Pit Bulls
Speech by Lillie Gaddie
Why do pit bulls have a bad reputation and it is fair?According to dogsbite.org their reputation is deserved because of the attacks on people. But, is this aggression caused by abuse from the owners and trainers of the pit bull?
Dogs that are abused are more likely to attack humans. As they are abused by owners, they are becoming more aggressive. This aggression is sometimes passed from generation to generation. Today I’d like to convince you that the abuse of pit bulls must stop or the breed will be gone forever. No animal should suffer for a person’s pleasure or profit. They certainly shouldn’t be destroyed for it. Humans should care for all animals, not mistreat or try to destroy any of them. Most importantly, cruelty to animals is against law.
First, no animal should suffer for someone’s pleasure or profit; even worse is to be destroyed. Some owners beat their pit bulls until they are vicious. They do this because they want the animal to fight. Pit bulls are the most common breed of dog used in dog fights. The owners can make money by fighting these dogs. Dogs that won’t fight are often times destroyed. Allowing dogs to fight is wrong. This is allowed in four states; in my opinion, this should not be allowed at all.
Secondly, humans should care for all animals, not mistreat or destroy any of them. Some owners of the animals beat them until they are vicious and ready to kill. If other dog breeds are treated in this way, that breed would have a bad name as well. It isn’t fair to label all pit bulls as dangerous because of the action of a few in the breed. If pit bulls were bred by kind or caring owners in order to keep out the aggressive behaviors and if they were shown love, it is more likely that the breed would not hurt others.
My last point is cruelty to all animals is against the law in 46 of 50 states. Owners should be punished for all forms of cruelty, even to pit bulls. In Kentucky, since 2003 there has been a law against cruelty to animals carrying a $10,000 fine and five years behind bars. In other states, penalties for fighting dogs and cruelty range from having to serve 6 months to 10 years in jail and paying a $1,000 to $500,000 fine.
Although some people believe that pit bulls are the number one aggressive dog, there are other dogs which have attacked and killed humans or other animals with less out cry. I think that they pit bull’s history and passion should not follow them into their future. They should be given a chance. Owners and breeders can work together to train and breed out the aggression and fighting and in its place put in one that loves and is gentle instead.