If pit-bulls are as peace-loving as the other dog breeds, what interest does the media pursue in demonizing it

Question

If other dog breeds attack humans just as frequently as the pit bull terrier, for what reasons would the media project such a negative portrayal of them?

Answer 1

This is nothing new. Don't forget that pit bulls aren't the first dogs to get a bad rap. If you had mentioned that you had a rottweiler about 20 years ago, you'd get the same reaction from those who misunderstand the breed. And the same thing is starting to happen with breeds like the chow as well. People know that unfortunately pit bulls are the most used breed for fighting, so they get the reputation for being dangerous. People who don't understand pit bulls or what they're being put through jump on the bandwagon and convince themselves that they know what they're talking about when they don't have a clue. And since everyone thinks they know the real story, the media knows that a story about pit bulls is news. Not only am I a proud parent to 2 rottie mixes, but I encounter pit bulls everyday at work (I work at a humane society) and can tell you that 99% of them are as sweet as can be. I'm sure people will someday move onto a different breed to demonize, but I doubt the new breed's treatment will be as appauling as what being dished out to the innocent pits.

Answer 2

The media loves to latch on to such things and make a big deal out of it, they don't care who they hurt as long as it's a good story.

Pit bulls aren't the only breeds who suffer from this ignorance. In England, it's currently the trend to put rottweilers in the press.

You'll find that often the dog in question isn't even a pit bull - reports are often based on the eye witness accounts of people who don't have a clue what a pit actually looks like - people just scream 'pit bull!' and the media goes 'whoo hoo!'

Small dogs like terriers are the most likely to attack, but as they're small they of course don't cause media-worthy damage!! And the media wouldn't report on anything like a Golden Retriever attack - that would indicate, heaven forbid, that all breeds are equally as likely to be aggressive and we can't have all breeds thought of the same can we, that's not media-attention worthy!!

Also don't forget that because the pit bull has such a reputation built up, people are more likely to get a pit bull BECAUSE of this rep and try to turn it into a fighting dog - vicious circle. Poor dogs.

Chalice

Answer 3

I own a Doberman. I did not know what I was getting into when I got him. I have owned dogs for forty years and never experienced an animal like him. But with much research, I started to learn that he was not "weird" because he was a very very special and BEAUTIFUL breed. Very special. With this, I began to realize that genetics play a very very important role in the behavior of any creature...including humans. the problem is not the media or the dog. The problem is the fact that people need to be educated about breed specifics. There is nothing wrong with pit bulls. There is nothing wrong with a Doberman or a Rotweiller. What is wrong is that people need to be certified to own certain breeds of dogs because they require different kinds of responsible ownership, attention and love. All dogs are not the same. Pit Bulls are singled out , not because of themselves...but because of ignorance and irresponsibility.

As for why the Pit Bull is singled out...I think it is simply the era we live in. In the eighties...it was the doberman...it was popular. In addition, the dog fighting rings have popularized and amplified the Pit Bull craze. And I assure you...it is all about the Pit Bull genetics that play into this breed specific focus. Nothing that other breeds, if focused upon for good and bad reasons, would not suffer equally!!! NO DOG BREED SHOULD BE BANNED!!! The owners and the breeders should be held accountable and a standard of ownership needs to exist.....not a standard of breeds. Dogs are the amazing example of unconditionally in love. We should be so insightful to treat them with equal respect and admiration... and act responsibly.

Answer 4

I would be more concerned about the temperament of the individual dog than the breed, but yes, there are some breed related issues you need to take into consideration: Herding breeds: Tend to round up and herd running children. This can include nipping them - and if you're getting a young dog or an untrained dog, you need to be aware of this and train the dog accordingly. Delicate toy breeds: Young children tend to be too rough for these little dogs and might inadvertently harm them. Live-stock guardians/property guardians: I'm talking the heavy boys here Kangals, Boerboels, Caucasian Ovcharkas - they are not suited for the average dog owner or 99% of all dog owners for that matter. Their strong protection instincts will make them a danger to your child's playmates and visitors in general. I don't have a problem with Pit Bulls, Rottweilers etc. and young children, but I would advice you to get a well-bred mental tested and temperament tested, well-socialized dog/puppy and remember to always supervise dog and child together. I know there are dog owners who insist that they can trust their dog 100% around their children - and I've had a dog that I trusted 100% myself, but I would never leave her unsupervised around children. I'm sure that very few of the tragic child-dog incidents happened because the children were left alone with a dog that the responsible adult did not trust.

Answer 5

A pit bull is a powerful breed. Any larger or more powerful breed is capable of inflicting greater injury if neglected, abused, starving, etc. The pit bull is not the first to be targeted and I guarantee you it will not be the last. Already there are growing lists of candidates for "dangerous dog" designation.
If you knew the breed like I know it, you would wonder why you ever feared it! I used to be leery due to all the media buzz until I rescued a dog that I adopted at two and a half weeks that was to be put to sleep because of her breed! To me, that is just like genocide. A race, in this case a breed, is maligned and exterminated. Why were Jews so de-humanized and characterized as inferior, bad, etc, and why did so many people BUY THAT LIE? Because legislators, politicians and media got on a bandwagon behind a leader who marginalized a whole race of people and felt "right" in doing so.
An American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier and breeds with similar qualities are not monsters. The American Pit Bull Terrier used to be called a "Nanny Dog" because of its high tolerance for what a child can put a dog through. "Petey" from "The Little Rascals" was a Pit Bull. The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (deceased) and family owned a Pit Bull named "Sue". Helen Keller had a guide dog that was a Pit Bull. Pit Bulls work in Search and Rescue and they just don't deserve the bad rap they are getting. Because they are powerful, some people, a sick minority, raise them for fighting. Those people should be punished but not this loveable, clownish, people loving breed of dog.
I have noticed that media often mis-reports incidents and dogs that they identify as Pit Bull are not even related to anything like a Pit Bull, but this mis-identification was used to coincide with political efforts to ban the breed or pass legislation that would make owning not only this breed but many other breeds that are powerful. The result is, states like Colorado have literally confiscated and put to death FAMILY DOGS/ PETS with NO HISTORY OF ANY KIND OF AGGRESSION and EUTHANIZED THEM as a result of banning the breed. Can you imagine if your child's pet was taken away and destroyed for no reason other than what breed it was?
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/pospress.html

Answer 6

A purebred APBT should never bite a human. They are the only breed ever specifically bred for that purpose. No dog fighter wanted to grab their dog after the fight was over if they were going to be bitten. Human agressive dogs were put down. Now animal aggression is another story. Not to say there arent alot of non animal aggressive Pits out there. Mine loves my cats but hates birds and is to dominant to take around other males. Dominant not aggressive but wont back down to a fight if the other dog initiates it. It just takes a caring and expierienced owner to handle the breed. They are too much dog for most people. You have to know the breed and not be an idiot when in public. But in all, America thrives on the bad in life. Who wants to watch "Pitbull plays great with babies" on the news. We are a sick nation of sadists who want to see others worse off than us so we can think we dont have it bad. Love America but its true.

Answer 7

I think because they are the #1 choice of dog fighters. The dog fighters train the pit bulls to be vicious and this is how I believe pits get a bad rap. If another breed, say Manchester terriers, were used for fighting instead, then they would be the breed with the bad rap.

Answer 8

pits are great dogs and friendly naturally, but because of us humans pits have been breed to fight. I have seen great pit bulls, but i have also seen a pitbull attack another dog for no reason. Pitbulls can turn on a dog at any moment but not normally with humans. So if i were someone who loves pits- go ahead and love them, but remember to keep them on a leash at all times around other dogs becuause even if you have had them since they were born and have treated them well it is in them to attack other dogs.

Answer 9

Good question. Im guessing its because the whole idea of "pitbull attack" generates alot of attention.....and gets more readers and watchers of the news. Would people be as interested in a story that had the headline "poodle attacks toddler" ??? Im thinking not. Pitbull attacks on people also generate more attention because when that breed of dog bites, it can be particularly damaging due to their tenacity and jaw strength.

Answer 10

Stories about Pit Bull attacks sell newspapers, stories about a Sheltie attacking someone doesn't.