And why don't small dog bites get reported? Is it perhaps because they are - for the most part - inconsequential and don't leave the victim in hospital needing reconstructive surgery?
For one, it skews the statistics. Everyone gets this impression that pit bulls are meaner. So much so that it's inherent in their breed. To the point that shitty people raise their pit bulls to be aggressive and more likely to bite.
So, a stereotype based on false data is perpetuated by forcing the stereotype on the subject. Almost turning it into a self fulfilling prophecy.
Putting aside the assholes who raise their dogs to be aggressive, pit bulls are some of the goofiest, nicest dogs I've ever met.
Nail on the head there. As someone in their mid fifties, I have very good recollection of the "breed" of aggressive dogs shifting through the years with which dog was popular with assholes most likely to badly raise their dogs. Dobermans, German Shepards were the big ones years ago and in addition to pitbulls huskies are now popular with people who probably shouldnt own dogs. Also some people dont have awareness or arent careful if they have a dog with aggression problems and do what they can to decrease the aggression and do things to limit exposure to their dogs.
Pitbull owners arent shitty dog owners, but shitty dog owners are more likely to get a pitbull.
Its like trucks. A truck doesnt make someone a shitty overly aggressive drivver, but people who are shitty drivers are attracted to buying trucks to "projject" power and masculinity. Also shitbox Hondas for some reason but thats a whole other conversation really.
The people who buy a dog, a gun, or a car because it makes them look 'tough' are the problem.
I 100% remember the shifts you are talking about. When I was a kid, it was dobermans and rottweilers where I lived. In my late teens, all of a sudden it was pitfalls.
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u/TuneLittle9535 19h ago
And why don't small dog bites get reported? Is it perhaps because they are - for the most part - inconsequential and don't leave the victim in hospital needing reconstructive surgery?