The "Bull" Of It!
There's a stigma in our society against certain breeds of dogs. In particular, pit bulls.
Excessive media coverage, grossly exaggerated breed claims and hysteria have practically brought the pit bulls to the cusp of pet extinction.
Every province, and territory have a city or cities that have banned owning, breeding or selling pit bulls. In the U.S., 700 cities, in 40 different states have some form of pit bull ban as well.
True, if a pit bull bites, it's going to do damage. However, the majority of dog bites come not from pit bulls, but small to medium breed dogs. Of these bites, many of them go unreported because they don't require medical attention.
When a newspaper reports a pit bull attack, it's in big, bold letters on the front page. These stories are usually sensationalized, and many times, the reporter is not doing their homework in getting actual facts. In fact, a large number of dogs, known to have been involved in a dog/human altercation, have been misidentified as pit bull type dogs. Recent statistics have recorded Boxers, Rottweilers, Husky's and even Labs have been branded as being a pit bull or, pit bull type dog.
In recent years, there have been human fatalities due to small breed dogs as well, these have gone unreported and unnoticed. A Pomeranian, those cute, little fluff balls, jumped into a crib and killed a 6 week old infant. A newborn baby died after a Jack Russell Terrier climbed into the cradle, killing it. Did the media report these deaths? This has become a disturbing trend, total reporting propaganda, encouraging fear and hatred for pit bulls.
Remember Jaws? Peter Benchley, terrorized the imaginations of readers with a rogue shark attacking swimmers, branding Them The Menace Of The Ocean. Marine biologists have proven a person has a greater chance of being struck by lightning...twice than being attacked by a shark. It doesn't matter, they will always have that killer reputation, even though most shark attacks are simply sharks testing to see if humans are palatable. Sometimes, there are fatalities, but blaming the breed is ridiculous.
Pit bulls are stong, loyal, loving companions. They are no more dangerous than any other breed of dog. More notorious? Definitely. The problem, lies with the breeders, and owners. Typically, female pit bulls have very large litters, and disreputable breeders don't care if their dogs have been inbred, they are only looking to making a quick buck on the sale of puppies. Good breeders, talk to potential buyers, to get a feel for who wants to buy their puppies. They want people who understand these dogs require lots of exercise and social time with the family. Not, being chained outside and left alone, feeling unloved. This treatment alone, makes any dog aggressive.
Of the attacks on humans, the pit bulls involved are usually intact, and chained up. In 2009 a study on pit bull agression stated, "Vicious dog owners reported significantly more criminal behaviors than other dog owners." As well, in 2011, the Journal of Forensic Sciences, found that Vicious dog owners reported significantly higher criminal thinking, and, entitlement tendencies. These dog owners, were arrested more often, engaged in more physical fights, and had a higher incident of drug use than non violent dog owners. Violent dog owners-violent dogs, loving dog owners-loving dogs, see the pattern?
My brother, has owned 3 pit bulls over the past 23 years, and my brother-in-law has had 4, plus 1 mixed. They have all been beloved members of their family, and each dog loved their family unconditionally.
I am passionate about animals, and I hate to see them hurt for sport, or killed because of fear and ignorance. Too many people want to jump on the band wagon and euthanize these beautiful dogs because of fear and misconceptions.
I think ALL dogs should be muzzled when out for a walk. It protects the public as well as the dog. Children need to be respectful of dogs as well. Too many times, a child just wants to hug a dog, but by doing so, cuts off their air, pinches or simply annoys them. ALL dogs can bite and will if they feel threatened.
Imagine if you will, your government passing a ban on your beloved pet. Stand up for these dogs, be their advocate. We ae their only voice.
*PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/is-it-time-for-mayor.fb48?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=16470843
Excessive media coverage, grossly exaggerated breed claims and hysteria have practically brought the pit bulls to the cusp of pet extinction.
Every province, and territory have a city or cities that have banned owning, breeding or selling pit bulls. In the U.S., 700 cities, in 40 different states have some form of pit bull ban as well.
True, if a pit bull bites, it's going to do damage. However, the majority of dog bites come not from pit bulls, but small to medium breed dogs. Of these bites, many of them go unreported because they don't require medical attention.
When a newspaper reports a pit bull attack, it's in big, bold letters on the front page. These stories are usually sensationalized, and many times, the reporter is not doing their homework in getting actual facts. In fact, a large number of dogs, known to have been involved in a dog/human altercation, have been misidentified as pit bull type dogs. Recent statistics have recorded Boxers, Rottweilers, Husky's and even Labs have been branded as being a pit bull or, pit bull type dog.
In recent years, there have been human fatalities due to small breed dogs as well, these have gone unreported and unnoticed. A Pomeranian, those cute, little fluff balls, jumped into a crib and killed a 6 week old infant. A newborn baby died after a Jack Russell Terrier climbed into the cradle, killing it. Did the media report these deaths? This has become a disturbing trend, total reporting propaganda, encouraging fear and hatred for pit bulls.
Remember Jaws? Peter Benchley, terrorized the imaginations of readers with a rogue shark attacking swimmers, branding Them The Menace Of The Ocean. Marine biologists have proven a person has a greater chance of being struck by lightning...twice than being attacked by a shark. It doesn't matter, they will always have that killer reputation, even though most shark attacks are simply sharks testing to see if humans are palatable. Sometimes, there are fatalities, but blaming the breed is ridiculous.
Pit bulls are stong, loyal, loving companions. They are no more dangerous than any other breed of dog. More notorious? Definitely. The problem, lies with the breeders, and owners. Typically, female pit bulls have very large litters, and disreputable breeders don't care if their dogs have been inbred, they are only looking to making a quick buck on the sale of puppies. Good breeders, talk to potential buyers, to get a feel for who wants to buy their puppies. They want people who understand these dogs require lots of exercise and social time with the family. Not, being chained outside and left alone, feeling unloved. This treatment alone, makes any dog aggressive.
Of the attacks on humans, the pit bulls involved are usually intact, and chained up. In 2009 a study on pit bull agression stated, "Vicious dog owners reported significantly more criminal behaviors than other dog owners." As well, in 2011, the Journal of Forensic Sciences, found that Vicious dog owners reported significantly higher criminal thinking, and, entitlement tendencies. These dog owners, were arrested more often, engaged in more physical fights, and had a higher incident of drug use than non violent dog owners. Violent dog owners-violent dogs, loving dog owners-loving dogs, see the pattern?
My brother, has owned 3 pit bulls over the past 23 years, and my brother-in-law has had 4, plus 1 mixed. They have all been beloved members of their family, and each dog loved their family unconditionally.
I am passionate about animals, and I hate to see them hurt for sport, or killed because of fear and ignorance. Too many people want to jump on the band wagon and euthanize these beautiful dogs because of fear and misconceptions.
I think ALL dogs should be muzzled when out for a walk. It protects the public as well as the dog. Children need to be respectful of dogs as well. Too many times, a child just wants to hug a dog, but by doing so, cuts off their air, pinches or simply annoys them. ALL dogs can bite and will if they feel threatened.
Imagine if you will, your government passing a ban on your beloved pet. Stand up for these dogs, be their advocate. We ae their only voice.
*PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/is-it-time-for-mayor.fb48?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=16470843
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