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Sgt. Stubby is currently residing at the Smithsonian. 

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Pit bulls as a breed excel as herding animals and hunting companions, and something that may not be known is that they were used as military dogs in World War I and II. A pit bull named Stubby, he was the mascot of the 102nd infantry, 26th Yankee division. His main job was to boost morale. He learned the drills and even knew how to salute along with his human soldiers. He took part in 17 battles and was even severely injured but made a full recovery. He was the first dog to receive a military rank when he attacked a German soldier mapping out the layout of the allied trenches, gaining the title Sgt. Stubby. He was deeply loved by his crew and heavily awarded for his service. Sadly this is one of the few times this breed will be seen as heroic, especially for its "aggressive" nature.

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Dinning, Rachel. “Sergeant Stubby of the First World War: The Heroic Story of America’s Most Decorated War Dog.” HistoryExtra, 29 May 2019, www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war/sergeant-stubby-richard-lanni-film-animated-war-dog-american-history/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

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K9 Hype, after graduating from the Midlothian-based police dog training group Sector K9 at Ferris ISD auditorium, in Ferris, TX.

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The hypocrisy of trained/bred aggression

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The hypocrisy of trained/bred aggression

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In recent years, US police departments have been training pit bulls to become police dogs. This not only saves the government money by avoiding overspending on pure-breed dogs but also helps to contribute to less pure breeding and the prevention of euthanizing pit bulls in shelters. Although these new k9s are performing much better than expected, they continue to face stigma in quite a confusing and hypocritical way. When asked why pit bulls are so widely feared, lots will tell you that, "pit bull attacks can cause a lot of damage due to their size, strength, and determination. Pit bulls also have an incredibly strong jaw that allows them to clamp down on their target, leading many victims of pit bull bites to say the dog would not let go." However, the same things can be said about fellow police dogs like German shepherds. They are both large, strong, naturally protective dogs, that have been bred and trained to be used in military and some police settings. So what is the negative force separating such similar breeds into heroes and villains?

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Pit Bulls face a similar media bias frequently seen when representing marginalized groups.

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Pit bull ownership has roots in the history of dog fighting, a cruel and illegal activity. While responsible pit bull owners today reject any association with dog fighting, the breed's historical connection continues to fuel negative stereotypes and perpetuate prejudice. Pit bulls have been unfairly labeled as aggressive and dangerous dogs through media portrayals and sensationalized news coverage. This negative image has often been used to reinforce stereotypes about marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, who are disproportionately represented as pit bull owners. News media often portrays pit bulls negatively, focusing on incidents involving aggressive behavior while neglecting stories of their loving and loyal nature. This biased reporting further strengthens the unfair association between pit bulls and violence. This negative image and discriminatory practices have significant consequences for both pit bulls and their owners. Pit bulls face higher euthanasia rates in shelters and are often misjudged by others. Additionally, their owners encounter prejudice and discrimination in housing, insurance, and other aspects of life.

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The hypocrisy of trained/bred aggression

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The hypocrisy of trained/bred aggression

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Revesz, Racheal. “US Police Are Saving Pit Bulls from Death Instead of Buying Pure Breeds.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 18 Oct. 2016, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-departments-adopting-pit-bull-dogs-save-money-euthanised-training-a7367821.html.

Milan, Ceasar. “Are Pit Bulls Really as Dangerous as Their Stereotype Suggests?” Edited by Benjamin H, DABL, 9 Jan. 2023, www.dabl.com/cesar-millan/cesar-911/articles/are-pit-bulls-really-dangerous-their-stereotype-suggests.

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Pitbulls & Parolees ran for 19 seasons and showcased the softer side of both the dogs and the employees. 

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In prisons, studies have shown that participation in dog training programs can reduce recidivism rates by up to 20%. This is likely since dogs provide companionship, unconditional love, and a sense of purpose, which can help ex-convicts feel more connected to society and less likely to re-offend. Dogs can also help to improve the mental health of ex-convicts. They can reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and decrease feelings of isolation. Dog-training programs can teach ex-convicts valuable skills such as obedience training, grooming, and animal care. While these skills offer opportunities for work after prison, many people hesitate to hire past criminals. However, one woman, Tia Maria Torres, owner of the pit bull shelter Villalobos Rescue Center, hires only parolees to work in her shelter. She gives people a second chance to use their learning while incarcerated. Her shelter runs a show on Animal Planet that not only sheds light on the mistreatment of pit bulls but also gives a chance for the viewer to sympathize with the parolees by showing that they are stigmatized similarly to the pit bull while being quite the opposite.

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Linder, Ann. “The Black Man’s Dog: The Social Context of Breed Specific Legislation.” ICA, 2018, law.lclark.edu/live/files/32171-25-1-third-articlepdf.

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Manning, Sue. “Champion of Underdogs Saves Pit Bulls, Parolees - Mysa.” MYSA, 26 Aug. 2009, www.mysanantonio.com/life/pets/article/champion-of-underdogs-saves-pit-bulls-parolees-857101.php.

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All of these dogs fall under the category of pit bull therefore they are unable to be insured without a hike in price.

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Have you ever heard someone say something along the lines of, "Good luck getting insurance with a dog like that" and wondered if it was true? Well yes, your homeowner's insurance company can drop you because of a dog. Two reasons your insurer might drop you are if your dog bit several people and you've filed multiple liability claims or if your dog's breed is on your insurer's list of banned dog breeds. Pit bulls are often among the dogs on this list. In fact, Pit bulls are one of three dogs blacklisted by 100% of insurance companies alongside Doberman pinschers and Rottweilers. When an insurance company says it denies pit bulls, they mean any dog that falls under the umbrella of a pit mix. This makes it extremely difficult and expensive to insure a home with one of these dogs. This is harmful to potential pit bull owners. It makes people hesitant to adopt a pit bull they might have wanted to but can’t because their insurance or landlord won’t allow it, leaving more pit bulls on the streets and in shelters.

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Leefeldt, Ed. “Dog Breeds Banned by Home Insurance Companies.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023, www.forbes.com/advisor/homeowners-insurance/banned-dog-breed-lists/.

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N/A, N/A. “Pit Bulls Saving Heroes.” American Pit Bull Foundation, 22 May 2023, apbf.dog/programs/os/.

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Operation Sidekick working to rescue PTSD suffering veterans from suicide and pit bulls from euthanization all at the same time.

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Operation Sidekick works to rescue and raise pit bulls to become PTSD service dogs. They speak about how similar pit bulls and veterans are, comparing the suicide and euthanization rates, they claim they are utilizing a discarded population to help an underserved population. These service pit bulls are trained in the following;

Nightmare alerts

Anxiety alerts

Retrieving (medication / phone / adaptive equipment)

Minimal bracing for mobility support

Operating Handicap Door Switches

Deep Pressure Therapy

This shows that with proper expulsion of energy, training, and discipline (which is something that is expected for all breeds of dogs but is often not provided for pit bulls) will knock down stereotypes. Some of the behaviors seen in people with PTSD can be harsh and out of nowhere and a breed like pit bulls being able to react positively and quickly as opposed to their assumed violent outbursts is a huge step in the right direction. This program gives the opportunity to help veterans and their families and to restore the reputation of the largely misunderstood pit bulls.