Pit Bull Hysteria

[nedim]

sigh......Ok, long story short; I was outside with my dad and we get to talking about dogs and how peanut can't be trusted off leash yet. I say its not wise to let her off leash until she can become dependable and trustworthy. Somehow, our neighbors dog (pit x) comes into our conversation. He says "well, they shouldnt be able to let that dog off leash if its a pit" . Wow. I start going on about how the media unjustly portrays pits as dangerous dogs and all the other stuff you wonderful people have taught me. He's not buying. Now, I'm planning on getting either a pit or bulldogge in a few years when i leave for college because I've always admired their looks and sense of pride. My question to you good people is this; how do I convince a man who is set in his ways that the media is a load of bullshit and that it's not the breed of the dog that matters, it's the individual dog itself? Any help and suggestions would be tremendously appreciated.

Thank You

 

[BigDog2191]

Some people are set in their ways and stubborn as mule-- but for those who are willing to learn something:

Sources. Sources are the way to go. Show him statistics-- everyone knows pit bulls statistically never bite. The reason they get so much attention is because whenever they do, it's fatal. And it's rare, but when they do you always see them with scars (proof of being beaten, hence making them mean). Even a video if you can (there was one in the News and Articles section about pit bulls and it portrayed them very well). Good luck.

 

[nedim]

Thanks. i was thinking of finding a stat sheet. I mean, aren't like yorkies and chis higher on the list?

 

[BigDog2191]

Thanks. i was thinking of finding a stat sheet. I mean, aren't like yorkies and chis higher on the list?

So are labs. Pit bulls are 3rd- from the bottom.

 

[nedim]

So are labs. Pit bulls are 3rd- from the bottom.

Exactly what I thought.They're just getting bad hype because of their breeding history. So not fair.

 

[BigDog2191]

Exactly what I thought.They're just getting bad hype because of their breeding history. So not fair.

Exactly. But they were used for hunting big game more than they were for fighting-- it's just peoples misconceptions.

And the media who constantly dog on the breed (no pun intended) doesn't help.

 

[nedim]

Yep. Didnt they used to be called "boar hounds"?

 

[oriondw]

I actually see his point... But in my opinion no dog should be let off-leash. It only endangers the dog.

"Pit bulls" with their high prey drive should not be trusted off-leash.

 

[Richie12345]

I believe they were bred as game dogs, hunting and killing rats in a "pit" as people bet which dog would win. Then when dog fighting got popular they did get bred for that, so I don't think they should be trusted off leash. I should research, though I have seen pitbulls as jogging companions (that did not have a leash on)

 

[Melissa_W]

Some people just "know what they know". Your best bet is to print out articles from the internet and show him those. As many facts as you can find. Some people don't care about facts though. So don't be surprised if he continues believing exactly what he wants to believe.

 

[nedim]

I'm just trying to find that **** stat sheet. No luck, yet.

 

[Renee750il]

And of course, there is always the well placed, offhand remark (NOT made in reference to the Pit Question, lol) about intelligent people being manipulated by the mass media, robbed of the right to make intelligent, informed decisions, being tricked into ignorance and transformed into blind followers . . . nothing like an appeal to the old ego

 

[nedim]

And of course, there is always the well placed, offhand remark (NOT made in reference to the Pit Question, lol) about intelligent people being manipulated by the mass media, robbed of the right to make intelligent, informed decisions, being tricked into ignorance and transformed into blind followers . . . nothing like an appeal to the old ego

Thats exactly what I said!! made no difference.

 

[Renee750il]

You slip it in, a little at a time, when he's off on another subject, lol! Never, ever, ever attack head on, Nedim. If he's watching a news broadcast or talking about something that he's already got reservations about what he's being told - THAT'S when you strike. Then, after he's agreed with that a few times, you can gradually start bringing the Pits into the equation.

The Grand Canyon was eroded over time

 

[nedim]

You slip it in, a little at a time, when he's off on another subject, lol! Never, ever, ever attack head on, Nedim. If he's watching a news broadcast or talking about something that he's already got reservations about what he's being told - THAT'S when you strike. Then, after he's agreed with that a few times, you can gradually start bringing the Pits into the equation.

The Grand Canyon was eroded over time

hehe, thanks Renee. I'll give that a try.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I showed my dad a movie that was full of images of injured and killed pit bulls. That changed him a bit - by the end I think he was crying - but he still isn't a huge fan of bully breeds. I also printed out information about pit type breeds and gave it to him to read.

 

[Zoom]

Let me know when you find that stat sheet. I'm thinking about writing my congressman and state senator, asking them not to buy into the extreme breed bans that have passed in Denver and Ontario. Instead, I'm going to suggest that pitbulls and the related breeds be treated like guns or exotic animals. Must have a permit by the USDA to own one, maybe a background check or something...it's still in the planning stages and I would dearly love any help I can get to make sure this proposal is fair to the responsible owners and their dogs but will target those owners who use and abuse their animals.

So if this can get drafted correctly, maybe Kansas will be one of the few states where you can happily and safely own a pittie. It's going to be tough, a couple of counties already require pits to be muzzled whenever they are outside the owners property line.

 

[Tail_Chaser]

Look throught this thread, it's the one with that video, I put some links to stats lists in a few of my posts.
http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8840&page=1&pp=10

 

[Azucenda]

My thoughts...

When we got Gotti (APBT), I remember my dad telling me not to "touch him, he's a pitbull, he'll bite your hand off." Despite what I told him, it just took spending a bit of time with Gotti to change his mind. Some people refuse to believe that the media hype is just that... hype. It's frustrating. Give your dad time, and when you get your dog, all I can say is make sure it's well trained (I'm sure it will be ). No need to give more fuel to feed the fire. Good luck!

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Pit bulls are indeed unpredictable but there are so many other animals also. Any dog can attack when provoked. I was litterly scared to death of them until we moved into our house 5 yrs ago and my neighbors had 2. It took me a few yrs to get comfy with them, and have had to break up several fights between them (trust me that was scary enough) one even turned on me and his head was used as a ball with my broom, but he backed down once he realized I was holding and the cards. I now have one and she is the biggest baby in the world, but she is very territorial and protective. She has taken quite nicely to my siberian pup Izzy B and those 2 are like mutt and jeff. Give your dad some time and if you get one, introduce him slowly, they will sense fear.