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Tug Gettling DIRECTOR, NORTH UTAH VALLEY ANIMAL SERVICES The topic of pit bulls has been a controversial one since the early eighties. If pit bulls were just like any other breed of dog there would be no controversy; however, they are not. Pit bulls are exceptional dogs. At a root level the controversy stems from the debate between two schools of thought. On one side of the coin are those people who have read and re-read story after story in the media regarding pit bulls attacks, some with fatal consequences. In general they feel that for the benefit of all mankind pit bulls should become extinct. On the other side of the coin are the pit bull owners and supporters who have found that pit bulls are stable, friendly companions. They believe firmly in their right to own a pit bull, or any breed of dog for that matter. This is where the analogy to gun ownership comes into play.
Gun ownership is also a hotly contested topic. On one hand are those who believe that guns have been the cause of so much death and heartache that guns should be completely banned. On the other hand you will find those who support gun ownership and firmly believe it is their right to keep and bear arms. The analogy is evident. There is one point of agreement among those on both sides of the pit bull debate, and that is that lack of owner responsibility and/or ignorance has been the primary source of the debate. If, throughout history, every pit bull owner was educated and informed and acted responsibly there would be no need for a debate -- the pit bull dilemma would not exist. It stands without dispute that the American Pit bull Terrier has been the means of death for people across the country. However, we must keep in mind that the pit bull in these instances was the gun and not the finger that pulled the trigger. Handguns in and of themselves are harmless. It is the action or inaction of those in possession of the handgun that cause the harm, and so it is with the pit bull. The owner bears the full accountability. Another undisputed fact is the physical ability of the pit bull as a breed. They have been rated by many as pound-for-pound the strongest dog on the planet. Additionally, as with most terriers, they are a very tenacious breed. Those two attributes alone call for a higher level of owner responsibility. The marriage of an extremely physically capable and tenacious dog to an ignorant and irresponsible owner is what leads to tragic and traumatic events. In conclusion, I want to be clear that I have no agenda for or against the American Pit bull Terrier. I am not a part of a cause to assure that pit bulls are only viewed in the best possible light, nor am I on a crusade to eliminate them from the face of the Earth. However, I believe that it would be foolish of me to promote the ideology that owning a pit bull simply requires the same level of responsibility as owning any other dog. Their physical abilities coupled with their tenacity require extra precaution. I have owned and worked with pit bulls on a professional level for many years. They possess characteristics and qualities that I will always admire. Nevertheless, I will continuously promote education and information that has a protective value for our families and communities. So is the pit bull a ticking time bomb or a trusted friend? It all depends on who the owner is.
• Tug Gettling is the director of North Utah Valley Animal Services |
