Should Pit Bulls Be Banned Essay

Should American Pit Bull Terriers be Banned?

Friendliness, intelligence, obedience and loyalty are some of the characteristics people consider when choosing the right dog breed for them. The American Pit Bull Terrier was once America’s ideal family dog. However, over time, their reputations have changed for the worse. Pit Bulls are strong and fast, which made them ideal candidates for dog fighting. Once they were tied to the word “fight,” movies started to use Pit Bulls in scenes with violence and crime. Unnatural behaviors taught to these dogs caused them to be feared and hated by many, so many that they are now banned in nearly 700 US cities, including Miami-Dade County (ASPCA). Pit Bulls have been banned from flying with certain airlines

Many people have been led to believe Pit Bulls are more likely to show aggressive behavior towards other dogs and humans, than any other dog breed. Behavioral consultants and obedience instructors have claimed to see multiple Pit Bulls with beyond dangerous temperaments. Pit Bulls have been described as obstinate and dominant meaning they do not want to follow your commands (yourpurebredpuppy.com). However, this website did not include the possible poor behaviors of other breeds these specialist work with. When a dog owner is looking for additional help training their pet, it is most likely because they cannot handle the training process themselves. Giving reason that most of the dogs that obedience instructors and behavioral consultants deal with are the ones who are case-by-case, stubborn and non-obedient. The Pit Bulls these trainers claim to see, must be the ones making small 14% that did not pass the American Temperament Test. According to the American Temperament Test Society, in 2012, 755 out of 870 Pit Bulls passed the test that measures a dog’s temper based on a series of confrontational situations. That is a higher success rate than the Golden Retriever whose pass rate was only

In order to release the Pit Bull’s jaw grip, one must use excessive force with tools like: baseball bats, hammers, crowbars or even a shotgun. Another anti Pit Bull group adds, “These dogs do not let go of their victim until it has expired. This website demonstrates how to use a “Break Stick” or, another release tool. Followed by the quote, “If anyone still believes Pit Bulls do not have locking jaws, they are lying to themselves.” (thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com) One must first consider the source, when determining reliability. The first website used the word Holocaust. Holocaust, which is usually in reference to a large-scale slaughter of nuclear war, is a bit extreme when talking about an animal’s mouth. Sets a biased and inhumane tone. In regards to the Pit Bulls “Lock Jaw,” no study has been able to prove any dog breed’s ability to lock their jaws. One study conducted by a senior research scientist at the University of Georgia an expert in the anatomy of Bull Dog breeds, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Ph.D. proved “There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of ‘locking mechanism’ unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull