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by Ductapemaster 691 days ago
I respect your space to air your opinions, but you are not doing so in a respectful or persuasive way. I'm sorry for whatever experiences have made you feel like dogs have no place in modern society. I wholeheartedly disagree.

At no point did I admit anything about my dog being aggressive towards humans. I speak from my experience spending my life around animals, having gone through the adoption process at a "difficult" shelter, and having to manage my dog's incompatibility and aggression towards other dogs.

In addition to interpreting my comment in the worst way possible, you are quick to dismiss the fact that dogs are conscious beings with their own emotions, past history, skills, and evolutionary training. As their handlers, I agree with you that we are absolutely responsible for their actions — that is the implicit choice in having a pet. However that does not mean we can predict their actions at all times.

Any dog can be provoked with the right stimulus, as can any human. I do not agree that applying absolutes in response to risk in the complex interactions between various animal groups, including humans, is a sensible or reasonable approach.

Also, your comment below "Shelter dogs do not have this training and are aggressive!" is extremely uninformed and incorrect. This is your opinion, not a fact. Espousing this attitude hurts the work that shelters are doing, reinforces dangerous stereotypes for specific dog breeds, and does a disservice to those who choose to adopt a pet.