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A fatal pit bull attack in El Paso County has left many questioning whether these dogs should be euthanized. The attack resulted in the death of a 55-year-old woman.
Pit bull owners are often held accountable for their pets' actions, and in this case, the owner was fined and ordered to pay restitution. This highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership.
The El Paso County incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by aggressive dogs. In 2019, a pit bull attack in Colorado Springs left a 5-year-old child with severe injuries.
Expand your knowledge: Why Do Pit Bulls Attack
Pit Bulls Removed
Breed-specific legislation has been implemented in many cities to restrict or ban Pit Bulls, leading to their removal from shelters.
These laws often require owners to spay or neuter their Pit Bulls, which can be costly and may not always be successful.
In some cities, Pit Bulls are banned altogether, making it difficult for owners to find new homes for their pets.
After Fatal Attack
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13 pit bulls, including 8 puppies, were euthanized after their owner was mauled to death in Compton.
The dogs were put down due to evidence linking them to the attack, according to Don Belton, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
Video evidence showed that all 13 dogs were involved in the mauling, posing a danger to the community.
Deputies initially said the dogs' owner had been mauled by one or more of his pit bulls.
The owner, 35-year-old Dominic Cooper, was identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
The decision to euthanize the dogs was made by Animal Care and Control, not the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.
In El Paso County
In El Paso County, a staggering 445 pit bulls were euthanized at the Pikes Peak animal shelter in 2013.
This number accounts for about 10 percent of the total euthanized dogs in the region.
Many of these pit bulls were euthanized due to "aggression", according to the data.
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Pit bulls are an immensely popular breed in El Paso County, and breeders in rural areas are contributing to the overpopulation problem.
About 72 percent of the stray pit bulls that come into the shelter are not spayed or neutered.
This lack of spaying and neutering contributes to the high number of pit bulls entering the shelter.
The shelter's president, Jan Smith, believes that with funding for behavior modification staff, they could save more animals.
A whopping 75 of the stray pit bulls that come in are not spayed or neutered, making it even more challenging for the shelter to manage the population.
The community needs to take responsibility for the high euthanasia rate, not just the shelter.
Roger Haston, executive director of the Animal Assistance Foundation, emphasizes that the shelter is just a reflection of the community's issues.
People need to come forward and adopt pit bulls to make a positive change in the environment and help these animals.
If this caught your attention, see: Pit Bulls Are Not Dangerous
13 Removed
In the United States, Pit Bulls are often misunderstood and mislabeled as aggressive breeds.
Many cities have breed-specific legislation that targets Pit Bulls, leading to their removal from homes and communities.
Pit Bulls are actually one of the most popular breeds in the US, with over 1 million Pit Bull-type dogs kept as pets.
The American Temperament Test Society has evaluated Pit Bulls and found them to have a passing rate of 86.8%, higher than many other breeds.
In some cities, Pit Bulls are removed from homes due to breed-specific legislation, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're being put down.
While some Pit Bulls are indeed euthanized, many are rehomed through rescue organizations and find new loving families.
The Humane Society estimates that 1 in 5 dogs in shelters are Pit Bulls, highlighting the need for education and awareness about the breed.
Pit Bulls are incredibly intelligent and trainable, making them a popular choice for search and rescue teams and therapy work.
Recommended read: List of Pit Bulls
Despite their reputation, Pit Bulls are generally gentle and loving companions, perfect for families with children.
Some cities have successfully implemented Pit Bull-friendly policies, resulting in a decrease in removals and an increase in adoptions.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that breed-specific legislation be based on individual dog behavior, not breed alone.
By educating ourselves about Pit Bulls and their capabilities, we can work towards a more inclusive and compassionate community for all dogs.
Check this out: Largest Breed of Pit Bulls
The Issue
Everyday Pitbulls are being taken from homes and being euthanized because of their aggressiveness.
People think it's okay to kill a dog when it comes to pitbulls, but officers are killing the innocent instead of serving and protecting.
Most pitbulls are euthanized because people assume they're vicious, but tons of people report otherwise, saying the dog had been aggressive for a moment.
Pitbulls trained for fighting are more likely to attack other dogs than people, and they're used for dog fighting because they're strong and easy to train.
A different take: Why Do People Hate Pit Bulls
Pit bulls that live on the streets get put down after being caught because most shelters won't take them.
An average of 16,000 dogs are killed in dog fights every year in the U.S.
Yes, today it's easy to find a terrible story of a kid being killed by a pitbull, but it could be any kind of dog.
Related reading: American Bull Dog Pit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the euthanasia rate for pitbulls?
According to Animal People, the euthanasia rate for pit bulls is approximately 93%. This alarming rate is largely due to a surplus of pit bulls in shelters and a shortage of adoptive homes.
Why are pit bulls euthanized?
Pit bulls are frequently euthanized due to systemic abuse and neglect, as well as being the most abandoned dog breed. This leads to tens of thousands of pit bulls being put down in shelters every year.
How many pit bulls are put down every year?
Approximately 1 million pit bulls are euthanized annually in shelters. This staggering number highlights the need for more effective laws and adoption efforts to protect these beloved dogs.
Sources
- https://people.com/pets/texas-shelter-pit-bull-euthanized-while-in-giving-birth/
- https://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/2010/09/euthanize_pit_bulls_for_public.html
- https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/hundreds-of-pit-bulls-euthanized-in-el-paso-county/73-249931468
- https://www.change.org/p/help-stop-pitbull-euthanizing
- https://www.aol.com/news/13-pit-bulls-euthanized-including-130049919.html
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