The April ruling of the Court of Appeals of Maryland has many people trying to calculate the impacts of the Court's declaration that "pit bulls and cross bred pit bulls are inherently dangerous." Those of us in the animal welfare field are discussing and debating what this means, and how to best move forward.
In my role with the Washington Humane Society (WHS), I have a front row seat to what could turn into a debacle. However, there is reason for optimism that this short sighted ruling will be overturned. Legislators and leaders throughout Maryland are beginning to grasp that the Court's proposed solution has little bearing on the problem at hand -- and is profoundly unpopular with the voting public.
Much of the conversation focuses on the fact that discrimination against dogs based on appearance is wrong. I agree wholeheartedly, and my first decision as CEO of WHS was to change a long-held, breed-based policy that had resulted in the unnecessary deaths of thousands of dogs. Discriminating against a dog based on what he or she looks like is just as wrong as discrimination against people based on their appearance. These broad paintbrush strokes sweep up many innocent individuals. There is no place for such beliefs in an enlightened, compassionate society.
In the nation's capital, WHS worked in partnership with our City's leaders to establish an approach that is sensible -- and effective. Dogs are deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous based on a set of observed, concrete behaviors and criteria.
Another major flaw with breed-based selection is that it is tremendously difficult to determine whether a dog is a pit bull or a cross bred pit bull. I've been in this profession for 15 years. Tens of thousands of dogs have passed through shelters on my watch, and I would be considered well placed to make this determination.
And yet the longer I work in this field, the more I doubt our ability to determine a dog's genetics based on her appearance. I've seen too many puppies born of mothers who looked like a pit bull but who themselves would be described as beagles, or Labradors, or other breeds. The only definitive answer comes from the crossbreeding of papered purebreds, or DNA tests, which have proven controversial and ineffective.
Yet for all of the robust and legitimate arguments about why discrimination against a particular breed is wrong and fraught with difficulty, I believe we must focus our arguments on the singular issue that has caused the majority of attempts at breed specific discrimination to be overturned -- the economic impacts of implementation.
Breed specific laws have been reversed in communities across the nation because they are simply too costly to enforce, and because the true budgetary impacts were not considered in the decision process. Once the legislators and the voting public of Maryland fully analyze and appreciate the financial impacts, they will look for a way to overturn the decision.
As long as the ruling stands, veterinarians and emergency hospitals will have to pay exorbitant insurance rates in case a dog that resembles a pit bull comes to them for treatment. Anyone in canine businesses -- groomers, day care and boarding facilities, pet sitters -- will have to do the same. Pet-friendly businesses of all types will be similarly impacted. Lay people will be put in a position of determining which dogs are "pit bulls" and "cross bred pit bulls" -- a verdict seasoned professionals decline to give -- and then sued for getting it wrong.
The economic impacts on landlords, renters and homeowners will be devastating. Most significant will be the costs borne by cities and municipalities who have to care for the vast numbers of dogs who are surrendered because of what they look like. The aggregate costs of all of these impacts will run in the tens of millions of dollars.
Maryland voters and animal welfare advocates must put pressure on their legislators now to overturn this decision. We must do so for these incontrovertible reasons: discrimination based on appearance is inherently wrong. Better solutions based on concrete criteria are working effectively in thousands of other communities. And, the people of Maryland cannot bear the economic burdens that will undoubtedly result from this decision.
By Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO, Washington Humane Society
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-lafontaine/dog-breed-discrimination-_b_1554090.html
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Pit Bull “Problem”
Dr. Seuss had one.
Helen Keller claims they’re one of the best therapy dogs.
Jon Stewart has two – and they watch over his young children.
But these aren’t the stories you hear when you hear about pit bulls.
“I think it all started back in 1987,” says Ken Foster, author of numerous books on dogs, “[when] Sports Illustrated ran a snarling photo [of a pit bull] with a caption ‘BEWARE OF THIS DOG.’”
If you believe rumors, pit bulls have brains that are too big for their heads and jaws that operate like sharks’. Only criminals and gangsters own them; and don’t even think about getting one — they’re known for turning on their masters.
I think Cesar Milan put it best: “In the ’70s, they blamed Dobermans, in the ’80s, they blamed German Shepherds, in the ’90s, they blamed Rottweilers. Now, they blame the Pit Bull.”
These misconceptions are what led Ken Foster to start the Sula Foundation, an organization that provides affordable vaccinations, free spaying and neutering, and basic education and obedience training for pit bulls.
Foster says he gets somewhere between 12-20 calls a day to come pick up a pit bull. “Every year in New Orleans, over 2,000 are euthanized,” he explains. “That’s a little more than five a day.”
I ask why the rate is so high, and the answer is complicated.
“People breed them poorly and don’t have the means to take care of them. People move and don’t want to take the dog with them,” he says. “Or, lately, a lot of people are into this ‘moving to New Orleans’ thing for a year to work on their art, adopting a pit bull, ‘cause that’s what everyone does here and then a year later are like, ‘I’m moving back home now, so can you take my dog?’”
Foster air-chokes that imaginary person and laughs a bit, but you can tell it’s an issue – one of many.
“In a place like New Orleans, stigma is a big thing,” he says. “People have preconceived notions of what someone, or something, is supposed to be like and they subsequently get judged based solely on that.”
And as I get viciously attacked by an army of wet kisses and a powerful violent tail, I kind of start to see where he’s coming from.
by Aric S. Queen in The Good Traveler on May 25, 2012
http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2012/05/25/the-pit-bull-problem/
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Charlize Theron: My Dogs Help with My Baby
It was love at first sight, says Charlize Theron, for her four-legged best friends and her infant son Jackson, whom she adopted in March.
"It was the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed," the Oscar winner, 36, tells Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday's The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "From the moment this baby came into our home, those two dogs have never been more in love."
Theron happily considers her brood to be her family – no matter what others may think. She calls her dogs "her boys." They are, she says, "Berkley, a terrier mutt, and he's actually the pacifier thief ... He'll just lay there with the [baby's] pacifier in his mouth," and a pit bull named Blue, who help keeps the actress running on schedule.
"People keep saying, 'Oh you're a single mom,' and I'm like, 'Actually, I'm not. I got two boys helping me out.' It's incredible."
Blue serves as her alarm clock. He "woke up with me for every feed, for every change, and whenever the baby would cry the pit would start crying," says Theron. "He'll do anything for that baby." It's no wonder Theron calls Blue her Prince Charming.
As for Theron's adopting Jackson, DeGeneres says to the actress, "Everyone thinks since you're from South Africa, that he's from South Africa, but he's not."
"He's American," says his mom, who also says she brought him home when he was nine days old.
"What's that like to, all the sudden, have a nine-day-old baby in your life?" asks the TV host.
"You know, it took me a while [to finalize the adoption]," says Theron. "The process ... took around two years. My mom said the most beautiful thing." Recalling the sentiment, Theron said, "I'm going to cry."
Quoting her mother, Theron said, "It took me nine months to fall in love with you [while you] were growing in my stomach," then added: "She's like, it took you two years to fall in love with this little baby. It really took two years of just waiting and then one day it's finally there. It just feels exactly how it's supposed to feel. I don't know how to describe it. It just feels right."
By Stephen M. Silverman
http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20598122,00.html
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Faithful Dog Refuses to Leave Side of Companion
A heartbreaking picture of two pit bulls posted on Facebook caused a stir over the weekend among animal lovers. After his companion was killed by a car, a faithful dog is seen keeping watch over her body.
A local news affiliate said the female pit bull was hit Friday night, and lay dead on the side of a Phoenix, AZ road. The male pit bull refused to leave her, so a sympathetic nearby business brought him food and water.
He remained at her side throughout the night, nuzzling her, staying close until the city came to remove her body Saturday morning. He had spent 14 hours protecting his fallen friend.
The dog is currently being held at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, and if unclaimed, will be available for adoption pending health and behavioral screening.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/05/faithful-dog-refuses-to-leave-side-of-fallen-companion/
A local news affiliate said the female pit bull was hit Friday night, and lay dead on the side of a Phoenix, AZ road. The male pit bull refused to leave her, so a sympathetic nearby business brought him food and water.
He remained at her side throughout the night, nuzzling her, staying close until the city came to remove her body Saturday morning. He had spent 14 hours protecting his fallen friend.
The dog is currently being held at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, and if unclaimed, will be available for adoption pending health and behavioral screening.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/05/faithful-dog-refuses-to-leave-side-of-fallen-companion/
A Pit Bull Goes From Shelter Reject to World Champion Disc Dog
This month we're helping pet parents get -- or keep -- their pets fit for life. (Check out our expert pet-diet and weight-loss tips and videos.) But regular exercise with you pet can have mental benefits, as well as the physical ones.
For Wallace the Pit Bull, regular exercise helped turn him from a shelter resident with behavioral problems to the 2006 Cynosport World Champion and the 2007 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge National Champion for Freestyle Flying Disc. Wallace's dad Roo tells their story in the video above. Watch it -- then share this post -- to help us spread the word about the importance of getting off the couch with your pet.Learn more about Wallace the Pit Bull: https://www.facebook.com/WallaceThePitBull
By Jane, associate producer
http://www.petfinder.com/blog/2012/05/17/video-a-pit-bull-goes-from-she
Friday, May 18, 2012
A Pit Bull Named Daisy
A young girl meets a shelter dog and falls in love, changing her family’s view of pit bulls forever
We went down to see the dog, and the people who worked there said, “Watch this.” They put one dog after another in the kennel with her, and all she wanted to do was play. We got the dog, of course, because she was wonderful. She gets along with our other dogs perfectly and is as sweet as can be.
About two weeks later I got a college assignment to write a research paper on whatever I wanted. I looked around and saw beautiful Daisy sitting there and decided right then that I was going to write the research paper about her and all other pit bulls.
I did many nights of research and actually had to try to find situations where they were accused of causing harm to people. It was hard to find that information, especially when they were not mistreated. I did find that they have a higher than average passing rate from the American Temperament Test Society and are great pets and service/therapy dogs in libraries, hospitals and convalescent homes. I also learned all about Sgt. Stubby; he was a big part of my paper. I learned about how this pit bull was a military mascot, won metal after metal, was invited to the White House twice and many other facts.
I also learned that the media is ridiculous in the way it tries to terrify everyone about something every night, but they really try to stick it to pit bulls all the time. For example, one of the gentlemen I researched had gotten attacked by a dog, a Lab. He called the local newspaper and reported the attack. They asked him if it was a pit bull, and he said “No.” They wanted nothing to do with the story. This really irritated the gentlemen, so he called a different paper and said he had been attacked by a pit bull, and in no time there were eight different news agencies at his house. Unbelievable.
My husband Chris plays fantasy football, and the first year Michael Vick came back to football Chris got him on his team and benched him. He would not let him play and he would not trade him for anything – a small but grand gesture.
PS – I got an A on that paper.
5 Reasons So Many Pit Bulls Love Kids
StubbyDog investigates why dogs adore children
(Reprinted from StubbyDog.org)
1) Kids are the perfect height for kissing.
2) Sharing is easy: Multiple dogs and kids can all fit on the couch together!
3) Children are soft and squishy for cuddling – and so are pit bulls!
4) Kids love to play as much as dogs do.
5) Little ones and their pit bulls can speak without saying a word.
Editor’s note: It’s important to teach children proper dog etiquette, and always supervise their play (this is true for all breeds!). Here are some tips from the ASPCA.
(Fan photos from top to bottom by Jolene Hempel, Janet Podczerwinski, Matt Preston, Summer Voth and Darreena Harding)
Friday, May 11, 2012
Pit Bull Struck by Freight Train While Pulling Owner Away from Tracks
Just after midnight on May 3 the engineer of a westward-bound freight train witnessed an extraordinary scene as he barreled toward a railway crossing in Shirley, Mass.—a dog was frantically pulling an unconscious woman away from the tracks. The engineer made every attempt to stop the train but was unable to avoid striking 8-year-old Pit Bull Lilly before she could clear herself from the train’s wheels.
Because of the incredible generosity of people all over the world, the
cost for Lilly's initial hospitalization has been covered, and Lilly's
family is profoundly grateful. However, this is just the beginning of a
long and expensive road to recovery for this hero dog, who will need
extensive physical therapy in the months ahead. I've created this video
in hopes that Lilly's story will move you as much as it's moved us. And
if you would like to donate to a special fund we've created to help her
family pay her ongoing medical expenses you can do so by sending donations to the address below.
Please send donations to-
"Lilly the Hero Dog Fund"
c/o Fidelity Bank
9 Leominster Connector
Leominster Ma. 01453
Thank you for your continuing support and your thoughts and prayers for Lilly throughout her recovery. We are so grateful!
Contact - LillytheHeroPitbull@hotmail.com
http://www.mspca.org/about-us/press-room/2012/pit-bull-struck-by-freight.html
Lilly’s human companion was unharmed but the dog was not nearly as fortunate. The train’s wheels sliced through her right foot, fractured her pelvis in multiple locations and caused other internal injuries. Critically wounded, Lilly lay down next to her companion, who remained unconscious until help arrived.
Lilly Stays Calm Throughout Calamitous Scene
The train’s engineer later told first responders that he witnessed the dog pulling the woman—Christine Spain of Shirley—off the tracks as the train drew near. The engineer, who asked not to be identified, was convinced the train had struck both Christine and the dog, and realized only after stopping and rushing to their aid that Christine was unharmed but Lilly had suffered a catastrophic injury to her right front leg.
 |
| Dr. Kiko Bracker of Angell Animal Medical Center tends to Lilly before her right front leg is amputated (credit: Angell Animal Medical Center) |
The engineer immediately called emergency services, who arrived to find Lilly standing guard over Christine, who had collapsed alongside the train tracks while walking home from a friend’s house. Lilly’s calm and composed demeanor—despite the wail of sirens, flashing lights and frantic din from first responders struggling to make sense of the scene—is all the more remarkable given her life-threatening injuries, which by now were bleeding profusely. A Shirley animal control officer immediately drove Lilly to an emergency animal hospital in Acton where Boston Police Officer David Lanteigne, who adopted the once shy and anxious dog five years ago from an animal shelter, recovered her and rushed to Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.
David had adopted Lilly three years ago as a companion for Christine, his mother, who had suffered from alcoholism nearly her entire life. Lilly became the center of Christine’s universe—and Lilly’s presence provided Christine a comfort she had never known. Said David of the bond between the dog and his mother: “Lilly means the world to my mother, who doted on the dog from the moment she came to live with her. Lilly has also played a crucial role in helping my mom drastically reduce her drinking. Lilly’s recovery from this horrific ordeal is my top priority right now and I’ll do everything possible to get her back home to us.”
Upon arriving at Angell’s Emergency and Critical Care Unit, Dr. Alice D’Amore immediately took charge of Lilly’s care. The administration of sedatives and pain medicine calmed her enough to allow the veterinary team to determine the extent of her injuries, and plan for the emergency surgery and ongoing treatment she would require. Lilly’s right foot had been completely “de-gloved”—its skin, muscle and connective tissue torn clear away. Multiple fractures to her left pelvis were especially troubling because, should she survive surgery, she could be permanently unable to bear weight or walk without assistance.
Angell’s World-Renowned Surgery Team Tends to Lilly
The veterinary team concluded that Lilly’s right front leg could not be repaired and the only option would be to amputate the entire limb. Lilly braved this surgery on Saturday, May 5. After a short recovery she endured a second surgery to repair her pelvis and rear left leg—which is now supported with steel plates. Lilly’s life will never be the same as she will be unable to bear weight or walk without assistance for the first few months after her surgery. Still, the veterinary team at Angell is optimistic that the spirit she showed as she rescued Christine may be just the trait that sees her through this new phase of her life.
Said Dr. Meg Whalen, a staff criticalist at Angell’s Emergency and Critical Care unit: “As a 24/7 emergency care hospital it’s fair to say that we have ‘seen it all’ with respect to companion animal emergencies. However, Lilly’s selfless bravery has captured the hearts of our entire staff. Her injuries are very serious and her road to recovery will be long. But she’s got the character and spirit that sometimes trumps all of our medical advances when it comes to recovery. I think she’s got what it takes to get back to her former self.”
Donations Sought to Offset Lilly’s Care
Because of the severity of Lilly’s injuries and the extensive treatment she required, the MSPCA-Angell has provided financial aid through its Pet Care Assistance program to help cover the cost of Lilly’s care. In addition to supporting other MSPCA programs, Pet Care Assistance provides financial aid to families whose animals need emergency, intermediate and critical care at Angell. Readers who would like to donate to Pet Care Assistance can navigate to www.mspca.org/helplilly.
Hero Dog Challenges the Public’s Perception of Pit Bulls
At a time when Pit Bulls are maligned and erroneously stereotyped as violent or unfriendly, Lilly’s bravery is testimony to the true nature of these amazing dogs. Far from being aggressive, unfriendly or indifferent, Lilly is a bona fide hero and an ambassador for Pit Bulls everywhere. The MSPCA-Angell’s Advocacy, Law Enforcement and Adoption Center teams have worked for years to challenge the notion that Pit Bulls are innately dangerous. It is only recently that Pit Bulls have been cast erroneously as villains. At the height of the breed stature in the early 20th century they were often seen as the most decorated heroes in the U.S. Lilly has demonstrated the unconditional love and loyalty that is a hallmark of Pit Bulls—and many, many other dogs as well.
Said Jean Weber, the MSPCA’s director of animal protection: “Lilly’s story has moved us all beyond measure. I hope her actions will underscore the truth about Pit Bulls—that they are amazing animals and are as devoted to their family as any other dog.”
Once Lilly fully recovers from her surgeries she will go home to live with David, his girlfriend and their two Golden Retrievers (whom Lilly adores). Christine has moved in with David to help with Lilly’s convalescence. Lilly’s recovery will be monitored regularly by the veterinary team at Angell to ensure she has every chance of returning to her former self.
For more information about Angell Animal Medical Center’s Emergency and Critical Care Services click here.
**Update:
Lilly’s family wanted to share this with everyone – and to say thanks for the overwhelming response to her story. David Lanteigne says Lilly will bounce back soon. “Very sad but with her strong nature she will be back to her ol’ self doing her spin moves running up and down my front yard!
Because of the incredible generosity of people all over the world, the
cost for Lilly's initial hospitalization has been covered, and Lilly's
family is profoundly grateful. However, this is just the beginning of a
long and expensive road to recovery for this hero dog, who will need
extensive physical therapy in the months ahead. I've created this video
in hopes that Lilly's story will move you as much as it's moved us. And
if you would like to donate to a special fund we've created to help her
family pay her ongoing medical expenses you can do so by sending donations to the address below.
Please send donations to-
"Lilly the Hero Dog Fund"
c/o Fidelity Bank
9 Leominster Connector
Leominster Ma. 01453
Thank you for your continuing support and your thoughts and prayers for Lilly throughout her recovery. We are so grateful!
Contact - LillytheHeroPitbull@hotmail.com
http://www.mspca.org/about-us/press-room/2012/pit-bull-struck-by-freight.html
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Goodbye to Barky, Who Perhaps Never Knew She Was a Pit Bull
I did not know that Barky was a pit bull when I got her, in the fall of 1998, as I was going -- ignorantly, in so many ways, as it turned out -- into my second year of law school.
The people who'd found Barky in New York's Riverside Park told me she was a Staffordshire terrier. I'd grown up with golden retrievers in the Rhode Island suburbs; I did not have the Internet in my apartment. I brought home the wiggly 10-month-old orange dog with the huge ears.
The guys who kept up the all-night underground pharmaceutical market on my corner whistled when they saw Barky. "Nice pit bull," I kept hearing.
I'd correct them. "She's a Staffordshire terrier."
Finally, I went to the library and looked at dog books. Staffordshire terriers, I learned, are a type of pit bull. Pit bulls, the plodding 1998 Internet told me, when I finally got to it, were likely one day to snap and bite me on the jugular.
But it was too late; I loved Barky already. Over the next years, she went on long walks around New York with me. She was a regular at the law school (my mother later said Barky was Columbia Law School's first pit bull graduate). When my ill-advised boyfriend and I broke up, in the middle of winter, then over and over again during various other seasons over the course of several years, Barky took to sleeping under the covers, with her head on the pillow. I'd never known a dog with funnier ears. My life had problems, to be sure -- I loathed being a lawyer; I was irresistible to terrible men -- but my jugular was fine.
In early 2002, with itchy feet and a deep fear of a terrorist attack on the subway, I took a one-year legal job on a small tropical island near Guam. The island had a four-month quarantine. My parents agreed to take care of Barky while I was away. One year turned into two. Barky's head got used to my parents' pillows; her tummy got used to my parents' home cooked meals. Then she came down with a blood disease the vet said would kill her within months. We were devastated. Barky lived. She was then diagnosed with cancer and was given another death sentence, that she again defied.
"She loves eating chicken too much to die," my mother told me on the phone.
By the time I came home from the island, five and a half years after I'd left New York, I was through being a lawyer and my parents were too attached to the now somewhat grey, still wiggly dog they'd nursed back to life, twice, to give her up. Barky had officially become the sweet, spoiled and beloved family dog, which she has continued to be for going on 98 dog years now -- which might be shocking to the judges of Maryland's Court of Appeals.
This court issued an unprecedented ruling in late April, finding that pit bulls are inherently dangerous, and people who own them are strictly liable for any damage they cause. Owning a pit bull at all, the court ruled, is itself negligent.
This is different from how most dogs are treated under the law. Owners are usually given what's called a "one free bite" -- meaning, that they essentially get a pass the first time their dog hurts someone. (The second time, they're liable, since by then they know their dogs' dangerous propensities.) Maryland's pit bull owners are now supposed to presume their dogs' dangerousness.
Pit bull advocates make a number of arguments for why the Maryland court's ruling makes no sense. They say there is, actually, no such thing as a pit bull; even if there were, pit bulls are in fact no more dangerous than any other breed. (Some advocates like to say that statistically speaking, golden retrievers are more dangerous than pits.)
As both a (former) lawyer and a person who has spent many nights sharing a pillow with a pit bull, I'm inclined to think the advocates are right. For one, even if there is such a thing as a pit bull, and even if they do bite more often than golden retrievers, they still don't bite often. The most alarmist, anti-pit bull statistics show that fewer than 30 people in the United States are killed every year by dogs (and no one is even suggesting that pit bulls are responsible for all of those 30 deaths, even). There are, meanwhile, almost 80 million dogs living in U.S. households.
This doesn't sound like inherent dangerousness to me. Then there's Barky, who hates cats and who has always barked like crazy when other dogs seem to be having too good a time (my dad calls her the police of the dog park). But no one seems to have told her she was supposed to have spent her life being actually dangerous; after a youth of walks, chasing squirrels, law school and barking at neighbors who talk too loudly, she's spent her dotage sitting in my mom's garden, eyeing squirrels, eating chicken and barking at the neighbors.
Barky's even used her legal education, going with my father to his law office, where she begs treats from clients.
That undramatic, chicken-filled life is almost over now, for real this time. On today, my first wedding anniversary to a wonderful man, I am on my way to Rhode Island, so that I can be with Barky as she leaves us, on Tuesday. After surviving blood disease and cancer, Barky is now having heart failure; my parents, my brother and I think it's kinder to ease her out of life with a shot from the vet than subject her to the heart attack or stroke that is otherwise inevitable. We've been very lucky to have all these years with the now almost completely white pit bull whose big ears now look cauliowered like a professional boxer's -- 14 human years, half of which have felt like borrowed time. It's hard to look back over these years and think that keeping Barky as our treasured pet would seem like negligent behavior. It's seemed like a gift.
Of course it's possible Barky simply never realized what she was. Maybe she just spent all these years thinking she was a Staffordshire terrier.
By Arin Greenwood
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arin-greenwood/maryland-pit-bull-ruling_b_1495108.html
The people who'd found Barky in New York's Riverside Park told me she was a Staffordshire terrier. I'd grown up with golden retrievers in the Rhode Island suburbs; I did not have the Internet in my apartment. I brought home the wiggly 10-month-old orange dog with the huge ears.
The guys who kept up the all-night underground pharmaceutical market on my corner whistled when they saw Barky. "Nice pit bull," I kept hearing.
I'd correct them. "She's a Staffordshire terrier."
Finally, I went to the library and looked at dog books. Staffordshire terriers, I learned, are a type of pit bull. Pit bulls, the plodding 1998 Internet told me, when I finally got to it, were likely one day to snap and bite me on the jugular.
But it was too late; I loved Barky already. Over the next years, she went on long walks around New York with me. She was a regular at the law school (my mother later said Barky was Columbia Law School's first pit bull graduate). When my ill-advised boyfriend and I broke up, in the middle of winter, then over and over again during various other seasons over the course of several years, Barky took to sleeping under the covers, with her head on the pillow. I'd never known a dog with funnier ears. My life had problems, to be sure -- I loathed being a lawyer; I was irresistible to terrible men -- but my jugular was fine.
In early 2002, with itchy feet and a deep fear of a terrorist attack on the subway, I took a one-year legal job on a small tropical island near Guam. The island had a four-month quarantine. My parents agreed to take care of Barky while I was away. One year turned into two. Barky's head got used to my parents' pillows; her tummy got used to my parents' home cooked meals. Then she came down with a blood disease the vet said would kill her within months. We were devastated. Barky lived. She was then diagnosed with cancer and was given another death sentence, that she again defied.
"She loves eating chicken too much to die," my mother told me on the phone.
By the time I came home from the island, five and a half years after I'd left New York, I was through being a lawyer and my parents were too attached to the now somewhat grey, still wiggly dog they'd nursed back to life, twice, to give her up. Barky had officially become the sweet, spoiled and beloved family dog, which she has continued to be for going on 98 dog years now -- which might be shocking to the judges of Maryland's Court of Appeals.
This court issued an unprecedented ruling in late April, finding that pit bulls are inherently dangerous, and people who own them are strictly liable for any damage they cause. Owning a pit bull at all, the court ruled, is itself negligent.
This is different from how most dogs are treated under the law. Owners are usually given what's called a "one free bite" -- meaning, that they essentially get a pass the first time their dog hurts someone. (The second time, they're liable, since by then they know their dogs' dangerous propensities.) Maryland's pit bull owners are now supposed to presume their dogs' dangerousness.
Pit bull advocates make a number of arguments for why the Maryland court's ruling makes no sense. They say there is, actually, no such thing as a pit bull; even if there were, pit bulls are in fact no more dangerous than any other breed. (Some advocates like to say that statistically speaking, golden retrievers are more dangerous than pits.)
As both a (former) lawyer and a person who has spent many nights sharing a pillow with a pit bull, I'm inclined to think the advocates are right. For one, even if there is such a thing as a pit bull, and even if they do bite more often than golden retrievers, they still don't bite often. The most alarmist, anti-pit bull statistics show that fewer than 30 people in the United States are killed every year by dogs (and no one is even suggesting that pit bulls are responsible for all of those 30 deaths, even). There are, meanwhile, almost 80 million dogs living in U.S. households.
This doesn't sound like inherent dangerousness to me. Then there's Barky, who hates cats and who has always barked like crazy when other dogs seem to be having too good a time (my dad calls her the police of the dog park). But no one seems to have told her she was supposed to have spent her life being actually dangerous; after a youth of walks, chasing squirrels, law school and barking at neighbors who talk too loudly, she's spent her dotage sitting in my mom's garden, eyeing squirrels, eating chicken and barking at the neighbors.
Barky's even used her legal education, going with my father to his law office, where she begs treats from clients.
That undramatic, chicken-filled life is almost over now, for real this time. On today, my first wedding anniversary to a wonderful man, I am on my way to Rhode Island, so that I can be with Barky as she leaves us, on Tuesday. After surviving blood disease and cancer, Barky is now having heart failure; my parents, my brother and I think it's kinder to ease her out of life with a shot from the vet than subject her to the heart attack or stroke that is otherwise inevitable. We've been very lucky to have all these years with the now almost completely white pit bull whose big ears now look cauliowered like a professional boxer's -- 14 human years, half of which have felt like borrowed time. It's hard to look back over these years and think that keeping Barky as our treasured pet would seem like negligent behavior. It's seemed like a gift.
Of course it's possible Barky simply never realized what she was. Maybe she just spent all these years thinking she was a Staffordshire terrier.
By Arin Greenwood
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arin-greenwood/maryland-pit-bull-ruling_b_1495108.html
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Video du Jour
There are millions and millions of everyday people who share their hearts and homes with "pit bull" dogs. Here are just a few. For more information, visit animalfarmfoundation.org.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Changing Hearts and Minds
By Laura Petrolino, VP of Operations (Reprinted from StubbyDog.org)
You are at the park playing fetch with your dog.
You are on a plane reading a magazine.
You are at the salon getting your nails done.
You are at the grocery store buying dinner.
Undoubtedly, throughout your daily activities, you encounter a moment where you are put in the position to be a pit bull advocate. You might overhear a conversation, be asked directly, or simply have it come up in a discussion.
So what do you do? This is a question that I get a lot, so I thought it worthwhile to put together a short “intro” course for those of you interested in helping to set the record straight, but not exactly sure where to start (or those of you who are already actively advocating, but need a few pointers to be more effective).
I divided the process up into the “5 A’s of Advocacy”:
Be Aware: So the first thing to do when faced with any situation in which you are serving as an impromptu pit bull ambassador is to stop, take a deep breath, and put yourself in check. This is an emotional issue on both sides of the line. It is very easy, especially if you have a pit bull as part of your family, to take things personally and let your emotions overwhelm your intellect. Please don’t. By letting raw emotion rule the roost you will not accomplish anything beneficial for yourself, the person you are talking with, other future advocates and, most importantly, the dogs.
Sure, the love you have for your dog is important, but not if it prevents you from talking logically and laying out important facts, figures and talking points that can help the other party also look past their immediate emotional response and open themselves to the new information that you are bringing to the table. Please know yourself and your limits when it comes to this; if you are unable to separate your immediate emotional response from your attempts to help change public perception about pit bulls, then know it is OK to just walk away. In fact, it is better to walk away.
Acknowledge: Acknowledge the other person’s point of view. Please don’t vilify them in any way just because their exposure to pit bulls has been limited, they’ve had a bad experience personally (or know/have heard of someone who has), or have a knowledge base which has been completely developed off of media sound bites and scare stories.
Please try to put yourself in their shoes. All of us have fears about something that might very well be unfounded, but that doesn’t make them any less real to us. Just because their fear is not your fear doesn’t make it any less scary.
If the person you are talking to has been a victim of an attack or has a dog or family member who has been, start out by expressing your sincere condolences for this fact. Again, put yourself in their shoes.
Arm Yourself: Know your facts and be prepared. Pretend that you are in debate club at school and this the debate topic for the national championship. Would you go in completely unprepared with facts, figures and talking points that were both defensible and emotionally and intellectually resonate? I hope not.
We have a whole site of information and resources that you can use to help you prepare yourself, as do BADRAP and Animal Farm Foundation.
I recommend you pick out three to five really key talking points and/or facts that you master, and use those consistently to make your points. For example, I normally start with bringing up the fact that dogs labeled “pit bulls” are not actually a breed, but instead a grouping of dogs with similar physical characteristics. So basically, a stereotype is being applied to a group of dogs simply because of how they look. This tends to automatically break people out of their fixed mindset because it cuts down on their ability to categorize and immediately alerts them to the fact that their entire foundation for thought about pit bulls was incorrect. I move forward from there.
Really, it is important to see what works for you. What do you feel comfortable talking about? What do you feel are the most important talking points based on discussions or issues that have come up in your community?
I feel the need to add another warning here about not letting emotion interfere with your ability to provide clear and useful facts. I often find that loving pit bull guardians *think* they know a lot about the dogs and the bias, but actually what they know is that they love their dog and like to snuggle on the couch with him/her or watch them do goofy things. Which is fantastic, but not quite the type of persuasive information needed to effectively be an advocate.
Arm them: Obviously you are not going to provide a full and complete re-education to the person you are talking to in one discussion, nor would you want to. This is why I encourage you to pick around three clear and persuasive points to share with them. It gives them enough to start to re-evaluate their stance, but not too much to overwhelm them.
However, you want to be able to provide them with the ability to find out more on their own, and guess what? That’s what StubbyDog is here for. Send them to our site. We will hopefully soon be selling postcard-sized “advocacy flash cards” that you can carry around with you, or simply write our URL down on a piece of paper or the back of your business card (so they can reach back out to you as well, if needed).
I know a lot of you use us as a referral source in this way already, and we definitely encourage you to do it as much as possible. I can’t tell you the number of e-mails I get on a weekly basis from people who have been referred to our site and are grateful and excited about the change in mindset and release of long-held false fears that our site helped them accomplish.
Guess what? As great as your argument might be, as passionate as your intention, as well balanced and knowledgeable as your talking points, sometimes you won’t be able to change someone’s mind. This is just the fact of life. Please know when to walk away and then do it.
Have faith in the fact that there are a lot of minds that are ready to be changed, and there are some that just aren’t there yet. And also realize that even though it may appear that you didn’t get through at this point, your message will most likely continue to resonate in the back of their heads, just waiting for the time when the right additional stimulus triggers them to re-evaluate things.
You can’t always see the difference you make, but move forward confident in the fact that every time you chip away at some of the long cemented false stereotypes about pit bulls, we take a step forward in an overall change in public perception for these dogs.
So let’s hear from you.
What have you found to be most effective in your advocacy efforts?
What problems do you find hardest to overcome?
What makes you nervous about the process?
What makes you excited about the process?
What additional questions do you have?
You are at the park playing fetch with your dog.
You are on a plane reading a magazine.
You are at the salon getting your nails done.
You are at the grocery store buying dinner.
Undoubtedly, throughout your daily activities, you encounter a moment where you are put in the position to be a pit bull advocate. You might overhear a conversation, be asked directly, or simply have it come up in a discussion.
So what do you do? This is a question that I get a lot, so I thought it worthwhile to put together a short “intro” course for those of you interested in helping to set the record straight, but not exactly sure where to start (or those of you who are already actively advocating, but need a few pointers to be more effective).
I divided the process up into the “5 A’s of Advocacy”:
Be Aware: So the first thing to do when faced with any situation in which you are serving as an impromptu pit bull ambassador is to stop, take a deep breath, and put yourself in check. This is an emotional issue on both sides of the line. It is very easy, especially if you have a pit bull as part of your family, to take things personally and let your emotions overwhelm your intellect. Please don’t. By letting raw emotion rule the roost you will not accomplish anything beneficial for yourself, the person you are talking with, other future advocates and, most importantly, the dogs.
Sure, the love you have for your dog is important, but not if it prevents you from talking logically and laying out important facts, figures and talking points that can help the other party also look past their immediate emotional response and open themselves to the new information that you are bringing to the table. Please know yourself and your limits when it comes to this; if you are unable to separate your immediate emotional response from your attempts to help change public perception about pit bulls, then know it is OK to just walk away. In fact, it is better to walk away.
Acknowledge: Acknowledge the other person’s point of view. Please don’t vilify them in any way just because their exposure to pit bulls has been limited, they’ve had a bad experience personally (or know/have heard of someone who has), or have a knowledge base which has been completely developed off of media sound bites and scare stories.
Please try to put yourself in their shoes. All of us have fears about something that might very well be unfounded, but that doesn’t make them any less real to us. Just because their fear is not your fear doesn’t make it any less scary.
If the person you are talking to has been a victim of an attack or has a dog or family member who has been, start out by expressing your sincere condolences for this fact. Again, put yourself in their shoes.
Arm Yourself: Know your facts and be prepared. Pretend that you are in debate club at school and this the debate topic for the national championship. Would you go in completely unprepared with facts, figures and talking points that were both defensible and emotionally and intellectually resonate? I hope not.
We have a whole site of information and resources that you can use to help you prepare yourself, as do BADRAP and Animal Farm Foundation.
I recommend you pick out three to five really key talking points and/or facts that you master, and use those consistently to make your points. For example, I normally start with bringing up the fact that dogs labeled “pit bulls” are not actually a breed, but instead a grouping of dogs with similar physical characteristics. So basically, a stereotype is being applied to a group of dogs simply because of how they look. This tends to automatically break people out of their fixed mindset because it cuts down on their ability to categorize and immediately alerts them to the fact that their entire foundation for thought about pit bulls was incorrect. I move forward from there.
Really, it is important to see what works for you. What do you feel comfortable talking about? What do you feel are the most important talking points based on discussions or issues that have come up in your community?
I feel the need to add another warning here about not letting emotion interfere with your ability to provide clear and useful facts. I often find that loving pit bull guardians *think* they know a lot about the dogs and the bias, but actually what they know is that they love their dog and like to snuggle on the couch with him/her or watch them do goofy things. Which is fantastic, but not quite the type of persuasive information needed to effectively be an advocate.
Arm them: Obviously you are not going to provide a full and complete re-education to the person you are talking to in one discussion, nor would you want to. This is why I encourage you to pick around three clear and persuasive points to share with them. It gives them enough to start to re-evaluate their stance, but not too much to overwhelm them.
However, you want to be able to provide them with the ability to find out more on their own, and guess what? That’s what StubbyDog is here for. Send them to our site. We will hopefully soon be selling postcard-sized “advocacy flash cards” that you can carry around with you, or simply write our URL down on a piece of paper or the back of your business card (so they can reach back out to you as well, if needed).
I know a lot of you use us as a referral source in this way already, and we definitely encourage you to do it as much as possible. I can’t tell you the number of e-mails I get on a weekly basis from people who have been referred to our site and are grateful and excited about the change in mindset and release of long-held false fears that our site helped them accomplish.
Have faith in the fact that there are a lot of minds that are ready to be changed, and there are some that just aren’t there yet. And also realize that even though it may appear that you didn’t get through at this point, your message will most likely continue to resonate in the back of their heads, just waiting for the time when the right additional stimulus triggers them to re-evaluate things.
You can’t always see the difference you make, but move forward confident in the fact that every time you chip away at some of the long cemented false stereotypes about pit bulls, we take a step forward in an overall change in public perception for these dogs.
So let’s hear from you.
What have you found to be most effective in your advocacy efforts?
What problems do you find hardest to overcome?
What makes you nervous about the process?
What makes you excited about the process?
What additional questions do you have?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Video du jour
Here is what REAL Pit Bull owners look like! They are hard-working, responsible, intelligent, caring folks. Their dogs are part of their family and every day they are defying the stereotypes!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Hunger Games Star Adopts Pit Bull Puppy
The Hunger Games star, 19, recently adopted a 3-month-old blue pit bull, which he named Driver.
"Thanks to Josh, he now has a full stomach, warm bed and a loving owner," reads a post on Hutcherson's official Facebook fan page, which announced the news.
Driver and Hutcherson found each other when rescue group Hands Paws Hearts pulled the dog out of a municipal Los Angeles County shelter, as first reported by TooFab.com. The puppy, who has two missing toes, had been dropped off as a stray.
"He sat in the shelter for 11 days with a broken leg, and the injury was already about a month old," adoption coordinator Sasha Rose tells PEOPLE. "He'd been sitting in a great deal of pain."
On the same day Rose went to pick up Driver from the shelter, she got a call from a friend of a friend – who turned out to be Hutcherson. The actor had been looking for a pit bull, and "he wanted a rescue dog, that was a priority."
Hutcherson met the puppy before it went into surgery, and the two hit it off right away.
"Josh is very, very happy," Rose says, and Driver is "very active and playful. He doesn't complain. He's a really nice dog."
By Helin Jung
http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20588235,00.html
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Video du Jour
Top 5 Myths about Pit Bulls featuring Chicago Blackhawks player Bryan Bickell and fiance Amanda. For more information visit http://chicagolovespits.org.
This campaign brought to you by AdoptAPet.com, http://adoptapet.com and Found Chicago, http://foundchicago.org.
Monday, April 16, 2012
You Might Have a Pit Clown If …
Take our handy test to see if your dog is a genuine, certifiable clown.
By Micaela Myers (Reprinted from StubbyDog.org)
Pit bulls and bully breeds in general are often known as the clowns of the canine world. Here’s a checklist to see if you have a purebred Pit Clown.
Check all that apply:
You know what the word “zoomies” means and have seen them in action.
Your pit bull spends at least 25 percent of his time belly up.
He or she snores louder than grandpa, grandma and Santa Claus combined.
Your beloved dog has decided that indeed he deserves the same comforts in life as you, including a recliner and your bed.
You had no idea a dog had so many butt muscles until you came home to your new pit bull for the first time and saw a full on, wiggly butt happy dance.
Your dog knows how to smile, complete with upturned lips, and you have at least one picture to prove it.
Your pit bull likes to sit on strange things, in strange ways or contort himself into funny ragdoll positions.
He or she makes you laugh at least once a day no matter how rotten you are feeling.
If you checked at least five boxes, you indeed have a genuine Pit Clown. Now go get a big slobbery kiss for being such a smart human.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Rachael Ray 'Hasn't Slept Well in Years' – Thanks to Her Dog
"She really has the run of the house," Ray tells PEOPLE Pets of her beloved pooch.
And is it any surprise? Isaboo's realm includes the kitchen.
"I make a dog-friendly version of almost everything that we make for dinner, so she gets a lot of home-cooked food," says the celebrity chef. "She likes barley or orzo with chicken stock, carrots and parsley. She likes parsley a lot."
The beloved pooch extends her rule all the way to the bed – the one inhabited by humans.
"We have a queen-size bed and the dog sleeps in the middle," Ray says. "[My husband] John and I are sort of these little quotation marks on either corner.
"Isaboo starts out under [the covers], she gets too hot, then she comes back over," she adds. "We haven't slept well in six years."
In more ways than one, Isaboo's adorable takeover makes her seem like she could be one of Ray's offspring. She even watches animated movies.
"She has a mad crush on John Travolta in Bolt," Ray says. "You put Bolt on and she just stares at the television. She loves every moment of it. It's her hidden pleasure."
Still, there's one line that Ray refuses to let Isaboo cross. "She eats out of a dog bowl," Ray assures. "We're not insane!"
By Megan O'Neill
http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20500958,00.html
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Video du Jour
Ellen welcomed Tia Torres to the show to talk about her amazing work at the Villalobos Rescue Center. She rescues pit bulls from terrible situations, and rehabilitates them.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
You Have So Many Pit Bulls!
Of the four to five million dogs and cats euthanized in our country's shelter system it is estimated that one million of those animals are dogs labeled pit bulls. Shelter's report anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of their admissions arepit bull type dogs and because of the negative image, they often are at the shelter longer because many people are scared.
If I didn't know anything about dogs beyond what I read and hear in the news, I would be afraid, too. Fortunately, for me, I have worked with, and been around hundreds of pit bulls, including dogs rescued from the Michael Vick property.
I've been around pits I know casually and socially and around hundreds of strange dogs at pit bull awareness events. Pit bulls are dogs; they have the capacity for love and forgiveness. They appreciate human praise, they want to receive affection. So, why are there so many pit bulls?
The phrase conjures up different images. For many that image is one of the quintessential family dog; loyal, friendly, athletic, and approaches life with a vim and vigor that reminds so many of us of a fun loving childhood. For others, this image tends to portray one of toughness, and 'cool' machismo.
It is the former that has been seen in pop culture to the extent that one artist even adopted the phrase as his own moniker. Part of what creates this image is the myth of a dog born with bad blood, predisposed to violence. For those of us in the animal life saving business, this image is the toughest challenge going and has been for decades.
Compounding the negative image is an erroneous interpretation of breed identification. Being labeled as a 'pit bull' breed has become a life threatening stigma for shelter dogs.
The myths and stories have enveloped so many dogs that the "pit bull" has become a generic term for any dog that shares similar physical characteristics. These are a short coat, blocky head, and a muscular body. In 2009 Dr. Victoria Voith published a study in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine that suggests only about 12 percent of shelter professionals can visually identify a dog agreeable to DNA analysis. The term "pit bull" actually can encompass over 20 breeds of dogs not counting all of the mixed breeds.
Sadly, they are often the dog of choice for criminals. These dogs are victims of the worst sort of abuse: dogfighting. Fighting is something they are forced to do, not something they are. For years the victims of dogfighting were routinely put down. They were deemed to be too aggressive by nature, game stock. The rescue of the Vick dogs has put this misguided notion to bed.
In the winter of 2008 I worked at a large animal welfare organization that had just received custody of 22 of Michael Vick's dogs. The case made headlines nationwide. These dogs were "pit bulls" and according to media reports, and statements made by some animal protection organizations, were of the worst sort. I never really believed the hype that was going around about pit bulls, but the intensity of the headlines was stark and I clearly remember having doubts and wondering if the statements from some of the largest animal protection organizations might actually be true. Today, at least six of the Vick dogs that were saved have become therapy dogs. Many have been adopted into multi-pet homes.
WHAM 13 in Rochester, NY published a story recently that helps answer the question of why there are so many pit bulls. In many areas of the country there are a group of substandard owners looking for a menacing status symbol and perhaps a few quick bucks. The breeding is rampant and unregulated. In areas that are under economic hardship, the dogs are running loose and filling many shelters faster than homes can be found, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent dogs.
What might help to solve the issue is if more families looking to add a dog to their home took a second look at pit bulls and took the time to meet them as individuals with their own unique personalities. It would go a long way to help save lives. Dogs teach us so much and the pit bull issue teaches us even more about discrimination, judgment, acceptance, individuality, and what unconditional love really means. You don't have to take my word for this. Come to the shelter and meet a pit bull.
By Ed Fritz, Executive Director of the Southampton Animal Shelter
http://www.indyeastend.com/Articles-News-i-2012-03-28-101093.113117-You-Have-So-Many-Pit-Bulls.html
If I didn't know anything about dogs beyond what I read and hear in the news, I would be afraid, too. Fortunately, for me, I have worked with, and been around hundreds of pit bulls, including dogs rescued from the Michael Vick property.
I've been around pits I know casually and socially and around hundreds of strange dogs at pit bull awareness events. Pit bulls are dogs; they have the capacity for love and forgiveness. They appreciate human praise, they want to receive affection. So, why are there so many pit bulls?
The phrase conjures up different images. For many that image is one of the quintessential family dog; loyal, friendly, athletic, and approaches life with a vim and vigor that reminds so many of us of a fun loving childhood. For others, this image tends to portray one of toughness, and 'cool' machismo.
It is the former that has been seen in pop culture to the extent that one artist even adopted the phrase as his own moniker. Part of what creates this image is the myth of a dog born with bad blood, predisposed to violence. For those of us in the animal life saving business, this image is the toughest challenge going and has been for decades.
Compounding the negative image is an erroneous interpretation of breed identification. Being labeled as a 'pit bull' breed has become a life threatening stigma for shelter dogs.
The myths and stories have enveloped so many dogs that the "pit bull" has become a generic term for any dog that shares similar physical characteristics. These are a short coat, blocky head, and a muscular body. In 2009 Dr. Victoria Voith published a study in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine that suggests only about 12 percent of shelter professionals can visually identify a dog agreeable to DNA analysis. The term "pit bull" actually can encompass over 20 breeds of dogs not counting all of the mixed breeds.
Sadly, they are often the dog of choice for criminals. These dogs are victims of the worst sort of abuse: dogfighting. Fighting is something they are forced to do, not something they are. For years the victims of dogfighting were routinely put down. They were deemed to be too aggressive by nature, game stock. The rescue of the Vick dogs has put this misguided notion to bed.
In the winter of 2008 I worked at a large animal welfare organization that had just received custody of 22 of Michael Vick's dogs. The case made headlines nationwide. These dogs were "pit bulls" and according to media reports, and statements made by some animal protection organizations, were of the worst sort. I never really believed the hype that was going around about pit bulls, but the intensity of the headlines was stark and I clearly remember having doubts and wondering if the statements from some of the largest animal protection organizations might actually be true. Today, at least six of the Vick dogs that were saved have become therapy dogs. Many have been adopted into multi-pet homes.
WHAM 13 in Rochester, NY published a story recently that helps answer the question of why there are so many pit bulls. In many areas of the country there are a group of substandard owners looking for a menacing status symbol and perhaps a few quick bucks. The breeding is rampant and unregulated. In areas that are under economic hardship, the dogs are running loose and filling many shelters faster than homes can be found, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent dogs.
What might help to solve the issue is if more families looking to add a dog to their home took a second look at pit bulls and took the time to meet them as individuals with their own unique personalities. It would go a long way to help save lives. Dogs teach us so much and the pit bull issue teaches us even more about discrimination, judgment, acceptance, individuality, and what unconditional love really means. You don't have to take my word for this. Come to the shelter and meet a pit bull.
By Ed Fritz, Executive Director of the Southampton Animal Shelter
http://www.indyeastend.com/Articles-News-i-2012-03-28-101093.113117-You-Have-So-Many-Pit-Bulls.html
Protect the Pitties from the BSL Laws that are Killing Them
The American Dog reports
Prejudice, hatred, racism, apartheid, bigotry, segregation, and breed discrimination all describe the racial profiling of Pit Bulls in this country. The sensational media reports of Pit Bulls attacking children, adults, and other dogs create mass hysteria and fear of this breed, when truth be told the Pit Bull is actually a great family dog that loves children. Since this athletic, loyal breed is the chosen dog of gang bangers, drug dealers, and criminals, a once highly respected dog has now taken a bad rap along with those unsavory members of our society.
It is not fair to label one breed as dangerous when all dogs bite, not just Pit Bulls, and it doesn't matter how small or how big a dog is, they all bite, period. In fact, there are far more greater hazards to be afraid of. Dr. Paula Terifaj, who owns a Pittie, says, " I would feel safe if you could keep drunk drivers off the streets, stop people from running red lights, and ticket all drivers that can't remember we have speed limits. These irresponsible people put my life at risk every day. I would also feel a lot safer if gang bangers did not have guns and terrorists did not hate Americans," she continues. "Let's take away their guns, bombs, and secret weapons. Just think how many thousands of innocent lives we could save! And while we are making our neighborhoods safe again, could you please hunt down and lock up all the pedophiles, rapists, and serial killers. Who needs these human predators lurking around? Fatal dog attacks are rare. More people have been struck and killed by lightning."
Prejudice, hatred, racism, apartheid, bigotry, segregation, and breed discrimination all describe the racial profiling of Pit Bulls in this country. The sensational media reports of Pit Bulls attacking children, adults, and other dogs create mass hysteria and fear of this breed, when truth be told the Pit Bull is actually a great family dog that loves children. Since this athletic, loyal breed is the chosen dog of gang bangers, drug dealers, and criminals, a once highly respected dog has now taken a bad rap along with those unsavory members of our society.
It is not fair to label one breed as dangerous when all dogs bite, not just Pit Bulls, and it doesn't matter how small or how big a dog is, they all bite, period. In fact, there are far more greater hazards to be afraid of. Dr. Paula Terifaj, who owns a Pittie, says, " I would feel safe if you could keep drunk drivers off the streets, stop people from running red lights, and ticket all drivers that can't remember we have speed limits. These irresponsible people put my life at risk every day. I would also feel a lot safer if gang bangers did not have guns and terrorists did not hate Americans," she continues. "Let's take away their guns, bombs, and secret weapons. Just think how many thousands of innocent lives we could save! And while we are making our neighborhoods safe again, could you please hunt down and lock up all the pedophiles, rapists, and serial killers. Who needs these human predators lurking around? Fatal dog attacks are rare. More people have been struck and killed by lightning."
Because of the frenzied panic incited by the media towards this breed, or any dog mixed with Pit Bull, there are over 500 U.S. cities that have now enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL) against Pit Bulls. Colorado is one of the worst states, with five cities (Denver, Aurora, Castle Rock, Fort Lupton, and Commerce City) banning all Pit Bulls outright. Iowa has allowed eleven of its cities to ban the breed, but Ohio and Kansas are tied for the absolute worst, with Ohio slaughtering pits in 24 of its cities and Kansas doing the same in 25 of its cities. It's nothing short of an abomination.
Denver attorney Gabriela Sandoval explains, "I think it's safe to say that you already know that BSL is ineffective in carrying out the purpose for which these laws are enacted. BSL is impulsive and shortsighted. It provides a false sense of security to those who fail to understand or recognize the impact these laws have on well-behaved dogs (incarceration, physical and psychological trauma, exile, death) and responsible dog guardians (unjust punishment, forceful relinquishment of companion, physical or psychological trauma). BSL also fails to address the danger that an untrained or improperly trained dog"”of any breed"”may present to others."
Denver attorney Gabriela Sandoval explains, "I think it's safe to say that you already know that BSL is ineffective in carrying out the purpose for which these laws are enacted. BSL is impulsive and shortsighted. It provides a false sense of security to those who fail to understand or recognize the impact these laws have on well-behaved dogs (incarceration, physical and psychological trauma, exile, death) and responsible dog guardians (unjust punishment, forceful relinquishment of companion, physical or psychological trauma). BSL also fails to address the danger that an untrained or improperly trained dog"”of any breed"”may present to others."
Brent Toellner, who runs the KC Dog Blog, has a lot to say about the web site www.dogsbite.org. This site sensationalizes all the tabloid journalism regarding dog bites and tries to encourage BSL in every city. Make sure to read Brent's blog dated March 27, 2010: (http://www.btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog/2010/03/thetruth-behind-dogsbiteorg.html).
Another group advocating for Pit Bulls and trying to save America's dog is Roverlution (www.roverlution.org), which tells us they are "Fighting for your freedom to keep your dog." If you visit Roverlution's Web site you'll learn more about this excellent group that "support[s] the right of dog owners to provide homes for their dogs without fear of discrimination or reprisal." According to Roverlution, "BSL which specifically is related to breed-specific legislation by any and all government entities, breed-specific policies by insurance companies, breed-specific policies by homeowners' associations, and breed-specific policies made by privately held or publicly held companies." The site goes on to report that "these discriminatory laws and practices have tragically resulted in the forced abandonment and unnecessary killing of non-aggressive dogs; a practice which shows complete disregard for the respected human-canine bond and denigrates the status of cherished animal companions to the level of pests in need of extermination."
Don't let your city be next. Find out if your city council members are targeting Pit Bulls and get involved. Attend city council meetings if BSL is being considered. Get BSL alerts in your city and join the statewide database (www.understand-a-bull.com/BSLcontacts. htm). Promote responsible dog ownership. You can also go to page 53 in this issue and join or support one of the many Pit Bull advocacy groups listed.
Another group advocating for Pit Bulls and trying to save America's dog is Roverlution (www.roverlution.org), which tells us they are "Fighting for your freedom to keep your dog." If you visit Roverlution's Web site you'll learn more about this excellent group that "support[s] the right of dog owners to provide homes for their dogs without fear of discrimination or reprisal." According to Roverlution, "BSL which specifically is related to breed-specific legislation by any and all government entities, breed-specific policies by insurance companies, breed-specific policies by homeowners' associations, and breed-specific policies made by privately held or publicly held companies." The site goes on to report that "these discriminatory laws and practices have tragically resulted in the forced abandonment and unnecessary killing of non-aggressive dogs; a practice which shows complete disregard for the respected human-canine bond and denigrates the status of cherished animal companions to the level of pests in need of extermination."
Don't let your city be next. Find out if your city council members are targeting Pit Bulls and get involved. Attend city council meetings if BSL is being considered. Get BSL alerts in your city and join the statewide database (www.understand-a-bull.com/BSLcontacts. htm). Promote responsible dog ownership. You can also go to page 53 in this issue and join or support one of the many Pit Bull advocacy groups listed.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Video du Jour
Chris Hughes has a passion for dogs. So much so that he takes them in from the most dire situations to find them a new home any chance he gets. Over the years, one of his pups stands out among the rest. Sitting patiently under Hughes’ desk as he works, Gremlin, a white and chocolate colored pit bull, has over 12,000 followers on Facebook. Listed as a “public figure,” the rescued dog informs the public of recent law changes, news, and friends up for adoption within the pit bull world.Gremlin herself was saved from the wrath of a dog fighting ring, a fact that Hughes shares with anyone who asks about the dog, to help raise awareness. “We don’t know where she was,” Hughes explained, “but her legs were broken and grew back in such a way that they needed to be re-broken.” He also said her vocal chords were ruptured, something most likely done by shoving the end of a baseball bat down the pup’s throat.It would be easy to presume a pit bull trained under conditions filled with stress and anger would live the rest of it’s life stressed and angry. But Gremlin allows swarms of children to smother her with their love and attention during her duties as a certified therapy dog. She has touched people within her community near Cleveland, Ohio, to as far as Australia. Though she is unable to bark or speak for herself, Hughes has given her a voice and a second life. She has gone from the most heartbreaking situation to a life of healing and helping.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
A New Pit Bull Study
The author’s study shows pit bulls’ natural habitat is the bed and breed-specific behavior is cuddling
By Anna MacNeil (Reprinted from StubbyDog.org)
My heart was stolen by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier 17 years ago – a brindle ball of muscle we called Buster Brown. (photo right)Breed-discriminatory legislation overshadowed our community, transforming me into a pit bull type dog guardian.
Media reports whittled at my peace of mind. Laying on his bed, barely raising an eyebrow, Buster was a threat to no one. Do I have the only sweet, tolerant pit bull in the world, I wondered? Or are there other pit bulls like Buster, living in sub-standard conditions? My heart broke. I needed to know the answer.
At my university, I visited campus libraries expecting to delve into a pool of pit bull literature. Instead, I found myself ankle deep in a mud puddle. There was nothing substantial!
The first handful of papers described seized fighting dogs or tallied bites from hospital reports or newspaper articles of dogs of unknown origin. The second handful described the flaws and weaknesses of the first bunch.
How could a global breed discrimination movement be launched from such a crippled body of knowledge?
I knew what was needed: a hands-on approach for gathering details on each dog, guardian and environment, and a control group for comparisons.
In The University of British Columbia’s Animal Welfare Program, my study began to take shape.
Shelter pit bulls were the perfect subjects. They had a variation of genetics and environments, and fit the breed-discriminatory definition of pit bull type dogs.
(photo above and below by Melissa Lipani)
As (82) dogs entered the shelter, they were placed in either the pit bull group or the control group of other breeds (similar size, age and coat length).
Aggressive behavior was measured at three points in the journey: in the shelter by euthanasia rate (for biting), by return rate for aggression and across 10 aggression-eliciting scenarios in the adoptive environment.
A questionnaire was used to guide face-to-face interviews in the adoptive home, exploring details of the dog, guardian and environment.
Pit Bull Guardians
The interviews revealed a unique pit bull guardian. They intended on adopting a different breed, but were wooed by a pit bull. They were average dog guardians who just happen to have a pit bull.
Further investigation showed that these pit bull adopters provided the same home life for their dogs as the other breed adopters. Dogs were acquired for companionship, lived indoors, were alone less than four hours a day, and had regular playtime and exercise with their families. Pit bull guardians were slightly more likely to take their dogs to the dog park (p<0.10).
This provided the perfect environment to study the behavior of pit bulls. Similar environments could neutralize typical environmental effects and expose any real breed-specific behavior.
What the Study Revealed
A new profile of pit bulls emerged from the study: They were not more aggressive than the other breeds. Pit bulls were more likely to sleep on the bed [62% vs. 16%, p<0.05], more likely to cuddle with their owners (p<0.05), and less likely to show aggression to their owners (p<0.10) – three things associated with strong human-animal bonds. Pit bulls were more likely to pull on the leash (p<0.05).
There was no difference in the number of dogs euthanized at the shelter due to aggression. Likewise, there was no significant difference between groups for aggression to strangers, other dogs, cats, children under 12, skateboarders/cyclists, joggers, over food, when stepped over, or when moved while sleeping.
There was, however, a trend for the other breeds group to be returned for aggression (p<0.02). For those still in the home, there was a slight trend for the other breeds group to show aggression to their guardians (p<0.10).
Seven bites were inflicted on people: one by a pit bull, which did not break the skin, and six by the other breed group, four breaking the skin.
Keep in mind: No participants were informed that the study was pit bull specific!
Strong Attachments
The pit bull adopters have characteristics associated with strong attachments to pets. They were younger (under 30), tending to rent (rather than own) and adopting the first dog of their own (aside from family dogs). Strong bonds have been attributed to young adults (Roll et al., 1997) without children that live singly (Albert and Bulcroft, 1987, 1988, and Turner, 2001), and have previous experience with dogs (Serpell, 1996).
(photo by Melissa Lipani)
Strongly attached owners: 1) will overlook undesirable behavior (chewing and pulling on leash) (Staats et al., 1996); 2) are less likely to relinquish pets due to housing issues (our pit bull adopters are renters) (Shore et al., 2003); 3) regularly visit veterinarians and buy pet insurance; 4) enjoy walking and spending time with their dog; and 5) are more content with their dog’s characteristics (Ledger, 2000) (Endenburg et al.,1994) (Patronek et al., 1996).
The unintentional (unexpected?) pit bull adopter and shelter pit bulls came together to create a super attachment!
Average Pit Bulls in Average Homes are Average Dogs
This study provides the much needed evidence proving that pit bull type dogs do not harbor genetic aggression. Otherwise, we would have seen aggression in the neutral home environment. Thus, legislation should focus on the environment and irresponsible owners.
His muzzle now grey, a handsome Elderbull, Buster suggests a new breed-specific law to ensure that pit bulls be allowed to sleep on the bed! (photo below)
"Keep On Dreamin' Even If It Breaks Your Heart..."
Isn't this the slogan for a branch of the US Military? I have no doubt that is an incredibly difficult job, and I'm so thankful for our Military. But I have to admit, being a dog rescuer ranks right up there with tough jobs. It's no walk in the park. Some days it can really tear a girl up.
This beautiful dog is Bruno. He ended up at the shelter in Manhattan, NY and I met him through the wonderful Bruised Not Broken Facebook page. Late last week, Bruno was placed on the shelter's euthanasia list, as all dogs eventually do if they are not adopted or saved by a rescue group. A post was made on the Bruised Not Broken Facebook page, stating that if Bruno was not adopted, fostered, or rescued by morning, he would most likely be put down.
You can make a difference right now in the lives of shelter dogs simply by following my Facebook page and helping to network these dogs. Yes, it hurts when one doesn't make it. But man oh man, you can't imagine how rewarding it is when we save one.
I'm doing this for Bruno, and for every other dog that died today because we let them down. My motto, from the Eli Young song, is "keep on dreamin' even if it breaks your heart." I do what I do every day, even when it hurts, because they need me.
Won't you join me? Please follow The Lazy Pit Bull Facebook page today. Do it in memory of Bruno.
By Christina Berry
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