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Pit bulls are probably the most controversial and misunderstood canines in America. They’re topic to breed-specific laws (BSL), which exists in over 700 US cities and communities. BSL refers to legal guidelines that prohibit or ban possession of canines primarily based on breeds, significantly pit bulls, as a consequence of their popularity for being harmful and aggressive.
As soon as thought to be nice household canines, pit bulls have been featured because the lovable sidekick in The Little Rascals and even seem in US patriotism campaigns. Nonetheless, like many different canines in American historical past, pit bulls have gone by cycles of stigmatization pushed by each societal and cultural forces. Earlier than pit bulls had been demonized, the primary canine that induced the general public to panic was the Spitz — a pomeranian-like breed that’s now thought-about a “toy” canine. However again within the nineteenth century, they had been known as “venomous beasts” on the pages of the New York Instances.
So how did pit bulls go from household good friend to nationwide foe? We converse to Bronwen Dickey, the creator of the e-book Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon, who was additionally interviewed for an episode of At this time, Defined. Dickey takes us by the historical past of their popularity, explains why the time period “pit bull” is technically a misnomer, and shares how the stigma towards pit bulls impacts each canine house owners and animal welfare.
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