Pit bulls: the new Manchester, NH, status symbol

Editor's note: The following is the first of a two-part series exploring the increase of pit bulls in Manchester, NH.

Miguel doesn't like pit bulls because they're cute and cuddly. And he doesn't like them because they're sweet. He likes them because they look bad ass, even at four months old:

"They look tough," he said. "Someone sees you walking down the street with a pit, they're not gonna mess with you."

Deserved or not, pit bulls have a reputation for being vicious animals. And with the number of pit bulls in Manchester, NH, seemingly on the rise — Miguel estimates the number to be about 700, though hard numbers are nowhere to be found — some city residents are worried, especially after an April pit bull attack in which two Manchester, NH, children were injured .

Based purely on personal observation, the city's pit bull population seems to be most concentrated in the Center City and poorer sections of the West Side.

But why?

"Pit bulls are a status symbol for a certain element of society," said Officer Dennis Walsh, one of two animal control officers on staff at the Manchester Police Department.

As a testament to  the demand for these dogs, the aforementioned Miguel said he bought the pit bull puppy seen above for $400 and has already been offered $3,000 the female pup. But he passed on that offer as he plans on breeding the dog himself — but only twice, he said — and making even more money in the long run.

And Miguel isn't the only one breeding and selling pit bulls in and around Manchester, NH. Word on the street is that most city pit bulls are bought and sold on Craig's List. Or from outfits like "Reynolds Pitbull Ranch," which is currently advertising registered red nose pit bull pups for $800 via this homemade ad taped inside the window at Urban Central, 483 Maple St.:

But whether you get a pit bull from Reynolds Pitbull Ranch, off Craig's List or from some guy down the street, if you don't know how to handle the dog, you — and perhaps one of your friends or neighbors — could be in for a very unpleasant experience.

"Often times what you have is not a pit bull problem, but an owner problem," Walsh said. "Because if owners don't treat those dogs right they will create a monster."

Miguel, who has owned pit bulls "all my life," concurred.

"It's all in how you train them, treat them and talk to them. If you treat them bad, they will behave bad," he said. And when a pit bull misbehaves, he added, the results can be, well, more severe than misbehaving cocker spaniel.

Judging from the number of pit bulls currently being held by the Manchester Animal Shelter, it is clear that there are more than a few Manchester, NH, residents who aren't cut out to be pit bull owners. Of the 18 pit bulls and pit bull mixes at the shelter when I stopped by last Friday, the overwhelming majority were there because their owners willingly surrendered them, said Christina, a shelter employee who introduced me to each of the dogs.

One pit bull, however, was there because he bit someone, and quarantine is mandatory for any dog that brings blood:

Christina said the pit bulls taken in by the Manchester Animal Shelter undergo obedience training, training which was evident as she commanded them to sit before giving each one a dog biscuit. Once this training is complete, the dogs are available to be adopted back out. Even so, there are usually restrictions as to what kind of home they will be placed in:

Of course, shelter officials would prefer that pit bulls not be put in situations where they may eventually end up in the shelter. Such is the reason they offer to spay or neuter any Manchester, NH, pit bull for free and offer occasional pit bull education days to show that with "proper training and a stable home pit bulls can be safe, loyal dogs."

"I have two pit bulls at home and I have a one-and-a-half-year-old son," Christina said. "They're very protective dogs."

I'm guessing this is her car I saw in the parking lot on the way out:

Comments

[Jamie]

The officer was correct. So was Miguel. They are status symbols in poorer, typically urban communities. While dog-fighting may not be prevelant, they are still seens as "that type of dog." And with fair reason. They are built well for fighting.

This does not mean they are naturally violent. It is the owner who trains them. I have an Akita, which have a similar and unfair reputation. My two year old often runs to her and tries to tackle her. Typically, the dog falls to the ground and licks the face of my little girl. A vicious animial indeed.

[Magic of Spice]

Ran across your site from Jason at Ancient Fire Wines... Very interesting read here and so sad that peoples influence cause harm to animals and in turn causes harm back. I am very sure it is an owner problem v a dog, even if it is just that the owner does not know or know how to handle their pets history. Again, a very important read here!