When I first met my partner, I was apprehensive about his three-year-old dog. My fear stemmed not from her temperament—she was calm and friendly—but solely from her breed: pit bull.
Fast forward seven years, and I can confidently say that my initial fears have been replaced with a deep love for her. Our dog has a quirky bedtime routine where she twirls around and rearranges her blankets to create the perfect sleeping spot. She’s affectionate, gentle, and incredibly loyal; I couldn’t imagine being her “forever-mommy” with anyone else.
When we were expecting our first set of twins (yes, twins!), we faced numerous sideways glances and questions about whether we’d keep our dog. She’s family, and there was no question about that. Despite her breed, people seemed to harbor concerns about her around our newborns. Now, with two sets of twins, our four little ones have grown up with our beloved dog. Every morning, as my partner heads off to work, our old gal makes her rounds, checking on each of our kids.
She’s always there with cuddles when someone is feeling unwell, and she adores our children as if they were her own. Just look at her standing watch when we brought our first set of twins home!
However, if you were to ask some lawmakers in Kansas, they would label her a “public-health hazard.” This is a prime example of breed-specific legislation (BSL), which has been condemned by both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA. Instead of focusing on unfounded fears, we should discuss the biases that lead to such misconceptions. Dog behavior is not determined by breed; rather, it heavily relies on the owner’s upbringing and environment.
Pit bulls can indeed appear intimidating with their sturdy build and muscular frames, but that doesn’t mean they are dangerous. Sadly, they’ve been subjected to abuse and exploitation for over a thousand years, often being forced into illegal dog fights. Even though dog fighting is outlawed across all states, it still occurs, leaving pit bulls as prime targets.
Critics may say we “got lucky” with our pit bull, but that’s a simplistic view. Well-behaved dogs of any breed can be found with the right training and environment. The media has a tendency to sensationalize incidents involving pit bulls, which only fuels the fear surrounding them. Interestingly, the term “pit bull” doesn’t refer to a single breed; it encompasses several breeds, including the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier. Often, dogs that resemble these breeds but lack genetic ties are also categorized as pit bulls, leading to further confusion.
In a striking contrast, when a recent attack occurred involving two pit bulls, it was reported extensively, reaching major networks like CNN and MSNBC. Meanwhile, a tragic incident involving a mixed-breed dog resulted in the death of a toddler but garnered minimal media attention. This discrepancy highlights the biases at play in how different breeds are portrayed.
While it’s true that pit bulls had the highest number of dog-bite fatalities in 2016, it’s crucial to note that such statistics do not reflect the breed as inherently dangerous. Research indicates that smaller breeds, like chihuahuas, may display aggression more frequently than pit bulls.
The truth is, pit bulls are among the most misunderstood and mistreated breeds in the world. In 2016, a remarkable pit bull named Kiah was rescued from a Texas shelter and trained to become New York’s first pit bull K9, demonstrating that these dogs can excel in various roles. Today, there are over 50 pit bulls serving in police forces thanks to their dedication and training.
Instead of banning pit bulls, we should focus on educating owners about responsible pet care. While strides have been made in addressing animal cruelty, we must continue to advocate for better treatment and understanding of all dog breeds.
And just so you know, we loved our first pit bull so much that we decided to bring another into our home!
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In summary, our pit bull has proven to be a loving, loyal family member who defies the negative stereotypes associated with her breed. Through education and responsible ownership, we can challenge the misconceptions that lead to unfair discrimination against so many wonderful dogs.