Pitbulls Should Be Banned Essay

Over time, different breeds of dogs have been considered more dangerous than others. Today, the pit bull is considered the most “dangerous” breed and has become the target of numerous laws (Labonte, 2005, p.102). There is a long debate over pit bulls in America. One point of controversy is whether a dog can be classified as dangerous or vicious solely on the basis of its breed. Most of the media suggest pit bull attacks occur at an alarming rate and local governments have tried to ban the owning of pit bulls (Enos, 2014). Breed Specific Law is a law that bans pit bulls or pit bull mix in certain counties, cities, or states. Supporters of these bans believe that these dogs pose such a great risk to public safety that a ban is necessary, even

if innocent dogs and owners are penalized in the process (Delise, 2002, p.80). Is Banning pit bulls the answer to stopping the dogfights and attacks on humans?
Pit bulls today have been called “walking horror shows”, “predators of the defenseless”, and the “Ted Bundy’s of the canine world” (Rosenberg, 2012).

These modern references to the pit bull show just how far the breed's reputation has fallen; images of gentle pit bulls on television have given way to footage of snarling, dangerous beasts being corralled into animal control vans (p.113). What has caused the downfall of the pit bull's public image? Some blame the media, as well as the breed's growing popularity with irresponsible and even criminal owners, such as gang members and drug dealers. Others say the reputation is deserved, citing well-publicized attacks as evidence that the pit bull is an inherently vicious beast (Alter, 2014). Whatever the cause, the pit bull's current bad reputation has made it a popular target of breed-specific

legislation.
Charlotte Alter (2014), a journalist for Time Magazine, reports that in the April 2011 issue of Annals of Surgery found that one person is killed by a pit bull every 14 days and two are injured every day. Supporters of this breed state that pit bulls are “misunderstood”; although, those against believe pit bulls are understood just as well as any other dog breed (Beasley, 2015). They are aware of the history of breed, the biology of the breed, and the damage caused by the breed. Therefore, the blame is placed on the dog, as well as the owners and breeders (p. 32).
Pit bull breeds descend from nineteenth-century bulldogs, which were used in England for the popular sport of bullbaiting. The bullbaiting dogs were never properly socialized and were owned by humans who viewed brutality and bloodshed as entertainment. In a bullbaiting match, bulldogs were set loose to attack a restrained bull. The dogs and the bulls severely injured each other during these matches. Bullbaiting was eventually banned as inhumane, and people turned to dogfighting for their entertainment. Consequently, people began breeding smaller, more agile dogs to satisfy the country's dogfighting habit. Breeders aimed to create dogs that were aggressive to other animals but friendly to people, so they could be easily handled (Where is all started, n.d.).
When Britons came to the United States, they brought their dogs and their dogfighting tradition. But as families moved west, pit bulls earned appreciation on the frontier as farm dogs and family companions rather than as fighting dogs. Pit bulls gradually came to be known for their mild temperaments and loyalty and were considered nursemaids because they would watch the children while the farmer worked. In the first part of the twentieth century, pit bulls were known as the all-American family pet (Enos, 2014). Helen Keller had a pit bull, as did President Theodore Roosevelt. Petey of the Little Rascals and Tige from the Buster Brown shoe commercials both belonged to pit bull breeds. Patsy Ann, a pit bull dubbed the “the official greeter of Juneau,” won countless hearts in the Alaskan capital by welcoming ships and greeting passengers as they came into port. A pit bull named Stubby served in World War I, locating wounded soldiers and serving as a therapy dog. During one overnight gas attack, he awoke and alerted his sleeping regiment, saving numerous lives. After the war, Stubby received a purple heart and General John Pershing awarded him the Gold Medal of Valor. Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge all honored Stubby at White House ceremonies. In addition to these “celebrity” canines, countless pit bulls outside of the public eye enjoyed the adoration of family members and neighbors (Foster, 2012, p. 99-102).
Many of the factors that affect a dog's demeanor depend on humans, including proper training, socialization, and the quality of ownership and supervision of the dog. Because the pit bull has the reputation for being a good fighter, people are irresponsibly owning these dogs and training them to attack. Many of them would starve the dogs and beat them to encourage aggressive behavior (Pit bull fighting, 2015). The current popularity of the pit bull with criminals and other irresponsible owners has resulted in the creation of a number of unsound dogs. The pit bulls once-known characteristics of loyalty and tenacity have been manipulated by those looking for a dog to ruthlessly defend their homes or make them rich by fighting to the death in dogfighting matches (Animal cruelty facts and statistics, 2015). In the process of making their dogs vicious, these owners abuse their dogs in unthinkable ways. This inhumane treatment can indeed make a pit bull, or any other breed, aggressive and dangerous, thereby driving the pit bull's negative media image and fueling support for pit bull bans.
Law enforcement should be investigating more on dogfighting and pulling the dogs from those homes, instead of trying to ban the entire breed. Michael Vick, an NFL player, was arrested in 2007 for dogfighting and cruelty to animals. Investigators reported the horrific incidents that occurred to these dogs. Many had large chains around their necks and attached to car axils drilled in the ground. The pit bulls that did not “perform” to his expectations were brutally killed by drowning, electrocution, and burning (Rosenberg, 2011, p. 120). After the animals were seized from his mansion all but one of the 52 dogs were able to be retrained and placed in homes or rehabilitation organizations. Jacque Johnson is a representative for a Utah-based animal sanctuary, Best Friends Animal Society, where Vicks dogs were taken. Johnson fostered each one of the rescued pit bulls and stated all the dogs were put through extensive temperament testing and training. Many had severe wounds and were treated my volunteer veterinarians (Simmons-Ritchie, 2014). Opposing views would consider this dangerous since these dogs were aggressive and used for fighting. Modern dog Magazine recently found some of the dogs; as a result, it was discovered most of these dogs were placed in families with young children and no injuries have been reported (Where the former Michael Vick dogs are now, 2016).
Irresponsible breeding is another factor to pit bull attacks. Breeding sibling pit bulls in order to make a more aggressive dog is becoming more common. The breeder will put a puppy through tests to see if they will be a fighter and if they fail the test, the dog is usually killed or thrown out on the street. More than 5000 dogs in the last yen years have been seized in dog fight raids and most are euthanized. (Cruel practices, n.d.). Moreover, many pit bulls are abandoned on streets and in alleyways if they fail to display the requisite will to fight. Tim Raker (2016), a volunteer at the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, stated, “Many of the pit bulls that come in are very calm and most just want food and a warm place to live. I have rescued four pit bulls from here and have had no problem with aggression.” I asked Tim if having four or more pit bulls together causes aggressive behavior from his experience. He stated, “The only time we see that is if the dogs have been starved, and they are fighting for any type of food. Once the dogs are here, and feel they will get food, then they become calmer” (Raker, 2016).
I understand why people would want to ban this breed, but there are solutions to this problem. Aggression, like all other behavioral traits, can be greatly lessened or eliminated in a breed through selective, responsible breeding. For example, both Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds were once well known for their fierce, aggressive temperaments. Yet once this trait became undesirable, breeders began to select against it. Today, both breeds are popular dogs, but without the ferocious temperaments that they once possessed (Foster, 2012). Instead of banning pit bulls, laws and programs that encourage responsible breeding can ensure that all dogs are bred with the best interests of the dog and the public in mind. Strategies for encouraging safe interactions between people and dogs should address the importance of sterilizing one's pet. Educational programs and laws that encourage owners to spay and neuter their dogs can help reduce pet overpopulation and alleviate sexual aggression in canines. Some communities charge higher licensing fees for unaltered dogs and provide low cost spay and neuter programs, making sterilization both socially responsible and financially attractive (Enos, 2014). Statistics show that the overwhelming majority of dogs that bite are unaltered. Therefore, education programs and laws that encourage or require spaying or neutering for dogs that have displayed aggressive tendencies seem to be a logical step in limiting dog bites.
A lack of socialization can produce an unpredictable and dangerous dog.

Dogs are social creatures that require human contact. Without it, a dog may become anxious and withdrawn or aggressive. Adding to the danger is the fact that owners who do not interact with their dogs are unaware of their dog's temperament and do not know how they will react around strangers. Thus, any interaction with a dog that is not truly a family pet can present a risk. Another way to prevent an aggressive dog is passing a law against chaining a dog. A chained dog is denied necessary opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation, socialization, and bonding with its owner. It may become bored and frustrated with its lack of mobility. Moreover, chained dogs have been known to hang themselves by jumping over fences in an attempt to escape their confinement. Chained dogs are often very territorial because their space is limited and clearly defined; therefor, they may feel threatened if a human comes close to this defined space. In fact, chained dogs are more likely to bite than unchained dogs (Cruel practices, n.d.). Given the effects of chaining on a dog's physical and mental well-being, as well as the statistics on attacks, chaining puts the public at a great risk (Animal cruelty and statistics,

2015).
Caroline Coile (2001), holds a Ph. D in psychology and has researched canine behavior, senses, genetics, and neuropsychology. She is the author of Pit Bulls for Dummies and offers great information on training techniques as well as dealing with the people’s scrutiny for owning a pit bull (Coile, 2001). According to dogbites.org, 34 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities occurred in 2014 and pit bulls contributed to 82% (28) of these deaths (2015 dog bite fatality statistics, 2015). Pit bulls are just like any other dog; such as, they are born the same and grow the same, but it’s the owners who differ (Coile, 2001). Statistics may show that some pit bulls bite, but gives no information as to why. Just because pit bulls are on the list does not mean that all pit bulls are going to bite people. It’s because of irresponsible breeding and lack of care that creates an aggressive dog regardless of its breed So how does banning dogs keep these people from finding a different dog breed that could be potentially more dangerous to the community?
There is no question that dog attacks on humans is a cause that the government should address. Banning pit bulls, however, does not fix the issue but mask the greater problem. Proper investigation to the root of the issue is what needs to be done. Irresponsible human actions will continue to produce dangerous dogs as long as legislation continues to put blinders on the way some pit bulls are treated. Banning an entire breed from existence will not change irresponsible human behavior, nor will it reduce the number of dangerous dogs resulting from this behavior.
Responsible dog ownership must be made a socially significant issue on which communities are willing to spend time and resources. A community outreach program that educates the public about responsible dog ownership, humane animal treatment, and safe human-canine interactions can be a valuable tool in fighting a dog aggression problem. Programs for children and adults can teach potential owners about the importance of socialization and training in raising a pet. These programs can also educate potential owners about the role of gender and reproductive status in aggression, thereby allowing them to make educated choices about the pets that are right for their household. Making prevention a priority also requires active researching and reporting to identify dog bite trends and statistics in the community. This information is vital to developing effective legislation, and requires gathering information after a dog bite occurs and investigating all of the circumstances that led to the bite. Instead of passing a breed ban, a community that truly wants to make its citizens safer must be willing to invest time and resources into a comprehensive plan to address the problem of dog attacks.
  Restricting dog ownership can also alleviate the problem. Eric Sakach of the Humane Society of the United States has proposed that offering dogs to minors for sale or adoption be made illegal. He has also proposed that those on probation or parole for violent or drug-related crimes be forbidden from owning or living with a dog. He points out that the threat of a revoked probation may be effective in keeping dogs out of the hands of drug dealers and other criminals (Animal cruelty and statistics, 2015). Unlike a breed ban, these approaches attach restrictions to unfit owners, not a particular breed of dog. Therefore, these proposed restrictions properly emphasize responsible ownership of all dog breeds. Unfortunately, passing of these laws and providing proper education would cost the government and taxpayer’s money, but in order to come to an agreement on pit bulling banning, money will have to be spent.