This website was created to counter the ever growing number of sources of mis-information about the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier (commonly referred to as "pit bulls.")  Unlike the overwhelming majority of websites based on myths and hype, the information found on this website is backed up with sources and statistics.  Knowledge is power, and truth is powerful.  Please be aware of your rights, and know that you can fight for your dog.  ~ Jodi Preis, Bless the Bullys

	In fact, since passing its pit bull ban in May 2005 the homocide rate in  Denver, Colorado has gone up in 45 of 72 Denver neighborhoods.   Further, the sexual assault rate has gone up in 49 of those same 72 neighborhoods.  (Source: Rocky Mountain News) Prince George's County, Maryland has had a pit bull ban in place for almost a decade, however their violent crime rate continues to increase.  In 2005, there were an unprecedented number of homocides and the violent crime rate increased 16%. (Source:  Prince George's County Government Crime Reduction Strategy)

	Essential Quotes     We've experienced a continuing upward trend of pit bulls impounded since 2001.  The ban hasn't ended the popularity of the pit bull breed in Denver. There are still pit bulls, apparently more every year.  Doug Kelley, Director of Animal Control - Denver, Colorado     I think it is wrong to generalize a specific breed as vicious because it is often associated with people who break the law.  In my experience, vicious dog problems are more about people than dog... Responsible dog ownership addresses the problem far more effectively than picking on a breed.  Dr. Shawn Webster (Ohio State Representative and veterinarian) addressing members of the Ohio House Agriculture Committee on May 18, 2005.   [E]very dog is capable of attacking someone... People train [dogs] to fight and attack like in a cock fight. People should treat them with respect and give them some love and affection and kids like me would not get attacked.  Ryan Armstrong, courageous 7 year old victim of a dog attack and namesake of Ryan's Law.  (*To learn more about Ryan's Law, an exceptional non-breed specific dangerous dog law, please click here).     If you ban pit bulls, I promise another breed will come along as the breed of choice.   Dr. Todd Towell, President of the Colorado Veterinarian and Medical Association, addressing the Senate's Local Government Committee, January 25, 2006.    We need to come up with something that takes care of vicious animals, not breeds.  Councilwoman Karen Halva, West Union, Iowa, October 18, 2005.   Having this be breed-specific makes about as much sense as me being intimidated by Commissioner (Sam) Bullock here because he's a different race," said Jason Pierce, who is white, referring to Bullock, who is black. "That's all it is, is a different breed. I don't know why we're here talking about this when we should be talking about animal cruelty and animal fighting laws."   Commissioner Jason Pierce in response to why he voted against implementing BSL in Battle Creek, Michigan on August 17, 2005.   "It's really about education. It's really about getting out there and letting people know what's responsible pet ownership. Our number one priority is education."  Jill Hatfield, Animal Services Superintendent, Fayetteville, Arkansas, October 20, 2005. Those areas across the country that have pit bull bans or regulations have found that defining and identifying pit bulls can be a subjective, expensive, and time-consuming task. Numerous breeds are mistakenly identified as pit bulls, including American bulldogs, boxers, mastiffs and many other lesser-known breeds.  Adam Goldfarb, Issues Specialist with The Humane Society of the United States, October 20, 2005.   I don't care what kind of animal you have, whether it's a pit bull or chihuahua, that owner should be responsible if it has caused damage.  Commissioner Bob Haake, in response to why he voted against BSL in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, January 14, 2006.   We had some extensive discussions about [a breed specific law] and decided because of the problems of trying to identify when you say ‘pit bull,' it's very difficult to prove in a court of law. The committee thought it should not be breed-specific. It could be a pit bull, a cocker spaniel, a chihuahua, a Rottweiler, so the ordinance opts to hold owners responsible - not breeds.  Patrick Fetherson, Director of Animal Control, Cassopolis, MI, addressing the problems associated with BSL.  Cassopolis voted against a pit bull ban.      There is no data to support the idea that a particular breed of dog is vicious, It's the owner's behavior that needs to be addressed."  Debora Bresch, legislative liaison for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals addressing the Emporia, Kansas city council

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	Numbers Don't Lie   There are approximately 52 million dogs in the United States, and as many as 4.8 million are some form of pit bull.  Toledo v. Tellings (March 2006).    As such, common sense would dictate that if breed of dog was the primary determining factor in all dog attacks, it would stand to reason that the statistics on pit bull bites would be astronomically high.  They simply are not.

	Legal Milestones  Tellings v. City of Toledo (2006) Sixth Appellate District of Ohio Court of Appeals   The Court ruled that breed specific legislation was UNCONSTITUTIONAL City of Huntsville v. Sheila Tack, et al. (2003) Supreme Court of Alabama The Court affirmed the lower courts ruling that pit bulls are not inherently dangerous.   State of Ohio v. Cowan (2004) Supreme Court of Ohio   The Court determined that the statute that penalizes owners of dangerous dogs who fail to buy liability insurance and properly confine their dogs was unconstitutional for failure to provide due process.

	~ Myth ~   Pit bulls have locking jaws and/or massive jaw strength that can be measured in terms of pounds per square inch (PSI).     Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin, Ph.D as well as other experts, testified that pit bulls do not have locking jaws.  Based on actual dog dissections and measurements of their skulls, the evidence demonstrated that pit bull jaw muscles and bone structure are the same as other similarly sized dogs.    No evidence was presented to demonstrate that a pit bull’s bite is any stronger than other dogs of its size and build.    Dr. Brisbin testified that contrary to information relied upon and perpetuated by earlier case law and law review articles, assertions that a pit bull can bite with a “force of 2,000 pounds per square inch” have absolutely no basis in fact or scientific proof.  The testing of dog bite strength has never been done and would be difficult, if not impossible, to perform.   Toledo v. Tellings, 2006 WL 513946 (Ohio App. 6 Dist), March 2006   (Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist with Savanna River Ecology Laboratory and University of South Carolina professor; Expert in behavior, training and handling of pit bull terriers and their anatomy)     ~ Myth ~   Pit bulls have a stronger bite than other large dog breeds.   There is no scientific evidence showing pit bulls to have a stronger bite than other large dog breeds.  In fact, when Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic (Dangerous Encounters: Bite Force, 8/18/2005) measured the bite forces of three dog breeds (Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog and American Pit Bull Terrier) using a computerized bite sleeve, the American Pit Bull Terrier generated the least amount of pressure out of the 3 dogs tested.

	Pit bulls in the Spotlight HSUS Spring 2006 Newsletter   Breed bans have been shown to be ineffective and cost prohibitive and have little or no positive impact on public health and safety.    Communities considering breed specific legislation can trace dog problems directly to three (3) factors: lack of aggresive, government-subsidized spay/neuter programs targeting low-income residents; no humane education programs; and need for better enforcement of existing animal ordinances. Source:  Humane Association of the United States

	The UNconstitutionally of BSL pursuant to the March 2006 ruling in Toledo v. Tellings*   Click here   *Please note, the City of Toledo has appealed the Appelate Court's ruling to the Supreme Court of Ohio.  As such, the Appellate Court's decision is stayed.

	Temperament Test Results   The American Temperament Test Society conducts tests every year on thousands of dogs to determine the soundness of their temperament.  The American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier routinely and consistently rank in the average range, and well above many "popular" breeds such as the beagle, collie, doberman pinscher, cocker spaniel and great dane.  (Source:  American Temperament Test Society)       Alfons Estelt of the American Temperament Test Society, Inc., stated the following with respect to pit bulls: "The American Pit Bull Terriers participating in our temperament evaluation have thus far shown a passing rate of 95%. The other 121 breeds of dogs in our tests showed the average passing rate of 77%"

	Organizations Against BSL Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) National Animal Control Association (NACA) American Humane American Kennel Club (AKC) National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) American Dog Owners Association (ADOA) National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) International Assocation of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) American Working Dog Federation (AWDF) National Animal Interest Aliance Australian National Kennel Council American Kennel Club Canadian Kennel Club Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Wilmington Kennel Club Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Ottowa Humane Society Nova Scotia SPCA International Association of Animal Behavior American Animal Hospital Association Colorado Federal of Animal Welfare Agencies Animal Sheltering Wisconsin Federated Human Societies Ontario Veterinary Medical Association World Small Animal Veterinary Association Metropolitan Washington Council of Government The College of Veterinarians of Ontario

~ RECAP ~ 2004 NAIA Dangerous Dog Conference   NAIA recognizes that efforts to reduce dog bites fail because citizens, lawmakers and humane groups tend to emphasize laws and policies that restrict dog ownership rather than penalize irresponsible dog owners.    Speaker Robert Gloster, M.D., FACEP, stated, "When communities confront the problem of dangerous dogs, they often depend heavily on outdated lists of dog related deaths that put pit bulls and rottweilers at the top."   A dangerous dog is only a symptom of the real problem:  irresponsible owners that don't understand dog behavior and cruel and criminal owners who damage dogs and make them dangerous.  ...breed specific legislation is an inappropriate response to what is an issue of irresponsible ownership.  Jane Berkey, President, Animal Farm Foundation.    While [BSL] addresses a legislators immediate political emergency, it creates in the public a false sense of security and diverts needed resources from real solutions.  It has a devasating effect upon innocent owners and dogs, as well as the agencies left to cope with the flood of "cast offs."  Jane Berkey   Breed specific laws create challenges for shelter managers.  We can be overwhelmed by BSL.  Andy Mahlman, Manager, SPCA Cincinnati   We prosecute people not dogs.  Often dogs categorized as "vicious" or "dangerous" are just acting like dogs.  Pam Sears, Hamilton County Ohio prosecutor.   Animal control is a band-aid.  Education is important to prevention.  Nancy Hill, Director, Spokane Washington Animal Control   The dangerous dog problem is a result of irresponsible owners, the popularity of powerful breeds and inadequate laws to address dangerous or vicious dogs.  Nancy Hill   Conclusions of the Seminar   1.  The problems caused by dangerous dogs in the community must be identified before they can be resolved.   2.  Responsible dog owners are part of any solution and should be recognized for their contributions to the community.   3.  The media is an important part of every solution because [the media] can either drive the hysteria or highlight problems and potential solutions.   4.  Dog advocates must promote responsible dog ownership.   5.  When laws are proposed, dog owners must stand up and make their views known, work with legislators, and offer alternatives to BSL.   http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/NAIA_News_Summer_2005.pdf BSL and the Cost to Taxpayers   1.  Cost of additional animal control offers to enforce the ban or restrictions.  **Remember, most cities do not have sufficient animal control departments to enforce leash laws, which if enforced would reduce many of the problems that lead to bite incidents.   2.  Kennelling.   3.  Veterinary care of the animals.  (Ho