Resources

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Information & Data

• Pitbull Hero and Pitbull Info— Incredibly helpful resources full of statistics, studies, and facts promoting understanding of pit bull-type dogs and resisting discrimination and BSL (breed-specific legislation). Some particularly useful pages: BSL data, “pit bull” is not a breed/types of dogs classified as pits, dog bite statistics, myths and facts,breed temperament scores and studies, template for writing to city council members about BSL.

• National Canine Research Council—Large library of studies and information about dog behavior, the arbitrary nature of identifying breeds, and debunking myths related to dog bites, genetics, and more. They also have a detailed BSL in the USA map.

• What is Breed Specific Legislation?—the ASPCA’s explainer on BSL and why it’s harmful.

• Pet Unity Project—Advocacy group based in Prince George’s County, MD, where there is a “pit bull” ban. So many detailed resources on BSL and why it’s ineffective, harmful, and rooted in classism and racism, plus support and resources for pet parents in the region, stories from people who love their pitties, and ways to get involved.

• My Pit Bull Is Family — 501c3 providing resources, research, and advocacy focused on breed biased housing restrictions (a top reason pitties end up in shelters)

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• Statistics on US animal shelters— Check out World Animal Foundation’s 2023 dataon on numbers of dogs and cats in shelters, euthanized, and adopted. Also see Axios’s story Euthanasia rates across U.S. animal shelters reach 3-year high(2023).

• Statistics, Pit Bull Bites & Community Safetyand Pit Bull FAQ — Great educational materials from Austin-based rescue Love-A-Bull, including data, bite prevention, discussion of media bias when reporting on dog bites, and FAQs about pit bull bias and misinformation.

• Tips for conversations with landlords— Also from Love-A-Bull, advice on finding housing with your pit in situations where property managers may be biased against the breed.

• Inconsistent Identification Of Pit Bull-type Dogs By Shelter Staff— 2015 Veterinary Journal study on how often pit bulls are misidentified/mislabled.

• Potentially Preventable Factors In Dog-Bite-Related Fatalities — 2013 peer-reviewed study showing breed not a significant factor in dog bite fatalities.

• Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998— Spoiler: At least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in fatal human attacks, and the study does not support BSL as effective. Pitbull Info calculated breed risk relative to breed population, rather than overall incidence, based on this data here.
  

• They’re All Good Dogs, and It Has Nothing to Do With Their Breed—2022 New York Times article on dog breed behavior and genetics.

Advocacy

• Don’t Ban Me, Licence Me — Advocacy group fighting XL bully ban in UK.

• @Gingers_naps on Instagram— Human and dog duo creating educational content on the intersection of racism and breed discrimination as well as the animal welfare world in general.

• @Sweeti_gigi on Instagram— Another amazing human and dog duo focused on responsible pet guardianship, training, and combatting stereotypes. Also hosts dog meetups in California!

• Best Friends resources on pit bulls— Facts, guides, and initiatives from leading national animal rescue organization.

• Bad Rap— Oakland, CA–based pit bull advocacy group.

• Pit Bull: The Battle Over An American Icon— Advocate-loved book featuring an in-depth look at the history of pit bulls in the US.