The American BiasThe History of the Pit Bull in the United States and how it has

unjustly earned a negative reputation

Cynthia Hooker

I

P it bulls are currently one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented dog breeds. The misconceptions and bias surrounding this animal have a complicated and deep place in

our society that has developed over decades through improper media exposure and inaccurate information being distributed regarding the breed. Considering these circumstances, the fight to change the image of pit bulls will not be simple or happen overnight. But for the people who know and love a member of this breed - it is worth the time and inconvenience to help the dog reestablish it’s name among humanity. This publication is a step towards a new picture of the Pit bull.

This publication has several intentions:

1. To allow people to “test” their prejudices

2. To inform people about the less told side of the story

3. To provide people who support the breed with solid facts to defend their position and educate misinformed people about Pit bulls

Purpose“Bringing sources of fact and education

together to change the image”

Contents

PurposeBringing sources of fact and education

together to change the image-1-

Myths and Truths“Let’s separate the facts from the rumors

-2-

Origin of the BreedBackground information

-6-

Breed CharacteristicsUnderstanding the breed

-8-

Origin of the Pit bull BiasWhere the bias began and how it spread

-14-

Maintaining the BiasHow society continues to support the Bias and the reasons They shouldn’t

-19-

ResourcesExpand your knowledge with these web-based resources on pitbulls

-24-

Credits-26-

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Myths & Truths

The American Bias

Let’s seperate the truth from the rumors

Myth: “Aren’t Pit Bulls mean and vicious?”

Fact: No more vicious than golden retrievers, beagles or other popular dogs! In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), pit bulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9%. That’s as good or better than beagles ... 78.2%, and golden retrievers ... 83.2%. In the ATTS test, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of pit bulls in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that pit bulls are inherently aggressive to people.Like any breed of dog, a healthy pit bull that is properly raised will remain loving and friendly. In the past 20 years, we’ve seen some sad examples of poorly bred and badly treated dogs that are the byproducts of irresponsible ‘backyard breeders’ and cruel and abusive homes. These improperly raised, unsocialized creatures can show temperaments far removed from the traditional authentic pit bull. Don’t confuse these unfortunate misbreds with the huge majority of well-loved dogs in this country that remain solid in temperament, affectionate, trustworthy and friendly to their dying day. (source: badrap.org)

Myth: “It’s easy to identify a Pit Bull. People do it all the time.”

Fact: The vagueness of the term pit bull contributes to the difficulty in accurately identifying one. The definition of “pit bull” varies significantly from one person to the next. What I consider a “pit bull” is not likely to be the same as what you consider to be a “pit bull.” Any short-haired dog may be considered a “pit bull” by somebody, somewhere. BSL proponents argue that breed identification is easy, because even pit bull owners know when their dog is a “pit bull.” In fact, this is not true. Most dog owners really don’t know what type of dog they own, especially if they have adopted the dog. Our society expects and demands that all dogs be given some sort of breed label. If the owner refuses to do it, someone else will inevitably do it for them. Dog owners who do not know their dog’s ancestry will usually pick the breed mix or designation that seems most suitable to them. Sometimes this is based on what the owner him or herself decides the dog will be. Sometimes this is based on the designation selected by an animal shelter or veterinarian. Sometimes this is based on judgements passed by society (such as when two passersby say “nice Lab” and one says “nice Rottweiler”–the owner might decide the dog is a Lab/Rottie mix). Such tenuous labels can change depending on who does subsequent assessment. An owner might have been told by the animal shelter that their dog is an English Mastiff mix, only to be informed by their vet that the dog is actually a Cane Corso. Someone may have paid for a purebred Dogo Argentino only to have a dog warden declare it a “pit bull.” None of these methods of breed identification are scientific or objective; they rely solely on visual assessment of the dog. (source: stopbsl.com)

Myths & Truths

3

5

Myth: “Pit bulls who have never been used in dog fighting will be dog-friendly”

Fact: No. Pit bulls are terriers, and terriers tend to be scrappy with other animals if unsocialized, poorly managed or otherwise left to their own devices. Just as farmers have used Jack Russell Terriers to do battle with badgers, foxes and other animals, unscrupulous people have exploited the terrier drive in pit bulls against other dogs for ‘entertainment’ purposes. Like many breeds, pit bulls can run the gamut from very dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly, but each dog shares some potential to fight other dogs if mismanaged. Avoiding dog fights involves understanding terrier traits and basic canine behavior in general.A properly socialized, well managed pit bull should never have to get into a dogfight, because he’s accustomed to the presence of other dogs and - important - he has a smart and responsible owner willing to keep him safe from situations that could invite the unhappy possibility of a scuffle. (source: badrap.org)

Myths & Truths

The American Bias

Myth: “American Pit Bull Terriers have 1600 P.S.I. in jaw pressure”

Fact: Dr. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, “To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of “pounds per square inch” can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data. (source: pitbulllovers.com)

Myth: “Pit Bulls have locking jaws.”

Fact: The jaws of the Pit Bull are functionally the same as the jaws of any other breed, and this has been proven via expert examination. The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of Pit Bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any [other] breed of dog. 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 Terrier, says Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin of the University of

Georgia. (source: realpitbull.com)

Myth: “Certain breeds of dogs turn on their victims suddenly and without warning.”

Fact: Such a myth indicates the average person’s complete lack of knowledge about dog behavior and body language. There is always a reason for a dog’s behavior. The lead-up to overt aggressive behavior usually proceeds in a very structured way, starting with low-level signals like flattened ears or tucked tail, proceeding through “whale eyes” or quiet growls, and if these signs are not acknowledged, the dog will resort to snapping, barking, or biting. When a person misses the early warning signs, it may appear that the dog is suddenly biting for no apparent reason. This is true for all dogs. (source: stopbsl.com)

Myth: “A Pit Bull that shows aggression towards an animal will go for people next.”

Fact: Many working breeds have antipathy towards other animals - coonhounds go mad at the sight of a raccoon, foxhounds will not hesitate to tear a dog-like fox to shreds, greyhounds live to chase and maul rabbits and even dog-like coyotes. Even the ever-friendly beagle will slaughter a rabbit, given the chance. And yet the greyhound, coon and foxhound and beagle are among the friendliest of breeds towards humans. And it is the same with the pit bulldog. His work through the years has been control of other animals - never humans. A correct pit bull is more often than not submissive toward all humans, and adores children. A pit bull that snarls, lunges or growls at non-threatening humans is NOT typical of the breed.” (Source: Diane Jessup) Pit bulls that do show aggressive behavior towards humans are not typical of the breed and should be humanely euthanized. (source: pitbulllovers.com)

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The American Bias

Origin of the Breed

Origin of the Breed

Background information

The purebred American pit bull terrier is America’s greatest working dog. Mainland Europe has several noted working breeds - sheep dogs - whose main reason for being in the past 100 years has

been “man work” or the ability and desire to attack humans. America’s working dog - a bull dog - has its roots in “Olde England”, where butchers specifically bred “gripping dogs” for use in controlling bulls and cattle. No other breed had (or has) the courage, grit and determination to stick to the dangerous task of controlling a mad bull. The dog’s gameness, or desire to complete the task of holding the bull often saved his master and other humans. In the middle ages, there were no guns or easy means to control a bull - these dogs were highly prized and carefully bred heroes.

These bull dogs (not to be confused with the modern AKC show version “bulldog” who is a recently created show ring breed) were used in exhibition contests against bulls called “bull baiting”. When bull baiting was outlawed in the 1800’s, bulldogs were contested against each other, to determine which dog had the determination and drive to keep at the task in the face of pain, fatigue and even death. Because two handlers and a referee were in the pit with the dogs, the breed was selected for amazing stability; a calm, friendly manner with people - even under extreme pressure. Dogs which lashed out at humans, even strangers, while fighting or in pain were not tolerated. Amicability is the well bred American pit bull’s heritage.

The pit bulldog’s athletic build and legendary determination to get the job done makes him the perfect working dog and candidate for detection work. Nothing deters him not heat or cold, not fatigue, not the things that make lesser dogs quit. Drugs, explosives, or a missing child- if they are there, the pit bull will find them. It is his nature. In America, the pit bulldog of the British Isles has been perfected into a medium sized, athletic and physically tough animal possessing a very compliant nature (they are not “handler hard”) endless energy, extreme toy drive and, when bred correctly, a boundlessly friendly nature with all people.

The pit bull enjoyed wide popularity during the period of 1840 - 1950 as a family pet and farm dog. At the turn of the last century, the pit bull was one of the most popular of dogs. A trusted “nanny dog”, favorite with soldiers, and common mascot. Pete the Pup on the Little Rascals Our Gang comedies was a purebred, registered American pit bull terrier.

Like the German shepherd in the 1950’s - 1960’s and the Doberman in the 1970’s, the pit bull is currently taking its turn as the “fad breed” with macho, high risk owners. Like the shepherd and the Doberman, the pit bull is being exploited by back yard breeders, criminals, dog fighters and others who abuse the breed’s amazing strengths for their own selfish gain. The press encourages fear and hysteria - fear sells. (source: forpitssake.org)

The American Bias

Title of Section Text 9

Pit bulls have superior physical and mental characteristics that make them excellent partners for responsible, active, and caring owners. These same outstanding qualities can, however, make them a little difficult to handle for people who don’t have a lot of experience with dog ownership or for those who don’t understand the breed well. Luckily,

pit bulls are intelligent, very responsive to training, and, above all, eager to please. Therefore, pit bulls should be enrolled in obedience classes as soon as they are up-to-date on their shots. (Pit bulls are more susceptible to parvovirus, so it is important that they receive all their vaccinations before coming into contact with other dogs or entering areas of high canine traffic.) A well-behaved pit bull is the best ambassador for the breed. As we’ve already noted, this is the easiest way to fight breed prejudice and misconception.

Pit bulls are quite resilient and can do well in an urban environment, provided they have enough exercise and other pos-itive outlets for their energy. Many pit bulls are easygoing couch potatoes, but like all terriers, they can also be somewhat rambunctious until they mature. Maturity can come relatively late with this breed (two to three years old in some cases). Pit bulls remain playful throughout their lifespan (nine to fifteen years) and have a great sense of humor. True clowns at heart, these dogs will make you laugh like no other.

Pit bulls are energetic, agile, and strong. They are also very resourceful and driven. Determination is one of their most notable traits. They put their heart and soul into whatever they set out to do: whether it is escaping an inadequately fenced yard to explore the neighbor-hood, destroying your new couch when left home alone, or climbing into your lap to shower you with kisses!

As Stahlkuppe (1995) writes, “The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), or the AmStaff, is certainly not the right pet for everyone. Being a powerful dog, it will re-quire sufficient and adequate control. Some prospective elderly owners or children will not be able to supply that control...

An insecure person who wants only an aggressive dog to bolster some personal human inadequacy should never become an owner of one of these dogs. An uncar-ing or negligent person should not buy an AmStaff or an APBT (or any other dog for that matter).”

Understanding the breed

Breed Characteristics

Breed Characteristics

The American Bias

11

The American Bias

Contrary to myths propagated by the media, human aggression occurs in all dog breeds. Canines can exhibit many kinds of aggression: human-, dog-, territory-, and food-aggression, to name a few. These are independent behaviors. For example, feral dogs can be good with other dogs but highly aggressive toward humans. By the same token, a dog with dog aggression isn’t by default also human aggressive. Pit bulls test well above average in temperament evaluations. To date, every shred of empirical evidence we have suggests that pit bulls are the same as, if not better than, other breeds when it comes to human interaction. Each year, the American Temperament Testing Society holds evaluations across the country for dog breeds and gives a passing score for the entire breed based on the percentage of passed over failed within total number of the particular breed tested. As of 2008, pit bull breeds achieved a combined passing score of 85.5 percent. To put these figures into context, the combined passing rate of all breeds was 81.6 percent. The Collie, an icon of obedience, passed at a rate of 79.4 percent, and the beloved Golden Retriever scored at 84.2 percent. As you can see, by these mea-sures, the pit bull breeds make fabulous family pets!

Pit bull type dogs are wonderful, loving, and very loyal companions; however, it is important to understand the breed’s nature, to provide a structured environment, and to establish a positive leadership role. In order to do so, pit bull owners must understand the original purpose of the breed, respect its limits, and help it fulfill its tremendous potential. This is sound advice for dog owners of any breed.

Pit Bulls and Other DogsNever trust a dog not to fight. That means any dog! Dog aggression is not a breed-specific behavior. Dogs of any breed

can exhibit intolerance toward other dogs.Dogs may fight over hierarchic status, food, toys, or rawhides. External stimulus or excitement can also trigger a fight.

Remember that any canine can fight, regardless of breed. If you frequent a dog park, you’ve surely seen a fight occur among a pack of dogs for reasons not discernible to humans. Owners should separate their dogs if they cannot closely supervise them. Dog aggression (that is, aggression shown by dogs towards other dogs) is a complicated matter. Like most things in life, it is not a black-and-white issue. We should not think of dog aggression as a binary (dog aggressive/not dog aggressive) but as a spectrum: dogs can exhibit zero dog aggression, dog aggression only in some situations, a high level of dog aggression, or dog aggression that falls somewhere in between these points.

Given their historical circumstances, pit-bull-type dogs can be less tolerant of dogs than other breeds. Pit bull owners must understand that their dogs may not get along with all other dogs. There are several levels of dog tolerance. Many dogs

Breed Characteristics

Pit Bulls and PeoplePerhaps the most important characteristic of pit bulls is their amazing love of people. Many people are surprised by the

loving personality of these dogs the first time they meet one. Pit bulls are remarkably affectionate and truly enjoy human attention. They are wonderful cuddlers and love nothing more than a belly rub. In fact, most pit bulls think they are lap dogs!

As Dunbar (1999) writes, “Today, a properly bred pit bull is so exuberantly happy upon meeting her owner’s friends (or even friendly strangers) that new owners sometimes worry that their dog is too sweet and fun-loving to protect their home and family... A multi-talented companion, the well-trained pit bull is suited for a variety of exciting activities. He excels at obedience, agility and weight-pulling competitions, events which showcase intelligence, trainability and strength. In addi-tion, the pit bull’s pleasant nature makes him an ideal candidate for therapy work with people.”

Traits like human aggression, severe shyness, and instability are not typically found in the APBT breed, nor are they acceptable. Dogs with these traits are not good representatives of the breed and should not be placed into adoptive homes. Those who wish to label these breeds as “dangerous” are often quick to insist that the dogfighting aspect of their history somehow means that they are inclined to “fight” humans. This is simply wrong. A central fact of pit bulls’ history is that their lineage actually makes them less inclined to be aggressive toward humans. For over 160 years, they have been sys-tematically bred away from human aggressiveness. As Malcolm Gladwell (author of The Tipping Point, Blink and Outli-ers) explains in an article published in The New Yorker in 2006: Pit bulls were not bred to fight humans. On the contrary: a dog that went after spectators, or its handler, or the trainer, or any of the other people involved in making a dogfighting dog a good dog fighter was usually put down.

So while human aggressive pit bulls were actively culled from bloodlines, traits such as gentleness, temperamental stability, and the desire to be handled by humans were emphasized. These qualities are the foundation of the “pit bull”

breeds. It explains why footage of pit bulls being rescued from horrific circumstances usually features skinny, scarred-up dogs with wagging tails and happy tongues joyfully greeting law enforcement officers. “A pit bull is dangerous to people,” Gladwell concludes, “not to the extent that it expresses its essential pit bullness but to the extent that it deviates from it.”

What is “essential pit bullness”? It’s difficult to express the personality of any breed in words, but for pit bulls it comes down to a certain joie-de-vivre and a magnetic attraction to humans. First, pit bulls have a constant desire to be close to humans, even if that means lying by your feet as you use the com-puter; they are not overly independent

dogs and want nothing more than to be active members of your “family.” Second, pit bulls are outgoing, eager to meet new people, and generally trusting of strangers. Finally, this innate desire for human contact and outgoing nature adds up to the ultimate “people dog”: pit bulls are truly in their element when snuggling on the couch, hopping in the bed on a cold morn-ing, getting rubbed on the belly or scratched behind the ears, showing off a trick, going for a car ride with their family, or playing a fun game.

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The American Bias

13Breed Characteristics

are great with other dogs and enjoy the company of fellow canines. Some dogs do well only with dogs of the opposite sex. Some are fine with dogs they were raised with but intolerant of new dogs. Some dogs are tolerant of other dogs except for in limited circumstances, such as when greeting a new person. Some enjoy the company of other dogs, while others cannot accept any other dogs. All of this should suggest that dogs are individuals and should be treated as such. Owners need to understand their particular dog’s acceptance level of other dogs and manage their dog appropriately when around other animals. A dog’s tolerance level can change during its lifetime, and owners need to be aware of these changes so they can properly manage their dogs while in the company of other dogs. Some dogs become less tolerant as they mature from puppyhood to adult, while others become more accepting as they mature into the senior years. Some can become

more tolerant with socialization and training. Regardless of breed, there are many dogs that do not like other dogs, and all dog owners need to be responsible. This means follow-ing the basic rules of dog ownership: keeping your dog on leash at all times, not letting your charge unfamiliar dogs, and supervising your valued companion at all times. For pit bull owners, the stakes are always higher...Each incident in which a pit bull gets blamed jeopardizes our right to own these great dogs. Keep your dog out of trouble! That said, many pit bulls get along great with other pets and may live happily with other dogs without incident.

“A pitbull is dangerous to people,” Gladwell concludes, “not to the extent

that it expresses its essential pit bullness but to the extent that it deviates from it.”

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The American Bias

Origin of the Pitbull Bias

on-dog aggression) were found in these reports. Many of these shelter personnel lamented the destruction of these dogs and commented that despite their strength, tenacity and encouraged aggression towards other dogs, the seized Pit bulls were loyal, friendly and affectionate animals. Unbeknownst to the media, law enforcement and shelter workers, the exposure of this cruel and seedy subculture and their descriptions of the Pit bull’s fierce but loyal nature would strike a chord with a segment of the human population which has always been attracted to dogs they believe will enable them to impress or intimidate other humans.

Exposing breeds of dogs involved in a negative function, through no fault of their own, will not increase their popularity with the average owner looking for a dog. Dogs portrayed in negative functions (fighting, guarding drug stashes, etc.) will only serve to increase their popularity with unsuitable owners who seek out dogs to increase their status as a person of power or intimidation.

The media’s intention in first reporting dog fighting, police raids, and Pit bull seizures appears to have been legitimate and well-intentioned coverage of animal cruelty which rightfully should be exposed as criminal behavior. However, the media’s first reports of two Pit bull-related fatalities in the late 1970s were filled with erroneous Pit bull

anatomical references and sensationalized claims of Pit bull abilities. These glaring errors, along with the continuous exposure of Pit bulls used by dog fighters and drug dealers, would produce an immediate and predictable increase in the popularity of this breed with substandard and criminal owners. By the early 1980s the Pit bull was on the fast track to becoming the new super-predator.

Like the producers of the Tom Shows in the 1880s, when the 1980s media recognized that Pit bull attack stories elicited an emotional reaction from their audience, the media went into overdrive. The early 1980s find the media continuously churning out emotionally charged articles about Pit bull anatomy and behaviors that were based on rumors, myths and unproven claims by both experts and laymen. By 1982, Pit bulls were becoming a hot topic and the media would capitalize on this at every opportunity. As the media delighted in reporting the Pit bull to be unpredictable and deadly, the population of Pit bulls accelerated In 1987, Rolling Stone magazine did a remarkable and graphic exposé on teenagers, inner city gangs, violence and the horrific abuse of Pit bulls, entitled “A Boy and his Dog in Hell.” This investigation into inner city youth showed that not only were Pit bulls being used as an extension of their owners’ depravity, but were extensions of their teenage owners’ egos. When Pit bulls lost an arranged street fight they were subjected to unimaginable cruelty and violent deaths, because they became a source of embarrassment or failed to uphold the machismo image of their owners. Addressing the societal ills identified in the Rolling Stone report—crime, poverty, animal abuse, ignorance, greed, depravity, and man’s lust for violence—is

Pit Bulls being fought is a continuous problem for the breed. Their traits such as high endurance and loyalty make them an ideal canididate for this horrifying practice.

I n a 10-year span, from 1966–1975, there is only one documented case of a fatal dog attack in the United States by a dog which could even remotely be identified as a “Pit

bull” (i.e. American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, English Bulldog or any dog resembling a “Pit bull” or “Bulldog”). So, how did the “Pit bull” find itself fully entrenched as the new super-predator by the early 1980s?

By the middle of the 1970s there became an emerging public awareness of the cruel practice of dog fighting in the United States. Dog fighting began to get the attention of law enforcement and, hence, the media during this time and was

being exposed as an insidious and growing problem throughout the country.

About the same time, in the summer of 1976, a California boy was killed by a dog. Newspapers from Louisiana and New Jersey to California reported this event, with each newspaper using a different breed description. The dog involved in this incident was alternately described as a Bulldog, Bull Terrier, or Pit bull. More than a few newspapers reported that the dog “locked its jaws on the child’s neck.” One newspaper could not make up its mind as to which breed caused the fatality so they simply mixed and matched the anatomand alleged behavior of an American Pit Bull Terrier with that of the (English) Bulldog.

The headline starts off claiming, “Five-year old killed by Bulldog” and in the next line identifies the dog as a “Pit bull.” After now identifying the dog as a Pit bull, the article offers the following (incorrect)

theory about English Bulldog anatomy that allegedly explains the “locking jaw” reported in this attack: “Because a Bulldog’s lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw, it is physically impossible for the dog to let go while there is any tension on whatever it is holding in its mouth.” During this time, as police raided dog fighting operations, arresting dog fighters and seizing Pit bulls, the media began covering this growing subculture of drugs, guns, gambling and fighting dogs in earnest. Shelter personnel were interviewed about why the Pit bulls seized during the raids were being euthanized. Comments about the “killer instinct” of the Pit bull (unfortunately not defined as it was meant—dog-

Where the bias began and how it was spread

Origin of the Pitbull Bias

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a far too daunting and disturbing task for most people. So much easier on the human psyche to address the situation with Pit bulls as Sports Illustrated did that same month. On July 27, 1987, the entire front cover of this issue was a photograph of a Pit bull, mouth open, teeth bared, over which in bold print was the headline, “Beware of this Dog.” The lengthy article inside the magazine gave lip service to the abusive “sport” of dog fighting, while alternately portraying the Pit bull as vicious and unpredictable.

Here we also see the beginnings of outrageous examples of Pit bulls involved in attacks being described as “family dogs.” One of the “family” Pit bulls described in this Sports Illustrated article was actually one of four dogs chained behind a trailer in Oklahoma. All the dogs (three chained Pit bulls, and one chained Chow) had scars consistent with dog fighting. The owners/parents were charged with criminal neglect for allowing their 2-year old daughter to wander out to these “family” dogs. But no article could compete with the blatant fear mongering and horrendous portrayal of the Pit bull that Time magazine ran this same month. In an apparent attempt to top all others in shocking the public into reading their Pit bull article, they ran the headline “Time Bomb on Legs.” Horror author Stephen King could not have created a more frightening monster than this portrayal of the Pit bull. The second sentence of this article reads, “Never in the delirious dream of a disordered brain could anything more savage, more appalling, more hellish, be conceived than the dark form and savage face” (of the Pit bull). The rest of the article descends even further, vilifying the Pit bull as a creature that revels in a “frenzy of bloodletting,” and described as “lethal weapons” with “steel trap jaws” and as “killer dogs,” and the new “hound of the Baskervilles.” An unproven, unreferenced claim of Pit bulls biting with 1800 psi is included. The article then goes on to describe the formula used to torture, abuse and create a dangerous dog. The author of this article is blithely unaware or unconcerned with his role in perpetuating the problem. While this type of journalism may be entertaining, the demonization of dogs by the media has serious consequences. Demonizing certain breeds only furthers their appeal to the most extremely abusive of owners while feeding into a public hysteria and frightening off any potential suitable owners for this breed of dog.

This same month, July 1987, still another major publication, People Weekly, would also contribute to the hype and hysteria about the Pit bull with their article, “An Instinct for the Kill.”

Sports Illustrated Cover - July 1987

Origin of the Pitbull Bias

Sports Illustrated Cover - December 2008

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The American Bias

Origin of the Pitbull Bias

W ith much negative focus on Pit bulls during the 1980’s, their image has suffered immensely and is still struggling to recover ground. The stories of vicious, unpredictable Pit Bulls were so widely broadcast that they have become something of a myth in our society. Myths or beliefs of such a nature, although inaccurate, can be extremely difficult

to change. The media continues to maintain the negative bias through over reporting and misreporting regarding this breed. They also have failed to examine, among the Pit Bulls that are violent towards humans, the reasonings behind their aggressive attitude. Although it is not acceptable for any breed to attack a human, it’s important to understand the circumstances that can lead to this sort of behavior. The unfavorable representation of Pit bulls only has exuberated the problem as high-risk owners interested in a “dangerous dog” seek out this breed. Many such owners have exposed their dog to unsuitable circumstances such as being chained outside; denied shelter, food, and/or water, beaten, or fought against other dogs. Many of these animals come out of their circumstances only seeking a dependable companion and are able to be placed in a new home without undesirable behavior. There are some however, are so damaged by their negative experience that they become violent and unpredictable, these are usually the ones broadcast on the news. It’s unfortunate that these attacks speak louder than the greater majority that never show aggression towards a human. It’s a greater tragedy however, that we have put a label on a breed as vicious or dangerous, when in many cases, humans are responsible for leading the animal to respond with such behavior. The vast majority of the media, however, does not care about the circumstances of the stories they cover. They often are not really concerned if the dog is a Pit Bull or a different breed.

How society continues to support the bias and why they shouldn’t

Maintaining the Bias

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report Dog Bite-Related Fatalities From 1979–1988, released in September 1989, would seal the fate of the Pit bulls with pseudostatistics. The CDC breed “statistics” were actually numbers derived largely from newspaper stories and from the media’s identification of dogs involved in attacks. The report then discussed canine aggression almost exclusively from a focus of breed. Factors such as the function of the dog (guarding/fighting/breeding), reproductive status, sex of dog, victim behavior, and owner behavior were not addressed. The primary focus of the study was breed of dog and victim profile

Finally, in 2001, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convened a Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human Canine Interactions to address the continuing dog bite problem and to assist in avoiding “ineffective responses” following a severe dog attack in a community. This in-depth study reported that “dog bite statistics are not really statistics, and they do not give an accurate picture of dogs that bite.” Unfortunately the findings and information presented by these learned experts has been largely ignored by many communities when addressing dangerous dogs. (source: the pit bull placebo)

One example of the abuse and neglect that has been a sadly common occurrence in the lives of Pit Bulls.

21Maintaining the Bias

The American Bias

The media’s contribution to the Pit Bull’s image is larger than it seems - it’s inaccurate reporting of dog breed has gone from incorrect news article to inaccurate fact. One of the most often quoted statistics when it comes to the topic of Pit Bulls comes from the Center for Disease Control and their study Dog Bite - Related Fatalities From 1979 Through 1988. Perhaps the greatest issue with this study is that much of the public instantly sees the source and counts it as reliable, never further investigating the procedure used during the study. This is not to say that the source is not reliable but rather to point out that the method of collecting data was not conclusive. The methods and considerations regarding the methods used to obtain the information for the statistics is featured below from the online version of the CDCs study. (source: cdc.gov)

“The two sources of data used to identify DBRFs [Dog Bite Related Fatalities] were the NEXIS search service of Mead Data Central and the single-cause mortality tapes (SCMTs) from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Two additional sources of data (HS records and multiple-cause mortality tapes from the NCHS) were used for supplementary information, but not for case ascertainment.

We searched for news stories regarding DBRFs from 1979 through 1988 using the NEXIS search service. The NEXIS service is a full-text, on-line service that contains more than 160 files of information from newspapers, magazines, wire services, and broadcast transcripts. The NEXIS files can be searched for specific words or word combinations to retrieve stories regarding a requested topic. Because the NEXIS service has not been designed to perform the comprehensive search required in this study, we conducted four searches with different key words and combinations to ensure that we had identified as many deaths as possible. Other limitations of NEXIS in doing such a search are inconsistent indexing of stories, inadequate and vague documentation, and failure to inform the user when files are inaccessible during a search. Details of our search strategies are available on request.

Our second source of cases was NCHS mortality data. The SCMTs from 1979 through 1986 were used to identify deaths from dog bites among US residents in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Below: The variety of breeds that fall into the category of “Pit Bull”: the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, and the Miniature Bull Terrier.

Above: these breeds are often misidentified as “Pit Bulls”. They are the Bull Mastiff, the American Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Boston Terrier, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and the Yellow Labrador Retriever.

Pit Bull Bias in the MediaAnimal control officers across the country have told the ASPCA that when they alert the media to a dog attack, news

outlets respond that they have no interest in reporting on the incident unless it involved a pit bull. A quantitative study by the National Canine Resource Council of dog-bite reportage in a four-day period proves that anti-pit bull bias in the media is more than just a theory—it’s a fact.

1. August 18, 2007—A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man, sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers. This incident was reported in one article in the local paper.2. August 19, 2007—A 16-month-old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed-breed dog. This attack was reported on twice by the local paper.3. August 20, 2007—A six-year-old boy was hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving a severe bite to the head by a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog. This incident was reported in one article in the local paper.4. August 21, 2007—A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe, but not fatal, injuries. This attack was reported in over 230 articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.Along with over-reporting, false reporting is a major

contributor to the public relations nightmare currently facing pit bulls. There is an emerging tendency for all short-haired, stocky dogs to be called pit bulls—and when a dangerous dog’s breed is unknown, the media is not above assuming that the dog involved must have been a pit bull. The National Canine Resource Council terms this phenomenon “Everything is a pit bull, whether it is or not.” In the rush to publish, the pit bull label is often inaccurately applied—and even if a correction is later made, the damage is done. Not all media bias is necessarily intentional, but it forms an impression on the public and on legislators nonetheless. (source: aspca.org)

“Because breeds may be misclassified by news stories, our

numbers may not be exact. For example, the term Pit Bull

has been used to describe a variety of Pit Bull Terrier and

Bull Terrier breeds. It has also been suggested that any

short-haired, stocky dog is likely to be called a Pit Bull.”

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The American Bias

Maintaining the Bias

community is not known, especially if they did not result in serious injury. Third, the number of dogs of a particular breed or combination of breeds in a community is not known, because it is rare for all dogs in a community to be licensed, and existing licensing data is then incomplete. Breed data likely vary between communities, states, or regions, and can even vary between neighborhoods within a community.”

Another important point that is examined is the problems with BSL or Breed Specific Legislation which has been used to outlaw certain breeds in specific communities. Concerns about “dangerous” dogs have caused many local governments to consider supplementing existing animal control laws with ordinances directed toward control of specific breeds or types of dogs. Members of the Task Force believe such ordinances are inappropriate and ineffective. Statistics on fatalities and injuries caused by dogs cannot be responsibly used to document the “dangerousness” of a particular breed, relative to other breeds, for several reasons. First, a dog’s tendency to bite depends on at least 5 interacting factors: heredity, early experience, later socialization and training, health (medical and behavioral), and victim behavior. Second, there is no reliable way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed in the canine population at any given time (eg, 10 attacks by Doberman Pinschers relative to a total population of 10 dogs implies a different risk than 10 attacks by Labrador Retrievers relative to a population of 1,000 dogs). Third, statistics may be skewed, because often they do not consider multiple incidents caused by a single animal. Fourth, breed is often identified by individuals who are not familiar with breed characteristics and who commonly identify dogs of mixed ancestry as if they were purebreds. Fifth, the popularity of breeds changes over time, making comparison of breed-specific bite rates unreliable.”

Dog bite - related fatalities were defined as those fatalities with the underlying cause of death coded as dog bite (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision)...

The HS supplied their listing of DBRFs from 1983 through 1988. The listing contained the victim’s name and date of death, the city and state of the attack, the dog owner’s name, the number and breeds of dogs involved, and information regarding circumstances. These data were used only to identify dog breeds if stories from NEXIS did not note the breed(s) or if the case was identified from the SCMTs only.

Information from the three sources of death data were merged, and duplicate entries were noted...”

Although, obviously, this is not the complete list of the circumstances of the study, several things were unreliable from the start. They state that the system they are using was not designed to be used in such a study, implying that it may not be accurate, The sources that the system was pulling from were also not necessarily accurate in the first place as they were primarily newspapers, magazines, etc. As discussed previously, these sources tend to over report Pit Bull attacks as well as classify other breeds of dogs as Pit Bulls without it actually being a Pit Bull (the quote on the left is pulled from a separate section of the study in regard to special considerations and notes). Due to these reasons alone, the study should be regarded with caution. Several years later, the American Veterinary Medical Association came out with an article called, “A community approach to dog bite prevention”. This piece made several important points to counter the study by the CDC. The source poses the question that steers society towards the bias they carry towards certain dog breeds; “Which dogs bite?” The answer

reads as this: “An often-asked question is what breed or breeds of dogs are most “dangerous”? This inquiry can be prompted by a serious attack by a specific dog, or it may be the result of media-driven portrayals of a specific breed as “dangerous.” Although this is a common concern, singling out 1 or 2 breeds for control can result in a false sense of accomplishment. Doing so ignores the true scope of the problem and will not result in a responsible approach to protecting a community’s citizens.

Dog bite statistics are not really statistics, and they do not give an accurate picture of dogs that bite. Invariably the numbers will show that dogs from popular large breeds are a problem. This should be expected, because big dogs can physically do more damage if they do bite, and any popular breed has more individuals that could bite. Dogs from small breeds also bite and are capable of causing severe injury. There are several reasons why it is not possible to calculate a bite rate for a breed or to compare rates between breeds. First, the breed of the biting dog may not be accurately recorded, and mixed-breed dogs are commonly described as if they were purebreds. Second, the actual number of bites that occur in a

Resources 25

The American Bias

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/

Our goal is to help the general public learn more about the breed and to help you find high quality information.

http://www.pitbulls.org/

What will you find on PitBulls.org?• Passionate Pit Bull Lovers and Owners• Accurate Information about Pit Bulls• Training Help• Fun and inspirational stories• Pictures and video contests• Other resources, like rescue shelter and dog

boarding information

www.gopitbull.com

Forum style website offering owners and others interest-ed in Pitbulls a place to communicate and share information.

http://www.pitbullproject.ca/index.htm

The Pit Bull Project is dedicated to the education and preservation of the ‘pit bull’ breeds.

http://www.workingpitbull.com/

A little of everything about the American Pitbull Terrier.

http://www.rescueeverydog.org/pitbull_breed.html

Basic breed information

Resourceshttp://www.pbrc.net/

The PBRC website is a virtual shelter and resource for owners and caretakers of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Ter-riers, and pit bull mixes.

http://www.realpitbull.com/index.html

The REAL Pit Bull, Inc. is an education, advocacy, and rescue organization dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier.

http://www.dontbullymybreed.org/

Don’t Bully My Breed is a 501c3 non-profit advocacy organization that is dedicated to the welfare of bully breeds and other companion animals.

http://www.badrap.org/

This site was designed to help you learn more about pit bull type dogs and the issues that affect them.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/pit_bull_resources.html

Making “pawsitive” change for America’s most abused dog.

http://www.napbta.com/

National American Pit Bull Terrier Association

http://www.chako.org/index.html

Chako Pit Bull Rescue aims to alleviate the persecution of the Pit Bull breeds by finding homes for Pit Bulls in need, promoting responsible dog ownership, and stand-ing against breed discrimination.

http://stopbsl.com/

Stop Breed Legislation is dedicated to creating aware-ness and fighting laws that place bans on entire breeds.

Expand your knowledge with these web-based resources on pitbulls

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The American Bias

Credits

-1-http://bullysworldwide.freeforums.org-2-http://www.dogprintsgallery.com-7-http://www.scenicreflections.com-8/9/17/21/26/27-http://www.dogs-wallpapers.com-9-http://www.kickingdesigns.comhttp://image09.webshots.comhttp://www.gopitbull.com-10-http://celiasue.files.wordpress.com-11-http://homepage.mac.comhttp://jubinsky.files.wordpress.comhttp://www.workingpitbull.comhttp://www.pitbull411.comhttp://www.classicalvalues.com-12-http://en.wikivisual.com

Images in order of appearance:

-13/15-http://1.bp.blogspot.com-14-http://www.badrap.org-15-http://www.deviantart.net-16-http://cf.ltkcdn.nethttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net-17-http://www.petconnection.com-18-http://blogs.denverpost.com-19-http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net-20-http://lh4.ggpht.com-21-http://connhome.comhttp://www.ohmidog.com-22-http://3.bp.blogspot.com/

Credits

-23-http://api.ning.comhttp://www.capawblehands.org-24-http://cache0.bigcartel.com-25-Training Your Pit Bull by Joe Stahlkuppe-26-http://www.zastavki.com/-27-http://2.bp.blogspot.com/