Pit bulls are controversial, but often loved breed of dog
By STEPHANIE MOJICA Stephanie.Mojica@newsandtribune.com
Though pit bulls are often controversial and there are risks associated with their ownership, local animal care officials say properly treated, pit bulls are among the most loyal and caring dogs. Pit bulls have received national attention for attacks on humans and animals, as well as being both the abused and the abuser in dog fighting. Euthanizing pit bulls is more common than many animal lovers know, said Jill Dolon, president and founder of the animal rights coalition Unconditional Love Foundation. Dolon — who is based in Muncie but works for animal rights all over Indiana — said her research shows only one out of 600 pit bulls born survive. David Hall, director of the New Albany Floyd County Animal Control and Shelter, said pit bulls and other similar breeds, such as the Rottweiler, often come into the shelter. If they are not claimed by their owner — with evidence of ownership such as a veterinary bill — within three business days, the animals are euthanized. “It is heartbreaking,” Hall said. “Pit bulls are among some of the best dogs around when treated well. However, when they are abused, their aggression can be unpredictable and we are not allowed by the county to have anyone else adopt these animals.” Hall said if someone’s dog gets loose and ends up in the shelter, he is not there to embarrass or lecture the animal owner. “I would rather send him or her home with their owner than have to euthanize a dog who really did have a decent home,” Hall said. Dr. Jim Roberts, a Jeffersonville veterinarian with Allison Lane Animal Hospital, said pit bulls are one of the nicest breeds he has ever worked with. “The way they are raised has a lot to do with it, because they do have an extremely powerful jaw and if it attacks, a bite from one will be worse than another dog,” Roberts said. “Getting rid of the breed, as some people say, is not the solution.” However, Alan Beck, director of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine Center of the Human-Animal Bond, favors letting the breed go into extinction. “This breed alone is a risk of serious public health factors,” Beck said. “We are keeping them alive against their own best interests.” Beck said while he does not advocate taking dogs from current and caring owners, he does feel that it has become more of a social and political issue for people than a health one. “If these dogs were carrying an actual disease, people would advocate euthanizing them,” Beck said. “This breed itself is not natural.” Roberts said the best way to minimize the risk of pit bull aggression — as they are naturally adverse to other animals but very loyal to people — is to raise the dog to be a pet and have it spayed or neutered. Beck advocates current pit bull owners to use a muzzle and other precautions as necessary. No one interviewed for the article felt pit bulls should be chained. “The pit bull is the most loyal and loving animal, but you have to remember you own a pit bull and not a Chihuahua,” Hall said. “We get calls from people upset simply because someone has a pit bull, but we don’t take dogs just because someone doesn’t like the fact it exists.”
