Why Pitbulls Attack

Pitbulls are no more inclined to attack than any other breed of dog. Because of negative press surrounding this breed, pitbulls are often erroneously labeled as "vicious." Several factors, some unrelated to the breed itself, contribute to a dog attacking another animal or person.

  1. Statistics

    • According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are over 4.5 million dog bites each year, and only 10 to 20 of those are fatal. Statistics regarding pitbull attacks must be viewed with a skeptical eye. If a community has 30 poodles but 100 pitbulls, the number of pitbull-related attacks will certainly be higher simply because of the ratio.

    Unaltered Males

    • Twenty-eight pitbulls were responsible for fatal attacks between the years 2000 and 2001, according to the Louisianna SPCA. Twenty-six of those dogs were male. Of those, 21 were still sexually intact. Out of those 21 dogs, one was protecting a female who was sexually intact and in estrus.

    Poor Training

    • Many potential dog owners seek out breeds labeled as "vicious" to use for home protection, but fail to train them properly or intentionally train them to be aggressive. Improper training and socialization can lead to aggressive behavior in dogs, regardless of the breed.

    Quality of Life

    • A dog may attack if it is ill or otherwise in poor health. Fear-related aggression increases when a dog feels it is unable to protect itself properly. A dog that is treated as a member of a family, as opposed to being chained outdoors all day, is also less likely to show aggression or attack.

    Abuse and Aggressiveness

    • Dogs who are abused or otherwise taught that aggressive behavior is normal are more likely to attack than others.