The Punisher Talks About "Dog Racism". Critics Say His Choice of Words Goes Too Far.
Jon Bernthal has sparked a heated debate with his defense of pit bulls. During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, the actor best known for The Punisher described prejudice against the breed as a form of “dog racism.”
The Punisher Defends Pit Bulls
Bernthal, who recently reprised his role as the Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and also appeared in Nolan's The Odyssey, is known for speaking his mind, sometimes in rather blunt terms. At the same time, most of his colleagues consistently describe him as open-minded and kind-hearted. He showed both sides of his personality on Howard Stern's show when discussing fighting dogs and their reputation as dangerous weapons.
Bernthal, who has owned pit bulls for years, rejected the idea that the animals are inherently aggressive. In his view, a dog's behavior primarily depends on its upbringing, training, and owner. The real problem, he argued, is people who deliberately acquire pit bulls as status symbols and reinforce their dangerous image.
In his opinion, people who immediately condemn animals because they belong to a particular breed or look a certain way are guilty of a form of “dog racism.”
Is “Dog Racism” a Helpful Term?
His choice of words, however, also drew considerable criticism. Many people consider comparisons to racism and discrimination based on sexual orientation inappropriate. The New York Post also cited controversial statistics suggesting that pit bulls, in fact, are disproportionately involved in fatal dog attacks.
Nevertheless, Bernthal stands by his position: The breed itself is not the real problem, it is the way humans treat and handle these dogs.