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The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression | 
 enlarge | Author: Karen Delise
Publisher: Anubis Publishing
Category: Book
Buy New: $24.95
New (1) Used (2) from $21.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 197710
Media: Paperback
Pages: 210
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.5
ISBN: 0972191410
Dewey Decimal Number: 636
EAN: 9780972191418
ASIN: 0972191410
Publication Date: June 11, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
First it was the Bloodhound, sensationalized in the dramatizations of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Then it was the Doberman, symbol of the Nazi menace. Today, it is the Pit bull that is vilified for the depravity of his masters. Today, police chase down fleeing Pit bulls in the street, firing dozens of wild shots in response to media-fed rumors of supernatural Pit bull abilities. Politicians coach and nurture this fear with their own brand of rhetoric used to assist in the passing of quick and ineffective legislation created to pacify communities ignorant of the real cause for dog attacks. Hundreds of animal shelters throughout the country kill all unclaimed Pit bull-looking dogs, as they are deemed "unadoptable" solely on their physical appearance. This has occurred because the human/dog bond, the most complex and profound inter-species relationship in the history of mankind, has been reduced to a simple axiom: Breed of dog = degree of dangerousness. We have come to accept that hanging entire breeds of dogs in effigy for the sins of their owners is an acceptable solution to canine aggression because we have been placated by a Pit Bull Placebo. Like the pharmacologically inactive sugar pill dispensed to pacify a patient who supposes it to be medicine, eradication of the Pit bull is the placebo administered to ease the public's anxiety about dog attacks. The book, The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression, explores how our views and beliefs about canine aggression have changed over the last 150 years and how our perceptions about the nature and behavior of dogs has been influenced by persons and organizations who often times disseminate information about dog attacks which is tailored to further an agenda unrelated to the improvement of the human/dog bond. We are in the midst of a social hysteria about Pit bulls because we have abandoned centuries-old common-sense and have been duped by inaccurate reporting from the "Pit Bull Paparazzi" and by politicians who traffic in rumors, myths and pseudoscience in their efforts to pass legislation that demonizes dogs while exonerating criminal and abusive owners. If we truly believe that the extremely rare cases of fatal dog attacks merit extreme measures in the management of dogs, if our concern and shock is genuine, then we must be equally genuine and sincere in seeking out and addressing the real causes for these incidents. Only by stepping back from the swirl of present-day hysteria surrounding isolated cases of severe canine aggression and examining the problem from a broader and more objective perspective can we hope to understand and address the human and canine behaviors which contribute to these incidents.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
The Pit Bull Placebo April 1, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
A very interesting read for anyone who owns any breed of dog or is thinking about acquiring one. very informative well researched and written. With myself owning an English Bull terrier for 9 years I from a lot of people have been told untruths about that type of dog. Now i know the truth. Recommend it highly
THE PIT BULL PLACEBO December 3, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
EXCELLANT BOOK ABOUT WHAT THE MEDIA CAN DO TO A MAN OR A DOG BREED ONCE IT SETS IT SIGHTS ON THEM. IT TELLS THE HISTORY OF ALL THE BREEDS OF DOGS THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY MAN.
Excellent / Informative / Positive October 18, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
As a pitbull owner who has had to face the condemnation of my dog and myself a number of times this book was a welcome read. The details provided as well as the insight into the mind of the american public and the media over the centuries towards dogs and dog breeds was fascinating. In a way it gives hope to the bully breeds that someday their time of being hated and feared can sometime come to an end.
Read this book if you have ever owned a dog who is feared simply for its breed whether it be a pitbull, German Shepherd, Rottie, Doberman, Husky etc. etc.
The author has researched back to the 1800's to provide actual documented accounst of attacks by bloodhounds and bloodhound type dogs straight up to present time and more importantly examines the circumstances behind the attacks. The moral is as usual, there are no bad dogs just bad owners.
Very Informative October 4, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is an exceptional book. Clearly and concisely explaining the history of serious and fatal dog attacks. It emphasises the role of the media in sensationalizing dog attacks and creating a monster. A must have for breed fanciers, dog owners, animal control personnel or anyone interested in dog attacks.
A Fantastic Book! August 16, 2007
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This book is very informative. During my years of fighting breed specific legislation, I thought I had heard it all but this book offered new and interesting facts and insights.
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