Coffeeshop Author Talk Magazine October 2013, Vol. I, Issue IV | Page 16

October Is
Pitbull
Awareness
Month
BK Walker’s Daughter:
Brittney with Family Pitbull - Rancid
Pitbulls, also known as Staffordshire Terriers, have been around since the 19th century, some cross-breeds
since the 1800’s. They were originally bred for hunting to round-up semi-wild cattle, hogs and other animals
that were running rampant across the countryside. They were known for fighting wild animals regardless of
injuries they may consume, which made them very valuable to the hunters using them.
They are a very gentle, loving breed and extremely family oriented. They were at one time #1 on the most
recommended dog to own for a family pet.
It wasn’t until the 1970’s that someone got the bright idea that it would be cool to fight these dogs against each
other, starving them before fights and keeping them tied to short chains that were too heavy for their necks. It
disgusts me to even think about the cruelty that is associated with a Pitbull getting a bad rap.
I have rescued Pitbulls and re-homed them on several occasions, my daughter Brittney is a huge advocate
right along side of me. We rescue when the need arises and find suitable homes per the dog’s personality.
Statistics have proven that a Pitbull is no more viscious than a Golden Retriever. Any breed of dog can turn
on a dime. It is my hope that people will understand that it is the owner of the dog that makes them crazy, not
the breed itself.
I have owned enough Pitbulls to know that first-hand. Rancid is the most gentelest of any of my dogs and
my Daschund is more apt to bite someone than he is. We have owned him for 7 years now and he has never showed an aggressive behavior. He’s protected babies from the other dogs romping in the house and kids
running around by laying in front of them, he adopts all the new cats and puppies we bring into the home,
showing them the ropes and teaching them to potty outside. Yes, he housetrains the other dogs and even
teaches them to sit.
There are so many Pitbulls in pounds that are in need of homes, all because of people trying to fight them and
giving them a bad reputation. The deeming them as viscious is so wrong, it’s like saying a brand new baby is
possessed by the devil, and that would be for every baby born.