Dogs have always been thought of as man’s best friend, but apparently to some all dogs are not included in this statement. Currently the Massachusetts state legislature has proposed a bill to outlaw the owning of Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers throughout the state due to their bad reputation. All of these breeds have typically been trained as vicious fighters, but they should not be stereotyped as such. By looking at the commonly believed myths concerning Pit Bulls and then comparing them to facts, you can see that this breed is wrongfully disliked. Pit Bulls should not be criminalized.
One myth about Pit Bulls is that they will show their aggression towards humans. When it comes to studying the behavior of these animals we have to look both at their inherited traits and their owners. The National Canine Temperament Testing Association tested 122 breeds for aggressiveness, and Pit Bulls placed the fourth highest with a 95% passing rate, surpassing many other dog breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Collies, and Cocker Spaniels. It is important to recognize that even animal instincts could not cause them to be vicious or unfriendly. The owners are what play the most vital role in the behavioral development of these pets. A good example of this would be my Pit Bull, Waldo. Since he was four weeks old I have been his owner, and he is the ideal pet. Pit Bulls are often referred to as “pet bulls” because of their kind, loving, and loyal nature which is extremely adored by owners. Unfortunately for some Pit Bulls, they get put with the wrong owner.
People use Pit Bulls to make a quick buck through fighting, which is the reason why these dogs have such a negative stigma. Unfortunately, a large amount of attention has been brought to the fact that the Pit Bull was originally created for fighting other dogs. Another myth concerning these dogs is that once the dog has been trained as a fighting dog, it cannot change its aggressive nature. The truth of the matter is that the Pit Bull is one of the most versatile of canines. When Pit Bulls become aggressive and angry, it is because it was taught to respond and act that way. These dogs are sought out because of their build and fighting potential. They then are poorly bred, badly treated, and become the byproducts of irresponsible 'backyard breeders' as well as cruel and abusive homes, but that does not mean its behavior is incapable of change. Pit bulls strive to please their owners, whether that means fighting, to negligent owners, or cuddling, to caring owners. This breed is especially good at pleasing people since they are strong and intelligent, they learn swiftly and they are very adaptable.
Another myth about Pit Bulls is that they have a locking jaw, meaning that when they bite down their jaw will lock into that position. No dog of any breed has ever been found to possess a mechanism in their jaw which would allow them to lock their top and bottom jaw together meaning there is no such thing as a locking jaw. Some dogs clamp down hard on prey objects; this causes the popularity of tug toys, stuffed animals, and rope toys. Similarly, Pit Bulls were once bred and trained to cling to a bull's nose despite the bull’s thrashing, flinging, and scraping. This characteristic causes this breed to love to hold on to things. Pit Bulls have strength, tenacity, and determination, and when they grasp something they want to hang onto, willpower is the glue. Even though they love to play, Pit Bulls are extremely obedient and a properly raised pit bull will yield to his owner's command.
Stanley Leinwoll said, "No animal I know of can consistently be more of a friend and companion than a dog," and that should include all dogs. Pit Bulls are more loved by pet owners than any other dogs but negative views caused by negligent owners cause them to be forgotten. A dog as sweet, loyal, and loving as a Pit Bull should not be criminalized under any circumstances. Law enforcement needs to crack down on illegal dog fighting and give Pit Bulls the kind of respect and love they deserve.
Concerning this subject Michael Vick should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. "You can judge the soul of a man by his treatment of animals." Michael Vick has no soul. He is a sick human being who deserves worse than what he did to those poor, defenseless dogs. Anyone who participates is dog fighting is a waste of human space. If you want any informate on Michael Vick or how to contact the NFL or sponsors to thank them for punishing Vick visit: http://www.peta.com/
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yeah, i think laws trying to outlaw any breed of animal are ridiculous. i've always been a firm believer that "there are no bad dogs, only bad owners." let's outlaw stupidity and animal cruelty instead!
--stacie
i feel really badly for the animals, but i have to say on this matter that MIchael Vick, though I hate the guy for the cruel treatment of the dogs, has been punished enough and will be ostracised from society . Now we've got much more important criminals out there, rapists, child molesters, they get 2 -3 months in jail and then they are out, and then they commit the same crime and go to jail, repeating this cycle. Not only that, killers get out and are about, but you're right to say he has no soul but please, there are more important isues for the courts and judges to deal with, he has lost his contract, society hates him and he will always be shunned and hated. It's enough. lets get to the other issues plaguing our nation such as lead in toys for children. and Iraq WAR and health care............
Above All - Do no harm
The people who are giving rapists and killers 2-3 months in jail are rediculous. That does not mean that Michael Vick should not be held accountable for his actions, and actually made an example of. What can they do about the war or healthcare? nothing? our government can only do that and they don't want to.
i had just typed up more stuff but my stupid comp has been messing up all day. i was going to say, its sad that people are so much more active about this, i mean its also a good thing, but they should know about the other issues, seriosuly, the public is so uniformed in the nation it shocks me. Sending him into jail where he will probably be alone and not confronted by most people, will be a nice retrieve, let him live outside and be confronted by people who think he is a monster and think he has no soul
Above All - Do no harm
he needs a more serious lesson. he can't get a slap on the wrist by the court system. it would make it seem like in some way it was okay, and in no way was it.
i am informed. do not pass judgement on me.
you and most people here are an exception, i am trying to talk about the majority hint hint, when we go interview people on the streets (i don't but leno, conan o brien and other comedians do) people know very little about an issue, about their governemnt or even about their news reporters on tv. but its just something i struggle with, i am not passing judgment on you, but hasn't our society become preoccupied with idiotic shit such as birtney, paris, nicole, who gives a ??? This is what I want to change and Michael Vick will probably only get a slap on the wrist or maybe not becxause it seems to me we treasure animals a lot but not humans (i'm probably just being too critical, i hate vick but i hate the nedia attention he gets compared to other important matters, like fires in greece, peruvian earth quakes or storms, or wars and other stuff)
Above All - Do no harm
brittney,paris,lindey..all the drunk sluts who are horrible examples get more media attention instead of important issues, which gives kids more ideas anyway. Everything is so fucked up in america...it is really pathetic. it breaks my heart how ignorant our society has become and how OBSESSED they are with celebrities. GIVE ME A BREAK! who in the heck really cares about who paris is making a sex tape with this month? sadly stuff like that is the highlight of peoples lives.
I've got two rescue dogs. A pit and a pit mix. They're both very sweet. We suspect the pit mix was trained for fighting, because it has it's ears snipped.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
If a dog has snipped ears it does not mean it was a fighting dog. My auntie and uncle snipped all of their dogs ears, (even though I disagree with that) and in no way were their dogs fighting dogs. Most fighting dogs are deemed unsuitable for being pets and are euthanized.
i love my pit though. it is sad that shit like this give them such a bad rep because they are AMAZING dogs.
True. I shouldn't generalize. There are other indicators. At the very least, she was terribly abused and mated at a very early age before put on the streets.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
that's horrible, but at least she got a good home.
We only abuse her by giving her too much attention.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
I wqas reading the other comments and i was wondering what snipping ears is. im prolly stupid for not knowing. lol. and pit bulls are real sweet hearts if the trainer is right. and i knew a cocker spanial that would attack men because she was abused and she was more vicious than any pit bull ive ever seen. its just circumstance.
also, i agree that people pay way too much attention to celebrities. Just because they are talanted in something doesnt mean we need to televize them outside of movies or make them our idols. also, many celebrities are depressed becasue of the constant media attention and tabloids. It isnt good for anybody.
Some dogs have floppy ears. some people dislike this either because it gets in the way for fighting, or being a show dog, or whatever. So they clip the ears where they flop.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
Pit bulls scored higher than cockerspaniels, golden retrievers, and many other dogs when it comes to human agressiveness. Pit bulls love people! That's why owners can even stand in the ring when they are fighting because they would not bite them.