Andrea Rosebrock 
When it comes to pit bulls, there’s seldom much middle ground. People usually either love them or hate them.
The people who hate them quote horror stories from the media about bites and fighting or they’ll talk about what happened to a friend of a friend, etc. There are seldom first hand stories and they are almost never people who have owned or had much of anything to do with a well bred, well trained and well raised pittie.
People who love them talk about how badly they’re misrepresented in the media and that the responsibility for a pitbull’s actions goes back to the owner, whether good or bad. They talk about how wonderful and loving and loyal their pitties are.
Well recently there was a study done by the National Canine Research Council on the media’s reporting of stories such as dogs bites by pit bulls versus bits by dogs of any other breed.
National Canine Research Council Examines the Pit Bull Paparazzi: Fear vs.Fact
A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, itsdevastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.
Slanesville, WV (PRWeb) August 25, 2007 — A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.
Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between August 18th and August 21st:
August 18, 2007 – A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers.
This incident was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local paper.
August 19, 2007 - A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed breed dog.
This attack was reported TWO (2) times by the local paper only.
August 20, 2007 – A 6-year-old boy is hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving severe bites to the head by a medium-sized mixed breed dog.
This attack was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local paper.
August 21, 2007 – A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two Pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe injuries.
This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty (230) articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.
“Clearly a fatal attack by an unremarkable breed is not nearly as newsworthy as a non-fatal attack by a Pit bull,” says Karen Delise, researcher for the National Canine Research Council.
The National Canine Research Council reports that people routinely cite media coverage as “proof” that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs. Delise says costly and ineffective public policy decisions are being made on the basis of such “proof”. While this biased reporting is not only lethal to an entire population of dogs; sensationalized media coverage endangers the public by misleading them about the real factors in canine aggression.
About The National Canine Research Council
The National Canine Research Council investigates all reported cases of fatal dog attacks in the United States.Serious analysis and discussion of canine aggression cannot be conducted from information acquired from media sources.For accurate and in depth information on verified cases of fatal dog attacks and the circumstances contributing to these incidents, please go to the National Canine Research Council at: www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
I would have to say that this definitely adds some weight to pit bull lover’s arguments although this news really comes as no surprise to many of us.
Yes, I won’t deny that there are vicious pit bulls out there but there are also vicious dogs of every breed and mixed breed as well. And yes, there may be a higher incidence of bites and attacks by pit bulls but in the majority, that’s because of all the brainless ‘gangsta’ wannabes and thugs and idiots out there training these dogs to be mean, vicious status symbols.
In recent years the pit bull population has skyrocketed for just this reason. Just take a look in your local shelter and most likely you will see that the largest majority of dogs there are pit bulls. Gangs use them for fighting then just abandon them, neglected, abused, bodies and spirits broken. Just watch the news or read news stories and you’ll see that pitties are probably the most abused breed.
Yeah, they get a bad rep alright and it’s because of people and media. What it is not because of is the breed!
You can download a copy of the release HERE
The only reason pits and others (rotties, boxers, shepherds) are feared is because of what the media and bad trainers have done to them. I have 2 boxers and my good friend has a pit. When we would have parties our roomate who had a 7 lb. mini-pin had a time of it! We would have to put the MINI-PIN up because she had a history of biting people! Here were these huge dogs roaming around, wagging their tails and hoping some food would drop their way…..and there was the 7 pounder – safely put away! She couldn’t be trusted. As a matter of fact, smaller dogs are more likely to bite than larger ones. I’ve seen it time and time again. Like the saying says – “there is no such thing as a bad dog – only a bad owner”.
[...] Media hype and irresponsible dog ownership has given the the pitbull a seriously bad reputation which is [...]
[...] Pitbulls in the Media – Fear vs. Fact [...]
Hi all!!
I love all animals but I do have to say and this is coming first hand that I do FEAR these breeds.
I lived in an apartment complex with a Pit Bull whom I really liked. He got along with my German Shepherd.
One day my next door neighbor wanted to give him a treat and as she was walking towards him, he went for her!
On an other occasion I was walking my dog and for some reason her ears went up when passing a gated commercial area, A PIT BULL ran to the gate, unlocked the gate with his head AND WENT FROM DOG! Luckily the owner was there and here I am screaming at the top of my lungs GET YOUR DOG AWAY FROM HERE…the owner finally responded and took his PIT back to SUPPOSEDLY gated area.
I almost had a heart attack trying to separate the PIT from baby girl.
The only problem with these dogs is that you never know which are the good ones and which are the bad ones!
They can turn on you in a second.
Sorry, but this is how I fell.
[...] of stupid people, cruel people, vicious people and irresponsible media representation, pit bulls, once called ‘Nanny Dogs’, once known as one of America’s most beloved [...]
@marcy becker -
I’m sorry to hear what happen to you but you must remember that it is not only pit bulls that attack. Just like with humans, every breed has good ones and bad ones.