¨Some 1.2 million dogs are euthanized in shelters across the country every year, according to the ASPCA¨(The Huffington Post). A pit bull puppy was beaten almost to death and was on the verge of being taken to be euthanized because of the reputation that the breed had. The puppy was five months old and did not know the world could be so cruel. Luckily, a family of four saved the little dog and took it to the vet. They helped nurse it back to health, and the puppy was happy and healthy. Many people believe that pit bulls are dangerous to have as pets, but they make great companions. Pit bulls are fun, loving, and can be used as service dogs; unfortunately, they are euthanized because of their reputation.
The American Staffordshire Terrier can become more adoptable because they are loyal, fun, and loving. ¨A carpenter found the 14-pound puppy; her tongue was infested with maggots, left sticking out of her mouth with a rubber band tightly clamped around her
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When you need a service dog, they have to be able to fit the needs of an impaired person. Protection laws for service dogs are required because a disabled person does not want to be going somewhere and have the dog taken away because of the breed, that can be very dangerous (Capp). A person should not have to worry about going to a different state with their dog and have it taken away. It is not the breed that matters at the end of the day it is how loyal and zealous the dog is (Capp). When having a service dog, it does not matter what type of reputation the dog breed has, but what they do to serve their owner and community. If Pit Bulls make such good companions and service dogs, it makes no sense why their euthanasia numbers are the
Pit bulls are targeted in this ineffective solution to dog attacks. Perhaps the reason why pit bulls are feared by society because we are afraid of what they are associated with. Pit bulls are often thought of as a gangster’s pet; a role in violent and illegal activities. People stereotype this breed because of the unfortunate acts of few. In contrast, society needs to understand that they are being racist towards a breed of dog. Denver’s systematic killing of pit bulls could be compared to the actions of the Nazis during the holocaust. Although BLS is not even close to being on the same scale as the Holocaust, it is targeting and killing a specific group of living beings. Breed Specific Legislation is genocide of this breed. Denver alone has killed at least 3,500 pit bulls. It’s heart wrenching to think about how many families lost their steadfast companions because of the ignorance of others. A common phrase among pit bull supporters is, “Judge the deed: not the breed”. This rings true; if we are to bring justice to the breed, then we need to abolish BSL. True pit bulls are a far from the monsters they are made to
...ports Illustrated cover photo of a pit bull (Pit Bull Rescue Central, "Breed Information”). Dog fighting made a comeback during the 1980s and the pit bull became the favorite macho dog for dog fighters. The dogs were trained to kill or be killed. Pit bulls were also the preferred guard dog for gangs, thugs and criminals. Since the supporters and detractors of pit bulls hold such disparate opinions regarding the ferocity of the breeds, it is only hoped that further discussion and education will help resolve the sad fate that awaits these unfortunate animals. Simply placing all the blame on the breeds will not solve the problems of dog fighting, overbreeding, aggressive training, and excessive euthanizations. Lastly, the biased, sensationalistic publicity of horrific dog attacks which has destroyed the reputation of the once beloved All American Dog must cease.
I believe that all people should be allowed to have any type of dog that they want. It’s just odd how people think that pit bulls are dangerous or vicious.
There are often cases of apartment buildings, rental homes or even whole towns banning the breeds without question. A case that is reaching media today is in Moreauville Louisiana, the town passed a ban that originally stated that everyone who owned a Pitt bull (or Rottweiler) had to get rid of their animals before the first of December or the “vicious” animals will be confiscated for "further disposition” and the owners will be forced to pay a fine. One of the dogs who is in danger from this ban is Zeus, a pitt bull who acts as a therapy dog for his owner O’Hera Owens who has severe neck problems that leave her in a brace and wheel chair. (Greenquist) Zeus is a loving member of his family who is being discriminated against just for his breed. Is it fair for a family to lose someone they love just because of how other dogs have acted?
The misrepresentation of Pit Bull breeds in the media has been reflected in American culture. As these dogs were incorporated into World War I propaganda, they were perceived as symbols of courage and strength, the archetype of American dog breeds5. When, in the 1920s and 1930s, American Staffordshire Terrier “Pete the Pup” starred in the comedy Our Gang, later known as The Little Rascals, Pit Bulls were considered “nanny dogs” and family-friendly pets7. When the media focused heavily on illegal dog fighting rings and gang culture in the 1970s and 1980s, Pit Bulls were called demonic and unpredictable. Through their many roles, they have shown versatility and resilience, and lately they have suffered greatly.
Pit Bulls are without a doubt my favorite dog, I adore them. Pit Bulls are very well tempered, loyal, and resilient animals. Bred for big game hunting, Pit Bulls are strong, fierce animals and people who have the wrong intentions for ownership should never own them. I am a strong believer that a potential pet owner should do lots of research before getting any type of animal, without exception. Owners should do as much research before getting a dog as they do in planning for a new home or any other new family member. One of the main things to really think about and understand is your intentions for your selection of an animal with the breeding of the Pit Bull. If you choose a dog with the wrong intentions, specifically a Pit Bull, you will get a dog that behaves aggressively and is dangerous. This owner behavior is what has caused the current plight of the Pit Bull today, where laws have been passed in thirteen states and hundreds of municipalities, as well as every U. S. Military base, banning the ownership of the breed and forcing shelters to euphonize Pit Bulls within 24 hours. These laws are unjust and cruel, and victimize the breed based on the owners’ behavior. I also argue that the blame for the epidemic proportions that the laws have reached is 100% the fault of owners who purposely acquired the Pit Bull with the intention to abuse and fight the dogs, and that these owners are the ones who should be punished, not the dogs. (Davis)
Roughly about 30% of all dogs are pit bulls that are taken to shelters which depending on the area that figure can raise up to 60%. Not every pit bull rescued were a part of dog fighting but John Goodwin, of the Humane Society, says most of the dogs have scars and marks to show for their fights. The fate of these dogs remain to a judge that determines whether the fight dogs need to be euthanized. Since these dogs were trained to be aggressive and attacks other animals 9 times out of 10 they are to be put down. The dogs that haven’t been a part of dog fighting fit into a family and shows no sign of
Collier, S. (2006, July). Breed-specific legislation and the pit bull terrier: Are the laws justified? The Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 1(1), 17 - 22.
Are pit bulls the best breed of dogs to keep around the house? Pit bulls are the majority of dog attacks that have been covered by news stations. The news coverage has made people really nervous about these animals. People are afraid to let these dogs be around their families and friends. Since then, there has been a constant argument about whether or not this breed should be allowed to be kept as a pet. No one looks at pit bulls as normal dogs anymore. They are viewed as monsters. They have a crazy amount of strength, speed, and stamina. This can be used against them or for them depending on who is debating the issue of their legality. The debate is that they could use these traits to serve their families or to hurt
The media has been accused of covering more stories of pit bull attacks and covering less of other dog breed attacks. This accusation may be true according to what John Davidson of The Denver Post said which was that pit bull attacks seemed to garner more media attention than attacks by other kinds of dogs (Gomez). Media outlets shouldn’t sensationalize pit bulls in their news reports. It gives people false ideas of pit bulls and in turn hurts the breed. According to a compilation of news reports, pits were responsible for 52 of the 88 U.S. deaths from dog attacks from 2006 to 2008. Yet in controlled studies, pits have never been identified as "disproportionately dangerous,”(Tullius 54). Because of the media’s image of pit bulls shown in the news, many people are afraid of
On June 20, Charlotte Alter posted an article on TIME website titled, “The Problem with Pit Bulls”. In her article she starts with an event that happened to a three year old little girl that was attacked by three Pit Bulls. The little girl and her family were in KFC and one of the employees asked her to leave because her face was “disrupting their customers”. Half of the little girl’s face is now paralyzed and she has also lost her vision in one of her eyes because of the three Pit Bulls that attacked her. Her grandfather killed the three Pit bulls that attacked her; however her grandfather is now facing charges of child-endangerment. KFC was so generous to donated money to the family to help with her medical bills. But yet the rant is more
According to Source 4, the ASPCA claims that '' News outlets constantly tell animal control officers that they will not cover a dog attack unless the situation involves a Pitbull". By the media not reporting all dog related injuries, regardless of the breed, the public thinks that pit bulls aren't only dogs that cause injury. All this is doing is making pit bulls seem like horribly vicious dogs, but in reality, other dogs are the same way, while the media may be trying to help "good dogs'' keep their good reputation. But all they are doing is worsening one breeds reputation and that’s not alright.
Currently, pit bulls have been reported by the media with very horrific and disturbing news of having attacked a child or being shot by a police due to aggression while some are reported to have been abused or neglected by its owners (Forderer and Unkelbach 534). And because the reports keep coming with heated discussions, more and more people have forged a frightening image of pit bulls even to the extreme of refusing to take care of such breed. Pit bull advocates claim that the dogs get a bad reputation considering that people should learn the dogs are not inherently aggressive. What the pit bull advocates would like to point is that the owners of the pit bulls should be considered guilty for mishandling of their own dogs. There are owners of pit bulls that even encourage the dog to be aggressive in order to fight and protect them in a wrong manner and wrong degree of training (Forderer and Unkelbach 536). Pit bull advocates claimed that a well socialized and well trained pit bull would be very intelligent and could be one of the gentle dogs imaginable.
Since a landlord is unable to refuse a house or apartment to someone with an assistance dog, and they are allowed everywhere, it is less likely for them to become an inconvenience. In conclusion, adopting a dog can be more difficult than anyone plans. They require a lot of attention and affection. They can cause an issue when trying to rent an apartment or home, and can cost more than expected. All dogs have great perks to them, but for some people, the responsibility can be too much.
In 2013 a news team from Oklahoma reported on a story where a Pit Bull alerted its sleeping owners to a fire that destroyed their home. In the report, it states “A 10-year-old pit bull terrier is being hailed a hero after she saved a Lincoln County family from their burning home” (KOCO). Within six words the breed “Pit Bull” is brought up in a positive manner. The news article goes on to talk about how the dog not only saved its owners, but the other family dogs as well, and how the family considers the dog to be their hero. Another dog in Pennsylvania named Lou also had the chance to save his family from their burning home. In January of 2015 Chris Julian and Kelly Yarbrough were awoken by their rescue dog Lou when their house was on fire. The family told Q13 Fox News of the event and even stated “The fire was coming through the door and the dog saved our lives and if it wasn 't for him, we 'd all be dead right now”. False myths from the media, as well as negative human influences have led to a horrible misunderstanding of a wonderful breed of dog. The American Pit Bull Terrier is loving, sweet, protective animal that needs to be given another chance in society. How can a society truly be free of discrimination of any kind if it is still discriminating dogs that are forced to fight? If the government were to put in more effort to bring the end of dog fighting this stereotype very well could be