Jon Bernthal calls prejudice against pit bulls a form of 'dog racism'

Jon Bernthal appeared on The Howard Stern Show and described the widespread mistrust of pit bulls as "dog racism," likening it to prejudice against humans. He referenced data indicating that a majority of the 84 fatal dog attacks recorded in 2025 involved pit bulls, and that pit bulls are implicated in most fatal attacks on other animals over the past 13 years, according to the advocacy group Animals 24-7. Bernthal pointed out that the federal government stopped tracking breed-specific fatality data decades ago because of reliability concerns.

He argued that the likelihood of a bite depends more on the owner's behavior and training than on the breed, saying pit bulls are no more dangerous than small dogs like Chihuahuas. The actor also noted that some individuals acquire pit bulls to appear intimidating, a practice he finds unmanly. Representatives for Bernthal did not immediately respond to inquiries.