Back
to the Basics The
TRUTH about Pit Bulls "Pit bull" is not a breed,
but a "type" that encompasses several registered breeds and
crossbreeds. Therefore, statistics that claim "Pit bulls" are
responsible for some percentage of attacks are lumping many separate breeds
of dogs together, then comparing that to other dogs that are counted as
individual breeds. There are currently 25 breeds that are commonly considered
a "pit bull".
Myth:
Pit
Bulls or Pit Bull type dogs are human aggressive by nature.
Fact:
Studies by the Center for Disease Control
have proven that no one breed of dog is inherently viscous. The
CDC supports the position that irresponsible owners, NOT breed,
is the number one cause of dog bites.
Myth:Pit Bulls or Pit Bull type dogs
are inherently vicious.
Fact: Not more vicious than Golden Retrievers, Beagles, or other popular "family" dogs. In a recent testing done by The American
Canine Temperament Testing Society (ATT), pit bulls achieved a passing
rate of 83.9%. Passing 4th from the highest of 122 breeds. That
is better than Beagles, passing at 78.2 and Golden Retrievers passing
at 83.2%. The average passing rate for ALL breeds is 77%.
Myth:Pit Bulls or Pit Bull type dogs are responsible
for most fatal dog attacks.
Fact: From 1965 - 2001, there have been
at least 36 different breeds/types of dog that have been involved
in a fatal attack in the United States. (This number rises to at
least 52 breeds/types when surveying fatal attacks worldwide).
When dog bite statistics are taken into consideration versus the
population- "Pit Bulls" come in at the BOTTOM of the list.
Registered Population
# of
Reported Attacks
Breed
% vs Population
Approx 240,000
12
Chow Chow
.005%
Approx 800,000
67
German Shepherd
.008375%
Approx 960,000
70
Rottweiler
.00729%
Approx 128,000
18
Great Dane
.01416%
Approx 114,000
14
Doberman
.012288%
Approx 72,000
10
St. Bernard
.0139%
Approx 5,000,000
60
Pit Bulls
.0012%
Regardless what the media would like us to believe by their "selective"
reporting, the FACTS are what matters. There is no denying them. Pit bull
and Pit Bull "type" dogs are no more dangerous than any other
breed. The fact is that their overall temperament is more stable and people
friendly than that of most other breeds. It is time to stop believing
the hype and educate yourself on the truth.
Canine
Genetics and Behavior
By Glen Bui, American Canine Foundation
" To state that a breed of dog is aggressive is scientifically impossible.
Statistics do not support such a finding. Dogs have been
domesticated for thousands of years and within all breeds there can be
dangerous dogs because of owner issues such as
training the dog to attack, lack of training and socialization.
There is no such thing as the "Mean Gene" in dogs as well as
in people. However mutant genes have been discovered. Alteration
of a single DNA base in the gene encoding an enzyme called monoamine oxidase
A (MAOA) has been found to render the enzyme
nonfunctional. This enzyme normally catalyzes reactions that metabolize
the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and
noradrenaline. What this does is cause slight mental impairment which
interferes with the ability to cope with certain situations
resulting in aggression. There is no proof and there never has been that
the American Pit Bull Terrier possesses mutant genes.
There is a one in ten thousand chance of a mutant gene appearing in a
population.
Aggressiveness has many definitions and its stimulus of the environment
that causes behavior. Dogs defend territory, they exhibit
dominance and if allowed can become protective of their family. All this
behavior can be controlled by the owner and aggression is
mainly an act of behavior.
To make claim that the American Pit Bull Terrier can cause more severe
injury than other breeds is ludicrous. Over 30 breeds of
dogs are responsible for over 500 fatal attacks in the last 30 years,
every victim was severely injured. The American Pit Bull Terrier
is clearly a useful member of society, the breed was World War One Hero,
its rated as having one of the best overall temperaments
in the United States (A.T.T.S.). The breed is used for dog show competitions,
therapy, service work, search and rescue, police work
and companionship. Man has domesticated dogs to the point they serve as
companions, workers, and even objects of beauty.
Dogs will protect man, see for him, hunt for him and play. One breed is
not more inherently good or evil, vicious, harmful or helpful.
It is man who is responsible for the dogs behavior, not the breed of dog.
Those passing breed bans fail to understand that a
mis-trained Pit Bull can be replaced with another breed. People determine
whether dogs will be useful members of a community
or a nuisance. It is the people who allow their dogs to become dangerous
and legislators must control and punish the people."
Organizations against Breed Specific
Legislation:
American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA)
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
The United Kennel Club (UKC)
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
