Informative Essay On Pitbulls

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Breed specific legislation is a blight, born by fear unto the world. Prejudice mixed with ignorance and fear sparked the end of the reign of “America’s breed” in the 1980s (Flanagin), and began the pit bull genocide that continues to this day. Unfortunately, breed specific legislation is an ineffective attempt to kill that which is not understood. Used as a recruiting agent in both world wars, the pit bull became a symbol of the American ideal (Flanagin). Strength and perseverance, traits associated with American identity, were seen in Sergeant Stubby with his 13 decorations in service in World War I (Flanagin). The family oriented aspect of American identity was wrapped into America’s breed through the likes of Pete the Pup on “The Little Rascals”, thusly earning them the title of nanny dog (Flanagin). Unfortunately, loyalty and strength made pit bulls the ideal victim during the resurgence of dog fighting in the 1980s (Flanagin). After the increase of dog fighting in the 1980s, breed specific legislation began its bloody reign. Since the new legislation made pit bulls an illegal dog breed, criminals desired them even more (Breed-Specific Legislation). This created the negative stereotype commonly …show more content…

According to the American Temperament Test Society, the American bulldog had an 86.7% success rate, pit bulls had an 87.4% success rate, and American Staffordshire terriers had an 85.2% success rate (ATTS Breed Statistics). Compared to Chihuahuas and Golden Retrievers who respectively had a 69.6% and an 85.2% success rate (ATTS Breed Statistics). All three of the dog breeds commonly regulated under breed specific legislation scored significantly better than Chihuahuas, and scored as high or higher than Golden Retrievers (ATTS Breed

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