In Defense of Pit Bulls Infographic

IN DEFENSE OF PIT BULLS MONSTERS OR MISUNDERST OD? PIT BULLS MAKE UP 6% OF THE US DOG POPULATION Known affectionately as “PITTIES" these dogs remain loveable family pets while facing criticism. HISTORY OF THE PIT BULL "Pit Bull" isn't a specific breed of dog, but rather a generic term that can be used to classify several dog breeds including: STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER CANE CORSO PIT BULLS ARE CLASSIFIED AS BULLY BREEDS are canines with bulldog origins and are descendants of English baiting dogs, who were bred to bite and hold bulls, bears, and other With large animal baiting outlawed, people turned to dog fighting for entertainment. To achieve the ultimate dog 1808s fighting breed, bull-baiting dogs were bred with quicker, more agile terriers. The result? Pit bulls. Pit bulls were brought to the U.S. from England 1868 to serve as herding dogs. Pit Bulls became beloved family pets, nicknamed the "nanny dog" fe their gentle and affectionate ture towards children. 1988s WHEN D O GS ATTACK Pit bulls receive a lot of heat when it comes to canine attacks. But do they really deserve the blame? Pit bulls don't bite more often than other dogs, but when they do attack, the results can be fatal due to their sheer strength. However, the truth is that breed has very little to do with fatal attacks. One study examined situations surrounding the 256 dog bite fatalities between 2000-2009 and found that: 84% 76% 20% of dogs were un-neutered males of dogs were kept as guard or yard dogs, rather than family pets involved owners with a history of pet abuse Breed was NOT determined to be a relevant factor. YOUR CH ANCES OF DEATH BY DOG? VERY UNLIKELY The chances of receiving a fatal dog bite is about: 1 IN 10 MILLION PPPPPPPPD 4 DEBUNKED PIT BULL MYTHS Pit Bulls Have Locking Jaws Pit bulls do not have any kind of unique "locking" mechanism. Pit bull jaws are functionally identical to any other breed. Pit Bulls Are More Vicious Than Other Breeds Most pit bulls are not aggressive towards humans. In fact, many are known for their sociability and love of children. In the American Temperament Test, an evaluation used to determine temperament and behavior in various dog breeds, pit bulls scored 84% (above the standard 81%). Pit Bulls Cannot Feel Pain Pit bulls can feel pain like any other animal. However, the extreme loyalty and desire to please owners make pit bulls more tolerant to discomfort. Pit Bulls Have Stronger Bite Pressure Pit bulls do not have more bite pressure per square inch (PSI) than other dogs. In fact, pit bulls have a lower PSI than several other breeds. In a study comparing the bite pressure of a Pit Bull, German Shepard, and Rottweiler, the Pit Bull actually had the lowest PSI. A Rottweiler scored the highest with 328. The German Shepherd scored a 238. Guess who had the lowest bite pressure? The Pit Bull only had a 235 Ib PSI. PIT BULL BREED DISCRIMIN ATION Owners and pets THE PROBLEM WITH must deal with BREED SPECIFIC LAWS pit bull breed discrimination. Homeowners often Breed-specific legislation HUNDREDS of E jurisdictions across the US ban or restrict dog must pay a (BSL) bans or restricts significantly higher certain types of dogs based on being perceived insurance premium ownership to certain for owning a pit bull. as dangerous. breeds. WHY B S L IS BULL When it comes to Breed-Specific Legislation, studies have shown that: W Public safety does not improve. W Money is wasted. $250,000 per year is spent enforcing a pit bull ban by Prince George's Country, Maryland. It's money down the drain - they've admitted the BSL has not improved safety. & Irresponsible dog owners go unpunished. Efforts are made to target breeds rather than enforce good dog ownership. Laws should focus on enforcing neutering and fighting abuse - two major factors linked to fatal dog bites. * Responsible dog owners are punished simply for owning a certain breed of dog, regardless of the dog's history. A Targeted breeds become more desirable to criminals, who enjoy the prestige of owning outlawed dogs. In 80% of dog bite cases, the dog's breed could not be reliably identified. A Accurate breed identification is virtually impossible. BSL restrictions are based on dog appearance, but studies have shown that pit bull breed misidentification is extremely common. SOME STATES ARE FIGHTING BACK 17 states have passed laws that PROHIBIT the passage of BSL Massachusetts New York Minnesota Illinois Maine South Dakota Pennsylvania Rhode Island New Jersey California Virginia Nevada Colorado Utah Техas Florida Oklahoma EVEN THE CDC DOESN'T SUPPORT BSL. The CDC has found breed-specific legislation to be largely ineffective and a waste of public resources. PIT BULLS IN ANIMAL SHELTERS 38% 87% 22% of dogs in animal shelters are of pit bulls in animal shelters are of shelters euthanize dogs categorized as pit bulls, regardless of the dog's disposition. classified as pit ultimately bulls. euthanized. Pit Bulls are just as loving and valued family members as other dogs. They deserve better. LET'S PUT A STOP TO THE PIT BULL MISINFORMATION. PROTECT THE PITTIES! RESOURCES: k9 of Mine http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/pit-bull-facts-and-myths.htm http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/19/the-truth-about-pit-bulls/ http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.243.12.1726 http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_ magazine_index/pitbull.html http://www.dogbehaviorblog.com/2010/09/fatal-dog-attacks-on-people.html Your #1 Dog Care Resource