The Un-Warranted Negative Stigma

Unfortunately in today's society many people are ignorant about the American PitBull Terrier ( APBT ) dog breed. Because of this ignorance, proliferation by the media of false data, and the false reports of individuals, the PitBull has went from a highly respected and desired pet to one that is unfairly judged, and in many cases around the world, are seized due to prohibition of ownership laws known as Breed Specific Legislation ( BSL ).

Additionally laws have been developed and rules established by "so called" humane organizations, which  seek to practice euthanasia on these animals without even the opportunity of adoption or being sent to rescue associations.

This unfair stigma has hurt the PitBull more than any other breed of dog and caused unrealistic fear within much of the general community.   

It is of the utmost importance for us as lovers of these beautiful and majestic animals to not promote this unfair negative stigma and counteract such negativisms with truth both by example and word.

To help promote the truth it is important for us to recognize the studies that have taken place which prove the true nature of the PitBull dog breed.

Farmers Branch, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, has kept accurate records since 1980. During a 7 year period from 1980 through 1987, this is what was recorded. Total bites: 1,593. PitBulls, 30 bites, or 1.89% of the total. Other studies tend to show the same results and because of so many mongrels that have similar features and the unfair lumping in with the American PitBull Terrier ( APBT ), it seems reasonable to assume that the figures are actually much lower. 

The American Temperament Test Society continually ranks PitBulls better in temperament than many other breeds. The Airedale Terrier, Basenji, Beagle, Bichon Frise, Border Collie, Chihuahua, Collie, Dachshund(4 of 6 varieties), English Setter, Lhasa Opso, Pomeranian, Shar-Pei, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Schnauzer, and Toy Poodle all score below average and many more far below that of the PitBull. Even though these other breeds temperament score is less than average many would not even think twice in their ownership as a family pet. 

 

1989: APBT ranked 5th with 15 per cent

1990: APBT ranked 5th with 16 per cent

1991:

1988: APBT ranked 9th with9 per cent of bites

APBT ranked 9th with 10 per cent

1992: APBT ranked 2nd with 20.4 per cent (with the cocker spaniel showing in 1st)

1993: APBT ranked 5th with 16 per cent

 

Some of the breeds, which placed above the PitBull's were Dalmations, Chows, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Rotties, Dobermans, and the Cocker Spaniel.

 

In a 1993 study, also in Palm Beach County, the bites were ranked by severity from 1 to 4 and the animal that was recorded as having inflicted the greatest number of severe bites was the domestic short-haired cat.  A breed labeled as "PitBull" was in 5th place, surpassed by the cat, German Shepherd, Chow, and Lab.

 

The division of general pediatrics, emergency medicine, at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia conducted a study in 1989 as a result of a ***perceived*** increase in PitBull injuries. 12 different breed/crossbreds were identified as perpetrators, the top four of which were German Shepherds, PitBulls, Rottweilers and Dobermans. 54 per cent of the animals were contained and 45 per cent were provoked prior to biting (by parental report). In reviewing this stat it is important to understand the nature of many of these animals was specifically to use them to guard property and that such bites were the result of negligent or harmful activities perpetrated by the individual that was subsequently bitten.

 

In 1991, in Australia, the Journal of Pediatric Child Health reported that the German Shepherd was implicated in dog bites presented to the ER of a children's hospital and were implicated more frequently than their prevalence in the community. This statistic shows that inaccurate breed identification is one of the greatest factors in the false implication of bites by breed.

According to research done by Glen Bui VP of American Canine Federation his research shows the following stats, which is a more accurate representation of true bite stats since it actually includes the number of fatal attacks divided by the population, which is required to determine fatal attacks based on breed.

Apx. 240,000 - 12 Fatal Attacks Chow Chow .705%
Apx 800.000 - 67 Fatal Attacks German Shepherds .008375%
Apx. 960,000 - 70 Fatal Attacks Rottweiler .00729%
Apx. 128.000 - 18 Fatal Attacks Great Dane .01416%
Apx. 114,000 - 14 Fatal Attacks Doberman .012288%
Apx. 72,000 - 10 Fatal Attacks St Bernard .0139%
Apx 5,000,000- 60 Fatal Attacks American Pit Bull Terrier .0012%

Finally, in an article in Pediatrics, June 1994, an article entitled "Which Dogs Bite? A case control of risk factors." concluded the following:

 

Dog bites cause an estimated 585,000 injuries each year resulting in the need for medical attention with children being the most frequent to be bitten. The study sought to determine dog-specific factors independently associated with a dog biting a non-household member. (88% occur in the dog owner's yard or home or in the **adjoining** yard. 62% members of the victims' families witnessed the bite.) It is important to note the negligence associated with children who trespass or otherwise provoke a bite as well as irresponsible parentage allowing such children to act in an irresponsible behavior thus leading to the increased prevalence of such bites.

 

The identified risk group are children less than 11 years old, the average age is 8, males outnumber females. This is probably out of disrespect typically exemplified by these young children. Only  7% required hospital admission. The method was to match 178 pairs of dogs selected from dogs reported to an urban animal control for a first-bite episode on a non-household member in which the victim received medical treatment. Controls were neighborhood-matched dogs with no history of biting a non-household member, selected by modified random-digit dialing.

 

The results were risk factors expressed as adjusted odds ratio, when the dog is....

The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 600,000 in the USA. Comparatively speaking you are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to be killed by a dog of any breed. When you further break down the odds of being attacked and killed by a PitBull the odds are in your favor -approximately 1 in 145,000,000. That’s million folks. In contrast, you are 4 times more likely to be killed by a cow in the USA than any breed of dog, much less a PitBull. 

So why do some dogs attack? 

The answer is quite simple really.

Although there are some bad dogs out there these are in the minority and the tendency is to blame the dogs and / or their owners without just cause. 

In today’s society we have unfortunately moved away from personal accountability and responsibility. Many are looking for others to take care of them in every aspect of their lives including the proper raising of their children. When something negative happens then it is no longer their fault because they have been dependant on the care of others. Today’s society is eager to slap the victim label on anyone who becomes hurt even if this is due to their own negligence and in many cases is the choice of the individual and was their intent to behave in a manner which instigated such a bite. 

If you are an owner of a dog it is your responsibility to make sure it is properly confined. For the good of society you should additionally make sure it is well socialized. 

If you are the parent of a child it is your responsibility to raise your children with respect for you, themselves and others. In the category of others this includes both property and animals. If an animal mauls your child due to your lack of responsible parenting, this is your fault, and you must live with the moral consequences. Regardless of what a court may say you will always be the bearer of your morality and by not teaching your children respect and the proper ways to act then you bear this moral burden.

So why am I preaching? The majority of people who are killed by dogs are children. These children often instigate the attack by trespassing, throwing objects at dogs, harassing, torturing, and otherwise acting in a threatening manner toward the dog thus instigating an attack. When this is the case there is typically a strong tie to irresponsible parenting and improper education of morality and respect. From the dogs' perspective they are merely acting in self-defense, which is natural for any animal, including humans.