7 Pit Bull Heroes by Pit Bulls & Parolees

7 Pit Bull Heroes That Will Change Your Mind About The Breed

Pit bulls are an amazing and loyal breed of dog. Here are a few stories that should warm your heart to these truly amazing pups. If you can’t get enough pit bull stories, make sure to watch Pit Bulls & Parolees, Saturdays at 10 p.m. E/P only on Animal Planet. On Saturday, November 30th, Animal Planet will make a donation for every viewer to help the Villalobos Rescue Center.

posted on Nov. 21, 2013, at 2:18 a.m.

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1. Lilly’s Train Track Heroics

Courtesy of David Lanteigne / Beth Oram Photography / Via facebook.com

Christine Spain was walking her pit bull, Lilly, back from a friend’s house when she collapsed at the worst possible time: on the railroad tracks with an approaching train on the horizon. It was at that moment that Lilly rushed into action and pulled her owner away from harm. Lilly sustained an injury to her front paw from the train, but made a full recovery after receiving treatment at a nearby animal hospital.

(Source)

2. Abby Saves Neighbor from House Fire

Courtesy of Karen Bota / Ionia Sentinel-Standard / Via sentinel-standard.com

Joe Andrews was inside his house resting one afternoon when he heard a relentless barking from his neighbor’s yard. Abby, the dog next door, was usually very quiet, so this behavior seemed strange. He went outside to discover that his porch was on fire, and Abby was desperately trying to get someone’s attention. Joe was able to put out the flames and credits his neighbor’s dog for saving not only his porch, but possibly his life.

(Source)

3. Titan Saves Woman Having Brain Aneurysm

Courtesy of CBS Atlanta / Via cbsatlanta.com

John Benton was on his way to work when his dog, Titan, blocked him from leaving. He was running up and down the stairs trying to get his owner’s attention. John decided to follow Titan up the stairs where he discovered his wife, Gloria, lying unconscious on the ground. She had fallen down after suffering a brain aneurysm and fractured her skull. Doctors said they wouldn’t have been able to save her if it hadn’t been for the heroics of their pit bull, Titan.

(Source)

4. Peaches: The Boston Marathon Therapy Dog

Courtesy of Jennifer Spears / Via facebook.com

Years after almost being euthanized, Peaches spends her time visiting those who were still affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. With her positive demeanor, this pup is a welcome sight for people who are in need of some serious stress relief.

(Source)

5. Jack Rescues Kitty from Two Coyotes

Kid Cowboy / (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 70278809@N00

Sherree Lewis is the proud owner of a pit bull named Jack and a cat named Kitty. Pit bulls are incredibly loyal animals, so naturally the two have forged a strong connection and are practically inseparable. Their friendship hit a critical moment this year as two wandering coyotes managed to catch Kitty in their backyard. In a flash, Jack sprinted out of the house and fought off the coyotes, saving Kitty’s life. After treatment at an animal hospital, Kitty has made a nearly full recovery, and Jack still rarely leaves her side.

(Source)
*Please note that the above photo is not Jack*

6. Bo Saves a Stray Dog from Drowning

stephskardal / (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: just_steph

Destinee Billiot was walking outside one day when she was stopped by her neighbor’s pit bull, Bo. The dog was frantically barking to get her attention, so Destinee followed Bo to a nearby canal where she found a stray dog struggling to stay above water. She quickly ran to get help and was able to safely lasso the dog in. The stray, nicknamed Lucky, now has a renewed lease on life thanks to his new canine pal, Bo.

(Source)
*Please note that the above photo is not Bo*

7. Standing by His Owner During Chaos

Jeremy Silver / Via BuzzFeed

An unidentified man and his pit bull were on the receiving end of a tanker truck crash on I-95 in East Lyme, Connecticut. After the truck crushed the car, the heroic dog guarded his owner until help arrived. Witnesses called for the dog, but he wouldn’t budge until the man was safely removed from the vehicle.

(Source)
*Please note that the above photo is not of the pit bull from the accident*

Inspired by Anthony’s story…

Anthony’s battle with terminal cancer was eased by adopting a dog. In the video above he shares his story about the tragic loss of his best friend and his search for another companion. Tia Torres, star of Pit Bulls & Parolees and founder of the Villalobos Rescue Center helped Anthony cope with his loss by matching him up with Anna, his new companion. Catch Pit Bulls & Parolees, Saturdays at 10 p.m. E/P only on Animal Planet.

Is It Safe To Own A Pit Bull? ManyHappyTails+

Is It Safe To Own A Pit Bull?

ManyHappyTails+ • 28 September, 2012 • 0 Comments

It’s no secret, I love pit bulls. Nothing brings my heart more joy then a pittie smile. In my eyes, pit bulls are the most beautiful creatures on this earth. Their stance, their poise, their demeanor, it signifies everything a dog should be. Strong, sincere, loyal, and most of all, lovable. Unfortunately, I am part of a niche group of people that has utmost respect and compassion for this “bully” breed. The media has transformed this breed into America’s Most Wanted. Curious on the fact vs. fiction, I did a little research on breed temperaments.

TEMPERAMENT can be described as:

1. your usual mood
2. excessive emotionalism or irritability and excitability (especially when displayed openly)

Best. Student. Ever.

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) is a national not-for-profit organization for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs. According to their website, their temperament test “focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed’s inherent tendencies.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of the breeds ranked, starting with the breed representing the lowest score. I selected some of the most recognizable breed names on the list, as some I’ve never heard of:

• Canaan Dog- 50%
• Bearded Collie – 54%
• Scottish Terrier – 63%
• Basenji – 67%
• Dachshund – 67%
• Chihuahua – 68%
• Standard Schnauzer – 70%
• Bloodhound – 73%
• Akita – 76%
• Bichon Frise- 77%
• Doberman Pinscher -79%
• Great Dane – 80%
• Italian Greyhound – 80%
• Weimaraner – 80%
• Collie – 81%
• American Eskimo – 81%
• Cocker Spaniel -82%
• Dalmatian -83%

So, curious where the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier rank? Well, they OUT RANK EVERY DOG ON THE ABOVE LIST. 

• American Pit Bull Terrier – 87% 
• American Staffordshire Terrier – 84% 

Personally, I find it hilarious that the Pit Bull out ranked a friggin Dalmatian for pete’s sake. Bully breed my ass. 

To read the entire ATTS dog breed statistic report, visit: http://atts.org/breed-statistics/.

Let A Pit Bull Near My Baby: This Is What Happened (IMAGES) AUTHOR: GUEST WRITER

 Let A Pit Bull Near My Baby: This Is What Happened (IMAGES)

AUTHOR: GUEST WRITER DECEMBER 8, 2014 7:15 PM

This is a two-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). Her name is Akamara.

This is a human baby. His name is Siegmund.

Siegmund was born on November 26, 2014. He first met Akamara on the 27th. We NEVER leave Siegmund alone with Akamara — after all, she’s dangerous to him. She might quite literally snuggle him to death. Here’s what happens:

She gets pretty sad about it, but she’s only allowed to put her head near him, and only with eyes on her at all times. He’s just too small and she’s too insistently snuggly.

She really wants to lay on that pillow.

Nothing to see here, just a ferocious pit bull trying to cuddle with a two-day-old baby.

He’s almost two weeks old now, and she’s getting pretty impatient about it. Why isn’t he petting her? Why will he not play tug?

Akamara really can’t help but cuddle the baby. It’s her instinct! Little known to most people, but American Pit Bull Terriers — one of several breeds commonly referred to under the broad title “pit bulls” — are nanny dogs. As the United Kennel Club (UKC), which recognizes and classifies APBTs as a breed, states in their breed standard: “APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children.”

They make bad guard dogs, by the way — they’re too friendly. Friendlier than you’d believe. The American Temperament Test Society rates them higher than many common family breeds, such as golden retrievers! Here’s an interesting video by Animalist on pit bulls:

Dogfighting has existed probably since humans domesticated dogs, and has flourished during the last century as an underground sport. Pit bulls are favored for a number of reasons, but that’s not their fault, and it certainly isn’t due to their temperament. It’s because they bite hard, and when you factor in their size, they bite extremely hard.

You can take a territorial, defensive dog — a normal personality type across most breeds, which requires socialization and training as a pup to deter aggression — and turn them into a fighter. It’s criminal, but possible. And those dogs, if rescued, may suffer from PTSD or other mental trauma that increases the chances of an attack, especially if rescued by an inexperienced or unprepared owner. But it’s not the breed. It’s the choice by dog fighters to use the breed. Even if you restrict the breed, they’ll find another.

If it came down to it, dogfighters would probably pit chihuahuas against each other. It’s the sport and the blood. It’s the breeders and fighters, not the dogs. We don’t put city-wide bans on cars that can go over 50 mph because a few people are souping them up and racing them. We arrest the racers and take their misused cars away.

Akamara is a rescue, but a victim of only neglect. I got her at six months old with mange, no inoculations, and a desperate need for attention. Her immune system was extremely deficient due to mange and allergies, and she’s struggled with secondary ear infections her entire young life. I would not advise rescuing an adult dog with unknown history in a house with children.

Just remember, this isn’t what most pit bulls look like:

This is:

Help us get the word out!