A look at how far we've come -- redux

In the most recent issue of Time, the magazine offers another look at "The Softer Side of Pit Bulls". There is a snipet of the article at the link, the rest is protected by paywall.

The article is pretty general -- as you'd expect. I'm sure most of Time's readers wouldn't love a 30 page expose on the subject. It does however do a nice job of discussing the "makeover" pit bulls are getting by advocates, animal welfare organizations, and even celebrities. It also speaks of the increased popularity of pit bulls over the past few years and how many organizations are seeing dramatic increases in adoptions.

It does provide some data on dog bite numbers, and the accuracy of that data as studies have consistently shown that visual breed identification is less than precise.

And the article also interviews many of the usual suspects: Jane Hoffman of the NYC Animal Alliance, writer Bronwen Dickey, Donald Cleary and Karen Delise of the NCRC and others, and while the article isn't perfect, it is solid, and overarchingly positive toward the dogs (including 7 cute visuals of different pit bull type dogs). 

It's interesting, and certainly welcome to see the expose' from Time. Certainly they have some making up to do for the article they ran in 1987 that helped fast-track the dogs onto America's most wanted list in the first place. 

This isn't the first time they've offered a makegood on the article. Back in 2009 they ran a very good article featuring some of the dogs from the Missouri 500 dog-fighting (again with great visuals) case discussing their prognosis for rehabilitation. It was stories like this that helped change the dialogue about dogs involved in fighting rings from eager participants to the unwillful victims of cruelty that they are. 

The larger narrative is changing, and pit bulls are becoming mainstream again. People are starting to get it in very large numbers. They are dogs. Worthy of our respect and love, and willing to give it in return.

The Time magazine article is another reminder of this change -- that I know for many of us seems too slow in coming. So go read it online. Buy it on the newsstand. It's great to see how far we've come.

Related: 500 dogs, 3 magazines, and a look at how far we've come

Comments

[Jan]

Definitely a hopeful sign of more fair and intelligent coverage.