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Pit Bull: The just-because-you-can dog
Trent Knuckles is publisher of The News Journal.
I’m convinced there is a certain percentage of people who do things simply because other people would prefer they didn’t.
Call it an oppositional-defiant streak.
I remember a case, when I was on the city of Corbin’s Code Enforcement Board, where someone we had cited for property maintenance violations was so enraged that they threatened to paint a bunch of commodes pink and sit them on the edge of their property, by the roadway, as a form of protest.
It’s a case of doing something just because you can, and because it will irritate others. It’s juvenile and silly, but common.
Weekly I read stories about pit bull dogs attacking, maiming and killing people. This is nothing new. Year after year, statistics show them to be a super aggressive breed of dog.
The most recent story in the news about a pit bull attack came out of Texas. A woman was attacked and killed by her two pet pit bull terriers. Believe it or not, the dogs were already in quarantine from a previous attack. She didn’t take the hint. She was at the animal hospital to care of them, and walk them, when they murdered her.
I’m sure she was absolutely convinced they were her loving fur babies, right up until they were literally eating her alive.
Every time stories like this surface — and it is often — the arguments defending these animals are all the same. “They were just raised wrong.” “It’s the owner, not the breed.” “I’ve had X number of pit bulls in my home for years and they are so sweet and loving and blah, blah, blah.” It’s hard to discount people’s personal experiences.
But what is really happening, often, is that people are dead set on owning a pit bull simply to show you … me … THE WORLD … that they can, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. It can’t be anything else. They aren’t a particularly beautiful or stately breed. I’ve never heard anyone say: “I want a cudly, sweet pet for a companion. I’m getting a pitbull!” Many municipalities are banning them because they are dangerous and a menace to the community. They are a huge insurance risk. Many folks have, rightly, determined that owning one of these dogs is chancy, at best. The margin for error with them is small. Yet, they are everywhere. Just super popular.
I think it’s sort of like telling your defiant daughter she can’t date that boy … you know, the one with face tatoos. Parental disapproval makes him more desirable.
I’ve covered many dog bite stories in my 22 years at the News Journal. Of the ones I can remember, nearly all of them involved pit bulls. One was a Rottweiler.
We’ve had numerous cases in Kentucky recently of pitbull attacks. One was right nearby in McCreary County. If my theory is incorrect, then I want a reasonable explanation for why this type of dog is so attractive to so many. There are literally hundreds, probably thousands of, breeds to choose from. Mutts are good too.
Why a pit bull?
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All I can say is bravo and you are one very brave man to speak out on what I KNOW is the single most overlooked, unregulated danger to the public and our pets, PIT BULLS.
To the person who told you that you have not done your homework that Pit Bulls are “nanny” dogs. That was a bit of propaganda started in the 70’s and even one of the leading pit bull sites have admitted that there is no such historical reference.
The frightening part about this danger is that the pit bull owners are such zealots spewing hatred to anyone who even hints that these dogs have an aggressive nature that local municipalities are repealing ordinances restricting these creatures. I say creatures because everything I know about dog behavior goes out the window when you study these dogs.
I should know since I make my living training dogs. I specialize in behavioral modification and rehabilitation but pit bulls defy classification.
I think it is interesting that there has been discussion to ban soap pods because a few children mistook them for candy and became ill. Yet these unpredictable and dangerous animals are hearalded and celebrated and it has become the popular breed to own to “prove a point”.
I’ve heard it all. They will lick you to death, nanny dog, etc. Blame the trainer don’t blame the breed. That’s right up until that person loses a loved one or a limb when they exclaim, I never saw this coming.
Eradicating these dogs from the face of the earth would be my mission if I were not as afraid of the Nutters (owners of these dogs) the second most viscous creature on earth. Because I make my living with dogs I know what I’m talking about and beg families with children to never, never believe you or your child or your personal pet are safe in the presence of these dogs which were bred to be willing machines.
Hopefully a few of the nutters out there will take some serious time to study the origins of the breed. You say that they are not a true breed. All you are saying is that AKC does not recognize Pit Bull as a breed. Don’t you know that every recognized breed we know was a breed that man created by combining different breeds to achieve a dog with specific characteristics.
The origins of Pit Bulls was man’s attempt to create this fighting monster. And years ago when these dogs were not common pet dogs what do you think happened to the young Pit Bull pups if they didn’t prove themselves in the fighting pit. My guess is that any of the mild natured Pit Bulls who embarrassed their owner by refusing to fight were taken behind the barn and shot. So what happened to the gene pool. What dogs continued to reproduce?
Spew you nonsense about how they are raised and let it be on your conscience when a family believes that these dogs make great pets, adopt one to be PC then lose a child to the jaws of this diabolical animal. Go on dogsbite.org and gets facts and quit chiming in on a breed that should be banned worldwide.
Better yet I would ask that you go to Google and have Google send you an alert anytime there is news about a dangerous dog harming humans or family pets. And don’t try to say that the news only covers the story and names the dog breed if the breed is a Pit. I can assure you that it would make front page news if a Golden Retrievers ever did anything like what you will read if you flag Google to be alerted about dog attacks.
In the month of March alone I received close to 30 alerts. Each time the story involved either a pit bull or pit bull mix.
I rest my case.
You know what?? I am never one to comment on anything on social media, however, I’ve just about had enough of all you people who have such “know it all” negativity about pitbulls, and, most of you have probably never even truly known a pitbull. I am a 45 year old mother of 3 boys, ages 13, 13, and 12, and, a dog owner my entire life!! As I do agree that there are some pits that are aggressive, and, those are the ones heard about. Those are the dogs that are raised by idiot people, ex,. Thugs, drug dealers, etc, that, think it’s “cool” to have a vicious dog. Those poor dogs end up that way because they are treated cruely and encouraged to be vicious!!! That is not what a true pitbull is!! Any large dog can be raised to be the same way!! I’m do tired of all these know it all people who pass judgement on the crap that makes the news!! I have a female pitbull, whom, I adopted as a puppy and have raised her with my children since day one!! She loves those boys, and, wants to be everywhere they are, playing in the yard, or, just cuddling on the couch. I’ve owned husky’s, shepherds, and, out of all of them, my pitbull, Skye, is by far, the most sweet, and, loveable of all. What you see on the news, is not what “real” pitbulls are!!! Take some time, get on Instagram, and, view some pitbull pages!! You will see image after image of dogs, who are nothing but loveable, sweet, loyal, and, friendly!!! Those are “real” pitbulls!!! And, stop writing about a breed of dog that you base ur info from need stories, where, I can bet, those dogs are mean and aggressive because they are taught to be that way, because, some idiots think it’s cool. Those are dogs that are mistreated, and, any large dog, treated that way, would turn out aggressive!! The ignorance of people is outrageous when it comes to the pitbull breed. I encourage you to pop on over to Instagram, take some time to view pitbull after pitbull that are sweet, loving, family pets,!! Those are what a real pitbull is!!!
Mr. Knuckles,
Upon reading your piece about Pitbulls and your so-called reasoning or ideals behind people wanting to own an aggressive breed being “Just because I can” and your 22 years of covering dog bites, it’s clear to me you’ve never owned or have personal experience with the breed. Which is classic for journalist to give their bias opinion, which is mostly BS. I’ve raised APBTs, Akitas and currently have an American Bully. However I do agree this breed is NOT for everyone, that is where most of this issues lay! Now as a journalist, I’m sure your did research on the history of the Pitbull, right? Sure you did. The HUMAN element has made this breed the monster that you talk about in your column! Long ago the Pitbull called “The Babysitter” to which parents had no issues leaving their children with this breed to be watched over, then the (sport?) of DOG FIGHTING was born and they would breed for the best fighting bloodline! DOG FIGHTING still continues today and so does the breeding for it! That breeding combined with mishandling, no socialization, no exercise and starvation is what caused the Pitbulls to attack their owner! The story I read was that the Pitbulls were being cared for by the owners father for a good while and he was not taking good care of them! He was not exercising them or feeding them! That information came from a vets report after examining the animals! NICE TRY THOUGH! These types of breeds have to be dominated, trained and lots and lots of time spent that not a lot if people will do! Like I said, they’re NOT for everyone. When the time is spent (and it’s a lot depending on the stubbornness of your particular pup) the rewards are flawlessly beautiful! LOYALTY that is unmatched by ANYTHING! I mean hell, police are starting to use them as K9!!
It’s truly unfortunate that this Noble, Loyal, Loving breed has been turned into a monster because of the HUMAN ELEMENT and lives have been lost because of it!! BUT PLEASE DON’T TRY TO TAKE MY RIGHTS AWAY, CLAIMING AN IDIOTIC REASONING BEHIND ME WANTING TO OWN A PITBULL!! IT’S JUST NOT RIGHT AND IT PISSES ME OFF!
P.S. Try delving into the sport of DOG FIGHTING next time and report how this breed was turned into the monster you say it is? Try attacking true ignorance, instead of people’s love for the breed!
Sincerely,
Katy
I normally don’t touch on this subject because it’s usually pointless. In your case however you aren’t simply attacking the choice of owner, just questioning so I’ve decided to share my experience and opinion. I may be considered for sure your defiant, because you can guy. I was brought up with my mother raising Pomeranians just to start. These are some of the most annoying dogs who will bark at the wind on a nightly basis. She also showed the dogs and raised a champion at one point before exited that business. So attending these dog shows with her I learned about many breeds. You won’t see pit bulls do to reputation however so I got my experience elsewhere. Mostly from friends who raised them and never saw one that raised concern. This is where I learned to go against the grain seeing is that I’ve watched my own brother being bitten in the face by a Chihuahua and myself being bitten on the arm by a Chow. Neither bites were provoked. Two years ago when my wife and I bought our first home we decided to go with a Pit which we had long talked about. Yes, we had read the stories of people being mauled to death. Many of which were children. We decided to go with a rescue that was 4 months old due to his apparent sleepy nature vs the hyper one. What could go wrong with a lazy pup right? Well this demeanor carried on for a few months until the dog decided it was comfortable enough to take matters into his own paws and become the boss of the house. His couch, his bed, his shoes… I had long been told to not allow a dog to be food aggressive so this was an early goal. It was very easy to teach as he never resisted it being taken away. Then came blocking the couch with boxes we had moved in with to keep him off and keeping the bedroom door closed. Then I began to come home to my wife crying because he would choose to nip at her chest and anything else he could get at. He never broke skin but it still became terrifying. See, I can be a very aggressive and protective over loved ones. This led to many thoughts because of not being able to bear coming home to my wife like this. These thoughts being returning him where he would almost certainly be put down, taking him to a trainer and spending hundreds more dollars for maybe a lost cause, to taking him into my own back yard and putting him down myself. My stubborn nature led me to believe I could fix this on my own. I donated the books on how to raise the breed we had bought and started to pay attention to the dog. I learned it had it’s own personality and it’s own thought process. I learned that much like me, if he could do it, he would. You know, like owning a Pit. 😉 I became so enraged with this animal knowing that beating it would only do harm I became at a loss. I wouldn’t even discipline the dog by popping it on the butt or anything. People with experience would repeatedly tell me to stop that behavior now without explaining. One day I just couldn’t take the hunkering down, snarling, growling, and nipping so I stood up, yelled at the top of my top of my lungs to ‘effing stop it right now’ and smacked the crap out of his butt one good time. The poor guy sat down with the look of ‘oh my god dad how could you’? I felt awful and told everyone what I had done. They said that at some point you have to show the dog who is in control. They had known my stress to this point and didn’t ridicule me for my response. I knew I couldn’t beat the dog still or daily respond in such a way so I took a new approach. Let’s talk to him like he’s a person and save the loudness for last resort. It seemed crazy to me but it’s as if although he couldn’t understand words, he understood my intent. I’ve learned that he may try to get over on you if you let him but he also knows who is number one and when it’s enough play it’s enough. He now brings me toys and appreciates them rather than destroy them. He follows commands like a soldier and seems to thrive off of it. He has become a job, a companion, and pet all in one. Would I own two at the same time as to allow their pack drive to try and take over? Probably not but I would own another however. At 85 lbs if he doesn’t rip open an artery he’ll have to kill me before I do him if that’s the path he decides to ever go down. Owning a dog like a Pit is not a game and it’s not a dog you get if you want something to cuddle with nonstop (although he will so much it’s annoying especially when you want to sleep in). If you never want to get punched in the face you don’t join boxing but people still do. I’m no cuddle bug and I’m no momma’s boy so I don’t want a momma’s boy dog. He does love mom more because she’s more lenient though. To end my all over the place comment I’ll say I’m 100% not afraid. But not everyone can say that and if you are, don’t get one.
I must say, WELL SAID! I’ve raised Pitbulls and Akitas. Akitas can also be aggressive and I believe the word everyone is thinking but not saying is “DOMINATING”! Domination with an aggressive breed is the very first thing that must be done when dealing with an aggressive breed! Point blank! This breed MUST look at you as YOU being the ALFA MALE or FEMALE of their pack!