There’s just something about dogs, isn’t there? The way they are always so excited to see you with their tongues out and a smile on their faces, their enthusiasm to play and be with you, those precious moments when they’re total goofs… Dogs are great. But it seems that public perception hasn’t been so kind to one breed in particular.
Recently a ban was passed in Montreal disallowing people to own pit bulls within the city limits. This was all over social media and effectively split people down the middle; one half said that this was a great thing as pit bulls are naturally aggressive and shouldn’t be allowed around kids, a rather popular argument, while the other half argued pit bulls are just like any other breed and do not deserve such treatment. Though Montreal’s mayor Dennis Coderre said about the ban “A city has the right to decide on its territory how to best protect it citizens," the ban has been suspended due to outcry from concerned pet-owners. But the question still remains; why do pit bulls get such a bad rep?
Upon doing some research, it turns out that the dog’s history is just as turbulent as its public perception. In fact, pits were actually considered to be “the American breed” in the first half of the 20th century, especially during war times where their visage was used for recruitment posters, presumably to invoke feelings of strength and loyalty. It was common to call athletes pit bulls and was considered to be a great compliment. And perhaps most interestingly, there were virtually zero instances of pit bull attacks in the news. So what changed?
The simple answer is that dog fighting made a comeback. Beginning from the ‘80’s onward, despite being illegal all throughout the U.S., the pit bull became the dog of choice due to its natural size and strength as well as breeders learning how to bring out their ferocity for fights. Perhaps the biggest instance of why the stigma is still around is because of footballer Michael Vick’s participation in the activity several years back and is still fresh in the nation’s memory. It’s easy to make assumptions of something based on a single story, though sadly this isn’t the only instance of discovered pit bull fights. Many smaller instances have permeated the news throughout recent years, allowing this thought to continue.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that pit bulls are dogs too. It may be hard to look past their history as chosen brawlers for illegal street money, but there’s more to it than that. Looking back at Vick for a minute, fifty(!) of his dogs were confiscated from him upon discovery, and forty-nine of those dogs were rehabilitated and readily-adoptable into healthy homes! Pits are also proven to give the most kisses to their owners out of any breed and are notorious goofballs. Plain and simple, they love attention and love giving it. Don’t believe me? See for yourself!
Dogs are man’s best friend. So why are leaving some of our friends behind? Though there is more to the argument than a mere five-hundred word article and filter, all dogs deserve a chance. From bulldogs to basset hounds and even pit bulls. Now the question stands; will you give this misunderstood breed a chance?
