Beyond Breed Bias: Rewriting the Narrative to Improve Welfare Outcomes for Pit Bull-Type Dogs, Their Guardians, and Global Communities
Date/Time
Date(s) - Wed, Jan 20, 2027 MST
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Location

Presented by Natalie Wagner-Welds, MSc, CDBC

This presentation explores the historical and cultural evolution of pit bull-type dogs and the ways media, storytelling, and public policy have shaped public perception over time. It examines the overrepresentation of pit bull-related bite stories in the media, scientific limitations in breed identification, and research on canine behavior and temperament, while also discussing how breed stigma overlaps with racial and socioeconomic bias. The session further analyzes how language, rescue narratives, pop culture symbolism, and social media advocacy influence public attitudes toward these dogs in both harmful and beneficial ways. Using a One Health framework, the presentation highlights how housing restrictions, insurance discrimination, and a lack of accessible behavior education contribute to shelter overcrowding, public stress, and reduced welfare outcomes for both humans and pit-bull type dogs. Finally, it explores how intentional every-day dialogue, science-based dog behavior education, and community-informed advocacy can help move conversations surrounding pit bull-type dogs toward more empathetic, tangible, and humane changes that benefit both people and pit bull-type breeds globally.

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