What It's Really Like to Live With Pit Bulls

I have Pit Bulls. That means that I have limitations on where I can live, where I can walk my dogs without muzzles, even where I can drive with my Pits, Hudson and Falstaff. (I was stopped in Colorado once and told I could not pass through the state with my dogs. How insane is that?) But not only am I discriminated against because of my choice to own this type of dog, the dogs themselves are discriminated against, and it makes me mad!

All dogs have been discriminated against since the beginning of time. In the Bible (just to have a starting point), the term “dog” was used to describe unsavory and worthless people. Dogs were compared with swine (not that I have anything against pigs) and were considered unclean and to be avoided. I remember being skeptical of the Bible in my Evangelical youth because dogs were considered pariahs. Dogs are important to me. More important than religion or living in Colorado.

The Constitution covered human equality, but unfortunately America’s forefathers forgot to add, “Dogs are created equal, too.” But maybe none of them were dog people. If dog people had their way today, I’d guess that most would want to elevate dogs from the current position of “property” to something along the lines of “family members.”

Also See: 10 Common Misconceptions About Pit Bulls

The discrimination against my Pit Bulls started with an attempt to enroll Hudson in a doggie daycare class.

There was no mention of breed (or “type,” which is really what a Pit Bull is). But when we got there and they asked what Hudson’s make-up was and I said “Pit Bull,” we were promptly shown the door: no explanations, no concerns about our wasted time or the fact that Hudson used up about six months’ worth of energy on the way there.

We have been banned from doggie playgroups, doggie cocktail hours, stores that allow no dogs and those that allow other types and breeds of dogs, therapy events, dog parks, and dog walks. I’ve been turned away by groomers and even a veterinarian who said Pit Bulls weren‘t “trustworthy.” I doubt he was trustworthy either.

If you really want to see discrimination at work, try to rent an apartment or house with Pit Bulls — or any type of dog, really.

Several realtors in New York City turned me down flat when I mentioned pitties, so I switched that to simply “dogs” — and was turned down by several more. It’s no wonder I’ve resorted to making up a non-bully breed for Falstaff and a non-bully mix for Hudson. I’ve also learned that, if you’re going to tell the landlord you have Pit Bulls, do it late in the game when so they won’t want to go through the trouble of finding another tenant. Is that fair? Ask the Pit Bulls.

Owning a Pit Bull means being scared half the time — and not of the Pit Bull.

I started clamming up about my dogs’ origins when Falstaff was attacked by a feisty Fox Terrier. My instinct then was to run away because, though any Terrier is a fighter, I feared Falstaff would be solely to blame. I’ve made up outrageous stories to cover my dogs’ asses, like when Hudson and Falstaff got into a scuffle and Falstaff’s paw was hurt (he really is a lover, not a fighter). I told my vet that a dog came out of nowhere when we were walking and attacked Falstaff (yeah, right!). This was to avoid a possible report that Hudson had really done the damage. Some states have the three-strikes rule for human criminals; a Pit Bull doesn’t even have to do something wrong to get one strike, which often means “you’re out — for good.”

You’d think, then, that Pit Bull advocates would come to the rescue, but my foray into this arena proved that that is not always so. Continue reading this story over at Dogster >>

About the Author: Kelly Pulley is a pet writer and Dogster Magazine contributor.

Read more: Animal Rights, Dogs, Pets, Safety, pit bulls

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dottie S.

8:49PM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

STOP BEING SUCH GOD AWFUL BIG HATERS!!!!!

April 11
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Robyn B.

1:14PM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

Great article.

March 23
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Czerny A.

1:08PM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

Once you've loved and been loved by a pitbull, there's no going back. I've taken in 3 pits off the streets who are the love of my life. I lost the one in my photo last September to kidney failure after nursing her for 6 months. Two weeks ago, I pulled another pit from a shelter's euthanasia list sight unseen. He is perfect: intelligent, eager to please, clean, friendly to other dogs, no separation anxiety, quiet, and most of all, cuddly and loving. Of course, it goes without saying, he is much handsomer than Brad Pitt.

Lynn D.

2:33PM PDT on Mar 22, 2013

Sad that people are more scarey then Pit Bulls!

March 22
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katarzyna p.

6:43AM PST on Feb 21, 2013

ALL dogs have the ability to be vicious! my mam's first dog-a TOY POODLE was beyond nasty! she'd snap at you if you went anywhere close [8 or 9 feet was close!] to her if she had a chew or a toy.

i live in the uk and it's the same for staffordshire bull terriers, or sbt's or staffies. that's why i got one as a pup. he's next to me now, lazily half lying on the sofa with his back legs on the floor, snuggled up close to me and loving at every opportunity! nasty dogs have nasty owners and that's it.

as for renting, i had to choose when to get Tian and again, we had to be careful with saying what breed he was as some people would say 'no'. however, a study was done showing that labradors are more likely to bite than any other dog! that's because there's more of them, of course. i'm so glad we now have our own house; and i'm looking at getting a playmate for Tian soon

February 21
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Patricia M.

8:53PM PDT on Oct 27, 2012

Waking up face to face with love is what. Feeling a Pitbull's warmth on a cold night as he snuggles beneath your covers is feeling secure and safe for me. Watching Pitbulls have the patience of "Job" with other dogs is amazing, cause if my legs were being tugged by a young dog I certainly would not have the patience I have seen Pitbulls have...

October 27
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Danuta W.

2:01AM PDT on Oct 27, 2012

thanks for sharing

San M.

10:11AM PDT on Oct 19, 2012

I'm in love with dose dogs ever since I saw Cesar Millan's Daddy and Junior and would very much love to adopt one or more in the near future. The dog is good as his/hers (owners) family is. So, really, we need to take closer look to humans, not dogs.

October 19
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Danika S.

9:53AM PDT on Oct 19, 2012

I've never had one myself but have had friends who do and they are one of my favorite dogs. Everyone that I've known has been just a big goofy lap dog :)

Tammie C.

9:36AM PDT on Oct 16, 2012

The pitbull is just the latest dog to be discriminated against....I remember, not long ago, when it was rottweilers...to be clear, it is never a breed issue...it is Always a human issue. Be it based on irrational fear, or plain stupidity...pitbulls are not evil, they are not aggressive, they are simply dogs. My daughter has a beautiful pit, he is the biggest dork I have ever met! I personally go out of my way to comment positively when I see someone walking thier pitbull. It sometimes brings a surprised look into the owners eyes, but it lets them know they are not alone in their love of pits.