The reason why Pit Bulls "Snap", Sad Reality

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/sadreality2.html ^ | Alicia

[Alylonee]

Please review this sight, all of you who say that pit bulls should be put down. Tell me please what you think should be done about the humans that treat their dogs like this? I was wondering if any of you could possibly understand now why some of these dogs snap? I am also posting other websites that I feel are relevant and might help to educate people on this growing problem.

MYTHS ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER by Edward Hinkle

MYTH: Pit bulls bite more people than any other breed. FACT: It is hard to pin down, as accurate records by breed are seldom kept. Those records available show what a myth this is. Farmers Branch, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, has kept accurate records since 1980. During a 7 year period from 1980 through 1987, this is what was recorded. Total bites: 1,593. Pit bulls, 30 bites, or 1.89% of the total. Other studies tend to show the same results and because of so many mongrels that have similar features to the American Pit Bull Terrier, it seems reasonable to assume that the figures are actually much lower.

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers are born mean. FACT: In a letter to James Huffman of Columbus, Ohio, Alfons Estelt of the American Temperament Test Society, Inc., an international dog temperament test organization, wrote the following: "The American Pit Bull Terriers participating in our temperament evaluation have thus far shown a passing rate of 95%. The other 121 breeds of dogs in our tests showed the average passing rate of 77%. While the heredity factor is of measurable importance, these results show that a dog, even if used for dogfighting, is not pre-disposed as such, but is brought by his environment."

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers have 1600 P.S.I. in jaw pressure. FACT: Dr. 1. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of "pounds per square inch" can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data." Need more be said?

MYTH: American Pit Bull Terriers lock their jaws to the death. FACT: Again from Dr. Brisbin: "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 breed of dog. There is absolutely no 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."

MYTH: All American Pit Bull Terriers are bad and should be banned. FACT: On July 17,1987 on ABC's "Good Morning America" program, Mr. Marc Paulhaus, S.E. regional director of the Humane Society of the United States stated: "Serious dog problems tend to be cyclical in nature."

[Alylonee]

I wouldn't trust my German Shepherd around other dogs either. Like I said, I believe it's a part of being an alpha-male type dog. It also has to do with training and socializing, IN ANY BREED. My Pit's natural instincts are to raise the hair on his back every time another dog comes around. When I tell him "no," the hair goes down and the tail wags. Whenever my Aunt and Uncle bring their Labrador over to my house, him and my dog play (supervised). That same Labrador will not step foot on my parents property where my German Shepherd lives without shaking and peeing on himself.

But the image the media paints of the pit bull is that they are monsters that attack and kill humans. It is my opinion based on the research that I have done, that you have to try pretty hard to make a pit bull aggressive to people, and that any other breed of dog, given the same abuse would be just as likely to be as big of a "threat" as a Pit Bull. If you choose not to own or endorse pit bulls, that is fine. I would just hope that opinion is formed from an educated decision based upon research and personal experience. And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't advocate breeding of any breed of dog considering the amount of homeless animals that are given a death sentence every year due to lack of homes, and lack of spaying and neutering. However, if I wanted to buy a purebred dog someday, unless I find another breed I like better, I would buy a Pit Bull. No other dog I have ever had has been as big of a clown or as smart and loyal. The courage my Pit Bull has shown and all the other ones I have meant, the fierce determination to please and do anything I ask, the courage and strength, is beautiful to me and fits into my lifestyle. So, for other people like me, I will encourage and endorse owning the Pit Bull and keeping the breed alive. I think if we let this breed be destroyed, we will be loosing a very wonderful, beautiful, spirited part of our world.

[Alylonee]

I don't think my intentions are trying to change the reality. The reality right now is that more people own Pit bulls than most other breeds. The abuse is going to happen regardless of whether or not we encourage people to own Pit Bulls. By encouraging good people not to own Pits, it is not changing the fact that the trash of this world will continue to breed and fight Pits. I think the best way to stop the abuse and the problem is by attacking dog fighting, Pit Bull abuse, and encouraging responsible ownership of the breed. That is the decision I have come to on how to help fight this problem..... You have obviously chosen to attack and advocate against the breed, and encourage people not to own, breed or purchase Pits. You see no use for them, you think any dog could do anything a Pit could do, and probably better. To you, they are not a worthwhile breed and serve no purpose on the face of this planet. But I still don't see how that helps the problem of the abuse or in anyway helps to put an end to the problem as a whole.