Weekly Wag: National Pit Bull Awareness Day

I am a huge pit bull lover and advocate. I have owned several with small children, so I can tell you first hand they make great family pets! I now volunteer for a pit bull rescue. They were once America’s sweetheart and are now vilified in the media. My goal is to end their bad rap and show the world what loving dogs they are!

October 27th is National Pit Bull Awareness Day. October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month.

Pit bulls do not lock their jaws. Pit bulls do not attack for no reason. Many pit bull attacks the media reports are not pit bulls. Pit bull attacks get more media coverage than other breeds. My youngest daughter was 4 years old when she owned her first pit bull. Our pet was her friend, companion and protector! My oldest daughter was in the first grade when we owned our first pit bull (different dog). Our pet was her friend and companion, too! Pit bulls are very powerful dogs, however they were bred to be human friendly. Click here for more pit bull myths.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD) is a day of appreciation and education designed to change perceptions and stereotypes about pit bulls and their responsible owners. NPBAD was established to educate and foster positive communications and experiences in the communities in which we and our dogs live, and it is an initiative dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

I ask everyone to please attend a pit bull event in your community, go to a shelter or visit a rescue organization. (Google pit bull rescue and your city/town) Go to petfinder.com and type in breed of dog (pit bull), your city and that’s it. (You can refine your search by age and sex) Petfinder.com is the virtual home of 375,254 adoptable pets from 13,772 adoption groups.

If you cannot adopt a dog, think about fostering. This is a great way to help dogs without the expense. Rescue organizations provide food, toys, bedding, crates and vet costs. Rescues always need fosters! If you cannot foster, many rescues need dog walkers or take the dogs to attend adoption events.

In my community (San Diego County) the Humane Society is waiving adoption fees for the month of October for pit bull mixes, Dare to Bull-ieve.

Here is a great article with may pit bull statistics. My favorite~Are Your Pajamas More Lethal Than a Pit Bull.

Note: I am very sorry for the people who have been attacked by pit bulls. My belief is that these attacks could have been avoided and is the blame of irresponsible dog owners. For example, one pit bull attack reported in San Diego, a two-year old got near the dog food bowl while eating and was bitten. Fortunately she was not mauled and will be OK. Any dog may bite if near food if not properly trained. This is the fault of the owner not being responsible or having common sense!!!

My Favorite Pit Bull Video~Pit Bull Love