This document summarizes a research prospectus about breed discrimination against pit bulls. The summary includes: 1) The prospectus examines whether discrimination against pit bulls is due to the breed's behavior or human factors like erroneous beliefs. The hypothesis is that most discrimination is caused by human behavior, not the breed itself. 2) The significance is that the study aims to clear the names of pit bull breeds by showing discrimination is a human-caused problem through improper education and representation of the breeds in media. 3) The conclusion is that breed discrimination can be minimized by properly representing breeds in media, recognizing facts over myths, and promoting responsible dog ownership and recognition of individual temperament variation between dogs.

1. Behavioralism: Breed Discrimination
A Research Prospectus by, Sarah Olsen

2. Warning: Some
Photos are Graphic

3. Background/Introduction
• Definition of Breed Discrimination: The generalization of a specific
breed of dog as either a dangerous or inherently vicious breed.
• Results: Discriminatory ordinances passed or breed-specific
legislation (Includes fines, banning of dogs, and euthanizing of dogs
in area.)
• Breeds most recently targeted: Those in pit bull categorization which
includes but is not limited to; American Stafordshire Terrier,
American Pit Bull Terrier and the Stafordshire Bull Terrier.
• Discrimination based solely on appearance, individual temperament
is not taken into account.

4. Research Question/
Hypothesis
• Question: “Is the breed and its behavior
responsible for this discrimination, or,
is it related more to a plethora of
human behavioral factors and error?”
• Hypothesis: “If the majority of this
discrimination is caused by human
behavior, then it is impossible to blame
a single breed in its entirety.”

5. Significance Statement
• The study focuses on the theories of behavioralism and how
one behavior can not only have an effect on another’s
behavior but can also change the morals of a group entirely.
• Through our research we hope to raise awareness and clear
the tainted names of these breeds.
• The mission is to make breed-specific legislation illegal in
all fifty states, a mission that is achievable through proper
education and research.
• Our research will target human behavior and error to
provide insight and to make the conclusion that this is a
human based problem.

6. Point One: Breed
Temperament
• As a terrier breed the pit bull is genetically designed to
have a high game drive, although this does not make the
breed more aggressive as a whole.
• While the beed may be more easily engaged they do not,
as a whole, prove to be more aggressive than other
breeds.
• Lower Saxony Study: 415 breeds deemed inherently
vicious were evaluated. 95 percent displayed appropriate
behaviors in various real-life situations, while only 5
percent displayed aggressive behavior considered
inappropriate. Proving that a breed can not be labeled as
a whole.

7. Sources
• Cattafi, A. (2008). Breed specific legislation: The gap in emergency preparedness provisions
for household pets. Seton Hall Legis. J., Retrieved from
http://heinonline.org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/sethlegj32&collection=journals&
• Lane, C. (2010, May 17). Dog Bite Force: Myths, Misinterpretations and Realities |
Psychology Today. Psychology Today. Retrieved May 5, 2013, from
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201005/dog-bite-force-myths-misinterpretations-
• Medlin, J. (2007). Pit Bull Bans and the Human Factors Affecting Canine Behavior. Depaul
Law Review, 56. Retrieved May 5, 2013, from
http://heinonline.org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/deplr56&collection=journals&pa
• Schalke, E., Ott, S., Gaertner, A., Hackbarth, H., & Mittmann, A. (2008). Is breed-specific
legislation justified? study of the results of the temperament test of lower saxony. Journal of
Veterinary Behavior, 3(3), 97-103. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com.mutex.gmu.edu/science/article/pii/S1558787807002365
• Swann, K. (2010). Irrationality unleashed: The pitfalls of breed-specific legislation. Hein
Online, Retrieved from http://heinonline.org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?
handle=hein.journals/umkc78&collection=journals&page=839

8. Point Two: Myths and the
Media
• Myth: The pit bull has a 2,000 pounds per square inch
jaw pressure.
• False: The pit bull has an average of 235 pounds per
square inch jaw pressure. The smallest out of the
three other breeds tests (Rottweiler and German
Shepherd)
• The Rottweiler tested the highest but still only
weighed in at about 328 pounds per square inch jaw
pressure.
• 2,000 pounds per square inch jaw pressure is the
equivalent of an alligators bite.

9. Point Two Continued:Misrepresentation in the
Media
• Sweetie the pit bull represents the majority of her
breed.
• Her Story: Sweetie a three year old pit bull terrier was
brutally attacked by four other dogs. She did not once
fight back and the other dogs were completely
unscathed while she was left to fight for her life.
• The media disproportionately represents these dogs.
Reporting them when they can be viewed as monsters
and ignoring them when they are the victims.

10. Sweetie

11. Point Three: Owner
Responsibility
• Fatal Dog Attack Humans Responsible:
• Pit bull stolen from original owner in hopes of being
turned into a fighting dog. Abuse of animal took
place.
• Sold to family of victim to be used for breeding.
• Both unaltered animals are tied up in a yard and are
starved.
• Young boy wanders in between two chained up dogs
consisting of a female in heat and an unaltered male.
• Child is fatally wounded in attack.

12. Point Three Continued:
Owner Responsibility
• Who is to blame in the previous case?
• The attack could have been prevented
with responsible ownership, (i.e. correct
feeding, neutering and spaying of
animals, proper supervision of animals
and child, no abuse of animals, animals
not being chained up)
• 100% Human behavioral error.

13. Conclusion
• Breed discrimination can be minimized
if not stopped through proper
representation of the breed in the media.
• Recognition of fact over myth.
• With responsible dog ownership.
• Recognition that dogs have individually
diverse temperaments.

14. Test: Which of these is
a Pit Bull?

15. TEST
ANSERS: SEE
HOW YOU DID!#1-Boxer
#2-Dogue de Bordeaux
#3- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
#4-Great Swiss Mountian Dog
#5- Vizsla
#6- Rhodesian Ridgeback
#7- Doggo Argentino
#8- Labrador Retriever
#9- Bull Mastiff
#10- American Staffordshire Terrier
#11- Fila Brasileriro
#12- Rottweiler
#13- Presa Canario
#14- American Bulldog
#15- Cane Corso
#16- AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER
#17- Patterdale Terrier
#18- Olde English Bulldog
#19- Catahoula Bulldog
#20- Bull Terrier
#21- Black Mouth Cur
#22- Alano Espanol
#23- Boerboel Mastiff
#24- Co De Bou
#25- Thai Ridgeback

16. DON’T BLAME
THE BREED,
BLAME THE
DEED.
MOST DOG ATTACKS ARE THE RESULT OF
NEGLIGENCE AND IRRESPONSIBLE DOG
OWNERSHIP. WE SHOULD BE TARGETING THOSE
ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE. THOSE WHO LET THEIR
DOGS WANDER AND STARVE, THOSE WHO ABUSE
AND FIGHT THEIR DOGS, THOSE WHO DO NOT
SUPERVISE. BUT WE SHOULD ALSO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE MEDIA FOR
MISREPRESENTING THE BREED. AND WE SHOULD
BLAME OURSELVES FOR BELIEVING MYTHS OVER
FACT. HELP END DISCRIMINATION THROUGH
EDUCATION!
-PIT BULL ADVOCATE AND FORMER
DISCRIMINATOR