Behavioralism: Breed Discrimination

Behavioralism: Breed Discrimination

A Research Prospectus by, Sarah Olsen A Research Prospectus by, Sarah Olsen

Warning: Some Photos are Graphic

Warning: Some Photos are Graphic

Background/Introduction• Definition of Breed Discrimination: The generalization of a

specific breed of dog as either a dangerous or inherently vicious breed.

• Results: Discriminatory ordinances passed or breed-specific legislation (Includes fines, banning of dogs, and euthanizing of dogs in area.)

• Breeds most recently targeted: Those in pit bull categorization which includes but is not limited to; American Stafordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and the Stafordshire Bull Terrier.

• Discrimination based solely on appearance, individual temperament is not taken into account.

Research Question/ Hypothesis

• Question: “Is the breed and its behavior responsible for this discrimination, or, is it related more to a plethora of human behavioral factors and error?”

• Hypothesis: “If the majority of this discrimination is caused by human behavior, then it is impossible to blame a single breed in its entirety.”

Significance Statement

• The study focuses on the theories of behavioralism and how one behavior can not only have an effect on another’s behavior but can also change the morals of a group entirely.

• Through our research we hope to raise awareness and clear the tainted names of these breeds.

• The mission is to make breed-specific legislation illegal in all fifty states, a mission that is achievable through proper education and research.

• Our research will target human behavior and error to provide insight and to make the conclusion that this is a human based problem.

Point One: Breed Temperament

• As a terrier breed the pit bull is genetically designed to have a high game drive, although this does not make the breed more aggressive as a whole.

• While the beed may be more easily engaged they do not, as a whole, prove to be more aggressive than other breeds.

• Lower Saxony Study: 415 breeds deemed inherently vicious were evaluated. 95 percent displayed appropriate behaviors in various real-life situations, while only 5 percent displayed aggressive behavior considered inappropriate. Proving that a breed can not be labeled as a whole.

Sources

• Cattafi, A. (2008). Breed specific legislation: The gap in emergency preparedness provisions for household pets. Seton Hall Legis. J., Retrieved from http://heinonline.org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/sethlegj32&collection=journals&page=351

• Lane, C. (2010, May 17). Dog Bite Force: Myths, Misinterpretations and Realities | Psychology Today. Psychology Today. Retrieved May 5, 2013, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201005/dog-bite-force-myths-misinterpretations-and-realities

• Medlin, J. (2007). Pit Bull Bans and the Human Factors Affecting Canine Behavior. Depaul Law Review, 56. Retrieved May 5, 2013, from http://heinonline.org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/deplr56&collection=journals&page=1285

• Schalke, E., Ott, S., Gaertner, A., Hackbarth, H., & Mittmann, A. (2008). Is breed-specific legislation justified? study of the results of the temperament test of lower saxony. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 3(3), 97-103. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.mutex.gmu.edu/science/article/pii/S1558787807002365

• Swann, K. (2010). Irrationality unleashed: The pitfalls of breed-specific legislation. Hein Online, Retrieved from http://heinonline.org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/umkc78&collection=journals&page=839

Point Two: Myths and the Media

• Myth: The pit bull has a 2,000 pounds per square inch jaw pressure.

• False: The pit bull has an average of 235 pounds per square inch jaw pressure. The smallest out of the three other breeds tests (Rottweiler and German Shepherd)

• The Rottweiler tested the highest but still only weighed in at about 328 pounds per square inch jaw pressure.

• 2,000 pounds per square inch jaw pressure is the equivalent of an alligators bite.

Point Two Continued:Misrepresentation in the Media

• Sweetie the pit bull represents the majority of her breed.

• Her Story: Sweetie a three year old pit bull terrier was brutally attacked by four other dogs. She did not once fight back and the other dogs were completely unscathed while she was left to fight for her life.

• The media disproportionately represents these dogs. Reporting them when they can be viewed as monsters and ignoring them when they are the victims.

Sweetie Sweetie

Point Three: Owner Responsibility

• Fatal Dog Attack Humans Responsible:

• Pit bull stolen from original owner in hopes of being turned into a fighting dog. Abuse of animal took place.

• Sold to family of victim to be used for breeding.

• Both unaltered animals are tied up in a yard and are starved.

• Young boy wanders in between two chained up dogs consisting of a female in heat and an unaltered male.

• Child is fatally wounded in attack.

Point Three Continued: Owner Responsibility

• Who is to blame in the previous case?

• The attack could have been prevented with responsible ownership, (i.e. correct feeding, neutering and spaying of animals, proper supervision of animals and child, no abuse of animals, animals not being chained up)

• 100% Human behavioral error.

Conclusion

• Breed discrimination can be minimized if not stopped through proper representation of the breed in the media.

• Recognition of fact over myth.

• With responsible dog ownership.

• Recognition that dogs have individually diverse temperaments.

Test: Which of these is a Pit Bull?

Test: Which of these is a Pit Bull?

TEST ANSERS: SEE HOW YOU

DID!

TEST ANSERS: SEE HOW YOU

DID!#1-Boxer

#2-Dogue de Bordeaux#3- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog#4-Great Swiss Mountian Dog

#5- Vizsla#6- Rhodesian Ridgeback

#7- Doggo Argentino#8- Labrador Retriever

#9- Bull Mastiff#10- American Staffordshire Terrier

#11- Fila Brasileriro#12- Rottweiler

#13- Presa Canario#14- American Bulldog

#15- Cane Corso#16- AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER

#17- Patterdale Terrier#18- Olde English Bulldog#19- Catahoula Bulldog

#20- Bull Terrier#21- Black Mouth Cur#22- Alano Espanol

#23- Boerboel Mastiff#24- Co De Bou

#25- Thai Ridgeback

#1-Boxer#2-Dogue de Bordeaux

#3- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog#4-Great Swiss Mountian Dog

#5- Vizsla#6- Rhodesian Ridgeback

#7- Doggo Argentino#8- Labrador Retriever

#9- Bull Mastiff#10- American Staffordshire Terrier

#11- Fila Brasileriro#12- Rottweiler

#13- Presa Canario#14- American Bulldog

#15- Cane Corso#16- AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER

#17- Patterdale Terrier#18- Olde English Bulldog#19- Catahoula Bulldog

#20- Bull Terrier#21- Black Mouth Cur#22- Alano Espanol

#23- Boerboel Mastiff#24- Co De Bou

#25- Thai Ridgeback

DON’T BLAME THE BREED, BLAME THE

DEED.

DON’T BLAME THE BREED, BLAME THE

DEED.MOST DOG ATTACKS ARE THE RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE

AND IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP. WE SHOULD BE TARGETING THOSE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE.

THOSE WHO LET THEIR DOGS WANDER AND STARVE, THOSE WHO ABUSE AND FIGHT THEIR DOGS, THOSE

WHO DO NOT SUPERVISE. BUT WE SHOULD ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE MEDIA FOR MISREPRESENTING THE BREED. AND WE SHOULD BLAME OURSELVES FOR BELIEVING MYTHS OVER FACT.

HELP END DISCRIMINATION THROUGH EDUCATION! -PIT BULL ADVOCATE AND FORMER DISCRIMINATOR

MOST DOG ATTACKS ARE THE RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE AND IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP. WE SHOULD

BE TARGETING THOSE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE. THOSE WHO LET THEIR DOGS WANDER AND STARVE, THOSE WHO ABUSE AND FIGHT THEIR DOGS, THOSE

WHO DO NOT SUPERVISE. BUT WE SHOULD ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE MEDIA FOR MISREPRESENTING THE BREED. AND WE SHOULD BLAME OURSELVES FOR BELIEVING MYTHS OVER FACT.

HELP END DISCRIMINATION THROUGH EDUCATION! -PIT BULL ADVOCATE AND FORMER DISCRIMINATOR