Is it Time to Overturn Pit Bull Ban?

[Peter Grossetti]

The message below is from the Cleveland Pitties FB page (and I wholeheartedly concur).

btw ... I know Sam O'Leary ran with a anti-Breed Specific Legislation plank as part of his election platform. I truly hope that Sam - in his role as Council President - will see to it that this gets on council's agenda. The most heart wrenching aspect is that the bastards (that's NOT the word I WANT to use) that train this breed for fighting (often for wagering and monetary gain) are taking advantage of the breed's deep devotion and loyalty to their master/family. They USE that admirable trait against the dogs. FUCKING INHUMANE BASTARDS!


Perhaps you should do some research. These dogs are not dragons, they are simply dogs. From their inception, these dogs have been bred for general human companionship, and since the 1900s, they have been bred for conformation showing as well. From the very beginning, pit bulls have been used as farm dogs, family dogs, military mascots, and all-purpose companions. In England, the Staffie Bull is affectionately known as “The Nanny Dog” or “The Children’s Nursemaid” because of their placid and nurturing demeanor toward children. (Regardless of how gentle your pit bull is with kids, dogs of any breed should never be left alone unsupervised with children.)

Throughout their history in America, pit bull dogs have been valued as beloved members of the family. Their negative media image developed only recently. (Some suggest that an absurdly sensationalistic Sports Illustrated cover started the hysteria in 1987.) In fact, pit bulls have fulfilled important roles throughout the last 160-plus years of American history. In the nineteenth century, pit bulls were family pets of settlers crossing the United States. They were trusted to watch the children while the adults worked in the fields. As the years passed, pit bulls achieved a position of reverence among Americans, and they appeared in advertising campaigns such as Buster Brown and Pup Brand. A classic children’s television show, The Little Rascals, featured Petey the Pit Bull. Pit bulls have even graced the cover of Life magazine three times.

In 1903, Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson hit the road with co-driver Sewall K. Crocker and a pit bull named Bud, who wore goggles, just like his master, to keep the dust from his eyes. Together, the three made the very first road trip across the US. Bud drew almost as much public attention as his fellow travelers. While it is unclear as to why Jackson and Crocker picked up Bud about halfway through their trip, one story suggests that Jackson rescued him from dogfighters.

In the early twentieth century, pit bulls were so respected for their loyalty, determination and bravery that they were chosen to represent America in WWI posters. The first decorated canine war hero was a pit bull named Sergeant Stubby. He was, until his death, a guest of every White House administration.

Many highly respected historical figures have owned pit bulls: President Woodrow Wilson, President Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, and Thomas Edison, to name a few.

Today, pit bulls are respected and dearly loved by those who know them for what they truly are and not the monsters the media has created.

Pit bulls still loyally serve society in many roles:

Search and rescue
Therapy dogs visiting hospitals and senior communities
Working in law enforcement as narcotics and bomb detection dogs
Educational dogs teaching children about canine safety
Service dogs

[Stan Austin]

Dogs are dogs are dogs. They are our best friends. ALL OF THEM. Let's not politicize them. Can you imagine they're querulous look when you are trying to explain this?

And, I have to ad-- the heroic K9 Officers who have lept into danger to protect us. They're all dogs deserving of our OVERALL respect and protection.

Stan Austin