Is It an Aggressive Dog, or Just a Bad Owner?

Sadly, many provinces across Canada have areas that ban Pit Bulls – Ontario has them completely blacklisted, excluding ones that were already there. These bans greatly disappoint me as a Canadian from Ontario who adores every dog that will ever exist. Now, Quebec seeks to have them blacklisted as well.

This ban is supposed to protect the public due to the “statistics,” which really are simply rumours people have accepted as fact. The breed really has no dangerous qualities (unless brought up to) and keeping them banned really makes no progress to anyone’s safety.

Let’s talk about the rumours and the facts. Firstly, Pit Bulls do not have the strongest jaw of all dog breeds. In a study that included a Pit Bull, a Rottweiler, and a German Shepherd, the Pit Bull came in last. In addition, Pit Bulls do not have locking jaws, in fact, they really don’t have any kind of special jaw, as it functions exactly the same as every other dog.

Another myth we can set aside is that Pit Bulls attack more than any other breed. First of all, Pit Bulls are a popular breed, and therefore their numbers are higher and create a higher frequency. Second of all, they do not instinctively attack – who has ever been mauled by a Pit Bull pup? – they are trained to. Additionally, if Pit Bulls continue to get banned, people who want an attack dog will simply train a different breed; and then do we ban that one too when the numbers get too high?

Quoted by CBC, Dave Dupont – long-term Quebec City resident and Pit Bull owner – pleaded with his mayor to reconsider, “Pit Bulls are not mean dogs, it is their owners who make all the difference.”

And even though there are several different factors that apply to most dog attacks, all people seem to focus on is one thing: breed. The whole idea that nice dogs don’t bite is one giant myth. When provoked, or if the dog hasn’t been socialized by the time it’s been born, then it won’t know right from wrong. Regardless of the breed, size, gender, and anything else.

The behaviour of the animal – any animal, not just dogs – depends greatly on how they are raised; much like people. It’s extremely important to socialize pets from the time they’re young so they understand how to act around new people and other animals. So, it really isn’t the breed that’s aggressive, it’s simply bad owners.

There’s also poor treatment in these kinds of cases. Since many laws order people to muzzle these “aggressive” dogs, and some people are lazy, we end up with dogs who have duct tape around their mouth, disfiguring them. And often abandoning them shortly after. This leads to a high number of strays, and kennels being filled – and often euthanizing. Which, nobody really wants.

Instead of banning dogs, ban the poor ownerships of dogs. Regulate the people who can have dogs, and make legislations that make owners go through proper training. Get rid of dog rings, and fights. Put forth more effort to protect the lives of innocent animals, instead of treating them like senseless beasts who could strike at any moment. Dogs are considered “man’s best friend” not “mans worst enemy.”

So, even if Pit Bulls are considered “more dangerous” in today’s society, they are not born that way. Banning them only increases the chance another breed will be trained the same way, and then no progress is made. Instead of blaming the dog, blame its owner. And let's change the story for these poor fur-babies.