Why do people blame Pit bulls?

Question

i mean seriosly. Pit bulls are GREAT.
The reason why people "hate" pit bulls is because there always on the news. News Flash, "ALL DOGS CAN ATTACK PEOPLE!". You just hear about the Pit Bull fights. Okay people, so dont judge a book by its cover, therefore, dont judge a pit bull before meeting them.


Alot of dogs look like Pit bulls. Take a look for yourself:

http://www.coldsteelpits.com/coldsteelfindthepitbull.htm

Answer 1

"Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996....[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.)

Other breeds were also responsible for homicides, but to a much lesser extent. A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas. (Dog Bite Related Fatalities," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 30, 1997, Vol. 46, No. 21, pp. 463 et. seq.) Since 1975, fatal attacks have been attributed to dogs from at least 30 breeds.

Pit bulls and Rottweilers also are the dogs most likely to be involved in a serial attack (an instance of a dog injuring someone after having injured a person or an animal on a previous occasion) or rampage attack (an instance of a dog attacking multiple people or animals during a single incident). See Serial attacks and rampage attacks on Dangerous and Vicious Dogs.

In all fairness, therefore, it must be noted that:

Any dog, treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person.

Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner or handler most often is responsible for making a dog into something dangerous.

An irresponsible owner or dog handler might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous, as in the case of the Pomeranian that killed the infant .

Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog, no matter its breed. One cannot look at an individual dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack.

Studies of dog bite injuries have reported that:

The median age of patients bitten was 15 years, with children, especially boys aged 5 to 9 years, having the highest incidence rate

The odds that a bite victim will be a child are 3.2 to 1. (CDC.)
Children seen in emergency departments were more likely than older persons to be bitten on the face, neck, and head. 77% of injuries to children under 10 years old are facial.

Severe injuries occur almost exclusively in children less than 10 years of age.

The majority of dog attacks (61%) happen at home or in a familiar place.

The vast majority of biting dogs (77%) belong to the victim's family or a friend.

When a child less than 4 years old is the victim, the family dog was the attacker half the time (47%), and the attack almost always happened in the family home (90%).

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html

So I certainly agree that it is primarily the handlers fault and not always a certain breed, however, who is paying the ultimate price... children. I hold my childs safety first no matter what.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/10_03-22/TOP

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stories/wcnc-091506-jmn-neighbors_pit_bull.122e19fc.html

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/15476094.htm

http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2006/1006/Schools/017.html

http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2006/10/06/n/HeadlineNews/PIT-BULL/resources_bcn_html

http://www.wftv.com/news/10037582/detail.html

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1209520.php/New_York_state_woman_killed_by_pit_bull

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1160171416137&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1014656511815

There are a lot more stories of people being mauled or killed, the stats speak for themselves. What is to be done!?

I am an avid animal lover, but when you have your children playing in your own back yard, and a pit bul jumps the fence and mauls them, really..... what is to be done?

Answer 2

Because Pit Bulls, Rottie's all get the bad raps because you don't hear about the cocker spaniel down the street that attacked a kid on a bike. Or the Border collie that ran a child down. You only hear about the ones that people are against to begin with. I once had a staffordshire that was my best bud. I had people come into my kennel tell me they would not board with me if I kept any and there would be one right next to them in a pen they had no idea of what they were ever looking for. I for one would trust either a pit bull or Rottie, before I would ever trust a doberman or a German Shepherd, they can be sneaky.

Answer 3

People blame pit bulls and other types of bull dogs because they are typically more aggressive
than most other dogs.When did you ever see a terrier as a junk yard dog.Plus all types of bull dogs are used for fighting, so there are very aggressive and attack whatever they want.Not to mention all the dog attacks.Most attacks are done by pit bulls or some type of bull dog.

Answer 4

It amazes me that humans breed animals for their own wants and desires and then blame the animal! All animals are unique. Like people. Every animal has to be taken as they are and not expected to be a certain way just because of their looks. You have no idea of the creatures upbringing or back ground. Is it feeling well that day? Never just approach an animal and expect it to accept you. You wouldn't do it to a fellow human. You say "hi" and talk a bit before getting closer.
If people were taught basic animal handling skills at a young age. There would be less "animal attacks" and all animals would be better off.
By the way, great link, I've saved it for future reference as I'm sure it will come in handy!

Answer 5

I believe people blame pits fro stuff because they dont know the breed. If you have a dog that is mixed with a breed no matter what it is they blame a pit. in all truth it doesnt evn have to be a mix just resemble a pit. My pits are all the most loving dogs I own. I have a pug and she cahses my pits around the houose biting them and they just run adn dont even try and attack her. I dont believe in pit bull fighting and my husband and I wont sell a pit puppy yo anyone who makes us feel uncomfortable or who we believe might fight the breed

Answer 6

I completely agree. We have 2 pit bulls and a doberman, and lots of people we know think our friends are crazy for letting their young children play with them. These dogs are our children. They sleep in bed with us at night and are very well trained. No one stops to think that maybe it's the owner that's an irresponsible idiot, not the dog. Pits passed more temperament tests than golden retrievers, and people let their kids around them... It's time for everyone to wake up.

Answer 7

I dont understand it fully either. I love pit bulls and my friend used to have 6 of them and they were great and got along with people and eachother fine, its the owners faults for not training theirs dogs properly and they are to blame.

Answer 8

When ppl hear the word "Bull" they thing of mean as heck, but I agree, pit bulls are nice. My cousin ggot 1 for her b-day, and I love it. Sure it bites sometimes, but it's just a play bite, but you have to think for a min. Ppl mistake dogs for mean creatures all the time!

Answer 9

Pit Bull's don't hurt people, people hurt people (through bad training and cruelty, almost any dog will attack!) Put the blame where it lies, with mean, irresponsible dog owners! Unfortunately these dogs cannot be untrained...sad.

Cool website!

Answer 10

Blame the media. They love to take any of the bully breeds and villianize them, but ignore the other breeds who are far more aggressive then the bully's.

My Aunt has Chiuawawas, and she shows them lots of love. That doesn't stop them from leaping up and biting kind on the nose (happened to me when I was 10, and to a couple kids at dog shows). The other breeders blow it off as play, but I can tell you, they were growling and barking as visciously as possible for the breed.

Then, there's my in-laws cocker and poodle. My kids just hug their grandparants, and they get viscious, snarling and nipping at their feet. That echoed the behaviour of the two Cocker's that lived next door to me... allowed to run free in the neighborhood because they were "small and harmless", but they bit many more kids than the rottie on the next street or even the Chow...

The media just likes to hate the Bully breeds, and spreads hate and fear.