How pit bulls got a bad reputation

Pit bulls are one of the most controversial and misunderstood dogs in America. They are subject to breed-specific legislation (BSL), which exists in over 700 US cities and communities. BSL refers to laws that restrict or ban ownership of dogs based on breeds, particularly pit bulls, due to their reputation for being dangerous and aggressive.

Once regarded as great family dogs, pit bulls have been featured as the lovable sidekick in The Little Rascals and even appear in US patriotism campaigns. However, like many other dogs in American history, pit bulls have gone through cycles of stigmatization driven by both societal and cultural forces. Before pit bulls were demonized, the first dog that caused the public to panic was the Spitz — a pomeranian-like breed that’s now considered a “toy” dog. But back in the 19th century, they were called “venomous beasts” on the pages of the New York Times.

So how did pit bulls go from family friend to national foe? We speak to Bronwen Dickey, the author of the book Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon, who was also interviewed for an episode of Today, Explained. Dickey takes us through the history of their reputation, explains why the term “pit bull” is technically a misnomer, and shares how the stigma against pit bulls affects both dog owners and animal welfare.