Kristy Rincon 1
Kristy Rincon
Jennifer Bray
Composition 1302-480
May 2, 2011
Portfolio 3- Pit Bulls
People say that dogs are man’s best friend. They are there to comfort you, please you, and be
your companion. However, there are some dogs that aren’t considered friends, but as monsters.
One breed in particular is the American pit bull. These dogs have one of the worst reputations
out of any dog, which is ironic because pit bulls are considered America’s dog. (Dogs 101,
Animal Planet) They are considered to be vicious, aggressive, and inherently dangerous, but it
wasn’t always this way. Contrary to popular belief, these dogs are loving and gentle and if they
given the proper care they make the perfect family pet.
Pit bulls were created in the 19nth century by crossing bulldogs with terriers and were
developed in England, Ireland, and Scotland. (Dogs 101, Animal Planet) They are the
descendants of the English bull-baiting dog that were bred to bite and hold down bulls, bears,
and other large animals around the face and head. “Bulldogs” were made specifically to hang on
to their prey without releasing their grip until the animal collapsed from exhaustion or from loss
of blood. In the 1800s, baiting was banned so people began pitting their dogs against each other
instead. This is where dog fighting became a sport and breeders began to breed lighter, more
athletic canines. (Pit Bull Cruelty, ASPCA.org) The dogs were placed in pits to fight one
Kristy Rincon 2
another and that’s how the breed got the name “pit bull”. (Dogs 101, Animal Planet) Eventually,
these dogs were brought to North America and problems started to arise. Pit bulls attracted a lot
of attention from people who were looking for a tough, macho dog. To keep up with demand,
unscrupulous and uncaring breeders began producing puppies that were not only aggressive
toward other dogs, but also to people. Due to irresponsible breeding, the pit bull population has
sky rocketed so fast that many animal shelters are having difficulty housing hundreds of imageplagued, hard-to-place dogs. Even though pit bull fighting is a felony offense in all 50 states they
still go one today in many countries. Dogfighters have formed a strong subculture in urban
areas. Dogs that fight are bred and conditioned to never give up when they are fighting, even if it
means that they will be terribly injured or killed. Other animals are victims of dog fights, too—
it's not uncommon for trainers to encourage their dogs' aggression by using smaller, weaker dogs
and other types of small animals such as cats, rabbits and rodents as bait to help them train.
Dogfighting is usually a sign of urban decay but not every dogfighter is economically
challenged. Participants and promoters come from every community and all backgrounds, with
audiences that include lawyers, judges and teachers and other upstanding community leaders.
Over the past two decades, a new element was introduced to dog fighting. Fights have now
become informal street corner and playground activities. Rules and formality of the traditional
pit fight have been stripped so now fights are triggered by insults and turf invasions—or even a
simple taunt, "My dog can kill your dog." Many people who participate in these fights lack even
a semblance of respect for the animals, often starving and beating them to encourage aggressive
behavior.
It is sad that the breed has to suffer such harsh treatment just because they were bred to be
strong and powerful. Even worse is that they are hated for something they obviously can’t
Kristy Rincon 3
control. In reality, these dogs can be affectionate, loyal and gentle if given the proper care and
attention. People only see the negative sides of this breed because of the media and of
irresponsible owners. (Pit Bull Cruelty, ASPCA.org) Due to all this negative exposure, the pit
bull is banned in Denver, parts of Florida, Great Britain, and New Zealand. Over 500 cities have
pit bull restrictions and certain airlines won’t accept pit bulls or pit bull mixes. (Dogs 101,
Animal Planet)
The Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is regulation of your right to own or not own a dog
based on the breed or “type” of dog, not your responsibility as an owner. Pit bulls and pit bull
mixes are the number one dogs to be affected by this law. The point of BSL is to put an end to
dog attacks by targeting certain breeds of dog that are "inherently vicious/dangerous", and dogs
that tend to appeal to people who are involved in criminal activity (i.e. drug dealers, dog fighters,
gangbangers, etc.). (Breed Discrimination & Breed Specific Laws, realpitbull.com) While BSL is
meant to protect people, many don’t see it as the solution for aggressive for many reasons. First,
dog problems are not limited to breeds, but to owner responsibility. Second, when we take away
the ability for citizens to have certain breeds, responsible and law abiding people will stay away
from those breeds. We want to encourage those types of owners, not scare them away. Third,
irresponsible owners and thugs who use pit bulls will simply switch to another breed of dog.
Fourth, the American Veterinary Medical Association and several state veterinary medical
associations oppose breed-specific legislation because breeds and mixes can be hard to identify
and often dogs are mislabeled and destroyed because of paranoia and prejudice and also punishes
those that are good dog owners. Many breeds work as assistance dogs for handicapped owners,
search and rescue dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, police dogs, etc. and drive them out of the
community. Due to these complaints, many people suggest alternatives to the BSL
Kristy Rincon 4
regulations. People suggest stronger enforcement of existing dangerous dog laws. If they are not
already in place, lobby for protection from untrained and unsupervised dogs of any breed or mix.
This is a broad-based effort that protects all citizens as any dog can bite and be a nuisance when
owned by an irresponsible owner. Those who purposely train a dog to act aggressively towards
people or other animals or to use dogs in the commission of a felony or misdemeanor should face
additional penalties. Another is to encourage local animal rescue and welfare agencies to provide
responsible dog ownership seminars and canine safety education. The American Kennel Club
has a free education program created for elementary school children. Last, protect the rights of
all citizens with nuisance orders like anti-barking, pooper scooper rules and leash laws. (Breed
Specific Legislation (BSL), pbrc.net)
There have been many myths floating around that make the pit bull breed seem like they just
good for fighting or just a vicious animal. One of the major myths is that pit bulls have locking
jaws. This means if that a pit bull bites something it will not let go because their jaws will lock to
keep its grip. This is completely false. It is true that the pit bull’s jaws are stronger than other
breeds but they do not lock. (Dogs 101, Animal Planet) The jaws of the Pit Bull are the same as
the jaws of any other breed, and this has been proven via expert examination. (Breed Myths,
realpitbull.com) The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls,
mandibles and teeth of Pit Bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus
its inferred functional morphology is no different than that of any other breed of dog. There is
absolutely not evidence for the existence of any kind of ’locking mechanism’ unique to the
structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier, says Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin of the
University of Georgia (from the ADBA booklet, “Discover the American Pit Bull Terrier.) Dr.
Brady Barr of National Geographic did a test to compare the bite pressure between the
Kristy Rincon 5
Rottweiler, German shepherd and the pit bull. Results showed that the pit bull had the lowest PSI
(pressure per square inch) with the Rottweiler being the strongest. Another popular myth is that
the brains of Pit Bulls swell and cause them to go crazy. Before the pit bull grew in popularity,
the Doberman Pinscher was rumored to suffer from a condition of the brain in which the skull
became too small to accommodate a dog’s grey matter. This would, according to the
rumor, cause the Doberman to go crazy or “just snap” out of no where and attack their owner.
This rumor could never be proven, and therefore had no merit. Now that the Doberman fad has
disappeared the Pit Bull has gained the swelling brain myth. It is no truer now than it was during
the Doberman’s fad days. Another is “that people believe the only thing Pit Bulls are good for is
dog fighting”. It is true that pit bulls were bred to fight and they excel in this, but pit bulls are a
very versatile breed. They can be good at anything if their owner trains them. Pit bulls have been
used for obedience trialing, conformation showing, weight pull, Schutzhund (a German sport
that requires dogs to perform in obedience, tracking and protection phases of a competition),
agility, and they have been known to participate in herding trials, search and rescue work, and a
variety of other tasks including police and armed services work. Another is that since pit bulls
were bred to fight many people believe that they cannot feel pain. It’s impossible for any animal
to not feel pain. Pit Bulls have the same nervous system of any other breed, and they can and do
feel pain. This is believed because they were made to tolerate pain and ignore any discomfort so
they could fight in the ring longer. This is a trait called “gameness” which is the desire to
continue on and/or complete a task despite the pain and discomfort. A popular myth is that “dogs
that are aggressive towards other dogs are aggressive towards people." Human aggression in
dogs is entirely different than aggression directed toward other animals. Inter-dog aggression is a
normal trait of the breed (as it is in most terrier breeds, and others). Historically, humans were
Kristy Rincon 6
always in the pit, handling fighting dogs closely, while the animals were fighting. A dog that was
a danger to people and prone to biting was not possible. (Breed Myths, realpitbull.com)
Even though all these myths are false, it is possible for a pit bull attack if provoked. It is
mostly because of their genes. They will always have that fighter blood in them so it takes a
skillful person to handle this dog. You need to take certain precautions in the housing, training,
and socialization of the breed. Aggression mostly has to do with defense (this is true of all dogs).
Even dogs that are considered ‘submissive’ cannot be trusted to “never fight”. Allowing a pit
bull to “work out rank" with other dogs can be dangerous and may result in injuries. However,
neutering can definitely help in some cases (particularly with young males) Do not count on the
operation to eliminate the aggression completely. Same-sex aggression is also a problem, with
two females sometimes being more problematic than two males. Regardless of the sexes
involved, in general same-sex households are not a good idea, particularly for the novice
guardian. (Temperament, realpitbull.com)
The media is also one of the main problems for pit bulls and it causes people to continue to
believe that pit bulls are vicious animals. For decades societies around the world have had their
“so-called” vicious breed of dog. Breeds like the Doberman pinscher, Rottweiler, German
shepherd, and other breeds of dog have been stereotyped, scrutinized, mystified and rigorously
publicized in the newspapers and media. Myths about breeds spread through the media causing
much of the general public to believe these fallacies as fact. In the late 70’s, the Doberman
Pinscher fell prey to its own popularity. Two myths were that Doberman’s would turn on their
owners or that their brains were too large for their skulls, it would cause them to go crazy. As
this breed began to suffer from public outrage, resulting in breed bans, focus began to shift to
other breeds. This has been the scenario for many years. The banning of a specific breed just
Kristy Rincon 7
causes individuals to move on to other breeds. This is the case now for Pit Bulls (Rottweilers are
also under fire). Two decades ago, they attracted little to no public concern, due to the
Doberman’s slander. Today, the myths continue with the Pit Bull type breeds. The most popular
myth is the locking jaw myth which is frequently reported on and warned about. What the
swelling brain was to the Doberman breed, the locking jaw is to the Pit Bull; just a fad panic, as
no canine possesses a locking jaw. Many other myths exist about the Pit Bull breed of dogs, all
of which have little or no scientific proof behind them, but as history with other breeds has
shown, the media continues to overzealously report it, causing the frenzy to grow. (Does
Negative Media Cause Societies Dislike of Pit Bulls clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu)
Another reason pit bulls get a bad rep is because people are ignorant. They always see the
negative side of the pit bull breed and automatically become afraid and refuse to learn the truth.
Shorty Rossi, a former actor, entertainment guru and pit bull rescuer wishes to change people’s
view on the pit bull breed. He runs a pit bull rescue called Shorty’s Rescue and works hard to
dispel myths about pit bulls being dangerous. On August 15, 2010, he was on radio talk show
and he talked about how he owns pit bulls and how wonderful they are. He took calls from
listeners to answer their questions about pit bulls. One particular caller tells Shorty that pit bulls
are not suitable pets for families. He said that he sees kids around the street with pit bulls always
causing trouble. Shorty counters his claim by saying that he is just seeing the negative side of
this breed and has never witnessed the positive side. He says that people like police officers,
lawyers, doctors, mothers, and grandmothers own pit bulls and they love them dearly. Shorty
then asks him if he has ever seen someone bitten by a pit bull. The caller says that he has seen
people on T.V. be bitten but never in real life. Shorty then asks if he himself has ever been bitten
by a pit bull but the caller just says he knows people who have been bitten. The caller says he has
Kristy Rincon 8
never been bitten by a pit bull but he has been bitten by other breeds of dogs. Shorty proves that
this man doesn’t know how pit bulls really are and only sees the bad side of the dog. (Pit Boss
Bites back on Radio, thedailybeast.com) This shows that many people fear pit bulls because they
know so little about them. If people take the time to learn about the breed then they wouldn’t be
so afraid and see the pit is just every other dog.
Despite all the hate for pit bulls, they are truly a great pet. Pit bulls can be loyal and loving in
the right hands, but there are some things to take into consideration before you think about
before bringing a pit bull home with you. It is important to research the breed you want before
going out and buying one at your local pet store. This is especially for pit bulls. Pit Bulls are
great dogs but like all breeds, they aren't for everyone. If a person is willing to do their
homework and research the breed thoroughly before acquiring a dog and devote proper time to
care and training, you will be rewarded with love and affection from your dog. Take these things
into consideration before adopting a pit; where you live, the money you are willing to spend on
the dog, how much time you can spend with it and will you dedicated and willing to train it and
give it the attention it needs. A pit bull is a medium size breed and they can have a lot of energy.
It is important that this breed gets lots of exercise and has lots of running room. A house with a
big backyard would be best and giving it daily walks will keep it happy. If a dog does not get the
proper exercise it needs it will lead to bad behavioral problems and bad habits that will be very
difficult to break. An apartment is not recommended for this breed (unless you can give it proper
exercise everyday). Like many terrier breeds, some Pit Bulls may prefer to be an “only child”
and do not get along with other dogs, but if you get them as a puppy then introduce them to your
other pets as soon as possible. The pit bull has a life span of 12-14 years. They have a number of
health issues like heart disease; allergies, and hip dysplasia which is a common concern for most
Kristy Rincon 9
big dogs. For grooming, pit bulls are shedders but they are very easy to groom since they have
short coats. Last but not least, the most important thing is to socialize your pit bull early! You
must expose your pit bull to many different situations when it is a young puppy. By doing this,
your pit bull will not develop bad social behavior when it grows into an adult. You have to let it
experience different surroundings, people, and animals so it will comfortable in any type of
situation it encounters. This is true for any breed of dog. (Dogs 101, Animal Planet)
It is amazing that a dog who came from such a bloody past has become a very lovable and
faithful companion. Most pit bulls today are far from their ancestors and have been bred to be
friendly and highly adaptive. Even pit bulls that fall victim to dog fighting eventually get rescued
and are found good and loving pets. All dogs have problems and issues concerning the breed but
we shouldn’t call them vicious monsters because they’re not perfect. We don’t ban Chihuahuas
just because they bark too much. It is terrible that the pit bull is treated unfairly because it is
simply doing what it was breed to do but fortunately word is spreading about the true nature of
the pit bull. People like Shorty and others are helping to educate the public that pit bulls are
lovable and make the perfect family pet if given the right care and attention. Just like every dog
has their day, every dog deserves a chance.
Kristy Rincon 10
Works Cited
"Breed Specific Legislation (BSL)." Pit Bull Rescue Central. Pit Bull Rescue Central, 2010.
Web. 20 Apr. 2011.
"DOES NEGATIVE MEDIA CAUSE SOCIETIES DISLIKE OF PIT BULLS." National
Undergraduate Research Clearinghouse. 12 Dec. 2006. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.
"Does Other People’s Fear of Pit Bulls Change Your Relationship to Your Dog?"
Http://stubbydog.org. 25 Feb. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.
"'Pit Boss' Bites Back on Radio - Video." The Daily Beast. 15 Aug. 2010. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.
"Pit Bull Cruelty." Http://www.aspca.org. Web. 5 Apr. 2011.
"Pit Bull Myths." The REAL Pit Bull - Pit Bull Education | Advocacy | Rescue | Training. Web. 19 Apr.
2011.
"Pit Bull Myths." Pit Bull Attacks and Pit Bull Laws - Advocating on Behalf of Dog Attack
Victims - The Official DogsBite.org. 26 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.
Dogs 101- American Pit Bull." Youtube.com. 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.