Izzy hounded by undeserved bad name

Mr Bleakely said the recent bad publicity restricted dog breeds received as a result of this week’s fatal attack in Melbourne was unjustified.

Having grown up around pit bull terriers, Mr Bleakley had no hesitation getting one for his own family which includes two young children.

“My aunt in Molong had one and I’ve got lots of mates that have them,” he said.

Mr Bleakley blames the media and “derelict” members of society for giving breeds such as pit bulls a bad name.

“These [undesirable] people shouldn’t be allowed to own a dog full stop,” he said.

“I believe you should have to have a licence to have a pit bull.”

Mr Bleakley said it’s a shame pit bull terriers have been branded vicious when it’s their owners who should be held accountable.

“It’s the deed not the breed,” Mr Bleakley said.

“Like all dogs, you’ve got to put the time and the effort in ... you need to be its master and not its friend.”

Despite having no concerns about his dog’s temperament Mr Bleakley said he would never leave the dog alone with his children.

“I wouldn’t trust my kids with any dog by themselves.”

Having worked as a builder for several years Mr Bleakley said he’s been bitten by at least 18 dogs however none of them were pit bulls.

“I’ve been bitten by the ones you least expect, labradors, little dogs but the worst ones are the cattle dogs,” he said.

Mr Bleakley said anyone thinking of using a pit bull like Izzy as a guard dog should think again.

“She’s got no violent tendencies, she’d probably lick them [the intruder] to death.”