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DNA results show that shelter workers are often mistaken when they label a dog as a pit bull, with potentially devastating consequences for the dogs, a new University of Florida study has found.
“Animal shelter staff and veterinarians are frequently expected to guess the breed of dogs based on appearance alone,” said Julie Levy, D.V.M., Ph.D., a professor of shelter medicine at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and the lead author of a study published recently in The Veterinary Journal.
“Unlike many other things people can’t quite define but ‘know when they see it,’ identification of dogs as pit bulls can trigger an array of negative consequences, from the loss of housing, to being seized by animal control, to the taking of the dog’s life,” she said. “In the high-stakes world of animal shelters, a dog’s life might depend on a potential adopter’s momentary glimpse and assumptions about its suitability as a pet. If the shelter staff has labeled the dog as a pit bull, its chances for adoption automatically go down in many shelters.”
These dogs should have to wear a muzzle when out in public.
originally posted by: Breakthestreak
‘Emotional support’ dog
Is that something for the weak and the gutless?
Like a ‘safe space’?
originally posted by: DanDanDat
www.mypetneedsthat.com...
Dogs with the strongest bite
Pit Bull is at the bottom of the list. German Shepereds are higher... not many people worried about them.
originally posted by: watchitburn
a reply to: queenofswords
There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.
Pit bulls, and actually the dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier, but "Pit Bull mauls child" triggers the ignorant, are wonderful animals. Extremely smart, friendly and loyal.
I agree, the whole emotional support animal thing is nonsense. But that lady should be put down, not the dog.