Shelters across the United States are overwhelmed by
the number of Pit Bulls and Pit mixes in their
kennels. A combination of over-breeding, growing
popularity in the wrong circles, and the
misperception created by the media and inaccurate
bite reporting methods has resulted in millions of
pit bulls ending up in shelters…unwanted and running
out of time.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County is no
exception. Recent media reports about 9 pit bulls
dumped in our county who were abused, neglected and
abandoned raised much needed awareness in our
community to the plight of the breed.
So this month, we’re asking for a couple of favors.
Our first request is to open your mind…become more
educated…and formulate your own opinion. The
information that follows is a compilation of
materials found on websites specializing in the
breed’s history, true characteristics, training
needs, temperament and a reality check on all the
myths that you’ve heard about the Pit Bull.
Our second request is to then come into the shelter
and meet some of these amazing dogs yourself. They
will steal your heart and change your perception.
All they need is a chance.
12 Things You
Should Know about Pit Bulls
- Since 1998, the breed most involved in fatal
attacks was a breed other than the Pit Bull (we
don’t like naming names).
- Although there are no accurate or even near
accurate census records for dogs in the U.S., in
some areas pit bulls are estimated to comprise
some 30-40% of the dog population, making it by
FAR the most popular breed. Considering that
there are an estimated 53,000,000 dogs in the
U.S., and assuming that pit bulls make up 20% of
that population, there would be approximately
10,600,000 pit bulls in our society.
- In 1998, five pit bulls were involved in 2
fatal attacks. That is roughly ONE dog out of
2,120,000 or 0.00004716 percent of the pit bull
population.
- Over the 32-year period from 1965-2001, Pit
Bulls have been blamed for/accused of an average
of 2.48 human fatalities per year.
- About 40 people (children) per year die by
drowning in 5-gallon water pails. A person,
during their lifetime, is 16 times more likely
to drown in a 5-gallon water pail than to be
killed by a Pit Bull.
- Approximately 50 children in the US are
killed every year because of their cribs - 25
times the number of children and adults killed
by Pit Bulls.
- Approximately 150 people are killed every
year by falling coconuts. Therefore, you are
more than 60 TIMES MORE LIKELY to be killed by a
PALM TREE than a Pit Bull.
- Each year, 350 people drown in their
bathtubs. You are 151 times more likely to be
killed by your bathtub than you are by a Pit
Bull.
- Every year, more than 2,000 children in the
U.S. are killed by their parents or guardians
either through abuse or neglect. A child is more
than 800 times more likely to be killed by their
caretaker than by a Pit Bull.
- It is estimated that 5,000,000 dogs per year
are killed in shelters. Since in many places pit
bulls make up 30-50% of the shelter population
and are less likely to be considered for
placement than any other breed, and assuming
shelters across the United States euthanized
(conservatively) 25% of those pit bulls who were
not placed or because the breed is not permitted
in that area, then approximately 1,250,000 pit
bulls are killed per year. Therefore - it is at
least a HALF MILLION TIMES MORE LIKELY that a
Pit Bull will be killed by a HUMAN than the
other way around.
- The average number of people killed by a Pit
Bull each year is 3.
- It can be estimated that for every Pit Bull
who kills, there are 10.5 MILLION that DON'T!
Source: The Truth About Pitbulls/
www.thetruthaboutpitbulls.com
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The
American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS)
is a national not-for-profit organization
(registered in the state of Missouri) for
the promotion of uniform temperament
evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered
mixed-breed dogs. |
ATTS was
established to:
- Provide for a uniform national program of
temperament testing of purebred and
spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.
- Conduct seminars to disseminate information
to dog owners, dog breeders and evaluators
(testers) concerning dog psychology, motivation,
reaction and other aspects of temperament
testing.
- Recognize and award certificates to dogs
that pass the requirements of the temperament
evaluation.
- Work for the betterment of all breeds of
dogs.
- Select, train, prepare and register
temperament evaluators.
Description of
the Temperament Test
The ATTS Temperament Test focuses on and measures
different aspects of temperament such as stability,
shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as
the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its
handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a
threat.
Dogs must be at least 18 months old to enter this
test. The test takes about eight to 12 minutes to
complete. The dog is on a loose six-foot (6') lead.
The handler is not allowed to talk to the dog, give
commands, or give corrections.
Failure on any part of the test is recognized when a
dog shows:
- Unprovoked aggression
- Panic without recovery
- Strong avoidance
For more information on the American Temperament
Testing Society, visit their website at
http://www.atts.org/index.html.
The following rankings are
based on the findings of the ATTS. Based on the
results of their temperament tests, Pit Bulls had a
HIGHER pass rate than (in no particular order):
Golden Retrievers
German Shepherds
Border Collies
Collies
Beagles
Weimaraners
Dachshunds
Poodles
Schnauzers
Chihuahuas
Australian Shepherds
Great Danes
Greyhounds
Bichon Frise
Pomeranians
Jack Russell Terriers
And many more >>>
PUNISH THE DEED, NOT THE BREED!
Understanding the 'Pit' Bull breed.
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