Why Guggenheim Exhibit Featuring Dogs Trying to Fight Each Other Is so Incredibly Wrong

What in the world!? The Guggenheim Museum in New York City is featuring a video of dogs trying to fight as part of one of their upcoming exhibits and it really has us shaking our heads.

In the seven-minute video titled, “Dogs That Cannot Touch Each Other,” eight American Pit Bulls are seen trying to attack each other while on a non-motorized treadmill, the New York Times reports. The dogs never make contact with each other, further fueling the dog’s frustration. The exhibit is called “Art and China After 1989” by couple Peng Yu and Sun Yuan that will open on October 6th, 2017 and will be on display for three months.

Understandably, animal welfare activists, who have been working tirelessly to change the stereotypes surrounding Pit Bulls are furious over the exhibit for blatantly promoting animal cruelty. Pit Bulls carry the burden of years of false stigma and myths that they are naturally vicious animals when actually, this stereotype comes from the fact that they are frequently abused and misused in illegal dogfighting rings.

Mr. Sun and Ms. Peng defended “Dogs That Cannot Touch Each Other” and said no animal cruelty took place, in an interview last year. Laughably, Ms. Peng said in the interview, “These dogs are naturally pugnacious.” What!? Pit Bulls are not born ready to rip into another dog, animal or human being. They are trained to fight by people who are interested in making a profit and providing “entertainment” in the form of a dogfight.

These dogs are forced to fight to the death in many instances, and those who cannot go on are abandoned, or killed by electrocution, gunshot, or other cruel means. It is then not the dogs who are cruel and vicious, but rather those behind their training.

Pit Bulls are not inherently dangerous. Like any other dogs, they can become violent, aggressive and mean through a lack of training, abuse, neglect and irresponsible ownership and breeding as well as a lack of attention to health and temperament issues. If they are treated with respect and trained properly, pit bulls will exhibit little to no negative traits (just ask a loving pit bull adopter!)

In fact, according to the American Temperament Test Society, American Pit Bull Terriers, the most popular breed used in dog fights, have a very high temperament passing rate of 82.6 percent. Even dogs commonly thought to be kind and gentle (and they are, with the right care) like Bearded Collies and Chihuahuas scored lower than American Pit Bull Terriers.

If more people would just give Pit Bulls a chance, they can be very loving companions, and in some communities, they have even become heroes, saving people and their guardians from harm.

The exhibit will also feature live animals, including reptiles, amphibians, and insects who will be trapped in a glass enclosure for attendee viewing. According to the New York Times article, “During the three-month exhibition, some creatures will be devoured; others may die of fatigue.” A New York City pet shop will replenish the exhibit with new animals, who will almost certainly die themselves.

Animal cruelty is NOT art! Please email The Guggenheim Museum and politely ask that they promote cruelty-free exhibits instead. There is also a petition for the cause, which already has over 22,000 signatures. 

Please be sure to sign the petition urging The Guggenheim Museum to instead promote cruelty-free exhibits instead. We must speak up for those who cannot!

Image source: New York Bully Crew/Facebook