I knew that the recent indictment of NFL quarterback Michael Vick on dogfighting charges would renew some kind of nationwide dog hysteria. Over the weekend, I re-read my American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook in preparation for the inevitable pit bull discussions that would pop up - I must be prepared to always defend our favorite breed. This morning, my RSS feeds from the weekend were full of dog-related headlines.
From the New York Times: States Weigh Safety With Dog Owners’ Rights and For ‘Animal Precinct,’ Reality Subject to Dispute.
From The Washington Post: Fallen Star May Cast Shadow on NFL and Va. Bureaucracy Is Foaming at the Mouth Over Dogs.
And do you remember when the pit bull puppy supposedly chewed off the baby's toes back in December? Did you ever hear that the parents actually admitted that the family pet ferret did it, not the six week old pit bull puppy? That part of the story was barely reported.
If there is one thing I wish more people knew about pit bulls, it would be this: Pit bulls are not innately human aggressive dogs. Back in the days when pit bulls were actual pit-fighting dogs and dog fighting was (sadly) a legal and common sport, a dog's human handler would have to get in the fighting ring to tend to the animal's wounds. If a dog bit a human, it would be killed. Human aggressiveness in a pit bull is something that must be bred and socialized into the dog, because it is NOT a natural tendency, and it is actually a relatively new phenomenon.
July 23, 2007
Hysteria
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8 comments:
I think pit bulls are great. I don't own one, but all the ones I've encountered have been friendly. The worst injuy I ever got was a bruise on my leg from a very heavy, aggressively thumping tail that belonged to the biggest baby of a pit bull I've ever met. And he was a guard dog at a long-term airport parking station!
I am the owner of one of the freindliest, people and dog loving pit bulls on the planet. Everyone who has met her has changed their minds about pitbulls and can see that if you raise them right, they are wonderful pets. Of course any animal can be raised without love & care and become a nasty animal. DON'T BLAME THE PITBULLS, BLAME THE OWNERS!!! Just like kids whose parents didn't raise them right and they become criminals, it is the same with pitbulls. They are loving, loyal and smart. The USA used them during WW1 to do things that were too dangerous for the troops and also because they are smart and loyal. A criminal tried to break into my house one night at 3am and my pit broke thru the wood fence and pinned him up against the wall but never touched him at all. She just growled at him until I came at which point he took off running for his life. She could have killed him but she wasn't raised that way, SHE IS A LOVER NOT A FIGHTER!!!
I agree that pit bulls are wonderful animals. Before my family got some bull-boxers (half pitt, half boxer), I wasn't so sure. I thought maybe that there was something wrong with them to have such a bad rap. But it turned out that really, it is human conditioning. You can make any dog aggressive towards humans with the wrong treatment. My parents' dogs are two of the best I have ever had to pleasure to be around.
Yay! So nice to hear about others' positive pit bull experiences. I find that the topic of pit bulls always incites conversation, good or bad. Everybody has an opinion.
I'm so sick of the crap, 'my pit's a sweetheart - wouldn't hurt a fly"
I quote:
"Bites delivered during a fight are typically inhibited--the point is to cause pain, but not necessarily to inflict serious injuries. Pit bulls, however, have been selected to behave quite differently during fights. They rarely give any warning that they are about to act aggressively (some people call them “stone-faced”), and they seldom back down against an opponent. They are more often involved in fights that end in injury, suggesting that a pit bull’s aggression more closely resembles predatory behavior."
This from the aspca, which adopts out many pits.
I see lots of dogs whose owners don't have good control, I cringe even more when it's a pit (and I cringe at the owners who go on and on about how sweet, smiley and fabulous their dogs are), knowing what the outcome can be. How do I know? I'm typing 1-handed after having surgery following a pitbull attack on my dog (onleash) by 3 pits (all offleash). She survived, was lucky. I had tendons in my hand severed trying to break it up. Owner (before taking off) did offer that the dogs had never behaved this way before. Could have been worse. My co-worker's dog was killed by a pit in a dogrun. The owner swore it had (surprise surprise) never acted that way before.
Dear Anonymous:
I do not deny that pit bulls, when they decide to attack, can be quite vicious. My mother in law's (off leash) Chihuahua was attacked and seriously injured by a neighbor's (off leash) pit bull. My cousin recently had to put down her Grand Champion bitch because she killed three dogs in three separate incidents. I understand why you personally may be especially intimidated by the breed, as you were attacked.
However, the hysteria over the *entire* pit bull breed is exaggerated and excessive. A properly socialized, properly exercised, and properly trained pit bull is a fantastic, loving family pet. I have two dogs who are proof of that - and I would never, ever describe them as "stone-faced."
Hi Kate B, I don't hate all pitbulls, I think that in the right hands they can be good pets. But I think they're a much more challenging breed than, say, a labrador retriever, and many MANY owners I see can barely control a lab, let alone a pit. However, when I see an out-of-control lab it doesn't make me as nervous as an out-of-control pitbull. They're different, they just are, especially around other dogs - they're 'stoneface', you just don't know. But in your post you said "My cousin recently had to put down her Grand Champion bitch because she killed three dogs in three separate incidents.", and I have to ask - how in God's name was your cousin's dog put in a position to kill 3 dogs on 3 seperate occasions?!?!?!?!?
Hi Fiona:
I absolutely agree with you that pit bulls are probably the most challenging breed of dog. They are extremely strong, dedicated, and full of gameness. I do not think everyone should, or could, own one. However, if you are willing to dedicate yourself to the breed and give it a fair chance with lots of training, patience, exercise, and love, I think you will find them to be loyal, loving, and funny, as many of the previous commenters have.
As for my cousin's dog, it was an extremely unfortunate situation. They live on 100+ acres in the woods, so the dogs she encountered had wandered onto her property where she often ran loose. The first time it happened, my cousin wanted to put her dwn but her father would not allow it (!). By the third time, there was no way to deny that the dog needed to be put down, and so they did it.
I am shocked by the number of visitors this post has brought to my site. In order to more accurately expand on my view and experience with the pit bull, I am working on a follow-up post. I will post a link to it from this post, so please stay tuned.
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