Pit bull: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
Added Gramophone Company |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description| Type of dog}} |
|||
{{Redirect6|Pitbull|the Cuban-American rapper and entertainer|Pitbull (rapper)}} |
|||
{{Redirect|Pitbull|the musician|Pitbull (rapper)|other uses|Pitbull (disambiguation)}} |
|||
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2013}} |
|||
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} |
|||
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}} |
|||
{{Infobox Dogbreed |
{{Infobox Dogbreed |
||
|name = Pit |
| name = Pit bull |
||
|image = |
| image = Pit bull sampler.jpg |
||
|image_caption = Pit Bull |
| image_caption = A selection of dog breeds sometimes classified as pit bull types. Clockwise from top left: [[American Pit Bull Terrier]], [[American Staffordshire Terrier]], [[American Bulldog]], [[Staffordshire Bull Terrier]]. |
||
| country = United States |
|||
|altname = |
|||
|nickname = |
|||
|country = England<br>Scotland<br>Ireland<br>United States |
|||
|patronage = |
|||
<!-----Traits-----> |
|||
|weight= |
|||
<!-----Classification and standards-----> |
|||
|fcigroup = |
|||
|fcisection = |
|||
|fcinum = |
|||
|fcistd = |
|||
|akcgroup = |
|||
|akcstd = |
|||
|akcfss = |
|||
|akcmisc = |
|||
|ankcgroup = |
|||
|ankcstd = |
|||
|ckcgroup = |
|||
|ckcstd = |
|||
|ckcmisc = |
|||
|kcukgroup = |
|||
|kcukstd = |
|||
|nzkcgroup = |
|||
|nzkcstd = |
|||
|ukcgroup = |
|||
|ukcstd = |
|||
|notrecognized = |
|||
|extinct = |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Pit bull''' is the common name for a [[dog type|type of dog]]. Formal dog breeds often considered of the pit bull type include the [[Staffordshire Bull Terrier]], [[American Staffordshire Terrier]] and [[American Pit Bull Terrier]]. The [[American Bulldog]] and [[Bull Terrier]] (standard and [[Bull Terrier (Miniature)|miniature]]) are also sometimes included. Many of these breeds were originally developed as [[List of dog fighting breeds|fighting dog]]s from cross breeding bull-baiting dogs (used to hold the faces and heads of larger animals such as bulls) and terriers.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.aspca.org/adopt/truth-about-pit-bulls|title = The Truth about Pitbulls|date = |accessdate = |website = ASPCA|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> After the use of dogs in [[blood sport]]s was banned, such dogs were used as [[catch dog]]s in the United States for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt and drive livestock, and as family companions,<ref name="United Kennel Club" /> although some owners still bred and used them for illegal [[dog fighting]].<ref name=Pit_Bull_Cruelty/> This practice continues to this day, but is illegal in many nations.<ref name=Dog_fighting/> |
|||
'''Pit bull''' is an umbrella term for several [[Dog type|types of dog]] believed to have descended from [[bull and terrier]]s. In the United States, the term is usually considered to include the [[American Pit Bull Terrier]], [[American Staffordshire Terrier]], [[American Bully]], [[Staffordshire Bull Terrier]], and sometimes the [[American Bulldog]], along with any crossbred dog that shares certain physical characteristics with these breeds. In other countries, including the United Kingdom, the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed specifically,{{r|Hoffman|Oxford|Webster}} while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not considered a pit bull.{{r|Hoffman|Olson|Allen}} Most pit bull–type dogs descend from the British bull and terrier, a 19th-century dog-fighting type developed from crosses between the [[Old English Bulldog]] and the [[Old English Terrier]].{{r|Fogle|Morris|Beaufoy}} |
|||
The term pit bull is often used loosely to describe dogs with similar physical characteristics, and the morphological (physical) variation amongst "bully breed" dogs makes it difficult for anyone, even experts, to visually identify them as distinct from "non-pit bulls".<ref name="Inaccuracy of Breed Labels Assigned to Dogs of Unknown Origin">{{cite web |url=http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/breed-identification-1/ |title=Inaccuracy of Breed Labels Assigned to Dogs of Unknown Origin}}</ref><ref name="Breed Discriminatory Legislation: How DNA Will Remedy the Unfairness">{{cite web |url=http://www.animalsandsociety.org/assets/303_msbaspr10310rev.pdf |title=Breed Discriminatory Legislation: How DNA Will Remedy the Unfairness}}</ref><ref name="Pit bull Identification in Animal Shelters">{{cite web |url=http://www.maddiesfund.org/Documents/Resource%20Library/Incorrect%20Breed%20Identification%20Study%20Poster.pdf |title=Pit bull Identification in Animal Shelters}}</ref> While mixed breed dogs are often labeled as "pit bulls" if they have certain physical characteristics such as a square shaped head or bulky body type,<ref name="Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation">{{cite web |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/umkc78&div=32&id=&page= |title=Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation}}</ref> visual identification of mixed breed dogs is not recommended by the scholarly community.<ref name="Inaccuracy of Breed Labels Assigned to Dogs of Unknown Origin"/> |
|||
Pit bull–type dogs have a controversial reputation as pets internationally, due to their history in [[dog fighting]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-07-03|title=The Most Feared Dogs May Also Be the Most Misunderstood|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/07/pit-bull-ban-aggressive-dog-breed-bronwen-dickey/|access-date=2020-08-15|website=National Geographic News|language=en|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715182806/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/07/pit-bull-ban-aggressive-dog-breed-bronwen-dickey/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the number of high-profile attacks documented in the media over decades, and their proclivity to latch on while biting. Proponents of the type and advocates of regulation have engaged in a highly contentious [[nature-versus-nurture]] debate over whether aggressive tendencies in pit bulls may be appropriately attributed to owners' poor care for and competency to handle the dog or inherent qualities owing to their breeding for fighting purposes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Glazebrook|first=Louise|date=2016-04-13|title=What makes an animal dangerous? The nature v nurture debate in dogs|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/36038438/what-makes-an-animal-dangerous-the-nature-v-nurture-debate-in-dogs|access-date=2020-08-15|website=BBC Newsbeat|language=en-GB|archive-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014025355/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/36038438/what-makes-an-animal-dangerous-the-nature-v-nurture-debate-in-dogs|url-status=live}}</ref> While some studies have argued that pit bull–type dogs are not disproportionately dangerous, offering competing interpretations on dog bite statistics, independent organizations have published statistics based on hospital records showing pit bulls are responsible for more than half of dog bite incidents among all breeds despite comprising only 6% of pet dogs.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Problem With Pit Bulls|url=https://time.com/2891180/kfc-and-the-pit-bull-attack-of-a-little-girl/|access-date=2020-08-20|magazine=Time|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513130829/https://time.com/2891180/kfc-and-the-pit-bull-attack-of-a-little-girl/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Coile2">{{cite book |last1=Coile |first1=D. Caroline |title=Pit Bulls for Dummies |date=2021 |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |isbn=978-1119720904 |edition=2nd ed., Kindle }}</ref>{{Rp|pp=18, 49}} Some insurance companies will not cover pit bulls (along with [[Rottweiler]]s and [[Wolfdog|wolf hybrids]]) because these particular dogs cause a disproportionate rate of bite incidents.<ref name=Gephardt>Gephardt, Bill. [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=25091614 Some dog breeds too risky for insurance companies.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904071314/http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=25091614 |date=September 4, 2015 }} KSL.com, May 8, 2013</ref> Dog bite severity varies by the breed of dog, and studies have found that pit bull–type dogs have both a high rate of reported bites and a high rate of severe injuries, compared to other non–pit bull–type dogs.<ref name="Essig">{{cite journal |last1=Essig |first1=Garth F. |last2=Sheehan |first2=Cameron |title=Dog bite injuries to the face: Is there risk with breed ownership? A systematic review with meta-analysis |journal=International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology |date=February 2019 |volume=117 |pages=182–188 |doi= 10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.11.028 |pmid=30579079 |s2cid=57740754 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587618305950 |access-date=23 February 2022 |issn = 0165-5876 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Jeffrey Q. |last2=Krieger |first2=Rachel |title=Pediatric Dog Bites to the Face May Have Been Less Severe During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Study |journal=Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |date=January 13, 2023 |volume=81 |issue=5 |pages=575–582 |doi =10.1016/j.joms.2022.12.018|pmid=36646135 |pmc=9838755 }}</ref> |
|||
== History == |
|||
[[File:Bull and Bear Baiting arenas shown on the Agas Map of London of 1560.JPG|thumb|Bull and bear baiting arenas shown on the [[Woodcut map of London|"Woodcut" map of London]] of c.1561 (the dogs are shown coming out of pens on each side)]] |
|||
[[File:2009-04-21 APBT pup on deck.jpg|thumb|right|180px|American Pit Bull Terrier puppy]] |
|||
Pit bull–type dogs are extensively used in the United States for dog fighting, a practice that has continued despite being outlawed.{{r|Morris|Kalouf}} Several nations and jurisdictions restrict the ownership of pit bull–type dogs through [[breed-specific legislation]].{{r|Hoffman|Olson}} A pro–pit bull lobby exists that spends millions of dollars a year promoting pit bulls as family pets, funding pro-pit bull researchers, and opposing laws that regulate their ownership.<ref name="Coile2"/>{{rp|loc 762}} |
|||
Pit bulls were created by breeding [[bulldog]]s and [[terrier]]s together to produce a dog that combined the gameness and agility of the terrier with the strength of the bulldog.<ref name="United Kennel Club">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/Breeds/AmericanPitBullTerrier |title=American Pit Bull Terrier |publisher=United Kennel Club (UKC) |date=November 1, 2008 |accessdate=August 7, 2009}}</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]], these dogs were used in blood sports such as [[bull-baiting]], [[bear-baiting]] and [[cock fighting]]. These blood sports were officially eliminated in 1835 as Britain began to introduce animal welfare laws. Since dogfights were cheaper to organize and far easier to conceal from the law than bull or bear baits, blood sport proponents turned to pitting their dogs against each other instead. Dog fighting was used as both a blood sport (often involving gambling) and a way to continue to test the quality of their stock. For decades afterwards, dog fighting clandestinely took place in small areas of Britain and America. In the early 20th century pit bulls were used as [[catch dog]]s in America for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, and drive livestock, and as family companions.<ref name="United Kennel Club" /> Some have been selectively bred for their fighting prowess.<ref name=Pit_Bull_Cruelty>{{cite web |url=http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/dog-fighting/pit-bull-cruelty |title=Pit Bull Cruelty |publisher=[[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] (ASPCA) |year=2013 |accessdate=February 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Dog_fighting>{{cite web |url=http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/dog-fighting |title=Dog Fighting |publisher=[[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] (ASPCA) |year=2013 |accessdate=February 3, 2014}}</ref> |
|||
== History == |
|||
Pit bulls successfully fill the role of [[companion dog]]s, [[police dog]]s,<ref>{{cite journal |date=October 2002 |title=Cool K-9 Popsicle retires |journal=U.S. Customs Today |volume=38 |issue=10 |url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2002/October/k9.xml |accessdate=August 7, 2009 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20111024001344/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2002/October/k9.xml | archivedate = 24 Oct 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adrienne Mand |last=Lewin |title=Protecting the Nation – One Sniff at a Time |date=October 12, 2005 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Terrorism/story?id=1200304&page=1 |accessdate=February 2, 2009}}</ref> and [[therapy dogs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91769901 |first=Scott |last=Simon |title=Trainer turns pit bull into therapy dog |date=June 21, 2008 |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |accessdate=August 7, 2009}}</ref> Pit bulls also constitute the majority of dogs used for illegal [[dog fighting]] in America.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dog Fighting Fact Sheet |year=2009 |publisher=Humane Society of the United States |url=http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/dogfighting_fact_sheet.html |accessdate=August 7, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> In addition, law enforcement organisations report these dogs are used for other nefarious purposes, such as guarding illegal narcotics operations,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2102608/Robin-Johnson-Known-prostitute-loses-left-arm-leg-pit-bull-attack.html | location=London | work=Daily Mail | title=Known prostitute' loses left arm and leg after pit bull 'viciously attacks her as she was shut inside a home with the beast | date=February 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name="SI 1987">{{cite news |first=E.M. |last=Swift |title=The pit bull: friend and killer |date=July 27, 1987 |periodical=[[Sports Illustrated]] |volume=67 |issue=4 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066224/1/index.htm |accessdate=December 2, 2009}}</ref> use against police,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Al |last1=Baker |first2=Mathew R. |last2=Warren |title=Shooting highlights the risks dogs pose to police, and vice versa |date=July 9, 2009 |place=New York, NY |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/nyregion/10pitbull.html?_r=1 |accessdate=January 7, 2010}}</ref> and as [[attack dog]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title='Dangerous dogs' weapon of choice |date=December 2, 2009 |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/8391909.stm |accessdate=December 2, 2009}}</ref> |
|||
[[File:Benjamin Marshall - Dustman - Bulldog and Terrier Mix.jpg|thumb|200px|Early 19th century bull-and-terrier]] |
|||
The term has been used since at least the early 20th century.<ref name="The Dog fancier 1913">{{cite web |title=The Dog fancier v.12 1903 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044095334702&view=1up&seq=258&q1=%22pit%20bull%22 |publisher=The Dog fancier |page=28 |date=1903}}</ref>{{r|Webster}} It is believed all dogs that are now classified as pit bulls descend from the British [[bull-and-terrier]], which were first imported into North America in the 1870s.{{r|Fogle|Morris}} The bull-and-terrier was a breed of dog developed in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century for the [[blood sport]]s of dog fighting and [[rat baiting]]. It was created by crossing the ferocious, thickly muscled [[Old English Bulldog]] with the agile, lithe, feisty [[Black and Tan Terrier]].{{r|Fogle|Morris}} The aggressive Old English Bulldog, which was bred for [[bear baiting|bear]] and [[bull baiting]], was often also pitted against its own kind in organized dog fights, but it was found that lighter, faster dogs were better suited to dogfighting than the heavier Bulldog.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Beaufoy}} To produce a lighter, faster, more agile dog that retained the courage and tenacity of the Bulldog, outcrosses from local terriers were tried, and ultimately found to be successful.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Beaufoy}} |
|||
In an effort to counter the fighting reputation of pit bull-type dogs, in 1996 the [[San Francisco SPCA|San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] renamed pit bull terriers to "St. Francis Terriers", so that people might be more likely to adopt them.<ref>{{cite news |first=George |last=Cothran |title=Shouldn't we just kill this dog? |date=June 11, 1997 |place=[[San Francisco, CA]] |periodical=[[San Francisco Weekly]] |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/1997-06-11/news/shouldn-t-we-just-kill-this-dog |accessdate=September 4, 2009}}</ref> 60 temperament-screened dogs were adopted until the program was halted, after several of the newly adopted pit bulls killed cats.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bring breeders of high-risk dogs to heel |date=January 2004 |periodical=Animal People News |url=http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/04/1/editorialHighRiskDogs1.04.html |accessdate=September 4, 2009}}</ref> The New York City [[Center for Animal Care and Control]] tried a similar approach in 2004, relabeling their pit bulls as "New Yorkies", but dropped the idea in the face of overwhelming public opposition.<ref>{{cite news |first=Clyde |last=Haberman |title=NYC; Rebrand Fido? An idea best put down |date=January 13, 2004 |place=[[New York, NY]] |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/13/nyregion/nyc-rebrand-fido-an-idea-best-put-down.html |accessdate=September 4, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Laurence |title=Q: When is a pit bull terrier not a pit bull terrier? A: When it's a patriot terrier |date=January 4, 2004 |place=[[London, UK]] |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1451409/Q-When-is-a-a-pit-bull-terrier-not-a-pit-bull-A-When-its-a-patriot-terrier.html |accessdate=November 14, 2009}}</ref> |
|||
As it was in the UK, dog fighting became a popular pastime in 19th century America and bull-and-terriers were imported to the New World to pursue the blood sport.{{r|Fogle|Morris}} In the United States, organized dog fights have been progressively outlawed in various states since 1874, culminating in federal legislation criminalizing animal fighting in 2007.{{r|Kalouf}} |
|||
[[File:Blue nose pit bull puppy.jpg|thumb|Blue-nosed pit bull pup]] |
|||
In the 1890s breeders of American pit bull–type dogs attempted to have their dogs recognized by the [[American Kennel Club]], but because of the type's association with dogfighting, the club rejected these entreaties.{{r|Fogle|Morris}} Following this rejection, in 1898 breeders of American Pit Bull Terriers established a rival [[kennel club]], the [[United Kennel Club]]. In addition to being a breed registry, the United Kennel Club also regulated dogfights.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Wilcox}} In the 1930s the American Kennel Club was faced with a dilemma: whilst not wishing to condone dogfighting, there was a desire to recognize a uniquely American dog breed for which over 30 years of breed records existed.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Wilcox}} The solution was to recognize Pit Bull Terriers under a different name and prohibit these dogs from being used in organized fights, and in 1935 the American Kennel Club recognized Pit Bull Terriers as Staffordshire Terriers.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Wilcox}} |
|||
== Dog attack risk == |
|||
{{see also|Dog attack|Fatal dog attacks in the United States}} |
|||
The name "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" was first used in Britain in 1930 in advertisements for bull-and-terrier-type dogs.{{r|Beaufoy}} Organized dog fighting had been effectively eliminated in the United Kingdom by the [[Protection of Animals Act 1911]], but devotees of the bull-and-terrier type continued to breed these dogs, predominantly in England's [[Black Country]].{{r|Beaufoy}} Throughout the early 1930s attempts were made in England to gain recognition for these dogs with [[The Kennel Club]]; these efforts were successful in 1935.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Kalouf}} In order to avoid confusion with the British breed, in 1972 the American Kennel Club changed the name of their American breed to the American Staffordshire Terrier.{{r|Morris|Wilcox}} |
|||
[[File:Pit bull restrained.jpg|thumb|180px|Pit bull, muzzled]] |
|||
Violent interactions between humans and canines have been studied by the US government,<ref>Hanna, TL, Selby LA. Characteristics of the human and pet populations in animal bite incidents recorded at two Air Force bases. Public Health Rep. 1981;96:580-584.</ref> notably the [[Center for Disease Control and Prevention]],<ref>Clarke NM. A survey of urban Canadian animal control practices : the effect of enforcement and resourcing on the reported dog bite rate, Master of Science – MSc 2009</ref> as well as academic veterinary researchers.<ref name=avma2014>{{cite web |url=https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/The-Role-of-Breed-in-Dog-Bite-Risk-and-Prevention.aspx |publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association |title=Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed |date=17 April 2012 |accessdate=October 2014}}</ref> The interpretation of these studies, breed identification and relevance <ref name="duffy">Duffy, DL., Hsu, Y. Serpell, JA. Breed differences in canine aggression. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008;114:441–460.</ref> issues, and variable circumstances have given rise to intense controversy.<ref name="RollUnshelm1997">{{cite journal|last1=Roll|first1=A.|last2=Unshelm|first2=J.|title=Aggressive conflicts amongst dogs and factors affecting them|journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science|volume=52|issue=3-4|year=1997|pages=229–242|issn=01681591|doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01125-2}}</ref><ref>[http://www.arwob.org/info/file?file=s2148m6372.pdf Pitbull Myths vs. Fact - Animal Rescuers Without Borders]</ref><ref name=Delise>{{cite web |url=http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/publications/230603563_Pit%20Bull%20Placebo.pdf |year=2007 |title=The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression |first1=Karen |last1=Delise |accessdate=December 18, 2012}}</ref> The [[American Veterinary Medical Association]] notes fundamental problems with tracking breed in dog bite related fatalities.<ref name="avmabite">{{cite news |title=A community approach to dog bite prevention |periodical=Journal of the [[American Veterinary Medical Association]] |volume=218 |issue=11 |date=June 1, 2001 |pages=1731–1749 |url=http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/dogbite.pdf |accessdate=July 11, 2009}}</ref> In a 2013 study of 256 fatalities in the United States from 2000–2009, the AVMA determined that valid breed determination was possible for only 17.6% of cases.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Patronek, Gary J., Sacks, Jeffrey J., Delise, Karen M., Cleary, Donald V., Marder, Amy R.|title=Co-occurrence of potentially preventable factors in 256 dog bite–related fatalities in the United States (2000–2009)|journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association|volume=243 |issue=12 |pages=1726–1736 |date=December 2013 |doi=10.2460/javma.243.12.1726}}</ref> DogsBite.org, a US-based pro-[[breed specific legislation]] advocacy group that focuses on pit bulls<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dogsbite.org/dogsbite-about.php|title=About us - dogsbite.org|work=dogsbite.org}}</ref> blamed pit bull breeds for 62 percent of the 325 people killed by dog attacks surveyed in media reports<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2014.php|title=2014 US Dog Fatalities - dogsbite.org|work=dogsbite.org|quote=DogsBite.org contains verifiable information about U.S. citizens killed by dogs including the name and age of each victim, location of attack, dog breed and up to 18 other factors. Information was gathered through media reports that were available at the time of the attack or found through Internet newspaper archives. Each fatality also lists "source citations," which links to its related citations.}}</ref> from 2005 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/11/pit-bull-service-dog_n_6662462.html|title=Rescue Pit Bulls Act As Service Dogs For People In Need, Fight Against Stigma|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref> The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that studies on dog bite related fatalities which collect information by surveying news reports employ a methodology subject to potential errors, as some fatal attacks may not have been reported, a study might not find all relevant news reports, and the dog breed might be misidentified.<ref name="CDC">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf |title=Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998 |publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] |date=April 1, 2008 |accessdate=July 8, 2009}}</ref> |
|||
Despite criminalisation, illegal fights using pit bull–type dogs have continued to be widespread in the United States. In the 1990s in that country it was estimated 1,500 dogs died annually in organized fights, and by the mid-2000s it was estimated over 40,000 people were involved in the illegal blood sport.{{r|Fogle|Morris|Kalouf}} Pit bull–type dogs are also used by criminal organizations to guard illegal narcotics, and to intimidate and attack civilians, other criminals and police, the type becoming a status symbol in American [[gang culture]].{{r|Kalouf}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Cook|first=Frank|title=Pit bulls becoming drug dealers weapon of preference|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/29/Pit-bulls-becoming-drug-dealers-weapon-of-preference/6208551937600|date=June 29, 1987|publisher=United Press International|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221182621/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/29/Pit-bulls-becoming-drug-dealers-weapon-of-preference/6208551937600/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Al |last1=Baker |first2=Mathew R. |last2=Warren |title=Shooting highlights the risks dogs pose to police, and vice versa |date=July 9, 2009 |place=New York, NY |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/nyregion/10pitbull.html |access-date=January 7, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116022218/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/nyregion/10pitbull.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On the other side of the law, pit bull–type dogs have been used by [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] as [[drug detection dog]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |date=October 2002 |title=Cool K-9 Popsicle retires |journal=U.S. Customs Today |volume=38 |issue=#10 |url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2002/October/k9.xml |access-date=August 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024001344/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2002/October/k9.xml |archive-date=October 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adrienne Mand |last=Lewin |title=Protecting the Nation — One Sniff at a Time |date=October 12, 2005 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Terrorism/story?id=1200304&page=1 |access-date=February 2, 2009 |archive-date=March 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322183804/http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Terrorism/story?id=1200304&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
=== Studies === |
|||
There is a lobby of animal rights groups that are spending millions of dollars to try to rebrand pit bulls as family dogs.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Fifth Estate: Pitbulls Unleashed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFa8HOdegZA | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/iFa8HOdegZA| archive-date=2021-10-30|access-date=10 March 2021 |date=2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In efforts to counter negative perceptions about pit bull–type dogs, both the [[San Francisco SPCA|San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] and the New York City [[Center for Animal Care and Control]] have unsuccessfully attempted to rename the type.<ref>{{cite news |first=George |last=Cothran |title=Shouldn't we just kill this dog? |date=June 11, 1997 |place=San Francisco, CA |periodical=[[San Francisco Weekly]] |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/1997-06-11/news/shouldn-t-we-just-kill-this-dog |access-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209215548/http://www.sfweekly.com/1997-06-11/news/shouldn-t-we-just-kill-this-dog/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Clyde |last=Haberman |title=NYC; Rebrand Fido? An idea best put down |date=January 13, 2004 |place=New York, NY |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/13/nyregion/nyc-rebrand-fido-an-idea-best-put-down.html |access-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521175511/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/13/nyregion/nyc-rebrand-fido-an-idea-best-put-down.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
A nine-year (1979–88) study of fatal dog attacks in the United States found that dogs characterized as pit bulls were implicated in 42 of the 101 attacks where the breed was known, and were almost twice as likely to be caused by strays as attacks by other breeds.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Sacks JJ, Sattin RW, Bonzo SE |title=Dog bite-related fatalities from 1979 through 1988 |journal=JAMA |volume=262 |issue=11 |pages=1489–92 |date=September 1989 |pmid=2769900 |doi=10.1001/jama.1989.03430110079032}}</ref> A 1991 study found that 94% of attacks on children by pit bulls were unprovoked, compared to 43% for other breeds, and that 67% involved freely roaming animals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Avner |first1=Jeffrey R. |last2=Baker |first2=M. Douglas |year=1991 |title=Dog Bites in Urban Children |journal=Pediatrics |volume=88 |issue=1 |pages=55–57 |publisher=American Academy of Pediatrics |doi= |url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/88/1/55.abstract}}</ref> A 2001 literature review of dog bite studies notes that for no other breed is represented by such a high proportion of unowned free-ranging dogs, and that unowned free-ranging dogs may be more likely to come from an environment that promotes aggression, and suggests the data for stray pit bulls be analyzed separately.<ref>Overall KL, Love M. Dog bites to humans: demography, epidemiology, injury, and risk. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:1923-1934.</ref> The study also notes that pit bulls may be overrepresented as the label "pit bull" is often applied without biological basis to a range of dogs, regardless of the dog's actual genetic makeup. |
|||
[[File:003 American Pit Bull Terrier.jpg|thumb|American Pit Bull Terrier]] |
|||
== Identification == |
|||
A 5-year (1989–94) review of fatal dog attacks in the U.S. determined that pit bulls and pit bull mixed breeds were implicated in 24 (29%) of the 84 deaths in which breed was recorded.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sacks |first1=Jeffrey J. |last2=Lockwood |first2=Randall |last3=Hornreicht |first3=Janet |last4=Sattin |first4=Richard W. |year=1996 |title=Fatal Dog Attacks, 1989–1994 |journal=Pediatrics |volume=97 |issue=6 |pages=891–895 |publisher=American Academy of Pediatrics |pmid=8657532 }}</ref> |
|||
Studies have found that when people involved in dog rescue, adoption, and regulation identify the breed of a dog of mixed parentage, this identification did not always correlate with the DNA analysis of that dog.<ref name="Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff">{{cite journal|title=Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff|journal=The Veterinary Journal|volume=206|pages=197–202|last1=Olson|first1=K.R.|year=2015|issue=2|doi=10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019|pmid=26403955|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Rethinking dog breed identification in veterinary practice">{{cite journal|title=Rethinking dog breed identification in veterinary practice|journal=[[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]]|volume=241|pages=1163–1166|last1=Simpson|first1=Robert John|year=2012|issue=9|doi=10.2460/javma.241.9.1163|pmid=23078561|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs">{{cite journal|title=A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=13|last1=Gunter|first1=Lisa M.|year=2018|issue=8|pages=e0202633|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0202633|pmid=30138476|pmc=6107223|bibcode=2018PLoSO..1302633G|doi-access=free}}</ref> Mixed-breed dogs are often labeled as pit bulls if they have certain physical characteristics, such as a square-shaped head or bulky body type.<ref name="Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation">{{cite journal|url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/umkc78&div=32&id=&page=|title=Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation|journal=UMKC Law Review|volume=78|pages=839|last1=Swann|first1=Kristen E|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=March 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326163501/https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals%2Fumkc78&div=32&id=&page=|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> |
|||
In Australia some dog owners give false information regarding the breed of their dog to local authorities, despite this being an offence under the Crimes Act. Inquests after fatal or serious dog attacks showed that pit bull owners registered their dogs under a wide range of other breeds, like the [[Australian Terrier]], to evade their local laws and regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fife-Yeomans |first=Janet |date=2014-04-26 |title=Lethal dogs in disguise: pitbulls registered under other breeds |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/lethal-dogs-in-disguise-pitbulls-registered-under-other-breeds/news-story/99e777e8a5547e33beecad813c0a3c23 |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=The Courier Mail}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deare |first=Steven |date=2024-02-19 |title=Dog breeder claims may put unsuspecting owners at risk |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8526406/dog-breeder-claims-may-put-unsuspecting-owners-at-risk/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref> |
|||
A 20-year (1979–1998) study by the [[American Veterinary Medical Association]] into fatal dog attacks on humans<ref name=AVMA_20yr/> concluded that "fatal attacks on humans appear to be a breed-specific problem (pit bull-type dogs and [[Rottweiler]]s)," and that "pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers were involved in more than half" (67%) of all the 238 recorded dog bite-related fatalities (DBRF) in the United States during that period, with pit bulls accounting for 66 deaths. They also wrote that: |
|||
== Dog attack and death risk == |
|||
<blockquote>It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities.<ref name=AVMA_20yr>{{Citation |last=JAVMA |first= |date=15 September 2000 |title=Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998 |publisher=[[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]] |url=http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf |accessdate=28 April 2014 }} PDF file</ref></blockquote> |
|||
{{See also|Dog bite|List of fatal dog attacks}} |
|||
[[File:Pit bull with cropped ears at SFACC.jpg|thumb|180px|A pit bull with cropped ears]] |
|||
A 2000 joint review project between researchers in the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC), [[Humane Society of the United States]] (HSUS) and [[American Veterinary Medical Association]] (AVMA) found the data indicated that [[Rottweiler]]s and pit bull–type dogs accounted for 67% of human dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1997 and 1998, and followed with "It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." Pit bull–type dogs were identified in approximately one-third of dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1981 and 1992. The review notes that studies on dog bite-related fatalities which collect information by surveying news reports are subject to potential errors, as some fatal attacks may not have been reported, a study might not find all relevant news reports, and the dog breed might be misidentified.<ref name="CDC">{{cite web |last1=Sacks |first1=Jeffrey J. |last2=Sinclair |first2=Leslie |last3=Gilchrist |first3=Julie |title=Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116130816/http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf |archive-date=November 16, 2015 |date=September 15, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, after 2000 the CDC stopped tracking dog bites, and in 2001, Julie Gilchrist, a CDC pediatrician and epidemiologist, stated that part of the reason the CDC stopped collecting dog bite data was because "making meaningful analysis [of the data][was] nearly impossible".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2017-11-15/dangerous-dog-debate|title=The dangerous dog debate | American Veterinary Medical Association|date=November 2017 }}</ref> |
|||
However, the AVMA later reversed its position on breed being a factor in dog bite-related fatalities, stating in a comprehensive literature review of 66 dog bite studies: |
|||
In a 2021 review of 19 retrospective dog bite studies from U.S. Level I trauma centers, pit bulls were found to inflict a higher prevalence and severity of injuries compared with other breeds.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34100808/|pmid = 34100808|year = 2021|last1 = Reuter Muñoz|first1 = K. D.|last2 = Powell|first2 = L. E.|last3 = Andersen|first3 = E. S.|last4 = Nye|first4 = A. D.|last5 = Powers|first5 = J. M.|last6 = Rhodes|first6 = J.|last7 = Pozez|first7 = A. L.|title = Analysis of Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center over 10 Years|journal = Annals of Plastic Surgery|volume = 86|issue = 6S Suppl 5|pages = S510–S516|doi = 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002928|s2cid = 235368825}}</ref> A 2020 literature review in ''Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery'' found that from 1971 to 2018 of all pure breed dogs in the United States, pit bull–type breeds were second, behind the [[German Shepherd]], and ahead of [[Labrador Retriever|Labrador]]s, [[Chow Chow]]s, and Rottweilers (in that order) for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment. The study found that the proportion of bites caused by German Shepherds decreased by 0.63 percent per year over that time interval while the proportion caused by pit bulls increased by 1.17 percent per year. The pit bull proportion of dog bites increased more slowly in [[Denver, Colorado]], where breed-specific legislation had been in place.<ref name="Bailey"/> |
|||
<blockquote>Breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites. Controlled studies reveal no increased risk for the group blamed most often for dog bites, ‘pit bull-type’ dogs. Accordingly, targeting this breed or any another as a basis for dog bite prevention is unfounded. As stated by the National Animal Control Association: “Dangerous and/or vicious animals should be labeled as such as a result of their actions or behavior and not because of their breed.”<ref name=avma2014/> </blockquote> |
|||
In a 2014 literature review of dog bite studies, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) argues that breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites.<ref name=avma2014 /> According to the AVMA, controlled studies have not identified pit bulls as disproportionately dangerous, but other studies have found that, compared with other dog breeds, pit bulls were more likely to inflict complex injuries, are more likely to attack unprovoked, and are more likely to go off property to do so.<ref name=avma2014 /><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31816277/|pmid = 31816277|year = 2020|last1 = Khan|first1 = K.|last2 = Horswell|first2 = B. B.|last3 = Samanta|first3 = D.|title = Dog-Bite Injuries to the Craniofacial Region: An Epidemiologic and Pattern-of-Injury Review at a Level 1 Trauma Center|journal = Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery |volume = 78|issue = 3|pages = 401–413|doi = 10.1016/j.joms.2019.11.002|s2cid = 209167886}}</ref> Pit bull–type dogs are more frequently identified with cases involving very severe injuries or fatalities than other breeds, but a 2007 study suggested this may relate to the popularity of the breed, noting that sled dogs, such as [[Siberian Husky|Siberian Huskies]], were involved in a majority of fatal dog attacks in some areas of Canada.<ref name=avma2014 /><ref>Raghavan M. Fatal dog attacks in Canada, 1990–2007. Can Vet J. 2008;49:577–581</ref> Bite statistics by breed are no longer tracked by the CDC,<ref>{{cite web |title=The dangerous dog debate |url=https://www.avma.org/news/javmanews/pages/171115a.aspx |access-date=July 12, 2019 |year=2017 |first1=R. Scott |last1=Nolen |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019112118/https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/171115a.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and are discouraged by the AVMA<ref name="avmabite">{{cite web |title=A community approach to dog bite prevention |periodical=[[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]] |volume=218 |issue=11 |date=June 1, 2001 |pages=1731–1749 |url=https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/dogbite.pdf |access-date=July 11, 2009}}</ref> and the [[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] (ASPCA).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-breed-specific-legislation |title=ASPCA Policy and Position Statements |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616202010/https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-breed-specific-legislation |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
A 15-year (1991–2005) review of dog attack fatalities investigated by the Kentucky [[Medical Examiner]] determined that pit bulls were implicated in 5 of the 11 fatal attacks (45%).<ref name="Shieldsetal2009">{{cite journal |last1=Shields |first1=Lisa B. E. |last2=Bernstein |first2=Mark L. |last3=Hunsaker |first3=John C. |last4=Stewart |first4=Donna M. |year=2009 |title=Dog Bite-Related Fatalities: A 15-Year Review of Kentucky Medical Examiner Cases |journal=American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=223–230 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |doi=10.1097/PAF.0b013e3181a5e558 }}</ref> Another 15-year (1994–2009) review of patients admitted to a [[Level I Trauma Center]] with dog bites determined that pit bulls were most often involved in these attacks: of the 228 patients treated, the breed of dog was recorded in 82 attacks, and of these, 29 (35%) of the attacks were by pit bulls.<ref name="Binietall2011">{{cite journal |last1=Bini |first1=John K. |last2=Cohn |first2=Stephen M. |last3=Acosta |first3=Shirley M. |last4=McFarland |first4=Marilyn J. |last5=Muir |first5=Mark T. |last6=Michalek |first6=Joel E. |year=2011 |title=Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs |journal=Annals of Surgery |volume=253 |issue=4 |pages=791–797 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |doi=10.1097/SLA.0b013e318211cd68 }}</ref> In 45% of the attacks, the dog belonged to the victim's family.<ref name="Binietall2011"/> The journal later published a response to the study, criticizing its conclusions based on the poor quality of the data employed.<ref name="delisecohn">{{cite journal |last1=Delise |first1=Karen |year=2012 |title=Imprudent use of unreliable dog bite tabulations and unpublished sources |journal=Annals of Surgery |volume=255 |issue=5 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |doi=10.1097/SLA.0b013e318250c8f9 }}</ref> |
|||
Pit bulls were originally developed from dogs that were bred for bull baiting and dog fighting.<ref name="Bini"/> Pit bull attacks are often perceived as taking place "without warning", possibly due to the type's fighting heritage, as fighting dogs that do not signal aggression may do better in the ring.<ref name="Bini">{{cite journal |last1=Bini |first1=John K. |last2=Cohn |first2=Stephen M. |title=Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs |journal=Annals of Surgery |date=April 2011 |volume=253 |issue=4 |pages=791–797 |doi=10.1097/SLA.0b013e318211cd68 |pmid=21475022|url=https://assets.gov.ie/224373/f881b086-0803-4e92-8773-e45ef1e4db94.pdf}}</ref> However, recent research suggests that this perception may reflect a lack of knowledge of [[Dog communication|dog body-language]], and owners' over-confidence in their ability to interpret those signs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://phys.org/news/2023-06-reveals-links-dog-behavior.html | title=New research reveals links between dog attacks and misunderstanding of dog behavior }}</ref> In fighting with dogs of other breeds, pit bulls, German Shepherds, [[Great Dane]]s and Rottweilers were often the aggressor, and more than twenty percent of studied [[Akita (dog)|Akita]]s, [[Jack Russell Terrier]]s and pit bulls displayed serious aggression towards other dogs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Duffy |first1=D.L. |last2=Hsu |first2=Yuying |last3=Serpell |first3=James A. |title=Breed differences in canine aggression |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=18 April 2008 |volume=114 |issue=3–4 |pages=441–460 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159108001147 |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref> Although there may be a connection between breed of dog and aggression towards humans, the difficulty of classifying dog attacks by specific breed after the fact has made this point controversial and debated.<ref name="WhatsName">{{cite journal |last1=Gunter |first1=Lisa M. |last2=Barber |first2=Rebecca T. |last3=Wynne |first3=Clive D.L. |title=What's in a Name? Effect of Breed Perceptions & Labeling on Attractiveness, Adoptions & Length of Stay for Pit-Bull-Type Dogs |journal=PLOS ONE |date=23 March 2016 |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=e0146857 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0146857 |pmid=27008213 |pmc=4805246 |bibcode=2016PLoSO..1146857G |doi-access=free }}</ref> Violent interactions between humans and canines have been studied by the U.S. government,<ref>Hanna, TL, Selby LA. Characteristics of the human and pet populations in animal bite incidents recorded at two Air Force bases. Public Health Rep. 1981;96:580-584.</ref> notably the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC),<ref>Clarke NM. A survey of urban Canadian animal control practices : the effect of enforcement and resourcing on the reported dog bite rate, Master of Science — MSc 2009</ref> as well as academic veterinary researchers.<ref name=avma2014 /> The interpretation of these studies, breed identification and relevance<ref name="duffy">Duffy, DL., Hsu, Y. Serpell, JA. Breed differences in canine aggression. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008;114:441–460.</ref> issues, and variable circumstances have given rise to intense controversy.<ref name="RollUnshelm1997">{{cite journal |last1=Roll |first1=A. |last2=Unshelm |first2=J. |title=Aggressive conflicts amongst dogs and factors affecting them |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |volume=52 |issue=#3–4 |year=1997 |pages=229–242 |issn=0168-1591 |doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01125-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arwob.org/info/file?file=s2148m6372.pdf |title=Pitbull Myths vs. Fact — Animal Rescuers Without Borders |access-date=December 22, 2014 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210041919/http://www.arwob.org/info/file?file=s2148m6372.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, researchers on both sides of the pit bull debate rarely disclose when they are being funded by lobbyists, leading to a risk that the scientific literature on pit bulls has been influenced by money.<ref name="Bailey">{{cite journal |last1=Bailey |first1=Chad M. |last2=Hinchcliff |first2=Katharine M. |last3=Moore |first3=Zachary |last4=Pu |first4=Lee L.Q. |title=Dog Bites in the United States from 1971 to 2018: A Systematic Review of the Peer-Reviewed Literature |journal=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |date=November 2020 |volume=146 |issue=5 |pages=1166–1176 |doi=10.1097/PRS.0000000000007253|pmid=33136964 |s2cid=225080998 }}</ref>{{rp|p. 1172}} |
|||
A five-year (2001–05) review of dog attack victims admitted to the [[Children's Hospital of Philadelphia]] determined that pit bull terriers were implicated in more than half of the bites where breed was identified. Of the 269 patients where breed was identified, 137 (51%) were attacked by pit bulls.<ref name="Kayeetal2009">{{cite journal |last1=Kaye |first1=Alison E. |last2=Belz |first2=Jessica M. |last3=Kirschner |first3=Richard E. |year=2009 |title=Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries: A 5-Year Review of the Experience at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia |journal=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |volume=124 |issue=2 |pages=551–558 |publisher=American Society of Plastic Surgeons |doi=10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181addad9 }}</ref> The authors wrote: |
|||
Pit bulls are known for their tenacity and refusal to release a bite, even in the face of great pain. A popular myth mischaracterized pit bulls as having "locking jaws."<ref name="google1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SnmDjzD5_8cC&pg=PT56 |title=Pit Bulls For Dummies |author=D. Caroline Coile |date=April 18, 2011 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |access-date=March 31, 2013 |isbn=9781118069370 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201310/https://books.google.com/books?id=SnmDjzD5_8cC&pg=PT56 |url-status=live }}</ref> The refusal to let go is a behavioral, not physiological trait, and there is no locking mechanism in a pit bull's jaws.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Toledo v. Tellings'', -REVERSED-, 2006-Ohio-975, ¶25 |publisher=Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District |url=http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/6/2006/2006-ohio-975.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2009 |archive-date=September 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916172053/http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/6/2006/2006-ohio-975.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Pit bull–type dogs, like other terriers, hunting and bull-baiting breeds,<ref name="aspcabite">{{cite web |title=The Truth About Pit Bulls |publisher=American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals |year=2013 |url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/truth-about-pit-bulls |access-date=October 22, 2013 |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022035047/http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/truth-about-pit-bulls |url-status=live }}</ref> can exhibit a bite, hold, and shake behavior and at times refuse to release.<ref name="SI 1987">{{cite magazine |first=E.M. |last=Swift |title=The pit bull: friend and killer |date=July 27, 1987 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |volume=67 |issue=#4 |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1987/07/27/115813/the-pit-bull-friend-and-killer-is-the-pit-bull-a-fine-animal-as-its-admirers-claim-or-is-it-a-vicious-dog-unfit-for-society |access-date=December 2, 2009 |archive-date=November 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122182011/http://www.si.com/vault/1987/07/27/115813/the-pit-bull-friend-and-killer-is-the-pit-bull-a-fine-animal-as-its-admirers-claim-or-is-it-a-vicious-dog-unfit-for-society |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ross, et al">{{cite book |editor1-first=Ross D. |editor1-last=Clark |editor2-first=Joan R. |editor2-last=Stainer |editor3-first=H. David |editor3-last=Haynes |editor4-first=Ralph |editor4-last=Buckner |editor5-first=Jacob |editor5-last=Mosier |editor6-first=Art J. |editor6-last=Quinn |title=Medical & Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs |publisher=Veterinary Medicine Publishing |place=[[Edwardsville, KS]] |isbn=978-0-9641609-0-3 |page=27 |year=1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breaking up a fight |publisher=Pit Bull Rescue Central |year=2008 |url=http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html |access-date=August 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104114211/http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pit bulls also have wide skulls, well-developed facial muscles, and strong jaws,<ref name="google1" /> and some research suggests that pit bull bites are particularly serious because they tend to bite deeply and grind their molars into tissue.<ref name="Cherry2014">{{cite book |last=Cherry |first=James |title=Feigin and Cherry's textbook of pediatric infectious diseases — Animal and Human Bites, Morven S. Edwards |publisher=Elsevier/Saunders |location=Philadelphia, PA |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-4557-1177-2 |via=the [[University of Pittsburgh]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ellis|first1=Jennifer Lynn|last2=Thomason|first2=Jeffrey|last3=Kebreab|first3=Ermias|last4=Zubair|first4=Kasim|last5=France|first5=James|date=March 2009|title=Cranial dimensions and forces of biting in the domestic dog|journal=Journal of Anatomy|volume=214|issue=3|pages=362–373|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.01042.x|pmid=19245503|issn=0021-8782|pmc=2673787}}</ref> Breaking an [[ammonia]] [[ampule]] and holding it up to the dog's nose can cause the dog to release its hold.<ref name="Ross, et al" /> |
|||
<blockquote>…the overwhelming number of bites involving pit bull terriers in this study and others certainly has some degree of validity when it comes to identifying bite-prone breeds. Pit bull terriers, German shepherds, and Rottweilers were the offending breeds implicated in our study, and have accounted for the majority of dog bites according to other investigators.<ref name="Kayeetal2009"/></blockquote> |
|||
=== In animal shelters === |
|||
A medical literature review of animal-related fatalities, citing the 1979-1988 JAMA study and 1991–2005 Kentucky Medical Examiner study, reported that pit bulls and pit bull cross-breeds were involved in 42–45% of dog attacks, and that unneutered male dogs were the most likely to bite.<ref name="Buryetal2012">{{cite journal |last1=Bury |first1=Danielle |last2=Langlois |first2=Neil |last3=Byard |first3=Roger W. |year=2012 |title=Animal-Related Fatalities—Part I: Characteristic Autopsy Findings and Variable Causes of Death Associated with Blunt and Sharp Trauma |journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=370–374 |publisher=American Academy of Forensic Sciences |doi=10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01921.x }}</ref> Fatalities were most often reported when children were attacked, with 70% of victims being under the age of 10.<ref name="Buryetal2012"/> |
|||
Many people consider pit bulls undesirable, making it harder for animal shelters to adopt them out.<ref name="Return">{{cite journal |last1=Powell |first1=Lauren |last2=Reinhard |first2=Chelsea |title=Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes |journal=Scientific Reports |year=2021 |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=8018 |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-87649-2 |pmid=33850258 |pmc=8044234 |bibcode=2021NatSR..11.8018P }}</ref> Surveys have found that animal shelter workers intentionally misidentify pit bulls to improve their adoption rates, or to avoid euthanizing them in jurisdictions where they are banned.<ref name=Misidentify/> Animal advocates recommend that shelters stop labeling breeds to improve pit bull adoption rates.<ref name="Return"/> Pit bulls also have higher rates of unsuccessful adoptions, and are more likely than other kinds of dogs to be returned to a shelter multiple times and eventually euthanized.<ref name="Return"/> Whether pit bull adoptions fail more often than other types of dog due to breed behavioral traits, or due to public stigma, is not known, but in general the most common reasons why shelter dog adoptions fail are behavioral problems or incompatibility with the adopter's existing pets.<ref name="Return"/> |
|||
=== Breed-specific legislation === |
|||
A 2008 study by the University of Pennsylvania<ref name="duffy" /> that determined aggression by owner surveys instead of hospital reports found that: |
|||
<blockquote>scores for stranger-directed aggression found among Pit Bull Terriers were inconsistent with their universal reputation as a ‘dangerous breed’ and their reported involvement in dog bite-related fatalities</blockquote> |
|||
The study theorized that this discrepancy between reputation and results is because of: |
|||
<blockquote>a disproportionate risk of injury associated with larger and/or more physically powerful breeds and the existence of breed stereotypes.</blockquote> |
|||
A study by Raghaven in Canada, which showed that breed specific legislation limits the number of pitbulls, and where sled dogs and free roaming packs of dogs is more common than in the United States, an electronic search of newspaper articles found that pit bull terriers were responsible for 1 (4%) of 28 dog-bite-related fatalities reported in Canada from 1990–2007.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Malathi |last=Raghavan |title=Fatal dog attacks in Canada, 1990–2007 |date = June 2008|periodical=The Canadian Veterinary Journal (La Revue vétérinaire canadienne) |volume=49 |issue=6 |pages=577–581 |pmid=18624067 |pmc=2387261}}</ref> The study also noted that: |
|||
<blockquote>A higher proportion of [[sled dog]]s and, possibly, mixed-breed dogs in Canada than in the United States caused fatalities, as did multiple dogs rather than single dogs. Free-roaming dog packs, reported only from rural communities, caused most on-reserve fatalities.</blockquote> |
|||
Several studies determined that pit bull owners, and owners of other "vicious" or "high risk" breeds (most commonly identified as [[Akita (dog)|Akita]], [[Chow Chow]], [[Doberman Pinscher]], [[Rottweiler]], and [[Wolfdog|Wolf-mix]]), are more likely to have criminal convictions and are more likely to display antisocial behaviors. A 2006 study compared owners of "high risk" dogs to owners of "low risk" dogs. "High risk" dogs included “vicious” dogs by breed (e.g., pit bulls) or “vicious” actions (e.g., any dog that had bitten, attacked, or killed a person or other animal). The study determined that "high risk" dog owners had nearly 10 times as many criminal convictions than did "low risk" dog owners.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barnes |first1=Jaclyn E. |last2=Boats |first2=Barbara W. |last3=Putnam |first3=Frank W. |last4=Dates |first4=Harold F. |last4=Mahlman |first4=Andrew R. |year=2006 |title=Ownership of High-Risk ("Vicious") Dogs as a Marker for Deviant Behaviors: Implications for Risk Assessment |journal=Journal of Interpersonal Violence |volume=21 |issue=12 |pages=1616–1634 |publisher=Sage Publications |doi=10.1177/0886260506294241 }}</ref> A 2009 study<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ragatz |first1=Laurie |last2=Fremouw |first2=William |last3=Thomas |first3=Tracy |last4=Fremouw |first4=McCoy |last4=Katrina |year=2009 |title=Vicious Dogs: The Antisocial Behaviors and Psychological Characteristics of Owners |journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences |volume=54 |issue=3 |pages=199–703 |publisher=American Academy of Forensic Sciences |doi=10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01001.x }}</ref> and a follow-up 2012 study generally supported these findings.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schenk |first1=Allison M. |last2=Ragatz |first2=Laurie L. |last3=Fremouw |first3=William J. |year=2012 |title=Vicious Dogs Part 2: Criminal Thinking, Callousness, and Personality Styles of Their Owners |journal=Journal of Forensic Sciences |volume=57 |issue=1 |pages=152–59 |publisher=American Academy of Forensic Sciences |doi=10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01961.x }}</ref> |
|||
== Jaws == |
|||
A popular [[myth]] is that pit bulls have "locking jaws".<ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SnmDjzD5_8cC&pg=PT56&dq=%22pit+bulls%22+lock&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dalYUYSeNI3k4APoxIH4Ag&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAA |title=Pit Bulls For Dummies |author=D. Caroline Coile |publisher= |date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=March 31, 2013}}</ref> There is no physiological "locking mechanism" in the jaw muscle and bone structure of pit bulls or other dogs.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Toledo v. Tellings'', -REVERSED-, 2006-Ohio-975, ¶25 |publisher=Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District |url=http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/6/2006/2006-ohio-975.pdf |accessdate=October 2, 2009}}</ref> Pit bull-type dogs, like other terriers, hunting and bull-baiting breeds,<ref name="aspcabite">{{cite web |title=The Truth About Pit Bulls |publisher=American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals|year=2013|url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/truth-about-pit-bulls|accessdate=October 22, 2013}}</ref> can exhibit a bite, hold, and shake behavior and at times refuse to release.<ref name="SI 1987" /><ref name="Ross, et al">{{cite book |editor1-first=Ross D., DVM |editor1-last=Clark |editor2-first=Joan R. |editor2-last=Stainer |editor3-first=H. David, DVM |editor3-last=Haynes |editor4-first=Ralph, DVM |editor4-last=Buckner |editor5-first=Jacob, DVM |editor5-last=Mosier |editor6-first=Art J., DVM |editor6-last=Quinn |title=Medical & Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs |publisher=Veterinary Medicine Publishing |place=[[Edwardsville, KS]] |isbn=978-0-9641609-0-3|page=27 |year=1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breaking up a fight |publisher=Pit Bull Rescue Central |year=2008 |url=http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html |accessdate=August 16, 2009}}</ref> Pit bulls also have wide skulls, well-developed muscles, and strong jaws.<ref name="google1"/> Breaking an [[ammonia]] [[ampule]] and holding it up to the dog's nose can cause the dog to release its hold.<ref name="Ross, et al" /> |
|||
== Breed specific legislation == |
|||
{{Main|Breed-specific legislation}} |
{{Main|Breed-specific legislation}} |
||
Widely reported pit bull attacks |
Widely reported pit bull attacks have resulted in the enactment of [[breed-specific legislation]] (BSL) in several jurisdictions. In two cases, breed-specific bans have been reversed by city councils.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/02/03/aurora-may-soon-lift-ban-on-pitbulls/ |title=Aurora May Lift Citywide Ban On Pit Bulls |work=cbslocal.com |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=October 23, 2014 |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024024125/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/02/03/aurora-may-soon-lift-ban-on-pitbulls/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kshb.com/lifestyle/pets/roeland-park-city-council-revisits-pit-bull-ban-in-place-since-the-1980s |title=Roeland Park City Council revisits pit bull ban, in place since the 1980s |author=Lexi Sutter |publisher=KSHB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024021314/http://www.kshb.com/lifestyle/pets/roeland-park-city-council-revisits-pit-bull-ban-in-place-since-the-1980s |archive-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> |
||
Breed-specific legislation has been largely found to be ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url= |
Breed-specific legislation has been largely found to be ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Breed-Specific_Legislation-download-_8-18-14.pdf |publisher=The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior |title=Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527062101/https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Breed-Specific_Legislation-download-_8-18-14.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Research has indicated that there is resistance by those who work in the adoption industry, applying a sharper distinction before allowing a dog to be labeled as a pit bull, as well as objections from veterinarians.<ref name="news.vin.com">{{cite journal|url=http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=19920|title=Australian officials to kill pit bulls, other 'dangerous' breeds|first=Angie|last=DeRosa|date=September 29, 2011|website=Vin.com|access-date=October 23, 2014|archive-date=March 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319194133/http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=19920|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giaxUm4pZRc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/giaxUm4pZRc| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Pit Bulls being sold as Staffy crosses by the RSPCA, Australia |date=March 14, 2012 |via=YouTube |work=[[ABC News (Australian TV channel)|ABC News]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=Misidentify>{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/news/press-release/pit-bulls-in-animal-shelters |title=When it comes to pit bulls, animal shelter workers intentionally misidentify |work=[[Taylor & Francis]] |access-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904071314/http://newsroom.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/news/press-release/pit-bulls-in-animal-shelters |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |url-status=dead |date=September 2014}}</ref> |
||
Many of the jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls apply their restriction to |
Many of the jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls apply their restriction to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and any other dog that has the substantial physical characteristics and appearance of those breeds, such as the Canadian province of [[Ontario]].<ref name="Government of Ontario, Canada">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90d16_e.htm |title=An Act to amend the Dog Owners' Liability Act to increase public safety in relation to dogs, including pit bulls, and to make related amendments to the Animals for Research Act |publisher=Government of Ontario, Canada |date=August 29, 2005 |access-date=July 5, 2010 |archive-date=July 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702074542/http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90d16_e.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Denver]], Colorado lifted its longstanding ban on the breed in 2021 following a referendum that voted to repeal the ban.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Conrad |date=2020-11-04 |title=Denver election results for 2J: Voters repeal city's pit bull ban |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/11/03/denver-election-results-2j-pit-bull/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
However, a few jurisdictions, such as [[Singapore]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ava.gov.sg/docs/default-source/tools-and-resources/resources-for-businesses/summaryofab_doglicensingcontrol_rules_15nov2010 |title=List of Scheduled Dogs |publisher=Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore |date=November 15, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827031216/http://www.ava.gov.sg/docs/default-source/tools-and-resources/resources-for-businesses/summaryofab_doglicensingcontrol_rules_15nov2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> also classify the modern American Bulldog as a "pit bull–type dog". |
|||
Courts in the United States<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/0/2007/2007-ohio-3724.pdf |title=''Toledo v. Tellings'', 114 Ohio St.3d 278, 2007-Ohio-3724. |publisher=Supreme Court of Ohio |accessdate=June 29, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/021908pzor.pdf |title=Certeriorari – Summary Dispositions (Order List: 552 U.S.) |publisher=United States Supreme Court |date=February 19, 2008 |accessdate=August 3, 2009}}</ref> and Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2008/2008onca718/2008onca718.pdf |title=''Cochrane v. Ontario (Attorney General)'', 2008 ONCA 718 |publisher=Ontario Court of Appeal |date=October 24, 2008 |accessdate=July 21, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Who let the dogs out">{{cite web |url=http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/ccs/news/?id=310#_edn8 |title=Who let the dogs out? |publisher=Center for Constitutional Studies, University of Alberta, Canada |date=June 12, 2009 |accessdate=July 21, 2009}}</ref> have ruled that expert identification, when using published breed standards, is sufficient for the enforcement of [[breed-specific legislation]]. |
|||
Courts in the United States<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/0/2007/2007-ohio-3724.pdf |title=''Toledo v. Tellings'', 114 Ohio St.3d 278, 2007-Ohio-3724. |publisher=Supreme Court of Ohio |access-date=June 29, 2009 |archive-date=May 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512062527/https://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/0/2007/2007-Ohio-3724.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/021908pzor.pdf |title=Certeriorari — Summary Dispositions (Order List: 552 U.S.) |publisher=United States Supreme Court |date=February 19, 2008 |access-date=August 3, 2009 |archive-date=June 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607043850/http://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/021908pzor.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2008/2008onca718/2008onca718.pdf |title=''Cochrane v. Ontario (Attorney General)'', 2008 ONCA 718 |publisher=Ontario Court of Appeal |date=October 24, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904071314/http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2008/2008onca718/2008onca718.pdf |archive-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Who let the dogs out">{{cite web |url=http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/ccs/news/?id=310#_edn8 |title=Who let the dogs out? |publisher=Center for Constitutional Studies, University of Alberta, Canada |date=June 12, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614160617/http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/ccs/news/?id=310#_edn8 |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> have ruled that expert identification, when using published breed standards, is sufficient for the enforcement of breed-specific legislation. |
|||
Approximately 550 jurisdictions have enacted [[breed-specific legislation]] (BSL) in response to a number of well-publicized incidents involving pit bull-type dogs, and some government organizations such as the [[U.S. Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/13296614/US-Army-Bans-Pit-Bulls-and-Other-Breeds-from-All-RCI-Housing |title=Garrison Policy Memorandum #08-10, Mandatory Pet Micro-Chipping and Pet Control |publisher=[[US Army Installation Management Command]], [[Fort Drum|Fort Drum, NY]] |date=February 3, 2009 |accessdate=August 3, 2009}}</ref> and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Corps Housing Management |date=August 11, 2009 |publisher=[[United States Marine Corps]] |url=http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/ops/housing/docs/PETPOLICY.pdf |accessdate=November 16, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> have taken administrative action as well. These actions range from outright bans on the possession of pit bull-type dogs, to restrictions and conditions on pit bull ownership. They often establish a [[legal presumption]] that a pit bull-type dog is ''[[prima facie]]'' a legally "dangerous" or "vicious" dog.<ref name="apbthappy">{{cite book |last=Palika |first=Liz |title=American Pit Bull Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet |publisher=Howell Book House |date=January 31, 2006 |isbn=978-0-471-74822-9 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=5eb20393tgsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=american+pit+bull+terrier&cd=1#v=onepage&q= |accessdate=March 1, 2010}}</ref> In response, 16 states in the U.S. prohibited or restricted the ability of [[municipal government]]s within those states to enact BSL, though these restrictions do not affect military installations located within the states.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[American Veterinary Medical Association]] |title=States prohibiting or allowing breed specific ordinances |date = October 2007|url=http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/issues/sr_breed_ordinances.asp |accessdate=July 12, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> |
|||
Debates often center on whether apparent aggressive tendencies are the result of poor dog ownership or natural behaviors of the breed.<ref name=":0" /> |
|||
It is now generally settled in [[caselaw]] that jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada have the right to enact breed-specific legislation.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Campbell |first=Dana |title=Pit Bull Bans: The State of Breed–Specific Legislation |journal=GP-Solo |volume=26 |issue=5 |publisher=[[American Bar Association]] |date=July–August 2009 |url=http://www.abanet.org/genpractice/magazine/2009/jul_aug/pitbull.html |accessdate=July 30, 2009}}</ref> Despite these holdings by the courts, there is some public skepticism over whether the laws are effective.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitbulls.org/article/why-breed-specific-legislation-misses-mark-and-doesnt-work |title=Why Breed Specific Legislation Misses the Mark and Doesn't Work |publisher=Pitbulls.org |year=2010 |accessdate=March 1, 2011}}</ref> One point of view is that pit bulls are a public safety issue that merits actions such as banning ownership, mandatory [[Neutering|spay/neuter]] for all pit bulls, mandatory [[Microchip implant (animal)|microchip implants]] and [[liability insurance]], or prohibiting people convicted of a [[felony]] from owning pit bulls<ref>{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Kory |publication-date=August 2005 |title=One city's experience: why pit bulls are more dangerous and why breed-specific legislation is justified |periodical=Municipal Lawyer |volume=46 |issue=6 |year=2005 |pages=12–15 |url=http://www.dogbitelaw.com/pitbullDenver.pdf |accessdate=July 11, 2009}}</ref> Another point of view is that comprehensive "dog bite" legislation, coupled with better consumer education and legally mandating responsible pet-keeping practices, is a better solution to the problem of dangerous pit bulls than BSL.<ref name="avmabite" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/dangerous_dogs.html |title=HSUS Statement on Dangerous Dogs |publisher=Humane Society of the United States |year=2009 |accessdate=July 11, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> |
|||
In England, Wales and Scotland, the [[Dangerous Dogs Act 1991|Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991]] prohibits the ownership of American Pit Bull Terriers, along with three other breeds; the Act also bans the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs.<ref name="UK law">{{cite web |author=Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |title=Dangerous Dogs Law: Guidance for Enforcers |date=March 2009 |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/dogs-guide-enforcers.pdf |access-date=May 20, 2011 |author-link=Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704193406/http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/dogs-guide-enforcers.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Similar legislation exists in Australia.<ref name="news.vin.com" /> Under Irish law, American Pit Bull Terriers must be led by someone at least 16 years of age, kept on a short strong lead, be muzzled, and wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner in public at all times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/animal_welfare_and_control/control_of_dogs.html|title=Control and ownership of dogs|website=citizensinformation.ie|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510114404/https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/animal_welfare_and_control/control_of_dogs.html|archive-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref> In Germany the importation of pit bulls is banned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Customs online - Dangerous dogs - Dangerous dogs|url=https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Restrictions/Dangerous-dogs/dangerous-dogs.html|access-date=2020-07-24|website=www.zoll.de|archive-date=July 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728152318/https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Restrictions/Dangerous-dogs/dangerous-dogs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|||
A third point of view is that breed-specific legislation should not ban breeds entirely, but should instead strictly regulate the conditions under which specific breeds could be owned. For example, forbidding certain classes of individuals from owning them, specifying public areas from which they would be prohibited, and establishing conditions, such as requiring a dog to wear a muzzle, for taking specific breeds of dogs into public places.<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Kenneth |title=Breed Specific Laws |publisher=dogbitelaw.com |date=October 10, 2008 |url=http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/breedlaws.html#arguments |accessdate=July 11, 2009}}</ref> Finally, some governments, such as in Australia, have forbidden the import of specific breeds, and are requiring the spay/neuter of all existing dogs of these breeds in an attempt to eliminate the breed's population slowly through natural attrition.<ref>{{cite news |first=Karen |last=Barlow |title=NSW bans pit bull terrier breed |date=May 3, 2005 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |location=Sydney, Australia|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2005/s1359018.htm |accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Gary |last=Hughes |title=Pit bull bite prompts call for national approach to dangerous dog breeds |date=October 20, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Australian]] |place=Sydney, Australia |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/pit-bull-bite-prompts-call-for-national-approach-to-dangerous-dog-breeds/story-e6frg6of-1225788552051 |accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> |
|||
Despite being a banned breed, in 2023 there were 3,316 registered pit bull–type dogs in England and [[Wales]], an increase over the 2,323 that were registered ten years earlier. The dogs are permitted under a system of exemptions that are contingent on owners complying with special rules, such as muzzling them in public and having liability insurance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Danny |last2=Green |first2=Ruth |title=Thousands of banned dogs living at home with owners |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67217993 |access-date=8 February 2024 |agency=BBC}}</ref> |
|||
The [[ASPCA]] said that along with putative over-reporting, false reporting was a major contributor to public perceptions about the breed.<ref>{{cite web |author=[[ASPCA]] |title=Pit Bull Bias in the Media |url=http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/advocacy-center/animal-laws-about-the-issues/pit-bull-bias-in-the-media.aspx}}{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> |
|||
Seventeen U.S. States prohibit local governments from enacting breed-specific ordinances: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web |
|||
In England and Wales the [[Dangerous Dogs Act 1991|Dangerous Dogs Act]] prohibits the ownership of American Pit Bull Terriers, along with 3 other breeds. The Act also bans the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs.<ref name="UK law"/> |
|||
| url = https://worldcat.org/arcviewer/7/CZL/2013/01/18/H1358520818001/viewer/file2.htm |
|||
| title = STATES THAT PROHIBIT BREED SPECIFIC ORDINANCES |
|||
Similar legislation in Australia has been criticized by veterinary professionals.<ref name="news.vin.com"/> |
|||
| last = Kaminski |
|||
| first = Janet |
|||
| date = January 14, 2013 |
|||
| website = cga.cgt.gov/olr |
|||
| publisher = Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research |
|||
| access-date = 21 November 2024 |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
== Commercial restrictions == |
== Commercial restrictions == |
||
=== Liability insurance === |
=== Liability insurance === |
||
Dog owners in the United States can be held [[Legal liability|legally liable]] for injuries inflicted or caused by their dogs. In general, owners are considered liable if they were unreasonably careless in handling or restraining the dog, or if they knew beforehand that the dog had a tendency to cause injury (e.g., bite); however, dog owners are automatically considered liable if local laws hold an owner [[Strict liability|strictly liable]] for all damage caused by their dog, regardless of carelessness or foreknowledge of a dog's tendencies. Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically provide liability coverage from US$100,000–300,000 for injuries inflicted by dogs;<ref name="Insurance Information Institute">{{cite web |title=Dog Bite Liability |publisher=[[Insurance Information Institute]] |date=September 2009 |url=http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/dogbite/ |access-date=September 24, 2009 |archive-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615052434/http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/dogbite/ |url-status=live }}</ref> however, some insurance companies limit their exposure to dog bite liability claims by putting restrictions on dog owners that they insure. These restrictions include refusing to cover dog bites under the insurance policy, increasing insurance rates for homeowners with specific breeds, requiring owners of specific breeds to take special training or have their dogs pass the American Kennel Club [[Canine Good Citizen]] test,<ref>{{cite web |title=Homeowners Insurance Available to Breeds Previously Excluded with CGC Certification |publisher=[[American Kennel Club]] |date=October 1, 2004 |url=http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2408 |access-date=February 4, 2009 |archive-date=September 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914051327/http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2408 |url-status=live }}</ref> requiring owners to restrict their dogs with muzzles, chains, or enclosures, and refusing to write policies for homeowners or renters who have specific breeds of dogs.<ref name="Insurance Information Institute" /> |
|||
Owners of rental properties may also be held liable if they knew an aggressive dog was living on their property and they did nothing to ensure the safety of other tenants at the property; as a result, many rental properties forbid pit bull–type dogs and any other breeds if the rental property's insurance will not cover damage inflicted by that type of dog.{{cn|date=April 2024}} The dog breeds most often not covered by insurance companies include pit bull–type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, [[Dobermann|Doberman Pinscher]]s, Akitas ([[Akita Inu]] and [[American Akita]]s), and [[Chow Chow]]s.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Sodergren |title=Insurance companies unfairly target specific dog breeds |publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]] |url=http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/insurance_companies_unfairly_target_specific_dog_breeds.html |access-date=August 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707221314/http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/insurance_companies_unfairly_target_specific_dog_breeds.html |archive-date=July 7, 2009}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2021}} |
|||
Dog owners in the United States can be held [[Legal liability|legally liable]] for injuries inflicted or caused by their dogs. In general, owners are considered liable if they were unreasonably careless in handling or restraining the dog, or if they knew beforehand that the dog had a tendency to cause injury (e.g., bite); however, dog owners are automatically considered liable if local laws hold an owner [[strict liability|strictly liable]] for all damage caused by their dog, regardless of carelessness or foreknowledge of a dog's tendencies. Homeowners and renters [[insurance]] policies typically provide liability coverage from US$100,000–300,000 for injuries inflicted by dogs;<ref name="Insurance Information Institute">{{cite web |title=Dog Bite Liability |publisher=[[Insurance Information Institute]] |date=September 2009 |url=http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/dogbite/ |accessdate=September 24, 2009}}</ref> however, some insurance companies limit their exposure to dog bite liability claims by putting restrictions on dog owners that they insure. These restrictions include refusing to cover dog bites under the insurance policy; increasing insurance rates for homeowners with specific breeds; requiring owners of specific breeds to take special training or have their dogs pass the [[American Kennel Club]] [[Canine Good Citizen]] test;<ref>{{cite web |title=Homeowners Insurance Available to Breeds Previously Excluded with CGC Certification |publisher=[[American Kennel Club]] |date=October 1, 2004 |url=http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2408 |accessdate=February 4, 2009}}</ref> requiring owners to restrict their dogs with muzzles, chains, or enclosures; and refusing to write policies for homeowners or renters who have specific breeds of dogs.<ref name="Insurance Information Institute" /> |
|||
In 2013, [[Farmers Insurance]] notified policyholders in California that it would no longer cover bites by pit bulls, Rottweilers and [[Wolfdog|wolf-dog hybrid]]s. A spokeswoman for Farmers said that those groups account for more than a quarter of the agency's dog bite claims.<ref name=Gephardt/> |
|||
Owners of rental properties may also be held liable if they knew an aggressive dog was living on their property and they did nothing to ensure the safety of other tenants at the property; as a result, many rental properties forbid pit bull-type dogs and any other breeds if the rental property's insurance will not cover damage inflicted by that type of dog. The dog breeds most often targeted by insurance companies include pit bull-type dogs, [[Rottweiler]]s, [[German Shepherd Dog]]s, [[Doberman Pinscher]]s, Akitas ([[Akita Inu]] and [[American Akita]]), and [[Chow-Chow|Chow]]s.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Sodergren |title=Insurance companies unfairly target specific dog breeds |publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States]] |url=http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/insurance_companies_unfairly_target_specific_dog_breeds.html |accessdate=August 12, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> |
|||
In 2013, [[Farmers Insurance]] notified policy holders in California that "it will no longer cover bites by pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf hybrids. A spokeswoman for Farmers said those breeds account for more than a quarter of the agency's dog bite claims."<ref name=Gephardt>Gephardt, Bill. [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=25091614 Some dog breeds too risky for insurance companies.] KSL.com, May 8th, 2013</ref> |
|||
=== Air carrier restrictions === |
=== Air carrier restrictions === |
||
The following table has a sampling of air carrier embargoes on pit bulls. |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!Airline |
! Airline |
||
!Reason |
! Reason |
||
!Details |
! Details |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Air France]] |
| [[Air France]] |
||
| Safety |
|||
|Not Permitted |
|||
| |
| Category 1 dogs, as defined by the [[French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry]], are not permitted for transport in the cabin, or as baggage or cargo. These so-called "attack dogs" do not belong to a particular breed, but are similar in morphology to the following: Staffordshire Bull Terriers or American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bulls), Mastiffs and Tosas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/guidevoyageur/pratique/animal_interdiction_airfrance.htm |title=Animals prohibited from traveling — Air France airline |publisher=Air France |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726081323/https://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/guidevoyageur/pratique/animal_interdiction_airfrance.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| [[Delta Air Lines]] |
||
| Safety |
|||
|Health |
|||
| "We have determined that untrained, pit bull–type dogs posing as both service and support animals are a potential safety risk", the airline said.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-delta-pit-bulls-20180622-story.html |title=Delta bans pit bulls as emotional support animals, citing dog attacks |date=June 22, 2018 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718090250/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-delta-pit-bulls-20180622-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
|Dog breeds including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, fly at their owner's risk, with no additional compensation if the dog suffers injury or dies during transit. The airline may refuse to accept the dog if it feels outside temperatures are too extreme for the animal's safety.<ref>{{cite web |title=Traveling with pets |publisher=[[Alaska Airlines]] |url=http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/faqs/Traveling-With-Pets.asp |accessdate=August 12, 2009}}</ref> |
|||
| |
|} |
||
|[[American Airlines]] |
|||
== Notable pit bulls == |
|||
|Health |
|||
[[File:11th PA Infantry monument.jpg|thumb|[[Sallie Ann Jarrett]], the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] mascot of the [[11th Pennsylvania Infantry]]; detail of monument at [[Gettysburg National Military Park]]]] |
|||
|American Airlines will not accept brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs as checked luggage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Traveling with pets |publisher=[[American Airlines]] |url=http://www.aa.com/i18n/tr |
|||
* [[Sallie Ann Jarrett]], the mascot of the [[11th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]] during the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="Dickey" />{{rp|39}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Robinett |first1=Kristy |title=Tails from the Afterlife: Stories of Signs, Messages & Inspiration from your Animal Companions |date=2018 |publisher=[[Llewellyn Worldwide]] |isbn=978-0-7387-5571-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OHpKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT15 |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201310/https://books.google.com/books?id=OHpKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT15 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
* [[Nipper]], a mongrel at times referred to as a pit bull, though commonly seen as a non pit bull–type terrier, is the dog in [[Francis Barraud]]'s 1898 painting ''[[His Master's Voice]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Richterman |first1=Anita |title=Problem Line: [ALL EDITIONS 1] - ProQuest |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/277876182/39D440B0AF42421FPQ |access-date=11 September 2022 |work=[[Newsday]] - via ProQuest |date=1 September 1987 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Franklin |first1=Deirdre |last2=Lombardi |first2=Linda |title=The Pit Bull Life: A Dog Lover's Companion |date=22 November 2016 |publisher=[[The Countryman Press]] |isbn=978-1-58157-504-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ImTfCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT8 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Pet Projects">{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Elizabeth |title=Pet Projects: Animal Fiction and Taxidermy in the Nineteenth-Century Archive |date=17 December 2019 |publisher=[[Penn State Press]] |isbn=978-0-271-08511-1 |pages=61–62, 236 |doi=10.1515/9780271085111-004 |s2cid=242686493 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9780271085111-004/html |language=en}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Sergeant Stubby]], a dog of disputed breed who served for the 102nd Infantry, [[26th Infantry Division (United States)|26th (Yankee) Division]] during [[World War I]], has been called a pit bull.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Goodavage |authorlink=Maria Goodavage |first1=Maria |title=Soldier dogs : the untold story of America's canine heroes |date=2012 |publisher=Penguin |location=New York |isbn=9781101577103 |pages=15 |edition=First New American Library |url=https://archive.org/details/soldierdogsuntol0000good/page/14/mode/2up?q=Stubby |access-date=14 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kershaw |first1=Sarah |title=Here's a short history of the American war dog starring 'Sergeant Stubby,' a canine hero who served during WWI |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/07/03/heres-a-short-history-of-the-american-war-dog-starring-sergeant-stubby-a-canine-hero-who-served-during-wwi/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |access-date=14 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805073731/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/07/03/heres-a-short-history-of-the-american-war-dog-starring-sergeant-stubby-a-canine-hero-who-served-during-wwi/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="With Dogs at the Edge of Life">{{cite book |last1=Dayan |first1=Colin |author1-link=Colin Dayan |title=With Dogs at the Edge of Life |date=2016 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-16712-3 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/daya16712 |chapter=Chapter Six. Fable for the End of a Breed|doi=10.7312/daya16712 |jstor=10.7312/daya16712 }}</ref>{{rp|88}} |
|||
* [[Pete the Pup]], a character from the movie series ''[[The Little Rascals]]'', was played by pit bull–type dogs.<ref name="Dickey">{{cite book |last1=Dickey |first1=Bronwen |author-link1=Bronwen Dickey |title=Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon |date=2016 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-307-96177-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KNBfCgAAQBAJ |access-date=14 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201312/https://books.google.com/books?id=KNBfCgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|85–86}} |
|||
* Twenty-first century dogs include [[Star (dog)|Star]], who, while protecting her owner, was shot by police in a video that went viral,<ref name="With Dogs at the Edge of Life" />{{rp|7}}<ref name="NYC street dog, shot in the face">{{cite news |last1=Ursch |first1=Blake |title=NYC street dog, shot in the face, had long journey to loving home |url=https://omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/nyc-street-dog-shot-in-the-face-had-long-journey-to-loving-home/article_bca69ecc-e2f5-507f-8b35-ccfe41bc9327.html |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=29 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref> and [[Daddy (dog)|Daddy]], dog trainer [[Cesar Millan]]'s right-hand dog, who was known for his mellow temperament and his ability to interact calmly with ill-mannered dogs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/business/11dog.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=Whispering to Rottweilers, and to C.E.O.'s|date=October 10, 2009|access-date=2021-02-11|last1=Wallace|first1=Amy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/2010/02/unleashed_rip_to_cesar_millans.html|publisher=Michigan Live|title=Unleashed: RIP to Cesar Millan's beloved companion 'Daddy' the pit bull|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=2021-02-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/pets/farewell-friend-cesar-millan-says-goodbye-to-daddy/|newspaper=People|title=Farewell, Friend: Cesar Millan Says Goodbye to Daddy|access-date=2021-02-11}}</ref> |
|||
==As a symbol== |
|||
[[File:WW1 poster featuring a pit bull.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|[[Propaganda in World War I|World War I propaganda]] poster]] |
|||
Owning dogs like pit bulls and Rottweilers can be seen as a [[Status dog|symbol of power]] or status symbol.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nicoll |first1=Kate |title=Soul Friends: Finding Healing with Animals |date=2005 |publisher=Dog Ear Publishing |isbn=978-0-9766603-6-1 |pages=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JluN-HH-8SMC&pg=PA8 |access-date=10 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201326/https://books.google.com/books?id=JluN-HH-8SMC&pg=PA8 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{r|Kalouf}} Pit bulls have been cultural symbols in "urban ghettos" and a part of [[Hip hop (culture)|hip hop culture]].<ref name="THE BLACK MAN’S DOG">{{cite web |last1=Linder |first1=Ann |title=THE BLACK MAN'S DOG: THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION |url=https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/32171-25-1-third-articlepdf |page=56 |publisher=[[Animal Law Review]] |access-date=13 April 2023 |date=2018 |issn=1088-8802}}</ref><ref name="The I in Team">{{cite book |last1=Tarver |first1=Erin C. |title=The I in Team: Sports Fandom and the Reproduction of Identity |date=26 June 2017 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-47027-6 |page=166 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jHgkDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |language=en}}</ref> According to the [[Anti-Defamation League]], pit bulls have been adopted as a hate symbol by racist [[skinhead]]s.<ref name="ADL on Pit bull">{{cite web |title=Pit Bull |url=https://www.adl.org/education/references/hate-symbols/pit-bull |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713144753/https://www.adl.org/education/references/hate-symbols/pit-bull |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |access-date=10 August 2020 |website=[[Anti-Defamation League]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[White supremacist]] group [[Keystone State Skinheads]] have used a specific graphic of a pit bull as their logo.<ref name="ADL on Pit bull" /> |
|||
Pit bulls have appeared in American [[Propaganda in World War I|World War I propaganda]].<ref name="With Dogs at the Edge of Life" />{{rp|88}}<ref name="Coile2" />{{rp|15}}<ref name="It’s time to stop demonizing">{{cite news |last1=Lauerman |first1=Kerry |author1-link=Kerry Lauerman |title=It's time to stop demonizing pit bulls |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/05/20/pit-bull-rescue-mission-restoring-a-bad-dogs-good-name/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=28 October 2021}}</ref> |
|||
Pit bulls have appeared in the logos of [[Brown Shoe Company]] and [[Lagunitas Brewing Company]].<ref name="Beauty and the Beast">{{cite book |last1=Arluke |first1=Arnold |author1-link=Arnold Arluke |last2=Bogdan |first2=Robert |title=Beauty and the Beast: Human-Animal Relations as Revealed in Real Photo Postcards, 1905–1935 |date=5 November 2010 |publisher=[[Syracuse University Press]] |isbn=978-0-8156-5091-1 |page=239 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2AWrDvRvNh4C |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Cynthia |title=Lagunitas Brewing Co. says pit bull label proving no dog |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Lagunitas-Brewing-Co-says-pit-bull-label-proving-2722843.php |access-date=13 April 2023 |work=[[SFGate]] |date=24 September 2004}}</ref> The above-mentioned Nipper appeared in a number of logos, including the [[RCA]], the [[Gramophone Company]], and [[HMV]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Text-Only NPR.org : Friend Or Fiend? 'Pit Bull' Explores The History Of America's Most Feared Dog |url=https://text.npr.org/s.php?sId=477350069 |website=text.npr.org |publisher=[[NPR]] |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201326/https://text.npr.org/s.php?sId=477350069 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nipper at The Museum of Technology">{{cite web |title=NIPPER' ADVERTISING TRADE MARK FOR HMV, 1940's |url=http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk/objects/_expand.php?key=135 |website=[[The Museum of Technology]] |publisher= |access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> |
|||
In 2005, two American lawyers used a pit bull logo and the phone number 1-800-PIT-BULL in a television advertisement to convey that they were "especially fierce litigators". The [[Supreme Court of Florida]] ruled that this use was in breach of [[Florida Bar]] advertising rules.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sandefur |first1=Timothy |title=The Right to Earn a Living: Economic Freedom and the Law |date=2010 |publisher=[[Cato Institute]] |isbn=978-1-935308-34-8 |pages=203 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILCoQm73UQAC&pg=PA203 |access-date=10 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201327/https://books.google.com/books?id=ILCoQm73UQAC&pg=PA203 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Blankenship |first1=Gary |title=Court disciplines lawyers for '1-800 PIT BULL' TV ad |url=https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/court-disciplines-lawyers-for-1-800-pit-bull-tv-ad/ |publisher=[[The Florida Bar]] |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201328/https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/court-disciplines-lawyers-for-1-800-pit-bull-tv-ad/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
== See also == |
|||
* {{Portal inline|Dogs}} |
|||
* [[Sansão case]] (Animal cruelty case) |
|||
== References == |
|||
{{Reflist|refs= |
|||
<ref name=Allen>{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Jenna|url=https://www.voxmagazine.com/magazine/bark-vs-bite-a-look-at-the-stigma-surrounding-pit/article_0836811e-42f1-5aec-8bb2-e0d97cbb61a8.html|title=Bark vs. bite: A look at the stigma surrounding pit bulls|website=Vox Magazine|date=August 31, 2017 |access-date=May 9, 2019|archive-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508132418/https://www.voxmagazine.com/magazine/bark-vs-bite-a-look-at-the-stigma-surrounding-pit/article_0836811e-42f1-5aec-8bb2-e0d97cbb61a8.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=avma2014>{{cite web |url=https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/The-Role-of-Breed-in-Dog-Bite-Risk-and-Prevention.aspx |publisher=[[American Veterinary Medical Association]] |title=Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed |date=April 17, 2012 |access-date=October 21, 2014 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230053811/https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/The-Role-of-Breed-in-Dog-Bite-Risk-and-Prevention.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Beaufoy>James Beaufoy, ''Staffordshire Bull Terriers: a practical guide for owners and breeders'', Ramsbury, Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2016, {{ISBN|9781785000973}}.</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Fogle>{{cite book |last=Fogle |first=Bruce |author-link=Bruce Fogle|date=2009 |title=The encyclopedia of the dog |location=New York |publisher=DK Publishing |page=172 & 181 |isbn=978-0-7566-6004-8 }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Hoffman>{{cite journal |last1=Hoffman |first1=Christy L. |last2=Harrison |first2=Natalie |last3=Wolff |first3=London |last4=Westgarth |first4=Carri |title=Is that dog a pit bull? A cross-country comparison of perceptions of shelter workers regarding breed identification |journal=Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |year=2014 |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=322–339 |doi=10.1080/10888705.2014.895904 |pmid=24673506 |pmc=4160292 }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Kalouf>{{cite journal |last1=Kalof |first1=Linda |last2=Taylor |first2=Carl |date=2007 |title=The discourse of dog fighting |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241648689 |journal=Humanity & Society |volume=31 |issue=4 |pages=319–333 |doi=10.1177/016059760703100403 |s2cid=144066670 |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201324/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linda_Kalof/publication/241648689_The_Discourse_of_Dog_Fighting/links/54c2954e0cf256ed5a8ee0a3/The-Discourse-of-Dog-Fighting.pdf?origin=publication_detail |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Morris>{{cite book |last=Morris |first=Desmond |author-link=Desmond Morris |date=2001 |title=Dogs: the ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds |location=North Pomfret, VT|publisher=Trafalgar Square Publishing |pages=346–347 & 363–365 |isbn=1-57076-219-8}}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Olson>{{cite journal |last1=Olson |first1=K. R. |last2=Levy |first2=J. K. |last3=Norby |first3=B. |last4=Crandall |first4=J. E. |last5=Broadhurst |first5=S. |last6=Jacks |first6=S. |last7=Barton |first7=R. C. |last8=Zimmerman |first8=M. S. |date=November 2015 |title=Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff |journal=The Veterinary Journal |volume=206 |issue=2 |pages=197–202 |doi=10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019 |pmid=26403955 |doi-access=free }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Oxford>{{cite web |url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/pit_bull |title=pit bull |date=2020 |website=Oxford Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201344/https://www.lexico.com/definition/pit_bull |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Webster>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull |title=pit bull |date=2020 |website=Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-Webster, Inc |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090752/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
<ref name=Wilcox>{{cite book |last1=Wilcox |first1=Bonnie |last2=Walkowicz |first2=Chris |date=1995 |title=Atlas of dog breeds of the world |location=Neptune City, N.J. |publisher=TFH Publications |pages=117–121 }}</ref> |
|||
}} |
|||
{{Terriers}} |
|||
{{Authority control}} |
|||
[[Category:Catch dogs]] |
|||
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in England]] |
|||
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in the United States]] |
|||
[[Category:Dog fighting breeds]] |
|||
[[Category:Dog types]] |
Latest revision as of 13:17, 3 January 2025
Pit bull | |
---|---|
Origin | United States |
Dog (domestic dog) |
Pit bull is an umbrella term for several types of dog believed to have descended from bull and terriers. In the United States, the term is usually considered to include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and sometimes the American Bulldog, along with any crossbred dog that shares certain physical characteristics with these breeds. In other countries, including the United Kingdom, the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed specifically,[1][2][3] while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not considered a pit bull.[1][4][5] Most pit bull–type dogs descend from the British bull and terrier, a 19th-century dog-fighting type developed from crosses between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier.[6][7][8]
Pit bull–type dogs have a controversial reputation as pets internationally, due to their history in dog fighting,[9] the number of high-profile attacks documented in the media over decades, and their proclivity to latch on while biting. Proponents of the type and advocates of regulation have engaged in a highly contentious nature-versus-nurture debate over whether aggressive tendencies in pit bulls may be appropriately attributed to owners' poor care for and competency to handle the dog or inherent qualities owing to their breeding for fighting purposes.[10] While some studies have argued that pit bull–type dogs are not disproportionately dangerous, offering competing interpretations on dog bite statistics, independent organizations have published statistics based on hospital records showing pit bulls are responsible for more than half of dog bite incidents among all breeds despite comprising only 6% of pet dogs.[11][12]: 18, 49 Some insurance companies will not cover pit bulls (along with Rottweilers and wolf hybrids) because these particular dogs cause a disproportionate rate of bite incidents.[13] Dog bite severity varies by the breed of dog, and studies have found that pit bull–type dogs have both a high rate of reported bites and a high rate of severe injuries, compared to other non–pit bull–type dogs.[14][15]
Pit bull–type dogs are extensively used in the United States for dog fighting, a practice that has continued despite being outlawed.[7][16] Several nations and jurisdictions restrict the ownership of pit bull–type dogs through breed-specific legislation.[1][4] A pro–pit bull lobby exists that spends millions of dollars a year promoting pit bulls as family pets, funding pro-pit bull researchers, and opposing laws that regulate their ownership.[12]: loc 762
History
The term has been used since at least the early 20th century.[17][3] It is believed all dogs that are now classified as pit bulls descend from the British bull-and-terrier, which were first imported into North America in the 1870s.[6][7] The bull-and-terrier was a breed of dog developed in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century for the blood sports of dog fighting and rat baiting. It was created by crossing the ferocious, thickly muscled Old English Bulldog with the agile, lithe, feisty Black and Tan Terrier.[6][7] The aggressive Old English Bulldog, which was bred for bear and bull baiting, was often also pitted against its own kind in organized dog fights, but it was found that lighter, faster dogs were better suited to dogfighting than the heavier Bulldog.[6][7][8] To produce a lighter, faster, more agile dog that retained the courage and tenacity of the Bulldog, outcrosses from local terriers were tried, and ultimately found to be successful.[6][7][8]
As it was in the UK, dog fighting became a popular pastime in 19th century America and bull-and-terriers were imported to the New World to pursue the blood sport.[6][7] In the United States, organized dog fights have been progressively outlawed in various states since 1874, culminating in federal legislation criminalizing animal fighting in 2007.[16]
In the 1890s breeders of American pit bull–type dogs attempted to have their dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, but because of the type's association with dogfighting, the club rejected these entreaties.[6][7] Following this rejection, in 1898 breeders of American Pit Bull Terriers established a rival kennel club, the United Kennel Club. In addition to being a breed registry, the United Kennel Club also regulated dogfights.[6][7][18] In the 1930s the American Kennel Club was faced with a dilemma: whilst not wishing to condone dogfighting, there was a desire to recognize a uniquely American dog breed for which over 30 years of breed records existed.[6][7][18] The solution was to recognize Pit Bull Terriers under a different name and prohibit these dogs from being used in organized fights, and in 1935 the American Kennel Club recognized Pit Bull Terriers as Staffordshire Terriers.[6][7][18]
The name "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" was first used in Britain in 1930 in advertisements for bull-and-terrier-type dogs.[8] Organized dog fighting had been effectively eliminated in the United Kingdom by the Protection of Animals Act 1911, but devotees of the bull-and-terrier type continued to breed these dogs, predominantly in England's Black Country.[8] Throughout the early 1930s attempts were made in England to gain recognition for these dogs with The Kennel Club; these efforts were successful in 1935.[6][7][16] In order to avoid confusion with the British breed, in 1972 the American Kennel Club changed the name of their American breed to the American Staffordshire Terrier.[7][18]
Despite criminalisation, illegal fights using pit bull–type dogs have continued to be widespread in the United States. In the 1990s in that country it was estimated 1,500 dogs died annually in organized fights, and by the mid-2000s it was estimated over 40,000 people were involved in the illegal blood sport.[6][7][16] Pit bull–type dogs are also used by criminal organizations to guard illegal narcotics, and to intimidate and attack civilians, other criminals and police, the type becoming a status symbol in American gang culture.[16][19][20] On the other side of the law, pit bull–type dogs have been used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as drug detection dogs.[21][22]
There is a lobby of animal rights groups that are spending millions of dollars to try to rebrand pit bulls as family dogs.[23] In efforts to counter negative perceptions about pit bull–type dogs, both the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the New York City Center for Animal Care and Control have unsuccessfully attempted to rename the type.[24][25]
Identification
Studies have found that when people involved in dog rescue, adoption, and regulation identify the breed of a dog of mixed parentage, this identification did not always correlate with the DNA analysis of that dog.[26][27][28] Mixed-breed dogs are often labeled as pit bulls if they have certain physical characteristics, such as a square-shaped head or bulky body type.[29]
In Australia some dog owners give false information regarding the breed of their dog to local authorities, despite this being an offence under the Crimes Act. Inquests after fatal or serious dog attacks showed that pit bull owners registered their dogs under a wide range of other breeds, like the Australian Terrier, to evade their local laws and regulations.[30][31]
Dog attack and death risk
A 2000 joint review project between researchers in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found the data indicated that Rottweilers and pit bull–type dogs accounted for 67% of human dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1997 and 1998, and followed with "It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." Pit bull–type dogs were identified in approximately one-third of dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1981 and 1992. The review notes that studies on dog bite-related fatalities which collect information by surveying news reports are subject to potential errors, as some fatal attacks may not have been reported, a study might not find all relevant news reports, and the dog breed might be misidentified.[32] However, after 2000 the CDC stopped tracking dog bites, and in 2001, Julie Gilchrist, a CDC pediatrician and epidemiologist, stated that part of the reason the CDC stopped collecting dog bite data was because "making meaningful analysis [of the data][was] nearly impossible".[33]
In a 2021 review of 19 retrospective dog bite studies from U.S. Level I trauma centers, pit bulls were found to inflict a higher prevalence and severity of injuries compared with other breeds.[34] A 2020 literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018 of all pure breed dogs in the United States, pit bull–type breeds were second, behind the German Shepherd, and ahead of Labradors, Chow Chows, and Rottweilers (in that order) for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment. The study found that the proportion of bites caused by German Shepherds decreased by 0.63 percent per year over that time interval while the proportion caused by pit bulls increased by 1.17 percent per year. The pit bull proportion of dog bites increased more slowly in Denver, Colorado, where breed-specific legislation had been in place.[35]
In a 2014 literature review of dog bite studies, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) argues that breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites.[36] According to the AVMA, controlled studies have not identified pit bulls as disproportionately dangerous, but other studies have found that, compared with other dog breeds, pit bulls were more likely to inflict complex injuries, are more likely to attack unprovoked, and are more likely to go off property to do so.[36][37] Pit bull–type dogs are more frequently identified with cases involving very severe injuries or fatalities than other breeds, but a 2007 study suggested this may relate to the popularity of the breed, noting that sled dogs, such as Siberian Huskies, were involved in a majority of fatal dog attacks in some areas of Canada.[36][38] Bite statistics by breed are no longer tracked by the CDC,[39] and are discouraged by the AVMA[40] and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).[41]
Pit bulls were originally developed from dogs that were bred for bull baiting and dog fighting.[42] Pit bull attacks are often perceived as taking place "without warning", possibly due to the type's fighting heritage, as fighting dogs that do not signal aggression may do better in the ring.[42] However, recent research suggests that this perception may reflect a lack of knowledge of dog body-language, and owners' over-confidence in their ability to interpret those signs.[43] In fighting with dogs of other breeds, pit bulls, German Shepherds, Great Danes and Rottweilers were often the aggressor, and more than twenty percent of studied Akitas, Jack Russell Terriers and pit bulls displayed serious aggression towards other dogs.[44] Although there may be a connection between breed of dog and aggression towards humans, the difficulty of classifying dog attacks by specific breed after the fact has made this point controversial and debated.[45] Violent interactions between humans and canines have been studied by the U.S. government,[46] notably the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),[47] as well as academic veterinary researchers.[36] The interpretation of these studies, breed identification and relevance[48] issues, and variable circumstances have given rise to intense controversy.[49][50] Additionally, researchers on both sides of the pit bull debate rarely disclose when they are being funded by lobbyists, leading to a risk that the scientific literature on pit bulls has been influenced by money.[35]: p. 1172
Pit bulls are known for their tenacity and refusal to release a bite, even in the face of great pain. A popular myth mischaracterized pit bulls as having "locking jaws."[51] The refusal to let go is a behavioral, not physiological trait, and there is no locking mechanism in a pit bull's jaws.[52] Pit bull–type dogs, like other terriers, hunting and bull-baiting breeds,[53] can exhibit a bite, hold, and shake behavior and at times refuse to release.[54][55][56] Pit bulls also have wide skulls, well-developed facial muscles, and strong jaws,[51] and some research suggests that pit bull bites are particularly serious because they tend to bite deeply and grind their molars into tissue.[57][58] Breaking an ammonia ampule and holding it up to the dog's nose can cause the dog to release its hold.[55]
In animal shelters
Many people consider pit bulls undesirable, making it harder for animal shelters to adopt them out.[59] Surveys have found that animal shelter workers intentionally misidentify pit bulls to improve their adoption rates, or to avoid euthanizing them in jurisdictions where they are banned.[60] Animal advocates recommend that shelters stop labeling breeds to improve pit bull adoption rates.[59] Pit bulls also have higher rates of unsuccessful adoptions, and are more likely than other kinds of dogs to be returned to a shelter multiple times and eventually euthanized.[59] Whether pit bull adoptions fail more often than other types of dog due to breed behavioral traits, or due to public stigma, is not known, but in general the most common reasons why shelter dog adoptions fail are behavioral problems or incompatibility with the adopter's existing pets.[59]
Breed-specific legislation
Widely reported pit bull attacks have resulted in the enactment of breed-specific legislation (BSL) in several jurisdictions. In two cases, breed-specific bans have been reversed by city councils.[61][62]
Breed-specific legislation has been largely found to be ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks.[63] Research has indicated that there is resistance by those who work in the adoption industry, applying a sharper distinction before allowing a dog to be labeled as a pit bull, as well as objections from veterinarians.[64][65][60]
Many of the jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls apply their restriction to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and any other dog that has the substantial physical characteristics and appearance of those breeds, such as the Canadian province of Ontario.[66] Denver, Colorado lifted its longstanding ban on the breed in 2021 following a referendum that voted to repeal the ban.[67]
However, a few jurisdictions, such as Singapore,[68] also classify the modern American Bulldog as a "pit bull–type dog".
Courts in the United States[69][70] and Canada[71][72] have ruled that expert identification, when using published breed standards, is sufficient for the enforcement of breed-specific legislation.
Debates often center on whether apparent aggressive tendencies are the result of poor dog ownership or natural behaviors of the breed.[10]
In England, Wales and Scotland, the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 prohibits the ownership of American Pit Bull Terriers, along with three other breeds; the Act also bans the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs.[73] Similar legislation exists in Australia.[64] Under Irish law, American Pit Bull Terriers must be led by someone at least 16 years of age, kept on a short strong lead, be muzzled, and wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner in public at all times.[74] In Germany the importation of pit bulls is banned.[75]
Despite being a banned breed, in 2023 there were 3,316 registered pit bull–type dogs in England and Wales, an increase over the 2,323 that were registered ten years earlier. The dogs are permitted under a system of exemptions that are contingent on owners complying with special rules, such as muzzling them in public and having liability insurance.[76]
Seventeen U.S. States prohibit local governments from enacting breed-specific ordinances: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.[77]
Commercial restrictions
Liability insurance
Dog owners in the United States can be held legally liable for injuries inflicted or caused by their dogs. In general, owners are considered liable if they were unreasonably careless in handling or restraining the dog, or if they knew beforehand that the dog had a tendency to cause injury (e.g., bite); however, dog owners are automatically considered liable if local laws hold an owner strictly liable for all damage caused by their dog, regardless of carelessness or foreknowledge of a dog's tendencies. Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically provide liability coverage from US$100,000–300,000 for injuries inflicted by dogs;[78] however, some insurance companies limit their exposure to dog bite liability claims by putting restrictions on dog owners that they insure. These restrictions include refusing to cover dog bites under the insurance policy, increasing insurance rates for homeowners with specific breeds, requiring owners of specific breeds to take special training or have their dogs pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test,[79] requiring owners to restrict their dogs with muzzles, chains, or enclosures, and refusing to write policies for homeowners or renters who have specific breeds of dogs.[78]
Owners of rental properties may also be held liable if they knew an aggressive dog was living on their property and they did nothing to ensure the safety of other tenants at the property; as a result, many rental properties forbid pit bull–type dogs and any other breeds if the rental property's insurance will not cover damage inflicted by that type of dog.[citation needed] The dog breeds most often not covered by insurance companies include pit bull–type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas (Akita Inu and American Akitas), and Chow Chows.[80][better source needed]
In 2013, Farmers Insurance notified policyholders in California that it would no longer cover bites by pit bulls, Rottweilers and wolf-dog hybrids. A spokeswoman for Farmers said that those groups account for more than a quarter of the agency's dog bite claims.[13]
Air carrier restrictions
The following table has a sampling of air carrier embargoes on pit bulls.
Airline | Reason | Details |
---|---|---|
Air France | Safety | Category 1 dogs, as defined by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, are not permitted for transport in the cabin, or as baggage or cargo. These so-called "attack dogs" do not belong to a particular breed, but are similar in morphology to the following: Staffordshire Bull Terriers or American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bulls), Mastiffs and Tosas.[81] |
Delta Air Lines | Safety | "We have determined that untrained, pit bull–type dogs posing as both service and support animals are a potential safety risk", the airline said.[82] |
Notable pit bulls
- Sallie Ann Jarrett, the mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.[83]: 39 [84]
- Nipper, a mongrel at times referred to as a pit bull, though commonly seen as a non pit bull–type terrier, is the dog in Francis Barraud's 1898 painting His Master's Voice.[85][86][87]
- Sergeant Stubby, a dog of disputed breed who served for the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division during World War I, has been called a pit bull.[88][89][90]: 88
- Pete the Pup, a character from the movie series The Little Rascals, was played by pit bull–type dogs.[83]: 85–86
- Twenty-first century dogs include Star, who, while protecting her owner, was shot by police in a video that went viral,[90]: 7 [91] and Daddy, dog trainer Cesar Millan's right-hand dog, who was known for his mellow temperament and his ability to interact calmly with ill-mannered dogs.[92][93][94]
As a symbol
Owning dogs like pit bulls and Rottweilers can be seen as a symbol of power or status symbol.[95][16] Pit bulls have been cultural symbols in "urban ghettos" and a part of hip hop culture.[96][97] According to the Anti-Defamation League, pit bulls have been adopted as a hate symbol by racist skinheads.[98] The White supremacist group Keystone State Skinheads have used a specific graphic of a pit bull as their logo.[98]
Pit bulls have appeared in American World War I propaganda.[90]: 88 [12]: 15 [99]
Pit bulls have appeared in the logos of Brown Shoe Company and Lagunitas Brewing Company.[100][101] The above-mentioned Nipper appeared in a number of logos, including the RCA, the Gramophone Company, and HMV.[102][103]
In 2005, two American lawyers used a pit bull logo and the phone number 1-800-PIT-BULL in a television advertisement to convey that they were "especially fierce litigators". The Supreme Court of Florida ruled that this use was in breach of Florida Bar advertising rules.[104][105]
See also
- Dogs portal
- Sansão case (Animal cruelty case)
References
- ^ a b c Hoffman, Christy L.; Harrison, Natalie; Wolff, London; Westgarth, Carri (2014). "Is that dog a pit bull? A cross-country comparison of perceptions of shelter workers regarding breed identification". Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 17 (4): 322–339. doi:10.1080/10888705.2014.895904. PMC 4160292. PMID 24673506.
- ^ "pit bull". Oxford Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ a b "pit bull". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2020. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ a b Olson, K. R.; Levy, J. K.; Norby, B.; Crandall, J. E.; Broadhurst, S.; Jacks, S.; Barton, R. C.; Zimmerman, M. S. (November 2015). "Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff". The Veterinary Journal. 206 (2): 197–202. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019. PMID 26403955.
- ^ Allen, Jenna (August 31, 2017). "Bark vs. bite: A look at the stigma surrounding pit bulls". Vox Magazine. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. p. 172 & 181. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 346–347 & 363–365. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
- ^ a b c d e James Beaufoy, Staffordshire Bull Terriers: a practical guide for owners and breeders, Ramsbury, Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2016, ISBN 9781785000973.
- ^ "The Most Feared Dogs May Also Be the Most Misunderstood". National Geographic News. July 3, 2016. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Glazebrook, Louise (April 13, 2016). "What makes an animal dangerous? The nature v nurture debate in dogs". BBC Newsbeat. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Problem With Pit Bulls". Time. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c Coile, D. Caroline (2021). Pit Bulls for Dummies (2nd ed., Kindle ed.). John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 978-1119720904.
- ^ a b Gephardt, Bill. Some dog breeds too risky for insurance companies. Archived September 4, 2015, at the Wayback Machine KSL.com, May 8, 2013
- ^ Essig, Garth F.; Sheehan, Cameron (February 2019). "Dog bite injuries to the face: Is there risk with breed ownership? A systematic review with meta-analysis". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 117: 182–188. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.11.028. ISSN 0165-5876. PMID 30579079. S2CID 57740754. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ Taylor, Jeffrey Q.; Krieger, Rachel (January 13, 2023). "Pediatric Dog Bites to the Face May Have Been Less Severe During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Study". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 81 (5): 575–582. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2022.12.018. PMC 9838755. PMID 36646135.
- ^ a b c d e f Kalof, Linda; Taylor, Carl (2007). "The discourse of dog fighting". Humanity & Society. 31 (4): 319–333. doi:10.1177/016059760703100403. S2CID 144066670. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ "The Dog fancier v.12 1903". The Dog fancier. 1903. p. 28.
- ^ a b c d Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp. 117–121.
- ^ Cook, Frank (June 29, 1987). "Pit bulls becoming drug dealers weapon of preference". United Press International. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- ^ Baker, Al; Warren, Mathew R. (July 9, 2009). "Shooting highlights the risks dogs pose to police, and vice versa". The New York Times. New York, NY. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
- ^ "Cool K-9 Popsicle retires". U.S. Customs Today. 38 (#10). October 2002. Archived from the original on October 24, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^ Lewin, Adrienne Mand (October 12, 2005). "Protecting the Nation — One Sniff at a Time". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 22, 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
- ^ "The Fifth Estate: Pitbulls Unleashed". 2017. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ Cothran, George (June 11, 1997). "Shouldn't we just kill this dog?". San Francisco Weekly. San Francisco, CA. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
- ^ Haberman, Clyde (January 13, 2004). "NYC; Rebrand Fido? An idea best put down". The New York Times. New York, NY. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
- ^ Olson, K.R. (2015). "Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff". The Veterinary Journal. 206 (2): 197–202. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019. PMID 26403955.
- ^ Simpson, Robert John (2012). "Rethinking dog breed identification in veterinary practice". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 241 (9): 1163–1166. doi:10.2460/javma.241.9.1163. PMID 23078561.
- ^ Gunter, Lisa M. (2018). "A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs". PLOS ONE. 13 (8): e0202633. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1302633G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202633. PMC 6107223. PMID 30138476.
- ^ Swann, Kristen E. "Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation". UMKC Law Review. 78: 839. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ Fife-Yeomans, Janet (April 26, 2014). "Lethal dogs in disguise: pitbulls registered under other breeds". The Courier Mail. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Deare, Steven (February 19, 2024). "Dog breeder claims may put unsuspecting owners at risk". www.canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Sacks, Jeffrey J.; Sinclair, Leslie; Gilchrist, Julie (September 15, 2000). "Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 16, 2015.
- ^ "The dangerous dog debate | American Veterinary Medical Association". November 2017.
- ^ Reuter Muñoz, K. D.; Powell, L. E.; Andersen, E. S.; Nye, A. D.; Powers, J. M.; Rhodes, J.; Pozez, A. L. (2021). "Analysis of Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center over 10 Years". Annals of Plastic Surgery. 86 (6S Suppl 5): S510 – S516. doi:10.1097/SAP.0000000000002928. PMID 34100808. S2CID 235368825.
- ^ a b Bailey, Chad M.; Hinchcliff, Katharine M.; Moore, Zachary; Pu, Lee L.Q. (November 2020). "Dog Bites in the United States from 1971 to 2018: A Systematic Review of the Peer-Reviewed Literature". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 146 (5): 1166–1176. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007253. PMID 33136964. S2CID 225080998.
- ^ a b c d "Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed". American Veterinary Medical Association. April 17, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
- ^ Khan, K.; Horswell, B. B.; Samanta, D. (2020). "Dog-Bite Injuries to the Craniofacial Region: An Epidemiologic and Pattern-of-Injury Review at a Level 1 Trauma Center". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 78 (3): 401–413. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2019.11.002. PMID 31816277. S2CID 209167886.
- ^ Raghavan M. Fatal dog attacks in Canada, 1990–2007. Can Vet J. 2008;49:577–581
- ^ Nolen, R. Scott (2017). "The dangerous dog debate". Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ "A community approach to dog bite prevention" (PDF). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. June 1, 2001. pp. 1731–1749. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
- ^ "ASPCA Policy and Position Statements". Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ a b Bini, John K.; Cohn, Stephen M. (April 2011). "Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs" (PDF). Annals of Surgery. 253 (4): 791–797. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318211cd68. PMID 21475022.
- ^ "New research reveals links between dog attacks and misunderstanding of dog behavior".
- ^ Duffy, D.L.; Hsu, Yuying; Serpell, James A. (April 18, 2008). "Breed differences in canine aggression". Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 114 (3–4): 441–460. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ Gunter, Lisa M.; Barber, Rebecca T.; Wynne, Clive D.L. (March 23, 2016). "What's in a Name? Effect of Breed Perceptions & Labeling on Attractiveness, Adoptions & Length of Stay for Pit-Bull-Type Dogs". PLOS ONE. 11 (3): e0146857. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1146857G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146857. PMC 4805246. PMID 27008213.
- ^ Hanna, TL, Selby LA. Characteristics of the human and pet populations in animal bite incidents recorded at two Air Force bases. Public Health Rep. 1981;96:580-584.
- ^ Clarke NM. A survey of urban Canadian animal control practices : the effect of enforcement and resourcing on the reported dog bite rate, Master of Science — MSc 2009
- ^ Duffy, DL., Hsu, Y. Serpell, JA. Breed differences in canine aggression. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008;114:441–460.
- ^ Roll, A.; Unshelm, J. (1997). "Aggressive conflicts amongst dogs and factors affecting them". Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 52 (#3–4): 229–242. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01125-2. ISSN 0168-1591.
- ^ "Pitbull Myths vs. Fact — Animal Rescuers Without Borders" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- ^ a b D. Caroline Coile (April 18, 2011). Pit Bulls For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118069370. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "Toledo v. Tellings, -REVERSED-, 2006-Ohio-975, ¶25" (PDF). Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
- ^ "The Truth About Pit Bulls". American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ^ Swift, E.M. (July 27, 1987). "The pit bull: friend and killer". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 67, no. #4. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
- ^ a b Clark, Ross D.; Stainer, Joan R.; Haynes, H. David; Buckner, Ralph; Mosier, Jacob; Quinn, Art J., eds. (1983). Medical & Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs. Edwardsville, KS: Veterinary Medicine Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-9641609-0-3.
- ^ "Breaking up a fight". Pit Bull Rescue Central. 2008. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
- ^ Cherry, James (2014). Feigin and Cherry's textbook of pediatric infectious diseases — Animal and Human Bites, Morven S. Edwards. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 978-1-4557-1177-2 – via the University of Pittsburgh.
- ^ Ellis, Jennifer Lynn; Thomason, Jeffrey; Kebreab, Ermias; Zubair, Kasim; France, James (March 2009). "Cranial dimensions and forces of biting in the domestic dog". Journal of Anatomy. 214 (3): 362–373. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.01042.x. ISSN 0021-8782. PMC 2673787. PMID 19245503.
- ^ a b c d Powell, Lauren; Reinhard, Chelsea (2021). "Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 8018. Bibcode:2021NatSR..11.8018P. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-87649-2. PMC 8044234. PMID 33850258.
- ^ a b "When it comes to pit bulls, animal shelter workers intentionally misidentify". Taylor & Francis. September 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^ "Aurora May Lift Citywide Ban On Pit Bulls". cbslocal.com. February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Lexi Sutter. "Roeland Park City Council revisits pit bull ban, in place since the 1980s". KSHB. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014.
- ^ "Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation" (PDF). The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ a b DeRosa, Angie (September 29, 2011). "Australian officials to kill pit bulls, other 'dangerous' breeds". Vin.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Pit Bulls being sold as Staffy crosses by the RSPCA, Australia. ABC News. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "An Act to amend the Dog Owners' Liability Act to increase public safety in relation to dogs, including pit bulls, and to make related amendments to the Animals for Research Act". Government of Ontario, Canada. August 29, 2005. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- ^ Swanson, Conrad (November 4, 2020). "Denver election results for 2J: Voters repeal city's pit bull ban". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ "List of Scheduled Dogs". Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. November 15, 2010. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ "Toledo v. Tellings, 114 Ohio St.3d 278, 2007-Ohio-3724" (PDF). Supreme Court of Ohio. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ "Certeriorari — Summary Dispositions (Order List: 552 U.S.)" (PDF). United States Supreme Court. February 19, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
- ^ "Cochrane v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2008 ONCA 718" (PDF). Ontario Court of Appeal. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
- ^ "Who let the dogs out?". Center for Constitutional Studies, University of Alberta, Canada. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
- ^ Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (March 2009). "Dangerous Dogs Law: Guidance for Enforcers" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ^ "Control and ownership of dogs". citizensinformation.ie. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019.
- ^ "Customs online - Dangerous dogs - Dangerous dogs". www.zoll.de. Archived from the original on July 28, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Savage, Danny; Green, Ruth. "Thousands of banned dogs living at home with owners". BBC. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Kaminski, Janet (January 14, 2013). "STATES THAT PROHIBIT BREED SPECIFIC ORDINANCES". cga.cgt.gov/olr. Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Dog Bite Liability". Insurance Information Institute. September 2009. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- ^ "Homeowners Insurance Available to Breeds Previously Excluded with CGC Certification". American Kennel Club. October 1, 2004. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ Sodergren, Brian. "Insurance companies unfairly target specific dog breeds". Humane Society of the United States. Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
- ^ "Animals prohibited from traveling — Air France airline". Air France. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Delta bans pit bulls as emotional support animals, citing dog attacks". Los Angeles Times. June 22, 2018. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Dickey, Bronwen (2016). Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-96177-8. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ Robinett, Kristy (2018). Tails from the Afterlife: Stories of Signs, Messages & Inspiration from your Animal Companions. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0-7387-5571-7. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ Richterman, Anita (September 1, 1987). "Problem Line: [ALL EDITIONS 1] - ProQuest". Newsday - via ProQuest. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- ^ Franklin, Deirdre; Lombardi, Linda (November 22, 2016). The Pit Bull Life: A Dog Lover's Companion. The Countryman Press. ISBN 978-1-58157-504-0.
- ^ Young, Elizabeth (December 17, 2019). Pet Projects: Animal Fiction and Taxidermy in the Nineteenth-Century Archive. Penn State Press. pp. 61–62, 236. doi:10.1515/9780271085111-004. ISBN 978-0-271-08511-1. S2CID 242686493.
- ^ Goodavage, Maria (2012). Soldier dogs : the untold story of America's canine heroes (First New American Library ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 15. ISBN 9781101577103. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ Kershaw, Sarah. "Here's a short history of the American war dog starring 'Sergeant Stubby,' a canine hero who served during WWI". Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ a b c Dayan, Colin (2016). "Chapter Six. Fable for the End of a Breed". With Dogs at the Edge of Life. Columbia University Press. doi:10.7312/daya16712. ISBN 978-0-231-16712-3. JSTOR 10.7312/daya16712.
- ^ Ursch, Blake (July 29, 2016). "NYC street dog, shot in the face, had long journey to loving home". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ Wallace, Amy (October 10, 2009). "Whispering to Rottweilers, and to C.E.O.'s". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Unleashed: RIP to Cesar Millan's beloved companion 'Daddy' the pit bull". Michigan Live. February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Farewell, Friend: Cesar Millan Says Goodbye to Daddy". People. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ Nicoll, Kate (2005). Soul Friends: Finding Healing with Animals. Dog Ear Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-9766603-6-1. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Linder, Ann (2018). "THE BLACK MAN'S DOG: THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION". Animal Law Review. p. 56. ISSN 1088-8802. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Tarver, Erin C. (June 26, 2017). The I in Team: Sports Fandom and the Reproduction of Identity. University of Chicago Press. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-226-47027-6.
- ^ a b "Pit Bull". Anti-Defamation League. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Lauerman, Kerry (October 28, 2021). "It's time to stop demonizing pit bulls". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ Arluke, Arnold; Bogdan, Robert (November 5, 2010). Beauty and the Beast: Human-Animal Relations as Revealed in Real Photo Postcards, 1905–1935. Syracuse University Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-8156-5091-1.
- ^ Liu, Cynthia (September 24, 2004). "Lagunitas Brewing Co. says pit bull label proving no dog". SFGate. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ "Text-Only NPR.org : Friend Or Fiend? 'Pit Bull' Explores The History Of America's Most Feared Dog". text.npr.org. NPR. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ "NIPPER' ADVERTISING TRADE MARK FOR HMV, 1940's". The Museum of Technology. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Sandefur, Timothy (2010). The Right to Earn a Living: Economic Freedom and the Law. Cato Institute. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-935308-34-8. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Blankenship, Gary. "Court disciplines lawyers for '1-800 PIT BULL' TV ad". The Florida Bar. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.