About Pit Bulls

Due in part to continued news of dog-related fatalities and dog fighting, many people have sought more information on the "most vicious" of all breeds: the pit bull. But even to call the pit bull a breed is a misnomer: The term "pit bull" does not signify a single breed, but refers to any members of the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds. While these three breeds share a few common traits, they actually show marked differences in physical behavior and build. One of the only traits that seems to remain constant with each of the breeds is public perception.

  1. Aggression

    • In the canine world, the debate about the inherent aggressiveness of pit bulls is not uncommon, especially between animal lovers and legislators. Facts work in both directions. A proponent of pit bull restrictions might point out that, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pit bulls were responsible for 27 percent of all fatal attacks between 1979 and 1998, as reported by the Maryland Newsline. Of course, to go by percentages alone is deceptive; during the study years, only 13 fatalities per year occurred on average, meaning that only slightly more than three pit bull-related deaths occurred each year.

      One thing that opponents in the pit bull dog debate seem to agree on is that proper training methods and non-abusive treatment reduce the apparent aggressiveness of pit bull breeds.

    Bans

    • Because of the supposedly dangerous nature of pit bulls, several counties and cities ban the ownership or adoption of these breeds. For example, the city of Cincinnati banned all pit bull ownership by classifying the animal as a "vicious dog." In other areas, the government requires certain precautionary measures by pit bull owners. For example, a Milwaukee resident must install non-climbable fencing or in-house kennels in order to own one of these dogs.

    Adoption Problems

    • Pit bulls take up a disproportionate amount of the space in pounds.

      The polarized impressions of the breed create a disaster for animal adoption agencies throughout the country. On one hand, dog fighters over-breed the dogs, creating a surplus; on the other, the general population shows a lack of desire to adopt. In the end, these two reactions cause pit bulls to lose out in the pound system. For example, the Maricopa County, Arizona, Animal Care Center euthanizes approximately 70 percent of all pit bulls it receives, equivalent to about 40 pit bulls per day, according to the Maricopa County website.

    Misconceptions

    • Because the pit bull is a highly sensationalized type of dog, misconceptions abound. For example, some people believe pit bull's jaws lock, equating dog bites with the severity of bear traps. This is not true, according to the Maricopa, Arizona, government. Additionally, many people believe that pit bulls make awful pets because they regularly attack humans. This is also not true; many organizations point out that pit bulls are incredibly loyal dogs, bordering on dependent behavior with humans.