Talore Roberts Ormond-5 English Honors 21 Febuary 2014 Dog Fighting Dog fighting is a blood sport in which two dogs are placed into a pit together and are forced to rip each other to the death for the “amusement” and monetary gain of spectator-gamblers. Although many experts and their research point in other directions, the solutions to dog fighting are making sure people know what to expect from certain breeds, how to properly train and care for these dogs, and ensuring the community knows how to identify and report a dog fight or report a suspicious environment similar to the dog fighting environment. The reason many dog attacks are reported are because many people do not know how to identify or react around certain dogs. A large number of the population can’t accurately identify a pit bull from a bulldog or a staffordshire terrier. By definition, a Pit Bull is a medium-sized, solidly built, short haired dog whose early ancestors came from England and Ireland. Some of the most popular fighting breeds are Pit bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, and American Bull Terriers. Butchers would use large dogs, similar to Mastiffs, called Bullenbeissers. These dogs were trained to latch onto a bull’s nose and not let go until the bull was down (Bastian). This is the reason people select dogs that were similar to this breed to fight, because they will not let go until the object they are going against is down. A common misconception about Pit Bulls is that they have locking jaws. In a Pit Bulls skull, the majority of it is jaw bone and muscle. With this much power behind the skin, Pit Bulls have a lot of strength to hold on with. These dogs don’t have locki... ... middle of paper ... ...and it may also be tied down (Donaldson). These dogs are smaller and weaker, so they can’t fight back. Bait dogs are obtained from dogs who lose fights, stolen from other yards, from “free to good home” advertisements, shelters, or pounds. A news article reports: this 100 pound Pit Bull was seen being thrown from a moving vehicle. He was wrapped in a Red Food store bag. His ears were cut off, his legs were sawn off along with his nose and tail. The woman whom found him claims “Still, in this dogs final moment, feeling pain beyond our imagination, with only the forgiveness a dog can hold in it’s heart, he wanted to be loved”(Donaldson). This statement proves that these dogs, in spite of the fact that they have had no affection or proper care previously, they still have the ability to be kind and to love, although they are feeling pain beyond the physical threshold.
...ports Illustrated cover photo of a pit bull (Pit Bull Rescue Central, "Breed Information”). Dog fighting made a comeback during the 1980s and the pit bull became the favorite macho dog for dog fighters. The dogs were trained to kill or be killed. Pit bulls were also the preferred guard dog for gangs, thugs and criminals. Since the supporters and detractors of pit bulls hold such disparate opinions regarding the ferocity of the breeds, it is only hoped that further discussion and education will help resolve the sad fate that awaits these unfortunate animals. Simply placing all the blame on the breeds will not solve the problems of dog fighting, overbreeding, aggressive training, and excessive euthanizations. Lastly, the biased, sensationalistic publicity of horrific dog attacks which has destroyed the reputation of the once beloved All American Dog must cease.
What words come to mind when one hears the words “pit bull?” How about aggressive, violent, or dangerous? In many cases, this isn’t actually true. Because of the negative media attention for attacks on humans and other dogs that pit bull breeds receive, many Americans place a stigma on pit bulls, tagging them as dangerous and vicious. This stigma typically applies to all pit bulls, not just the ones that are actually dangerous. To remedy the issue of dangerous dogs attacking other beings, the legislative act known as breed-specific legislation is being debated throughout the United States. Gary J. Patronek, a veterinary doctor, defines breed-specific legislation as a law than “bans, restricts, or imposes conditions on ownership of specific breeds or dogs presumed to pose greater risk of biting people” (788). Breed-specific legislation is commonly debated in communities that have recently experienced a dog-bite related injury or fatality (Patronek, Slater, and Marder 788). However, this law would ban all dogs of the pit bull breed or any related dog based solely on their breed, rather than disposition. Therefore, breed-specific legislation should not be enacted throughout the United States because is biased against pit bulls and is ineffective in reducing dog-bite attacks by ignoring other aggressive dog breeds.
Most of the dogs on this list are common household pets, like the Labrador retriever, and are normally non-aggressive and very friendly. Many times these dogs show no sign of aggression and pose no threat to society. Perspective One Breed-specific laws were put in place with the expectation to help prevent dog bites and attacks. The State and Federal government both came to the conclusion that this is a positive way to promote safety from dog attacks. “Both state and federal courts consistently uphold the constitutionality of breed-specific pit bull laws.... ...
“Dogfighting Fact Sheet.” The Humane Society of the United States. 2 Nov. 2009. Web. 23 Nov.
When most people today see a pitbull they see it as a monster who could snap at any moment. Something that they should protect themselves and their family from; but that is not necessarily true. Is any one man or woman exactly like the last? A human being’s personality along with their capacity for violence is molded by their past and how they were treated growing up; pit bulls are no different. In today’s society pitbulls are unfairly discriminated against because they are favored among street gangs and dog fighting rings, leaving a staggering number of loyal and loving dogs homeless or mistreated.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there is a “great deal of confusion associated with the label ‘Pit Bull,’” as it does not refer to a single breed of dog, but rather to a group of breeds with similar characteristics1. These characteristics include short hair, a wide skull and shoulders, muscle definition, stocky build and a deep jawline, the combination of which create a dog that manages to strike fear into a perfect stranger. The term ‘Pit Bull’ is derived from the bulldog, which was originally bred as a hunting dog for large game, but has since developed into a “loyal companion rather than a working dog.”1 Their history as “gripping dogs” for hunters follows them into modern society, as many of these dogs have been inhumanely pitted against one another as well as other animals for sport and for human entertainment1. It is because of these illegal fighting rings that ‘Pit Bull’ type breeds have become the subje...
Roughly about 30% of all dogs are pit bulls that are taken to shelters which depending on the area that figure can raise up to 60%. Not every pit bull rescued were a part of dog fighting but John Goodwin, of the Humane Society, says most of the dogs have scars and marks to show for their fights. The fate of these dogs remain to a judge that determines whether the fight dogs need to be euthanized. Since these dogs were trained to be aggressive and attacks other animals 9 times out of 10 they are to be put down. The dogs that haven’t been a part of dog fighting fit into a family and shows no sign of
When the American Pit Bull is discussed, the subject of nature versus nurture is often the primary topic. Over the last ten to twenty years, thoughts have changed greatly in respect to dog fighting. Throughout history, several different types of dogs have been used for dogfighting. Ancient Romans had displays of dog fights, as well as gladiators, in their great arenas long before the bully breed ever came into existence (Hsu & Sun, 2010). Thankfully, society has evolved, and so has the ideas behind the fight of dogs. Fighting is no longer thought of as just a game or entertainment by the majority of humans. The descendants of those various animals once used so barbarically, have now evolved to be therapy dogs, service dogs, and beloved family pets (Preis, 2014).
Even though pit bulls are the majority of dog attacks anybody hears about, they are loyal and caring dogs. All they want is the love and approval of their owners. They will do anything that they are told to do. Their strength, stamina, and speed fuel the passion they have for their owners. Pit bulls are not vicious by nature; they are good guard dogs fueled by the love for their family; and, they are definitely loyal friends. They have a lower temperament than many other well-known breeds; therefore, they are not vicious by nature at all. They are very strong guard dogs. Pit bulls are known to be a scary breed, so people stay away from them. They have an amazing amount of speed and stamina that they can use to chase predators away, too. Pit bulls are the best friends anyone could ask for. They are loyal and loving creatures that just want to please their family. They are good dogs to train to be around children. If the children are a part of the dog’s family, then the dog will protect the child at all costs. Pit bulls are a good breed to have as a family
Some may disagree and remain to believe that pit bulls are naturally dangerous. They may bring up the statement that they have locking jaws. “No breed of dog has a locking jaw, this myth again refers to the tenaciousness of these breeds of dog” (WhataPittie.org, 1). Others could argue that pit bulls are still aggressive, even though dog fighting is coming to an end. The reputable website shows statistics saying that:
Nationwide, approximately 50 percent of all children will be bitten by a dog before they reach the age of twelve (DeIorio, “Have a Dog-Bite-Free Summer”). In Marion County, Florida, aggressive and dangerous breads of dogs are a “serious issue” for the community according to Marion County Commissioner Jim Payton (Thompson, “County drops '1 free kill'”). Responsible dog owners seem to be unaware of the problem but area residents who have been victims of these attacks have turned to the Marion County Board of Commissioners for help. The local County Commissioners have been wrestling with this issue since October of 2009 when a widow from Ocklawaha, Patricia McBee, had three of her dogs euthanized after they allegedly killed her neighbor’s cat (Thompson, “County drops ‘1 free kill’”). The need for change moved even faster after a 3-year-old little girl was attacked and killed by a dog that was chained to a tree outside her house in Citra (Lee, “Girl, 3, mauled”).
They can suddenly become killing machines and destroy everything including kill people. They even hurt their owners when they are unhappy. The dogs stand about 50cm high and weigh between 25kg to 40kg. If they want to hurt people, nothing can stop them. Steve Austin, who is elite dog trainer, said, “Anyone who has a pit bull would never admit it.” In April 26, 2014, the events is from the Daily Telegraph reported by Janet Fife-Yeomans. Pandelis Germanos, who has Caeser and another four pitbull-type dogs which is to prevent his house was got hurt from his Caesar and another four Pitbull-type dogs. When she tried to pull Caesar off her mother, she lost his two fingers. Another true event happened in 27 May, 2013, this events’ source is from The Daily Telegragh. Three vicious dogs savaged a man who is jogging. Due to a neighbours’ help, he did not die. Chris Thompson who was one of the people that fend off the dogs said that he had grabbed a pot plant and cracked it over one dog’s head and the shock made them disperse but then they came back and latched onto another person’s hand. A hard pot plant cannot cause any injury on the dog. Mr Keith Kirkpatrick, who is a Brisbane dog trainer and adviser to Brisbane City Council has said, “They’re not a good guard dog because when they bite they switch off. You can tap them on the head but there’s nobody home and their plan threshold is
Animal rights can defined as the idea that some, or all non-human animals are entitled to the possession of their own lives and that their most basic interests should be afforded the same consideration as similar interests of human beings. Animal rights can help protect the animals who experience research and testing that could be fatal towards them. The idea of animal rights protects too the use of dogs for fighting and baiting. Finally, animal rights affects the farms across america, limiting what animals can be slaughtered. The bottom line is, there is too much being done to these animals that most do not know about.
“If somebody is too stupid to understand the fundamental immorality of dog fighting, you’re never going to be able to explain it to him” (Kevin Hench). Most people think that pit bulls have locking jaws. This is false however; no dog breed in the whole world has locking jaws. Dogs are not always aggressive how they are raised and trained determines the behavior of a dog. Dogs have tendencies to be aggressive only if not trained properly. The discrimination against pit bulls is wrong and uncalled for. Pit bulls are not the only culprits of attacks and death to humans. Dog fighting and stray pits are the fault of the people who own them. It is man kind’s job to take care of and be responsible for their dogs. Why should the dogs be punished for the actions of their owners? Pit bulls especially take the blame more than any other breed. This is an excellent breed if trained correctly. Pit bulls make excellent family pets to own because of the facts, traits, and the standards and guidelines for breeding and training associated with these breeds.
Currently, pit bulls have been reported by the media with very horrific and disturbing news of having attacked a child or being shot by a police due to aggression while some are reported to have been abused or neglected by its owners (Forderer and Unkelbach 534). And because the reports keep coming with heated discussions, more and more people have forged a frightening image of pit bulls even to the extreme of refusing to take care of such breed. Pit bull advocates claim that the dogs get a bad reputation considering that people should learn the dogs are not inherently aggressive. What the pit bull advocates would like to point is that the owners of the pit bulls should be considered guilty for mishandling of their own dogs. There are owners of pit bulls that even encourage the dog to be aggressive in order to fight and protect them in a wrong manner and wrong degree of training (Forderer and Unkelbach 536). Pit bull advocates claimed that a well socialized and well trained pit bull would be very intelligent and could be one of the gentle dogs imaginable.