I yelled DROP IT, she did, it was a mouse. Told her what a great smart wonderful clever girl she was and lets go get a cookie! She pondered this idea for a moment, thankfully she wanted the cookie. Gave each dog enough to keep them busy and quickly disposed of the dead mouse. I think using pbt's or other willing and able dogs to try and reduce the rats on any city is a great idea, as long as the dogs are properly cared for and vaccinated. While a dog may get bit, most dogs dispatch vermin so quickly and enthusiastically that the vermin has little chance of getting a bite in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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