UK, Do You Know What a Pit Bull Is?
Posted by admin in Blog on Apr 11th, 2011 | 12 commentsOne of the more misunderstood breed types in the United Kingdom, the Pit Bull is on the banned breeds list in accordance with the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. But the question is, do you know what one is, what they look like or anything about them other than the media hype?
What Is a Pit bull in the UK in 2008?
The use of the term “pit bull” is one that over the last 18 months has become increasingly commonplace yet many people will freely use the term without knowing exactly what it is that they are referring too. So what exactly is a “pit bull” in the United Kingdom in 2008? Alison Green explains…
Breed or type?
First and foremost in the UK it is illegal to own any dog that is a type of dog known as a”pit bull type”. The breed American Pit Bull Terrier has never been recognised here so by the Government so, instead of banning a breed that they didn’t believe existed, they banned all dogs that looked like them. They attempted to ban a type of dog.
Definition
When the first cases of dogs charged with being illegal pit bull terriers went before the courts a huge problem became apparent. The courts had to decide, beyond reasonable doubt, that a dog was indeed a dog that fitted the “type”. Several Home Office Circulars followed issuing advice but it was decided by the High court in 1993 that a dog was a “type known as a pit bull terrier” if it had a substantial number of characteristics of an American Pit Bull Terrier. In order to decide this they need to know what an American Pit bull Terrier should look like. It was then decided in 1993 to use the breed standard as drawn up by the American Dog Breeders Association at that time. In recent years the ADBA have changed the standard a number of times however the first standard is the one referred to in UK courts today. The High Court also stated that a dog could be of the “type known as the pit bull terrier” regardless of its parentage and that behaviour was relevant but not conclusive.
Identification
Under Section One of the DDA a dog becomes a pit bull type if it has a substantial number or most of the characteristics of an American Pit Bull Terrier as described by the ADBA standard. Substantial or most is normally a dog that scores more than 60 percent. Once an accusation has been made it is up to the defence to prove otherwise, not the prosecution to prove the dog is a pit bull type. The standard sets out 100 points to consider when looking at the perfect APBT. Out of those 100 points only 10 points can be given in respect of the dogs attitude/behaviour. The way a dog is scored falls down to interpretation. For example a number of points can be given for a dog with a muscular build.
Any dog is capable of having a muscular build of varying degrees and each person will have a different idea on how well muscled a dog is therefore leaving several people giving different scores on the same dog. The standard also suggests the tail should rest at the hock however some will give points for a tail that rests just above or below. There is also a lot of debate over various points of the standard and how it is to be interpreted.
As all dogs, even litter mates are never identical one dog may score more or less than its sibling. This often leads to dogs with the same parentage being split into “pit bull type” and not “pit bull type” Sometimes simply by being a little taller, having a slightly shorter muzzle and a tail being a little too long can make the distinction between illegal or legal.
Other breeds or cross breeds can and have been, deemed pit bull type. When looking at any dog stated as being another breed, it often falls to which standard scores the most points. If a Stafford for example doesn’t fit the Kennel Club breed standard for a Stafford quite as well as it does the ADBA standard for an APBT then its quite possible a court will find the dog to be pit bull type.
In the court.
Court is often a bizarre experience for an onlooker. Expert witness’s will take the stand in hearings that often take two or more days to hear fully and discuss each point in turn. The very serious topic of dangerous dogs is stripped down to the bare bones, quite literally. The experts will state whether in their opinion the shape of the eyes is correct, whether the coat is a single coat or not. They will argue over whether a tail is pump handled when relaxed.
They will all produce pictures to try and prove their point. Interpretation of each point will be argued. The dog will be weighed and measured and all will be noted and scored. The Judge will then have to decide if the defence have proved beyond reasonable doubt that the dog isn’t a prohibited type. It is not up to the prosecution in Section One cases, to prove the dog is a pit bull type to obtain a guilty verdict.
So there we have it. That’s what a pit bull type aka “dangerous dog” is in the UK legal system today. Its any dog that a judge believes scores enough points, mainly in conformation, on a breed standard that is no longer used in that exact form as a standard for that breed.
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12 Responses to “UK, Do You Know What a Pit Bull Is?”
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The whole situation is very sad for me. I love animals and until recently wasn’t really that worried about any particular breed. However, when I lived in the United States my dog was attacked by a pit bull. The dog seemed pleasant and was behind a fence; there were no signs of aggression, no barking or raised fur on the neck. The next thing I knew the dog came out between a hole in the fence and attacked my dog, who was on a lead. He just went straight for him; luckily he didn’t get Lenny by the neck but instead bit his side. When the owner appeared he pulled his dog off, but didn’t get his mouth open so Lenny was left with a gaping hole. My friend stayed to get the owners information, but I just ran to my car to rush my dog to the vet. £1,500 and a few years later, Lenny is fine but always shy’s away when he sees any dog resembling a pit bull.
The owner of the pit bull gave my friend false information and never helped pay for the bills. Even though I went back to the apartments several times I never saw the dog or person again. I don’t know what ever happened to either of them, but I know the person was not responsible enough to own a dog. Is it the dogs we should be looking at or the people that own dangerous dogs, whatever breed they may be?
Informative, but very sad to know that all that all it takes for you to be prosecuted and your dog being taken away and killed, is for a few people with very little actually knowledge of dogs, to say that they dont like what your dog looks like!?
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I really love the way your blog is made. Would you mind sharing with me what theme your using?
It’s from Elegant Themes.
[...] dogs that look like pitbulls which are banned, since there is no legal definition of a pitbull. See here for some back [...]
The whole banning of breed type is flawed there are mutch more dangerous dogs in this country ie rottys German shepards dobermans border collies springer spaniels poodles and most dog to human aggression is noticed in smaller breeds. Sutch as yorkies jack russels and chiuawua.
It’s a sad situation. I really don’t believe in dangerous breeds, it’s all about the training. I own a staffordshire bull terrier and he is a handfull, he loves to play, but is very good around other dogs and people. I’d love to own a pitbull (although its hard to find what a pit bull really is), from what i’ve seen on the internet they are an amazing dog
Well, I think it is totally disgusting for the legal system to ban a breed and then decide action against a dog/owner predominantly on looks??!!!?? Surely it’s the ‘act’ temperament etc that is important, even the ‘blood line/parentage’ should be more important in my view. Ie if there is a history in the line of any sort of aggression. And how can they ban a breed that clearly exists but we don’t ‘recognise’ in this country – if we can recognise it enough to ban it and subsequently any dog that resembles it too closely on confirmation alone then we should recognise the breed in it’s own right and then act on the banning law.
I do not believe ANY single breed of dog should be banned as ANY dog is a potential killer!! However if we MUST ban the APBT then for god sake recognise the breed properly, keep the standard we refer to up to date and don’t PTS ANY dog that happens to resemble the APBT – unless it’s being looked at due to an act of aggression etc
Ann Marie I am so sorry to hear that your dog was bitten, but also very happy to hear that you are facing the fact that it was the owners… not the dog. If they were so low to not even help with the bills or to have concern about your dog who was hurt, than immagine the way that they treated and raised there own dog. Pit bulls only try to please there owners, and in this case he pleased his owners by sadly doing exactly what they probably taught him to do…. very very very sad for you, your dog and the pit that has to live with such low life owners.
I do not understand how someone can condemn a dog for his breed!!! it’s crap!!! All this law about ban pit bull breed it is bullshit… Everything is about people no about dog… The dog will always behave the way how he was raised… I think that, with this law should someone do something!!! None of you really do not know this dog, so why these conclusions? Why?
It’s like a condemning black human because he is black!!! It is very sad… :’(
A dogs temprement cannot be decided by a human that cannot communicate with the animal, its the owners temprement that should be put under scrutiny!! The pitbull is a lovely breed of dog and is still one of the safest dogs to have around children as recent surveys have proven, would we as humans be able to categorise other humans by their physiqe or the size of their muscles to the point where we have the right to say wether they live or die??? Not a chance, its funny how when any topic is raised all these worms come out of the wood with an opinion, most of whom just love to have an opinion with the invention of a great “story” to back up their claims!! I say leave this beautiful animal alone and pick on something that has a voice to defend itself!!
Can this Government ever get it right > they seem to be able to do what they please, they wont change their views on type even though ABDA have changed their standards. If the standard has been changed, surely it isnt legal to use the original standard. Move the goal posts, not a recognised breed so we will call it a type. No breed is born dangerous, blame the owner every time, please join my group if you agree with the repeal http://www.facebook.com/groups/347852588421/