Pit Bulls: Responsibility

Cesar Millan

 A Letter from Cesar Millan:

A month ago today in Little Rock, California (a small town located forty miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles), a woman named Pamela Devitt was out for a jog when she was attacked and killed by a pack of four dogs.

Of course, the dogs were immediately identified as pit bulls in the headlines, whether they were or not. So far, only one dog’s photo has been released, and it is clearly a pit bull mix — but the problem with most news stories about people being attacked by dogs is that every dog becomes a pit bull in the headline.

This is nothing new and only the breed changes. At various times in the past, it would have been Rottweiler, German shepherd or Doberman pinscher. However, in the tragic case of Pamela Devitt, authorities have gotten one thing absolutely right, and it offers a bit of hope that things may be slowly changing when it comes to anti-breed prejudice.

Three weeks after the attack, Alex Donald Jackson, the owner of the four dogs, was charged with murder by the LA County district attorney — possibly a first for the area, according to prosecutors. They decided to do so because, since January of this year, there had been at least three reports to police about his dogs attacking other people.

Ultimately, the courts will decide Jackson’s fate and I’m not going to discuss his case specifically. However, this incident should be a reminder to dog lovers everywhere that, ultimately, we are responsible for our own dogs’ safety and behavior, and we are the ones who should face the consequences if they should ever attack someone.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/the-scoop/cesarsblog/Responsibility#ixzz2WUnCUpfT

The Opportunity to Overcome

Dear Readers:

The following story was sent to me by a good friend, and I felt it was truly worth sharing as we seldom see anything good written about a Pit Bull. I am thankful that it has received such an overwhelming response!

I want to thank everyone who left comments on this article. Although I wish I could take credit for this rescue, it was actually an Animal Control Officer who is the real HERO, here.

Unfortunately, I don't know the name of this person, nor do I know where the story originated from. It only says "Washington", which could mean just about anywhere. So, if any of you should stumble across more information, PLEASE share it with us. If I should find out more, I'll do the same.

Again, so sorry if it was misleading to my readers. Even though I've had a hand in helping to save many a bully breed, I can't take credit for this one. The ACO who was called to pick up the dogs is the "true" HERO for this Happy Ending.

I am, however, overwhelmed by the response I received. It is truly heartwarming to know that there are people out here who have looked past the stigma of the word "PIT BULL" and have shared their wonderful stories and experiences with these amazing dogs.

As I said, all too often, we hear and see only the negative aspects of the "Bully Breed".

Hopefully, My Pet Rescue Blog has shared some of the more POSITIVE sides to these dogs and is helping to erase the stigma attached to the breed.

Please keep sharing these wonderful stories about your own Pit Bulls. Hopefully, one of these days, we can convenience our lawmakers, law enforcement, and our communities that it is NOT the breed but rather the irresponsible, and sometimes cruel, "human" who is to blame. PUNISH THE DEED, NOT THE BREED.

My best to all of you.

Jo Ann & "gang"

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I am a Pennsylvania State Dog Warden and I received a call concerning two strays that showed up on a front porch early one morning.

When I got there, this is who greeted me:

A female Pit Bull and a male Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua was guarding the Pit Bull!!!

They looked to have been on their own for a while. The Chihuahua was missing fur and the Pit Bull had an injured paw.

I was able to slip a leash over the Pit Bull and walk her into a cage and put her in my truck.

However, the Chihuahua would not allow me to get near him but would not leave the Pit Bull behind…….So I thought of a plan to get the Chihuahua into my truck.

My first option was to make a ramp by using a board.

This proved to be a bit too challenging for the little guy.

I found a stool and it worked like a charm! Perfect! He was in!

Once on the tailgate though, the Chihuahua would not let me get near without putting up a fuss!

Every time I neared, he would bark and snarl, cautioning me to stay away. If I came too close he would jump off and we would start all over again. So I sat on the ground, about 25 feet away, and slowly scooted my way over, all the time having a conversation with a Chihuahua that was guarding a Pit Bull!

Eventually he let me get close enough so we could have a face to face & heart to heart discussion.

I told him that his intentions were very noble and would not go unrewarded for the both of them.

-- Unfortunately with the abundance of Pit Bulls and general misunderstanding of the breed, they are not easily adopted and when found by a Dog Warden, Animal Control officer or Dog Catcher, they usually end up at an Animal Control facility that holds them for 48 hours. If they are not claimed, they are euthanized. However due to this little guy’s tenacity and I do believe true affection for his Pit Bull lady, I was not going to let that happen. --

So with my promise to be their protector, he let me pick him up.

However he wanted nothing to do with separate cages. So together they went!


I took the Chihuahua, his Pit Bull and their story to the Washington County Humane Society.

It took some time to get them into the shelter, not because of who they were, but due to lack of space. Their story of dedication and should I dare say love won the hearts of everyone who came in contact with them. Eventually a space was set up for them in a restroom in the lobby and they settled in. The shelter intends to find them a home that they can share together.




The happy ending to this story is not a typical one for most Pit Bulls who are running at large.

It took the determination of this one small, scrappy Chihuahua to save the life of this Pit Bull.

Can you imagine how many lives could be saved if we humans took the time to look past the stereotype and really looked at each dog as a dog?

You may find a loving, loyal and dedicated companion to fight for like our Chihuahua friend did.

This little man and I both extend thanks to the Washington County Humane Society for giving them a second chance at a life together.

Perhaps this story will give you a second chance to revisit your thoughts and opinions concerning Pit Bulls. They deserve the opportunity to overcome a stereotype that can most certainly lead them to death.

These two thank you for that opportunity.

Trumbull County OH: where BSL victims went to die

From BAD RAP Blog:

Imagine you're forced to consider giving up your family pet because BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) has made it virtually impossible to find insurance for your dog's targeted breed? And you're getting friggin' desperate. And you know that your local shelter is a dead-end - emphasis on dead - because, who in their right mind wants to adopt a dog with overwhelming state restrictions attached? And rescues are beyond full with dogs they can't place? And you're thinking, "Good god - How can I possibly put my beloved to sleep?"

And you learn about a sanctuary that takes pit bulls. A no-kill sanctuary with a warm and inviting website for your family pet; the wonderful dog that's been your steady and loyal companion for months or years. Would you take him there rather than euthanize him? Oh hell yeah, you would.

You and me, and many, many other people. When we learned that a sanctuary in Trumbull County Ohio had been raided for overcrowding and horrid conditions, it almost didn't land on our radar. But I grazed the seizure photos at the urging of a friend and nearly fell over.

Read the entire article at:
http://badrap-blog.blogspot.com/2010/03/trumbull-county-oh-where-bsl-victims.html

Marines Enlist Help of ASPCA Animal Behavior Experts

Team of Experts to Assess Behavior of Dogs in Danger of Breed Ban

September 28, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK— Several Animal Behavior Experts from the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) will be in Parris Island, S.C. from October 6-8 to conduct behavior assessments of over 100 dogs living with their pet parents who could potentially be subject to a breed ban in the Tri-Command housing units of the Marines Corp Recruit Depot.

The assessment, known as ASPCA SAFER (Safety Assessment For Evaluation Rehoming), is a seven-item research-based assessment to help identify the likelihood for aggression in individual dogs. SAFER identifies a dog's comfort level with certain interactions like restraint, touch, reaction to new experiences including movement, sound stimuli, bite inhibition, behavior around food and toys, and arousal level toward novel objects and other dogs.

"Our main goal in this program is to make sure safe dogs and their families are able to stay together," said Dr. Emily Weiss, Senior Director of Shelter Research and Development for the ASPCA. "There is no 'pass' or 'fail' with the SAFER assessment, instead, we are simply aiming to identify behavior issues such as certain types of aggression, which often times can be modified or managed."

Talk of instituting a breed ban began after several incidents involving dog attacks on the base, including one incident in 2008 in which a 3 year-old boy was accidentally killed by a pit bull visiting a family living on base. The Marine Corps previously conducted tests such as the Canine Good Citizen Test and Delta Society Test, which actually evaluate a dog's obedience and manners and do not correlate with aggression. When looking for a behavior assessment that could specifically identify potentially aggressive behavior in dogs, the Marines enlisted the help of the ASPCA.

By using the SAFER assessment, safe dogs will be given the opportunity for a waiver so they can remain on the base until 2012. The ASPCA is opposed to breed bans – laws that ban specific breeds of dogs or unfairly discriminate against responsible dog guardians based solely on their choice of breed. Such laws also fail to achieve the desired goal of stopping illegal activities such as dog fighting, and breeding and/or training dogs to be aggressive. The ASPCA believes that strict enforcement of laws that ban animal fighting, and breeding and/or training animals to fight, is the proper means to address the problem.

"We're very excited about the ASPCA coming to Parris Island," said Army Capt. Jenifer Gustafson, the Officer in Charge of the veterinary clinic on Parris Island. "There was a chance that some pet parents would be forced to give up their dogs or leave housing on the base, so this is a great alternative solution."

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

County Officials Refuse Public Access to Bite Records

S.P.A. PRESS RELEASE

October 10, 2009

Sandusky County Health Department Refuses Access of Public Bite Records to Dog Safety Experts

These reports are public record, meaning that they legally should be available to whomever requests copies. We all want Fremont to remain a safe community. We all want our children to be safe around dogs.

Animal experts can not effectively assist city/county officials in addressing dog bite safety concerns until Sandusky County Department of Health releases these public bite records to Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates (OCDA) and Citizens Opposing BSL.
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"Banning particular breeds is ineffective because it does nothing to address the real issues of responsible ownership," said Barbara McGrady, member of Citizens Opposing BSL. "Banning certain breeds does not address the serious nature of the problem surrounding dog attacks. That is namely people who abuse animals and those who are irresponsible. Both of these activities place the community as a whole at risk."
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Jean Keating of OCDA said experts in this field are eager to assist Fremont and Sandusky County Officials in drafting dog legislation that has been proven effective in making communities safer places in which to live but can not do so until the Health Department releases their public bite records.

Citizens Opposing BSL have arranged a meeting to be held this Sunday (October 11th), 2 pm at 521 White Road in Fremont, Ohio. Guest Speaker, Jean Keating, will offer information and answer questions advocating a more effective, breed neutral ordinance.

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CONTACT:

Citizens Opposing BSL
Barbara McGrady - 419-463-8474

Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates
Jean Keating - 419-708-8946

Fremont Ohio Group Opposes Breed Specific Laws

October 12,2009
From The News-Messenger.com...

FREMONT -- A group of citizens gathered Sunday afternoon to learn more about why breed-specific laws for dogs don't work.

Locals gathered at 521 White Road to voice their concerns about the possibility of pit bulls being regulated by the city.

Jean Keating, of Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates, Inc., out of Avon Lake said, "We basically try to promote responsible dog ownership in the state, and we're working with legislators on removing the term 'pit bull' from Ohio's definition of a vicious dog." According to the coalition, the laws don't work because they do nothing to address the proven factors that contribute to a dog's likelihood of displaying dangerous behavior such as owner responsibility, abuse and neglect, being inhumanely chained, not being spayed or neutered and dogs roaming at large.

However, Barbara McGrady, of Citizens Opposing Breed Specific Legislation, told those at the meeting that this is what people need to think about, "Banning certain breeds does not address the serious nature of the problem surrounding dog attacks; people who abuse animals and those who are irresponsible. Both of these activities place the community as a whole at risk."

Brent Soper, of Fremont, brought in his pit bull, Roxy, who he has had for nine years.

"(She's) the best dog I've ever owned, she's never left my yard in nine years," he said. When he brought Roxy in, she wagged her tail and made her way to each person as they petted her. The rest of the time she laid calmly by Soper's side. He feels the breed isn't at fault, and that's the owners are at fault for a dog's behavior.

Nichole and Jason Wolf, of Fremont, also brought in their two pit bulls, which also were friendly to those at the meeting.

While Nichole agrees that there are good and bad dogs in every breed, she says if pit bulls are regulated in some way, "it will only hurt the responsible (dog) owners."

But Jane Pollak, of Fremont, feels differently about the breed. Pollak, who was not at the meeting was contacted by telephone Sunday afternoon. She, too agrees that owners are responsible for how a dog behaves.

Last May, two pit bulls had gotten loose from a nearby home and made their way into her garage, where her 15-year-old cocker-mix, Abby, was attacked by the dogs. Abby died four days later from the injuries. Pollak said her main garage door had been closed, but she also has two side doors, and one of them was left open, which is how the two dogs came in.

"I do feel sorry for the dogs because they were put down, because it's not their fault, it's the owners," Pollak said. "I would never trust a pit bull, even though I know they can be nice family dogs."

There is a laws, rules and ordinance meeting of the Fremont City Council at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at city hall to discuss the issue regarding what to do about pit bulls in the city. There will be four guest speakers. At an August council meeting, City Law Director Bob Hart said the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of regulating pit bulls. Hart had also encouraged council members to talk to residents about the issue.

Judy and Bill McKinney, of Fremont, witnessed an attack by a pit bull last month from their home. The McKinneys were also contact by telephone Sunday afternoon.

Judy said she was sitting in her home and had heard a woman screaming "Stop!" "Stop!" When she looked outside, a neighbor's pit bull was attacking a small dog that a family was taking for a walk on a leash.

"I'd never seen an attack before and I never want to see one again," Judy McKinney said, noting she fears for a person or another dog being attacked.

"No one should have to worry when walking their dogs on a leash," she said, noting the owner of the pit bull had gotten rid of the dog after the attack.

Pollak said she appreciates what Hart has asked council to consider.

"I don't want to make dog owners mad, but something needs to be done," she said.

At the meeting, Keating said she is in the process of having the Sandusky County Dog Warden's office gather dog bite records for review.

"We're the only state that has breed specific legislation state-wide," she said.

Breed Ban Lifted in the Netherlands

From the Toronto Humane Society website. Article dated 8/8/08:

Ban against pit bulls found not to work!

In a major blow to proponents of BSL policies, Holland has lifted its ban on pit bulls!

On Monday, June 9, the Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Gerda Verburg, announced to the parliament that the rule banning pit bulls in the Netherlands would be lifted. After fifteen years, it has been found that the ban has been ineffective.

This represents a major victory for European animal advocates who have been opposing this breed specific legislation!

Read the entire story at:
http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/newsandevents/stories/2008/08-08g.asp

URGENT PETITION: Help Save Sasha

From owner Kimberly Wilson of Windsor, Ontario:

My dog Sasha has been deemed as a prohibited breed here in the City of Windsor. Sasha is Not a Pitt bull and I have a rabies certificate signed by the doctor at Lauzon Vet hospital here in Windsor with her breed as American Bulldog.

I have been served to go to court and prove she is not a Pitt bull.

The Veterinarians association does not allow Vets to determine the breed of an animal. The Vet himself told me that he is not qualified to identify a specific breed. This leads me to wonder what makes the City Officials qualified to make that judgement. Sasha has never harmed anyone nor has she ever caused trouble.

Please sign the petition and help me save her life and try to put an end to the endless number of INNOCENT animals being put to sleep.

Read the full story and SIGN THIS URGENT PETITION:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/19/Please-Save-Sasha

Jo Ann's comments:

First, it is not only unfair but terribly unjust to seize or kill a dog because of it's breed. Until an animal becomes a menace to the community, then and ONLY then should euthanasia be considered.

Second, without DNA testing, it is impossible to determine breeds, especially a mixed breed.

It seems that law enforcement and animal control officers see "Pit Bull" in just about every dog they encounter, anymore, and city officials go along with it.

How sad that a licensed Veterinarians testimony would not be allowed over that of an unqualified, clueless law enforcement or animal control officer with little to no qualifications for determining breeds.

Although I don't live in Canada, I can honestly tell you that in the United States, most of these people couldn't tell a full-blooded Pit Bull from a Beagle/Lab mix.

Third, banning a specific breed is ludicrous. All dogs respond to what they're taught and how they're treated... it doesn't matter if it's a Pit Bull or a Chihuahua. Of course, it's become apparent that it must be easier for our city officials and law enforcement to confiscate the dog and kill it rather than prosecute the owner who is really to blame for a vicious animal.

SASHA HAS COMMITTED NO CRIME other than the fact that some unqualified person or persons have deemed her to be a banned breed. She has a clean record as a good canine citizen in her community.

It is my recommendation that the good people of Canada, as well as the people in this country, enlighten themselves to the real problem at hand. It is not a particular breed of dog that causes the problem.... it is an irresponsible, criminal-minded owner.

To kill innocent dogs is nothing more than canine genocide.

DID WE LEARN NOTHING FROM THE HITLER REGIME? Lots of innocent people died... and now lots of innocent dogs are dying.

I respectfully ask the city officials of Windsor to reconsider your ban on specific breeds and also to allow Sasha to live.

Even if she is a Pit Bull or a Pit mix, she has done nothing to warrant being killed.