Pit Bull Essay
Pit bulls are the most misunderstood breed in todays society. Dogs have been bred and used for hunting, guarding, protection, and fighting for ages. Therefore, most of the time they naturally become hostile if they are not taught differently. Humans play an important role when owning a dog. You need to have the time and patience to train the animal so it does not become disgruntled.
In the 1700's Pit bulls were used by farmers in England. The farmers would send out dogs to strike their cattle because they believed it helped tenderize the meat. After this was banned, people began to use the dogs in a sport called ratting. This is when a dog was placed into a pit with multiple rats and the dog that killed the most rats was
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the champion. Throughout time, the rats were then replaced with another pit bull which became known as dog baiting. This is how the breed got there name. As the breed has a violent past, society believes the breed is still threatening. Victoria Stilwell, a woman who works with canine aggression and a forensic dog bite investigator named Jim Crosby are highly experienced in why dogs become combative. For the past three years Stilwell has worked with Crosby through the most severe cases including dogs who have killed humans. There have been many other cases where pit bulls were not the only breed of dog that had shown this kind of behavior. She believes that it is not a specific breed that is aggressive, it is the owners' ignorance and lack of training that causes dogs to become warlike. From the smallest to the largest dog, any dog can bite. The first year of a dogs life is the best time for them to be trained. It is important to take the puppy to parks or even walk them around the neighborhood to get them socialized with other people. This will get the dog used to other people rather than just the owner. It's vital to expose a dog to anything and everything you think may be an issue later down the road. With this kind of exposure, they will become familiar with how they need to behave around other dogs and people. Dogs that live their lives chained to trees without any socialization, lack of attention, and training tend to be the most aggressive. It is known that aggressive behavior has very little to do with the breed, and a lot to do with the owners.
If a dog grows up not knowing anyone but you and your family, it's more than likely to become uncomfortable towards strangers. If they are locked up in crates growing up, they know nothing outside of that crate. Once the dog is let free, it will not want to go back to being confined in a small cage. It's terrified of humans since they were the ones who had the dog crated up with very little care or attention. Dogs that have attacked humans were most likely neglected or abused. To the dog, all people are like that. Also, if the puppy grows up with another pet dog that has ill intent, the puppy will learn from that dogs behavior. Dogs were once pack animals, growing up doing what their family did is how they learned to survive, hunt, and communicate.
Pit bulls are not the only targeted breed. Over time many different breeds have been said to be intrusive. The most targeted breed currently are Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Pit bulls. Before the late 1980's, it was very rare to hear stories about pit bulls attacking. Over the years pit bulls have been trained to fight. They have been thrown in a pit with other dogs and have no other choice than to fight in order to protect themselves. People have caused the aggression in animals, animals aren't born with these
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intentions. In the American Temperament Test Society, pit bulls ranked fourth out of 122 breeds. This rank was higher than Collies, Golden Retrievers, and Beagles. A dogs behavior depends on the training and obedience the owner gives it. Pit bulls are known for being great protectors and incredible around kids. With any dog, the proper training results in a wonderful companion for the family. It is not right to judge an animal based on its breed or history.
Every animal should be evaluated on its own personal character. A scarred up pit bull at a adoption center should not be looked at poorly or viewed as a fighter. Most injured pit bulls that end up in shelters are dogs that failed to fight. If the dog fails to fight, the dog fighters get rid of them because they are seen as useless. These dogs are victims of human behavior.
Recently, some police departments decided to rescue pit bulls and use them in their K9 units. As a German Shepherd costs thousands of dollars, an adopted pit bull is much cheaper. This idea is expected to grow as pit bulls are found to be intelligent and strong dogs which is great for the law enforcement. While the breed is being adopted out of shelters, given a home and duty, the officers also get to work with the misjudged animals to show the world the truth about pit bulls.
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
are.
The reason why Pit Bulls are aggressive is because it’s their nature and that’s the way they’re born. Everyone that is afraid of Pit Bulls says it’s the dog's fault and that it's their nature to fight and kill, but honestly it’s the owners fault for making them that way. “‘Though Pit Bulls have strong jaws and, like most dogs will hold onto their prey after biting it. There is no evidence that a Pit Bulls jaw are anatomically different from those of other breeds’”(Lallanilla). They are more likely than any other breeds to grab a hold of something and shake it. The reason why
Pit bulls, like any other dog, grow into their temperament. The way the dog is raised rounds out their character and general temperament. According to the “American Temperament Test Society: Pit bulls pass temperament tests 84.1% of the time, which ranks them slightly better than golden retrievers (83.8%) and cocker spaniels (81.7%), and well above miniature schnauzers (78.6%),” (The Biting Truth). Myths have generated atrocious attitudes towards this breed for years. The nature of the dog to be a protector to children and the bulky build of pit bulls makes them a very easy breed to target. These opinions ...
In conclusion, not all pit bulls are vicious. I mean they have their faults, but don’t all dogs? Pit bulls used to be well respected dogs some even heroes. If pit bulls are around a loving environment, trained correctly, and if the media would stop, pit bulls would make amazing pets. People don’t ever give them a chance to show how loving they actually are. So, next time you see a Pitbull, don’t jump to conclusions and think the worst because now we know you have nothing to
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.
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.
One reason people are so frightened of pitbulls is for their roles in street gangs. They are often used as what law enforcement has begun to deem, 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.
Thesis Statement: Pit bulls are like any breed of dogs that needs to be handled properly by their owners because they can be taught to be less aggressive and more loyal.
...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.
There are a lot of facts and information about pit bulls that the public does not know. The media blows things way out of proportion with this breed of dog and doing simple research can shed some light. “There are three main types of ‘pit bulls,’ they are the Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers” (Pit Bull Rescue Center). The Staffordshire bull terrier is originally from England. When it was brought over to the states it was bred with other terriers and the American Staffordshire came to be. Often times people classify dogs that look a certain way as pit bulls, when in fact they are an entirely different breed or a mix of some sort.
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)
This is a myth. First off there is no breed named pitbull. It is simply a term grouping dog breeds like the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier together. Any dog who resembles the appearance of these 2 breeds is categorized as a pitbull. 2nd it's how you raise them that makes pitbulls, or any dog aggressive. The media makes the pitbull seen as a “tough” dog, and this attracts the bad owners to the breed. A dog who is abused and neglected is going to think all humans are bad because it has never been treated kindly by a human. Imagine you are tied up to a tree, in someone's backyard. The only human contact you get is when your owner comes out to feed you once a week. The nextdoor neighbor throws rocks at you and shoots you with a bebe gun when you bark. Your were never given a pat on the head or never got your belly rubbed. Are you going to react to humans the same way as the dog who was treated like family? Of course not. You have never had a positive experience with humans. It doesn't matter whether the dog chained to a tree is a Pitbull, Rottweiler or golden retriever, they are all going to react the same way to humans. According to PETA, dogs who are kept outdoors are 3 times more likely to attack then house dogs. I agree dog bites need to be regulated, but murdering innocent dogs is not the way to go. Since 2003 more than 450 people, many
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
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
It is the bad owners that give the pit bull a bad name. Contrary to that popular belief, dangerous animal behavior is the function of inherently dangerous dog owners, not inherently dangerous dogs. One fact that supports this is that pit bulls are the dogs most often shot during drug raids(TELLINGS v. Toledo). Besides the pit bulls that are owned by drug dealers for status symbols and protection, many pit bulls are owned by people that breed them for fighting. These poor dogs have a very slim chance of living a normal and happy life. This is not the fault of the dog, but the fault of the owners that should not have the dog, or should care for them better. The dogs that are forced to fight and are conditioned to defend themselves or die. When these dogs get loose, everything is a threat to them and they defend themselves in the name of survival. If golden retrievers were bred and raised with the sole purpose of fighting to the death, they would be just as dangerous as pit bulls. On the contrary, if all pit bulls were bred and treated as family dogs, they would have the same reputation as golden retrievers, if not better as the statistics found in the temperament test above
Pit bulls and several other breeds of dogs that are thought to be overly aggressive and violent are being banned in cities and towns. Are pit bulls a dangerous breed or are they just like any other dog? Many people believe that they are in fact dangerous and aggressive by nature but this is not true. Pitt bulls are being falsely accused for being a violent breed and because of the negative aspects associated with the breed, such as dog fights and vicious attacks, they are being unfairly targeted in breed specific bans.