At a Glance
- Case Type
- Other
- Date
- 2016-05-10
Author Bronwen Dickey's 2016 book, "Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon," argues that the public perception of pit bulls as inherently dangerous animals is built on a foundation of myth rather than evidence. NPR's "Fresh Air," hosted by Terry Gross, featured Dickey in May 2016 and reported that she contends popular beliefs about pit bulls as predators are rooted in myth and misinformation [1]. Dickey spent seven years researching the topic and interviewed hundreds of people, ranging from animal behaviorists to trainers [2].
A central argument in Dickey's analysis is that the term "pit bull" does not describe a single breed. According to NPR, Dickey argues that the label refers to at least four pedigreed breeds, including the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and a newer breed called the American bully [1]. Because those dogs share physical characteristics, such as smooth coats or blocky heads, with at least 25 other breeds, the category expands broadly and inconsistently [1]. Misidentification by media outlets has further fueled misconceptions, as dogs involved in attacks are often inaccurately labeled as pit bulls based solely on appearance [2].
Dickey's historical research reveals a sharp contrast between the breed's current image and its earlier cultural standing. According to NPR, pit bulls in the first half of the 20th century were frequently cast in film comedies as trick dogs and comic sidekicks, with bull terriers performing stunts in Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Fatty Arbuckle films, and a pit bull co-starring in the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" comedies [1]. In the early 20th century, the dogs were widely associated with working-class Americans, and their reputation for tenacity and loyalty made them popular mascots as collegiate and high school athletics expanded [2]. That favorable image later gave way to the association with dogfighting and violence that drives contemporary legislation.
That legislative response now spans hundreds of jurisdictions. Breed-specific legislation, or BSL, is a category of law that prohibits or restricts particular breeds, and such laws often establish a legal presumption that targeted dogs are dangerous or vicious [2]. Approximately 900 cities and counties across the United States currently maintain some form of breed-specific legislation [2]. Constitutional challenges to these ordinances are frequently filed, with litigants typically arguing that pit bull bans violate due process, equal protection, and prohibitions against vague laws [2]. Some owners have also argued that the seizure and destruction of a banned dog constitutes an improper taking of property, though none of these constitutional challenges has succeeded in striking down BSL in court [2].
The trend in enforcement has nonetheless been shifting. In recent years, municipalities have moved away from breed-specific legislation toward behavior-based dangerous dog laws, with notable examples including Denver, Colorado's 2020 repeal of its 30-year pit bull ban and Miami-Dade County's 2023 decision to end its longstanding pit bull ban [2]. Many states, including New York, Texas, and Illinois, now favor laws that identify and regulate dangerous dogs individually, regardless of breed, and prohibit BSL outright [2]. Dickey's book, while a cultural history rather than a legal brief, has become a reference point in the ongoing public and policy debate over whether breed identity, rather than individual animal behavior, can or should serve as a lawful basis for restricting ownership.
References
[1] NPR. (2016, May 10). Friend Or Fiend? 'Pit Bull' Explores The History Of America's Most Feared Dog. https://www.npr.org/2016/05/10/477350069/friend-or-fiend-pit-bull-explores-the-history-of-americas-most-feared-dog
[2] Wikipedia. (2026, May). Breed-specific legislation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breed-specific_legislation
[3] Animal Legal & Historical Center. (n.d.). Overview of Breed Specific Legislation. https://www.animallaw.info/article/overview-breed-specific-legislation
[4] ASPCA. (n.d.). What Is Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)? https://www.aspca.org/improving-laws-animals/public-policy/what-breed-specific-legislation
[5] Wikipedia. (2026, January). Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_Bull:_The_Battle_over_an_American_Icon