Pit bulls are often characterized as dangerous dogs that are capable of seriously injuring people due to their behavior and physical characteristics. Some cities, like Miami, have gone as far as banning the breed entirely. Pit bull owners say the dogs have an unwarranted stigma. There's nothing inherently more dangerous about the pit bull than other dogs. It's that they get a bad rap due to abusive owners who mistreat the dogs. What do you think?
THE VOTES ARE IN!
Pit bulls are widely seen as extremely aggressive and dangerous dogs. Critics say today's pit bulls descend from the English bull-baiting dog, which was bred to fight bulls and other large animals for entertainment. Because of this, pit bulls are just naturally more dangerous in terms of their personality and physical ability to cause harm. Just like how herd dogs are more likely to herd than a poodle, it's possible that some dogs are genetically predisposed to being more aggressive.
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Obviously, training and environment both play a huge role in how a dog acts. Critics say pit bulls are just too high of a risk to have in society. There are no real reasons to own a pit bull beside companionship. Banning the breed would protect humans from unnecessary harm.
Based on my extensive experience, I believe that the risk posed by pit bulls is equivalent to placing a loaded gun with the safety off on the coffee table. In my opinion, these dogs should be banned. I know this is an unpopular stand in some circles, but how many mauled children do we have to see before we realize the folly of allowing these dogs to exist?
The arguments made by advocates of these dogs are the same arguments made by people who feel that assault weapons are an essential part of daily living. There are plenty of breeds available that peacefully coexist with human society. There is no need for pit bulls.
Perhaps the reason why pit bulls are feared by society is because we are afraid of what they are associated with. Pit bulls are often thought of as a gangster’s pet, a role in violent and illegal activities. People stereotype this breed because of the unfortunate acts of few. In contrast, society needs to understand that they are being racist towards a breed of dog. Denver’s systematic killing of pit bulls could be compared to the actions of the Nazis during the Holocaust.
...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.
I believe that all people should be allowed to have any type of dog that they want. It’s just odd how people think that pit bulls are dangerous or vicious.
One reason Pit Bulls should not be banned is because they can be very helpful to humans. For example, pit bulls were once kept as hunters and guardians. Today, they are even being used as service dogs for people in need. There was also a pit bull named, Stubby, who saved his entire platoon from a poisonous gas attack. (“Pit Bulls Haven’t Always Had a Bad Rep”). Pit bulls are also great dogs for companionship and to improve your quality of life. As you can see, pit bulls can be useful in many ways.
Are all pit bulls subjected to the life of gangs or forced into a fighting ring? No, but it is the dogs that are and have become violent because of their mistreatment that get in the media which leads to the public fearing all pit bulls. There are often cases of apartment buildings, rental homes or even whole towns banning the breeds without question. A case that is reaching media today is in Moreauville Louisiana, the town passed a ban that originally stated that everyone who owned a Pitt bull (or Rottweiler) had to get rid of their animals before the first of December or the “vicious” animals will be confiscated for "further disposition” and the owners will be forced to pay a fine. One of the dogs who is in danger from this ban is Zeus, a pitt bull who acts as a therapy dog for his owner O’Hera Owens who has severe neck problems that leave her in a brace and wheel chair. (Greenquist) Zeus is a loving member of his family who is being discriminated against just for his breed. Is it fair for a family to lose someone they love just because of how other dogs have acted? Or how the monster’s at the ends of their leashes forced them to act? Zeus is a prime example of two things, one that bans are doing more harm than good and that with the right upbringing pitt bulls can be sweet and loving animals once given the chance. However not all pitts even get that chance to have a loving home like Zeus – shelters across the country are full of Pit bull terriers who need homes but rarely get them because of their
Pit Bulls are without a doubt my favorite dog, I adore them. Pit Bulls are very well tempered, loyal, and resilient animals. Bred for big game hunting, Pit Bulls are strong, fierce animals and people who have the wrong intentions for ownership should never own them. I am a strong believer that a potential pet owner should do lots of research before getting any type of animal, without exception. Owners should do as much research before getting a dog as they do in planning for a new home or any other new family member. One of the main things to really think about and understand is your intentions for your selection of an animal with the breeding of the Pit Bull. If you choose a dog with the wrong intentions, specifically a Pit Bull, you will get a dog that behaves aggressively and is dangerous. This owner behavior is what has caused the current plight of the Pit Bull today, where laws have been passed in thirteen states and hundreds of municipalities, as well as every U. S. Military base, banning the ownership of the breed and forcing shelters to euphonize Pit Bulls within 24 hours. These laws are unjust and cruel, and victimize the breed based on the owners’ behavior. I also argue that the blame for the epidemic proportions that the laws have reached is 100% the fault of owners who purposely acquired the Pit Bull with the intention to abuse and fight the dogs, and that these owners are the ones who should be punished, not the dogs. (Davis)
Media over exposes anything that has a negative effect on the pit bull breeds. It is their goal to adversely affect said breeds. These atrocious opinions of reporters distort the views of the public, making them think that one breed is a monstrous threat to society and needs to be banned. Breed specific legislation is unlawful and should be prohibited.
Since then, there has been a constant argument about whether or not this breed should be allowed to be kept as a pet. No one looks at pit bulls as normal dogs anymore. They are viewed as monsters. They have a crazy amount of strength, speed, and stamina. This can be used against them or for them depending on who is debating the issue of their legality.
Have you ever met or seen a pitbull? If so, some would consider you very lucky. pitbull attacks in certain states have led pitbulls to become banned (in the attacked areas), despite the good fellows in the handful of bad ones. Not every pitbull is mean and bad, and if you have ever bothered to meet one, you know that as well. The major question is, Should Pitbulls be Banned?
Should Pit Bulls be banned? Many people will argue that the pit bull breed should be banned due to its vicious and unpredictable nature. There is a belief that they are inherently evil creatures and that they have a genetic predisposition to be destructive killing machines. In many states and cities, this has brought about breed specific legislation. Breed specific legislation bans or regulates the ownership of specific breeds of dogs, which almost always includes pit bulls.
Thus, they needed to be very strong, muscular, aggressive and have powerful jaws (Roemer para 1). These breeds are naturally aggressive due to the fact that they were purposely bred to be aggressive. Many use this breed for what it was bred for, hunting, and for that reason people should own them. Although data indicate that these breeds, especially Pit Bulls, are extremely dangerous, they are only as dangerous as the owner allows them to be. An irresponsible owner who does not raise a Pit Bull correctly is setting their animal up for failure. These breeds have the potential to cause harm, but like most other dogs, they can be tamed through proper training and a responsible owner. However, this is essentially placing one’s safety in the hands of
The pit bull is a breed of dog with a connotation that has been skewed by misrepresentation of evidence and flat out lies. The pit bull has no inherent dangerous characteristics and banning it would make no progress in safety.
Pit bulls, also known as the "babysitter breed", have been around for many years. Just recently have they started to be stereo-typed in the media and in society as a vicious breed. People in general are not leery or startled by the type of dogs they are but then you have the ones that shriek or make those unbearable faces when they even hear the name pit bull mentioned in a sentence. They are no different than any other breed of dog, just the way they are raised. All breeds of dogs need love, cuddling and human interaction with structure in the form of tricks for treats or certain praising for things that they do well.
As we can see, pit bulls are not inherently threatening. It is the owners fault for the dogs issue in behavior. If society were to ban pit bulls, dog fighters would find another breed to demolish the same way. It is almost like a game to people involved in this activity. These dogs deserve the same love and care as any other breed. Instead of society misjudging a whole breed, they should take the time to meet individual pit bulls and see for themselves how great of a breed they truly
Don't judge a book by its cover. Over the years, Pit bulls have gotten a bad reputation. It is true that there have been a lot of injuries , but have there been just as many injuries from other breeds of dogs. I think that if you raised them in a loving environment, trained properly, and if the media stopped over reporting injuries, this breed of dog would be more accepted by the public. Proving that Pit bulls get the short end of the stick and could make great pets.