Pit bull
Pit bull is a term used in the United States for a type of dog descended from bulldogs and terriers, while in other countries such as the United Kingdom the term is most frequently used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed.[1][2][3] The term was first used in 1927.[3] Within the United States the pit bull is usually considered a heterogeneous grouping including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bully, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and occasionally the American Bulldog breeds along with any crossbreed dog that shares certain physical characteristics with these breeds. In other countries including Britain 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 | |
---|---|
A selection of dog breeds sometimes classified as pit bull–type dogs. Clockwise from top left: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier. | |
Origin | United States |
Dog (domestic dog) |
Pit bulls have a controversial reputation as pets both in the United States and internationally, due to the dog's history as a fighting breed, the number of high-profile attacks documented in the media over decades, and the dog's proclivity to latching on while biting (a popular myth that pit bulls possess "locking jaws" is widely disproven).[9] There is a significant nature-versus-nurture debate over whether apparent aggressive tendencies in pit bulls may be appropriately attributed to owners' care for the dog or inherent qualities.[10] Numerous advocacy organizations have sprung up in defense of the breed, and the pit bull has been the focus of an intense "rebranding" effort in recent years to erase the stigma associated with pit bulls.[11] A number of controlled studies have argued that the breed is not disproportionately dangerous, offering competing interpretations on dog bite statistics.
Pit bull–type dogs are extensively used in the United States for dog fighting, a practice that has continued despite being outlawed.[7][12] A number of nations and jurisdictions restrict the ownership of pit bull–type dogs through bans or restrictions on the ownership of pit bulls.[1][4] A number of states in the United States have banned what advocates call breed-specific legislation, or legislation against pit bulls. Other localities, such as cities, towns, and military bases, have banned pit bull ownership.[13]
History
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 from the 1870s.[6][7] The Bull and Terrier was a type 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 were bred for bear and bull baiting, was often also pitted against its own kind in organised dog fights, but it was found that lighter, faster dogs were better suited to dog fighting than the heavier Bulldog.[6][7][8] To produce a lighter, faster more agile dog which 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 United Kingdom, 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 organised dog fights have been progressively outlawed in various states from 1874, culminating in federal legislation criminalising animal fighting in 2007.[12]
In the 1890s breeders of American pit bull–type dogs attempted to have their dogs recognised by the American Kennel Club, because of the type’s association with dog fighting the club rejected these entreaties.[6][7] Following this rejection, in 1898 breeders of American Pit Bull Terriers established their own rival kennel club the United Kennel Club, in addition to being a breed registry the United Kennel Club also regulated go fights.[6][7][14] In the 1930s the American Kennel Club was faced with a dilemma, whilst not wishing to condone dog fighting there was a desire to recognise a uniquely American dog breed for which over 30 years breed records existed.[6][7][14] The solution was to recognise Pit Bull Terriers under a different name and prohibit these dogs from being used in organised fights and in 1935 the American Kennel Club recognised Pit Bull Terriers as Staffordshire Terriers.[6][7][14]
The name "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" was first used in Britain in 1930 in advertisements for Bull and Terrier–type dogs.[8] Organised 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][12] 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][14]
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 organised fights and by the mid-2000s it was estimated over 40,000 people were in the illegal blood sport.[6][7][12] Pit bull–type dogs are also used by criminal organisations to guard illegal narcotics, and to intimidate and attack civilians, other criminals and police, the type becoming a status symbol in American gang culture.[12][15][16] 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.[17][18]
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.[19][20]
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 correlate with the DNA analysis of that dog.[21][22][23] 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.[24]
Dog attack risk
Violent interactions between humans and canines have been studied by the U.S. government,[25] notably the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),[26] as well as academic veterinary researchers.[27] The interpretation of these studies, breed identification and relevance[28] issues, and variable circumstances have given rise to intense controversy.[29][30][31]
In a 2014 literature review of dog bite studies, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites.[32] Controlled studies have not identified pit bulls as disproportionately dangerous. Pit bull–type dogs are more frequently identified with cases involving very severe injuries or fatalities than other breeds, but the review suggests 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.[27] Bite statistics by breed are not tracked by the CDC,[33] AVMA[34] or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).[35] State Farm Insurance spokeswoman Heather Paul stated "Pit bulls in particular are often misidentified when a bite incident occurs, so reliable bite statistics related to the dogs’ breed are unreliable and serve no purpose."[36] The White House stated that "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at twenty years of data about dog bites and human fatalities in the United States. They found that fatal attacks represent a very small proportion of dog bite injuries to people and that it’s virtually impossible to calculate bite rates for specific breeds".[37]
In a 2000 review by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which examines data from both media reports and from the Humane Society of the United States, pit bull–type dogs were identified in approximately one-third of dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1981 and 1992. However, 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.[38] The AVMA has also noted fundamental problems with tracking breed in dog bite-related fatalities.[34] In a 2013 study of 256 fatalities in the United States from 2000 to 2009, the AVMA determined that valid breed determination was possible for only 17.6% of cases.[39]
Pit bulls are known for their tenacity and refusal to release a bite, even in the face of great pain.[40] A popular myth mischaracterized pit bulls as having "locking jaws."[41] The refusal to let go is a behavioral, not physiological trait, and there is no locking mechanism in a pit bull's jaws.[42] Pit bull–type dogs, like other terriers, hunting and bull-baiting breeds,[43] can exhibit a bite, hold, and shake behavior and at times refuse to release.[44][45][46] Pit bulls also have wide skulls, well-developed facial muscles, and strong jaws,[41] and some research suggests that pit bull bites are particularly serious because they tend to bite deeply and grind their molars into tissue.[47] A dog's bite strength is dependent on the size and strength of the dog, not its breed.[48] Breaking an ammonia ampule and holding it up to the dog's nose can cause the dog to release its hold.[45]
Breed-specific legislation
Widely reported pit bull attacks in popular media 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.[49][50] Each year, pit bulls are disproportionately responsible for hundreds of bites on humans[51] or attacks on other animals.[52] Advocates dispute that the breed is intrinsically dangerous, and the AVMA argues that the number of bites is due to the popularity of the breed.[53]
Breed-specific legislation has been largely found to be ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks.[54] 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 labelled as a pit bull, as well as objections from veterinarians.[55][56][57]
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 jurisdictions include the Canadian province of Ontario,[58] and the U.S. cities of Miami[59] and Denver.[60] However, a few jurisdictions, such as Singapore,[61] also classify the modern American Bulldog as a "pit bull–type dog". In the United Kingdom, a pit bull is an American Pit Bull Terrier.[62]
Courts in the United States[63][64] and Canada[65][66] have ruled that expert identification, when using published breed standards, is sufficient for the enforcement of breed-specific legislation.
The ASPCA said that, along with putative over-reporting, false reporting was a major contributor to public perceptions about the breed.[67] Debates often center on whether apparent aggressive tendencies are the result of poor dog ownership or natural behaviors of the breed.[10]
In England and Wales, 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.[62] Similar legislation exists in Australia.[55] Under Irish law, American Pit Bull Terriers must be lead 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.[68] In Germany the importation of pit bulls is banned among other breeds.[69]
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;[70] 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,[71] 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.[70]
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. The dog breeds most often targeted by insurance companies include pit bull–type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas (Akita Inu and American Akitas), and Chow Chows.[72]
In 2013, Farmers Insurance notified policy holders in California that it will no longer cover bites by pit bulls, Rottweilers and wolf-dog hybrids. A spokeswoman for Farmers said that those breeds account for more than a quarter of the agency's dog bite claims.[73]
Air carrier restrictions
Several air carriers embargo certain brachycephalic dog breeds. The following table has a sampling of air carrier embargoes on dogs.
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.[74] |
Alaska Airlines | Health | Dog breeds, including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers, fly at their owner's risk, with no additional compensation if the dog suffers injury or dies during transit. The airline may refuse to accept the dog if it feels that outside temperatures are too extreme for the animal's safety.[75] |
American Airlines | Health | American Airlines will not accept brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs as checked luggage.[76] |
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.[77] |
United Airlines | Health | Will not accept reservations for the following brachycephalic (or short- or snub-nosed) dogs and cats and strong-jawed dog breeds*, out of concern for higher adverse health risks.[78] |
Notable pit bulls
Pit bull breeds have acted as war dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, actors, television personalities, seeing eye dogs, and celebrity pets. Sallie Ann Jarrett was the mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.[79]:39[80] Nipper, a mongrel at times seen as a pit bull, is the dog in Francis Barraud's painting His Master's Voice.[81][82] Pete the Pup, a character from the movie series The Little Rascals, was played by pit bull–type dogs.[79]:85–86 Other noted pit bulls include Helen Keller's dog "Phiz/Sir Thomas",[83] the comic strip character Buster Brown's dog "Tige",[84][85] and Horatio Jackson's dog "Bud".[86][87] Sergeant Stubby, a dog of disputed breed who served for the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division during World War I, has been called a pit bull.[88][89]
Contemporary significant pit bulls are: Weela, who helped save 32 people, 29 dogs, three horses, and one cat during Southern California's widespread flooding in 1993;[90] Popsicle was a drug detection dog for U.S. Customs and worked on the Texas—Mexico border where in 1998 he made the then biggest cocaine drug find ever made at the Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry;[91][92] Norton, who was placed in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after he rescued his owner from a severe reaction to a spider bite;[93] Titan, who rescued his owner's wife, who would have died from an aneurysm; D-Boy, who took three bullets to save his family from an intruder with a gun;[94] Star, who, while protecting her owner, was shot by police in a video that went viral;[95] and Lilly, who lost a leg after being struck by a freight train while pulling her unconscious owner from the train tracks.[96] Daddy, Cesar Millan's right-hand dog, was famous for his mellow temperament and his ability to interact calmly with ill-mannered dogs.
As symbol
Owning dogs like pit bulls and rottweilers can be seen as a symbol of power.[97] Pit bulls have appeared in the logos of RCA and Brown Shoe Company.[98]
In 2005, two American lawyers used a pit bull logo and the phonenumber 1-800-PIT-BULL in a tv-ad 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.[99][100] White supremacist groups such as the Keystone State Skinheads have used a graphic of a pit bull as their logo.[101]
References
- Hoffman, Christy L.; Harrison, Natalie; Wolff, London; Westgarth, Carri. "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. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- "pit bull". Oxford Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- "pit bull". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- 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. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Allen, Jenna. "Bark vs. bite: A look at the stigma surrounding pit bulls". Vox Magazine. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. p. 172 & 181. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
- Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate guide to over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 346-347 & 363-365. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
- James Beaufoy, Staffordshire Bull Terriers: a practical guide for owners and breeders, Ramsbury, Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2016, ISBN 9781785000973.
- "The Most Feared Dogs May Also Be the Most Misunderstood". National Geographic News. July 3, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- Glazebrook, Louise (April 13, 2016). "What makes an animal dangerous? The nature v nurture debate in dogs". BBC Newsbeat. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- Meltzer, Marisa (January 4, 2019). "The Pit Bull Gets a Rebrand". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- Kalof, Linda; Taylor, Carl (2007). "The discourse of dog fighting" (PDF). Humanity & Society. 31 (4): 319–333. doi:10.1177/016059760703100403. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- "Breed-Specific Laws State-by-State - DogsBite.org". DogsBite.org - Some dogs don't let go. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp. 117–121.
- Cook, Frank (June 29, 1987). "Pit bulls becoming drug dealers weapon of preference". United Press International. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- 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. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
- "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.
- Lewin, Adrienne Mand (October 12, 2005). "Protecting the Nation – One Sniff at a Time". ABC News. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
- Cothran, George (June 11, 1997). "Shouldn't we just kill this dog?". San Francisco Weekly. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
- Haberman, Clyde (January 13, 2004). "NYC; Rebrand Fido? An idea best put down". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
- "Inaccuracy of Breed Labels Assigned to Dogs of Unknown Origin". National Canine Research Council. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016.
- "Breed Discriminatory Legislation: How DNA Will Remedy the Unfairness". Journal of Animal Law & Ethics. 161 (#4). May 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
- "Pit bull Identification in Animal Shelters" (PDF).
- Swann, Kristen E. "Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation". UMKC Law Review. 78: 839.
- 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.
- 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
- "Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed". American Veterinary Medical Association. April 17, 2012.
- Duffy, DL., Hsu, Y. Serpell, JA. Breed differences in canine aggression. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2008;114:441–460.
- 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.
- Pitbull Myths vs. Fact – Animal Rescuers Without Borders
- Delise, Karen (2007). "The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression" (PDF). National Canine Research Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 22, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- "National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2014 (May 18-24) Podcast". American Veterinary Medical Association. 2017. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- Nolen, R. Scott (2017). "The dangerous dog debate". Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- "A community approach to dog bite prevention" (PDF). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. June 1, 2001. pp. 1731–1749. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
- "ASPCA Policy and Position Statements". Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- Baldwin, Steffen (2017). "The Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics Behind Dog Bites". Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- Davidson, Jacob (2013). "Obama Blasts Legislation Targeting Specific Dog Breeds". Time. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- 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.
- Patronek, Gary J., Sacks, Jeffrey J., Delise, Karen M., Cleary, Donald V., Marder, Amy R. (December 2013). "Co-occurrence of potentially preventable factors in 256 dog bite–related fatalities in the United States (2000–2009)". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (#12): 1726–1736. doi:10.2460/javma.243.12.1726. PMID 24299544.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- "Pit Bull FAQ - DogsBite.org". DogsBite.org - Some dogs don't let go. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- D. Caroline Coile (April 18, 2011). Pit Bulls For Dummies. ISBN 9781118069370. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- "Toledo v. Tellings, -REVERSED-, 2006-Ohio-975, ¶25" (PDF). Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
- "The Truth About Pit Bulls". American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- Swift, E.M. (July 27, 1987). "The pit bull: friend and killer". Sports Illustrated. 67 (#4). Retrieved December 2, 2009.
- Clark, Ross D., DVM; Stainer, Joan R.; Haynes, H. David, DVM; Buckner, Ralph, DVM; Mosier, Jacob, DVM; Quinn, Art J., DVM, eds. (1983). Medical & Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs. Edwardsville, KS: Veterinary Medicine Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-9641609-0-3.
- "Breaking up a fight". Pit Bull Rescue Central. 2008. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
- 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.
- 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.
- "Aurora May Lift Citywide Ban On Pit Bulls". cbslocal.com. February 3, 2014.
- Lexi Sutter. "Roeland Park City Council revisits pit bull ban, in place since the 1980s". KSHB. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014.
- McCarthy, Niall. "America's Most Dangerous Dog Breeds [Infographic]". Forbes. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- Daugherty, Phyllis M. "Dog Attacks: How Many Deaths are Needed for a Pit Bull-Safety Recall?". CityWatch Los Angeles. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- "Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed". American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- "Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation" (PDF). The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.
- DeRosa, Angie (September 29, 2011). "Australian officials to kill pit bulls, other 'dangerous' breeds". Veterinary Information Network.
- Pit Bulls being sold as Staffy crosses by the RSPCA, Australia. ABC News. March 14, 2012 – via YouTube.
- "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.
- "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. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- Archived April 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- "Revised Municipal Code – City and County of Denver, Colorado". City of Denver, Colorado. May 19, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- "List of Scheduled Dogs". Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. November 15, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (March 2009). "Dangerous Dogs Law: Guidance for Enforcers" (PDF). Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- "Toledo v. Tellings, 114 Ohio St.3d 278, 2007-Ohio-3724" (PDF). Supreme Court of Ohio. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- "Certeriorari – Summary Dispositions (Order List: 552 U.S.)" (PDF). United States Supreme Court. February 19, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
- "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.
- "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.
- ASPCA. "Pit Bull Bias in the Media". Archived from the original on March 16, 2013.
- "Control and ownership of dogs". citizensinformation.ie.
- "Customs online - Dangerous dogs - Dangerous dogs". www.zoll.de. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- "Dog Bite Liability". Insurance Information Institute. September 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- "Homeowners Insurance Available to Breeds Previously Excluded with CGC Certification". American Kennel Club. October 1, 2004. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- 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.
- Gephardt, Bill. Some dog breeds too risky for insurance companies. Archived September 4, 2015, at the Wayback Machine KSL.com, May 8, 2013
- "Animals prohibited from traveling – Air France airline". Air France. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Traveling with pets". Alaska Airlines. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
- "Traveling with pets". American Airlines. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
- "Delta bans pit bulls as emotional support animals, citing dog attacks". Los Angeles Times. June 22, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Updated PetSafe standards". United Airlines. July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018.
- Dickey, Bronwen (2016). Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-96177-8. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Robinett, Kristy (2018). Tails from the Afterlife: Stories of Signs, Messages & Inspiration from your Animal Companions. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0-7387-5571-7. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Hausman, Gerald; Hausman, Loretta (1997). Mythology of dogs. St. Martin's Press. p. 21. ISBN 9780312181390. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Janish, Joseph (2004). American Staffordshire terrier. Kennel Club Books. p. 14. ISBN 9781593782481. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Foster, Ken (2012). I'm a Good Dog: Pit Bulls, America's Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-399-57663-8. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Arluke, Arnold; Bogdan, Robert. 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. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- "10 Myths About Pit Bulls, Debunked". People (magazine). Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Laskow, Sarah (January 22, 2016). "The First Cross-Country Road Trip Took 2 Men and a Pitbull 63 Days". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Dogs Unleashed: Adventures with Our Best Friends. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-4930-2680-7.
- 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.
- Kershaw, Sarah. "Here's a short history of the American war dog starring 'Sergeant Stubby,' a canine hero who served during WWI". Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- Green, Ranny (March 13, 1994). "Can Weela's Heroics Change Pitbull Image? Can Weela's Heroics Change Pitbull Image? Pit Bulls have been used for advertisement such as the case of Spuds McKenzie of the laste 80's Bud Light commercials". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- "Kool K-9". PEOPLE.com. April 26, 1999.
- "Kool K-9 Popsicle retires". US Customs Today. Archived from the original on October 24, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- "Inductee: Norton". Purina Animal Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- "Family Dog Takes Bullet to Save Family". News 9 Oklahoma. By Amy Lester, NEWS 9. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- Dan Amira, "The Dog That Was Shot in the Head by the NYPD Yesterday Is Not Dead," New York Magazine, August 14, 2012
- "'Hero' pit bull Heads Home to Recover". Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- Nicoll, Kate (2005). Soul Friends: Finding Healing with Animals. Dog Ear Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-9766603-6-1. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Text-Only NPR.org : Friend Or Fiend? 'Pit Bull' Explores The History Of America's Most Feared Dog". text.npr.org. NPR. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Sandefur, Timothy (2010). The Right to Earn a Living: Economic Freedom and the Law. Cato Institute. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-935308-34-8. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Blankenship, Gary. "Court disciplines lawyers for '1-800 PIT BULL' TV ad". The Florida Bar. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Pit Bull". Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
Further reading
- Collier, Stephen (2006). "Breed-specific legislation and the pit bull terrier: Are the laws justified?". Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. 1 (1): 17–22. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2006.04.011. ISSN 1558-7878.
- Literature Review on the Welfare Implications of The Role of Breed in DogBite Risk and Prevention, American Veterinary Medical Association, 2014