What was pit bulls used for

Main article: American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the product of interbreeding between old english terriers and english bulldogs to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog. In the United States, these dogs were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. American Pit Bull Terriers successfully fill the role of companion dog , police dog [7] [8] and therapy dog.

Francis College in New York so that they might be more readily adopted; [15] 60 temperament-screened dogs were adopted until the program was halted after several of the newly adopted dogs killed cats. The bulldog of that time differed from the modern Bulldog , having a full muzzle and a long, tapering tail. Pit Bull breeds have become famous for their roles as soldiers , police dogs , search and rescue dogs , actors , television personalities , seeing eye dogs and celebrity pets.

Historically, the bull terrier mix Nipper and Petey from the Little Rascals , are the most well known. You are commenting using your WordPress. He served 18 months on the front lines in 17 battles and 4 different campaigns.

Sergeant Stubby is just one example of the many other Pit Bulls that have served their country in wartime. Click here for more amazing war dogs! Frequently being used for commercial advertisements and products, in company logos and in popular television shows. The pit bull was also a favorite among politicians, scholars, and celebrities. They were given attention neither more or less than any other breed. Surely, underground fighting must have taken place, but it seemed this was a rather small percentage.

The vast majority of American Pit Bull Terriers were used for herding, hunting or guardian purposes, but most were bred and kept primarily as companions. In , Congress amended the Animal Welfare Act of to address dog fighting, among other issues.

This groundbreaking amendment made dogfighting officially illegal in all 50 states. Virgin Islands. In most states, the possession of dogs for the purpose of fighting is also a felony offense. As well as, being a spectator at a dogfight is illegal in all states except Montanan and Hawaii. Unfortunately, many times when an act is made criminal, it draws the attention of criminals.

As dogfighting began to re-emerge in the s, animal advocates put an increased focus on the cruel, barbaric and illegal blood sport. The inadvertent and unfortunate side effect of this new movement was that some people began to seek out Pit Bulls for illicit purposes. The criminal set began trying to squeeze these dogs into a mold they were never designed to fit. Unfortunately, pit bull type dogs that find themselves in these conditions may be at greater risk for developing aggressive behavior.

But because these factors are ones that can be controlled by better educated owners, it is possible to reduce these risks, not just in pit bulls but in dogs of all breeds. The reality is that dogs of many breeds can be selectively bred or trained to develop aggressive traits. Therefore the responsible ownership of any dog requires a commitment to proper socialization, humane training and conscientious supervision. Despite our best efforts, there will always be dogs of various breeds that are simply too dangerous to live safely in society.

Laws that ban particular breeds of dogs do not achieve these aims and instead create the illusion, but not the reality, of enhanced public safety.

Notably, there are no statewide laws that discriminate based on dog breed, and 18 states have taken the proactive step of expressly banning laws that single out particular breeds for disparate legal treatment.

Even the White House has weighed in against laws that target specific breeds. All dogs, including pit bulls, are individuals. Treating them as such, providing them with the care, training and supervision they require, and judging them by their actions and not by their DNA or their physical appearance is the best way to ensure that dogs and people can continue to share safe and happy lives together.

Please note: This position statement is intended to be considered in its entirety and excerpting is not recommended. You are here About Us Policies and Positions. Position Statement on Pit Bulls.