-SnarkAttack-

The first reason for this is statistical inaccuracy. Statistics regarding Pit Bulls should be taken with a grain of salt. They are a TYPE OF DOG, not a BREED OF DOG. Let this sink in for a minute...

Example of a type of dog: Retriever Example of a breed of dog: Labrador

Let's do another.

Example of a type of dog: Shepherd Example of a breed of dog: Belgian Malinois

Still don't see the distinction? Here's how this works: By most people's standards, something is considered a breed of dog once it's recognized by a large kennel club such as the AKC. What makes this recognition important is that there are breed standards (appearance, temperament, size, etc.) that breeders must abide by in order to sell puppies. The AKC does NOT recognize a breed called "Pit Bull". They recognize American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The UKC does have something called an American Pit Bull Terrier (arguably identical to the AKC's American Staffordshire) but you would NEVER see a dog that meets UKC or AKC breed standards chained to a tire in someone's front yard.

This is all to say that dogsbite.org and other sites are reporting literally any bite that is dog with a blocky head and muscular chest as a Pit Bull bite. Notice that "pit bull" is always the only dog TYPE on those lists. Every other listing is a dog BREED. As another commenter stated, it BECOMES a pit bull the moment it bites someone.

Another reason you see pit bulls associated with bites has to do with culture. We undoubtedly exist in a culture of violence; a culture in which men from broken families turn to violence and thuggery to prove their masculinity. In America's poorer urban neighborhoods, you can find a pitbull-type puppy for 20 bucks at any given time. They're then chained onto someone's front porch and largely ignored. That type of environment would turn any dog into a monster. The same people who don't care for their current dog will breed them to the next dog that walks down the street, either in an attempt to make money or just because they think it's cool. (I wish I was kidding, but I have a lot of people approach me when I'm walking my English Bull Terrier, asking if I'd be interested in having a litter with their poorly cared for pit bull mix). Now you have a bunch of dogs that no one cares for producing more puppies. The "breeders" are following NO standard for appearance, temperament, health, etc.

The solution to this problem is to do exactly what Tia is doing-- educating people. Education is the solution to the statistical inaccuracy as well as the cultural problem. If society could just see through the skewed statistics and poor reporting, I think pits could be brought back to their origins as America's family dog. They won't be desired by those who mistreat and neglect them, and you'll see a different dog being touted by the news as a killing machine.

People do accept this.

You just need to realize that human aggression and animal aggression are two entirely separate things. As a pit bull advocate, I don't deny that pits are prone to animal aggression. Because pits vary so widely though, you can't really generalize them all as being animal aggressive.

Do you have a source for this? To my knowledge, and according to the American Kennel Club's website, they were bred to bait Bulls and Bears just like any other bull breed. I think you're thinking of Mastiffs?

The only bully I've ever heard of being in a war was Sgt. Stubby who was a mascot in WWI but saved so many lives, they promoted him to Sargent.

This post actually gave me goosebumps. Your bravery is just astounding. I think you're doing the right thing by not telling anyone just yet. You don't want them treating you differently or pitying you.

Anytime I think of saying something along the lines of "I hate my life", I will stop myself and think of you. Thank you for sharing your story.

Nobody here is claiming that pit type dogs don't bite people. The point you make is valid. However, please take note of the other point I made about pits being wrapped up in a culture of violence. They end up in the wrong hands. Because of their reputation, more shady characters tend to want them than say-- a family of four with a white picket fence. Another reason for the skewed statistics is sheer population. If you go to any dog park in my area, pits are definitely one of the best represented type of dog.