Pit Bulls are by far the most controversial breed of dogs in the world. This is due to their history of aggression which has been misconstrued throughout time. Although Pit Bulls do have the ability to be aggressive, they are not born this way. The aggression that Pit Bulls are known for are learned by their owners. This paired with their physical features contributes to the bad reputation that Pit Bulls have in society today.
Pit Bull's history of aggression began over 1000 years ago when they were first being used in "bull baiting." This originally started in England and eventually grew into a world wide sport, despite it being outlawed in most countries. Over time, this sport evolved into "ratting" which is when people would throw rats into a pit with the dogs and see how many they could kill. These "sports" have resulted in the violent behavior that has plagued how society views the Pit Bull. Although Pit Bull fighting has been outlawed in the United States, it is still practiced illegally. Not only does this hurt Pit Bulls, but there are also other breeds of dogs that are hurt because they are used as "Bait" dogs.
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Despite the Pit Bulls history of aggression, they have shown to be wonderful companions, police dogs and even therapy dogs. From this evidence, it is clear that they have the ability to be friendly, loving, caring animals if raised in the proper environment. Unfortunately, this has not erased the stigma that follows these dogs and this has resulted in an alarming rate of Pit Bulls being euthanized.
It has been estimated that there are over half a million Pit Bulls that are killed each year due to over population in shelters. Sadly, Pit Bulls make up the majority of the shelter population for many reasons such as breeders, prejudice against them, and the low adoption rate of them. These reasons have all contributed to an over population of Pit Bulls that aren't adopted due to an aggressive history that they are not at fault for but, unfortunately, are the ones that are suffering because of it.
Pit Bulls are loving animals that deserve the same love that every other dog receives. The only difference between them and other breeds is their history, which should not be held against them. It has been proven that animals are easily trained to do what they are told, and the Pit Bull is no exception. With the right home and a loving family, a Pit Bull can be just like any other dog. So the next time that you are considering adding a new furry family member to your family, be sure to not rule out any breeds.
