Pitbull and other dog breeds that are considered dangerous have been discussed for years both in Turkey and around the world. Is it a coincidence that pit bulls are mentioned with attacks? At this point, it is necessary to look at the history of people's relationship with dogs.
When people settled down, they started to keep the tame ones close and the wild ones away from the various types of wolves that approached them. Dogs evolved from a now extinct species of tame wolves. They created hybrid races by choosing the ones who did the job that people wanted to benefit from the features of these animals and by breeding them. Each dog breed was developed to do a certain job, to meet a certain need of people. This is what we call human-made selection, not natural selection. For example, guarding the flock, finding and returning the hunted bird, pulling a sled or simply being a decoration around people.
Why might humans have bred the Pitbull breed?
It was something particularly common in England before 1835. In England and Ireland it was called "Bull Baiting". What they did was: constantly frightening a fixed bull with several dogs. Pitbull-style dogs were designed in it. The characteristics of these dogs are that their legs are short, their bodies are thick and they are locked where they bite. Today, Pitbull's waving reflex and biting method come from there.
The new breed created by crossing Pitbull breeds and terrier breeds is called “Bull Terrier”. During the colonial migrations between America and England , Stat Bull Sheet Terriers are taken and brought to America. Later, the breed is slightly revised in America. Thus, a breed that we call the American Pitbull Terrier slowly begins to emerge. Afterwards, this breed is taken under protection by its lovers. The selection between the American Staff Bull Sheet Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier is revealed by the selection of non-aggressive, non-aggressive, more bony, bulky and heavy dogs. The story that started with this Bull Terrier has now come to its most miniature form with the American Bull.
Is a dog dangerous just because of its breed?
There is no data on this in Turkey. But according to a study conducted in England, only 3% of experts say that the dog's aggression towards people is related to its breed.
As the breed becomes more popular, so does the margin for error, and serious injuries and deaths occur. In the 1970s, these events were caused by Dobermans. It was very popular with the name "Devil Dog" and was banned. The same story with these Pitbulls was happening with Dobermans. It was later understood that this incident had nothing to do with the Dobermans, but after the 1990s, the Rotvaydırs' names began to appear in these events. Pitbull joined this medium in the 2000s.
When headlines such as "run away from this dog" and "this dog is dangerous" were started in the news, Pitbulls' right to self-defense was taken away due to the biased behavior of the media. They began to be treated as "drunk drivers" all the time.
It is the people who cause the prohibition of races and the characterization of them as dangerous. No dog breed does certain things knowingly or willingly. It all depends on the owner's upbringing.
Is banning potentially dangerous breeds a solution?
Dogs that are determined as dangerous breeds according to the law should be sterilized and microchipped. Fines will be imposed on those who do not follow the rules, their dogs will be confiscated and taken to shelters, but statistics in England show that despite the law, dog attacks have not decreased or even increased. Experts say the law has led people to misconception that all dogs other than prohibited breeds are safe.
Does the ban bring a solution?
According to experts, the most important point is to raise the awareness of the society about the responsibility of owning a dog. Thus, it can be ensured that the dog can meet the needs arising from its breed and lead a docile life. It could also be a solution to give a license to strong, large dogs that are considered dangerous and people who own them.
The characterization of only certain breeds as dangerous instead of understanding the nature of all dogs brings with it new risks. Efforts to regulate the relations between dogs and people continue in Turkey as in the rest of the world.