Local Cops Find Cheaper K9s By Adopting Pit Bulls From The Animal Shelter

Aug 27, 2018

You may have heard pit bull advocates argue that they are not any more dangerous than any other breed of dogs, or you may be just such an advocate yourself. Now, police departments are increasingly adding their voices to those who say these dogs are smart and trainable. Police departments from Poughkeepsie in New York to Chattahoochee Hills to Washougal and more are adding these dogs to their K9 units with great success.

A number of rescue organizations have been working with police departments to pair them with shelter dogs who might otherwise be euthanized.

A police department could spend between $10,000 and $15,000 on a trained German shepherd or Belgian Malinois. They are finding that with pit bulls from shelters, they can save that money and train K9s that are just as good at their jobs as the expensive breeds.

Pit bulls have a reputation for being dangerous and unpredictable. Some communities have attempted to ban them altogether with what is called breed-specific legislation.

However, the founder of an organization called Universal K9 says breed does not determine whether or not a dog is a good worker. The dogs' trainers set out to work with them as individuals and not as breeds.

Police departments with pit bulls as part of their K9 units and the dogs' trainers say they respond well to training. In fact, one of the few issues they have with them is that they are often not aggressive enough toward humans.

Pit bulls and their trainers are demonstrating that the typical view of these dogs is not an accurate one. They can be loyal and loving just like any other breed.

What do you think of this new concept? Are you already an advocate for pitbulls? Let us know in the comments, and show this article to a friend who loves animals!