"Pit bulls might be the most popular dog breed in Oakland, but where did they come from? Why are there so many? How did they get such a bad reputation?"--Lilah Aparton, 6th grade
Pit bulls might be the most popular dog breed in Oakland, but where did they come from? Why are there so many? How did they get such a bad reputation?
During the 1700's, Pit bulls were used in the vicious sport of bull baiting, where dogs were trained to attack wild animals that were chained to a post. But prior to this, Pit bulls were bred as family dogs, or even guard dogs with no intention of harming anyone. Pit bulls were brought to the US from England around 1845 according to BADRAP . They were eventually recognized as the “American Pit bull terrier” in 1898. As they are a combination of terrier and bulldog. Shortly after, they were brought to Oakland. But because of this history of fighting, people often assume these dogs are dangerous, with killing simply in their genes
Pit bulls are responsible for 68% of dog attacks, but keep in mind not all Pit bulls are aggressive. That 68% of Pit bulls were either mistreated or improperly trained, according to Time magazine . In 2022, Oakland Animal Services (OAS) took in 2,852 Pit bulls, and about 5.5% were euthanized. Most of which, sadly being Pit bulls. But their lack of adoptions is based purely on their reputation. The Pit Bulls at OAS are kind, loving, and affectionate.
According to The American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “The vast majority of Pit bull type dogs in our communities today are the result of random breeding—two dogs being mated without regard to the behavioral traits being passed on to their offspring. The result of random breeding is a population of dogs with a wide range of behavioral predispositions. For this reason it is important to evaluate and treat each dog, no matter its breed, as an individual.” From this statement, we can conclude that Pit bulls should not be categorized or put in a box; they are their own individuals, and not all aggressive dogs.
According to Love a bull.org the British brought Pit bulls to California in the early 1800s. And in Oakland their popularity increased, and overbreeding began. “Unfortunately, we see a lot of irresponsible breeding happening in Oakland where people want to make a quick buck and breed their pit bulls and sell their puppies for $20-100,” says Julianne Chai, a director at Friends of Oakland Animal Services. “The people who buy them often don’t give them the proper guidance to become good canine citizens”
Today, Chai has worked with around 300-500 Pit bulls. But a decade ago, she was like most people: afraid of the powerful canines.
“When I began volunteering at the shelter, I only took out the little dogs because I was afraid of German Shepherds and Pit Bulls. I avoided them,” Chai recalls.
But that all changed with Samson, a Pit bull who arrived at the Oakland shelter in late 2017. The 85-pound pit bull had an enormous head, tan and white spots, and a pink nose, but he was dying.
Shelter officials explained that Samson had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Samson was receiving treatment, but the prognosis was very grim. The vets gave him three months to live. Chai didn’t want him to die in the shelter, so she took him into her home as a “fospice.”
But Chai couldn't resist that blocky head, and drooping jowls, so she decided to adopt him. Now, years later, Samson is still alive and healthy. And without a trace of cancer.
A solution to over-breeding is fostering Pit bulls. “Pit bulls love attention and being with people,” says Chai. Pit bulls are 20-40% of the dogs at Oakland Animal Services. But you can help lower that rate here.
During the 1700's, Pit bulls were used in the vicious sport of bull baiting, where dogs were trained to attack wild animals that were chained to a post. But prior to this, Pit bulls were bred as family dogs, or even guard dogs with no intention of harming anyone. Pit bulls were brought to the US from England around 1845 according to BADRAP . They were eventually recognized as the “American Pit bull terrier” in 1898. As they are a combination of terrier and bulldog. Shortly after, they were brought to Oakland. But because of this history of fighting, people often assume these dogs are dangerous, with killing simply in their genes
Pit bulls are responsible for 68% of dog attacks, but keep in mind not all Pit bulls are aggressive. That 68% of Pit bulls were either mistreated or improperly trained, according to Time magazine . In 2022, Oakland Animal Services (OAS) took in 2,852 Pit bulls, and about 5.5% were euthanized. Most of which, sadly being Pit bulls. But their lack of adoptions is based purely on their reputation. The Pit Bulls at OAS are kind, loving, and affectionate.
According to The American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “The vast majority of Pit bull type dogs in our communities today are the result of random breeding—two dogs being mated without regard to the behavioral traits being passed on to their offspring. The result of random breeding is a population of dogs with a wide range of behavioral predispositions. For this reason it is important to evaluate and treat each dog, no matter its breed, as an individual.” From this statement, we can conclude that Pit bulls should not be categorized or put in a box; they are their own individuals, and not all aggressive dogs.
According to Love a bull.org the British brought Pit bulls to California in the early 1800s. And in Oakland their popularity increased, and overbreeding began. “Unfortunately, we see a lot of irresponsible breeding happening in Oakland where people want to make a quick buck and breed their pit bulls and sell their puppies for $20-100,” says Julianne Chai, a director at Friends of Oakland Animal Services. “The people who buy them often don’t give them the proper guidance to become good canine citizens”
Today, Chai has worked with around 300-500 Pit bulls. But a decade ago, she was like most people: afraid of the powerful canines.
“When I began volunteering at the shelter, I only took out the little dogs because I was afraid of German Shepherds and Pit Bulls. I avoided them,” Chai recalls.
But that all changed with Samson, a Pit bull who arrived at the Oakland shelter in late 2017. The 85-pound pit bull had an enormous head, tan and white spots, and a pink nose, but he was dying.
Shelter officials explained that Samson had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Samson was receiving treatment, but the prognosis was very grim. The vets gave him three months to live. Chai didn’t want him to die in the shelter, so she took him into her home as a “fospice.”
But Chai couldn't resist that blocky head, and drooping jowls, so she decided to adopt him. Now, years later, Samson is still alive and healthy. And without a trace of cancer.
A solution to over-breeding is fostering Pit bulls. “Pit bulls love attention and being with people,” says Chai. Pit bulls are 20-40% of the dogs at Oakland Animal Services. But you can help lower that rate here.
