Removing the ban on pits

Pitbull, the common name of a bulldog and terrier mix, was created to have the agility of a terrier and the strength of a bulldog. Originating in the UK, these dogs were used as fighting dogs (often involved with gambling), bull-baiting and bear baiting. Dog fights can happen in garages, abandoned houses, warehouses, back alleys, playgrounds, or even in the streets. Sadly, the dogs have to fight to the death. Even though dog fights are illegal, it is still an underground activity to this day. Unfortunately, these dogs are the #1 breed of dogs used in pit fights (dog fights). And due to their popularity in dog fights, Pitbulls gained a bad reputation, making them impossible for adoption.

The Miami Dade County ban was first put in place in 1989, after 7-year-old Melissa Moreira was attacked by a dog who looked like a Pitbull. Moreira’s face was severely injured, and her skin was torn back to the bone. As a result of her injury, she required eight reconstructive surgeries, and the story of her attack made headlines across the country.

Pitbulls are also banned from all military bases in the US, and in states like California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. In Florida and Pennsylvania, there are bills pending to repeal this breed specific legislation.

“It’s kind of ridiculous that because of the way a dog looks, people will ban it,” Mark Buehrle told The Miami Herald. “Every dog has good and bad, and that depends on the handlers.”

Pitbulls are banned because of their “aggression”, when in reality, the people who owned them are the ones to blame, not the breed. Any breed of dog can be aggressive if you train them to be that way. Which is what most people don’t seem to understand. Banning a specific breed of dog is unfair and many consider it a discriminatory action. We can only hope that with time, the negative minds of those individuals will see “the light” and remove the ban on these dogs.