Banning Pit Bulls Research Paper
For The Love of Pit Bulls
Pit bulls are just like any other loyal breed of dog. Just like the other breeds, pit bulls are only dangerous if they are raised to be dangerous. According to the AVMA, it is “mostly the owners, not the dogs, who are to blame for any bad behavior.” (“Ban Pit Bulls?”). Pit bulls are wonderful companions and friends.
The pit bull breed originates from England in the 1800s. These precious animals were initially raised and trained to fight for entertainment. Around “1835 England outlawed the gruesome entertainment of dog fighting.” Not long after, organized dog fighting became very popular in the United States around the Civil War era. Back then, the United States did not have any laws against these inhumane acts. …show more content…
“The United States finally outlawed dog fighting in the 1970s.” One of the good things that came out of breeding dogs for dog fighting was the loyalty to their owners. This all comes back to how the dog is trained and raised. (Huemer, para 2).
There is so much media propaganda on pit bulls being the most vicious breed of dog and temperamental. This in turn, is making people more and more afraid of this wonderful breed of dogs. Usually when one hears about a pit bull, it is bad news. It is always a story about how a pit bull mauled someone to death or how a pit bull bit someone. Sadly, the media hardly ever talks about how pit bulls have saved people’s lives, like David Sharp. Sharp fell into a deep depression after a deployment. He was sitting on his kitchen floor with a handgun in his hand “ready to finish the fight with the demons that followed me back from the war”. His pit bull sat down next to him and “licked his ear”. This made him laugh, which was “something he hadn’t been doing much of”. Sharp said “something clicked for me and for my reason for living, in that moment, became clear, to care for my puppy.” Sharp put the gun away and started caring more for his pit bull. That pit bull had saved his life. (“A life for life…”).
“A pit bull is exactly like his master. A dog can pick up your personality and be that way, too. That’s why they act that way. Where do you think they get it from?” (Huemer. Para, 4). Pit bulls are strong dogs with a lot of courage and “willingness to please its owner…” which have become a huge “liability in modern times.” Pit bulls will continue to suffer so long as they have violent owners. Instead of assuming all pit bulls are essentially violent why not take more action to prevent animal cruelty? Huemer states that the first step to prevent this animal cruelty is “at a bare minimum, felonizing animal cruelty…” Essentially, dog fighting is illegal in all the states but is a felony in 44 of the 50 states.
Hilary Twining, an agent for the Animal Rescue League of Boston witnessed an animal shelter “refusing to put pit bulls up for adoption” and “these friendly pit bull puppies and adolescents were euthanized based solely on their breed”. Ironically, the “American Canine Temperament Testing Association reported that 95 percent of the pit bulls that have taken its temperament test passed, as compared to a 77 percent passing rate for all breeds…” (Huemer, 2000) It is sad that this breed of dogs is being singled out like this. Why can’t every dog take that temperament test to prove their existence?
Likewise a teenager, Danny Jones, was badly bitten by a pit bull when he was “skateboarding home one evening last summer… Three days in the hospital cost Danny’s family more than $12,000.” This attack started a huge local debate in Maryland. Many people were interviewed, including children. One eighth-grader asked, “Just because certain people train animals to become animals, why should we all be punished?”… Morrisa, 14 added, “If pit bulls are banned, other pets or breeds of dogs would also have to be banned.” (“Ban Pit Bulls?”) Pit bulls are not the only dogs that can be aggressive. Any breed of dog can be aggressive. If the owner trains them right and shows them love and affection, these dogs can be great companions.
Additionally, pit bulls just like every other breed of dog are extremely loyal. If the owner is temperamental and aggressive, than the dog will become aggressive. Pit bulls are extremely protective of their owners. The owner needs to take them while they are young and expose them to children and other dogs. This in turn, will teach the dog not to be aggressive to everyone. Obviously, if someone were to break into a pit bull owner’s house, that pit bull would probably attack the intruder. What is the difference between that and owning a gun for protection? Nothing.
Again, “all dogs can be trained” and “not all owners can be trained to train their dogs…” and “most owners get out of it what they put in.” (Torner, para 1). Hopefully in the future, pit bull banning will be abolished. Before investing in a pit bull, or any other dog the owner should have some sort of background check. Almost all animal shelters call the references that the potential owners write down to ask questions about them. Some shelters even go as far as going to that potential owner’s home to see if it is fit for the dog. Finally, pit bulls are amazing dogs.
They are loyal and protective. These animals are only aggressive if that is all they see in their owners. If people continue to listen to the media hype, their opinions will always be skewed. Hopefully someday people will realize that pit bulls are just like any other dog breed. Individuals cannot blame the breed, they have to blame the owner of the breed. (Athey 33-36).
Works Cited
“Ban Pit Bulls?” Junior Scholastic Dec 10 2007: 7-. ProQuest. Web. 29 Apr 2013.
The author claims that pit bulls are good dogs and that it is the owner that makes the dog become aggressive.
Huemer, Ariana. “Scapegoats and Underdogs: The Pit Bull Dilemma.” The Animals’ Agenda 20.4 (2000): 30-33+. ProQuest. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
Huemer writes about the history of bit bulls the cruelty involving these animals. Huemer states facts and sources as to why pit bulls are not bad dogs.
NANCY TORNER of The,Journal staff. "School can Change Noisy Pup into an Obedient Pet Patience, Love Help; Consistency Works." Milwaukee Journal: 0. Mar 15 992. ProQuest. Web. 2 May 2013 .
Torner is a dog owner and trainer. She helps train disobedient animals and states her claims and findings with aggressive breeds of dogs.
"A Life for a Life: By Saving Her, He Saved Himself." US Fed News Service, Including US State NewsNov 18 2011. ProQuest.Web. 2 May 2013
.
This the claim about SrA Sharpe being saved by his pit bull puppy. It is his story.
Michael, Howard S. "City News: Animal Shelters Knocked." Wall Street Journal: A.19. Sep 30 2011. ProQuest. Web. 2 May 2013 .
This is basically common knowledge about aggressive breeds of dogs. It also talks about background checks for potential dog owners.
Athey, Cindy. "Helping Hands Caring for Abandoned Or Abused Animals: Sustaining Volunteer Resources through an Appreciative Process." Royal Roads University (Canada), 2008. Canada: ProQuest. Web. 2 May 2013.
This is basically a study of volunteering for animal shelters and the processes of adoption for all animals.
Pit bulls are just like any other loyal breed of dog. Just like the other breeds, pit bulls are only dangerous if they are raised to be dangerous. According to the AVMA, it is “mostly the owners, not the dogs, who are to blame for any bad behavior.” (“Ban Pit Bulls?”). Pit bulls are wonderful companions and friends.
The pit bull breed originates from England in the 1800s. These precious animals were initially raised and trained to fight for entertainment. Around “1835 England outlawed the gruesome entertainment of dog fighting.” Not long after, organized dog fighting became very popular in the United States around the Civil War era. Back then, the United States did not have any laws against these inhumane acts. …show more content…
“The United States finally outlawed dog fighting in the 1970s.” One of the good things that came out of breeding dogs for dog fighting was the loyalty to their owners. This all comes back to how the dog is trained and raised. (Huemer, para 2).
There is so much media propaganda on pit bulls being the most vicious breed of dog and temperamental. This in turn, is making people more and more afraid of this wonderful breed of dogs. Usually when one hears about a pit bull, it is bad news. It is always a story about how a pit bull mauled someone to death or how a pit bull bit someone. Sadly, the media hardly ever talks about how pit bulls have saved people’s lives, like David Sharp. Sharp fell into a deep depression after a deployment. He was sitting on his kitchen floor with a handgun in his hand “ready to finish the fight with the demons that followed me back from the war”. His pit bull sat down next to him and “licked his ear”. This made him laugh, which was “something he hadn’t been doing much of”. Sharp said “something clicked for me and for my reason for living, in that moment, became clear, to care for my puppy.” Sharp put the gun away and started caring more for his pit bull. That pit bull had saved his life. (“A life for life…”).
“A pit bull is exactly like his master. A dog can pick up your personality and be that way, too. That’s why they act that way. Where do you think they get it from?” (Huemer. Para, 4). Pit bulls are strong dogs with a lot of courage and “willingness to please its owner…” which have become a huge “liability in modern times.” Pit bulls will continue to suffer so long as they have violent owners. Instead of assuming all pit bulls are essentially violent why not take more action to prevent animal cruelty? Huemer states that the first step to prevent this animal cruelty is “at a bare minimum, felonizing animal cruelty…” Essentially, dog fighting is illegal in all the states but is a felony in 44 of the 50 states.
Hilary Twining, an agent for the Animal Rescue League of Boston witnessed an animal shelter “refusing to put pit bulls up for adoption” and “these friendly pit bull puppies and adolescents were euthanized based solely on their breed”. Ironically, the “American Canine Temperament Testing Association reported that 95 percent of the pit bulls that have taken its temperament test passed, as compared to a 77 percent passing rate for all breeds…” (Huemer, 2000) It is sad that this breed of dogs is being singled out like this. Why can’t every dog take that temperament test to prove their existence?
Likewise a teenager, Danny Jones, was badly bitten by a pit bull when he was “skateboarding home one evening last summer… Three days in the hospital cost Danny’s family more than $12,000.” This attack started a huge local debate in Maryland. Many people were interviewed, including children. One eighth-grader asked, “Just because certain people train animals to become animals, why should we all be punished?”… Morrisa, 14 added, “If pit bulls are banned, other pets or breeds of dogs would also have to be banned.” (“Ban Pit Bulls?”) Pit bulls are not the only dogs that can be aggressive. Any breed of dog can be aggressive. If the owner trains them right and shows them love and affection, these dogs can be great companions.
Additionally, pit bulls just like every other breed of dog are extremely loyal. If the owner is temperamental and aggressive, than the dog will become aggressive. Pit bulls are extremely protective of their owners. The owner needs to take them while they are young and expose them to children and other dogs. This in turn, will teach the dog not to be aggressive to everyone. Obviously, if someone were to break into a pit bull owner’s house, that pit bull would probably attack the intruder. What is the difference between that and owning a gun for protection? Nothing.
Again, “all dogs can be trained” and “not all owners can be trained to train their dogs…” and “most owners get out of it what they put in.” (Torner, para 1). Hopefully in the future, pit bull banning will be abolished. Before investing in a pit bull, or any other dog the owner should have some sort of background check. Almost all animal shelters call the references that the potential owners write down to ask questions about them. Some shelters even go as far as going to that potential owner’s home to see if it is fit for the dog. Finally, pit bulls are amazing dogs.
They are loyal and protective. These animals are only aggressive if that is all they see in their owners. If people continue to listen to the media hype, their opinions will always be skewed. Hopefully someday people will realize that pit bulls are just like any other dog breed. Individuals cannot blame the breed, they have to blame the owner of the breed. (Athey 33-36).
Works Cited
“Ban Pit Bulls?” Junior Scholastic Dec 10 2007: 7-. ProQuest. Web. 29 Apr 2013.
The author claims that pit bulls are good dogs and that it is the owner that makes the dog become aggressive.
Huemer, Ariana. “Scapegoats and Underdogs: The Pit Bull Dilemma.” The Animals’ Agenda 20.4 (2000): 30-33+. ProQuest. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.
Huemer writes about the history of bit bulls the cruelty involving these animals. Huemer states facts and sources as to why pit bulls are not bad dogs.
NANCY TORNER of The,Journal staff. "School can Change Noisy Pup into an Obedient Pet Patience, Love Help; Consistency Works." Milwaukee Journal: 0. Mar 15 992. ProQuest. Web. 2 May 2013 .
Torner is a dog owner and trainer. She helps train disobedient animals and states her claims and findings with aggressive breeds of dogs.
"A Life for a Life: By Saving Her, He Saved Himself." US Fed News Service, Including US State NewsNov 18 2011. ProQuest.Web. 2 May 2013
.
This the claim about SrA Sharpe being saved by his pit bull puppy. It is his story.
Michael, Howard S. "City News: Animal Shelters Knocked." Wall Street Journal: A.19. Sep 30 2011. ProQuest. Web. 2 May 2013 .
This is basically common knowledge about aggressive breeds of dogs. It also talks about background checks for potential dog owners.
Athey, Cindy. "Helping Hands Caring for Abandoned Or Abused Animals: Sustaining Volunteer Resources through an Appreciative Process." Royal Roads University (Canada), 2008. Canada: ProQuest. Web. 2 May 2013.
This is basically a study of volunteering for animal shelters and the processes of adoption for all animals.