A Change of Heart: To love a pit bull

This article first appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2025 edition of Pet Tales.

October is Pit Bull Awareness Month, aimed at dispelling breed-related myths, educating on responsible pet ownership, and sharing stories of how a little understanding can go a long way in changing hearts – and minds – about bully breeds.

Every dog – no matter their breed – is an individual worthy of being known and celebrated for who they are. For far too long, rumors, misinformation, and sensationalized incidents have placed Pit Bulls at the margin, leading to stigma that has created real barriers to their acceptance in communities. In Denver, for example, dogs whose physical traits place them under the Pit Bull breed umbrella were banned for over 30 years through breed-specific legislation aimed at preventing bites and protecting public safety. However, by painting with such a broad and severe stroke, these largely ineffective and costly laws have caused lasting harm to dogs and the people who love them.

In 2020, Denverites voted to repeal the city’s Pit Bull Ban, a clear sign that long-held stereotypes about their behaviors and temperament were finally beginning to wear thin. Today, families who own Pit Bulls are required to obtain a Breed-Restricted permit and license from Denver Animal Protection and are limited to no more than two Pit Bulls per household – steps in the right direction, to be sure, but hills to climb certainly remain. Just two years ago, our advocacy team supported legislation that now legally prohibits insurers from denying a homeowner’s insurance policy (or increasing the premium for such a policy) based on their dog’s breed or mixture of breeds. Seeing and contributing to this level of community progress in just the last five years is exciting.

At Humane Colorado, we often say that to know a pittie is to love one.

In fact, recent policy changes, like those noted above, reflect how connecting with one dog can shift our perspectives about the breed as a whole. Spending time getting to know a Pit Bull (or any animal, for that matter) helps us understand their behaviors in the context of their individual experiences and reveals the many ways they defy oversimplified narratives. With breed-specific ordinances declining across the U.S., people now have greater opportunities to interact with Put Bulls than ever before, leading to a deepened respect for who they are and an increase in their popularity as beloved family pets.

Since joining our volunteer dog walking team five years ago, Steve has had the chance to appreciate Pit Bulls in a whole new way. When he first came on, he was a bit wary of the dogs he would soon come to love. Part of this, he says, is because he had never had much personal experience with them, even at the shelter where he previously volunteered. At that time (circa 2007-2008), Denver’s Pit Bull Pan was in full force, and volunteers like Steve were not allowed to interact with any “illegal” dogs categorized as Pit Bulls. As is true for many people, restrictions like these gave Steve the impression that most Pit Bulls were exceptionally aggressive. It wasn’t until he came to Humane Colorado that he was able to witness firsthand their lovable nature, keen intelligence, and eagerness to bond through unhurried and intetional interactions.

These days, Steve spends most of his volunteer hours with the dogs he describes as the “nicest in the world,” who currently comprise approximately 18% of our canine population. Invested in giving them the fair shake they deserve, he often walks Pit Bulls who are fearful or have reservations about men to help boost their adoptability. Likewise, Steve enjoys spending quality time with the same dog more than once, helping them build deeper trust through a reliable relationship. ” They’re the real deals,” he says, watching his new favorite pittie explore one of our shelter play yards. “I try to be real with them, too.”

As a respected Denver artist, Steve has created several relief sculptures to honor the many Pit Bulls and other dogs who have touched his heart over the years. In these renderings, he captures both their individual qualities and the physical traits he loves most about the breed – their short hair, beautiful markings, trademark square heads, and resemblance to what he affectionately refers to as “land seals.”

Soon, Steve will reach his 1,000-hour mark as a Humane Colorado volunteer, a proud achievement he can’t wait to celebrate. To think of how many dogs – Pit Bulls and others – he has generously cared for, how many days he has brightened, over his time with us is profound. Steve’s hope is that people who are interested in adoption will give Pit Bulls a try. “I want their lives to be wonderful,” he says, reflecting on the purpose volunteering gives him. “We aren’t on this planet very long, and they deserve to have some fun and good people in their lives.”

To find your purpose, apply to be a volunteer today.