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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 25, 2013 7:48:20 GMT -5
So obviously we know this breed has gone through a lot at the hands of idiots. I'd feel safe stating that there are more normal, regular, good folk than ever who share their homes with this breed now. So my question is, does harping on the "so many people want these dogs for the wrong reasons!" mantra currently help or hurt the breed? In the past, I think a lot of us (including me) used this line because a) well, it was/is true and b) to try to explain away a lot of the reason we'd see Pit Bulls end up in the media for attacks, etc.
I saw a post on FB by Kim Wolf condemning the ASPCA for saying something like, "Pit Bulls attract the worst kinds of owners". It got me thinking, and hence this post. Kim hasn't been on much here lately, but maybe she'll chime in with her opinion. I wanted to know what you guys all thought, however.
I have my own feelings on the matter, and I'll try to post more later...
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 25, 2013 8:02:05 GMT -5
There are always going to be people that want this breed for the wrong reason and harping on it is going to do nothing to deter them.
More important in my opinion is for those who do want them to educate them.
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 25, 2013 8:04:03 GMT -5
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 25, 2013 8:20:48 GMT -5
I saw that article and given the context thought it was appropriate too, Mich. I am not sure what article specifically Kim was referring to, though.
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 25, 2013 8:34:22 GMT -5
Well maybe Kim will tell us....
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 25, 2013 8:36:39 GMT -5
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Post by emilys on Oct 25, 2013 11:47:05 GMT -5
It's a weird kind of doublethink, or something. ASPCA promotes the "pit bulls attract the wrong kind of owner" thing in order to continue their overhyped "dogfighters surround us" bullshit/money making. At the same time they're trying to COUNTER the "pit bulls are owned by the wrong people" notion in order to build sympathy for the dogs.......
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Post by megan on Oct 25, 2013 18:09:31 GMT -5
I can't speak to the content of the article specifically since I haven't read it, but I can say that I see tons of people that shouldn't own any living creature inquire and/or attempt to adopt Pit Bulls, AmBulls, Staffies, Boxer-looking mixes, English Bulldog mixes, and various mixed breed dogs with wider heads who's actual lineage is unknown. I will say that the irresponsible owners, gang bangers or wannabes, wannabe tough guys (or gals), and the generalized idiots do seem to flock to bull breeds and their mixes for a lot of the wrong reasons, more so than other breeds of dog. Now, that's my experience, so simply anecdotal evidence that I can't support with statistics necessarily, but I volunteer with multiple rescue groups and I've seen it in all of the rescues. Obviously there are tons of responsible, "normal," people who are attracted to Pits and the various breeds and mixes I mentioned above. I can't in any way discount that. But I very rarely have scumbag people inquiring about labby looking dogs, hounds, Pyrenees mixes, spaniel mixes, etc. I do think there is some merit to the statement, but it's also a gross generalization that misrepresents all owners of bull breed dogs.
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Post by melonie on Oct 25, 2013 22:35:25 GMT -5
I think there will always be that group of people who will take a dog based on how baddass it makes them look. They're most likely to be the ones who fail the dog. I say dog, because I think it can be any breed affected by this sort of human condition. So I think they should step away from 'breed' here, and focus on the people and the reason they are attracted to those dogs. The only thing that will ever likely make a change is connecting with the children with education. If that means teaching them what compassion and empathy is for animals, then we need to go there.
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Post by Kim Wolf on Oct 26, 2013 17:06:39 GMT -5
I take issue with the ASPCA's statement because it makes life harder for the vast majoirty of pit bull owners who don't cause problems. If I were a landlord and I read this, I wouldn't want put bull owners in my properties if they "often attract the worst kind of dog owners." If were a legislator, I wouldn't want those dogs to be legal in my community if they're "often" going to attract bad people.
(What does "often" mean anyway?)
This is just another example of letting the criminals who fight dogs speak for all pit bull owners, and it's bullshit.
Emily hit the nail on the head -- it's a fundraising tactic. And it's the dogs and their owners who pay the price.
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I look forward to learning much here