Anyone who has watched the news knows that Pit Bull attacks make for big stories in the media. Never mind that attacks by other breeds happen all over the country – they just don’t get picked up because they aren’t sensational enough. Read here about multiple instances in which the media took no interest in a mauling or death by dog attack because the dogs were not Pit Bulls.

A study by the National Canine Research Council proved this point in its four-day look at dog bites in the media. Three fatal attacks by three different non-Pit Bull dogs were each mentioned in local papers just one or two times. During the same period, one Pit Bull attack that was not fatal received coverage more than 230 times in not only national and international papers but on major networks like MSNBC, FOX, and CNN.

Pit Bulls and BSL      

Part of the mass hysteria about this breed results from the confusion over what a Pit Bull actually is. These days the term Pit Bull may refer to the standard purebred American Pit Bull Terrier, or it may reference a number of breeds which – thanks to Breed Specific Legislation – now encompass multiple “bully breeds”, like Boxers, and the American Staffordshire Terrier. BSL has been adopted by upwards of 700 cities in the United States. This legislation effectively bans certain breeds of dogs that are perceived to be particularly dangerous to humans. The problem with this kind of law is that it doesn’t address the real problem – the owners behind the dogs.

Even the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) points out that BSL “raises constitutional and practical issues”, in part because the data is unreliable (made more difficult to ascertain due to the prevalence of mixed breeds) and also because other breeds cause injury and death and irresponsible owners are just as much of a problem as any specific breed of dog, if not more so.

Misconceptions about Pit Bulls

Over the years of repeated inundation by the media reinforcing the idea that Pit Bulls are inherently dangerous, misconceptions about these dogs have spread. Although, ironically, the publicity has also brought about increased awareness of these misconceptions and a willingness on the part of animal lovers to learn more and try to save these sweet creatures. Let’s take a look at some of the commonly accepted generalizations that have no basis in truth:

• Pit Bulls are inherently aggressive toward humans: ironically, Pits’ history as fighting dogs speaks strongly to their ability to control themselves with humans. Because they had to “turn off” their aggressiveness when their owners would enter the ring, they were bred to be very loyal. The fact is that any breed of dog can attack if raised improperly or provoked.
• A Pit Bull with a history of aggression cannot be saved: this is easy to disprove – Michael Vicks had 50 dogs confiscated from his dog fighting operation. 49 of these dogs were not just saved but rehabilitated!
• Pit Bulls have a “lock jaw”: this breed’s jaw is the same as any other breed’s – it doesn’t “lock”. It is exceptionally strong, which is probably the source of this myth. That’s just one reason Pits need responsible, loving owners who will train and treat their dog with care.
• Pits have a vicious temperament: what would you think of that myth if you knew that Pit Bulls score lower in aggression than Beagles and Collies on the American Temperament Testing Society’s scale?

The important takeaway here is that any dog can be a great, loving, loyal dog if raised in the right kind of environment. Pit Bull is just a name. Pits can be sweet, lovable, amazing pets if cared for responsibly.