See No Evil

Do we have a problem in our society today about pit bulls? Yes. Do we try to resolve those issues through legislation? Yes. Are we making any progress by passing BSL restrictions or bans? No. Have we found another solution? No. Why do we have such a hard time dealing with this? My answer: ignorance.

Photo Credit: Purr Photography

Too often, people jump to conclusions. And very often, those conclusions are wrong. Many of us have heard the expression uttered many times, “It’s not the dog, it’s the owner”. Apparently the right people haven’t heard it. Or are they choosing to ignore it? Who knows. Personally, I don’t care on that one. I’m tired. I’m angry.

Over and over, stories abound about pit bulls; people claiming the breed bites, attacks, or is downright vicious. News stories abound of dog attacks, seemingly always involving pit bulls. Shelters and rescues hesitate taking on bully breeds, for all the complications involved. Towns, counties, states enact laws banning the breed, or restricting ownership of one to such a degree it’s practically impossible to follow the law and keep your dog.

In places where legislation is in force, bites and attacks do not decrease. If anything, they mysteriously see an increase in the number reported. Laws that don’t work, or worse yet – do more harm than good – are not the answer. The barbaric, inane practice of dog fighting continues. The adrenaline, the machismo, the money, drugs, crime – all combine for a lethal yet irresistible cocktail for too many. It might as well be heroine. We have yet to find a way to successfully eradicate – or even control – that underworld.

Pit bulls are no different than any other dog. You can take any breed of dog and turn it into a vicious, biting, attacking, over-reactive menace. I was recently having a conversation with Hilary, of Fang Shui Canines, remembering a time not so long ago when people were afraid of German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Doberman Pincers. Funny how you never hear about them anymore.

Why? Simple, really. Impressions. Illusions. Misinformed or misleading media. If we are bombarded with stories about a certain breed, how can we not begin to extrapolate from that? It’s a reaction of natural human behavior. A story about a German Shepherd biting a neighbor, or a Rottweiler attacking a loose dog – doesn’t make the news. Those in the media choose which stories to report, and “pit bull” is a weighted term these days. Great for ratings, maybe even for the sensationalism aspect. The lack of accountability among our modern-day media is appalling. And can have far-reaching affects.

So what is the answer? I am of the strong opinion that it is lifting the veil of secrecy, allowing the truth to lie naked in the open for all to see. And for all to open their eyes and see it. There is a common thread through much of society; one that ultimately ranks, as far as I’m concerned, as the number one reason we have a problem with pit bulls today. The ignorance, the lack of knowledge or desire to deal with reality, constitutes the basis of the issue. How many times do you hear someone say, “Oh, I can’t look at that, it’s too horrible”, or “I won’t read about that, it’s too upsetting”? As long as a person covers their eyes and ears, they will not learn the truth. They will, unintentionally, only follow blindly the underlying messages that are not-so-subtly included in our popular media and their choice of reports.

Until people open their eyes, watch the horrific videos of dog fighting or inhumane, abusive treatment of dogs, see the photos and images that display the reality of what provokes some of these dogs to the point that ranks them as “vicious” – nothing will change. We may play around with the laws, tweaking or amending or broadening…but that won’t change a thing. People will still believe the untruths.

Last night on Facebook, Patrick’s Law posted a link to an article about a man abusing a dog (pit bull) in an elevator. The article includes a video. As we all usually do, Patrick’s Law warned the video is graphic, and suggested their readers not necessarily watch the video but pleaded to read the article. It hit me. Why do we lower ourselves to the least common denominator? We are people who crusade for animals. Why pussyfoot around about a subject that, while disturbing, is an all-too-common reality for too many animals?

So I pass on this link to you – and instead of the usual, I now say – Watch the #$@% video!!!

 
Has anyone ever considered, one moment of discomfort while viewing a photo or watching a video of animal abuse is nothing – not even a drop in the bucket – compared to what these animals must experience, over and over, at the hands of humans they cannot escape from? How selfish have we become??

It’s far beyond time we got sensible. So I propose to you: encourage people to open their eyes and see what really happens, to open their ears and hear the stories of suffering, and to open their minds to what many have been saying all along – it’s not the dog, it’s the owner.