Opinion: Pit bulls should be banned (2024)

Maulings, maimings, dismemberments and fatalities all diminish significantly in every jurisdiction where a pit bull ban is imposed.

Author of the article:

Barbara Kay Special to Montreal Gazette

Published Jun 10, 2016Last updated Nov 29, 20182 minute read

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A 55-year old woman has been killed by a pit bull in Pointe-aux-Trembles. That brings to 14 the number of Canadians killed or seriously injured by pit bulls in 2016 so far.

For the pit bull advocacy movement (PBAM), the incident will serve as a rallying cry to put a collective shoulder to the pit-bull laundering wheel.

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I can anticipate their arguments, as I have heard and countered them many times.

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PBAM will tell you pit bulls are hard to recognize, therefore often misidentified. Nonsense. Indeed, in a pit bull-related case, Ohio’s Supreme Court stated, “Pit bull dogs possess unique and readily identifiable physical and behavioural traits which are capable of recognition both by dog owners of ordinary intelligence and by enforcement personnel.”

PBAM will tell you that the spectacular discrepancy between attacks by pit bull type dogs – sixper centof the breed population – accounting for more than 80per centof fatal and disfiguring attacks, is entirely due to “bad owners” rather than to the breed’s genetically inherent trait of impulsive aggression.

The truth, as dog behaviourist Alexandra Semyanova points out, is “These dogs aren’t killers because they have the wrong owners, rather they attract the wrong owners because they are killers.”

PBAM will tell you bans don’t work as the “bite” rate remains constant in spite of bans. Bites are not the issue. It is “maulings, maimings, dismemberments and fatalities” that should concern policy-makers. All diminish significantly in every jurisdiction where a pit bull ban is imposed. In one Atlanta clinic, for example, data revealed that whenever a victim of a dog bite had been in his hospital eight days or more, the culprit was invariably a pit bull.

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PBAM will tell you bans are inferior to the “Calgary model” of aggressive licensing, owner education and severe post-bite fines. But the Calgary model didn’t work for Calgary. Dog attacks there went from 58 in 2009 to 201 in 2014, a disproportionate number of them by pit bulls.By contrast, in Ontario, which imposed a pit bull ban in 2005, serious dog-related attacks have decreased by 32per cent (to 329 from 486), almost entirely because ofthe radical diminution of the pit bull population.

Forty countries, all doing independent research, ban pit bulls. This is not “racism,” as PBAM contends. Dog breeding produces predictable stereotypes as consumer products. As is the case with all products, prudent public safety policy justifies discriminatory regulation.

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Opinion: Pit bulls should be banned (2024)

FAQs

Why should pit bulls be banned? ›

A lot of people think that pit bulls should be banned because they're supposedly vicious and have the ability to lock their jaw once they've bitten. Pit bulls are often portrayed as violent in the media. However, in my opinion, pit bulls are no more or less dangerous than any other dog breed.

How many people think pitbulls should be banned? ›

69% of Americans are 'dog people' but one fifth want ban on Pit Bulls | YouGov.

What happens when they banned pitbulls? ›

People get separated from their pets

When BSL goes into effect, sometimes people are forced to relinquish their dogs to authorities immediately. Most often, however, there is a clause that allows people who already own a pit to keep them-if they register them within a determined period of time.

Are pit bulls as bad as they say? ›

In general, pit bulls aren't aggressive with people but are “less tolerant” of other dogs than many other breeds, says Pamela Reid, PhD, vice president of the ASPCA's Animal Behavior Center in New York. They also have “great tenacity. They put their mind to something, and they do it.

Are pit bulls good with kids? ›

While Pit Bulls are not good guard dogs because they just love people so much, they may intercede if someone threatens "their" humans. Pit Bulls are great with children. Pit Bulls are a loyal, people-oriented breed that thrive as part of the family. They are affectionate with both adults and children.

Why do people avoid pitbulls? ›

Some pit bulls were selected and bred for their fighting ability. That means that they may be more likely than other breeds to fight with dogs. It doesn't mean that they can't be around other dogs or that they're unpredictably aggressive.

Is it OK to have a pitbull? ›

Its a well known fact - Well managed, responsibly owned Pit Bulls are some of the best family dogs. The American Canine Temperament Test Society lists this breed as having one of the most stable temperaments of any of the purebreds, right up there with golden retrievers.

Why are pitbulls aggressive? ›

Due to selective breeding for the purposes of dogfighting, pit bulls are highly dog-aggressive. This aggression is not limited to dogs; pit bulls frequently kill other companion pets and domesticated animals.

Were pitbulls ever banned? ›

Pit bulls were banned in the UK due to concerns about their potential for aggression and the need to address specific dog attacks. The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 targeted several breeds deemed dangerous. In the US, breed-specific legislation varies by state and locality, and not all places have enacted similar bans.

Why are pit bulls treated unfairly? ›

Unfortunately, in the 1980s, it became popular to breed pit bulls for their power and aggression, then fight them. This resulted in many dogs being bred unethically for dog fight arenas. The media publicized these brutal stories, creating a bad reputation for dogs labeled as pit bulls.

How much would it cost to ban pit bulls? ›

Nationwide, BSL would cost an estimated $476 million per year, including enforcement of the law, related vet and shelter care, euthanization and disposal, and legal fees.

Do pitbulls have bad health problems? ›

Pitbulls are prone to hip dysplasia and knee problems, such as torn ACLs/CCLs. Many have hind leg issues due to genetics, environmental factors, or a combination of the two. Luckily, there are many treatment options available so your pitbull can live a happy and healthy life.

How common are pitbull attacks? ›

The American Animal Hospital Association reports this breed was responsible for 22.5% of bites across all studies conducted in 2019.

Can a pitbull bite its owner? ›

But yes, some pit bulls have bitten their owners. And they aren't the only breed to do so. Many other breeds, from the tiny chihuahua or toy dog breeds to the mighty Dobermans and shepherd dogs can turn on their owners.

Are pit bulls genetically aggressive? ›

2. Myth: Pit bulls are an inherently aggressive breed. Fact: Environmental factors cause aggression, not a particular breed or type of dog. Aggression is not a breed characteristic, and environmental influences are often the cause of aggression in dogs.

Why you should own a pitbull? ›

Pit Bulls have impressive athletic talents! You can have a great time with your pooch while showing off their great agility work, playing fly ball and other exciting dog sports. Pit Bulls Love to Swim, Run, Play Frisbee & Romp in the Great Outdoors.

When did pit bulls become hated? ›

Pit Bulls were America's sweetheart breed: Admired, respected and loved. After WWII, the Pit Bull's popularity began to decline, as other breeds came into favor. But they were not feared or maligned until the 1980's, when the myth of the dangerous fighting dog started to take hold in the media.

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