Pit Bull Poll
This survey, distributed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) at the 2006 Animal Care Expo, focused on the policies and procedures of shelters with respect to pit bulls. The survey findings showed that pit bulls comprise a large proportion of dogs entering shelters and rescues, and that three-fourths of shelters and rescues have more thorough screening procedures for pit bulls and their adopters.
Prior to the opening session of the 2006 Animal Care Expo in Anaheim, CA, the HSUS distributed a survey called “Pit Bulls in Your Community,” which asked about the admission and adoption procedures of survey respondents.
This survey found that pit bulls make up a large proportion of dogs entering shelters and rescues. The average estimate of pit bull composition was 30%, and 38% of respondents indicated that pit bulls comprise more than one-third of their intake.
Approximately 83% of respondents accept most or all breeds, and 19% have the same adoption procedures for pit bulls as other dogs, while 76% have more thorough screening procedures for pit bulls.
Coded answers to open-ended questions showed that 43% felt that the pit bull’s image is the main problem for pit bulls today, while 33% considered overpopulation, backyard breeders and indiscriminate breeding to the be main problems. An additional 18% felt that dogfighting was a major issue.
Among the solutions proposed to the pit bull problem were:
- Public education about dog care and pit bulls (73%)
- Cracking down on dogfighting (73%)
- Mandatory spay/neuter (42%)
- Banning pit bulls (1.5%)