Should Pit Bulls Be Banned? Pit bulls may be the most widely misunderstood breed of dog. Their reputation is one of brutality and ferocity, and assumptions are made for the entire breed based on the poor, misrepresented actions of a few canines. Allowing for a minority of pit bulls to speak for the entire breed is a concept in which Americans are well versed, often tolkenizing one on the behalf of many. Because of this tendency to allow for one to speak for an entire group or population, it is even more important that humans stop to address any bias that exists within them without a broader knowledge of an issue. The problem is also local and immediate, as Denver, Colorado, has a city ordinance that bans the ownership of pit bulls, a ban that only has a basis in stereotypes and not in reality. As a breed, pit bulls should not be banned, as their stereotyped behavior is not directly related to their disposition as a breed, and measures can be taken by human owners to ensure that they are raised to be well behaved.
CAUSES
Pit bull behavior is, for the most part, dictated by factors outside of their genetics, and pit bulls begin their development at conception and through the early years of their lives. Stress levels experienced by the mother dog can impact the future behavior of the puppies she is carrying in her womb, resulting in skiddish and untrusting behaviors later in life (“Position Statement on Pit Bulls”). If a mother dog is not properly cared for when she is pregnant, and doesn’t have the security and materials necessary for life provided to her by her caretakers, she can birth puppies who are hesitant or unable to bond with humans. This can result in aggressive behavior from the puppies, as they are intimidated by the presence of humans, and are unable to control their fear reactions to them. Additionally, if a puppy does not have safe housing conditions and steady meals at the onset of their birth, their behavior is altered later in life as they are, again, untrusting of the people who have not allowed for them to live a life of security (“Position Statement on Pit Bulls”). Because of a poor start in life, pit bulls can be wired for poor behavior. Like humans’ need for Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for their progression and development into a member of the human race, so too do puppies need access to supplies that seek to sustain their health, like food, shelter, and care, in order to be a member of a domesticated dog breed. Thus, pit bulls should not be banned, as their behavior can be developed so that they do not demonstrate aggression. Pit bull behavior is also determined by a dog’s particular experience with socialization. Socialization involves the interactions of dogs with one another. Socialization teaches puppies and dogs how to engage, play, and communicate with one another (“Position Statement on Pit Bulls”). It also teaches them how to set boundaries with one another. If a puppy misses out on socialization, they are unable to interact with other dogs, or indicate when a boundary needs to be set, which contributes to their bad reputation, as this can lead to attacks without warning, a stereotype associated with pit bulls (Lynn). Undersocialization is common in pit bulls, as they are often trained to fight or be guard dogs, both professions requiring the need for aggression (Bastian). As a result, when pit bulls are removed from their homes, about 75% of animal rescue shelters …show more content…
"How Did Pit Bulls Get Such a Bad Rap?" Cesar's Way. Cesar's Way Inc., 17 June 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Johnson, Morieka. "A Pit Bull Perception Problem: What's a Dog Owner to Do?" CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Lynn, Colleen. "The Front Burner: Should Pit Bulls Be Banned?" Tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Myers, Micaela. "Pit Bulls by the Numbers." StubbyDog. StubbyDog, 3 May 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
"Pit Bulls and Euthanasia Rates." Save-a-Bull Rescue. Save-a-Bull Rescue, 12 Nov. 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
"Position Statement on Pit Bulls." ASPCA. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2016. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Upshur, Mike. Personal interview. Email. 14 Apr.
CAUSES
Pit bull behavior is, for the most part, dictated by factors outside of their genetics, and pit bulls begin their development at conception and through the early years of their lives. Stress levels experienced by the mother dog can impact the future behavior of the puppies she is carrying in her womb, resulting in skiddish and untrusting behaviors later in life (“Position Statement on Pit Bulls”). If a mother dog is not properly cared for when she is pregnant, and doesn’t have the security and materials necessary for life provided to her by her caretakers, she can birth puppies who are hesitant or unable to bond with humans. This can result in aggressive behavior from the puppies, as they are intimidated by the presence of humans, and are unable to control their fear reactions to them. Additionally, if a puppy does not have safe housing conditions and steady meals at the onset of their birth, their behavior is altered later in life as they are, again, untrusting of the people who have not allowed for them to live a life of security (“Position Statement on Pit Bulls”). Because of a poor start in life, pit bulls can be wired for poor behavior. Like humans’ need for Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for their progression and development into a member of the human race, so too do puppies need access to supplies that seek to sustain their health, like food, shelter, and care, in order to be a member of a domesticated dog breed. Thus, pit bulls should not be banned, as their behavior can be developed so that they do not demonstrate aggression. Pit bull behavior is also determined by a dog’s particular experience with socialization. Socialization involves the interactions of dogs with one another. Socialization teaches puppies and dogs how to engage, play, and communicate with one another (“Position Statement on Pit Bulls”). It also teaches them how to set boundaries with one another. If a puppy misses out on socialization, they are unable to interact with other dogs, or indicate when a boundary needs to be set, which contributes to their bad reputation, as this can lead to attacks without warning, a stereotype associated with pit bulls (Lynn). Undersocialization is common in pit bulls, as they are often trained to fight or be guard dogs, both professions requiring the need for aggression (Bastian). As a result, when pit bulls are removed from their homes, about 75% of animal rescue shelters …show more content…
"How Did Pit Bulls Get Such a Bad Rap?" Cesar's Way. Cesar's Way Inc., 17 June 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Johnson, Morieka. "A Pit Bull Perception Problem: What's a Dog Owner to Do?" CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Lynn, Colleen. "The Front Burner: Should Pit Bulls Be Banned?" Tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Myers, Micaela. "Pit Bulls by the Numbers." StubbyDog. StubbyDog, 3 May 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
"Pit Bulls and Euthanasia Rates." Save-a-Bull Rescue. Save-a-Bull Rescue, 12 Nov. 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
"Position Statement on Pit Bulls." ASPCA. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2016. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Upshur, Mike. Personal interview. Email. 14 Apr.