There has been a major movement as of late on social media accounts that has swept the nation. The dog community is showing its love in a major way with an influx of dog lovers creating accounts showing off pictures and statuses of their beloved pooches. This has been something that the Pit Bull community has drastically needed without even knowing the impact it would have.
For years, the Pit Bull has been touted as the most dangerous and aggressive of all dog breeds and hopes of eradicating these so called beasts have been on the high. Any and all dogs that resemble the 3, that is American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, are stereotyped and boxed into one category that is under attack by Breed Specific Legislation.
The problem with the negative classification is that such a massive number of dogs and families are targeted. Not only are the above mentioned 3 affected but so are Boxers, Dogo Argentinos, Presa Canarios, Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, and American Bulldogs to name a few.
What happens in areas where these harsh legislation are in effect is nothing more than atrocious. Thousands upon thousands of dogs are being taken from their homes and killed at the hands of government policy. The people who are supposed to love these dogs forever are being forced to let go of them because they appear to have the characteristics of an aggressive dog.
Now what exactly does an aggressive dog look like? How can you discern one from another based only upon appearance?
If we used this approach when dealing with humans, by basing their right to live in certain areas and not others due strictly upon their appearance or race, now would that not be morally inhumane?
BSL affects our rights to own a certain type of dog because of the assumption that he, along with all others that fit a broad description. This of course is completely untrue to the thousands upon thousands of families who own sweet Pit Bulls or the alike.
Pit Bulls impact their families in such a positive way and the saying that lives strong in the Pit Bull community is that they are "Lovers not Fighters". Don't take my word for it though, just see what these people shared on their Instagram accounts when asked the question:
"What makes your Pit Bull a Lover?"
"(Bronson) loves giving slobbery kisses and he always lets other dogs eat/drink from his bowl." - @deedeetantan
"This face. This sweet little derpface that looks at you like you're the best thing that's ever happened (when in fact it's the other way around)." - @tuff_sausage
"She's a lover because every morning she wakes me up with kisses and cuddles." - @tuf_n
"Gatby is a lover because he helped my fiance propose to me, of course I had to say yes!" -@puppiesandprs
(Check out the tag. It says "Marry my Daddy!")
"Boomer is a lover because he protects his mom while daddy is away and always give kisses and cuddles to his beagle sister Briar." - @mollieelmore
"This is Lucy. Lover of all, big and small. From her kitty buddies to her bulldog big brother. She's the bell of the dog park. She loves making new friends, momentarily sharing her toys, and Greek yogurt." - @smudgelife
"(Stella) shares food with babies."- @panamhunter
The positive message that these, along with the vast amount of other Pit Bulls owners gives off by sharing pictures and stories of their dogs is truly a wonderful thing in the fight against BSL. Showing the true nature of Pit Bulls is exactly what the movement needs. Pictures of beautiful, smiling, happy dogs interacting with their humans, proving that a dog can bring pure joy and companionship no matter the size, colors, and most important of all, BREED.
Social media is a blessing for spreading advocacy and shedding light on this delicate topic. The more people keep sharing pictures of their Pit Bulls in their element through the facets of social media, the more good is done for these dogs as a whole.
It is a known fact that the majority of dogs in shelters at any given time are Pit Bulls and what does that mean? It means an imminent death due to overpopulation. With sharing through social media, more and more Pit Bulls are being adopted.
Petitions have been signed and BSL has been overturned in certain areas due to awareness made possible by social media shares. The more the issue is spread and awareness is made, the more people will sign petitions and do something to change unfair policies.
Think of BSL as a giant wall. Every positive post brings us closer to the end goal of demolishing this wall. Every victory and banning of legislation knocks out pieces of the wall but without the help of the masses the wall will stand strong.
Keep taking those pictures of your Pit Bull snuggling up with you or playing in the snow. Keep taking pictures of them playing with your children, eating bubbles, or swimming in the pool. Keep taking pictures of them basking in the sun, smiling, or running down the beach. Keep taking pictures of them in human clothes looking ridiculously cute.
These dogs are beautiful inside and out and deserve to be shown for what amazing and loyal creatures they truly are. They deserve to be fought for and shown off. Keep proving the nay sayers wrong that believe that a Pit Bull cannot be trained or that he will attack your children. Show them why you have fallen in love with these dogs and maybe, just maybe, you will change someone's mind, and that makes it all worth it.
