I am an Animal Care Specialist at a Florida county animal shelter. On average, I euthanize about 100 (yes, you read that correctly - one hundred!) animals per week, including both cats and dogs. First, I'd like to mention that, on an average day, up to eighty percent of the dogs in our facility are Pit Bulls, clearly illustrating that these are the breed most commonly owned by irresponsible pet owners. This is not the dogs' faults, it the fault of the owners, and of a lack of regulation of the owners, instead of the dogs! Banning a breed solves nothing, as has been proven everywhere that breed bans have been implemented. Breed bans only lead to underground breeders and more banned breeds running loose on the streets, because owners are afraid to admit that they own them.

But this is not what I came here to say. My point is much more relevant.
The most common reason for euthanasia is "lack of resources". This means that a healthy, friendly, young animal must die, simply because we don't have the room to keep it any longer, due to the number of new dogs coming in every day. For those of you who think this is heartless or cruel, I say this: I love every animal that comes under my care. I treat them as I would my own friend, and in some cases, I am the first experience the animals have ever had in which they are truly loved and happy. By law, we are required to keep stray animals for at least three days, and those three days are the best of each dog's life. Vicious dogs are befriended, scared dogs are comforted, starving dogs are fed and every one of them learns, at least briefly, that life isn't all about pain and fear and suffering. They see that, sometimes, it's all about sharing, love and friendship. Then I put a leash on them, take them to a small room, hug them, stroke their heads, tell them what a wonderful dog they've been... then I tranquilize them, put a needle in their heart, and watch the life seep out of them.

And, only because there are still others who need the love, who have suffered, who have lived in fear, who are totally hopeless and despairing... I come in to work again the next day. When you think you've done all you can to help these animals, think about what I do every day, and ask yourself if there isn't something more you can do. If you really want to stop the useless killing of animals, support your local shelters. Volunteer.

Adopt from shelters and make certain all of your friends do, too.
Most importantly, have your pet spayed or neutered, obey leash laws, and spread the word about responsible pet ownership. If the animals don't come into my shelter, I won't have to kill them, and maybe I'll sleep a little better once in a while.

Adopting from a shelter is a good idea. If we want a dog it would be nice to get one that needs a good home.

As for Pitbulls, I doubt if I would ever get one. They are dogs and no matter how gentle they are all dogs have the possibility of behaving poorly. It isn't their fault it's just the way it is.

I don't need an angry Pitbull running around.

Both of our dogs are from the SPCA in Largo Florida. They have been chipped and neutered. I don`t think there are enough responsible dog owners out there. Some like to make the dog mean. Thats just wrong in my book.

I suggest you do some reading regarding Pit Bulls, because the statement you make here is quite ignorant. It isn't 'the way it is', these dogs are a product of their environment, and if you don't want an angry Pit Bull running around, do not raise it that way! Not to mention, you completely missed the point of the OP. Yes, I am biased, I have 3 Pits living with me and am involved in Pit Bull rescue, but this is why I get so defensive and have to stand up for these dogs. People like me, that understand how these dogs really are, will never get anywhere if uninformed people keep posting negative untruths about them on the web.

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