Why are people afraid of Pit bull's?

Question

I am not afraid of pitbull's. My pit is so loving and loves everyone including children, other dogs and cats. I think that it is not the breed of the dog, but in how they are raised. I remember in the 1980's the "vicious" breeds were Rottwieler's, Doberman's, and German Shepards. These breeds are now considered our family pets. I detest anyone who will use dog's for dog fights, and make the animal mean. I think that the media hypes up pit attacks, you never hear about fluffy the poodle biting anyone, because it simply is not news worthy enough for the public. But I personly know that any dog can bite for various reasons. I hate when I tell people I have a pitbull because they give me that look, like I am crazy. I love pit's and I would recommed the breed to everyone. So why are people ignorant about this breed?

Answer 1

Many of your statements are absolutely correct.

There is a distinct difference between ignorance and stupidity. Ignorance is not knowing; stupidity is knowing you do not know, and opening your mouth before engaging your brain....which I see MANY people have done in response to your question.

Pitbulls are a wonderful breed, but they are NOT for everyone. Some people think that having one or more (and even bringing out their fighting tendencies) is a status symbol, making these fools bigger, badder, and meaner than everyone else.

PITBULLS, BY THEIR VERY NATURE, ARE NOT PEOPLE AGGRESSIVE. These idiots teach them to be aggressive, and then claim no responsibility when the dog turns on them, their family, or the neighborhood. Pitbulls were bred to fight in pits, hence their name: American Pitbull Terrier, or APBT. To say that there is no such breed only shows a person's lack of education. There are American Staffordshire Terriers (AmStaffs), Staffordshire Terriers (Staffies), Bull Terriers (Spuds McKenzie), and the APBT. The APBT is a pure American breed, and settlers would take these dogs with them as they travelled West, knowing that this particular breed was hardy enough to withstand the rigors of farm life, children, and still be loyal to the family and give its life to protect them.

The reason the general public hears only of "aggressive" breeds attacking, mauling, and killing people and/or animals is because it's not newsworthy to hear of Paco the Chihuahua attacking a child and removing a finger or a lip. News stories of the so-called "aggressive" breeds sells newspapers, magazines, and news broadcasts. One almost never hears the stories of the Pitbull who saved its new family when a fire broke out in their house, or the Rottweiler that is a service dog for a blind woman, or an Akita that saves a baby from certain death by dragging it back into the yard by the diaper.

*shakes head* The general public, as a whole, would rather be critical than correct. The average number of people killed every year by Pitbulls is...... (drum roll please)..............3!! Compare that to the number of people killed every year by guns (29,338), second-hand smoke (35,000), automobiles (42,366), and cigarettes (440,000). Which would you ban first? The dogs or everything else that will kill you (notice that the dog is the only thing that is NOT an inanimate object)? The general public would rather ban a living, breathing icon of America than the very things they "rely" on (vehicles, guns, cigarettes) that cause more damage, heartache, and loss.

Get a grip, people. Pitbulls are just dogs. ANY breed of dog, regardless of what it is, can be taught human aggression. Chihuahuas, Poodles, St. Bernards, Golden Retrievers....breed doesn't matter. ANY ANIMAL ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET, NO MATTER HOW 'DOMESTICATED' IT MAY BE, IS CAPABLE OF AGGRESSION TOWARDS ANYTHING!!!

Do some research on the subject, even if the information goes against your own opinions, and get educated. Pitbulls are wonderful dogs, and the ONLY breed that can pull 6 times their own weight.

Answer 2

People refuse to take the time to research the breed before they bring one home.All they think about is how cool they'll look walking a pitbull around their neighborhood.After about a week that wears off because they've now realized that keeping any dog is alot of work every day.These dogs require alot of exercise and mental stimulation and if their needs are'nt met they become very unpredictable.
They need owners who are stronger willed than they are who'll provide constant direction until it's completely clear to the dog what is and is not acceptable behavior.As these animals are very stubborn a weakminded or lazy person who feels they're too busy sticks the dog outside on a chain or in a pen until he learns his lesson.
I have met very few owners of these animals who will take the time to meet all their needs.Breeders should make sure the pups needs both physical and mental are understood before they let a pup go.But unfortuneately most are peddling pups for a fast buck and don't care about the pups or where they'll end up.The only thing sadder than that is knowing how many are put to death because no one thought to try to understand the dog and it's needs or how it perceived it's surroundings.
I'm not afraid of any dog.I've never owned a pit nor will I ever because they require more physical and mental stimulation than I know I can provide.I'm too old to try to keep up with one.

Answer 3

People are afraid of American Pit Bull Terriers or Straffordshire Terriers, whatever, because the media and irresponsible dog owners give them a horrible name. I own 4 at the moment, one female and three males. People think that my husband and I are crazy too for having them. I am three months pregnant and our family keeps pushing us to get rid of our dogs. It drives me crazy!! All sorts of dogs have been known to attack children. My girlfriends little girl was just bitten in the FACE by a cocker spaniel. People are just afraid of things that they don't understand. The media will focus on a pit that was used for fighting, or trained to be vicious and then say that all these dogs are like that one. It's an ignorant state of mind. Just because one dog bit someone doesn't mean that all dogs of that breed are the same. It's racism at it's best. If it were a race of people they were talking about, there would be law suits and all sorts of controversy. But since it's a breed of dog it seems to be OK. Asking why people are ignorant is just one of those questions that will never really be answered.

Answer 4

I agree that pit bulls are wonderful dogs and I love the breed also, however, I don't trust other people's pit bulls. Actually, it's not the pitbull that I don't trust, it's the people.

I can honestly say, that I don't trust any dog unless I know their owner, the owner is the ultimate decider on whether a dog is going to be friendly or mean.

A responsible dog owner takes the time to socialize their pet and to train it. This is true with all dogs, labradoodles, chihuauas, great danes, so on and so forth.

Answer 5

I'm not afraid of Pit Bulls...I'm afraid of their owners who try to bring out their aggression. While I've met way more wonderful Pits than bad ones, they were bred to be fought. This is incredibly unfortunate for the breed (and the person who said this is not a breed is mistaken...it's just that there is no AKC standard for the Pit Bull, but quite obviously it is a breed that is related to the Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier). A dog that comes from bad breeding or a bad upbringing may or may not be able to be rehabilitated. Even Cesar Millan admits this. But there are plenty of absolutely WONDERFUL Pit Bulls that are family dogs that would never harm a fly. Dobermans are equally wonderful, but they were bred specifically to be protectors and they are fiercly agressive to anybody who threatens their pack. In that way, Dobermans too can be dangerous. I applaud you for your question, but you have to understand that every municipality and hospital records all reported dog bite injuries. Our federal goverment keeps statistics on these. Check them out at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf . Unfortunately Pit Bulls are at the top of the list for dog bite fatalities. So it's not just the media. It's the numbers. I'm just happy that you are a responsible dog owner with a loving Pit Bull. Kudos to you for that.

Answer 6

I bet your paying a high insurance for your pit bull. But many people have said the same thing about their pit bull and have it turn on them or their children. It is a proven fact that it is a dangerous breed and I personally would not one especially around my children. I don't know what makes them turn when they do , but no one is being ignorant, most city ordinances make you have at least a six foot fence to keep a pit bull in and some cities will not allow you have a bit bull. Have you actually tried to get your pit bull insured? Check on it because some won't insure them either.I am sure you love your dog, but don't be upset with everyone else for them being a little leery of it.

Answer 7

Pitbulls are so named because of the way they were bred... specifically to fight in pits against other dogs.

After years of breeding, the nature is to fight... and while they can be docile, friendly, and play just like any other dog, there is MORE of a tendency for this breed to attack than other breeds.

Unfortunately, BECAUSE it's been bred into them for decades, it's very difficult to ensure that they WON'T ever attack.

If you'ev ever seen a Collie... watch it walk in circles ... this is caused by it's centuries of breeding to herd sheep and cattle... it's not something you can take OUT of them that quickly.

Also, there are more violent, unprovoked attacks by pitbulls than any other breed.

It's unfortunate, because they can be VERY loving and gentle dogs, under the right care, and training... but even dog trainers will tell you that there is a higher propensity to attack than other breeds.

Answer 8

Because pits have been deemed vicious and more likely to attack than a lot of other breeds. This may or may not be accurate but it is what has been reported and is now believed by many. I fear pitbulls because I have visions of my flesh being torn from my body and being mauled to death. These are visions that I saw on television and in magazines. Now it is in my brain. I'm sure a lot of people share my sentiments. I love Chihuahuas. They are tiny and can be easily subdued if they decide to attack. I believe that any animal could attack if provoked and I don't know what the trigger may or may not be for any given dog. Sorry...not trying to be mean or ignorant, I'm just keeping it real.

Answer 9

I had a pitbull for 13 years she would never hurt anyone. They have a bad name because of the ones that have been trained for guard dogs. Once a pitbull bites its jaws lock and your not getting them loose till they want to let go. They can be dangerous but it depends on the demeaner of thier parents and the way they have been raised.

Answer 10

For me people dislike pitbulls because of their teeth and when they bite it's hard to get and is very dangerous. My friend, who owns a pitbull said there was this man who passed by their house the pitbull jumped over the fence and it bit the man the teeth is very hard to let go.