Guest Author - Sharon Schmidt

I have been reading a lot of pit bull attacks in the news lately. Recently in our local news, there have been a couple stories about pit bulls. A little girl entered a home with her friend and the families’ pit bull attacked her. In recent news, a five year old little girl was attacked by the family pit bull. The dog was contained. While the mother was in the back with the dog, the little girl came into the back yard. The dog got loose and bit the mother and attacked the five year old requiring stitches to the face.
The bad rap of this breed began in the 1980’s when the breed was exploited and used in dog fighting rings. As a result of bad breeding, the public began to hear about dog bites from this breed and the press exploited it to the point that people began to believe these were vicious animals and still believe it to this day. Today there are laws that protect the breed from fighting.
According to the Humane Society, the temperament of pit bulls, like any other animal, depends on the owner and the way they are cared for. The Humane Society gets a lot of pit bulls every year and fosters them and rehabilitates them and they are ready for adoption to a loving family. Some pit bulls are used as therapy dogs in nursing homes and children’s homes.
Statistics show that the majority of dog bites come from pit bulls. However if you ask any pit bull owner, they swear by the breed as being the most loving dogs around. In testing done by the American Canine Temperament Testing Association, 82.5% of pit bulls that were tested for temperament passed compared to a 77% passing rate for all other breeds. Breeds going through the testing are put through a series of confrontational situations. At the first sign of aggression or panic, the test is considered failing. The pit Bull breed was the fourth highest passing rate of all 122 breeds.
Pit Bulls are considered to be one of the most loyal breeds around. They form bonds very quickly with their owners, they are social, can be trained very quickly and easily, are quick to please, and are very loving. Most owners I have spoken with claim the breed gets a bad rap and that most attacks by pit bulls are due to negligence.
It is important to remember that more deaths occur from drunk drivers, caregivers, drug overdoses, and accidents each year than from pit bull attacks. As with any animal it is important to remember to research the breed, learn the proper care, and check the laws. In most states, there are vicious dog laws.
In the area I live in pit bulls are on the list of considered vicious dogs. They must be contained by their owners, and owners must have liability insurance coverage. Some homeowner insurance policies will charge higher prices for policies for those who own pit bulls.
I myself used to be afraid of pit bulls until I came to know a couple of friends who own the breed and came to see how loving they truly are. I believe an animal’s temperament is dependent upon the care and the love they receive, and how they are raised. Any breed of dog or any pet for that matter can be aggressive and can bite from hamsters to rats, ferrets and so on.
According to the Humane Society, it is important to use caution with any pet, especially when around children. Owners can be responsible and recognize the signs when their pet is sick or acting out of the ordinary and take extra precautions. For every pit bull that attacks, there are many more that are wonderful loving pets when provided a good home. Vicious or bad rap, you decide.