Give Pit Bulls a Chance

Why You Need To Give Pit Bulls A Chance

As Cesar Millan says:    In the 70's they blamed the Dobermans

               In the 80's they blamed the German Shepherds

   In the 90's they blamed the Rottweilers

Now they blame the Pit Bulls

In a study evaluating canine temperament, 82% of dogs receive a passing score.  Pit Bulls consistently score above average.

There are a number of risk factors correlated with dog bites, however evidence suggests that breed is not among them.

97% of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks in 2006 were not spayed/neutered.

More than 70% of dog bites in 2006 were from unneutered male dogs.

An unneutered male dog is 2.6X more likely to bite than a neutered dog.

Chained dogs are 2.8X more likely to bite.

The media tends to be biased against Pit Bulls.  In a 2007 four day study two mixed breed dogs and one Labrador mix sent people to the hospital in critical condition in two cases and fatal in one case.  They were reported in the local paper only.  A 59 year old woman was hospitalized with severe injuries following an attack by two Pit Bulls. Mentioned in more than 230 newspaper articles worldwide and televised on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX

Breed Specific Legislation does not work.

The National Canine Research Council studied 20 years of dog fatality research to conclude that “No breed of dog has a particular method of attack or inflicts an exclusive type of injury.”

BSL restrictions are enforced by appearance. However, misidentification of breeds by the

general public and other untrained people renders this method unreliable.

When it comes to animal abuse there is no blaming the animal.  Pit Bull types are targets of human abuse more than any other breed.

As of July 2012, there were 10,728 total canine abuse cases

77.5% were cases involving Pit Bulls

Problems are not always attributed to how they are raised.  Many of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring have been rehabilitated as therapy dogs. They go to schools, libraries, hospitals and nursing homes.  Dogs from cruelty cases can be changed by a little love, food and socialization.  There are some dogs that you can’t make mean even if you try.

Now to tell you about my Pit Bull.  He was taken in a cruelty case.  He was living on the end of a thick chain, weighing less than 34 pounds(half of what he should weigh) and covered in his own filth.  There was no food or water on the small porch he was living on. Even though he was living in these conditions, he chose to give up what little food he got so a non-Pit Bull puppy with him would have a better chance at life.  He showed no aggression and only wanted attention from everyone he met.  He shares a home with three other dogs and gets along with all of them.  He is a big lap dog that only wants to love and be loved.  He’ll trade kisses for belly rubs everyday.

Pit Bulls are dogs.  They are individuals and should be treated as such.  They are very focused and always aim to please.  Due to this, bad owners will train them to fight or attack.  And they will, to make their owners happy.  Responsible dog owners will spay/neuter their dogs, socialize them with dogs and people, teach them manners, keep them on a leash and provide them whatever healthcare they need.

I gave one a chance.  Will you give one a chance, too.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/pit-bull-facts-and-myths.html