What is it with the media's infatuation with 'bad rap' breeds?

[Saje]

Originally Posted by Rose's Gal

You said you had killed this thread so let's see if I can start it up again. You said earlier that if a Rottie/Pit attacks people need/want to know so you publish it. How about if a Collie bites? Or a Labrador? Or even a Golden Retreiver? How come when those breeds bite, it doesn't make news but if a Pittie bites it becomes an attack? Shouldn't people know if a Collie bites just as much as when a Rottie bites?

Sorry, I messed up my response before. Here it goes again:

Of course I would write about it. And yes they should know. It's a less than ideal industry. And I think a lot of journalists who start out with great intentions lose their edge or toughen up. Journalists, especially in bigger communities, deal with a lot of bad things. Some of my professors at school told stories that I hope I never have to deal with. The career can be very hard on marriages (all of my teachers were married and divorced at least once) and on the mind/soul. I think with some people, a life like that makes them lose something.

I think I can tell you one reason that it doesn't make the news. Journalists don't know about it. We get out information from other people. There are so many people upset now about pitts biting... that immediately there will be a press release from groups or the police. Not only organizations are informants. I get calls from people all over the community giving me "tips." Now, when a pit bites people say, "this is ridiculous... something needs to be done... we need to make people more aware about this...I'm going to call the paper."

When a lab bites people say " ... " or "I wonder why he would do that." "My lab was the gentlist dog, something must have happened." And they don't tell anyone or do anything or think much about it.

I don't have anyway of finding these things out. A lot of it is chance. If people don't tell me about it how will I know? I talk to a lot of people and get a lot of information that way. It's amazing how easy it is to find stories but if we don't get on a topic that makes people think of that they won't bring it up.

That's just my persepective. Other reporters might not feel that it has that "if it bleeds, it leads" quality.

And dogs with stronger jaws do more damage, which upsets people more, and therefore gets more coverage.

Hope that answers your question.

If you want to do something to change it then write letters to the editors. Be clear, don't rant, use facts and references and you will be heard.

[Rose's Gal]

Originally Posted by Saje

Sorry, I messed up my response before. Here it goes again:

Of course I would write about it. And yes they should know. It's a less than ideal industry. And I think a lot of journalists who start out with great intentions lose their edge or toughen up. Journalists, especially in bigger communities, deal with a lot of bad things. Some of my professors at school told stories that I hope I never have to deal with. The career can be very hard on marriages (all of my teachers were married and divorced at least once) and on the mind/soul. I think with some people, a life like that makes them lose something.

I think I can tell you one reason that it doesn't make the news. Journalists don't know about it. We get out information from other people. There are so many people upset now about pitts biting... that immediately there will be a press release from groups or the police. Not only organizations are informants. I get calls from people all over the community giving me "tips." Now, when a pit bites people say, "this is ridiculous... something needs to be done... we need to make people more aware about this...I'm going to call the paper."

When a lab bites people say " ... " or "I wonder why he would do that." "My lab was the gentlist dog, something must have happened." And they don't tell anyone or do anything or think much about it.

I don't have anyway of finding these things out. A lot of it is chance. If people don't tell me about it how will I know? I talk to a lot of people and get a lot of information that way. It's amazing how easy it is to find stories but if we don't get on a topic that makes people think of that they won't bring it up.

That's just my persepective. Other reporters might not feel that it has that "if it bleeds, it leads" quality.

And dogs with stronger jaws do more damage, which upsets people more, and therefore gets more coverage.

Hope that answers your question.

If you want to do something to change it then write letters to the editors. Be clear, don't rant, use facts and references and you will be heard.

Ok, one more question.....how come that any dog that bites is labled a Pit Bull (even if it is for sure a blocky Yellow Lab)? I've read/heard of so many things that have said, 'A Pit Bull just attacked somebody!!!!' and they showed a picture of the dog and it was a Lab! Why is it that every dog that bites is labled a Pittie? (Or Rottie, or Dobe, or Chow......even if it isn't?)

[Saje]

Originally Posted by Rose's Gal

Ok, one more question.....how come that any dog that bites is labled a Pit Bull (even if it is for sure a blocky Yellow Lab)? I've read/heard of so many things that have said, 'A Pit Bull just attacked somebody!!!!' and they showed a picture of the dog and it was a Lab! Why is it that every dog that bites is labled a Pittie? (Or Rottie, or Dobe, or Chow......even if it isn't?)

LOL I don't know why they'd label a lab a pitbull. Maybe it was a joke. Maybe it was because some people are just ignorant. I've never seen that. Probably just a lack of research and knowledge of breeds. When I got my dog at the SPCA they told me he was a rottieX and he is very very newfie. Not purebred but obviously newfie. <shrugs> go figure

[Love4Pits]

Even more annoying when they say its a Pit attack it is almost always a Pit-mix (usually with lab) but because it has a bull dog face OH its a Pitbull!!!! I have been attacked twice in my life once by a lab and once by a lab/ great dane mix

[Saje]

True. A lot of people have a problem with that. People who aren't knowledgable about breeds shouldn't make an assumption like that and spread it around to the media and general community.

[Love4Pits]

Originally Posted by FaceZ Of DeaTh

Listen i have a rottweiler i never said i dont dislike them. I just dont like pit bulls. They were bred for dog fighting they are unpredictable. They see a little kid running and it triggers their instinct to attack the kid. Pit bulls cant be trusted they were basicly bred to kill other animals. You guys will believe me when u get attacked by one like my sisters friend it was a tragidy.

She had the pit bull since she was a child and it tunrned on her and she has scars all over her face.

(edited out insult to forum - Moderator)

Um you need to not prejudge pits like that. Im sorry that happened to your sisters friend but thats not my dogs fault. My Nephew runs around my two pits all the time and it never triggers any ooooh I can kill him instinct. They just lay and watch him run or play with him. Not EVERY pit is the same

[smkie]

My friend Kelly had the most vicous puppy I had ever seen. It snapped at everything. I thought she was absolutly nuts bringing a dog into her life with that temperment from the beginning. She worked at socialization with Fergi extensively. Fergi is a great dog, (with opinions she mutters about) but is absolutely nothing like what I thought she would turn out to be. Time spent, teaching, socialization, respecting and teaching to respect, can make miracles happen. JUst as neglect, and ignorance can take a good "breed" and make it the meanest thing alive. You cannot judge any breed by a few individuals....that is what I have learned through a lot of experience with a lot of dogs...each is different..it is the owner that makes or breaks the dog.

[Saje]

Originally Posted by smkie

My friend Kelly had the most vicous puppy I had ever seen. It snapped at everything. I thought she was absolutly nuts bringing a dog into her life with that temperment from the beginning. She worked at socialization with Fergi extensively. Fergi is a great dog, (with opinions she mutters about) but is absolutely nothing like what I thought she would turn out to be. Time spent, teaching, socialization, respecting and teaching to respect, can make miracles happen. JUst as neglect, and ignorance can take a good "breed" and make it the meanest thing alive. You cannot judge any breed by a few individuals....that is what I have learned through a lot of experience with a lot of dogs...each is different..it is the owner that makes or breaks the dog.

Well said!

[Ash47]

I agree with smkie. I own a Chow x Lab. She is nothing but a laid back angel. She is not in the least little bit aggressive. We have raised her this way. The stigma on Chows is sad. I love the breed, they are beautiful, and can be great dogs if you allow them to be.
My grandmother owns a full blooded APBT, and she is more of a lap dog than anything else. It is all in the way you raise them, most definetely.

[Saje]

I think the majority of us feel that way. If only we could make everyone understand that.