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Jon Bernthal Slams ‘Dog Racism’ for Pit Bulls’ Bad Rep
Jon Bernthal Says "Dog Racism" Is Why People Fear Pit Bulls — But The Numbers Tell A Different Story
TL;DR: Actor Jon Bernthal went on The Howard Stern Show and called the stigma against pit bulls "dog racism." He says the breed is misunderstood and blames bad owners, not the dogs. But recent data shows pit bulls were involved in most fatal dog attacks in 2025. Let’s break it all down in simple terms.
Who Is Jon Bernthal And Why Does His Opinion Matter?
Jon Bernthal is a famous actor you might know from:
- The Punisher (Netflix/Marvel)
- Daredevil (Marvel)
- Spider-Man movies
- The Walking Dead (TV show)
He’s 49 years old and a huge dog lover. He owns pit bulls himself and speaks from personal experience.
What Did He Say On The Howard Stern Show?
During a recent interview, Bernthal didn’t hold back. Here are his main points:
1. "The Myth Of The Pit Bull Is A Lot Of Bullsh*t"
His exact words: "My dogs are the greatest, and they’re honest. So the myth of the pit bull is a lot of bulls–t. People got to stop that. Pit bulls don’t attack."
2. He Calls It "Dog Racism"
His exact words: "It’s just racism. It’s just dog racism. I think to be afraid of a breed of dog is completely ridiculous. It’s like being afraid of somebody for their race or their sexual orientation."
ELI5 Translation: He’s saying judging ALL pit bulls because SOME have attacked is like judging ALL people of a certain race because of what a few individuals did. He thinks it’s unfair and wrong.
3. He Blames The Owners, Not The Breed
His exact words: "If a pit bull bites you, it kind of sucks. But they’re no more likely to bite you than a Chihuahua or any other breed of dog. I think that it probably has more to do with who owns them and how they were trained."
4. He Criticizes "Tough Guy" Owners
His exact words: "I think that a lot of knuckleheads, unfortunately, are attracted to that breed of dog. When I see some wannabe gangster getting pulled down Venice Beach by his pit bull, to me that’s not manly or strong at all."
But Wait — What Do The Numbers Say?
While Bernthal speaks from his heart, Animals 24-7 (a group that tracks dog attacks and advocates for breed-specific laws) published some sobering statistics for 2025:
Important Data Alert
| Statistic | Number |
|---|---|
| Total fatal dog attacks on humans (US & Canada) | 84 (a record high) |
| Attacks believed to involve pit bulls | 64 |
| Percentage involving pit bulls | ~76% (more than 3/4) |
| Average fatal attacks on other animals per year (last 13 years) | ~29,000 |
| Percentage of those attacks by pit bulls | ~89% |
Why Is There A Disagreement?
Bernthal’s View (The "Nurture" Argument)
- Dogs are like kids — how they turn out depends on how they’re raised
- Any dog can bite — Chihuahuas bite more often, but pit bulls do more damage
- Bad owners create bad dogs — people who want "tough" dogs train them to be aggressive
The Data’s View (The "Nature + Nurture" Argument)
- Pit bulls were bred for fighting — they have strong jaws and high pain tolerance
- When they attack, it’s severe — they don’t let go easily (called "gameness")
- Statistics don’t lie — the numbers are consistent year after year
The Complicated History: Why The Government Stopped Tracking Breeds
Important Context
The federal government used to track dog breeds in fatal attacks. But they stopped decades ago because:
- Breed identification is unreliable — even experts often can’t tell a pit bull from a mix
- "Pit bull" isn’t one breed — it’s a term for several breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, etc.) and mixes
- Visual ID is wrong up to 75% of the time in shelter studies
This means we don’t have perfect official numbers — just data from groups like Animals 24-7.
What Makes This Debate So Heated?
Team "It’s The Owner"
- Pit bulls score high on temperament tests (better than Golden Retrievers!)
- They were once called "nanny dogs" for being gentle with kids
- Breed-specific legislation (BSL) doesn’t work — bites don’t decrease when pits are banned
- Any big dog can kill — Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Mastiffs too
Team "It’s The Breed"
- Physics matters — pit bulls have a "hold and shake" bite style that causes catastrophic damage
- Insurance companies know — many refuse to cover homes with pit bulls
- Shelters are overwhelmed — pits are the #1 breed euthanized in US shelters
- Victims’ families speak out — their trauma is real and shouldn’t be dismissed
Summary: What Should You Take Away?
| Key Point | What It Means For You |
|---|---|
| Bernthal loves his dogs | His experience is real — but it’s anecdotal (personal story, not data) |
| Statistics show a pattern | The numbers are consistent across years and sources |
| Breed ID is messy | "Pit bull" stats may include many mixed breeds |
| Owners matter enormously | A well-raised pit bull > a poorly raised Golden Retriever |
| Damage potential is real | Physics + genetics = severe injuries when things go wrong |
The truth is probably in the middle: Pit bulls aren’t born monsters, but they are powerful dogs that require knowledgeable, committed owners — and when things go wrong, the consequences are disproportionately severe.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Are pit bulls actually more aggressive than other dogs?
Not necessarily. Temperament tests show they score above average for friendliness. But aggression ≠ danger. A Chihuahua’s aggression = a nip. A pit bull’s aggression = a life-threatening injury. Capability matters.
What exactly is a "pit bull"?
Great question — there’s no single answer! "Pit bull" usually means:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Any mix that looks like them
Even DNA tests often disagree with visual identification.
Do pit bulls have "locking jaws"?
No — that’s a myth. Their jaw structure is the same as any dog. What they do have is determination (bred not to let go) and strong jaw muscles. Think of it like a vice grip, not a mechanical lock.
Would banning pit bulls stop dog attacks?
Evidence says no. Places with bans (Denver, Miami, UK) don’t see fewer total bites — just fewer pit bull bites. Irresponsible owners switch to other powerful breeds (Cane Corsos, Presa Canarios, etc.).
Should I get a pit bull?
Only if you’re ready for:
- Intense training & socialization (from puppyhood)
- Breed restrictions (apartments, insurance, travel, cities)
- Public stigma (people crossing the street, rude comments)
- Lifelong commitment (they’re hard to rehome)
- Physical management (secure fencing, leash skills, supervision)
Final Thought
Jon Bernthal isn’t wrong about his dogs. He’s a dedicated owner who puts in the work. But his experience ≠ every pit bull’s reality. The data doesn’t lie — but it also doesn’t tell the whole story of millions of wonderful family pets.
The solution isn’t simple. It’s not "ban them all" and it’s not "they’re all safe." It’s education, responsible breeding, mandatory training, and holding owners accountable — for every powerful breed.
What do you think? Have you met a pit bull that changed your mind? Or do the numbers speak for themselves? The conversation continues…
