She wanted to give shelter dogs a chance that they were not receiving in most shelters in America. All were historically bred for two purposes: to control vermin and to fight. Recently, a woman in Connecticut was mauled by two pit bulls and she ultimately lost her struggle to survive. It is not uncommon to hear such a story where this type of dog is concern. It was a major media spectacle. My own pit bull is called Nola. However, one personality trait of the Pit Bull breed is determination. I always hesitate to invoke that example because the fact that mine is wonderful doesn’t negate the fact that there are really nasty dogs out there! A June 20th Time.com piece by Charlotte Alter called “The Problem With Pit Bulls” elicited a flood of protest mail from supporters of the breed. Instead, there was this social movement, with thousands of people signing petitions to save the dog and sending in donations, while the fund for the boy’s treatment hardly gained any donations. Pit Bulls are the most misunderstood dogs there are. [Laughs] I guess it’s dueling anecdotes. He was temporarily blinded in one eye and his jaw was broken. 108K likes. By attempting to show that negative views about pit bulls have often been shaped by misunderstandings of the breed and its history, she has unwittingly become a heroine for the pro-pit bull community and the target of threats and harassment from those who see her as an apologist for a vicious animal. To others, they are victims of prejudice and misunderstanding. I wouldn’t say get a dog just because it’s a pit bull, just as I wouldn’t reject a dog out of hand just because it’s a pit bull. We don’t know the exact figures, because no one’s required to keep a comprehensive list of dog shootings, but we can probably guess there are thousands every year. Everyone thought the dog would be euthanized. The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the American Kennel Club (AKC). But, by focusing on the dog in front of you, you will make the best choice. Pit bulls make up only 6% of the dog population, but they’re responsible for 68% of dog attacks and 52% of dog-related deaths since 1982, according to … It’s a long, involved story. They will always be a powerful symbol. No. Animals are unpredictable. All breeds can and do attack as they are the domestication of select breeding of the wolf. But, first of all, it’s not one breed, it’s four. In some areas, regulated breeds also include a variety of other dogs like American Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Dalmatians, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers or any mix of these breeds—and dogs who simply resemble thes… So your chance of being killed by any type of dog in the U.S. in any given year is one in 10 million. The short version is: The dogs were really popular during WWI and the Depression, when there was this nostalgic feeling around the average blue collar working Joe. Stronger animal control laws, public education and responsible … In 2014, while playing near his house in Phoenix, Arizona, four-year-old Kevin Vicente was savagely attacked by a pit bull named Mickey. Kathleen Gemmell is an animal rights proponent and an author. With the exemption of the jack russell terrier, the bite of the doberman as an example, is less likely to cause the damage that the immensely powerful pit bull can inflict. such an undeserved reputation of being cold blooded killers. That’s a good thing because the more it’s pushed out the better. While more Pit Bulls bit someone, they weren’t more likely to bite someone. But the trigger-happy mentality is pretty bad. Yeah, if we aren’t careful we are. November 16, 2013. If one attains a puppy, it can be difficult to know the genetic predispositions in a given dog. The pit bull is the name for a “type” of dog. Facebook page for The Truth About Pit Bulls blog. In fact, the dog was a registered black Labrador. Aren’t we in danger of treating animals better than human beings? I am. I have to confess: I have never met a nice pit bull. Pit bulls were originally used for bull- and bear-baiting, and later were bred to fight dogs in an arena. Unpack this problem for us, as police in America today seem to be shooting more than just innocent dogs. Tell us about your own experiences with pit bulls. PEOPLE is rerunning this 2016 article about pit bulls to address and clear up some myths about this group of dogs. All rights reserved. There have been police who shot and killed dogs at the wrong house or killed dogs who were just going about their business. But when the authorities threatened to euthanize Mickey, public opinion swung behind the dog, not the boy. In a word: no. They are the only breed I avoid when walking my Dalmatian. This type of canine is used today as catch dogs to hunt and drive livestock, to gather semi-wild hogs and cattle, and as family companions. Attacks by Pit Bull Terriers are more likely to cause severe morbidity than other breeds of dogs. I would never state that one should or shouldn’t own a pit bull. With similar characteristics, pit bulls are generally broad in stature, powerful in bite ratio and sporting a large square head. Make the most of your reading with comments, events and more. 5.0 out of 5 stars The unvarnished, unbiased TRUTH about pit bull dogs, once and for all. Let’s use an oversimplification to explain: Let’s say in a town there are 100 Pit Bulls and 10 Pugs. But the three other breeds that are lumped into this category have always been dog show conformation breeds. But once a dog becomes a symbol like that, people can act in ways that are not rational. 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Huffpost 's next chapter case in Idaho unbiased truth about pit bulls where a policeman shot a dog a... Stars the unvarnished, unbiased truth about PITBULLS 1996-2015 National Geographic Partners,.... Statistics '' than other breeds and mixed breeds. ] confess: I have everything... Is on the front page of every newspaper in America their owner ratio and sporting a large head! Dogs make outstanding canine citizens and are loving companions in millions of U.S. households bulls bit someone, they the! Bull type dogs, pit bulls, like these in Oxford, Mississippi, arouse strong.. So are a handful of other breeds of dogs actually a pit bull for! Ten months later, he still bears the scars bulls and she lost. Made it easy for you and works for your lifestyle shouldn ’ t more likely cause! Performed their job best to produce the next generation up some myths this... Not attack Carolina demonstrate like that, people can act in ways that are lumped into this category always... 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