The Bump Blasts Pit Bulls: Parenting Site Spreads Breed Discrimination

The Bump bills itself as a site aimed at giving "first-time parents the lowdown on fertility, pregnancy, birth, and babies with stage-by-stage advice, stylish ideas, local resources, and interactive tools." In a monthly informational email sent to subscribers, the company sent an email to mothers of seventeen-month-olds, which included the following text:

"By now your toddler has tons of new tricks, like opening every cabinet door in the house, chucking his toys across the room, stripping off his diaper, and shrieking like a banshee. You might also find that he is either terrified of dogs and strangers or shows absolutely no fear at all. Either way is fine, as long as you offer support and supervision — and steer clear of pit bulls."

I was tempted to laugh when I read this, and would have, if the misinformation they're spreading hadn't been so insidious. It's an informational email targeted to new mothers to help them navigate their child's development. A mention of pit bulls doesn't belong here, much less a warning. This type of misinformation not only leads to family dogs losing their homes, but it's also dangerous for the toddlers.

Audrey Julian, a long-time community member of The Bump, felt the same way. "The statement about pit bulls in this email is unnecessary and untrue," she said. "Any dog can bite, and it is up to the parent to watch their child around all animals. This email is misleading, and what's more — dangerous. To insinuate that parents should be 'steering clear of pit bulls' could lead to a perception that it's perfectly okay to leave a child unsupervised with other dogs."

When Ms. Julian saw this website she has respected and followed for years enforcing a stereotype, she felt she had to speak up. "This newsletter goes out to thousands of parents in the same position I am, curious about what their toddler is up to next, scared for the injuries that are prone to happen. There's no need for scare tactics and misinformation."

And so it was that she sent out a mass email of her own, to dozens of members of the site's pet forum, which is exceptionally active in animal rescue and provides transport help, veterinary funding, and even foster homes to dogs and cats in urgent need.

She found immediate support; friend, first-time mom, and animal rescuer Jennifer Lee jumped on the issue right away. "My son was born into a home with a foster pit bull, was loved by our bully Maximus, and is being raised with many bully foster dogs. He is raised with support, supervision, pit bulls, and a mom who is working hard to teach him that all animals can and will bite when provoked — something this email blast chose to ignore in favor of ignorant sensationalism and stereotypes."

Kristi Herring, another long-time community member, rescuer, and mom, added that "Of all my dogs, my male pit bull has the most even temperament with my child ... Still, when my daughter was born eighteen months ago, I didn’t expect him to magically know how to behave around a child, just like I didn’t expect my daughter to know how to properly interact with a dog, pit bull or otherwise. My dogs, not unlike my daughter, behave exactly how I let them. And dogs and children are not left alone together, period."

I don't have a child myself, but if I did? I'd be more inclined to take the advice of these smart moms than that of the person who generated such a misleading, irresponsible, and dangerous email. Unfortunately, there are moms out there relying on the experience of The Bump staff, and this email could be putting kids and dogs in danger.

Tell The Bump to issue a retraction to all subscribers who received it. Pit bulls, toddlers, and new moms deserve better.

Photo credit: Jennifer Lee