Neighbors Would ‘Cross the Street’ To Avoid Dog—Then Owner Makes One Change

A rescue dog who had neighbors crossing the street to avoid her drew a very different reaction after one noticeable change to her appearance.

Reina the 10-year-old American Staffordshire terrier was adopted by her owner Megan Douglas from a local SPCA in New Hampshire. “She and her mate had been confiscated after their previous owner was sent to prison following a drug bust,” Douglas told Newsweek.

“She was pregnant at the time and had three healthy pups. The vets say they think the previous owner cropped her ears themselves, as they are far shorter than a professional would have done.”

When Douglas decided to up sticks and move 780 miles to Michigan, one of the biggest challenges she faced was finding a rental that would allow her to keep her “best friend.” Douglas said: “Many allow dogs but have restrictions on what are labeled aggressive breeds like hers.”

That label went against everything Douglas knew about Reina. “She is quiet and well behaved, doesn’t bark or pull on her leash, or even jump on visitors in her own home,” Douglas said. “She has always had a calm demeanor but has slowed further as she aged.”

Despite this, Reina has experienced more than her fair share of judgment since they moved to the Metro Detroit area of Michigan.

“Often on walks, long before people get close to Reina and I on our walks they cross the street, or at the very least move off the sidewalk and onto the street about 7 feet away despite her being on a 4 foot leash and wagging her tail,” Douglas said.

Sadly, breeds like Reina are often judged on a reputation that isn’t necessarily earned. It’s a reputation which might explain why, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One, pit bull type breeds spend as much as three times longer in shelters than others.

But Douglas noticed something after deciding to dress Reina up for Halloween. Eager to get into the holiday spirit, Reina was decked up in a tutu and matching witches hat. Suddenly, the reaction from Douglas’ neighbors was decidedly different.

“Folks left their yards and spoke to me, asking questions about her and patting her, cars slowed and looked at her telling me how cute she was, and those we came across on the sidewalk stopped to pat her and tell her she was a good girl,” Douglas said.

“Reina was thrilled about this and seemed to look back at me in excitement and disbelief at how much attention she received.”

This isn’t the first time Douglas has noticed how dressing up Reina seems to bring about a change in perceptions. “Even so much as a bandana will increase the likelihood of a stranger approaching,” Douglas said.

Douglas puts the difference down to “sociology.” She said: “When she is dressed up she is more personified-they don’t just see a dog, they see a bit of personality in a way. Goofy, gentle, happy… maybe they can relate to her more and that’s why she seems less intimidating.”

Douglas thinks it might also be that people see Reina as “clearly docile if she won’t protest to a tutu and a silly hat or a coat shaped like a banana.”

Whatever the case, Douglas thinks breeds like Reina’s are discriminated against. “They are very loyal dogs that are easy to train but have a bad reputation because bad people have historically abused that loyalty by training them to fight or be guard dogs,” she said.

“When I first adopted Reina even my own mother was weary of her and asked why I would adopt a pit bull, but now she spoils her grand-dog and is always asking when Reina and I are coming to visit.”

Comfortable with children but often bullied by cats, Douglas said the plan is to let Reina walk the streets in her Halloween costume for a few weeks more and then it will be time for her to switch into her Santa Claus outfit.