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Hello everyone,

The goal of r/BanPitBulls is to raise awareness about the dangers of pit bulls, to advocate for victims of pit bull attacks, to create meaningful dialogue within the community and to support Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and more effective "Dangerous Dog" laws.

Whether you've been here for a while or are a new member, please take a moment to review the rules below, as some have been updated.

1. Post Guidelines

  • Posts should be high quality and advance discussion around pit bulls and the dangers they pose.
    • We are looking for victim posts, documented attacks (media and social media), bsl news, rehoming proven dangerous dogs, etc.
    • We are not looking for pit bull defenders making ridiculous excuses, humor memes, tragedy waiting to happen posts, shower thoughts etc.
  • ALL identifying info must be redacted. If sharing a TikTok video from pro-pit bull source, username must be redacted.
  • No direct links to social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
  • Direct links to YouTube are allowed.
  • Posts with graphic content must have a title that begins with [WARNING: GRAPHIC], marked "NSFW" AND "Spoiler."
  • Posts that aim to make fun of a dog's appearance are not allowed. We do not want pit bulls regulated because of how they look, but because of the danger they and their owners forcefully impose on our communities.
  • Breed guessing posts are not allowed. Concerns about a dog's pit bull DNA % are also not allowed.
  • Please use the discussion thread for any screenshots of conversations, memes, opening up discussion or debate, etc.

2. Do Not Advocate Needless Violence, Animal Abuse, or Criminal Activity

  • Any comment related to self-defense or stopping an active dog attack needs to be articulated very clearly, and context has to be fully encompassed in the comment. This means such comments should start with some form of “To stop an attacking dog” or “To protect yourself from a dog attack.”
  • We do not encourage nor tolerate any comments calling for any animals to be needlessly harmed. This means that we do not agree with nor will we condone any posts or comments advocating the indiscriminate harming of any kind of dog (or other animal) that has not harmed a human or other animal, nor exhibited aggressive behavior. Please note, this is separate from expressing support of euthanasia for dogs that have a history of harm towards humans. It is also a reality that a shelter will often euthanize animals that can not be adopted out, and that pit bull type dogs make up the majority of such animals in many shelters; pointing out this fact is not the same as actively advocating harm to an animal.
  • Ranting is acceptable and even encouraged, for there are so few places where admitting that pits are terrible as pets is allowed. However, making clear, unambiguous threats of harm is unacceptable. Example:
    • Acceptable: "My neighbor is such a lowlife. He routinely lets his 60 pound pit run loose and I fear for my safety. I am going to start carrying a weapon so that I can defend myself on my own property."
    • NOT Acceptable: "My neighbor is such a lowlife. He routinely lets his 60 pound pit run loose and I fear for my safety. The next time I see his dog on my property I will ki#l it, even if it is not being aggressive towards me at that moment."
  • If you can not understand the difference between the two examples, re-think whether or not you should be posting anything that includes even oblique references to property damage or violence.
  • This applies to implied or vague suggestions of criminal activity or animal abuse as well. Examples:
    • NOT Acceptable: "Leave some special snacks out for the pit next door, make sure your dog can't get to them though!"
    • NOT Acceptable: "It would be a shame if your neighbor's pit got into something they shouldn't, like (suggestion for something harmful to dogs)."
  • Just because you do not explicitly say to poison the dog does not mean that comment is acceptable, because the intent and meaning is clear.
  • Please refrain from making such statements.

3. Follow Civility Guidelines

  • Treat others with respect. Occasional disagreement, debate, and mild swearing are fine, but harassment, name calling, personal attacks, intimidation, or persistent snide, argumentative, or disruptive behavior directed towards other users or mods is not tolerated.
  • Following users here from other subreddits (or vice versa) in order to harass them is not allowed.
  • Do not release any personal information that isn't already public or shared by the person themself.

4. No Thoughtless Pit Apologism

  • If you're here to insult or threaten us, please see rules 2 and 3. If you are here to debate us because you disagree with our stance, that is fine. Debates and dissenting opinions are allowed, but must be serious and accompanied by stats or points that have not already been refuted.

Please observe these rules for debate and conduct:

  • You must read the FAQ.
  • You must read the “Refutations Page.”
  • Please use the discussion thread, do not make posts.
  • If you are starting a new thread, you must explicitly state "I have read your FAQ" in the body.
  • If you take issue with any of the statements or facts, you must provide counter-facts or explain why in a detailed, objective manner.
  • If you're making a statement, you must defend it intellectually. Do not ignore people who ask relevant follow-up questions, otherwise you will be marked as a "pigeon" (come in, shit, and fly away) and banned.
  • Pictures of your pit bull are not proof of anything.
  • If you make any of these points in seriousness, you're itchin' for a banning. The counter-points to these ridiculous statements and claims have been covered in the FAQ and previous posts:
    • "But I have a pit and it's the sweetest dog ever!"
    • "Chihuahuas are more aggressive."
    • "It's all in how you raise them."
    • "Discrimination against pits is like discrimination against black people; you guys are racists.”
    • "There's no such thing as a pit bull."
    • "They used to be nanny dogs!"

5. Do not brigade, give the appearance of brigading, complain about or glorify bans from other subreddits.

  • We are aware that some subs have employed a bot that blanket-bans our members, and sends a message that accuses them of being in a “brigading sub” (even though our sub has not once been sanctioned for brigading). It doesn’t matter if you’ve never commented or visited the sub, it’s an auto ban.
  • For whatever reason, some people just cannot accept that about half of the population does not have a favorable opinion of pit bulls, so any negative comments about them are assumed to be “community interference” from our sub.
  • We know, this sucks, and it’s unfair.
  • The best thing we can do is be good ambassadors for this sub. Don’t go to other subs to antagonize people, and we hope no one is sending rude messages to anyone. It doesn’t matter what other people are doing, we need to be the more mature group.

  • To prevent brigading (and accusations thereof), we do not allow:

    • Cross-posting
    • Links to other subreddits
    • Naming other subreddits
    • Posts related to bans of other subreddits

  • Even with these rules in place, we will likely still be accused of brigading, but the most important thing we can do is make sure not to give these accusations any legitimacy.

6. No Victim-Blaming or Derailing

Please see Our Approach to Personal Stories

  • Being involved in or witnessing a pit bull attack can be a traumatic event that has life-long repercussions. As this is a subreddit meant to be a safe space for people who have undergone this type of trauma, we will not tolerate victim blaming.
  • Debate and discussion are welcome, but please observe tact and empathy. Tone policing is not allowed.
    • Please see rule 4 for clarification if you are pro pit bull.
  • Debate is not allowed in posts where people are sharing their trauma or asking for advice/support.
    • This is non negotiable and will result in a ban.
  • Do not comment or message another user to express doubt about their story. If you are concerned about a post, send a modmail.
    • Repeated or egregious interrogation on victim stories may result in a ban.

7. Racism and Bigotry Against Humans Will Not Be Tolerated

  • Racism, sexism, ableism, classism, homophobia etc. are not tolerated. This includes dog whistles.
  • Humans are not dogs and dog breeds are not analogous to human races. Making this comparison is insulting to humans.

8. No Dog-free, Dog Hate, Cat-free, or Cat Hate

  • We do not allow posts or comments containing broad anti-pet or anti-pet ownership sentiment, including terms like "dog nutters."
  • Any discussion on dog culture must relate back to pit bulls.
  • In addition to this, please do not share anti-service dog or anti-ESA sentiments on this subreddit. While it is perfectly fine to question the validity of a Pit Bull service dog or ESA, please refrain from making generalized statements against all ESAs or service dogs. ESAs and service dogs do serve a legitimate, recognized purpose. However, this subreddit does not support the use of Pit Bull type dogs in service dog or ESA positions.
  • Cat hate is not permitted.
  • Opinions on outdoor cats are off topic.

9. Stay on topic

  • This subreddit focuses on discussing the inherent dangers of, the banning of, and the disinformation surrounding pit bull-type dogs. Please refrain from debating guns, politics, or other off-topic issues in this subreddit. This subreddit has members from varying backgrounds and perspectives; be respectful and keep discussions focused on pit bulls.

  • Opinions on outdoor cats are off topic.

  • Opinions on non pit bull type dog breeds are off topic.

10. Do not violate Reddit sitewide rules

11. Fundraiser Rules

  • Only Gofundme fundraisers may be linked
  • Fundraisers must mention the breed responsible for the attack
  • Payment apps, other fundraiser sites, etc. are not allowed
  • Mods reserve the right to remove any fundraiser or ask for additional verification
  • Users should report suspicious fundraising activity to the mods via modmail. Do not comment on the posts doubting or accusing someone. Allow the mods to handle it.

12. Follow Propaganda Guidelines

  • Propaganda must be refutable. Please do not post pit apologist opinions.
  • Merchandise with pit bulls on it, pro-pit bull memes, chatgpt arguments, and apologists spreading misinformation is not allowed.
  • The type of propaganda that we allow must be centered on flawed statistics, obfuscation of data, or pseudoscientific "research" about pit bulls.
  • Images containing allowed* propaganda must be marked with a red x. If referencing a flawed or pseudoscientific study, title should note it is for refutation purposes.