‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Star Jon Bernthal Calls Fear of Pit Bulls Dog Racism
Jon Bernthal has always been candid, whether discussing his acting career or the causes he passionately supports off-screen. This openness has made him a captivating presence on the celebrity interview circuit, often sharing his unfiltered thoughts.
His latest media appearance promoting ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ showcased this trait, as a seemingly routine press tour conversation took a surprising and passionate turn. What started as casual dialogue quickly evolved into one of the most talked-about moments of Bernthal’s promotional efforts.
During a recent episode of The Howard Stern Show, Bernthal fervently defended pit bulls, labeling the widespread fear of the breed as “dog racism.” He drew a parallel between this fear and the unjust judgments people face based on race or sexual orientation. He asserted, “my dogs are the greatest” and urged people to stop perpetuating the “myth” that pit bulls are inherently dangerous.
Bernthal reiterated his stance multiple times throughout the discussion. “I think to be afraid of a breed of dog is completely ridiculous,” he stated. “It’s like being afraid of somebody for their race or their sexual orientation. It’s completely ridiculous.” He emphasized that any dog can bite, humorously noting that “if a pit bull bites you, it kind of sucks,” but insisted that the breed is “no more likely to bite you than a Chihuahua or any other breed of dog.”
“My dogs are the greatest. People have got to stop that. Pit bulls don’t attack. It’s just racism. It’s dog racism. 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. If a pit bull bites you, it’s going to suck, but they’re no more likely to bite you than a Chihuahua or any other breed of dog”
His defense extended beyond the dogs themselves. Bernthal argued that a pit bull’s behavior is more influenced by ownership and training than any inherent traits of the breed, placing the responsibility on how owners raise and manage their pets.
This perspective led to a pointed critique of certain owners who contribute to the breed’s negative image. Bernthal condemned individuals who adopt pit bulls solely to project toughness without providing proper training or care, specifically calling out “wannabe gangsters” who walk untrained dogs on Venice Beach, asserting that such displays are neither manly nor strong.
His comments quickly gained traction on social media, with clips from the interview amassing millions of views shortly after airing. Reactions have been mixed, with some viewers applauding his passionate defense of a often-misunderstood breed, while others criticized his comparison to human discrimination as excessive.
This isn’t the first time the stereotypes surrounding pit bulls have sparked public debate, and Bernthal’s straightforward remarks have reignited this larger conversation in a notably viral manner. Regardless of how his “dog racism” analogy is received, it’s evident that the actor is deeply committed to the cause he advocates.
As an actor currently enjoying the success of a record-breaking Spider-Man release, Bernthal’s off-screen views can create just as much buzz as his performances. Whether this particular soundbite will fade quickly or continue to circulate remains to be seen.
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