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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How Pit Bulls Went from Adorable to Abominable

A hundred years ago, pit bulls were among the most popular American dog breeds. They were owned by presidents and celebrities; they appeared with The Little Rascals and in countless other movies and ads. America loved the pit bull, and they are still among the most popular dogs.

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By Madeleine Brand • May 10, 2016 • 1 min read

A hundred years ago, pit bulls were among the most popular American dog breeds. They were owned by presidents and celebrities; they appeared with The Little Rascals and in countless other movies and ads. America loved the pit bull, and they are still among the most popular dogs. But the pit bull is now seen as a gangster dog, a dog that’s chained up and trained to fight to the death, one you shouldn’t leave alone with children. A new book, Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon explores how the pit bull went from adorable to abominable.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Matt Holzman

    Producer, 'The Document'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

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    Jolie Myers

    Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

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    Bronwen Dickey

    Author

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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand