Saturday is National Pit Bull Awareness Day

October 22, 9:16 PMDallas Animal Rescue ExaminerRebecca Poling

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Loralei

Saturday is National Pit Bull Awareness day, an annual event started in 2007 by Bless the Bullies as a way to focus on these incredible dogs and their devoted, responsible owners.  Begun out of a concern that legislators and others have unfairly stereotyped all pit bull owners as criminals or gang members, NPBA day celebrates the responsible pit bull owner through a series of national events designed to educate and enlighten.

Did you know?

• Pit Bull is not a breed, but a term used to describe Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and many other breeds.  What these breeds all have in common is that irresponsible and inhumane owners, trainers, and breeders have been able to create individuals capable of being vicious.
• The Pit Bull was used to represent the US in WW1 artwork. Popular companies like RCA and the Buster Brown Shoe Company used the breed as their mascots.
• The Pit Bull was used to represent the US in WW1 artwork. Popular companies like RCA and the Buster Brown Shoe Company used the breed as their mascots.
• A Pit Bull named Petie starred in the popular children's television series, Our Gang;
• Famous individuals like Theodore Roosevelt and Helen Keller owned the breed, as well as Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, James Thurber, Penelope Cruz, Charlize Theron, Bernadette Peters, Mel Brooks, James Caan, Linda Blair, Rosie Perez, Alicia Silverstone, Sinbad, Kelli Williams, Usher, Jon Stewart, Fred Astaire, The Crocodile Hunter, Judd Nelson, Fred Astaire, Humphery Bogart & Lauren Bacall, Michael J. Fox, Stephany Kramer, Jan Michael Vincent, and Jeremy Miller.
• Stubby, the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat was a pit bull.  Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. In 1921, the Humane Education Society awarded him a special gold medal for service to his country. In addition, Stubby earned 3 Service Stripes, a Yankee Division YD Patch , the French Medal Battle of Verdun , the 1st Annual American Legion Convention Medal , the New Haven WW1 Veterans Medal , the Republic of France Grande War Medal, the St Mihiel Campaign Medal , a Wound stripe (which was replaced with Purple Heart when introduced in 1932), the Chateau Thierry Campaign Medal , the6th Annual American Legion Convention , and the Humane Education Society Gold Medal.

According to the Bless The Bullies website "Raising awareness is the only way to bring about change, and we need to be vigilant in educating the public and reversing the damage done by irresponsible owners and the extremely unethical and far too unaccountable media. "

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