Current States With Breed Specific Legislation
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Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Massachusetts currently have State laws prohibiting breed specific legislation. California allows specific breeds to be spayed or neutered by law, but no restriction on owning any breed.
For information on what cities in your state have breed specific legislation see...
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL/Locations/USLocations.htm
For information on what cities in your state have breed specific legislation see...
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL/Locations/USLocations.htm
History of the Pit Bull
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It is said that the Pit Bull originated as the Molossus, used by Greeks as shepherds, guard dogs, and military dogs. The Molossus eventually made it to Britain and England where the breed became the Mastiff and used as war dogs. The Romans then discovered the Mastiffs after defeating Britain and they became the Roman war dog.
In England the Mastiff was used as "bullenbeissers" or bull
biters. Bullenbeissers were trained to bite the bull's nose and not let go
until the animal was subdued. Butchers used them when a bull became too agitated in order to regain control. This use eventually led to the “sport” of bull-baiting, where dogs were put in a pit with an intentionally riled-up bull and spectators placed bets on which dog would hold on the longest, or bring the bull down. This is where the term "Pit Bull Dog" came from.
The Bullenbeissers were later bred with Terriers, combining their intelligence with the strength of the Mastiffs. Bull-baiting was banned in the 19th century, which gave birth to the illegal, and very popular dog fighting in the UK. It was brought to the US by British immigrants.
Because of their history with illegal dog fighting, Pit Bulls were not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 1936 when the Staffordshire Terrier was introduced, distinct from the taller, sleeker American Pit Bull Terrier.
In England the Mastiff was used as "bullenbeissers" or bull
biters. Bullenbeissers were trained to bite the bull's nose and not let go
until the animal was subdued. Butchers used them when a bull became too agitated in order to regain control. This use eventually led to the “sport” of bull-baiting, where dogs were put in a pit with an intentionally riled-up bull and spectators placed bets on which dog would hold on the longest, or bring the bull down. This is where the term "Pit Bull Dog" came from.
The Bullenbeissers were later bred with Terriers, combining their intelligence with the strength of the Mastiffs. Bull-baiting was banned in the 19th century, which gave birth to the illegal, and very popular dog fighting in the UK. It was brought to the US by British immigrants.
Because of their history with illegal dog fighting, Pit Bulls were not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 1936 when the Staffordshire Terrier was introduced, distinct from the taller, sleeker American Pit Bull Terrier.
Pit Bulls In America
In the beginning of the century the Pit Bull was an American Icon pictured on army recruitment posters. A few were made famous as soldiers in the American military. In the 1930s it was very common to hear an athlete referred to as a Pit Bull, and considered to be a high complement. In the late 1930s a famous race horse was named Pit Bull and in the film industry Pit Bulls were often associated with children as in the Our Gang comedies, along with Buster Brown, and the Little Rascles.
From the turn of the century until the early 1980s, there is exactly one dog attack story to make the national papers and mention pit bulls. It involved a man intentionally siccing a pack of 26 dogs on a young woman. In just a few years the perception of Pit Bulls in America suddenly changed. By Jan. 1 1986 more than thirty communities were considering breed specific legislation and Pit Bull bans. Why? Because in the 1980s dog fighting suddenly made a come back, to spite being illegal in the entire US. Because of it's intelligence, agility, and strength, the Pit Bull is the dog of choice. Because of this, it also becomes dog of choice as guard dogs for drug dealers and gangs. Public's opinion of Pit Bulls and Pit Bull bans began with a hugely publicized attack on a two-and-a-half year-old boy by a Pit Bull who was guarding a marijuana crop in California. By the end of that summer every proposed ban against Pit Bulls became a law. Kent Salazar (head of animal control, Albuquerque), stated at the time, "We have all the means to protect people with clauses about vicious dogs." He also noted that a few years before that Dobermans were target of such bans and that the Pit Bull ban was not necessary. His message unheard, Tijeras, New Mexico passed the most strict ban on Pit Bulls of the time, allowing animal control to seize and destroy any "Pit Bull" on sight without compensation to the owner. Many other cities followed with similar bans and restrictions.
Animal control refers to breed specific legislation as canine racism. The Houston Chronicle, “(M)any of the pit bull attacks are due to a skyrocketing number of poorly bred and badly trained dogs raised by backyard breeders, who are trying to cash in on the pit bull’s growing reputation as a cheap, but deadly effective guard dog, particularly in urban areas.”
From the turn of the century until the early 1980s, there is exactly one dog attack story to make the national papers and mention pit bulls. It involved a man intentionally siccing a pack of 26 dogs on a young woman. In just a few years the perception of Pit Bulls in America suddenly changed. By Jan. 1 1986 more than thirty communities were considering breed specific legislation and Pit Bull bans. Why? Because in the 1980s dog fighting suddenly made a come back, to spite being illegal in the entire US. Because of it's intelligence, agility, and strength, the Pit Bull is the dog of choice. Because of this, it also becomes dog of choice as guard dogs for drug dealers and gangs. Public's opinion of Pit Bulls and Pit Bull bans began with a hugely publicized attack on a two-and-a-half year-old boy by a Pit Bull who was guarding a marijuana crop in California. By the end of that summer every proposed ban against Pit Bulls became a law. Kent Salazar (head of animal control, Albuquerque), stated at the time, "We have all the means to protect people with clauses about vicious dogs." He also noted that a few years before that Dobermans were target of such bans and that the Pit Bull ban was not necessary. His message unheard, Tijeras, New Mexico passed the most strict ban on Pit Bulls of the time, allowing animal control to seize and destroy any "Pit Bull" on sight without compensation to the owner. Many other cities followed with similar bans and restrictions.
Animal control refers to breed specific legislation as canine racism. The Houston Chronicle, “(M)any of the pit bull attacks are due to a skyrocketing number of poorly bred and badly trained dogs raised by backyard breeders, who are trying to cash in on the pit bull’s growing reputation as a cheap, but deadly effective guard dog, particularly in urban areas.”
Can You Tell Who's Who?
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Can you tell which of these is the Labrador Retriever and which is the Pit Bull? I would bet at first glance you thought they were both Labs!
Here is the link to the ASPCA's link to "Can You Identify The Pit Bull". I got it on my first try, can you? Let me know how many tries YOU took!
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.html
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.html