Jump to content

Pit bull

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Pit Bull Terriers)

Pit bull
A selection of dog breeds sometimes classified as pit bull types. Clockwise from top left: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
OriginUnited States
Dog (domestic dog)

Pit bull is an umbrella term for several types of dog believed to have descended from bull and terriers. In the United States, the term is usually considered to include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and sometimes the American Bulldog, along with any crossbred dog that shares certain physical characteristics with these breeds. In other countries, including the United Kingdom, the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed specifically,[1][2][3] while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not considered a pit bull.[1][4][5] Most pit bull–type dogs descend from the British bull and terrier, a 19th-century dog-fighting type developed from crosses between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier.[6][7][8]

Pit bull–type dogs have a controversial reputation as pets internationally, due to their history in dog fighting,[9] the number of high-profile attacks documented in the media over decades, and their proclivity to latch on while biting. Proponents of the type and advocates of regulation have engaged in a highly contentious nature-versus-nurture debate over whether aggressive tendencies in pit bulls may be appropriately attributed to owners' poor care for and competency to handle the dog or inherent qualities owing to their breeding for fighting purposes.[10] While some studies have argued that pit bull–type dogs are not disproportionately dangerous, offering competing interpretations on dog bite statistics, independent organizations have published statistics based on hospital records showing pit bulls are responsible for more than half of dog bite incidents among all breeds despite comprising only 6% of pet dogs.[11][12]: 18, 49  Some insurance companies will not cover pit bulls (along with Rottweilers and wolf hybrids) because these particular dogs cause a disproportionate rate of bite incidents.[13] Dog bite severity varies by the breed of dog, and studies have found that pit bull–type dogs have both a high rate of reported bites and a high rate of severe injuries, compared to other non–pit bull–type dogs.[14][15]

Pit bull–type dogs are extensively used in the United States for dog fighting, a practice that has continued despite being outlawed.[7][16] Several nations and jurisdictions restrict the ownership of pit bull–type dogs through breed-specific legislation.[1][4] A pro–pit bull lobby exists that spends millions of dollars a year promoting pit bulls as family pets, funding pro-pit bull researchers, and opposing laws that regulate their ownership.[12]: loc 762 

History

Early 19th century bull-and-terrier

The term has been used since at least the early 20th century.[17][3] It is believed all dogs that are now classified as pit bulls descend from the British bull-and-terrier, which were first imported into North America in the 1870s.[6][7] The bull-and-terrier was a breed of dog developed in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century for the blood sports of dog fighting and rat baiting. It was created by crossing the ferocious, thickly muscled Old English Bulldog with the agile, lithe, feisty Black and Tan Terrier.[6][7] The aggressive Old English Bulldog, which was bred for bear and bull baiting, was often also pitted against its own kind in organized dog fights, but it was found that lighter, faster dogs were better suited to dogfighting than the heavier Bulldog.[6][7][8] To produce a lighter, faster, more agile dog that retained the courage and tenacity of the Bulldog, outcrosses from local terriers were tried, and ultimately found to be successful.[6][7][8]

As it was in the UK, dog fighting became a popular pastime in 19th century America and bull-and-terriers were imported to the New World to pursue the blood sport.[6][7] In the United States, organized dog fights have been progressively outlawed in various states since 1874, culminating in federal legislation criminalizing animal fighting in 2007.[16]

In the 1890s breeders of American pit bull–type dogs attempted to have their dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, but because of the type's association with dogfighting, the club rejected these entreaties.[6][7] Following this rejection, in 1898 breeders of American Pit Bull Terriers established a rival kennel club, the United Kennel Club. In addition to being a breed registry, the United Kennel Club also regulated dogfights.[6][7][18] In the 1930s the American Kennel Club was faced with a dilemma: whilst not wishing to condone dogfighting, there was a desire to recognize a uniquely American dog breed for which over 30 years of breed records existed.[6][7][18] The solution was to recognize Pit Bull Terriers under a different name and prohibit these dogs from being used in organized fights, and in 1935 the American Kennel Club recognized Pit Bull Terriers as Staffordshire Terriers.[6][7][18]

The name "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" was first used in Britain in 1930 in advertisements for bull-and-terrier-type dogs.[8] Organized dog fighting had been effectively eliminated in the United Kingdom by the Protection of Animals Act 1911, but devotees of the bull-and-terrier type continued to breed these dogs, predominantly in England's Black Country.[8] Throughout the early 1930s attempts were made in England to gain recognition for these dogs with The Kennel Club; these efforts were successful in 1935.[6][7][16] In order to avoid confusion with the British breed, in 1972 the American Kennel Club changed the name of their American breed to the American Staffordshire Terrier.[7][18]

Despite criminalisation, illegal fights using pit bull–type dogs have continued to be widespread in the United States. In the 1990s in that country it was estimated 1,500 dogs died annually in organized fights, and by the mid-2000s it was estimated over 40,000 people were involved in the illegal blood sport.[6][7][16] Pit bull–type dogs are also used by criminal organizations to guard illegal narcotics, and to intimidate and attack civilians, other criminals and police, the type becoming a status symbol in American gang culture.[16][19][20] On the other side of the law, pit bull–type dogs have been used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as drug detection dogs.[21][22]

There is a lobby of animal rights groups that are spending millions of dollars to try to rebrand pit bulls as family dogs.[23] In efforts to counter negative perceptions about pit bull–type dogs, both the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the New York City Center for Animal Care and Control have unsuccessfully attempted to rename the type.[24][25]

American Pit Bull Terrier

Identification

Studies have found that when people involved in dog rescue, adoption, and regulation identify the breed of a dog of mixed parentage, this identification did not always correlate with the DNA analysis of that dog.[26][27][28] Mixed-breed dogs are often labeled as pit bulls if they have certain physical characteristics, such as a square-shaped head or bulky body type.[29]

In Australia some dog owners give false information regarding the breed of their dog to local authorities, despite this being an offence under the Crimes Act. Inquests after fatal or serious dog attacks showed that pit bull owners registered their dogs under a wide range of other breeds, like the Australian Terrier, to evade their local laws and regulations.[30][31]

Dog attack and death risk

A pit bull with cropped ears

A 2000 joint review project between researchers in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found the data indicated that Rottweilers and pit bull–type dogs accounted for 67% of human dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1997 and 1998, and followed with "It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." Pit bull–type dogs were identified in approximately one-third of dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1981 and 1992. The review notes that studies on dog bite-related fatalities which collect information by surveying news reports are subject to potential errors, as some fatal attacks may not have been reported, a study might not find all relevant news reports, and the dog breed might be misidentified.[32] However, after 2000 the CDC stopped tracking dog bites, and in 2001, Julie Gilchrist, a CDC pediatrician and epidemiologist, stated that part of the reason the CDC stopped collecting dog bite data was because "making meaningful analysis [of the data][was] nearly impossible".[33]

In a 2021 review of 19 retrospective dog bite studies from U.S. Level I trauma centers, pit bulls were found to inflict a higher prevalence and severity of injuries compared with other breeds.[34] A 2020 literature review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018 of all pure breed dogs in the United States, pit bull–type breeds were second, behind the German Shepherd, and ahead of Labradors, Chow Chows, and Rottweilers (in that order) for the most bites severe enough to require hospital treatment. The study found that the proportion of bites caused by German Shepherds decreased by 0.63 percent per year over that time interval while the proportion caused by pit bulls increased by 1.17 percent per year. The pit bull proportion of dog bites increased more slowly in Denver, Colorado, where breed-specific legislation had been in place.[35]

In a 2014 literature review of dog bite studies, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) argues that breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites.[36] According to the AVMA, controlled studies have not identified pit bulls as disproportionately dangerous, but other studies have found that, compared with other dog breeds, pit bulls were more likely to inflict complex injuries, are more likely to attack unprovoked, and are more likely to go off property to do so.[36][37] Pit bull–type dogs are more frequently identified with cases involving very severe injuries or fatalities than other breeds, but a 2007 study suggested this may relate to the popularity of the breed, noting that sled dogs, such as Siberian Huskies, were involved in a majority of fatal dog attacks in some areas of Canada.[36][38] Bite statistics by breed are no longer tracked by the CDC,[39] and are discouraged by the AVMA[40] and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).[41]

Pit bulls were originally developed from dogs that were bred for bull baiting and dog fighting.[42] Pit bull attacks are often perceived as taking place "without warning", possibly due to the type's fighting heritage, as fighting dogs that do not signal aggression may do better in the ring.[42] However, recent research suggests that this perception may reflect a lack of knowledge of dog body-language, and owners' over-confidence in their ability to interpret those signs.[43] In fighting with dogs of other breeds, pit bulls, German Shepherds, Great Danes and Rottweilers were often the aggressor, and more than twenty percent of studied Akitas, Jack Russell Terriers and pit bulls displayed serious aggression towards other dogs.[44] Although there may be a connection between breed of dog and aggression towards humans, the difficulty of classifying dog attacks by specific breed after the fact has made this point controversial and debated.[45] Violent interactions between humans and canines have been studied by the U.S. government,[46] notably the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),[47] as well as academic veterinary researchers.[36] The interpretation of these studies, breed identification and relevance[48] issues, and variable circumstances have given rise to intense controversy.[49][50] Additionally, researchers on both sides of the pit bull debate rarely disclose when they are being funded by lobbyists, leading to a risk that the scientific literature on pit bulls has been influenced by money.[35]: p. 1172 

Pit bulls are known for their tenacity and refusal to release a bite, even in the face of great pain. A popular myth mischaracterized pit bulls as having "locking jaws."[51] The refusal to let go is a behavioral, not physiological trait, and there is no locking mechanism in a pit bull's jaws.[52] Pit bull–type dogs, like other terriers, hunting and bull-baiting breeds,[53] can exhibit a bite, hold, and shake behavior and at times refuse to release.[54][55][56] Pit bulls also have wide skulls, well-developed facial muscles, and strong jaws,[51] and some research suggests that pit bull bites are particularly serious because they tend to bite deeply and grind their molars into tissue.[57][58] Breaking an ammonia ampule and holding it up to the dog's nose can cause the dog to release its hold.[55]

In animal shelters

Many people consider pit bulls undesirable, making it harder for animal shelters to adopt them out.[59] Surveys have found that animal shelter workers intentionally misidentify pit bulls to improve their adoption rates, or to avoid euthanizing them in jurisdictions where they are banned.[60] Animal advocates recommend that shelters stop labeling breeds to improve pit bull adoption rates.[59] Pit bulls also have higher rates of unsuccessful adoptions, and are more likely than other kinds of dogs to be returned to a shelter multiple times and eventually euthanized.[59] Whether pit bull adoptions fail more often than other types of dog due to breed behavioral traits, or due to public stigma, is not known, but in general the most common reasons why shelter dog adoptions fail are behavioral problems or incompatibility with the adopter's existing pets.[59]

Breed-specific legislation

Widely reported pit bull attacks have resulted in the enactment of breed-specific legislation (BSL) in several jurisdictions. In two cases, breed-specific bans have been reversed by city councils.[61][62]

Breed-specific legislation has been largely found to be ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks.[63] Research has indicated that there is resistance by those who work in the adoption industry, applying a sharper distinction before allowing a dog to be labeled as a pit bull, as well as objections from veterinarians.[64][65][60]

Many of the jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls apply their restriction to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and any other dog that has the substantial physical characteristics and appearance of those breeds, such as the Canadian province of Ontario.[66] Denver, Colorado lifted its longstanding ban on the breed in 2021 following a referendum that voted to repeal the ban.[67]

However, a few jurisdictions, such as Singapore,[68] also classify the modern American Bulldog as a "pit bull–type dog".

Courts in the United States[69][70] and Canada[71][72] have ruled that expert identification, when using published breed standards, is sufficient for the enforcement of breed-specific legislation.

Debates often center on whether apparent aggressive tendencies are the result of poor dog ownership or natural behaviors of the breed.[10]

In England, Wales and Scotland, the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 prohibits the ownership of American Pit Bull Terriers, along with three other breeds; the Act also bans the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs.[73] Similar legislation exists in Australia.[64] Under Irish law, American Pit Bull Terriers must be led by someone at least 16 years of age, kept on a short strong lead, be muzzled, and wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner in public at all times.[74] In Germany the importation of pit bulls is banned.[75]

Despite being a banned breed, in 2023 there were 3,316 registered pit bull–type dogs in England and Wales, an increase over the 2,323 that were registered ten years earlier. The dogs are permitted under a system of exemptions that are contingent on owners complying with special rules, such as muzzling them in public and having liability insurance.[76]

Seventeen U.S. States prohibit local governments from enacting breed-specific ordinances: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.[77]

Commercial restrictions

Liability insurance

Dog owners in the United States can be held legally liable for injuries inflicted or caused by their dogs. In general, owners are considered liable if they were unreasonably careless in handling or restraining the dog, or if they knew beforehand that the dog had a tendency to cause injury (e.g., bite); however, dog owners are automatically considered liable if local laws hold an owner strictly liable for all damage caused by their dog, regardless of carelessness or foreknowledge of a dog's tendencies. Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically provide liability coverage from US$100,000–300,000 for injuries inflicted by dogs;[78] however, some insurance companies limit their exposure to dog bite liability claims by putting restrictions on dog owners that they insure. These restrictions include refusing to cover dog bites under the insurance policy, increasing insurance rates for homeowners with specific breeds, requiring owners of specific breeds to take special training or have their dogs pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test,[79] requiring owners to restrict their dogs with muzzles, chains, or enclosures, and refusing to write policies for homeowners or renters who have specific breeds of dogs.[78]

Owners of rental properties may also be held liable if they knew an aggressive dog was living on their property and they did nothing to ensure the safety of other tenants at the property; as a result, many rental properties forbid pit bull–type dogs and any other breeds if the rental property's insurance will not cover damage inflicted by that type of dog.[citation needed] The dog breeds most often not covered by insurance companies include pit bull–type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas (Akita Inu and American Akitas), and Chow Chows.[80][better source needed]

In 2013, Farmers Insurance notified policyholders in California that it would no longer cover bites by pit bulls, Rottweilers and wolf-dog hybrids. A spokeswoman for Farmers said that those groups account for more than a quarter of the agency's dog bite claims.[13]

Air carrier restrictions

The following table has a sampling of air carrier embargoes on pit bulls.

Airline Reason Details
Air France Safety Category 1 dogs, as defined by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, are not permitted for transport in the cabin, or as baggage or cargo. These so-called "attack dogs" do not belong to a particular breed, but are similar in morphology to the following: Staffordshire Bull Terriers or American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bulls), Mastiffs and Tosas.[81]
Delta Air Lines Safety "We have determined that untrained, pit bull–type dogs posing as both service and support animals are a potential safety risk", the airline said.[82]

Notable pit bulls

Sallie Ann Jarrett, the Civil War mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry; detail of monument at Gettysburg National Military Park

As a symbol

World War I propaganda poster

Owning dogs like pit bulls and Rottweilers can be seen as a symbol of power or status symbol.[95][16] Pit bulls have been cultural symbols in "urban ghettos" and a part of hip hop culture.[96][97] According to the Anti-Defamation League, pit bulls have been adopted as a hate symbol by racist skinheads.[98] The White supremacist group Keystone State Skinheads have used a specific graphic of a pit bull as their logo.[98]

Pit bulls have appeared in American World War I propaganda.[90]: 88 [12]: 15 [99]

Pit bulls have appeared in the logos of Brown Shoe Company and Lagunitas Brewing Company.[100][101] The above-mentioned Nipper appeared in the logo of RCA and HMV.[102][103]

In 2005, two American lawyers used a pit bull logo and the phone number 1-800-PIT-BULL in a television advertisement to convey that they were "especially fierce litigators". The Supreme Court of Florida ruled that this use was in breach of Florida Bar advertising rules.[104][105]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Hoffman, Christy L.; Harrison, Natalie; Wolff, London; Westgarth, Carri (2014). "Is that dog a pit bull? A cross-country comparison of perceptions of shelter workers regarding breed identification". Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 17 (4): 322–339. doi:10.1080/10888705.2014.895904. PMC 4160292. PMID 24673506.
  2. ^ "pit bull". Oxford Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "pit bull". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2020. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Olson, K. R.; Levy, J. K.; Norby, B.; Crandall, J. E.; Broadhurst, S.; Jacks, S.; Barton, R. C.; Zimmerman, M. S. (November 2015). "Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff". The Veterinary Journal. 206 (2): 197–202. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019. PMID 26403955.
  5. ^ Allen, Jenna (August 31, 2017). "Bark vs. bite: A look at the stigma surrounding pit bulls". Vox Magazine. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. p. 172 & 181. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 346–347 & 363–365. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
  8. ^ a b c d e James Beaufoy, Staffordshire Bull Terriers: a practical guide for owners and breeders, Ramsbury, Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2016, ISBN 9781785000973.
  9. ^ "The Most Feared Dogs May Also Be the Most Misunderstood". National Geographic News. July 3, 2016. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Glazebrook, Louise (April 13, 2016). "What makes an animal dangerous? The nature v nurture debate in dogs". BBC Newsbeat. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  11. ^ "The Problem With Pit Bulls". Time. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c Coile, D. Caroline (2021). Pit Bulls for Dummies (2nd ed., Kindle ed.). John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 978-1119720904.
  13. ^ a b Gephardt, Bill. Some dog breeds too risky for insurance companies. Archived September 4, 2015, at the Wayback Machine KSL.com, May 8, 2013
  14. ^ Essig, Garth F.; Sheehan, Cameron (February 2019). "Dog bite injuries to the face: Is there risk with breed ownership? A systematic review with meta-analysis". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 117: 182–188. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.11.028. ISSN 0165-5876. PMID 30579079. S2CID 57740754. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Taylor, Jeffrey Q.; Krieger, Rachel (January 13, 2023). "Pediatric Dog Bites to the Face May Have Been Less Severe During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Study". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 81 (5): 575–582. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2022.12.018. PMC 9838755. PMID 36646135.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Kalof, Linda; Taylor, Carl (2007). "The discourse of dog fighting". Humanity & Society. 31 (4): 319–333. doi:10.1177/016059760703100403. S2CID 144066670. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  17. ^ "The Dog fancier v.12 1903". The Dog fancier. 1903. p. 28.
  18. ^ a b c d Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp. 117–121.
  19. ^ Cook, Frank (June 29, 1987). "Pit bulls becoming drug dealers weapon of preference". United Press International. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  20. ^ Baker, Al; Warren, Mathew R. (July 9, 2009). "Shooting highlights the risks dogs pose to police, and vice versa". The New York Times. New York, NY. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
  21. ^ "Cool K-9 Popsicle retires". U.S. Customs Today. 38 (#10). October 2002. Archived from the original on October 24, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  22. ^ Lewin, Adrienne Mand (October 12, 2005). "Protecting the Nation — One Sniff at a Time". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 22, 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  23. ^ "The Fifth Estate: Pitbulls Unleashed". 2017. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  24. ^ Cothran, George (June 11, 1997). "Shouldn't we just kill this dog?". San Francisco Weekly. San Francisco, CA. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  25. ^ Haberman, Clyde (January 13, 2004). "NYC; Rebrand Fido? An idea best put down". The New York Times. New York, NY. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  26. ^ Olson, K.R. (2015). "Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff". The Veterinary Journal. 206 (2): 197–202. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019. PMID 26403955.
  27. ^ Simpson, Robert John (2012). "Rethinking dog breed identification in veterinary practice". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 241 (9): 1163–1166. doi:10.2460/javma.241.9.1163. PMID 23078561.
  28. ^ Gunter, Lisa M. (2018). "A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs". PLOS ONE. 13 (8): e0202633. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1302633G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202633. PMC 6107223. PMID 30138476.
  29. ^ Swann, Kristen E. "Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation". UMKC Law Review. 78: 839. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  30. ^ Fife-Yeomans, Janet (April 26, 2014). "Lethal dogs in disguise: pitbulls registered under other breeds". The Courier Mail. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  31. ^ Deare, Steven (February 19, 2024). "Dog breeder claims may put unsuspecting owners at risk". www.canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  32. ^ Sacks, Jeffrey J.; Sinclair, Leslie; Gilchrist, Julie (September 15, 2000). "Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 16, 2015.
  33. ^ "The dangerous dog debate | American Veterinary Medical Association". November 2017.
  34. ^ Reuter Muñoz, K. D.; Powell, L. E.; Andersen, E. S.; Nye, A. D.; Powers, J. M.; Rhodes, J.; Pozez, A. L. (2021). "Analysis of Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center over 10 Years". Annals of Plastic Surgery. 86 (6S Suppl 5): S510–S516. doi:10.1097/SAP.0000000000002928. PMID 34100808. S2CID 235368825.
  35. ^ a b Bailey, Chad M.; Hinchcliff, Katharine M.; Moore, Zachary; Pu, Lee L.Q. (November 2020). "Dog Bites in the United States from 1971 to 2018: A Systematic Review of the Peer-Reviewed Literature". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 146 (5): 1166–1176. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007253. PMID 33136964. S2CID 225080998.
  36. ^ a b c d "Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed". American Veterinary Medical Association. April 17, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  37. ^ Khan, K.; Horswell, B. B.; Samanta, D. (2020). "Dog-Bite Injuries to the Craniofacial Region: An Epidemiologic and Pattern-of-Injury Review at a Level 1 Trauma Center". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 78 (3): 401–413. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2019.11.002. PMID 31816277. S2CID 209167886.
  38. ^ Raghavan M. Fatal dog attacks in Canada, 1990–2007. Can Vet J. 2008;49:577–581
  39. ^ Nolen, R. Scott (2017). "The dangerous dog debate". Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  40. ^ "A community approach to dog bite prevention" (PDF). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. June 1, 2001. pp. 1731–1749. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  41. ^ "ASPCA Policy and Position Statements". Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  42. ^ a b Bini, John K.; Cohn, Stephen M. (April 2011). "Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs" (PDF). Annals of Surgery. 253 (4): 791–797. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318211cd68. PMID 21475022.
  43. ^ "New research reveals links between dog attacks and misunderstanding of dog behavior".
  44. ^ Duffy, D.L.; Hsu, Yuying; Serpell, James A. (April 18, 2008). "Breed differences in canine aggression". Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 114 (3–4): 441–460. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  45. ^ Gunter, Lisa M.; Barber, Rebecca T.; Wynne, Clive D.L. (March 23, 2016). "What's in a Name? Effect of Breed Perceptions & Labeling on Attractiveness, Adoptions & Length of Stay for Pit-Bull-Type Dogs". PLOS ONE. 11 (3): e0146857. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1146857G. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146857. PMC 4805246. PMID 27008213.
  46. ^ Hanna, TL, Selby LA. Characteristics of the human and pet populations in animal bite incidents recorded at two Air Force bases. Public Health Rep. 1981;96:580-584.
  47. ^ Clarke NM. A survey of urban Canadian animal control practices : the effect of enforcement and resourcing on the reported dog bite rate, Master of Science — MSc 2009
  48. ^ Duffy, DL., Hsu, Y. Serpell, JA. Breed differences in canine aggression. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008;114:441–460.
  49. ^ Roll, A.; Unshelm, J. (1997). "Aggressive conflicts amongst dogs and factors affecting them". Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 52 (#3–4): 229–242. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01125-2. ISSN 0168-1591.
  50. ^ "Pitbull Myths vs. Fact — Animal Rescuers Without Borders" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  51. ^ a b D. Caroline Coile (April 18, 2011). Pit Bulls For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118069370. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  52. ^ "Toledo v. Tellings, -REVERSED-, 2006-Ohio-975, ¶25" (PDF). Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  53. ^ "The Truth About Pit Bulls". American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  54. ^ Swift, E.M. (July 27, 1987). "The pit bull: friend and killer". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 67, no. #4. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  55. ^ a b Clark, Ross D.; Stainer, Joan R.; Haynes, H. David; Buckner, Ralph; Mosier, Jacob; Quinn, Art J., eds. (1983). Medical & Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs. Edwardsville, KS: Veterinary Medicine Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-9641609-0-3.
  56. ^ "Breaking up a fight". Pit Bull Rescue Central. 2008. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  57. ^ Cherry, James (2014). Feigin and Cherry's textbook of pediatric infectious diseases — Animal and Human Bites, Morven S. Edwards. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 978-1-4557-1177-2 – via the University of Pittsburgh.
  58. ^ Ellis, Jennifer Lynn; Thomason, Jeffrey; Kebreab, Ermias; Zubair, Kasim; France, James (March 2009). "Cranial dimensions and forces of biting in the domestic dog". Journal of Anatomy. 214 (3): 362–373. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.01042.x. ISSN 0021-8782. PMC 2673787. PMID 19245503.
  59. ^ a b c d Powell, Lauren; Reinhard, Chelsea (2021). "Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 8018. Bibcode:2021NatSR..11.8018P. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-87649-2. PMC 8044234. PMID 33850258.
  60. ^ a b "When it comes to pit bulls, animal shelter workers intentionally misidentify". Taylor & Francis. September 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  61. ^ "Aurora May Lift Citywide Ban On Pit Bulls". cbslocal.com. February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  62. ^ Lexi Sutter. "Roeland Park City Council revisits pit bull ban, in place since the 1980s". KSHB. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014.
  63. ^ "Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation" (PDF). The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  64. ^ a b DeRosa, Angie (September 29, 2011). "Australian officials to kill pit bulls, other 'dangerous' breeds". Vin.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  65. ^ Pit Bulls being sold as Staffy crosses by the RSPCA, Australia. ABC News. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021 – via YouTube.
  66. ^ "An Act to amend the Dog Owners' Liability Act to increase public safety in relation to dogs, including pit bulls, and to make related amendments to the Animals for Research Act". Government of Ontario, Canada. August 29, 2005. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  67. ^ Swanson, Conrad (November 4, 2020). "Denver election results for 2J: Voters repeal city's pit bull ban". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  68. ^ "List of Scheduled Dogs". Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. November 15, 2010. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  69. ^ "Toledo v. Tellings, 114 Ohio St.3d 278, 2007-Ohio-3724" (PDF). Supreme Court of Ohio. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  70. ^ "Certeriorari — Summary Dispositions (Order List: 552 U.S.)" (PDF). United States Supreme Court. February 19, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  71. ^ "Cochrane v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2008 ONCA 718" (PDF). Ontario Court of Appeal. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  72. ^ "Who let the dogs out?". Center for Constitutional Studies, University of Alberta, Canada. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  73. ^ Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (March 2009). "Dangerous Dogs Law: Guidance for Enforcers" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  74. ^ "Control and ownership of dogs". citizensinformation.ie. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019.
  75. ^ "Customs online - Dangerous dogs - Dangerous dogs". www.zoll.de. Archived from the original on July 28, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  76. ^ Savage, Danny; Green, Ruth. "Thousands of banned dogs living at home with owners". BBC. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  77. ^ Kaminski, Janet (January 14, 2013). "STATES THAT PROHIBIT BREED SPECIFIC ORDINANCES". cga.cgt.gov/olr. Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  78. ^ a b "Dog Bite Liability". Insurance Information Institute. September 2009. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
  79. ^ "Homeowners Insurance Available to Breeds Previously Excluded with CGC Certification". American Kennel Club. October 1, 2004. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  80. ^ Sodergren, Brian. "Insurance companies unfairly target specific dog breeds". Humane Society of the United States. Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  81. ^ "Animals prohibited from traveling — Air France airline". Air France. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  82. ^ "Delta bans pit bulls as emotional support animals, citing dog attacks". Los Angeles Times. June 22, 2018. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  83. ^ a b Dickey, Bronwen (2016). Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-96177-8. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  84. ^ Robinett, Kristy (2018). Tails from the Afterlife: Stories of Signs, Messages & Inspiration from your Animal Companions. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0-7387-5571-7. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  85. ^ Richterman, Anita (September 1, 1987). "Problem Line: [ALL EDITIONS 1] - ProQuest". Newsday - via ProQuest. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  86. ^ Franklin, Deirdre; Lombardi, Linda (November 22, 2016). The Pit Bull Life: A Dog Lover's Companion. The Countryman Press. ISBN 978-1-58157-504-0.
  87. ^ Young, Elizabeth (December 17, 2019). Pet Projects: Animal Fiction and Taxidermy in the Nineteenth-Century Archive. Penn State Press. pp. 61–62, 236. doi:10.1515/9780271085111-004. ISBN 978-0-271-08511-1. S2CID 242686493.
  88. ^ Goodavage, Maria (2012). Soldier dogs : the untold story of America's canine heroes (First New American Library ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 15. ISBN 9781101577103. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  89. ^ Kershaw, Sarah. "Here's a short history of the American war dog starring 'Sergeant Stubby,' a canine hero who served during WWI". Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  90. ^ a b c Dayan, Colin (2016). "Chapter Six. Fable for the End of a Breed". With Dogs at the Edge of Life. Columbia University Press. doi:10.7312/daya16712. ISBN 978-0-231-16712-3. JSTOR 10.7312/daya16712.
  91. ^ Ursch, Blake (July 29, 2016). "NYC street dog, shot in the face, had long journey to loving home". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  92. ^ Wallace, Amy (October 10, 2009). "Whispering to Rottweilers, and to C.E.O.'s". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  93. ^ "Unleashed: RIP to Cesar Millan's beloved companion 'Daddy' the pit bull". Michigan Live. February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  94. ^ "Farewell, Friend: Cesar Millan Says Goodbye to Daddy". People. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  95. ^ Nicoll, Kate (2005). Soul Friends: Finding Healing with Animals. Dog Ear Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-9766603-6-1. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  96. ^ Linder, Ann (2018). "THE BLACK MAN'S DOG: THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION". Animal Law Review. p. 56. ISSN 1088-8802. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  97. ^ Tarver, Erin C. (June 26, 2017). The I in Team: Sports Fandom and the Reproduction of Identity. University of Chicago Press. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-226-47027-6.
  98. ^ a b "Pit Bull". Anti-Defamation League. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  99. ^ Lauerman, Kerry (October 28, 2021). "It's time to stop demonizing pit bulls". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  100. ^ Arluke, Arnold; Bogdan, Robert (November 5, 2010). Beauty and the Beast: Human-Animal Relations as Revealed in Real Photo Postcards, 1905–1935. Syracuse University Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-8156-5091-1.
  101. ^ Liu, Cynthia (September 24, 2004). "Lagunitas Brewing Co. says pit bull label proving no dog". SFGate. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  102. ^ "Text-Only NPR.org : Friend Or Fiend? 'Pit Bull' Explores The History Of America's Most Feared Dog". text.npr.org. NPR. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  103. ^ "NIPPER' ADVERTISING TRADE MARK FOR HMV, 1940's". The Museum of Technology. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  104. ^ Sandefur, Timothy (2010). The Right to Earn a Living: Economic Freedom and the Law. Cato Institute. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-935308-34-8. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  105. ^ Blankenship, Gary. "Court disciplines lawyers for '1-800 PIT BULL' TV ad". The Florida Bar. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.