Dogs labeled as pit bulls often hold a negative stereotype of being violent or aggressive. Former Animal Shelter employee Hannah Medina even admits that she believed in this stereotype about the breed before her chance to work with them. However, after spending time with pit bulls, she realized that they are just like any other dogs.
A study done in February at the University of Florida found that many shelters label dogs as pit bulls when they are really a mix of numerous breeds that do not include pit bull terrier. The study also found that many shelter employees label dog breeds solely based on their appearance, which can have negative consequences on the dog’s possible adoption.
“Unlike many other things people can’t quite define, but ‘know when they see it,’ identification of dogs as pit bulls can trigger an array of negative consequences, from the loss of housing, to being seized by animal control, to the taking of the dog’s life,” said Julie Levy, professor of shelter medicine at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and the lead author of the study, for a press release.
The study looked at 16 experienced shelter workers from four different shelters and compared how they identified 120 different dogs breeds, according to the press release published Feb. 17, 2016. Many of the participants in the study did not agree with each other on the assessment of the dogs.
The study found that may dogs are labeled as pit bulls when they are not actually related to the breed at all and many dogs that do have pit bull DNA were not labeled as such. “The reasoning behind labeling a dog on its looks is to save money in DNA testing that most non-profit shelters do not have the means for,” said former shelter employee Hannah Medina.
The study tested the dogs' DNA after they were labeled by appearance by the employees. It was then possible for the researchers to verify the accuracy of employees guesses on the breeds.
“[Mislabeling] may hurt their chances of being adopted if the person looking for a dog believes in stereotypes, but if they take the chance to actually get to know the dog, they may find that their breed doesn't matter,” said Alachua County Animal Shelter volunteer Alex Cotto.
According to the press release, dog breeds differ in DNA and this DNA cannot at all predict the dog’s behavior or aggression levels. This shows that the stereotype of pit bulls being violent or aggressive actually has nothing to do with their breed.
Many people seem to want to adopt a dog from a shelter, but expect that dog to be purebred or the exact breed that they want. This is very difficult in reality because many dogs in shelters are mixes of numerous breeds.
All in all, adopting from an animal shelter, whether it is a dog or another pet, is a great way to help an animal in need. The nearest animal adoption organization is the Alachua County Human Society (4205 NW Sixth St. Gainesville, Florida).
