If Americans Want to Rebuild a Safe, Cohesive Society, A Strict Federal Ban on Pit Bulls Must Be the First Step
Really, it must, and it needs to include the importation and breeding of such dogs.
WARNING: The following post contains information that some readers may find upsetting.
America’s Favorite Dog? It’s Not Who You Think
Well, that got your attention, didn’t it? Of course, it did, because it’s true and we all know it. When it comes to Americans’ favorite dogs, pit bulls are number one on several lists. Admittedly, some breeds, such as poodles, are more popular with those who identify as liberals, while others, such as Border Collies, are more popular with those who identify as conservatives. But despite people’s political differences, pit bulls are consistently popular among both liberals and conservatives.
Normally, I’d think it’s good we can find common ground, whatever it is, in such a heated environment, but there’s just one little problem. By now, the abundance of data couldn’t be clearer that more than any other breed, pit bulls are by far the most violent. Oh, yeah, and they’re also completely grotesque.
The Joy of Dogs, But With Limits
Now, I love dogs as much as the next girl, and one of my absolute favorite things to do is go hiking and stop to pet strangers’ dogs. In fact, I’d even say I encourage people to own dogs because I think they teach us love and responsibility in a way that no one else can, especially if you have babies and/or little kids. But no matter how wonderful life can be and is with a dog, having one must be a responsible decision that reflects well on the owners, in regards to both the animal’s temperament and appearance. As such, I can’t begin to understand what crosses people’s minds when they adopt – literally – one of the world’s most dangerous killing machines, even more so if they’re a purebred.
The Shocking Data Behind Pit Bull Attacks
Tragically, although pit bulls are only 5.5% of the dog population, they represented 66% of fatal dog attacks from 2005 to 2019. Furthermore, they also represent 77% percent of attacks that caused serious injury or bodily harm; 73% of attacks to young children; 81% of attack to adults; 68% of fatal attacks; and 76% of attacks resulting in maiming or death. If that weren’t enough. If that weren’t enough, pit bulls’ aggression isn’t limited just to people. They’re also a huge risk to other animals, whether other neighborhood dogs or even cows and chickens on a farm, destroying a livelihood. In both cases, the pit bulls had to be shot dead by police officers or the victims, and in the first case, the owner was arrested, but the damage was done.
With this considered, you’d think that in a country as wealthy, prominent, and advanced as America, people and politicians couldn’t work faster to fully ban these nuisances, but instead, it’s the opposite in many case, though things are improving. As of this writing, breed-specific legislation (BSL) has been passed in some areas, including Council Bluffs, Iowa, which bans American Pit Bull Terriers; Des Moines, Iowa, which requires pit bull owners to have insurance covering at least $100,000 in case of injury or property damage; Kansas City, Missouri, which requires sterilization of pit bulls; New York City, which bans pit bulls in Housing Authority complexes; and San Francisco, which requires pit bulls to be spayed or neutered. Still, it’s not enough, and we need a comprehensive federal ban. I mean, I’m sure people try, but every time they do, the pro-pit bull brigade comes out in force, screaming that “It’s the owner, not the dog!”
Other Breeds Domesticated, So Why Not Pit Bulls?
Well, if that were true, then how come we’ve domesticated German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, who can become very rough if left untrained, so well that they’ve become renowned in the police and military? Likewise, German Shepherds are also trained as service dogs alongside Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Collies, and Pomeranians.
Born to Fight: A Breed Destined For Aggression
Among other reasons, the biggest one why we can’t work with pit bulls is because they were specifically bred to compete as aggressively as possible in dog fights in nineteenth-century England. (Considering their origins, maybe that’s why they’re so ugly!) Above all, they were never bred as companions, and I’ll keep saying it until it sticks. As I write, I can practically hear the pro-pit bull crowd screaming that “Wolves are violent, too, but we keep them in nature preserves!” Well, actually, they’re not. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s been proven that wolves are gentle, playful, and social creatures who only attack when provoked or while defending their territory. As long as you respect them and leave them alone, you’ll be safer around them in the wild than around a pit bull in a suburban apartment, and besides, nature preserves do excellent work in protecting wolf populations against hunting, trapping, and other human threats.
Speaking of which, I’m sure we’ve all noticed that over the last decade, America’s become significantly more violent, and personally, I think that beyond the demonization of police, the fact that people are adopting pit bulls more than ever means their aggression is rubbing off on us; as of August 2023, there are over 18 million of the beasts in the U.S. I mean, we can already see it in the owners’ boundless entitlement, especially if they’re women. When I worked at Yankee Candle in December 2021, I was actually quite shocked to see that many of the attractive blonde customers I helped had either pit bulls or pit bull mixes. If I ever saw pictures, the creatures always looked ready to attack, but the women just insisted that “Oh, my pitty’s so cute!”
Normal People Deserve Better
Well, lady, try telling that to the elderly, children, and other women in your area. I’m sure it’s always a pleasure for them to share their space with one of the world’s most dangerous animals. That aside, I can’t believe I should even have to write this. Currently, twenty-nine countries ban or at least heavily restrict pit bulls, and to give you a concrete idea of how far behind America is on such an important subject, how would you feel if I said that Morocco, a country where rabies is still endemic, banned pit bulls in October 2018? Similarly, Egypt, which suffers severe water scarcity, followed suit in June 2023.
Even now, it’s almost surreal to read this, especially since it’s true. Whatever the case, one thing remains clear: pit bulls have no place in a society like America, and if we want to return to the high-trust society we knew not too long ago, then it’s time for Pres. Trump to put the muzzle on them and implement a federal ban for good.
