The Misunderstood Pitbull

As an owner of an eight year pit bull mix, I get frustrated with the media hype on this "vicious breed". They are not bad dogs they have bad owners. Many other types of dogs (small and large) bite but the media rarely covers these stories which are ALL traumatic. Our boy was a rescue, the runt of the litter, came from a bad environment. His father was a full blooded pit bull and was taught to fight. ( The sheriff's department destroyed him) . His mother was a full blooded Rhodesian ridge back. The pups were in a 4x4 pen and their "owner" would throw a hand full of food in a day and let them fight over it. He wanted the strongest for dog fights and wild hog hunting. My husband asked him about the runt and was told he could take him because he wasn't worth anything to him. (He was so starved and wormy that he would've been dead within a few days). It was a long recovery. He was food protective and didn't interact well with anyone or anything. Now we have the best boy that we would never be able to replace.

Pits over the years have been given a bad rap. They are actually highly intelligent and loyal dogs. They take more time and attention than other breeds to make them a wonderful pet but the rewards in the end are irreplaceable. Due to people beginning to notice their high intelligence, groups have began to train them as service dogs for the handicap. Their intelligence and strength puts them way beyond other dogs.

The laws need to be changed so that the "BAD" owners will suffer a steep consequence. Maybe this will help in the long run but for the dogs that have had the owners, well most don't get a second chance. More groups are stepping forward and taking in these dogs and at least giving them a second chance to become the loyal companion that they could be. Some make it some don't. So the next time that you see the story about the vicious dog attack don't think OMG another pit attack. Think what a horrible bad owner. The dogs that are beyond the point of no return should be properly euthanized but the ones that aren't should be afforded a second chance to be rehabilitated. If the rehabilitation fails then they should be destroyed but they should be allowed that opportunity because it is not their fault.