There is a lot of sensationalism depicting pitbulls as a terrifying breed. Recently, a movement of pitbull lovers began fighting this negative stereotype and revealing the kinder side of pitbull breeds. Many individuals have had a completely pleasant experience with pitbull dogs. They have seen a gentler side of them.
Many families raise their pitbulls around babies and small children and never experience an issue. Others have said that pitbulls are the most aggressive dogs to exist. Although these dogs were once bred for sports and fighting, it appears that they are not as dangerous as people claim for the following reasons. For questions about pitbull attacks, contact a dog bite lawyer.
They’re not a Recognized Breed
A lot of dogs are mutts, which means that they may have pitbull DNA and the owner doesn’t recognize it. Pitbulls are mainly characterized by their square-shaped head and muscular body. However, pitbull is more of an umbrella term. There are several types of dogs in this category with no specific breed. For example, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Cabe Corso, American Pitbull Terrier, and Common Bull Terrier are entirely different breeds but all fall under the umbrella category of a pitbull.
Other Dogs Are Just as Aggressive
Studies show that pitbulls are not significantly more aggressive than other dog breeds when they interact with humans and strangers. Other dogs appear to have the same level of aggression if placed in circumstances that provoke them. The main issue is that pitbulls can inflict more damage because they have stronger jaws.
In the 1700s, pitbulls were trained for dog fights in the sport of bear and bull baiting, which makes them stronger than most dogs. However, modern pit bulls don’t have the natural disposition to bite and can be family-friendly.
A Pitbull’s Environment and Upbringing Impact Its Personality
Pitbulls can be trained to be gentle and delicate, especially with kids. Many families have raised pitbulls alongside their children and see them as no threat. Teddy Roosevelt once owned pitbulls as family dogs. How the owner treats the pitbull while raising it determines how the dog behaves throughout its life. Training aggressive tendencies out of the pitbull prevents it from becoming vicious.
What Is the Breed Discriminatory Legislation?
This term refers to any policy or law that prevents a dog from going to specific places because of its breed. Pitbull bans are one of the most common discriminatory legislations, but they also include Rottweilers, Boxers, and Dobermans. However, these laws are difficult to enforce because some dog breeds aren’t entirely known just by looking at the dog. Many dogs are mixed breeds.
Additionally, any dog can bite—regardless of its breed. Dogs bite over 4.5 million people every year. Regardless of the dog’s size and previous history, it can bite. Even if a dog has never bitten someone before and is normally calm, it can still attack unprovoked. This is why breed-specific legislations don’t make much sense.
What Can Be Done to Improve Pit Bull Behavior
The best approach to helping end the stigma placed on pitbulls is to train them and practice responsible pet ownership. The owner has to socialize their pets and teach them that any aggression is not tolerated. Dogs also can be trained to be friendly when around most people but aggressive towards threatening intruders.
What Should I Do If I Was Bit By a Dog?
If you were bitten by a dog at no fault of your own and need direction on how you can claim compensation, speak to an attorney. Your attorney can guide you through the personal injury claim process so you can recover full damages. In addition to their guidance, you can begin taking steps by taking photographs of your injuries and the area you were attacked in. If other factors were involved in your dog bite attack—such as a broken leash or open gate—take pictures of these, too.
Bring your medical bills to your attorney to show them how you were injured, write down any pain and suffering you experienced, and let them know how much time you missed from work. Your attorney can estimate your damages and reach out to the other party to get a settlement.
