"Pit Bull" is a generic term used to label several breeds of dogs.

• American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
• American Staffordshire Terrier (AST, Amstaff)
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT, Staffybull)

So what is going on?

This is Filo, a one and half year old male Pit bull. He spent a little time here at Denkai but is very excited because he just recently found a new loving home. Filo doesn't know just how lucky he is though, Pit bulls are being banned at an alarming rate along with many other specific breeds throughout Colorado. The city of Aurora being the most recent, instilled their ban on Tuesday, January 31 2006. Many other cities are contemplating the ban as well, due to fear of becoming “dumping grounds” for all of the unwanted and unregistered Pit bulls in the neighboring banned areas.

Aurora owners are lucky though because they have been allowed to grandfather their pit bulls into the city by following several tight regulations.

In order to keep their dogs by their sides, they must:

• register them
• microchip them
• muzzle them
• have $100,000 liability insurance
• have a 6 sided chain link kennel on their property
• display a warning sign on the front of their home.

Sounds like they should be thankful they can keep their best friends, but with all of these regulations, at what price? What about those owners that cannot afford to install the required fencing or yearly registration fee of $200? Will they be forced to give up their partners, their companions, their best friends?

The following is a compilation from several very useful Pit bull related websites and databases, for full websites see “For more information”.

Ok, so why the bad rap?

Myths surround the Pit bull breed. They're referred to as aggressive fighting dogs, with locking jaws, they have been said to turn on their owners and attack children. Breed specific stereotypes are just as unfair and untrue as racial stereotypes and generalizations. Pit bulls make loving, trustworthy and gentle friends, why all the bad rap? Myths, urban legends and some irresponsible owners.

A few common pit bull myths debunked

More on the breed, history and temperament

Responsible ownership is key!

For more information on responsible ownership and keeping your Pitt Bull safe

For more information check out the following...

Current News:

9 News, Aurora Breed Ban 1/31/06

On Breed Specific Legislation (BSL):

www.standunited.ca : Stand United for Dogs Worldwide

http://www.dogwatch.net/education/index.html : Dog Watch

www.pitbullpress.com

On the American Pit Bull Terrier, Strattfodshire Pit bull Terrier, etc.

Some sources for potential and current owners:

http://www.pbrc.net/home.html : Pit bull Rescue Central offers newsletter and lots of info!

www.pitbullpress.com : For some good news about the breed

www.atts.org: American Temperament Test Society, for temperament info

http://www.pawsitivelypitbull.com

Some interesting reading material:

An interesting quiz on pit bull knowledge and only takes a second, try it! http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html