Pitbull Dog News: A Look at the Controversy and Risks

Pitbulls have a reputation for being aggressive, but the truth is that any dog can be aggressive if it's not properly trained or socialized.

According to the American Temperament Test Society, pitbulls have a passing rate of 86.8%, which is higher than many other breeds.

Many people believe that pitbulls are naturally aggressive due to their history as fighting dogs, but this is a misconception.

In reality, most pitbulls are friendly and loving companions.

Pitbulls can be prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia and heart problems, due to their muscular build and breeding history.

Pitbulls are often at the center of controversy due to their association with biting incidents and fatalities. Pit bulls are leading all breeds in biting incidents, according to reports from animal control agencies and health departments in 19 U.S. states.

In the 10 years from 2009 to 2018, pit bulls killed or maimed 3,569 people in the USA and Canada. They killed over 80% of all Americans who are killed by dogs.

However, it's essential to remember that no dog is inherently violent, and their behavior is shaped by their environment and treatment. The ASPCA confirms that violence is a taught trait, not an inherent one.

Pitbulls are often unfairly targeted due to breed-specific legislation, which can limit families' abilities to rent, buy homes, or purchase insurance. This can have long-term consequences, such as what happened in the U.K., where the XL Bully Breed was recently outlawed.

Dogs that attack other dogs are a threat to humans. According to a study in Orange County, Florida, 7% of all bites to humans occurred when two dogs met in a 12-month period.

This is a significant statistic that highlights the potential danger of dogs that fight other dogs. In fact, the same study found that dogs that attack other dogs are more likely to bite humans.

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Pit bulls, in particular, are notorious for their aggression towards other dogs, which can lead to attacks on humans. In 2015, there were 33 fatal pit bull attacks and 459 disfigurements, an 830% increase since 2007.

The breeding of pit bulls also contributes to the problem. Over 40% of the USA's pit bulls are homeless, according to a 2018 survey, which means they may not receive proper training or socialization.

This lack of proper care can lead to dogs that are more likely to attack other dogs, and subsequently, humans. The Texas couple who was sentenced to prison for their role in a fatal pit bull attack is a tragic example of this.

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Coverage like this leads to unjust legal actions. Lawmakers often put forth breed-specific legislation, which prohibits Pit Bulls from certain apartment buildings and public spaces, limiting families' abilities to rent, buy homes, or purchase insurance.

This type of legislation is a direct result of shoddy reporting, as seen in the UK, where the XL Bully Breed, a Pit Bull-type dog, was recently outlawed. The same is happening in Scotland, where a similar ruling goes into effect, requiring all XL Bullies to be muzzled at all times when in public, including while in their own car.

In some cases, this can have serious consequences for families who own Pit Bulls.

Pit bulls inflict a higher prevalence of injuries than all other breeds of dogs, with 12 out of 14 studies reporting that they cause the most severe injuries.

These injuries often require a higher number of operative interventions, up to five times higher than other dog breeds.

Pit bulls are associated with higher median Injury Severity Scale scores, a higher number of hospital admissions, and higher hospital charges.

In fact, one study found that pit bulls inflict "more complex wounds, were often unprovoked, and went off property to attack."

The probability of a bite resulting in a complex wound is 4.4 times higher for pit bulls compared to other top-biting breeds.

From 2011 to 2019, 14 peer-reviewed retrospective medical studies from Level 1 trauma centers across the US reported similar findings.

Pit bulls also bite more humans than other breeds, with reports from 19 US states showing they lead all breeds in biting incidents.

In the 10 years from 2009 to 2018, pit bulls killed or maimed 3,569 people in the USA and Canada.

They killed over 80% of all Americans who are killed by dogs during this period.

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