Posted July 21, 2009 by Ryan Huling
Here at peta2, we receive lots of questions on how we feel about pit bulls and breed-specific legislation. To help clear up any confusion, here is our official position, reposted from PETA, on pit bulls: We’re for ‘em.
By “for ‘em,” I mean that we are for pit bull protection, for their happiness, and for treating them like dogs instead of like cheap burglar alarms, punching bags, or gladiators in perverted death matches.
Some pit bull fanciers out there seem to think that PETA is “against” pit bulls because we don’t oppose breed-specific measures to address what is obviously a breed-specific crisis. Au contraire. If someone proposed a ban on breeding Labrador retrievers or Chihuahuas or poodles (you get the picture—any dog), we’d be for those too. That’s because we don’t think any dogs should be brought into the world as long as millions are dying for lack of homes in animal shelters and on the streets every year.
Millions, people. Millions of dogs just like the ones you share your homes with have to be euthanized because too many people fail to spay and neuter their animals and choose to buy from breeders and pet stores instead of saving lives by adopting from animal shelters. Wouldn’t we be derelict in our duty if we didn’t support laws that would alleviate suffering and reduce those numbers? If those laws saved just one animal from suffering a miserable life or a painful death, wouldn’t they be worth it?
Pit bulls are often singled out by legislators because they are involved in so many attacks on humans and other dogs—as well as horrific cruelty cases. Our fieldworkers know firsthand just how frequently and mercilessly pit bulls are abused. These dogs are hands-down the most common victims of heartbreaking abuse and severe neglect that our caseworkers encounter.
I’m going to warn you—the following pictures, which were taken by our caseworkers of pit bulls they have helped, are graphic and disturbing. But I hope you’ll steel yourself to look at them and decide for yourself whether or not these suffering dogs would have been better off if they had never been born:
PETA fieldworkers found him cowering in his doghouse with a gaping wound on one of his legs, exposing muscle and bone. His face was swollen to the size of a melon because of infected wounds that he had suffered during a dogfight.
Our vet determined that Zoo was 20 to 30 pounds underweight. Zoo tested negative for intestinal parasites—meaning that his emaciated body condition was because of starvation. He was also filthy, flea-ridden, and heartworm positive. We charged his callous owners with cruelty to animals. They pleaded not guilty in court, but the judge saw through their lies and convicted them. They were sentenced to 30 days in jail (suspended) and forced to pay fines of $250 each as well as restitution for Zoo’s veterinary bill.
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
35 days ago
1
Anyone that judge’s Pitbull’s by there reputation,by their breed instead of the character and temperament is like judging a human on appearance alone. A fascist..A puppet of hate, following as mass belief, fueled by fear. It show’s the depth of how ignorance,fear and intolerance toward people,animal’s,and new idea’s lead to judgement of the innocent,violence and meaningless war. I believe were a product of our environment,whether it be a child or a pitbull, Love can be taught and so can hate. After today and seeing all of the discrimination of Pitbull’s im inclined to get involved with PETA. Very disheartening to see someone hate something i love so much.
PETA’S OPINION- Here at peta2, we receive lots of questions on how we feel about pit bulls and breed-specific legislation. To help clear up any confusion, here is our official position, reposted from PETA, on pit bulls: We’re for ‘em.
475 days ago
1
I am a responsible pit bull owner. Both of my dogs are fixed, loved, and well taken care of. My dogs are affectionate, tolerant and excellent with children. Why should a breed be banned because of irresponsible owners? My dogs have never been mean or aggressive. Maybe we should make an effort to punish the owners responsible rather than the dogs, as they are the true victims.
562 days ago
1
That is so true, people need to adopt instead of trying to buy designer dogs. Too many animals die because of people who are trying to make easy money, and abuse animals. I love an adore my three pups Hakuna, Matata and R2 if i had more space id adopt more.
693 days ago
1
We would not be having this problem if laws and punishments were tougher. If the owners of these poor sweet dogs were treated the way they treat there animals, then maybe they might learn something. If that dosent work theres always the death penalty. And dont give me that crap about a peson life being worth more then a dogs. I as far as I can see anyone who would do this dose not deserve the space they waste or the air they breath.
786 days ago
1
You may as well ban all dogs then. I love my pitbull. I treat her as if she was my child. Pit Bulls are not the problem. People are the problem. Certain people should not own pitbulls. Don’t ban the breed. Ban the people who obviously don’t know how to treat animals from having pets.
697 days ago
1
Amen 2 that!
1182 days ago
1
what happened to these dogs? were they taken from their homes and helped? were the owners punished for neglect and abuse?
1188 days ago
1
Oh, that is horrible, I hate the fact that this cans happen. What you are doing to help these animals is just beautiful.
1247 days ago
1
People did that to those poor animals so people should be punished!!!!!!! Not a BREED!!!!!
1247 days ago
1
People did that to those poor animals so people should be punished!!!!!!! Not a BREED!!!!!
1395 days ago
1
I just want to scoop those poor dogs up in my arms and hug their pain away.
(
Although, because of the way they’ve been mis-treated, they’d probably be so scared of even a kind gesture such as this
1396 days ago
1
Those poor, sweet dogs…I hope that people eveywhere will wake up and stop making dogs fight each other. They suffer because of it.
1398 days ago
1
I Cannot Believe That People Can Be So Cruel And Heartless… Sometimes I Am Ashamed To Be A Human Being Because Of Horrible Individuals Like That!!!
1399 days ago
1
all i have to sayy is oh my god
i seriously speechless it breaks my heart that someone would do this to an innocent animal
1399 days ago
1
Those poor dogs! It makes me sick to see them in this condition. I’ve done my research and lots of gang members do this kind of stuff to make money. How sad.
1399 days ago
1
This is really sad and I hope people in the future will treat these beutiful animals with the respect they DESERVE!!!
1399 days ago
1
tht is soo sad. i cant belive anyone would do this to a poor little animal!! what a monster!!
1400 days ago
1
OMFG that is sooo SAD!!!