While a “pit bull” is not a breed of dog there are American Pit Bull Terriers.  However, the American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, Alpha Blue Bulldogs, Bull Mastiffs, Cana Corsos, Presa Canarios, Dogo Argentinos, American Bulldogs, and even the occasional Boxer can all look like one breed to the untrained eye.  So, how does the average person tell them apart?  Well, you don’t unless you do your research and don’t let someone else do it for you or “help” you make up your mind. 

Too many people watch and listen to the news and believe all of it as pure truth, which is very unfortunate for the animals.  When the news reporter gets to the seen, they are usually the one to decide on a breed for their story.  If we’re lucky, an animal control officer is there to guess the breed, but you’d be surprised how often they are mistaken.

This led to national hysteria and confusion.  Some city councils are even going to irrational extremes to make the public feel safe and happy.  The American Veterinary Medical Association says “Singling out one or two breeds for control can result in a false sense of accomplishment [and] doing so ignores the true scope of the problem and will not result in a responsible approach to protecting a community's citizens.”  But they are certainly not alone in thinking Breed Specific Legislation is a bad idea.  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Humane Society of United States (HSUS), American Kennel Club (AKC), Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Animal Control Association, Animal Legal & Historical Center, National Canine Research Foundation and Pit Bull Rescue Central are all against Breed Specific Legislation.  More Locally Wayside Waifs, Furry Kids Refuge, Spay and Neuter Kansas City, No More Homeless Pets – Kansas City, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas City Dog Advocates, Home Sweet Home Pet Resort, A Dog’s Fun Playce, Canine Curriculum, Kansas City Pet Program, Mid-America Bull Breed Rescue, Kansas City Pit Bull Alliance, Missouri Pit Bull Rescue and many more are all against Breed Specific Legislation. 

They certainly have good reason to be against Breed Specific Legislation.  There is simply no good reason for it.  According to the American Temperament Test Society (who test all dog breeds for a overall score on the breed’s temperament) the American Pit Bull Terrier is currently passing with 83.9%, American Staffordshire Terrier passing with 83.3%, Staffordshire Bull Terrier passing with 84.7%, and Bull Terrier passing with 90.9%.  Petty good considering the Golden Retriever passed with 83.7%, Chihuahua with 71.4%, and Beagle with 79.7%.

Unfortunately, most of the things we hear about “pit bulls” are myths.  As for them having locking jaws…  “Pit Bulls are members of the canine species and have the same jaw structure as any other dog.  If they had a special enzyme or other mechanism allowing them to lock their jaws, we would have to reclassify them as a different species.” (Pit Bull Rescue Central) a lot of people also think “These dogs can’t tell the difference between animals and children.  Reality:  These breeds can have a high prey drive and may kill pocket pets, cats, and even small dogs – but this is not the same behavior as human aggression or predation.  The fighting breeds traditionally have been known for their kindness to children.” (Bully Breeds Magazine)

This may be one of the biggest myths: “All pit owners are drug dealers and gangsters or are involved in dog fighting.  Reality: Owners range from physicians and accountants, to teachers, authors and laborers.  Perhaps the most visible segment is the disreputable one, but reputable owners are working hard to dispel this myth.” (Bully Breeds Magazine)  “Pit bull” owners include(ed) President Theadore Roosevelt, President Hoover, Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, Cesar Millan, Michel J. Fox, Rachel Ray, Mel Brooks, John Stewart, Bret Favre, Frankie Munez, and many more.

 July 27^th, 2006 a woman was killed by a “pit bull” in KCK.  The media had a hay day but forgot to mention that the dog owner did not live in the house, had a prior criminal record, had a history of animal neglect and ordinance violations, and the house was even declared uninhabitable for humans.  Animal Control had plenty of chances to prevent what happened that day with the current ordinances.  She had even complained to animal control but nothing happened.  But, I guess it’s not an issue until somebody gets hurt, and then we try to overcompensate with outrageous and ineffective laws. 

Another overlooked reality is that by banning certain breeds you are only hurting responsible owners and their pets.  Those who have dangerous dogs aren’t likely the best citizens and either won’t care about another silly law or they’ll just find another breed/type to victimize.  What would make a person already in trouble with the law care about this law?  And if the Greater Kansas City Area is plagued with Breed Specific laws in every city, how will they enforce it?  Nearly every large city with Breed Specific Legislation has lawsuits pending (Kansas City Dog Advocates).

Then there are the “pit bull” therapy dogs, and rescue dogs.  The number one U.S. Customs Dog (named Popsicle) is a “pit bull”.  Millions of great dogs have been killed simply because we don’t understand them.  News stations overlook bites and attacks by other breeds, and play up every “pit bull” incident because that’s what the public wants to hear about now.  For example:  June 9^th, 2006 a 3yr old was attacked in Virginia by a Golden Retriever and it was in two local papers.  Another 3yr old was attacked in Colorado by a Lab and it was in four local media sources.  On that same day an Indiana woman and her dog were attacked by a German Shepard and it was in one local paper.  But the “big story” was when and 11yr old in California was attacked by a “pit bull” and it was in ninety one national and international newspapers, including the Washington Post, FOX News, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, and LA Times (Kansas City Dog Advocates).  All this was in just one day and the only difference in these stories is the breed.

All the hysteria is not justifiable. “In MO, there have been 8 dog bite related fatalities and 8 different breeds were responsible.” (Kansas City Dog Advocates)  “In KS, there have been 9 different dog bite related fatalities and 7 different breeds were responsible.” (Kansas City Dog Advocates)  “In a 2005 bite force study, a German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Rottweiler were tested.  The American Pit Bull Terrier had the least amount of bite pressure of the 3 dogs tested.” (Dr. Brady Barr, National Geographic)

So why the misconception about “pit bulls” and why are people still unaware that “pit bull” is really just the media’s way of saying any “pit bull” looking dog (refer to numerous breeds in second paragraph)?  They are simply ignorant and believe what they hear, not what they have researched or learned.  People are far too trusting when it comes to the media.

Dog Fancy. "Top 7 Myths and Urban Legends." Bully Breeds Magazine 2006: 45.