Pit Bulls Case Study

Pit bulls face such a high degree of discrimination, that they have become the most common breed in shelters throughout the United States. Over 700 cities in the U.S. have banned pit bulls within their communities giving them the name, “America’s most reviled dog” (Tullis). Steps to prevent the prejudice of not only pit bulls but all dog breeds have proven effective. As of 2014, 17 states passed laws which prevented “breed-specific legislation” (Madhani) within their towns and cities. Regardless, pit bulls still remain the least adopted and most commonly euthanized breed in the United States. Every year up until 1998, the CDC would take a census of dog attacks and the breed responsible. This caused a wide variety of controversy in the dog

In March of 2013, one particular study required several animal professionals to determine which of several dogs were pit bulls. The study involved veterinarians, trainers, and other professionals who work closely with dogs to identify the pit bulls by watching several video clips of the different dogs. None of the participants accurately distinguished the pit bulls in their trial. The results reflected poorly on the individuals in the study and demonstrated how even people who work with dogs on a daily basis have a difficult time identifying a dog’s breed. Yet somehow people still discriminate a breed they cannot identify. Luckily, many professional opinions put such discriminations to rest (Madhani, Tullis).

Many people doubt that aggressive pit bulls can be rehabilitated, but dog training professionals would argue otherwise. People in opposition to owning pit bulls feel that the dogs put society in danger because of their behavioral traits. Many also believe that

Professional dog trainer and whisperer, Cesar Millan believes that, “We don’t have to kill them. We don’t have to ban them. We have to educate the human” (Kadumaan). Believe it or not, human negligence and naivety almost always relate to every pit bull attack. Whether people do not spend enough time with their dog or do not take the proper precautions when they know that their dog reacts negatively to strangers, dog attacks by any breed usually trace back to the owner. Of course the owner seldom takes responsibility, and rather than working with the dogs to improve their behavioral traits, they euthanize. In America, and throughout the world, we have seen this same kind of discrimination in other breeds time after time. In the 1800’s people considered bloodhounds a ferocious breed because of their involvement in tracking and taking down runaway slaves. In World War II people discriminated against german shepherds that often found themselves associated with the Nazis. Rottweilers, Dobermans, Mastiffs, and countless other breeds have all seen human scrutiny in the past. Studies show that 84% of pit bulls involved in fatal dog attacks grew up in neglecting or abusing households, and another 86% involved unneutered male dogs. Even the White House supports pit bulls and their advocates. In a 2013 statement issued by President Obama himself, he argued, “We