Is the breed inherently dangerous or just getting a bad rap?

When an unrestrained pit bull attacked and killed a family beagle on Sept. 28, a family tragedy became a larger issue, rekindling an impassioned debate about how dangerous pit bulls are and how they should be kept.

After the Argus-Courier reported the attack, comments poured in.

"Sonoma County needs to ban this breed - period," wrote Petaluma resident Annie Zurth in a letter to the editor. She wrote that her mom had been walking her dog a few months ago when they were attacked by a pit bull.

It recalled a similar debate from late 2008, when two pit bull attacks occurred within the space of a month. "Something has to be done," said a man who had been lunged at by two pit bulls.

But others responded with a different perspective on pit bulls, saying that they're largely misrepresented.

"Attacks by pit bulls aren't because they're pit bulls," said Camilla Gray-Nelson, a local dog trainer. Some dogs have a greater tendency to attack than others, she added, but that tendency stems more from the dog's individual personality than from the breed. Problems arise, she said, when a dog has a territorial or dominant nature and the owner cannot control it. But if a pit bull does have that temperament, it can be especially dangerous due to its strength, said Gray-Nelson.

"In general," she said, "If you're going to own a fighting breed, you need to be an experienced person."

Still, the problem remains for Petaluma and the county of what to do with pit bulls that do get out of control.

The pit bull, named Retro, that recently attacked the beagle, will be euthanized, according to Lt. Tim Lyons. He oversaw an emotional October hearing to decide whether or not Retro was dangerous.

Lyons said he made the decision based on a range of evidence brought against Retro, including a recommendation from Petaluma Animal Services.

Lyons said the decision was difficult, especially since the dog was someone's pet, "But you also have to take into account (the safety) of other animals and the people walking them."

Retro had attacked another dog in 2008 and was restricted by county order. He should have been kept inside or in a secure enclosure, or on a six-foot leash if away from home, said Lyons.

Also important, said Lyons, was the fact that both times Retro attacked he was off his owner's property.

Several questions should be asked when deciding the fate of a dog like Retro, said Mary Quinn, whose nonprofit All Aboard Search and Rescue focuses on rehabilitating dogs similar to Retro.

Quinn said she understood both sides of the argument over how dangerous dogs should be treated - her own dog had been attacked by a boxer, and was never the same. At the same time, she said, most dogs can be rehabilitated.

She wondered if Retro had been neutered, which she said can dramatically change a dog's personality, making him calmer. Also important, she said, is if Retro's owner had taken him to training to try to fix his aggression toward other dogs.

Based on what she heard about Retro, Quinn said she thought she could have worked with him to make him a safe dog, but she didn't have the time, resources, or a home to send him to when the training was complete.

The city and county must constantly contend with a huge number of unwanted pit bulls, despite a county ordinance that requires all pits to be spayed or neutered after they reach four months of age.

Meanwhile, a pit bull advocacy group is trying to improve the breed's image and find homes for some of them.

On Tuesday evening, Patrick Bohler, founder of Sonoma County Residents Responsible About Pit Bulls, took his two pit bulls for a walk. The smaller one, Bean, sniffed the cool air and occasionally barked at passersby. Bohler's larger dog stood calm and dignified in contrast, though his massive jaw commanded more attention.

"People are either scared to death of him or they have to meet him," said Bohler. He said he'd heard many negative things about pit bulls before owning one, but that getting to know Bean and other pits changed his perspective.

He emphasized that pit bull owners must be responsible: "These dogs really need a lot of exercise, stimuli and human connection," he said. "You have to make a commitment."

(Contact Jamie Hansen at jamie.hansen@arguscourier.com).

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