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National Pit Bull Awareness Day was established in 2007 as a nationwide effort to bring positive awareness and attention to the Pit Bulls and their responsible owners.
Pit Bulls were once a proud American icon. They are war heroes, movie stars, police dogs, therapy and service dogs. They are amazingly loyal companions. But, over time, the actions of a few that have taken the qualities – like loyalty, strength, and an eagerness to please their family – that make these dogs such amazing companions and used them in a negative way has caused the entire breed to be criticized.
According to nationalpitbullawarenessday.org, Bless the Bully’s, a non-profit rescue and education effort in Tennessee, introduced the National Pit Bull Awareness Day idea and it took off like wildfire. Now, the entire month of October is known as National Pit Bull Awareness Month, while pit bull devotees will recognize October 28th across the country as National Pit Bull Awareness Day.
National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD) is a day of appreciation and education designed to change perceptions and stereotypes about pit bulls and their responsible owners. NPBAD was established to educate and foster positive communications and experiences in the communities in which we and our dogs live, and it is an initiative dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
It’s no secret that pit bulls, and pit-mixes, are at the very core of breed-specific legislation, discrimination, and negative bias among the nation’s media and government. Despite continued efforts by supporters, much of the general public is overwhelmingly misinformed about the breed.
Just look at the number of myths widely believed about the breed – that they’re inherently dangerous, that they have “locking jaws,” that they don’t feel pain… these are myths that contribute to the negative bias against these incredible dogs:
Anyone that has had the pleasure of sharing their home and their lives with this loyal, dependable, and loving breed has without a doubt experienced the prejudice from the misinformed public. A pit bull owner walking their dog down the sidewalk sees pedestrians cross to the other side of the road to avoid them. Pit bull owners are limited in the communities in which they can reside with their four-legged family members. They are restricted from airlines, dog-friendly restaurants, and even entire counties.
So, what can you, as a Pit Bull supporter, do to raise awareness? The founder of National Pit Bull Awareness Day offers the following advice:
While we can’t all be on television educating about our dogs, we all can make a difference in our own way. We all can and should play a part in correcting false information and changing the perception of these incredible dogs. We are their voice, and they are depending on us to educate the public (not only about the breed in general, but with respect to responsible ownership practices), to dispel the false information out there, and to restore their reputation as a great American icon. Leading by example is a great place to start!
If you’re a pit bull owner, be an ambassador for the breed! At any opportunity, inform and educate. Show the world that gorgeous pit bull smile. Be a responsible owner.
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Hannah
Oct 11, 2021 at 2:32 pm
All these things you said about Pitbulls is really true.
Pitbulls do get a bad reputation just because there’s so many Pitbull attacks happening but that doesn’t mean all pits attack it means that their irresponsible owner has done them wrong or they feeling frightened or have a poorly negative feeling.
But the Pitbull dog can be a lovely loyal companion too not just dangerous killers.
Debbie
Oct 13, 2016 at 10:37 pm
I just took a picture of Hubby, our Pit Bull Cookie and one of our Chiuahuahs, Movie sleeping on the sofa. We currently have 15 cats, 5 dogs 2 children and 4 adults living in one home and they all get along fine with each other. The Pit love everyone. The beagles love the kids. The Chiuahuahs love the adults and the cats could care less as long as the food dish is full. I guess my pointnie, all animals can learn to get along with proper care and nurturing. I’m more worried about my Chiuahuahs biting someone than I am about the Pit biting. Cookie was a rescue that I got about a month ago when someone moved out at a house and left her behind. She’s such a good dog and I wouldn’t trade her for anything.
Louise Burgess
Jan 12, 2013 at 11:59 pm
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU ARE ONE THAT THINKS PITBULLS ARE VICIOUS THAN GO TO ANIMAL PLANET AND WATCH PITBULL BOSS, AND PITBULLS AND PAROLEES.THEN REALLY RETHINK IT. PITBULLS ARE SWEET DOGS AND GREAT PETS. ASK SHORTY,TIA,OR CAESAR MILAN IF YOU DON’T AGREE. THANKS
Ken Weaver
Jan 9, 2013 at 10:52 am
Back in April of 2012 I found a little puppy wandering around. It was dirty and near starved. He was wary of me but I offered him some meat and he started
to get closer. I then realized he was a pit bull. I had been wary of the breed because I had seen the news reports and seen the results of bad owners not keeping their dogs if not under control at least in their own yard. I figured I would help this puppy by taking him to an adoption center. On the way home he started to lick my ear and make me laugh. Needless to say the little guy grew on me. I got him neutered and he is now my dog. He is loving and great with my other animals and he is very playful. My sister brings over her 18 month old son and they play together on the floor. My pit bull’s name is Simon. And he is a great friend.
Jen Schwartz
Oct 19, 2019 at 5:36 pm
Love your story. Thank you for taking a chance on Simon ❤️
Evelyn Ford
Oct 18, 2012 at 1:56 am
We have had pit bulls and they are so devoted and protective of their “master”. One we had let both the grand sons try to ride her and went every where they went when outside. There was one really bad thing though, if she got out of our fenced in yard and saw another dog she would try to kill them. Also no stranger could come thru our back gate without us being there.We raised her and owned her mother, who was gentle all the time, and she was never mistreated. I don’t know why she was this way. But they will steal your heart!
Donna Pomponio
Oct 17, 2012 at 8:01 pm
I also was scared of pit bulls, my son brought a pit home because the previous owner was abusing her, I was dead set against the dog because of all the “news stories” that were showing how aggressive and nasty they are. Well I did agree but made my son promise to keep her away from me. When SASHA first came downstairs and stared at me I almost fainted, and when she began to make mouth noises I was done. I was scared to death, until I realized that she was “talking” to me and wasn’t showing me her teeth, she was smiling. Needless to say SASHA was one of the best dogs I have ever had. I have always loved and had dogs but never a pit bull. Sadly SASHA passed and I was so heartbroken I was beside myself, I went immediately to the local pound and fell in love with and adopted ANNIE. I love her with all my heart nad she has made a great stride for pit bulls because ANNIE is just so lovable. My parents both in their 80’s were scared to come to my house because of the “PIT BULL” they are advocates for the breed and she has changed alot of peoples views on her breed. More people need to see for themselves that not all of these dogs are mean, it is the people who raise them who need help, I am so happy October is pit bull awareness month, and like me please give this breed a chance, they will change your life for the better..
Carol Hedlund
Oct 17, 2012 at 6:08 pm
I have a pit bull, & love him very much. I was scared of pit bulls at first, till my step-son had this one. Had he had to get rid of him cause the town he lived in wouldn’t allow him to keep him, so he wanted to know if we wanted the dog to keep him from getting put down, I knew that i couldn’t let that happen so I said ok. I was sitting in a van with the drivers side window down, when I said ok we would take the dog, he jumped through the open window and started licking me on the face. I guess he knew what I had said. We have had him for 5 yrs now,& I wouldn’t part with him. My profile pic on facebook is of him. He goes everywhere with us. Even to motel rooms.