Being a pitbull owner and lover, I have heard it all. Every myth of the breed, their jaws lock, they're bad with other dogs, kids, etc., they are hard to train. Basically, they are no good, mean dogs who eat people. Now look at the photo below...
Doesn't that dog look like it's going to eat me?! That's my pitbull, Cleo. Man, isn't she cute sleeping with her tongue hanging out?! I adopted her 2 years ago from the Islip Animal Shelter, and she has been the love of my life since. She is gentle, sweet and an all around great girl. She is amazing with my kids, you should see what they do to her. ;) She is great with my other dog and cat. She is well mannered and trained. She is my snuggle partner at night when I lay in my bed and watch tv. She is my daughter's soccer partner when she is playing in the backyard. She is super friendly and may hand you my tv if you wanted it. She sleeps every night with my oldest, and cuddles with her bestie Coco, my black lab mix. She plays with my 14 year old cat, who knew, a pitbull that doesn't eat cats and kids! Boy, did I get a rare one. In actuality, my pitbull is typical of what most pitbulls are like. They are not the vicious mean dogs the media makes them out to be. Heck, they aren't even in the top 5 on the bite list of people.
The problem is the media jumps on any story of a pitbull attack they can find. They don't publicize other dog breed attacks. I myself have been bitten, pretty darn bad at that. I have permanent damage to the left arm. Looks like I was shot. And gasp.....it wasn't a pitbull. It was a german shepherd. One would think I may be prejudice towards all shepherds now, but in truth, I am not. It was an isolated incidence. It can happen. But I don't blame the breed in general for my injury. This was one dog, in one particular situation. In fact, I don't even blame the dog. He got scared. It shouldn't have happened, but he has never bitten again.
Now, where do I get my priest analogy? Well, I will tell you. In recent years, there have been many a priest charged and found guilty of molesting children. (I told you, this was going to get controversial, but bear with me. There is a valid point.) Do you and everyone you know, think all priests are child molesters? Do you let the few publicized media events, make up your mind and create a prejudice towards all men in colored robs with crosses around their necks?
Do you cringe at church on Sunday, and put a protective arm around your children? Do you tell people to stay away from them or they may be next? No, that would be insane! So why, please, please, please, tell me, why do people blame all pitbulls for what a few have done? Really, when you think about it, it's the same thing. Those dogs were more than likely not in a good situation, not with a good family caring for them. No, they were being used by horrible people, to protect their drug dealing homes, or for profit in fighting rings. Do you really think dogs want to pitted against each other and fight to the death? I think not.
I hope, I have made you think a bit about this topic. I, myself, have never been bit by a pitbull, only attacked with kisses. I socialize with many pitbulls at the shelter, who have never met me before. Some, have been in not great situations, as you can see by their scars, and even THEY, still give me love for the 20-30 minutes I spend with them a day.
Please don't DISCRIMINATE, EDUCATE! Your next best friend is waiting for you.
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