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Comment: The Characterization of a Pit Bull Owner

DogsBite.org - An insightful reader left a brilliant comment regarding the Michael Coren blog post. The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CFRB) recently defended a segment on the Michael Coren show about pit bull attacks in which Coren characterizes pit bull owners as "white trash semi-criminals" and more.

Comment: "Honestly, the characterization of pit bull owners as white trash semi-criminals is pretty accurate; there is data that proves that pit bull owners in general tend to have criminal records. How many police drug busts involve the cops shooting aggressive pit bulls? Do we have a count? I have read some studies that link the presence of pit bull dogs to drugs/crime in a home.

I think there is another type of owner, who may not be a criminal, but who is drawn to the attention they receive for owning this type of dog. I think some of the "pit bull activists" fall into this category; they thrive on the drama and controversy surrounding these dogs, they love the fact that people fear them. I think these people are social misfits who feel important and validated by becoming part of this "crusade" against BSL.

I have always felt that the type of dog people choose as a companion is a true reflection of their personality. I think emotionally healthy people, looking for a family pet, have so many choices today...both in pure bred dogs and rescue dogs; that is it curious that people would choose a potentially dangerous, controversial, high maintenance fighting breed like a pit bull. I think the people who choose these dogs as "pets", are expressing their own sense of anger and alienation from society. The rescue angels themselves feel misunderstood and unlovable, so they identify with these dogs..its not enough to rescue any dog, no matter how friendly and adoptable it is; its more important to rescue a breed that no one wants.

The irony is, the egos and emotions of the "pit bull activists" are what have doomed these dogs and their animal victims for the past two decades; the pro-pit lobby has esentially protected the dog-fighters and criminal breeders by fighting resonable regulations on back yard breeders. If my chosen breed of sporting dog suddenly became popular and was being ruined by overbreeding, I would be screaming for regulations on breeders. That's a normal response from anyone who loves a certain breed of dog....sadly, the pit bull activists aren't true dog lovers."

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