Aggressive, violent, mean, attacker, biter, fighter.

These are just a few of the words that many people use to describe a pit bull.

Some people think a pit bull is not a dog that should be brought into a home, especially one with children and other dogs.

Certain county animal control facilities will not adopt out pit bulls. Instead, they put pit bulls to sleep when they are brought in.

What has given this breed of dog such a bad name?

Pit bulls are one of the strongest breeds of dogs. If they want to hurt someone or something, they can.

The most common dog used in dog fighting is the pit bull.

It is easy to grasp why the breed has such a negative connotation associated with it, but is this stereotype fair? Should this breed of dog be shunned and put to sleep?

Some think so. There are states in this country trying to ban pit bulls.

I find this ridiculous. There is no way every single pit bull is born to be aggressive and violent.

We have people in our country that commit acts of violence, and even kill, but we still continue to breed human beings.

So, why should certain areas try to ban this dog, and why should there be such a negative stereotype on the pit bull?

After spending numerous years working and volunteering at an animal shelter, I have come to the conclusion that the pit bull is not an aggressive and violent dog.

They are actually quite like any other breed of dog.

I had to give shots one day at the shelter. The first was to an eight pound, furry terrier.

I thought this would be a piece of cake.

I held the dog and went to give the shot, and he turned around and bit me! It took several people to control this eight-pound dog for me to give the shot.

The next dog I had to give a shot to was a 100-pound pit bull.

After the episode with the terrier, I was less than excited to get in the cage with a dog ten times that size.

I sat down next to the pit bull, and the dog licked me as I gave the shot. I had no problem with the pit bull, but the terrier tried to bite me.

The breed has little to do with the temperament of the dog. The owner trains and shapes a dog’s personality and temperament.

If an owner beats or poorly treats their pit bull, well then of course the dog will be violent and deviant!

“Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” Well pit bulls aren’t born violent, but their owner can make them violent.

Abby Allgire can be reached at 581-7942 or at alallgire@eiu.edu.