Factcheck this: Pitbulls are a dangerous dog breed and shouldn't be pets

Question

There is such a negative stereotype around pitbulls. People are debating whether they should be banned or not, and why they are more dangerous than all the other dog breeds. Why is their reputation so bad, and is it true that people shouldn't have pitbulls as pets?

Answer 1

Pitbulls were previously bred to bite and fight large animals such as bulls and bears. Their history as an aggressive breed has caused them to have this reputation as a dangerous dog that "shouldn't be a pet." Despite, their history, it is not true that Pitbulls should not be pets. While genetics can play a role in the way a dog acts, it is not a defining factor of its personality. With that being said, Pitbulls can be just as loving and playful as any other dog with the proper care and environment.

"All dogs, including pit bulls, are individuals. Treating them as such, providing them with the care, training, and supervision they require, and judging them by their actions and not by their DNA or their physical appearance is the best way to ensure that dogs and people can continue to share safe and happy lives together."

https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-pit-bulls

Comments

Nice work explaining your fact-check concisely and finding a reputable source to include.

Answer 2

It is definitely true that Pitbulls have bad reputation as pets. The article provided in the claim provides several Pitbull related horror stories, and with a simple google search there are endless stories of Pitbulls causing issues/harm. 

However, it is not true that people should not have Pitbulls as pets. While it is true that Pitbulls are "linked to higher morbidity rates, hospital charges, and risk of death" according to the article in the claim, a study by the Center for Shelter Dogs conducted a study proving that in 80.5% of dog attack cases they surveyed, four or more factors they identified that can be controlled by the dog owner were identified. This means that had these factors been controlled, serious dog bites could have been prevented. 

To conclude, Pitbulls are a breed that has great potential to be dangerous and are known to cause harm, however, claiming people should not have Pitbulls have pets is a matter of opinion because with the right training, aggressive Pitbull behavior can be reduced. With the right owner, having a Pitbull can be a very positive experience. 

Proof Pitbulls are responsible for most morbidity rates, hospital charges, and deaths: https://www.thehealthyjournal.com/faq/how-many-deaths-are-pitbulls-responsible-for#:~:text=Pitbulls%20are%202.5x%20more,than%20attacks%20by%20other%20breeds.)

Answer 3

Out of any dog breed, pit bulls have the strongest reputation for being aggressive and deadly. Many dog attacks have pit bulls involved and the breed is notorious for dog fighting. But, it is not true that people should not have the breed as a pet. Dog aggression stems from a lack of training and bad owners. 

Pitbulls have the potential to be well-trained and great dogs. According to LaneCounty.org, "the American Canine Temperament Test Society lists this breed as having one of the most stable temperaments of any of the purebreds, right up there with golden retrievers." In addition, they state "well-managed, responsibly owned pit bulls are some of the best family dogs." This shows that Pitbulls can be great dogs. 

In conclusion, it is important to remember that like any other dog breed, pitfalls have a unique set of characteristics that might not fit every household. They require exercise, attention, love, and socialization. But, there are laws that restrict pit bulls in certain areas. 

https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/public_works/general_services/animal_services/tips_for_pit_bull_owners

Answer 4

Pit bulls have been stereotyped as bad family dogs and not dangerous for years. Pit bulls are misunderstood as tied to violence, drugs, and anger. However, in reality, this is not true and is just society's view of pit bulls. Every bread of dog has certain characteristics that will not fit a family's needs, it may bark too often, be too large in size, or may be too energetic. Though with proper training, most dogs can fit a family's needs, including pit bulls. It is true pit bulls were trained to fight in many situations, and while some insitict may be carried along it is no different than another breeds instinct to hunt. Ultimitly, when given the right chance and proper training pit bulls can be just as loving and compasionate as any other dog. 

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/5-reasons-why-pit-bulls-are-misunderstood/

Answer 5

According to the article, "How Many Deaths are Pitbulls Responsible For?" by The Healthy Journal, it is explained that pitbulls as a breed do seem to cause significantly more injuries to humans compared other dog breeds. The site states that 66% of all fatal dog attacks are due to a pitbull. Despite these facts however, there is a claim that many attacks might be due to the poor nurture of the dog. This means that the dog might have been abused in some way. As a result, I don't think that it can be claimed that a pitbull should not be a pet, yet there might need to be some consideration put into the thought of adopting one.

Source: https://www.thehealthyjournal.com/faq/how-many-deaths-are-pitbulls-responsible-for#:~:text=Pitbulls%20are%202.5x%20more,than%20attacks%20by%20other%20breeds.

Answer 6

While it is true that genetically this breed of dog has likely been bred to be aggressive (which would explain why when they are aggressive they can cause a lot of damage), the right upbringing can change that. They simply need training and maybe some extra work from the family that adopts them. Many times these dogs end up in shelters after bad situations which could also cause them to be more suspicious of humans. The website I have linked has positive stories of owners with this breed of dog while acknowledging not everyone has had these experiences.

https://scienceleadership.org/blog/are_pit_bulls_really_that_dangerous

Answer 7

Pitbulls do tend to be responsible for a lot dog attacks. Doesn’t mean that the entire breed as a whole is violent. A lot of the times it has to do with the dogs training, and how the owner has trained them. A lot of people get pitbulls and arent educated enough of the breed of in dogs in general. There is also lots of stories about pitbulls being cuddlers and big babies. While there has been some pitbulls that have been violent and attacked people. Doesn’t mean the entire breed will a lot has to do with discipline and bond with the dog has with its owner. Any dog breed can get dangerous and other breeds do attack as well. Every dog can make a good pet. 

https://www.dabl.com/cesar-millan/cesar-911/articles/are-pit-bulls-really-dangerous-their-stereotype-suggests

Answer 8

Pitbulls are dogs that are known to be aggressive and harmful. They have a reputation of attacking other dogs, humans, or just causing bad situations. Pitbulls certainly have a bad reputation. However, they are still dogs at the end of the day. All dogs have the ability to be trained. The owner is liable to take responsibility for their pets. They are supposed to ensure that their dog, no matter the breed, is safe for the public. They are liable to make their dog be able to go in public and not cause distress for anyone they encounter. If a dog owner does not want to have a protective, aggressive dog, they should stick with a more mellow dog. If an owner is willing to work hard to train their dog, there is no reason they should not have a pitbull. Saying that pitbulls should be banned is an egregious statement. There are precautions that people can take to keep pitbulls in check just like any other dog breed.

German shepherds have been trained, historically, to kill. This is one example of ways that a dog can be trained to produce violence. Pitbulls are similar. They too have been trained to fight with other dogs. This makes them more likely to fight other dogs. Pitbulls were not trained in an organized fashion like german shepherds. German shepherds were trained in war. This has caused pitbulls to receive a worse reputation.

Answer 9

Although pit bulls do have bad reputations when it comes to being good pets, they have a long history against them that is out of their control. Dog breeds have been bread since the begging of time due to physical characteristics and behavioral traits. However, how they are trained and treated has a lot to do with their behavioral traits nowadays. 

Pit bulls were originally bred to be aggressive due to their bite-size and physique. That does not mean that they are all aggressive though, but it also does not mean you can say that they are not aggressive at all, just like any other dog. 

"Some pit bulls were selected and bred for their fighting ability. That means that they may be more likely than other breeds to fight with dogs. It doesn’t mean that they can’t be around other dogs or that they’re unpredictably aggressive.  Other pit bulls were specifically bred for work and companionship." 

https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-pit-bulls

Answer 10

Pitbulls are given a very negative reputation, but that doesn't mean that they are overall a dangerous dog breed. According to ASPCA, "some pit bulls were selected and bred for their fighting ability. That means that  they may be more likely than other breeds to fight with dogs. It doesn’t mean that they can’t be around other dogs or that they’re unpredictably aggressive.  Other pit bulls were specifically bred for work and companionship. These dogs have long been popular family pets, noted for their gentleness, affection and loyalty". Based on this response, pitbulls are only a dangerous dog breed if they were breeder to be fighting dogs, and we can see that not all pitbulls are trained for that. This claim is backed up by the reliable source of ASPCA. 

https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-pit-bulls

Comments

Nice job writing up an explanation with a quote and source link. Don't forget to select a rating for future fact-checks (true, false, etc.)