This column will attempt to debunk a few of the misconceptions and myths associated with pit bulls. It is written not only by an animal advocate but as someone who owns a pit bull.
Sheena, my blind pit bull, is a cherished member of our family. Sadly, strangers cross the street when they see us walking in the neighbourhood. I assume these individuals believe one of the biggest misconceptions about the breed: that they are unpredictable. According to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) pit bulls are the sixth most tested breed and 85 per cent of those tested successfully pass.
Another misunderstanding about the breed is the public feels the breed are responsible for the highest number of dog bites or attack incidents. It appears the media is the leading cause of this inaccuracy.
Donald Shaw, Professor of Journalism from the University of North Carolina, ran a study in March of 2010 with the help of the News Library (www.newslibrary.com). Shaw submitted newspaper articles through a computer program, but each piece (from many different publishers) had to include a specific mix of words such as ‘dog bite’, ‘dog attack’, ‘vicious’, and ‘pit bull’. It was found only eight per cent of articles reporting on dog attacks by other breeds mentioned the breed in the headline; newspapers were nine times more likely to include the breed of the dog in the headline when the story involved a pit bull; and 68 per cent of the articles with ‘pit bull’ in the headline also included the word ‘attack’. Therefore, the media does not mention the breed of the dog unless it is a pit bull.
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is a law that restricts, bans or lays out ridged ownership guidelines for a defined breed of dogs within a specific jurisdiction. It tries to regulate which breed of dog is allowed in a municipality, city, or in Ontario's case, the entire province. It is meant to target dog breeds that are considered dangerous. The legislation is discriminatory and is not based on fact but stereotyping.
An alternative to BSL is to enact new bylaws or strictly enforce the current bylaws to make dog owners more accountable for their pet's behaviour. Stiffer penalties should be in place for dog owners who mistreat, tie out or do not adequately supervise their dog. Enforcing current bylaws such as licensing, keeping your dog under effective control, learning when out in public and not allowing them to roam freely, would do more to protect the public than BSL accomplishes.
You can own a dog that does not like other dogs or has a high prey instinct, as long as you can keep the public safe. Keeping the public safe is every responsible dog owners mission. It is heartbreaking to hear of dog attacks, especially on a child, but those situations are entirely avoidable if dog owners took complete responsibility for their dog's actions.
Please consider adopting a homeless dog and please be kind to animals.
Tracy Jessiman writes the weekly column Recycled Love and is proud to be a “voice for those with no choice.” Reach her at [email protected].
