Feature photo: Author/Above Photo: coral11Nancy Harder challenges the social and legislative prejudices against pit bulls.
I used to think pit bulls were born mean.
I had never met one, but I accepted the opinions of my parents and the adults around me. I didn’t question the prejudice, despite a lack of evidence.
Looking back, I recognize my prejudice originated no differently than other types of bigotry. Last week, Matador raised similar prejudice and stereotype issues in Leigh Shulman’s article “On the Front Porch with a Gun, Waiting for the Black People to Come” and Ricardo Arthur’s “Barraku: Black Culture in Japan”.
My attitude towards pit bulls didn’t change until I met my now-husband.
In a discussion about possible future pets, my husband said the only dog he would consider adopting was a pit bull. I questioned his reasoning, only to grow ashamed when he described all the positive, loving experiences he had with the breed.
Bigotry checked, I began researching the breed.
I fell in love.
I learned that violent acts attributed to pit bulls are not innate to the breed; violence is a manifestation of the way pit bulls are treated and raised. Despite the media’s portrayal of the breed as inherently aggressive dogs with a proclivity towards fighting, pit bulls will not act more aggressively than any other dog if not abused.
The real pit bull
Pit bulls do have three characteristics easily exploited for dog fighting. It’s no surprise that with these characteristics, bull breeds can be trained to harm:
Zoey-Photo by Author1) Very high intelligence.
2) Strong desire and determination to please their owner.
3) Physical strength and stamina.
Cosmic intervention brought our pit bull, Zoey, to us. A vet technician acquaintance told us about a really sweet dog about to be euthanized. Zoey had been abused, neglected, and left to die in the street after being run over by a car.
Despite her cruel beginning and months of physical rehab, she is the sweetest, happiest dog I’ve ever known. Check out the recent “Meet Matador Pets” article for an example.
Since adopting Zoey 18 months ago, I’ve spent even more time researching the breed and connecting to other pit bull owners and rescue organizations.
I’m saddened when pit bulls are associated solely with hardcore gangsta rap, Sarah Palin, and Michael Vick. I cringe whenever someone uses the term “pit bull” as a descriptor for aggressive tenacity; it’s not only ignorant, but that bad word in writing: cliche.
Pit bulls in the news
Historically, the pit bull was championed as a family dog. Petey from the Little Rascals was a pit bull and Helen Keller’s dog was believed to be a pit bull. Understand-a-bull.com keeps a list of heroic pit bull stories and Cesar Milan published a list of celebrity pit bulls.
Karen Delise, founder and director of research at the National Canine Research Council, has been researching fatal dog attacks for 20 years.
She obtained official documents and data from as far back as the 19th century and interviewed animal control officers, police, and medical examiners to complete two books on dog attacks and pit bulls, “Fatal Dog Attacks: The Stories Behind the Statistics” and “The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression”.
According to Delise’s results, the overwhelming majority of dog attacks were by dogs who were treated inhumanely and interacted negatively with humans. There was no evidence of a particular breed or type of dog behind the majority of dog attacks.
There was no evidence of a particular breed or type of dog behind the majority of dog attacks.
In temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society, pit bulls received a passing rate of 82% or better- compared to only 77% of the general dog population.
Michael Vick’s former dogs
Even pit bulls that have been fought are still not permanently aggressive. After the football star Michael Vick pleaded guilty to conspiring to run a dog fighting operation, officials confiscated 50 pit bulls on his Virginia property.
The dogs had been chained to car axles. The ones that didn’t fight were beaten, shot, hanged, electrocuted, and drowned. Many people, including animal rights groups, called for the animals to be euthanized because of their alleged vicious nature.
Instead, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson ordered each dog to be evaluated individually, not by breed stereotype, and required Vick to contribute one million dollars to the dogs’ lifelong care.
Typical pit bull- coral11Only one dog was found to be too aggressive to save and had to be euthanized. Another was too injured to keep alive.
The other 48 dogs were placed in foster homes and animal sanctuaries, with a handful being adopted.
Despite their past, the dogs recovered from the torture. According to a St. Petersburg Times article about Michael Vick’s former dogs:
More than a year after being confiscated from Vick’s property, Leo, a tan, muscular pit bull, visits cancer patients as a certified therapy dog in California. Hector, who bears deep scars on his chest and legs, recently was adopted and is about to start training for national flying disc competitions in Minnesota. Teddles takes orders from a 2-year-old. Gracie is a couch potato in Richmond, Virginia, who lives with cats and sleeps with four other dogs.”
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL)
Prejudice isn’t just affecting public perception. Throughout the nation and world, breed specific legislation is building momentum in policy debates. Breed specific legislation bans or restricts pit bulls and other “aggressive” breeds.
Denver, Colorado banned pit bulls in 2005. As of March 2009, the city of Denver euthanized at least 1,667 pit bulls in gas chambers. Pit bull owners had two choices when they enacted the ban: inhumanely euthanize their family dogs or send them away.
Denver is not the only place that’s passed BSL.
Pit bull owners had two choices when they enacted the ban: inhumanely euthanize their family dogs or send them away.
Cities and regions across the US, Canada, and 14 other countries have banned, restricted or are considering breed specific legislation. Air France, Continental Airlines, and British Airways also embargo pit bull type dogs on their flights due to safety concerns.
Reasons BSL doesn’t work
The laws may originate out of concern for public safety, but BSL hasn’t worked and doesn’t work for six reasons
1) Dog attacks aren’t disproportionately pit bulls; it only seems that way because of media portrayal.
2) The laws don’t fix the real issue: encouraging responsible pet ownership and punishing abusive and irresponsible owners.
3) Banning pit bulls creates a black market of mis-bred and abused dogs.
Pit bull at the pound- meagan4) Defining breeds is problematic. A dog can still be defined as a pit bull or other banned breed if they carry certain physical characteristics, even if the dog is a mixed breed. The pit bull breed, for example, can encompass the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, dogs with mixes of these breeds, even the American Bulldog and Bull Terrier.
5) It’s more expensive. According to Prince George County’s assessment of BSL, it costs $68,000 to confiscate and euthanize a single pit bull. Gas chambers, like those in Denver, lessen the economic blow, but millions of dollars are still spent enforcing the ban. Those dollars could be allocated to promoting responsible pet ownership, punishing abusive owners, and contributing to other important issues like education and health care.
6) 4 million dogs are euthanized per year in the United States. With BSL, dogs are confiscated that actually have homes, adding to the number of dog deaths per year.
Outlawing and discriminating against pit bulls and other breeds is shallow and harmful. Negative group think and propaganda is no reason to hold a prejudice based on race, gender, religion, nationality…or breed.
What you can do:
Support your local pit bull rescue through donating, fostering, and volunteering.
Adopt a pit bull if you believe the breed works for your lifestyle.
Follow these tips to see if BSL is being proposed in your area.
Write your congressman about the issue.
Visit these websites and blogs for more information:
Dog Politics, Stop BSL, Anti-BSL, Understand A Bull, Pitbull Lovers, Molosos y Terriers, KC Dog Blog
COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
How do you feel about BSL and pit bulls? What associations do you have with pit bulls?
Are you considering bringing a dog into your family? Read “So You Think You Want a Dog? Four Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Dog.”
About the Author
Related Posts
46 Comments... join the discussion!
-
-
I am 47 and have had 5 Pits during my life. They are the best dogs in the world. Sweet, loving, and loyal, the only time I every saw them upset was if they felt I or my family were threatened. My current little pup, Pandora, is so beautiful. She is a sweet little blonde with black markings, and a fatal love of people. She loves everyone. She has never been mistreated and she is amazingly smart. I can’t even begin to tell you of the intelligence. This breed is nothing to be scared of and I would love to see their bad reputation overturned.
↵ -
This is great, Nancy. I’m a firm believer in the owners are responsible for training and (for the most part) their dogs’ actions, especially with a powerful dog such as the Pit Bull. It infuriates and disgusts me that people turn these beautiful animals into killers.
↵ -
Thank you for this post. We had a foster pit bull back in San Francisco and I have loved them since. It upsets me the way pit bulls are commonly perceived, it’s not justified.
↵ -
We rescued a dog from a great pit bull rescue organization just in time for Christmas this past December. We met a lot of amazing dogs along the way, most of which were just moments away from being put down at local kill shelters. This is how I learned that many pit bulls are immediately cast as “unadoptable” and euthanized almost immediately upon arriving in shelters. The shelter deemed our dog as “vicious.” He’s currently sprawled on the floor at my feet, his neck warming my toes while I watch TV.
If pit bulls are vicious, I think mine is defective.
Also, check out this great blog about some great pits who survived Michael Vick: http://vickdogsblog.blogspot.com/
↵ -
Hi Sarah-thanks for your story. Our dog, Zoey, is curled up at my side right now too. And thanks for sharing the Vick Dog Blog link. I’m glad to see the public can keep up with Vick’s former dogs and hear their recovery stories.
↵ -
YES. Nancy, I’ve wanted to see an article like this for awhile now.
I want a pit bull, but apartment/travel restrictions have been keeping me from doing it. And it’s ridiculous – they are wonderful dogs, for all the reasons you just listed. Thank you for expressing how I feel about it out there so coherently!!!
↵ -
Nancy, thank you so much for speaking up for the pits.
I, too, have been recently made aware of my bigotry thanks to anti- breed specific legislation activists. The preconcieved public perception is so strong that I didn’t even realize it went against my own experience – the only dog that ever attacked me was a Golden Retriever!
I recomment this very well thought-out essay by Malcolm Gladwell on breed profiling, racial profiling, and, beyond even ethical considerations, why neither are efficient.
http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_02_06_a_pitbull.html↵ -
Aelle-thanks for the Malcom Gladwell link. I’m a fan of Outliers, but had no idea he wrote this. What a great article.
↵ -
I love pitbulls
They are the sweetest dogs in the world. Banning them wont eliminate dog fighting it will just make it more profitable. Besides if people wanna fight dogs they WILL find a breed to do it or just make a new one if the cant get pitbulls.
↵ -
Thank you so much for writing this. I have a pit bull mix at home (currently away at college) and I miss him daily. He’s sweet, incredibly smart and caring animal. From the time he was four months old I took him at least twice a week to our local dog park. He loved it and never once had an altercation with another dog and was loved by other dog owners there as well. We have since moved away from that dog park but he is still a sweetheart and save for a scrap over food with our other dog he has been a great family pet.
His former foster mom (he was found two years ago wandering around a busy street in Baltimore, MD) runs a puppy rescue and frequently has pit bulls or pit bull mixes in addition to her own pit bull since most rescues will not keep them long (the local Animal Control is full of pit bulls). This woman does great work with her dogs and works hard to find them good homes.
I am so glad to see this article and will continue to look up pit bull rescues in my area that could use my help when I’m not home with mine. Thanks again!
↵ -
Nancy, you totally outdid yourself with this one, great stuff and I’m so happy someone finally picked up this topic. The story about Vick’s dogs is incredible. And thank you for the resources! I feel like adopting one now.
↵ -
Nancy, really enjoyed reading this. It breaks my heart to see abused dogs. It’s even worse when people assume the dogs won’t recover and have them put down. I’m so glad you bring that up in the piece. Also love all the photos you’ve used. Talk about gorgeous faces!
↵ -
Great story Nancy. That makes me want to go hug our Pitbull Zoey.
Loved hearing that the Vick dogs have found happy homes. I’m gonna go email my Congressman right now about legislation to resend these archaic, misguided laws.
↵ -
Thanks so much for this! I’ve had my Pit Bull, Kisses, for 2 years now and still have some friends that are apprehensive around her. The 15 lb Jack Russel Terrier I had growing up was more violent than my 60lb pit is now.
↵ -
thank you nancy for help educating the public on these precious creatures. my rescued pit bull callie is a canine good citizen and is training for therapy dog right now. she sits in my lap on the couch, all 60 lbs or her. like a toddler she rests her head on my chest and stares into my eyes while i kiss her sweet nose. this is all pit bulls really want and we need people to spread the word on how they really are lovers not fighters as Hello Bully will tell you also. we need responsible owners to help change the pit bull bad rap. take a look at my children’s book depicting pit bulls as their true snuggly cuddly selves… “A Pit Bull On My Pillow” is a hit, with all royalties going to Carolina Care Bullies pit bull rescue. please everyone look at the pics on my Facebook Fan Page for the book and you will fall in love with the breed. my pit is such a fantastic dog , that i cannot help but cry when i read about the horrors of BSL including the holocaust for pit bulls going on in Denver. ck out the site : http://www.denverkillsdogs.com
and you will be horrified. this is the USA in the year 2010 and we are soooo far behind in our treatment of animals, it is unbelievable to me that we murder dogs b/c of prejudice towards a breed no matter the temperament or behavior of an individual dog. wake up america !!!!!! pit bulls are therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, war heros.. helen keller’s service dog was a pit bull. read about pit bull mix dog Stubby the WWII herodog.
if YOUR child was lost in the woods and a pit bull who was trained to search and rescue could find your child, wouldn’t you want him to? or would you choose to have that dog killed , simply b/c he was a pit bull ??? we are human and can make choices. let’s start making better choices that show intelligence and compassion for one of the sweetest breeds of dogs ever in existence.. and tonight, i am soooo lucky, b/c i get to share my pillow, with a pit bull.↵ -
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply Cathy. Carolina Care Bullies is one of my all-time favorite pit bull rescues. The book “Pitbull on my Pillow” is uber cute and great way to raise funds and awareness for pit bulls.
↵ -
Thank you so much for an awesome and well researched article. Since we’ve had our Pit, Cinnamon (going on over a year now), I have never known another dog that could read our family so well. He will go and check on our daughters at random intervals during the night, and even lets them us him as a stepstool to get up on the couch! Even with our 7-month old, he’s very careful around her, and will lay down to let her pull on his ears and lips.
I took a fall last winter when I was pregnant, and for the next 24 hours, he wouldn’t leave my side… not even to eat or to outside and do his business. BEST DOG EVER! And no one will ever convince me otherwise.
↵ -
thank you nancy for help educating the public on these precious creatures. my rescued pit bull callie is a canine good citizen and is training for therapy dog right now. she sits in my lap on the couch, all 60 lbs or her. like a toddler she rests her head on my chest and stares into my eyes while i kiss her sweet nose. this is all pit bulls really want and we need people to spread the word on how they really are lovers not fighters as Hello Bully will tell you also. we need responsible owners to help change the pit bull bad rap. take a look at my children’s book depicting pit bulls as their true snuggly cuddly selves… “A Pit Bull On My Pillow” is a hit, with all royalties going to Carolina Care Bullies pit bull rescue. please everyone look at the pics on my Facebook Fan Page for the book and you will fall in love with the breed. my pit is such a fantastic dog , that i cannot help but cry when i read about the horrors of BSL including the holocaust for pit bulls going on in Denver. ck out the site : http://www.denverkillsdogs.com
and you will be horrified. this is the USA in the year 2010 and we are soooo far behind in our treatment of animals, it is unbelievable to me that we murder dogs b/c of prejudice towards a breed no matter the temperament or behavior of an individual dog. wake up america !!!!!! pit bulls are therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, war heros.. helen keller’s service dog was a pit bull. read about pit bull mix dog Stubby the WWII herodog.
if YOUR child was lost in the woods and a pit bull who was trained to search and rescue could find your child, wouldn’t you want him to? or would you choose to have that dog killed , simply b/c he was a pit bull ??? we are human and can make choices. let’s start making better choices that show intelligence and compassion for one of the sweetest breeds of dogs ever in existence.. and tonight, i am soooo lucky, b/c i get to share my pillow, with a pit bull.↵ -
I like to think I can love all dogs, and while i know there are many great pitbulls out there I believe the risk to people is to large. Let me explain with a true story. My next door neighbors had a beautiful pitbull along with an adorable pug. They liked to believe their dog was friendly and of no risk to anyone because their had never been any incidence before. One day I heard the two dogs start fighting, I looked over the fence and to my horror the pitbull had the pug by the hind end and was clamped down and shaking it ferociously. I started screaming at it and spraying it with the hose to get it to let the poor helpless pug free, but it didn’t even flinch, instead it continued to shake the pug for 10 min or so until the back legs tore off from the body, It then let the pug go and the pug lay their bleeding to death dismembered by its own “friend”. During the fight i had called animal control in hopes of getting someone out to save the poor pug, but it was to late by the time they got there. That same dog and accidentally escaped their yard a few months before, when my 5, 3, and 1 year old were helping hang Christmas lights in the yard. It luckily took off running in another direction after my husband scared them off with a shovel. I hate to think of what could have ensued if it had got a hold of one of my children. Please reconsider the risk that they can pose to children, and consider this… A lab may bite, but a pitbull will kill.
↵ -
I guess you don’t want to be objective and see the truth, so go ahead and delete comments to keep your readers in the dark as well. Good journalism! I will now go ahead and fight for the legislation that outlaws pitbulls. Thank you for reassuring me about the type of people who own pitbulls. You fit the stereotype very well.
↵ -
Hillary-
We simply had not yet moderated comments. We’d appreciate civility in remarks in the future.↵ -
I was one of those people who was prejudiced against pit bulls because of my own lack of knowledge and my acceptance of media slant. Then I met my favoriate pit bull and all of my fears and prejudices melted away. This is definitely a great breed of dog – very intelligent, loving, and sweet – and I wouldn’t hesitate to own one if the opportunity presented itself.
Thanks, Nancy, for contributing your knowledge and research to this cause. If you can change just a few thoughts with this article, the impact will grow over time. What a great contribution to the life of the pit bull and all other breeds that people have endangered!
↵ -
I agree with everyone but hillary (no offense dearie).
My pitbull Stella is one of the sweetest dogs in the world. She was a birthday gift from my boyfriend last year, and now I can’t imagine my life without her in it. I;m pretty sure shes a chihuahua stuck inside a 45 lb body. She’s the bestest spooner, friendly, super protective, but never mean. I don’t think I’ve heard her growl in the whole year that I’ve had her. She also wont eat her food unless I throw individual pieces in her direction for her to chase. I’m proud to say that she’s actually Zoey’s bff.
funny thing? the only dogs I’m actually scared of are schnauzer’s… my neighbor had a bratty one growning up. But even those i’m getting used too!!!It’s always a shame to hear about dogs being violent. But as many have already pointed out it’s really an owner malfunction. Properly train your animals and that takes care of the majority of the problems you hear of. It’s so unfair to punish the breed due to the ignorance of those that are supposed to protect them.
rock on nancy! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful piece!!! Go on with your bad self.
↵ -
@ hillary -
If you had seen this same incident occur involving a German Shepard, a Rottie, or another large breed… would you have blamed the dog or blamed the breed?
↵ -
Ok, I recognize that my assumption that my comment had been deleted was wrong and my response not only uncivil but unfair.
↵ -
That said, I would like you to carefully read through this study. It not only shows the disproportionate number of pitbull attacks, but also shows the circumstances surrounding dog bites and the patterns that dog breeds exhibit during attacks. I find it sad when society begins to place animal life above that of human life.
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Attacks%201982%20to%202006%20Clifton.pdf
↵ -
Hi Hillary,
Thank you for your apology and for sharing this study. Beginning a discussion about issues is always a good thing and it’s always valuable to hear both sides of the story. I only have two concerns about this study:
1) It’s posted on a site authored by a lawyer who “represents only people who have been bitten by a dog. His clients include children and adults throughout the United States”.
2) It’s self-reportedly a study “compiled by the editor of ANIMAL PEOPLE from press accounts since 1982″. The problem here may be that the statistics come from *press accounts*. The press tend to report pit bull attacks at a much higher percentage than other breeds. Why? Because it sells more stories. The study I posted, by Karen Delise, was done over twenty years and looked at official documents over the last two centuries and incorporated extensive interviews.
↵ -
I didn’t even know what a pit bull was until I moved to Philadelphia. Then they were everywhere and they were great!! I absolutely DID NOT want a bully breed, not because i thought they were dangerous but because terriers have a ton of energy, and I do not. Well i may not have wanted one but I was destined to have one. After moving into the city a badly abused staffordshire bull terrier weasled her way off the streets and into my heart. Now I cant imagine life without her!!
You wouldnt believe the crazy things I was told when i first brought her into my home. One thing that still makes me laugh was how i was told that my dogs brain would grow to big for her head and explode, causing her to go nuts and turn. Come on!! where do people get these things from? Anyhow thanks for the great article! Bully breeds deserve better press.
↵ -
How refreshing it is to read such a thoughtful and nice story about pit bulls. I too initially bought into the media hype of pit bulls, despite having grown up with a rottie and realizing how misunderstood that breed is. It wasn’t until I started volunteering at our local shelter, where pits are the overwhelming majority of dogs, that I realized how wonderful they are. Out of the hundreds of pits I’ve met, not one has been aggressive or ever scared me.
I also have the sweetest pit bull in the world who had come in to our local shelter with multiple wounds from a dog fight. While her scarred body and permanently sagging teats show a life of abuse, her spirt shows none of it. She loves every person, dog and cat. I’m forever grateful that my local shelter decided to treat her and give her a shot at another life; as we know, all too many shelters would have simply put her down. I’ve also fostered about another 5 pits over the past year or so and all of them are equally as wonderful.
This really is a misunderstood breed, and I love showing off my pit bull to the world — I can’t tell you how many people are shocked after they meet her to learn she’s a pit (it is crazy how many people have no idea what a pit really looks like too…). And while I know stereotypes are bad, I love that I’m an educated, professional woman who owns a pit bull and can show the world they aren’t just a gangster’s dog.
↵ -
It’s the individual dog, but more importantly it’s the irresponsible owner of the dog. In some cases, it can be the victim’s fault (or, if it’s a child, the parents of the victim). Saying any breed of dog is inherently vicious is a stereotype, like saying a specific race or nationality of person is lazy, or hateful, or stingy, or violent, etc….
↵ -
Nancy, thank you for such a wonderful article! I just wish all the council members in the cities currently considering BSL could & would read it. There seems to be such ignorance, fanned by public hysteria, running rampant in so many places right now. Very sad what so many dog owners have gone through, & what even more might be faced with should more legislation be passed.
↵ -
Hilary, I’d like you to read this:
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pit-bull-placebo-text1.pdfThe first known breed ban was in Australia in 1929 against German Shepards. They were considered “killers”. Then they went after Rottweilers, then Dobermans.
The issue with trying to change how the media treats pit bulls is that all of these other breeds that were attacked in the past by the media didn’t involve idiots who were surviving off the cash they made fighting them. All of us pit bull owners are in for a very long haul in changing the image of these wonderful dogs. Even if every other dog can misbehave or act aggressively, we pit bull owners have to make sure our dogs are perfect.
And Hilary, I’ve read about a Pomeranian killing a baby and a Labrador killing an elderly woman, but those never make national news nor is the breed to blame for it. Just recently a mail woman was mauled by a Golden Retriever near where I live. Not a peep out of the media.
Thank you Nancy for your article!
↵ -
Excellent article, but there is one point I’d like to make–studies have shown that gassing shelter pets, when “properly” done (IMO it brutal and wrong no matter how it’s done) is actually more expensive than killing them with an injection. Yet there is still resistance to even that change.
↵ -
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for pointing out that gassing can actually be more expensive. I’ve read varying reports, but it is important to point out that it can absolutely cost more than injection. And I agree that is tragic no matter how it’s done. Thanks again for your comment.
↵ -
BRAVO! Nancy! BRAVO! Mine is right now curled up on “HIS” mind you…dog bed.. with his best bud by his side, my 18 lb cat, he’s 90 lbs. And a 130lb Rotty mix on the other side…sleeping on his bed….I suppose I got a defective one too!
↵ -
i urge you all to go to the above link, and click on one picture. this will take you to all the photos that pit bull owners have posted. just look at them all w/ kids, cats, other dogs, snuggling and cuddling. they are HEARTWARMING photos. these are owners who ADORE their pit bulls and care for them appropriately.
then go to the Carolina Care Bullies rescue page. read around for info on pit bulls. read on pit bull rescue central, and on hello bully out of pittsburgh PA. read Bad Rap’s site. read Best Friends’ site.
there is a lot to learn about this precious breed. there are a lot of falsehoods by the media. also join dan meagher’s page on Pit Bull Positive.
read all that you can please !! and educate your friends. i have a graduate degree in nursing. i wear pearls, makeup, earrings, and am a normal person not a thug. i love my pit bull more than anything on earth. there are plenty of completely normal people out there who are loving and caring appropriately for these dogs.
do not let their bad rap decide how you feel about them. with enough research on pit bulls you just might change your mind.. NO dog should be chained or starved, or treated cruelly. ANY dog treated this way can become easily aggressive. ( read Dogs Deserve Better’s facebook page). i had a very aggressive black lab. my pit bull hasn’t got an OUNCE of aggression in her.
judge the DEED not the BREED. cathy, author of A Pit Bull On My Pillow
↵ -
Pit Bulls are the most maligned breed in the world and the most lovable dogs. Every pit bull owner loves their dog deeply as do Rotwieler owners and no pit bull ever shows agression towards thier owner.
None the less a third of the fatal dog attacks in the US are by pit bulls 1981 through 1992, half by rotweilers 93 through 96. http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html#Thedogsmostlikelytobite
Most fatalities are to children, most bites are to the face. Can you imagine the horror of being bit to death, by being bit in the face no less. What a way to end a life of someone who hasn’t even had a chance to experienc life yet.
Today another 4 year old girl died, the daughter of a reality show star. http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/01/ax-men-jesse-browning-dog-rottweiler-attack-daughter-death-killed/
But of course it’s not the breed, and here I’m not being facetious. It’s the owner. Usually young and urban. They can’t imagine thier lovable pet biting a childs face off. But it easily could. Worse than irresponsible owners are those who value the life of a child not at all, the blame the victim ones.
It’s the owner. The owner who believes their dog could never bite someone is an owner who doesn’t understand dogs. Any dog can bite. An owner who doesn’t understand and accept that responsiblity has no business owning a dog.
Fatalities due to dog bite are on the rise nationwide, and it’s not the dog, it’s the owner.
↵ -
Thanks so much for doing this piece! What a great article to read after viewing all the Matador pets
I really appreciate you bringing awareness to this problem. It’s a shame that most people don’t realize that in nearly every case of an aggressive dog, no matter the breed, the owner is usually at fault. Many kudos on this article! Keep up the good work, I enjoy reading it!
↵ -
I came across this article a little bit late, but I just wanted to say….good job!
I volunteer at a shelter in Ontario, which is unfortunately one of the provinces in Canada that has put this law into place. Oddly enough, the politician who put the ban into place couldn’t even identify a pitbull when he was asked too.I’ve seen first hand what BSL does to innocent dogs, and it breaks my heart. Pitbulls are one of my favourite breeds of dog. I can’t believe how misinformed some people are about the breed. The enforced muzzling in Ontario doesn’t do much to convince people otherwise either. People see a muzzle and they automatically think vicious dog. It’s sad.
Pitbulls just need people to continue to fight for them, and you’re doing just that. Awesome article!
↵ -
I rescued my Pitt when he was 4 months old from the rescue mission. He is now 1 and a half years old. He is the biggest pansy I have ever seen. My son has 10 friends that come over everyday. My dog sniffs and licks them to death at every visit. They are not scared and love him. I have never heard him growl at anyone. He runs and plays with the weimerainers across the street.
I used to hate Pitts too because I was ignorant. I didn’t know he was a Pitt until I took him to the vet for a checkup. By then I was already inlove with my boy.
I guess i got a defective one too because he will be sleeping on my feet tonight like he does every night.. Don’t be prejudiced at the breed be prejudiced at the dog fighters and the ones that raise them inhumanely.. oh and by the way, what about the rooster fights? No one is banning roosters.. hmmm Thanks Nancy for this wonderful article
↵ -
Oh, i forgot to mention this. I was at work yesterday and a man came up with a chihuahua in his truck. You won’t believe it but that thing was eating the truck trying to get out to attack me. He was vicious! A chihuahua! I couldn’t believe it. He was showing his teeth, growling and eating the stripping around the window. hmm. thought I would share that.
↵
