Miranda Kellerhals
Mrs. Ford
22 February 2015
The Terrifying Pit Bull
Pit bulls are the most dangerous dogs in the world. How many times have you heard that nonsense? In reality, Pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other breed. The topic of Pit bulls being dangerous is controversial because the media only tells us about the Pits that hurt people, not the ones that are loving and affectionate. Those who are afraid of Pit bulls have probably never met one. People have turned this wonderful breed of dog into something that people are afraid of. If people focus on the good in Pits and not the bad, then we would not have breed-specific laws. A breed specific law of legislation is a law passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific
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breed or breeds of domesticated animals, basically it bans a specific breed from a specific area. Pit bulls are not the only dog that has ever this title of being the most vicious. For a long while everyone was against the German Shepherd, but now they are a family dog as they were before someone decided that they were the most evil of all things. Unfortunately, Pit bulls are the new target of these nay saying anti dog people. Pit bulls get a bad reputation but really they are friendly, loving family pets. The Pit bull was created in the UK.
It is a mix of a mastiff, bulldog, and different types of terriers. Originally they were used to bait bulls. These dogs would bite the bulls nose until it subdued to the pain and relaxed. Watching the dogs subdue the bulls became entertainment for the struggling class bringing them relief from their hardships. This was deemed inhumane in 1835. Soon after dog fighting became their entertainment. Pit bulls were brought to America by immigrant. They protected homesteads and became trustworthy companions to children and parents. They were admired for the traits of bravery, hard workers, and friendly. These dogs were in hundreds of turn of the century photos surrounded by their families. Soon enough they were labeled the all american dog or americas favorite dog. They were often photoed with politicians, celebrities and scholars. People such as Helen Keller, Thomas Roosevelt, and The Little Rascals had …show more content…
Pits. Pits get a bad reputation because of all the myths and horrifying stories about them.There are three myths that stand out a great deal that worry people the most about Pit bulls.
First, we have the locking jaw myth, Pit bulls do not actually have a locking jaw(Chako, 2015). If one was to compare a Pit bulls skull to that of another breed, they would be almost identical. People think that Pits have a locking jaw because they are so determined to not let go sometimes. Second, we have the myth that they are inherently vicious(Rock, 2015). This most certainly is not true. Dog behaviors, such as viciousness, are a result of bad training, not inheritance. Just because one dog is trained to be vicious does not mean that its entire breed is vicious. The third myth is that dog aggression and people aggression are the same thing. Pit bulls are only people aggressive if they have been trained to be that way, it is not a trait they are born with. These myths are usually brought on by terrible stories of Pit bull attacks. Stories like, a Pit bull guarding a marijuana plant kills a two and a half year old. The two year old was out with its parents and got too close to the plant. We blame the dog because it did what it was trained to do instead of blaming the parents for not watching their child more closely. Stories like this have lead to numerous breed specific bans throughout the country. In Tijeras, New Mexico has one of the toughest bans. They may seize a dog and destroy it without
owner compensation. With these bans come Anti Pit bull groups. A group called the Pit Bull Holocaust believes that Pit bull owners first born children should be killed so that they can feel the pain of the families who have suffered a Pit bull attack. Their slogan is “Ban the Breed, Stop the Deed.” Their website clearly States “I hate Pit bulls” basically they are against Pit bulls and Pit bull owners. In Tucson, AZ, there was an Anti Pit bull walk organized by Colleen Lynn, who was attacked by a Pit while out for a jog. Her story is very vague and does not actually say what she was doing to provoke this dog. Animals do not attack for no reason. Pit bulls are only as vicious as they are trained to be. Breed specific legislations try to make us believe that all Pits attack people and are dangerous; however people who are around Pit bulls are used to seeing them play and run about. These bans say that ALL Pit bulls are aggressive, malicious, and a big liability, but this is untrue. Lefty is a Pit bull that took a bullet to the shoulder to protect her owner. Jeffrey is a therapy dog that helped a little girl get through a tough time at school by being her best friend. Many fail to believe that Baby, a 10 year old Pit bull, is vicious because she save her owner and five other dogs from a house fire. Titan saved his owner who fell and broke open her head by alerting her husband does not sound like a vicious dog that wants to kill everything that moves. The most hostile of all is the Pit that fended off kidnappers who were trying to steal his family’s three-month-old baby. Natalie Malloy, with two rescue Pits, says, “Stella is deaf but she is very mellow and down to earth. She is really good with children, except she licks them a lot. She is really good with other dogs and is not territorial. She is fearless and chubby. She is not timid to anyone and is friendly to any stranger. Joey, however, has one eye and is a lot more energetic. When we take him out he loves strangers and other dogs. He barks if you knock on the door, but we do not worry about him biting anyone because he will immediately wag his tail. He is afraid of the vacuum and Stella likes to watch tv with me. Also, Stella knows dog sign language.” When asked if she would recommend adopting a Pit bull, Natalie replied, “ Of course! they are great dogs, but they get a bad rap. I will still own them late in life. I love mine.” Connor Fuller, who has two Pit bulls that his family bought as puppies, says,”Eros and Athena are two of the best four legged companions anyone could ask for. They are extremely smart dogs even though they have not had any extra training. They also have the greatest personalities. Eros is young and has a young energy. He is always active and always wants to play. Athena, on the other hand, is six and has a bad back leg so she is actually really lazy, all she wants to do is lay down and be loved. They both will lick your face off before they would ever bite anyone. Everyone says that Pit bulls are so mean, vicious and will attack for no reason, but they are not mean at all. Eros, who weighs about seventy pounds, is terrified of my grandparents Yorkiepoo, which weighs ten pounds. They are the best dogs anyone could ask for.” When asked if he would recommend adopting or purchasing a Pit bull he said, “I would highly recommend it.” These are the dogs you do not hear of very often because no one wants to hear that they misjudged something they did not really know. Dogs like Stella and Joey are victims of neglect and abuse, it is really okay to abuse one breed if it is so terrible to abuse another? To conclude, Pit bulls are not as dangerous as people believe. There are many myths that have been busted with science. Some stories that are horrific and some that are heart warming. Animals and people are not that different, there are good and bad people just like there are good and bad dogs. The only difference is we do not try to kill every person on the planet when one kills another like we do with dogs. Pit bulls, if treated with the love and care they deserve, are just as loving as any other breed.
They have twisted the dogs mind into thinking that they have to fight to protect something all the time. Pit bulls are classified as vicious and harmful animals. This is discrimination and is because of media skewing stories, ignorant people that refuse to listen to hard facts, and public attitudes and opinions. These laws against breeds are unconstitutional; there is no legislative basis for these laws. Pit bulls, like any other dog, grow in their temperament.
The misrepresentation of Pit Bull breeds in the media has been reflected in American culture. As these dogs were incorporated into World War I propaganda, they were perceived as symbols of courage and strength, the archetype of American dog breeds5. When, in the 1920s and 1930s, American Staffordshire Terrier “Pete the Pup” starred in the comedy Our Gang, later known as The Little Rascals, Pit Bulls were considered “nanny dogs” and family-friendly pets7. When the media focused heavily on illegal dog fighting rings and gang culture in the 1970s and 1980s, Pit Bulls were called demonic and unpredictable. Through their many roles, they have shown versatility and resilience, and lately they have suffered greatly.
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.
Pit bulls are Good Pets 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 them properly, and if the media stopped 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 can make great pets.
If all other breeds are not judged for attacking people, then why are all pit bulls being unfairly judged? Pitbulls are being banned in different counties because they are being wrongly accused of being dangerous. Pit Bulls should not be banned because they can be helpful, the media has given them a bad reputation, and they are only mean if trained that way.
Pit bulls are believed to have originated in the late 1700’s, when the terriers, typically small dogs bred to catch vermin, were crossbred with bulldogs, a stockier dog whose duty was to catch stray cattle. This produced a dog with a high prey drive with a medium-sized, stocky build and powerful jaws. Contrary to popular belief, the dogs were originally used in the sport of bull-baiting, where dogs would attack the cattle - not other dogs. Since the sport was executed in a pit, the dogs were dubbed ‘pit bulls’ and that name has stuck since. When the sport was banned in 1835, the people who relied on these dogs for an income turned the dogs against each other.
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.... ...
To say “pit bull,” however, is a vague reference to several pit bull types, which are considered separate breeds by registries like the American Kennel Club (AKC). Each type has a slightly different breeding history; many began with the breeding of bulldogs with terriers to produce a loyal, compact and tenacious breed (“American Pit Bull Terrier”). The standard three pit bull types most often mentioned by name in breed-specific legislation include the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. That is not the extent of the legislation, however, which also includes dogs that “substantially conform to the breed standards established by the American Ken...
...e of their loyalty to their owners and how they did well with their job (Foster 54). During the World War I, pit bulls were asked to warn soldiers of gas attacks, found wounded men and even listened and warned soldiers of artillery rounds. Even in movies and advertisements, pit bulls were also famous in the campaigns of Levis, Buster Brown Shoes and even Wells Fargo. And even during the World War II. President Theodore Roosevelt kept a pit bull. During the World Trade Center incident of 9/11, pit bulls were asked to look for survivors.
...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.
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)
What do you think of when I say the word pitbull? Do you picture a cute happy dog, wagging its tail happy to see you? Or do you see a mad dog, foaming mouth lunging at small child? If you are a owner of a pitbull then you probably see the happy cute dog. But if you don't own one then chances are you see pitbulls as mean dogs who are a threat to society. The media has painted a picture in our heads that it's in a pitbulls blood to be aggressive. Due to this false accusation, certain cities have banned breeds labeled as “aggressive”. If someone is caught owning a banned breed, the dog is usually euthanized. This is known as Breed Specific Laws or otherwise known as BSL.
The name pit bull is used loosely to categorize many “bully breeds” of dogs. Several breeds that are often referred to as pit bulls are the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Bull Terrier and most commonly, the American Pit Bull Terrier. When statistics on “pit bulls” are taken, people are actually comparing a group of dogs rather than individual breeds. Several communities have enacted BSL, and many have repealed this legislation because it simply does not work. Topeka, Ks.
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.
A vital question that must be asked though is what is a pit bull? The answer to this has become vague in today’s society, but the simple answer is that there is no one single dog that is a pit bull. There is a myriad of many different breeds that have been grouped together