Some facts, Pits weren't ever bred to be "killers". They were meant to be protectors and were bred for vermin control. They are fiercely loyal dogs and absolutely want to please their human companions. Their predatory hunting instincts have been turned into the "fight" for survival instinct by greedy unconscionable persons. And they are just about one of the top abused and discriminated breeds today.
Back in July, multiple animal rescue organizations (like HSUS, ASPCA, and UAN) along with law enforcement did a multi-state raid on dog fighting rings, over 400 dogs were rescued. Many with life long injuries and scars or loss of body parts. Like the picture of one of the rescues here:
Poor girl has no lips anymore and only half a nose, and she is just one of the survivors. After the rescue, several of the females gave birth in the shelter set up in Missouri bringing the count of dogs needing care, rehabilitation and finding their forever homes to over 500. Many people gave less than 1/4 of the dogs any optimism of being adoptable or socialized. Recently UAN posted aYouTube video of the dogs and how many are finding their forever homes. Today the owners of the fighting rings are in custody and have admitted to breeding dogs for fighting and killing dogs who weren't agressive enough or fought well enough. And the manner in which they disposed of them is awful. Remember the publicity spawned by the Michael Vick case?
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/jHeO3Lu-CsA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
If you wish to provide help or a possible home for these dogs, you can read more and contact the Missouri Humane Society
On breed discrimination..... This breed is much maligned and many cases of untruths surround them. They are the current objects of the breed "witch hunt" as it were. Because so many people do not understand them, and because they have been so linked in the media for their fighting aggressiveness, people are frightened anytime anyone says the word pit bull. This brings back memories for me of the terror the media spread on dobermans in the late 60's and early 70's and then it was German Shepherds, then Rottweilers. FACT!!!! Man always fears what he does not understand, and the MEDIA feeds this fear. And now any time you hear about a dog attack or of someone being bitten, the dog is always labeled Pit cross or Pit Bull, even if they have no trace whatsoever in them.
Yes, Pits have an extremely strong bite, Yes they can hold that bite. HOWEVER, they are not bite first type of dogs. They ONLY bite IF they feel they or their family or territory are being threatened, or they feel that their survival is at stake. They will always bark and growl to warn first. We are the stupid ones to not heed the warnings. And yes they are muscular, and active, so they require someone who can play with them, run with them, and stay active with them. I'll let you in on a tidbit here, Poodles will bite you faster than most any other breed. And small dogs because of their size are quicker biters than pits are because they are fearful of being stepped on or injured by us.
I love the breed, I have had several share my life with me. One was such a beautiful momma dog, that she wanted to mother everything. And the cats care was her personal job. The cats adored her. Her pups (not planned by a high jumping neighbor's shepherd) all went to wonderful homes with kids and they were life long companions to the family and kids. She was also so very loyal and protective of her territory and family. She did her job with love, loyalty and perfection. Even went through a screened window to chase off a burglar who was trying to break in. Good dog!
Fact is, they truly are wonderful dogs, and like any dog of any breed, their traits can be used against them by greedy people. And currently they are the hunted by the witch hunters. Any dog, can be used to fight if you instill their survival instincts enough. Perhaps it's time to help educate people on the breed? And vote against breed banning in any state?
