What is Pit Bull Awareness Day?

In 2007, a rescue specializing in “bully” breeds called Bless the Bullys founded the National Pit Bull Awareness & Appreciation Campaign which declares the last Saturday in October as the National Pit Bull Awareness and Appreciation Day. The success of the campaign has spread worldwide, and as of 2011, October is considered National Pit Bull Awareness Month. 

Pit bulls are one of the most commonly misunderstood and outlawed dog breeds due to an astounding number of myths, poor ownership practices, and misrepresentation in the media. Many countries today still don’t allow people to own pit bulls despite them not being an actual dog breed, and many mixed dogs are unfortunately removed or even euthanized simply for sharing the same features as a stereotypical pit bull terrier. 

The importance of National Pit Bull Awareness and Appreciation Day is all about educating others on this misunderstood “breed” and how you can help the campaign continue to fight the injustice against these innocent animals. 

The History of Pit Bulls

Originating in the British Isles back in the early 1800s, the term “pit bull” came from a controversial sport called “bull baiting” where bulls tied to a stake and given a limited range of movement were antagonized by bulldogs for entertainment. Bulldogs became popular for breeding from their use in the sport, which was outlawed in 1835. A new entertainment sport called “ratting” became the bulldog’s next main use, where the dogs were trained to kill as many rats in a pit within a certain amount of time. Hence, the “pit” in their name. Eventually, bulldogs were mixed with terriers to make the stocky breed quicker and more agile to be more efficient in ratting. Dogfighting then became another area where the mixed breed now called the proved formidable. 

Before the American Civil War, pit bulls were very popular in the New World! People loved them for their loyalty, guarding, hunting, and herding skills. They were known to be sweet and affectionate with children as well. The breed became so popular as companions and working dogs in America that it became recognized as the American pit bull terrier despite originating in Britain. During the world wars, pit bulls were called the “All American Dog” and even designated our mascot. Sergeant Stubby, a famous pit bull who was the most decorated dog in WWII, inspired many Americans to acquire their own pit bull and the military to utilize them in wartime. Pit bulls were commonly seen in advertisements, logos, and company mascots during this time.

After WWII, the popularity declined and pit bulls became more of a standard dog breed among American households. As dogfighting resurfaced in popularity in the 1980s, that’s when the negativity around pit bulls began. Known for their strong stature and destructive bite method, criminals specifically started seeking them out in vast numbers to use in dogfighting rings. This led to irresponsible breeders and criminal breeders who focused on quantity and selective traits such as larger sizes, stronger jaws, and resistance to pain. Because of their use in dogfighting rings, the American Kennel Club denied the recognition of pit bulls as an individual breed.

Many advocates for pit bulls pinpoint the pivotal moment in public perception toward the popular breed as Time Magazine’s article in 1987 called “The Pit Bull Friend and Killer.” Media representation of the breed shifted toward a negative light, using them to be synonymous with criminals, claiming them to be aggressive toward people and all other animals, and exaggerating stories of attacks from dogs who resembled a pit bull. Suddenly, shelters all over the country and soon the entire world were filled with dogs who were identified as pit bulls. This caused legislation against them in cities and countries worldwide. 

Today, the name is more of a blanket term that applies to multiple muscular, stocky dogs: American pit bull terriers (where the name pit bull comes from), boxers, English bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, and American bulldogs. 

The term also often applies to mutts with a blocky, muscular build even if they may not have any pit bull terrier or any of the other stocky breeds mentioned above in their DNA. Unfortunately, this leads to many dogs being stuck in the shelter for longer than other dogs, more abandoned dogs, and fines against the owners in areas where you are not supposed to own a pit bull. 

Top 5 Myths About Pit Bulls

1. Myth: Pit bulls lock their jaws when they bite. 

Truth: There is no such thing as a locking mechanism in any dog breed. When pit bulls bite, they shake their head to tear into their target and may not release their bite for a while due to their natural tenacity. 

2. Myth: Pit bulls are naturally aggressive.

Truth: Many studies by animal behaviorists and dog trainers have proved time and again that aggression is taught by owners or caused by environmental factors. The American Temperament Test Society found that pit bulls are one of the higher-ranking breeds in terms of temperament. 

3. Myth: Pit bulls bite more than any other breed. 

Truth: There is no one breed of dog found to be more prone to bite than any other according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

4. Myth: Pit bulls are not safe around strangers, young children, or other animals. 

Truth: Compatibility with children, other dogs, other animals, and other people is entirely based on the individual dog and how it was socialized and trained. 

5. Myth: Pit bulls are aggressive to other dogs. 

Truth: Dog aggression can happen in any dog, and it is caused by poor socialization, lack of training, or trauma. It is not due to their history of being used for dogfighting.

How Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) Impacts Pit Bulls

You’ve probably heard of certain cities and countries having breed-specific legislation (BSL) against pit bulls. This legislation is often put in place by lawmakers who claim that pit bulls are inherently dangerous or aggressive and use headlines of dog attacks where the dog in question was identified as a pit bull, which perpetuates the commonly believed myth that pit bulls attack people more than any other breed. The overall lack of education on the breed, common myths, and unfair representation in media have continued to drive BSL all over the world. 

When these laws are enacted, it can lead to a myriad of problems for pit bulls and their owners:

• The dogs are removed from their homes
• Dogs in rescues are euthanized
• Owners are fined or jailed
• Dogs are abandoned on the streets by owners wanting to avoid legal trouble
• Owners and their dogs are kicked out of their rental properties or homeowner associations
• Animal control officers and shelters are forced to uphold the laws with loose definitions of how to identify a pit bull which causes any dog that resembles a pit bull to face the consequences
• Dogs are kept hidden, affecting their socialization 
• Dogs are not taken to the vet for health issues
• Vets are fined or have their license revoked when reported for treating a known forbidden breed.

In addition to these issues, these legislations are expensive to maintain and create higher taxes to uphold. The resources dedicated to these laws could also be used elsewhere.

How You Can Help

There are so many things you can do to help fight the injustice against pit bulls whether you’re a dog owner or not! 

• If your city, state, or country is attempting to enact a BSL or already has one in place:
• Contact your local legislators and inform them you are against the unfair legislation. 
• Sign or create a petition against the BSL.
• Vote “no” on the law.
• Donate to the organizations fighting the BSL.
• Participate in local peaceful protests and awareness events.
• If you want to help your local rescue or pit bull organization:
• Donate funds or supplies if possible.
• Follow them on social media and participate in their posts by commenting, liking, and sharing to spread their reach. 
• Volunteer at the rescue to help with the animals or at their events if possible. 
• If you are a pit bull owner:
• Ensure your dog is socialized to be comfortable around other people and animals.
• Share positive pictures, videos, and stories of your pet and how affectionate and sweet they can be. 
• Respond to negativity from people who dislike pit bulls with education and positivity. 
• Don’t break the law by having a pit bull in areas where they are outlawed. 
• Gently correct others when you observe someone misidentifying a dog as a pit bull.
• Report incorrect articles and social media posts that perpetuate prejudice, contain false information, or myths as unreliable sources of information. Many news sites and social media platforms will investigate the claims and remove false content. 
• Avoid supporting brands, legislators, and organizations that are against pit bulls.