The Dark Side of Animal Rescue
The terms “Shelter dog” and “Rescue dog” are often used interchangeably, but there are meaningful differences between a dog at a shelter and one at a rescue. Dogs at shelters, even no-kill shelters, are the property of the county and may be euthanized for space, behavior, or medical reasons.
Dogs that are “pulled” from shelters by rescues become the property of the rescue. These rescues typically have very strict zero-euthanasia policies except in the most extreme situations.
Animal rescues are private organizations, like the Humane Society, that are funded primarily by private grants and public donations, which they use to save and adopt out homeless dogs.
Any given area in the United States likely has several private rescue organizations. Breed-specific rescue organizations as well as organizations that rescue dogs from particular situations sometimes transport dogs across the country or even across the world to save them and find them good homes.
Unfortunately, there is a dark side of animal rescue. Animal rescues, while they strive to save as many dogs as possible, are bound by the laws of supply and demand.
Most are dependent on foster homes to house dogs. The less adoptable and more difficult to handle the dog is, the harder it is to find a foster or adopter. Rescues must be very careful in the dogs that they take on so they don’t become over-burdened with difficult-to-adopt dogs.
The logical consequence of this reality is that private animal rescues pull not the dogs that may be most at risk of euthanasia, but the dogs that they are most likely to be able to rehome, leaving room for them to save another.
Unfortunately for Pitbulls, this breed is not considered highly desirable either to be placed in foster homes or to be adopted by the public. Pitbull rescues are unfortunately few and far between and most are constantly bombarded with requests to save dogs, so they can make very little dent in the number of Pitbulls that end up being euthanized.
Since genetic testing is not practical for most shelter dogs, a dog’s breed is determined by a dog’s appearance in the absence of any kind of history about the dog. Self-identified dog experts like shelter staff and veterinarians are extremely poor at correctly identifying dog breeds.
Breed identification for a given dog was labeled correct if a breed containing at least 25% of a dog’s genetic makeup was selected. 5,922 respondents representing all US states and territories completed the survey.
Many dogs are identified as Pitbulls, even if they aren’t. On the other hand, many dogs with Pit Bull genetics are misidentified as other breeds.
You probably wouldn’t guess that this dog is mostly a Pitbull. (The American Pitbull Terrier is not recognized by the AKC, so the breed that is closest to it, the American Staffordshire Terrier, is what shows up on genetic tests.)
Despite being over 62% Pit, this dog would be one of the first adopted from shelters by people who, “don’t want a Pitbull.” On the other hand, another dog with the same percentage of Pitbull could easily be passed over for, “looking like a Pitbull,” especially if it was mixed with a large breed like a Labrador.
The American Pitbull Terrier was originally bred to fight animals and other dogs in a ring. As the breed developed, they also became favorites of ranchers and farmers to catch feral hogs and cattle, hunt, drive livestock, and be companions to their family. Despite the diverse roles of the Pitbull, their history of dogfighting still influences the breed today.
According to the United Kennel Club, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a strong, confident dog with a great zest for life. They are enthusiastic and highly trainable. They are great family dogs and exceptionally noted for loving children. Aggression towards humans is uncharacteristic and results in removing dogs from the breed pool.
However, the Kennel Club also notes that most American Pitbull terriers display some degree of dog aggression. This characteristic, combined with a powerful, muscular body and athleticism, means that they aren’t right for every owner.
This is a breed that must be well socialized, trained, and handled. Because they are so athletic, they are very adept at climbing fences, so they are not typically safely contained in a fenced yard.
The AKC recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier, not the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Am Staff is very similar in appearance and history to the American Pitbull Terrier, and generally grouped under the same label of Pit Bull.
The AKC warns new American Staffordshire owners that puppies and young adults must be heavily socialized with other dogs in controlled environments and that the breed should never be left alone with other dogs. They warned that even in the most well-socialized American Staffordshire Terriers, dog aggression can develop.
The ASPCA draws a connection between the breed’s history and its current behavior in their position statement on Pit bulls. All dogs were developed to do different jobs, such as pointers to point and herders to herd.
Pit Bulls were descended from dogs bred to bite and hold onto bears, bulls, and other large animals. When this practice was outlawed, the dogs were bred to fight each other instead.
Since Pit Bulls were bred for many years for their fighting ability, it should not come as a surprise that they may be dog aggressive. The ASPCA clarifies that just because the breed shows a tendency towards dog aggression does not make them more likely to be aggressive towards people.
In fact, Pit Bulls tend to be less aggressive towards people than many other breeds, as any level of human aggression would be very dangerous to handlers of fighting dogs.
Does this breed history mean that a given dog in a shelter that is labeled a Pit Bull will display dog aggression? No. But it does mean that dogs that are actually Pitbulls may be more likely than other breeds to display dog aggression, especially if their near ancestors were bred for fighting.
The further a dog’s ancestry is from dogfighting, the less likely they will be to show dog aggression. Unfortunately, dog fighting is terribly common.
While it is hard to know just how much dogfighting is going on since it is illegal, estimates place the number of people participating in dogfighting in the United States as being in the tens of thousands. It seemed to decline in the 1990s, but law enforcement and Animal Control believes that it is rebounding.
Fighting dogs on the streets is a common component of urban crime. Online communication makes it easy for dogfighters to organize fights, maintain genetic records, and get equipment.
An industry that doesn’t respect or value animal life has no problem tossing out dogs as soon as they are no longer useful. Breeding dogs are often housed outside on chains, where females in heat are mated by any passing dog, resulting in countless accidental mixed breed litters.
This means that a dog in a shelter may have come from fighting parents or at least one fighting parent, even if they have never been fought. Some Pit Bulls in shelters are fightings dogs that were injured, refused to fight, or otherwise lost their usefulness to their owners. Some of these dogs will show dog aggression and some won’t.
When I walk a Pitbull from my local shelter downtown, I get strong reactions. Some people happily squeal and kiss the dog’s big head, usually while pulling out their phone to show me pictures of their Pibbles like a proud grandparent.
On the other hand, I’ve gone so far as to pick up a friendly Pitbull so a terrified pedestrian felt safe enough to walk by. It’s hard to just go for a walk with a Pitbull. Positive or negative, people have opinions about Pibbles.
Public opinion is rarely a wealth of accurate information, but when it comes to Pitbulls, people really get it wrong. Here are some misconceptions about Pit Bulls that lead to reduced adoption rates.
According to the American Temperament Test Society, Pitbulls passed 82% of the time, as opposed to only 77% of the general population of dogs. These results prove what most Pitbull owners already know: that Pibbles are generally very human-friendly and have steady temperaments.
APBTs may be more likely to show dog aggression, but they are actually very unlikely to show human aggression. Not only does human aggression go against the breed standard, but dogs who show human aggression are dangerous in the fighting ring and are culled.
While it may be possible for Pitbulls to be safe with other dogs, and many Pitbulls live happily all their lives being left alone periodically with other dogs, the Pitbull breed was developed to attack other dogs and large animals, and this instinct is still in the breed.
A Pit Bull that will fight another dog if unattended is a normal Pit Bull. Even if a Pit Bull does not start the fight, it has the potential to seriously injure or kill a dog once in the fight.
Many Pitbulls are turned into shelters and euthanized every year because they display normal behavior for the breed and are handled incorrectly by being left alone with another dog.
All dogs show some changes in personality as they mature, and for many dogs, maturity is when breed-related instincts and behaviors become strongest.
Pit Bulls have a late maturity, and a Pit Bull that was dog friendly at 7 months old may suddenly show signs of intolerance of unfamiliar dogs around two years old. Spaying and neutering the dog may help to prevent “turning on” the genetic urge to fight another dog.
Stories of maturing Pit bulls showing sudden and devastating aggression towards other dogs or pets are all too common and are likely at the base of the misconception that Pitbulls are unpredictable. Sudden aggression at maturity is, in fact, perfectly predictable for the APBT.
A Pit bull’s bite strength corresponds to jaw size, just like every other breed. Both Rottweilers and German Shepherds have stronger bite strengths than Pitbulls. Pit bulls can’t lock their jaws, although holding a bite is a breed characteristic.
It’s the breed. Great socialization with other dogs and animals may result in a well-socialized Pitbull, but it won’t guarantee a dog that won’t fight. Many people get a Pitbull puppy thinking they can curtail any breed-related problems, then surrender the dog in a few years when breed characteristics come out.
It is actually much better to choose a mature dog with desirable traits since those traits are likely to persist. A five-year-old Pitbull who is friendly with other dogs is likely to remain that way.
What Can We Do to Help Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas in Shelters ?
Chihuahuas are too often misunderstood by their owners and potential adopters. This breed isn’t right for everyone, but for an owner who understands their unique behavior and admires their vivacious personalities, they can be incredible pets.
The fact that they are deeply loyal and brave enough to risk their lives to defend their family makes it even more heartbreaking to think of them abandoned and alone at shelters.
Pitbulls are among the most even-tempered, human-loving dog breeds, especially noted for their affection towards children. Many have some of the hardest lives of any dog:
Treat Every Shelter Dog as an Individual That has Gone Through Trauma
Losing your family, even a not-so-good family, is traumatic for any dog, but for deeply loyal, loving breeds like Pitbulls and Chihuahuas, it can be even harder. Pitbulls often become highly frustrated in the confinement of a shelter, which can lead to behavior and vocalizations that look like aggression. Chihuahuas often shut down when separated from their loved ones, shivering in a corner and refusing to interact.
When you’re considering a dog to adopt, foster, or volunteer with, keep in mind that you’re seeing a dog on one of their worse days. Go slowly, be patient, bring yummy treats, and let each dog reveal their unique personality, regardless of their breed, size, or anything else.
Why are Valley animal shelters full of so many pit bull mixes?
It pains us to say that pit bulls are “by far the most euthanized breed” in shelters, as reported by the Save-a-Bull Rescue. While studies vary, according to Arm The Animals, “[e]ach year, 1.2 million dogs are euthanized, [with] approximately 40% of whom are Pit Bulls.” Save-a-Bull Rescue also noted in 2015 that “[a]bout 75% of municipal shelters euthanize pit bulls immediately upon intake,” meaning that these dogs weren’t even granted the opportunity to find a forever family.
Arm The Animals has surmised that pit bulls are put down more than any other breed due to the following factors:
Kennel to Couch reported that over the years pit bull breeding rates have gone up, with approximately “3 to 5 million Pit Bulls in the United States.” Because shelters have limited resources, the overbreeding of pits directly impacts their euthanasia rates.
It is unsurprising to any pit bull advocate that negative stereotypes surrounding these dogs have devastating outcomes.
According to a study done by Arizona State University, the stigma surrounding the term “pit bull” is so intense, that even just referring to a dog as a pit may prolong the process of them finding a home.
“We were surprised how very similar-looking dogs sometimes get labeled ‘pit bull’ and other times as something completely different. These dogs may look and act the same, but the pit bull label damns them to a much longer wait to adoption,” wrote Lisa Gunter, the lead author of the study.
Various cities across the nation adhere to breed specific legislation or BSL. The Stand Up For Pits Foundation notes that this type of legislation “bans and/or restricts ‘types’ of dogs based on their appearance.” According to the ASPCA, BSL is implemented “in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals” but “[t]here is no evidence that breed-specific laws make communities safer for people or companion animals.”
BSL does, however, sometimes force people who are living in cities that ban certain breeds to give up their canine companion. These displaced dogs may spend the rest of their lives at a shelter, where they may eventually be euthanized.
So you may be wondering how you can help. Well, if you are in the market for a dog, we highly recommend adopting or fostering a pit bull. They are wonderful companions and have the most beautiful smiles.
If neither adoption nor fostering is feasible, we encourage you to take the time to be a vocal pit bull advocate on social media and in your everyday life.