It’s a long, involved story. Whether you love or hate them, they’ve been a huge part of who we are from the Battle of Gettysburg onward. Hear in lies the dichotomy… “IF” one is bitten by the more likely biters, it can be fairly straight forward to see that they are of small stature and can be fought off. There’s the American pit bull terrier; the American Staffordshire terrier, which was the American Kennel Club conformation breed that branched off from the American pit bull terrier when folks wanted AKC legitimacy and didn’t want to be associated with the American pit bull terrier riff-raff. Pit Bull breeds generally have a high play drive, and they require a lot of physical exercise. The story of the pit bull is fascinating because it is such an American story. This interview was edited for length and clarity. There have been police who shot and killed dogs at the wrong house or killed dogs who were just going about their business. I grew up in the 1980s, and I was always terrified of them. November 16, 2013. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All too often, they serve as a proxy for our own prejudices. The officer claimed that he was shooting a vicious pit bull. But while dog aggression may be normal in pit bulls, that doesn't mean it can't become a problem. Mickey the pit bull nearly killed a child but ended up in a cushy, air-conditioned cell while the boy could not find funds for medical surgery. When she started, most shelters in the U.S. denied pit bulls without giving them the chance at adoption. You will learn here that while Pit Bulls make great family companion… And the more terrified everyone became, the more people who probably should not have had these dogs, wanted them. She is seven and is extremely affectionate, wonderful, and smart. How did they go from mascot to monster? Dog fighting is on the decline in the United Sates due to tougher laws and better surveillance. Each breed was developed to perform a specific job, whether that job is hunting rabbits, retrieving downed birds, herding livestock or sitting on peoples laps. Dog fighting is a serious problem, but all the cruelty investigators I consulted said that it is decreasing. It is not uncommon to hear such a story where this type of dog is concern. Who's right? That was one of the things that troubled me. Animal Farm Foundation was founded by a now retired literary agent named Jane Barkley, who lives on a horse farm in upstate New York and wanted to restore the reputation of the American pit bull terrier as a mascot. Standing for … PEOPLE is rerunning this 2016 article about pit bulls to address and clear up some myths about this group of dogs. One obvious question they could investigate: Was the dog actually a Pit Bull? With all the pit bull controversy, it is interesting to note that one is most likely to be bitten by one of these breeds; dachshund, chihuahua, and the jack russell terrier. All dogs are special, but living with a pit bull really is different. Tell us about your own experiences with pit bulls. The first thing I did when I was consulting this book is reach out to the experts in the animal sciences to talk about what’s going on with these incidents and how best to prevent them. And what advice would you give to our readers if they are thinking of owning one? It happens both in the country and city. [Meet the United States' most popular dog breeds.]. But the trigger-happy mentality is pretty bad. It is difficult for experts to label these as “non-pit bulls.”. Dickey consulted dozens of animal experts and pored over mountains of data before emerging with a conclusion as mundane as it is profound: Pit bulls are just dogs. Please share this video with your family and friends In that same town, all 10 Pugs and 20 Pit Bulls bite someone. I know that sounds odd because I spent all this time writing a book specifically about pit bulls, but I really did come to appreciate that all dogs are the same species. One pit bull we gained custody of, named Asia, looked like a skeleton covered with skin when PETA released her from the 15-pound chain that had restricted her for years. A study on fatalities between 2000-2009 in the journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that in over 80 percent of those cases there were four or more significant factors related to the care and control of the dog. It is difficult for experts to label these as “non-pit bulls.” Originally bred as fighting dogs, pit bulls were used to hold the heads of larger animals, including bulls. Pit bulls in the news. Fatalities are incredibly rare. Rarely do the writers perform actual research. No. You tell us that pit bulls used to be among America’s favorite breeds—Petey, the famous dog who was part of Our Gang/The Little Rascals was a pit. ! ... and her interviews are thoughtful and unbiased. My own pit bull is called Nola. In April 2007, law-enforcement officials raided a 15-acre property owned by Vick in rural Surry County, Virginia, and discovered dozens of pit bulls, … The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the American Kennel Club (AKC). Today, Mickey is living in an air-conditioned cell in an Arizona jail with a thousand-dollar webcam so people can see what he’s doing. Pinto had been in an animal control facility, fairly isolated for the first six months of his life. Instead, there was this social movement, with thousands of people signing petitions to save the dog and sending in donations, while the fund for the boy’s treatment hardly gained any donations. Simon Worrall curates Book Talk. There was a case in Idaho recently where a policeman shot a dog in a car because it barked at him. The pit bull is the name for a “type” of dog. I'm thinking about adding to this page. But, by focusing on the dog in front of you, you will make the best choice. Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. Pit Bulls are the most misunderstood dogs there are. A June 20th Time.com piece by Charlotte Alter called “The Problem With Pit Bulls” elicited a flood of protest mail from supporters of the breed. The total of reported Pit Bull bites doesn’t reflect the likelihood of a Pit Bull bite. I mainly want to put a little bit of everything about pit bulls such as history, health care, feeding and actives for a pit bull, as well as maybe uploading some more pictures. Find the dog that is right for you and works for your lifestyle. such an undeserved reputation of being cold blooded killers. [Note: It would be remiss to not add that often drug houses are guarded by pit bulls as they may be owned for protection in crime ridden areas for their ability to intimidate.]. While the average score of the 231 breeds tested was a mere 82.4 percent, Pit Bulls scored a 86.5 percent (the higher the score the better). But when the authorities threatened to euthanize Mickey, public opinion swung behind the dog, not the boy. All breeds can and do attack as they are the domestication of select breeding of the wolf. We don’t know the exact figures, because no one’s required to keep a comprehensive list of dog shootings, but we can probably guess there are thousands every year. It’s such an individual thing. People who have studied these cases, like Jeffrey Sacks at the CDC, have shown that when it comes to fatalities caused by pit bulls, the breed identifications are often not accurate. Stronger animal control laws, public education and responsible … In the 1950s, with the consumer boom after WWII, there was a huge push toward kennel club breeds and the pit bull fell by the wayside. But it still happens, as the wounds on the head, neck, and leg of this pit bull in North Carolina demonstrate. These were dogs that had not been socialized; were large and sexually intact; and had no relationship to the person who was killed. Make the most of your reading with comments, events and more. Animals are unpredictable. Dog Aggression vs. Human Aggression It mostly comes from fear. If they don't get vigorous exercise for at least an hour per day, whether it's games, dog sports, work of some kind, a jog or a brisk walk, they are apt to invent something to do. We … If one attains a puppy, it can be difficult to know the genetic predispositions in a given dog. What I love about pit bulls are the same things I love about dogs. It’s getting a lot smaller because technology is allowing cruelty investigators to be very savvy about catching these guys. THE COLORS ARE AMAZING AND THIS DEAN RUSSO DEFINITELY KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT PITBULLS! Shouldn’t they be banned here? One of the things they do when you stay at the farm is to have a shelter dog be your roommate, so the dogs can get used to a family environment and they can get more information about how the dog behaves in that environment. Treat your dog with kindness like your children. There is professional dog fighting, which has traditionally been white and rural. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- A true story about a pit bull dog that's honest - no gushing, just the facts - that demonstrates once and for all, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that pit bulls are DOGS like any other dog. They are banned in the United Kingdom and several other countries. It wasn’t until I started to meet some that I began to question those assumptions. What do you love about pit bulls, Bronwen? Follow him on Twitter or at simonworrallauthor.com. Some states and cities have acted on the research: The state of Maryland has determined that pit bulls are \"inherently dangerous\" and all owners are liable for any injuries they cause, according to the Baltimore Sun.Even the U.S. Army has acknowledged that pit bulls are high-risk dogs; they are therefore prohibited in some military housing units.Pit bulls join several other breeds on the list of dogs that are reco… Pit bull type dogs include breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, and American Staffordshire terriers, amongst others. A self-taught canine behaviorist, I have been studying the pit bull controversy for many a year. That’s a good thing because the more it’s pushed out the better. Given the staggering amount of press coverage of Michael Vick's pit bulls, television shows devoted to pit bulls, such as Pit Bulls and Parolees, now in its tenth season, Cesar Millan's Dog Nation, co-branded with a pit bull, and the constant production of "positive pit bull" campaigns on the Internet, it seems unlikely that the average person cannot identify a pit bull. I wouldn’t say get a dog just because it’s a pit bull, just as I wouldn’t reject a dog out of hand just because it’s a pit bull. Petey, shown here in 1928 with child actors from the Our Gang comedy series, won the hearts of Americans and catapulted the pit bull to the high point of its popularity. Add your voice. But, first of all, it’s not one breed, it’s four. But that doesn't prove anything. They were seen as all-American: no fuss, no frills, everyday dogs. In 2014, while playing near his house in Phoenix, Arizona, four-year-old Kevin Vicente was savagely attacked by a pit bull named Mickey. WELCOME TO THE PAGE!!! You use the term “battlefield mentality” when discussing the number of dogs shot by police. From 2005 to 2015, pit bulls killed 232 Americans, about one citizen every 17 days. [Laughs] I guess it’s dueling anecdotes. It takes place mostly in Louisiana and Texas, though there was a major bust in Missouri a while back. Unpack this problem for us, as police in America today seem to be shooting more than just innocent dogs. I always hesitate to invoke that example because the fact that mine is wonderful doesn’t negate the fact that there are really nasty dogs out there! Secondly, there’s no science that bears that idea out. With similar characteristics, pit bulls are generally broad in stature, powerful in bite ratio and sporting a large square head. Be aware, you may face some issues with housing and insurance. She wanted to give shelter dogs a chance that they were not receiving in most shelters in America. Breeds such as the American pit bull terrier, the American staffordshire terrier the American bully and the staffordshire bull terrier are all included. I have to confess: I have never met a nice pit bull. But Pit Bull type dogs, that is the breeds that were bred for fighting, and their crosses seem to do it more often than other breeds. Her bookstore appearances now require security, and her home has been equipped with surveillance cameras. In other words, perfect storm of factor upon factor. It seems to be shoot first, ask questions later. All rights reserved. Ten months later, he still bears the scars. It is the owner not the dog. The incident illustrated the bitter divide in perceptions of pit bulls—as Bronwen Dickey, author of Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon, has discovered to her own cost. Would you trust them around your children? I am. They are banned in the United Kingdom and several other countries. Bred by combining the tenacity of the terrier and the power of the bull dog, pit bulls have also shown their prowess as bear-baiters. I would never state that one should or shouldn’t own a pit bull. The owners of this page are apart of a community called F.A.H. [Travel to the Chinese festival where dogs are on the menu.]. They don’t have that heritage. To others, they are victims of prejudice and misunderstanding. An exercised Pit Bull is a well-behaved Pit Bull. So your chance of being killed by any type of dog in the U.S. in any given year is one in 10 million. Genetically speaking, the pit bull may have some aggressive tendencies in their blood line as may rottweilers, doberman pinchers and a variety of shepard breeds. Not just pit bulls but dogs as a species. So are a handful of other breeds and mixed breeds. Many say that any pit bull raised in a non-aggressive environment by gentle and knowledgeable owners will not attack. ©2021 Verizon Media. In truth, bully breeds are goofy, loyal, lovey dogs, by and large fantastic with children. In doing so, they encouraged wild speculations about these dogs that were not based in science or historical fact—things like they have 5,000 pounds of jaw pressure. In fact, the UKC's official breed standard for the American Pit Bull Terrier states that "most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression." With similar characteristics, pit bulls are generally broad in stature, powerful in bite ratio and sporting a large square head. In order to do that, they partnered with the media to put dog fighting on the front page of every newspaper in America. In a word: no. But the three other breeds that are lumped into this category have always been dog show conformation breeds. I have met everything from the most scary and unstable pit bull to the most bombproof and mellow. Aren’t we in danger of treating animals better than human beings? This is a child who really suffered, his family suffered, and that deserves an incredible amount of compassion. Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase. Pit bulls were originally used for bull- and bear-baiting, and later were bred to fight dogs in an arena. The truth about pit bulls . With the exemption of the jack russell terrier, the bite of the doberman as an example, is less likely to cause the damage that the immensely powerful pit bull can inflict. 108K likes. Photograph by William Albert Allard, Nat Geo Image Collection, The Most Feared Dogs May Also Be the Most Misunderstood, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/07/pit-bull-ban-aggressive-dog-breed-bronwen-dickey.html, Kevin Vicente was savagely attacked by a pit bull named Mickey, a heroine for the pro-pit bull community and the target of threats and harassment, Chinese festival where dogs are on the menu, when it comes to fatalities caused by pit bulls, the breed identifications are often not accurate, the United States' most popular dog breeds, policeman shot a dog in a car because it barked at him. Dog aggression is a common issue in pit bulls. All breeds can and do attack as they are the domestication of select breeding of the wolf. There have been many highs and lows, they have come through so much, and they are still with us. But in the 1970s, there was this well-intentioned move by the humane movement to stamp out what was left of illegal dog fighting. From 2005 to 2015, pit bulls killed 232 Americans, about one citizen every 17 days. Yeah, if we aren’t careful we are. While more Pit Bulls bit someone, they weren’t more likely to bite someone. It's impossible to determine breed by appearance alone. All were historically bred for two purposes: to control vermin and to fight. The American Pit Bull Terrier is technically the only true pit bull, although the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are often referred to as pit bulls. They are the only breed I avoid when walking my Dalmatian. Those problems are real, and they’ll take a while to solve. In fact, the dog was a registered black Labrador. You’re informed. This type of canine is used today as catch dogs to hunt and drive livestock, to gather semi-wild hogs and cattle, and as family companions. Reality: Pit Bulls do not have any special physical mechanism or enzyme that allows them to “lock” their jaws. They all share more than 99.8 percent of their DNA. They will always be a powerful symbol. The short version is: The dogs were really popular during WWI and the Depression, when there was this nostalgic feeling around the average blue collar working Joe. Facebook page for The Truth About Pit Bulls blog. They consistently achieve excellent temperament scores, are successful as service dogs, therapy dogs, K9 police dogs, and as family pets. But once a dog becomes a symbol like that, people can act in ways that are not rational. Dog breeds are characterized by certain physical and behavioral traits. He was temporarily blinded in one eye and his jaw was broken. Then you have urban dog fighting, which is more a one-off, “I want to see if my dog can beat your dog.” Both are forms of torture and need to be eradicated. Four-year-old Kevin Vicente was attacked by a pit bull named Mickey in Phoenix, Arizona. 5.0 out of 5 stars The unvarnished, unbiased TRUTH about pit bull dogs, once and for all. However, one personality trait of the Pit Bull breed is determination. You visited a place called Animal Farm Foundation. Definition of this category varies depending upon the source. Recently, a woman in Connecticut was mauled by two pit bulls and she ultimately lost her struggle to survive. When we caught up with the author by phone, she explained how her own pit bull, Nola, confounded her fears of the breed; how the story of the pit bull is deeply interwoven with the history of the United States; and how a foundation in upstate New York is trying to restore the reputation of this most polarizing breed. When developing a breed, breeders selected only those dogs that performed their job best to produce the next generation. By attempting to show that negative views about pit bulls have often been shaped by misunderstandings of the breed and its history, she has unwittingly become a heroine for the pro-pit bull community and the target of threats and harassment from those who see her as an apologist for a vicious animal. Originally bred as fighting dogs, pit bulls were used to hold the heads of larger animals, including bulls. The Pit Bull is one of the most divisive dog breeds in the world. And for those who already have one or more and would like to learn more about the breed, or simply for anyone who would like to understand these great dogs…..read on. Kevin Vicente was severely bitten. The Truth About Pit Bulls. … You’re unstoppable. The majority (60%) of dogs identified as "pitbulls" do not have DNA signatures from any of the pitbull-type breeds - leading to exceedingly inaccurate breed information in media reports and in unreliable statistics about dog bites and fatal attacks. But when the authorities sought to put the dog down, public opinion swung behind the dog, not the boy. In some areas, regulated breeds also include a variety of other dogs like American Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Dalmatians, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers or any mix of these breeds—and dogs who simply resemble thes… My cat has bitten me as has a yellow labrador. Any blocky headed dog, or any mix of breeds that is between 35 and 100 pounds and upwards of 30 individual dog breeds may currently fall in this broad category through the use of visual breed identification. Important conversations are happening now. Just look at the human animal and the violence we have created in our world. Today is National Voter Registration Day! For people who are thinking of getting a pit bull, I would say, focus on the individual dog in front of you. An animal rights proponent and an author very difficult job struggle to survive a! 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