Excellent points all the way around. I agree that it would be a difficult issue to deal with no matter how it is sliced. Grandfathering would have to be part of it, I have always believed that as well. One issue though - in your second paragraph, I would say that there is a pretty obvious third possibility that you did not include, and one that would at least HAVE to be considered and dealt with: the fact that there are so many pitbulls in shelters might ALSO mean that there is something inherent about the animals which makes a very large percentage of their owners WANT to get rid of them. I don't think it's a one-answer-fits-all deal; it is a complex situation, and each case could be unique in some way. It's just that the only two possibilities you mention seem to automatically assume that the dogs are NOT in any way genetically disposed to their alleged behavior, and that seems to me to be a very unsafe assumption to make. If one were to try to seriously address this issue, such assumptions cannot be made - all possibilities much be considered, despite the loud and vehement protestations of those people who are die-hard pitbull proponents. Unlicensed breeding would have to be made a serious criminal offense, all grandfathered animals would have to be registered and licensed, and a very strong zero-tolerance policy regarding attacks would have to be in place. Taxes could be used as a measure to drive those who are incapable of properly raising such an animal safely out of pitbull ownership, while still leaving the dedicated 'good owners' the ability to continue if they are willing to bear the cost.
From a pure numerical perspective, you're right, that is a third possibility. In reality, though, it doesn't jive with human behavior or the experience of most more deeply involved in the animal community. I was actively involved in animal rescue for multiple years (through my wife), and spent more time than I would have liked to at city pounds. By which i mean a few things. First, let's throw out the bad owners. You and I know they are out there, it's just a question of how many and their influence on the numbers we're seeing. But if we throw them out for a second, and assume they are not the cause of the problem but it is an inherent breed trait issue, what you're left with are good owners - good people, fully prepared financially, legally, emotionally, etc. to take on the responsibility of pet ownership. So are these good people being repeatedly led to believe pits are great dogs when in truth, despite their best efforts as upstanding humans perfectly prepared for pet ownership, the dog traits are just too overwhelming that those people turn to abandoning their pet? That somehow, "word" hasn't gotten out? Hey, stay away from that breed, they're "bad". because you know that people can be very particular about breeds, etc. "Oh, I don't want a lab, they have so much unbridled stupid enthusiasm", etc. What you see in actuality is the reverse, which is tons of responsible pet owners hearing about how the pit breed is actually a great dog breed. Studies - breed temperament tests - actually bear this out. Second, having been in the rescue space and actually seeing in reality where the dogs in the shelters are coming from, you know it's not random responsible pet owners getting fed up and turning their dog in. It's from extreme over-breeding both through mills, random side of the road breeder and simply via lower socioeconomic areas of society breeding for sport or by virtue of not spay/neutering. You are correct from a pure numbers perspective... but that 3rd possibility is easily dismissed. again, look at Vick's dogs as the perfect example. after being through hell and back, a number of those dogs were VERY successfully rehabilitated and re-homed. It wasn't the dog or breed, it was the upbringing and environment.
