The Problem of Pitbulls

Four days old, and if it weren't for the no-kill policy at the North Central Iowa Humane Society, these pups would already be on the chopping block. Why? They're pitbulls. Despite their mother being well-trained and polite, this family was likely dumped at the end of a Webster County dirt road because of new sanctions against them nearby in Hamilton County.

My children and I went to volunteer at the shelter and met up with Kris M. who not only told us more about feeding puppies, but about their circumstances. It will be hard to adopt them, she said, not only because new families will be apprehensive over their breed, but because of dog fighting.

Like any breed, when properly trained, pitbulls can be just as lovable and loyal as any other. But, just as other breeds, when poorly trained, their natural abilities can become liabilities. They can also be trained specifically to put those abilities to their worst work.

While we were there, a man stopped in and dropped $50 on the desk. The volunteer looks a little shocked.

"Thanks for coming back this week," she says. "He's doing fine. Still here, but he's doing alright." The man looks into the dog room from the window in the door. "Do you want to see him?" She asks but he shakes his head and turns away. I'm shocked to see such a big, bulky guy with tears in his eyes.

"Nah, let me know how it goes." He says and hurries out to his truck.

"Dakota City." The worker says. I know that means a pitbull surrender. We grab the leash and go into the dog room. We can walk one more before we go. On leash the friendly red dog is one of the best behaved we've met all day.