The pit bull plight

1. The pit bull plight Media-Instigated Discrimination at Work

2. Pit Bulls ARE not inherently dangerous Does it hurt your heart to imagine a person being discriminated against because of circumstances outside their control, such as heritage? When someone is looked down upon simply because of their background, it is considered bigotry. Do you think that people deserve a chance to show who they truly are, outside of their background? This is the same discrimination that Pit Bulls find themselves facing today. Stereotypes surrounding Pit Bull Terriers are commonplace (some based on fact and some on fiction), and negativity surrounding the breed has often been perpetuated by the media for the sake of a headline. This media bias has caused many to lobby against these dogs, which in all actuality have great qualities and the ability to be amazing family companions. A change needs to be made in how Pit Bulls are perceived by the public. In this presentation, I will provide fair, logical facts and examples as to why Pit Bull Terriers are no more dangerous than any other breed.

3. Media-Instigated Discrimination • Media reports would have viewers believe that all dog attacks involve Pit Bulls. This is NOT the case. In fact, most dog attacks involve a different breed entirely! • As a result of a perceived increase in pit bull injuries, all children who presented to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia during 1989 for evaluation of dog bite injuries were prospectively studied. Epidemiologic information was collected from parents, either at the time of visit or by phone on the following day (Avner and Baker). • More than 12 different purebreds or crossbreeds were identified as perpetrators (listed in order of aggression): German Shepherds (35 cases), Pit Bulls (33 cases), Rottweilers (9 cases), and Dobermans (7 cases). (Avner and Baker) • When is the last time you saw a news report involving a German Shepherd attack? Can’t remember? Funny, me neither. Probably because German Shepherds are NOT a hot button issue like Pit Bulls. HOT BUTTON = MORE VIEWERS. Plain and simple.

4. Reported statistics are flawed • Recent studies in the United States have indicated that the Pit Bull is responsible for a large number of human fatalities resulting from dog attack, but the data on which these studies are based is flawed by methodological shortcomings (Collier,Stephen). • The main problem is that reliable data does not exist for the number of attacks in relationto breed population (Collier, Stephen). • For example, in Australia, using absolute numbers of dog attacks by breed, data on attacks on human beings reveal the pit bull terrier to be exceeded by several other breeds. Yet no restrictions have been placed upon other breeds(Collier, Stephen). • Of 19 human fatalities in Australia over the past two decades, none of these have involved a dog verified to be an American Pit Bull Terrier. Regardless of these facts, the breed is still under restrictions(Collier, Stephen).

5. The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression • The book, The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression (K. Delise, 2007), explores how our views and beliefs about canine aggression have changed over the last 150 years and how our perceptions about the nature and behavior of dogs has been influenced by persons and organizations who often times disseminate information about dog attacks which is tailored to further an agenda unrelated to the improvement of the human/dog bond. • “We are in the midst of a social hysteria about Pit bulls because we have abandoned centuries-old common-sense and have been duped by inaccurate reporting from the "Pit Bull Paparazzi" and by politicians who traffic in rumors, myths and pseudoscience in their efforts to pass legislation that demonizes dogs while exonerating criminal and abusive owners.” • “If we truly believe that the extremely rare cases of fatal dog attacks merit extreme measures in the management of dogs, if our concern and shock is genuine, then we must be equally genuine and sincere in seeking out and addressing the real causes for these incidents.” • “Only by stepping back from the swirl of present-day hysteria surrounding isolated cases of severe canine aggression and examining the problem from a broader and more objective perspective can we hope to understand and address the human and canine behaviors which contribute to these incidents.”

6. Banned, despite helping the disabled • Often, because of their willing spirits and sturdy bodies, Pit Bulls make ideal service dogs (technorati.com). • A Vietnam veteran in Denver who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder was dependent on his Pit Bull, Precious, to cope with his disability. His dog was seized by public officials citing the city’s Pit Bull ban(technorati.com). • Similarly, a retired police officer in Chicago, also suffering from disabilities, relied heavily on his Pit Bull mix, Snickers, until he was told by the municipal officials that he could no longer keep his companion(technorati.com). • These people relied heavily on their aides in order to cope with illness, and in cases of patients with fall risks the sturdy, strong body of the Pit Bull was far more resistant to the risk of injury from being fallen upon(technorati.com). • Unfortunately, due to recent Pit Bull bans in both their cities, they no longer could receive the help and companionship they so sorely needed (http://technorati.com).

7. Helen Keller with her pit bull terrier, Phiz

8. Are pit bulls trustworthy with children? YES! • In the early 1900s, Pit Bulls were called “nanny dogs” in the UK. • Celebrity dog trainer, Cesar Milan, raised his children around Pit Bulls and has complete confidence in their safety. • “My sons grew up with Pit bulls. There was a lot of prejudice against Pit bulls back then just as there is today, and I can remember them getting asked what they thought about Pit bulls. They wouldn’t know how to respond to that question. Because my kids just like all children don’t think along the lines of breed. ‘Breedism’ is something that society pushes on them later in life.” (cesarsway.com)

9. In summary Pit bulls will most likely continue to be categorized as “unsafe” and “untrustworthy”. The question we have to ask ourselves is are we being swayed into believing something without being given fair facts and developing our own opinions? Pit Bulls are no different than any other dog. When raised with love and understanding, their positive traits will shine through and the negative ones will be minimized. If we decide to give up on the breed entirely, only because of one-sided media and stigma, we will lose the opportunity to have great companions with not only stout bodies, but stout hearts.

10. References • Avner, Jeffery and Baker,M.Douglas. " Dog Bites in Urban Children “PEDIATRICS Vol. 88 (1991) 55-57 • Collier, Stephen. "Breed-Specific Legislation and the Pit Bull Terrier: Are the Laws Justified? "Journalof veterinary behavior: Clinical Applications and Research Vol. 1 (2006) 17-22 • Delise,K. The Pit Bull Placebo: the Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression. pp. xiv+211 (2007) Print • technorati. Technorati, 2013. Web.19 July 2013 • cesarsway. Cesar's Way, 2013. Web. 19 July 2013