homeless people and pitbulls

id like to know poeples opinions on this,i read a book about homelss people of all ages that have kicked it in tompkins square park,in new york,one chapter caught me this homelass dude and his girlfriend traveling around with their,pit bull ANUBIS,,this isnt the first ihave heard of a homeless person with a pitbull,but id like to know what other people think about homless people owning pitbulls

 

It would be difficult for someone who is homeless to care for themselves, let alone a dog. I would say its not a good idea. How the man going to pay for the vet visits?

 

Here's an article that Marty posted on the other forum:


http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/28/nyregion/28towns.html?ex=1175227200&en=f9aa23560192459c&ei=5121&emc=eta1

 

I don't see why there should be a problem. I've seen plenty of homeless people, well not plenty, but a few homeless people with Pit Bull Dogs around here and I've seen them toting around dog food with the rest of their belongings. Now if you want to make an argument that homeless people shouldn't have pitbulls because they feed them Purina, then I don't know. The pitbulls I've seen with the homeless, and there is one particular time that I am thinking about where the lady had 2 who looked just like my two, they were very well behaved... I wish I could say more for other people with homes. Maybe they were behaved because these homeless dogs have all the excersise they need all day and are brought up socialy with other people on the streets all the time. I think in certain sittuations, homeless people are better able to take care of their dogs properly than other people.

To the original thread starter... What reasons do you have to think homeless people can't take care of their dogs?

 

I am torn on this subject. On one hand you got someone going out of thier way to take care of thier dog and spend time with it. On the other hand you have a owner who at some point is gonna put thier dog at risk and eventually the dog will end up dead or at the pound.

Each case is different i guess it what it boils down to. I had a freind who had 2 nice APBT's and he lost his home. My friend ended up living out of a Van for a few months til he could find an Apt that would allow APBT's. There was no way he was giving up his dogs. Other homeless people can barely take care of themselves let alone a dog I agree with GBDJ on that.

For the welfare of the dog I would say not a good idea, even though the person might have thier heart in the right place I just do not really see them able to keep that long term commitment up.

JMHO

 

I've seen this before. Good article.

 

Sometimes that's what keeps these homeless people going, their dog. They are loyal, and give unconditional love and never judge.

 

Thats nuthing.I onces meet a homeless man in lancaster PA.He had 5 pitbulls and homeless and everthing he took them to vets and feed them even better then himself.Now thats some loyel shizzz.So a few of us dog guys got him a trailer and got him a skid of dog food for him.He haves them dogs pamper.Thats what its all about.Last I heard of him he is still there and work in a near by foundry.

 

knew a homeless guy and his sixteen year old apbt..he lost everything but the dog..and tell you what this was the best trained dog i have ever seen..and i have more respect for this guy and this dog than i do for alot of people on here..

 

That was really nice that you did that

 

i hear ya!...I see alot of homeless people in New York city where I work. It's sad.

 

Very often the onley thing homeless people got left is their dog(s), so most of the time they care for them as the best. They care better for their dogs with that less money and their are some peolple with "enough"money that don't care for their dogs. So you never can tell. Never judge a person because he looks a like this or that is what if learned.

 

I would tend to say you need a good Friend in souch a situation, and if you own a Bulldog you cant get a better friend....

 

it is thier proerty for one thing, but in reality the dog is probably one of the only things they have, one thing in life that wont turn its back on them. there are plenty of places to get food for dogs behind plenty of restraunts. i have no problem with the homeless having pets so long as they are well fed and happy.

 

Ummm... if they can't care for themselves well enough to stay housed, properly fed, and not depending on handouts to keep them alive.. how can they properly care for a dog?

 

My thoughts exactly! They can't even house & properly feed themselves, how can they do so for a dog?

Yes, a dog is a loyal friend & yes, the dog may keep them going, but is that situation really best for the dog? The homeless who actually vet their dogs are likely a very, very small minority - most homeless owned dogs probably aren't vaccinated, wormed or fed well.

Furthermore, having a DA breed - no matter how well trained - constantly on the streets either loose or bound w/ a rope leash to me is just asking for trouble.

JMHO ...

 

from what I've hear more homeless people take better care of their dogs then those with homes...
Granted, they obviously won't be able to afford a serious vet visit, but most of them take such amazing care of their dog, that is rare they ever face that...
I don't know. Just because someone is homeless doesn't mean they can't be an amazing dog owner. Just means life somewhere took them down for a bit. Who are we to judge them? It could just as easily happen to any of us.

 

Sure, some homeless people loose their homes and take their dogs to the streets with them, but many of the homeless people I saw when I did social work in Chicago picked up the dogs as strays that were on the street anyway. The dogs were homeless and starving, the people were living on the streets - and they got together in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. The dog is usually fed better than they were originally because the person helps to get food for them, the person gets better sense of protection, and they both get a loyal companion. Is it the best situation imaginable for a dog when you compare it to the best food and vet care? No. But the percentage of strays in the city that would be taken off the street and into a perfect home where they would get wonderful care is low. Not all of us, people and animals alike, have the option to live in the best situation - we deal the best we can with what we have at the time. If you ask me, in situations like this with dogs that were already stray, they are getting a better deal than they had originally. And yes, its pretty amazing to watch the behavior of many dogs living on the street with a homeless person - they put alot of the "well-off" people to shame.

 

No one said the homeless can't be amazing dog owners. I'm sure some can. The question was should the homeless have pit bulls which IMO they should not.

I've said it once & I will say it again: having a DA breed - no matter how well trained - out on the streets loose or only bound on a rope leash is simply asking for trouble.

All of you here know what headlines pit bulls generate. Say one of these pit bulls bit someone in defense of it's master (as homeless are often assulted) or someone else's loose dog jumped it & it killed the other dog?? What would happen then? Can you say "headlines??"

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. IMO pit bulls should only be kept by individuals who can make sure the dog is confined safely & securely & a homeless person cannot do that. Heck, they can't even find a safe & secure place for themselves, let alone a dog.

Again, JMHO ...

 

I understand what you are saying but realize also, how many pit bulls get dumped out on the street. At least they will be looked after by a homeless person.