How NOT to educate our youth about Pit Bulls

I “Like” various animal organizations and groups on Face Book.   I was reading a post about this a man’s very well crafted pen area for his dogs in his fenced-in yard on top of a mountain.  The work detailed by the poster for his Pit Bulls clearly showed how much he loves and takes care of his dogs.  One can tell he not only watches out for his dogs but he also keeps people safe from his dogs.

Yesterday, he encountered a scary scene – a new arrow was found by him near his dogs. Thankfully, the dogs are fine in part, by trees that surround his property and a 10 foot high fence. This scary incident has put a fear in him and I can’t blame him.

There are people who want to harm animals and Pit Bulls sure have their share of haters in this world.

He doesn’t know who did this but he did contact animal control. He is afraid for his dogs whom he refers to as his children. I relate to that statement all to well.

However,  I took issue with a situation this same man encountered a year ago which he doesn’t think is linked to the arrow case but thought it was worthy of mentioning.

The man was driving and had seen a kid walking his two Labrador Retrievers.  He decided to speak to the young man and told him he respected him for exercising his dogs. He continued to tell this young man that he had dogs as well.  He was asked the breed of his dogs.  When he answered Pit Bulls, this young man stated (according to the poster), ” I hate those dogs. They should be banned.”

The Pit Bull “father” proceeded to tell him” he was seconds away from doing something both of us would regret. Not a threat, a promise.”  He explained  how they were his children and “him saying that is no different than speaking of one’s child, as well I told him he is arrogant , and need to get educated.”

He said this was his way of educating him on Pit Bulls.  He felt the young man felt bad at least for saying it and even apologized.  He also felt he didn’t change his view on Pit Bulls.

Well, I had to respond to what this man said.  I took it as a teachable moment to help educate him about his tactics.

Threatening a kid by saying he was going to do something both of them would regret is NOT the way to educate anyone about Pit Bulls.  That comes across as a bully himself and I found it absurd.

Calling the kid arrogant actually made no sense to me.  It was he who came across as arrogant with his behavior and words to this young man walking his two rescue dogs.

I used diplomacy in my response to his post but he apparently didn’t like what I said since he deleted it rather quickly. I guess I struck a nerve with him.

It appears the poster needs to be educated on the ways of helping others to understand the breed he so clearly loves.

I bet the kid apologized out of fear.  Not only was a chance blown for someone to teach about a breed that is hated by many but he also judged this kid for what he said.  The irony is that he hated his dogs being judged harshly by this young man and he, in turn, does the same thing to the kid!

ADULTS- Use your words and actions wisely to teach our youth.