Famous NYC Guide Dog (and Champion for Guide Dog Rights) Dies at 13 - Paw Nation

Famous NYC Guide Dog (and Champion for Guide Dog Rights) Dies at 13 - Paw Nation

This is a touching story about a guide dog. Service dogs are truly special animals and I think its pretty cool he lived to be 13! He dedicated his life to helping this man, even after suffering from a cancerous tumor that had to be removed.
RIP Ruger!

Dogs are not the problem; reckless dog owners are

The
original article
can be found here.


 
Written by Administrator | | admin@toledofreepress.com


EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was submitted in response to the May 23 cover story on former Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon.

By Jean Keating

Special to Toledo Free Press

My children's safety around dogs is not about luck or dependent on whom the dog warden happens to be.  Fear does not drive my decision-making process, research and facts do. I have done my research and when it comes to safety around dogs, the national experts are incredibly unified. Dogs are remarkably safe.

There are an estimated 75 million dogs living in our homes today. I have a better chance of being struck by a meteorite than of being killed by a dog. I am 1,000 times more likely to go to the emergency room for a fall-related injury than a dog bite. Even though I am around dogs every day I have reduced my risk of being seriously bitten to almost zero, by educating myself about which dogs bite and why.

National animal experts have identified four factors that are present in more than 90 percent of fatal dog attacks. These same four factors are present in most serious dog attacks as well. The four factors include unaltered dogs (usually male); chained or penned dogs; unsocialized dogs or dogs used for purposes other than companionship; and abused or neglected dogs. All of these factors are controlled by owners. Behind every serious dog attack, stands a reckless dog owner. Only when we start to focus on these reckless owners will we see increased safety in our community.

Communities that target reckless dog owners and hold them accountable for their dog's behavior have experienced dramatic reductions in dog bite incidents. Take Calgary, Canada for example. Calgary has a population almost three times larger than Lucas County.  Yet, Lucas County has more than twice the number of reported dog bites.  Why does it enjoy a significantly safer community than we do?

Calgary researched what animal experts recommended as best practice and then put it into place. Animal experts, such as The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, U.S. Center for Disease Control, National Canine Research Council, National Animal Control Association, and many others all agree that breed neutral dangerous dog laws that target reckless dog owners and hold them accountable for their dog's behavior, combined with dog safety education programs, keep communities safe.

Calgary adopted a very progressive ordinance that levels increasingly stiffer monetary fines for repeat offenders. It has been a major success.  In a community of more than 1 million people, it has less than 250 dog bites each year, and most of those are minor. Its animal control department has a citizen satisfaction rate second only to the fire department.  Bill Bruce, Calgary's animal control director, has been invited to speak throughout the world. The Calgary animal control model has become known worldwide as the one to emulate.

In contrast, Lucas County's reported number of dog bites has averaged 500 bites per year. For the last 20-plus years, we have completely ignored the national experts and listened to a self-proclaimed "expert" who specializes in promoting fear and panic. We have killed thousands of innocent puppies and dogs because of their appearance and not their behavior. Our animal control department's public opinion rating has been so low we are known nationally as the "armpit" of the canine world. The City of Toledo has spent more than $1 million defending a discriminatory ordinance that has failed to make our community safer.

Our community deserves better.  We have the ability to change direction and begin to enjoy the same level of safety other communities enjoy.  The Lucas County Dog Warden Advisory Board has been working for three months on developing a dangerous dog ordinance that would target reckless dog owners.  Countless hours have been spent researching other community's ordinances, listening to experts and discussing ideas.  The ordinance is a work in progress, but definitely puts our community on the right path.

And yes, it is possible, to love both people and animals. To do anything less would be a travesty.

Jean Keating is co-founder of the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates.
_______________________________________________________________________

This is a wonderfully written article, especially the first paragraph in which the author states:

"My children's safety around dogs is not about luck or dependent on whom the dog warden happens to be.  Fear does not drive my decision-making process, research and facts do. I have done my research and when it comes to safety around dogs, the national experts are incredibly unified. Dogs are remarkably safe."

Until we begin targeting irresponsible owners the problem will stay. BSL is not the answer to the "dog biting problem."

 

If You Have a Baby, Give Away Your Pit Bull! | momlogic.com

This showed up in my Google Alerts e-mail and once I saw the title I had to read it.
This woman is an idiot. Plain and simple. What this woman doesn’t know is how the whole incident happened. Most people never do know the whole story BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T THERE.
 Angry Mom says:
“I don't think people with small kids should have pit bulls -- period. There are just too many stories that you hear about pit bulls killing kids. I've never heard of a poodle killing a child, but it just seems like pit bull attacks are a common occurrence (same with German shepherds and Rottweilers -- they're just as dangerous, and should be nowhere near children).”
This woman should check out this story about a poodle attack. 
I list more but it seems that Google chooses to only list articles about "alleged" pit bull bites even though my search terms do not contain pit bull anywhere. No wonder people say they are always in the news. If you search any breed of dog pit bull articles are all that appear; however, they are the same articles repeatedly. I will update this posting with more articles once I sift through the BS query results. It seems as though even Google is forming a hatred for this breed.
The author also states:
"I know that pit bull owners would probably disagree with me, but obviously the parents of the 2-year-old California boy who was killed didn't think their dog was violent either ... until the worst happened. Do YOU think people with kids should have pit bulls or other violent dog?"
The dog may not have been violent and aggressive all the time. Perhaps the 2 year old and the dog were unsupervised, which led to the tragic incident. In addition, YES I think responsible people with kids should have pit bulls, if that is their dog of choice. Notice I said RESPONSIBLE. NO, I don't think people with children should have VIOLENT dogs, as that would be IRRESPONSIBLE. Not every pit bull is violent, lady. 9 times out of 10 a dog bite occurs because of negligent parents leaving their 2-year-old (who can be very annoying to a dog sometimes) UNSUPERVISED leading to misfortune. I'm thinking people with her high level of ignorance shouldn't have kids either.

If You Have a Baby, Give Away Your Pit Bull! | momlogic.com

Angry Mom: A 2-year-old was mauled to death by the family pit bull in California. The toddler was attacked last night and died this morning, according to KTLA. How many more of these stories do we have to hear before these dogs are TAKEN OUT OF HOMES WITH CHILDREN?!

Momlogic has done tons of stories on pit bulls; one of them lists a number of kids who were mauled or killed.

In that piece, Colleen Lynn, founder of DogsBite.org, said, "There are aggressive breeds of dogs, including pit bulls and Rottweilers, that I don't think are appropriate to have around children. They don't have a good safety record, and you are definitely taking a chance. These dogs were bred for violence. It's in their genes. Even if they have good owners, love is not going to take genetics away. Why take the chance, if it could cost your kid his or her life?"

I don't think people with small kids should have pit bulls -- period. There are just too many stories that you hear about pit bulls killing kids. I've never heard of a poodle killing a child, but it just seems like pit bull attacks are a common occurrence (same with German shepherds and Rottweilers -- they're just as dangerous, and should be nowhere near children).

I know that pit bull owners would probably disagree with me, but obviously the parents of the 2-year-old California boy who was killed didn't think their dog was violent either ... until the worst happened.

Do YOU think people with kids should have pit bulls or other violent dog

Brutal attack leaves an innocent dog desperately fighting for her life (Warning: graphic photos)

Sweetie's story originally posted here

 
May 19, 5:40 PM · Penny Eims - Dog News Examiner

Many people mistakenly believe that all pit bulls are vicious killers -- born to fight and kill. They choose to believe that, given the opportunity, these dogs will be eager to enter a fray, happy to draw blood.

Dogs are individuals, much like people. Some people are bad, some people are good. Circumstances can greatly shape behavior. With dogs, bad ownership frequently shapes the negative, dangerous behavior that is all too often published in the media.

Meet Sweetie, a 3-year-old pit bull that was brutally attacked by four other dogs. 
A dog that, despite being brutally ripped apart, never once tried to fight back. According to individuals that witnessed the attack, the other four dogs were completely unscathed. Sweetie literally did nothing to protect herself from the vicious onslaught. Sweetie is a pit bull and Sweetie is a victim.

Last night, Rica, a well-known rescuer in the Tuscon, AZ area, received a frantic phone call about Sweetie. She went to Sweetie's home and was astonished to see the young dog covered in blood.

Sweetie's owners did not have the funds to get the medical care necessary to save Sweetie's life and they surrendered ownership to Rica and the
Smiling Dog Rescue.

Rica rushed the bleeding dog to Valley Animal Hospital where it was discovered that Sweetie's trachea was severed in two places. One rip was clean and could be surgically repaired -- the other would require more extensive surgery.

Before Sweetie was rushed into surgery, Rica bent down and kissed the battered dog on her nose ... Sweetie's resposne? A thumping tail of gratitude.

As of this afternoon, the entire veterinary staff is focused on one thing -- keeping Sweetie alive. Her wounds are so great that her body is in shock. She is bleeding profusely and has been placed in an oxygen tent. All surgeries are currently on hold as the staff waits for Sweetie to stabilize. Despite her horrific wounds, Sweetie is displaying an extraordinary will to survive.

Rica and the
Smiling Dog Rescue
are willing to fight with Sweetie -- they know that she is a special dog that is worth saving.

A Chip-In link has been set up for Sweetie's enormous medical expenses. Concerned readers can click here to donate, or they can make a donation directly to Valley Animal Hospital, located at 4984 E. 22nd Street, Tuscon, AZ 85711, (520) 748-0331. Donors are asked to reference the Smiling Dog Rescue and Sweetie if they phone or mail in a donation.

Update on Sweetie, pit bull who was attacked by 4 other dogs

Original story found here

May 22, 10:37 AM · Penny Eims - Dog News Examiner

Sweetie is a fighter. Not the type of fighter that people instinctively think of when they see a brutalized photo of a pit bull.

Sweetie was not involved in a dogfighting ring. She was not a bait dog, nor a dog forced to fight others. Sweetie is a 3-year-old pit bull who was savagely attacked by four other dogs earlier this week.

Sweetie was the victim in this attack and the young, strong dog did not fight back. Since the time of her attack, Sweetie has been in a fight for her life.

Many readers read Sweetie's story with shock, horror and concern. Many readers were touched by the gentle dog's story and many donated to her mountain of medical expenses.

This morning, an update on her condition for those dog-loving individuals who care about what happens to this lovely dog, fighting for her life.

According to the
Smiling Dog Rescue,
Sweetie has stabilized. She made it through surgeries to repair her ripped trachea, and remove her ears. Sweetie remains in an oxygen tent and her body is covered in bandages and drains, but she is improving.

Sweetie remains at the Valley Animal Hospital, comforted by caring vet staff and pain control medication. Smiling Dog Rescue has received word that the wounded dog may be able to leave the vet hospital within the week -- at that time, she will enter foster care for the remainder of her recovery.

A few readers of Sweetie's original story expressed concern about donations for Sweetie's medical expenses. A chip-in link has been established for Sweetie's enormous medical bill, however, concerned donors can also make a donation directly to the vet clinic that is caring for Sweetie.

• Valley Animal Hospital, 4984 E. 22nd Street, Tuscon, AZ 85711. (520) 748-0381
  

It appears that Sweetie's determination to live will overcome the massive injuries that she sustained. Her fighting spirit, combined with the dedication of the Valley Animal Hospital vet staff, will pull her through.

Her veterinary surgeon, Dr. Moreno, has stated that this is the worst case that she has ever seen. Sweetie's will to survive is nothing short of amazing.

Thank you to everyone who has helped to circulate Sweetie's story, donated to her recovery, and sent good wishes her way.

If you are interested in receiving future dog-related articles, including news, tips and advice, please click the Subscribe icon. It's free and anonymous. Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing this article with others.

If you have a story idea that you would like to share, please email me directly at Eims1@live.com.

This story breaks my heart and I am currently balling my eyes out; that poor baby dog. She looks so sweet and loving. The pictures are horrific; I can't even imagine what she is going through. I hope she recovers as the doctors expect she will. I will think about her often. Seldom do I hear of pit bulls being attacked, mostly because the media chooses not to report such incidents. This poor dog is living proof that not every dog of this breed is a savage killing machine. I will email this article to everyone I know in hopes it will make its way around in an effort to show people that any dog can be victimized. Best wishes in your recovery, Sweetie! You are a special little dog!

Down For the Count

Holding the computer cord for my mother

 Passed out with the Little Boy

Sweetest picture!

Sweet darling face

He has been passed out in this position for 4 hours. If not for the snoring...

Baltimore Breaking News: Police seek three boys in fatal beating of young pit bull

Baltimore Breaking News: Police seek three boys in fatal beating of young pit bull

There are so many things wrong with this story.

A. The kids who beat and killed the dog are supposedly 10-12 years old. I can only imagine what they will do in a few years. The future sociopaths of America. Lets take a minute and think about what the consequences would be if the tables were turned:
- If three pit bulls were on the golf course biting a young boy which resulted in his death, please believe law enforcement would hunt them down and probably euthanize them immediately.
- I say they should hunt those boys down and lock them up for life so they don't inflict any more harm on another animal or possibly a person next time.There will be a next time I'm sure of it.

B."Whiderman said he raced over in his golf cart and chased the boys to railroad tracks, where he lost them. He said they were between 10 and 12 years old. He said he called police, who notified animal control, but they didn't arrive until about 5:30 p.m., five hours after he called."
-Animal Control took 5 hours to get there? WTF? No reason is good enough for them taking 5 hours to arrive on the scene and then NOT even take the dog off the golf course after they arrive. The maintenance worker had to call the police and tell them the dog was still there Sunday morning. Unacceptable!!! The dog didn't deserve to die much less be left out for the animals to scavenge. How awful.

C. Now the article states, "The man said he returned to the golf course Sunday morning and found the dead dog still lying in the woods. He called police, who responded and wrote a report. That report says that near the dog, police found a red-and-white-striped polo shirt, a tree branch and a cell phone that might have been dropped by one of the youths.The police report confirms that animal control did not remove the dead puppy when they arrived Saturday afternoon"
-I really hope that police take the time and effort to go through that cell phone and track those little ingrates down and arrest them. I'm sure nothing will happen to them as society is too lax on enforcing laws on animal abuse. Those sickos need to be punished severely.Next time their victim could be human.

Rescue takes 2nd pit bull from Shelby home

The following article can be found by clicking on this link


 

Owners' other dog bit girl, 6

BY JAMI KINTON • News Journal • May 20, 2010

SHELBY -- A Shelby pit bull will be picked up today
by a Fredericktown animal rescue group called Savin
'Em All.

The dog, McBeefy, was one of two that belonged to
Shelby's Larry and Tenille Hamm, 72 Mack Ave. The
other dog bit a 6-year-old neighbor girl in the face
twice May 9. Larry Hamm told police he then beat
the dog to death with a hammer.

Later, the couple surrendered McBeefy to the
Richland County Dog Shelter.

Kennel attendant Lori Miller said she would have
taken McBeefy home in a heartbeat.


"Pit bulls get such a bad reputation and they're not
bad dogs," Miller said. "A lot of it is due to the
owners."

Larry Hamm was charged with cruelty to animals.
Tenille Hamm was charged with possession of a
vicious dog. Larry Hamm's pre-trial hearing will be
9 a.m. May 26 and Tenille Hamm's will be 9 a.m.
June 16 in Shelby Municipal Court. Each could
receive up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, pit bulls were bred
to be trustworthy and friendly, and earned the
nickname "nursemaid's dog" because they were
reliable with young children.

Today, the society reports, the breed often attracts
owners interested in them for fighting or protection.

"I do think some people get pit bulls for the wrong
reasons," Miller said. "Just for the stature of having
them. For the most part, these dogs are affectionate
and love people."

Miller fondly rubbed McBeefy's chocolate brown
ears earlier this week.

 

"He's the biggest baby," Miller said. "He's very
scared."

Mansfield and Shelby ban pit bulls.

"There are many good, responsible pit bull owners,
but like guns, if there's a good gun owner you won't
have any problems. There's just always going to be
that percentage that shouldn't have one," Richland
County Dog Warden Dave Jordan said. "You see a lot
of pit bulls associated with drugs and gangs, and
they just gain this terrible reputation.

"My opinion is based on my experience. Dogs will
be dogs no matter what breed they are, but pit bulls
have the strongest bite per pound -- and when they
bite, you're going to hear about it."

According to Richland County dog warden statistics,
German shepherds have been reported in 32 dog
bite incidents since 2008, the most of any breed.

Second is the rottweiler, third is the Labrador
retriever, fourth is the Chihuahua, fifth is the boxer.

In sixth place is the pit bull, the only dog
recognized in Ohio law as a "vicious dog," with 15
bites.

"If a pit bull is really ticked, it will do a lot of
damage," Jordan said. "But most pit bulls bite to put
a person in check."

Jordan said neutering, training and human socialization for pit bulls are key.

"Any dog has the potential to bite," he said. "It's just
a question of what the trigger may be."

jkinton@nncogannett.com
419-521-7220


 
I find the above article interesting because pit bulls place 6^th for dog bites per Richland County's dog warden. Hmmm… Yet, it is the only dog on the vicious dog list in Ohio. The Labrador retriever even places 3^rd and I thought they were "oh such sweet dogs." I am glad McBeefy has been given a chance to prove he can be a sweet and lovable dog. I do not like how the article doesn't provide details as to why the child was bit, where it happened etc. So many articles leave out important details, usually in an effort to mar the breed's reputation further.

Though Subject of Breed Bans, Pit Bulls Earn Love

By Cary McMullen
THE LEDGER

Published: Friday, May 14, 2010 at 11:02 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, May 14, 2010 at 11:02 p.m.

( page all of 5 )

LAKELAND | About two years ago, Lisa Moehring visited the Polk County Animal Control shelter looking for dogs that could be rescued from euthanization. Her eyes fell on two burly American Staffordshire Terriers, a breed closely related to the American Pit Bull Terrier, and she knew she had to save them.

Meet Grady and Judd, two 70-pound bundles of brown-coated muscle. Moehring eventually got the dogs to a pit bull rescue organization, the first pit bulls to be rescued out of the Polk shelter, she said. As a gesture of thanks to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, whose office runs the shelter, she named them after him. Today, they are owned by a woman in Clearwater named Margaret, who didn't want her full name used.

Recently, Margaret brought Grady and Judd over to Moehring's house for a visit, where they romped and lazed in the sun and jumped in friendly greeting to a couple of visitors.

"I have not had one negative reaction. Once people get past the fact they're pit bulls, they say, 'Oh, they're beautiful.' I take them to Starbucks and people take pictures with their camera phones," Margaret said.

In the wake of a recent incident in Pasco County in which a family's pit bull attacked and killed a week-old infant while the child's mother slept, controversy about pit bulls has resurfaced.

Is the breed inherently dangerous, or has it been given a bad reputation by owners who use the dogs for fighting or mistreat them in order to have a big, mean dog?

Dog advocacy groups say that at one time, American Pit Bull Terriers were considered all-American dogs. One was used in a World War I propaganda poster, Moehring said. Pete, the dog in the "Little Rascals" comedy films, and Tighe, the dog in the Buster Brown shoe advertisements, were pit bulls.

Dr. Mary McDaniel, a veterinarian at the Lake Alfred Animal Hospital and an American Kennel Club judge who owns and shows Glen of Imaal Terriers, said the American Pit Bull is not a distinctive breed - the AKC recognizes the Staffordshire but not the pit bull - and a lot of dogs labeled pit bulls are really boxers or hounds. But terriers, including pit bulls, do have predatory characteristics, she said.

"Terriers are hunting dogs. They're bred to grab and kill. They're not aggressive per se, but they're tenacious. It's hard to get them to back off," she said.

In Polk County, pit bulls and pit bull mixes accounted for the highest percentage of bites against humans last year. Of 1,025 cases of dog bites in 2009, 191 - or 18.6 percent - were caused by pit bulls or pit bull mixes, said Lt. Craig Burke, director of Polk County Animal Control. The second-highest ranking breed was the Labrador retriever, which accounted for 10 percent of dog-bite incidents.

national bite statistics

However, those numbers are out of line with a national survey, and it is not clear whether the local statistics reflect a larger-than-average number of pit bulls, a higher proportion of aggressive or mistreated dogs, or some other cause.

A 2008 study at the University of Pennsylvania found that the top three breeds most likely to bite are dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pit bulls and "pit bull-type" dogs accounted for about 32 percent of the 238 dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 1979 and 1998.

In the most recent incident in Polk County, a 2-year-old girl was bitten on the face by the family pit bull April 21, requiring about 20 stitches, Burke said. The girl's father shot and killed the dog, which tested negative for rabies.

At least one Web site devoted to the victims of dog attacks labels the breed "dangerous." DogsBite.org was founded and run by Colleen Lynn, who was the victim of a pit bull attack that left her with a fractured arm.

"The manner of the bite causes severe injuries," Lynn said by phone from her home in Texas. "Plenty of pit bulls are not going to go off, but if they do, it's going to be really bad. As members of the public, we don't know if your dog is going to go off or not."

Pit bull advocates insist the dogs are no more dangerous than any other breed. Moehring, founder of Save Our Homeless Pets, a mostly one-woman volunteer organization that tries to encourage adoptions of animals from the county shelter, owns a pit bull and two pit bull mixes and insists that if owners are responsible, the dogs make good pets.

"They're loyal. They're people-pleasers. That's why they can be misused," she said.

Grady and Judd were discovered by Polk County sheriff's deputies in a crate on top of a pile of stolen goods and impounded, Moehring said. The owner tried to get them back but eventually gave up custody. The shelter will not let the public adopt impounded pit bulls or three other breeds - Akitas, Rottweilers and chows - and most are euthanized, a fate that easily could have befallen Grady and Judd.

"We don't adopt them to the public because we don't have the resources to conduct health and temperament tests," Burke said. "It's a business decision we made, not because the breed itself has a propensity to bite, but when they do it's the significance of the bite. Because of their mass, it's more severe and requires more medical attention."

But the shelter will allow registered dog rescue organizations to take pit bulls, and a determined Moehring got Grady and Judd to Florida Big Dog Rescue, where they were evaluated, neutered and trained.

Margaret said she was looking for a new pet after her golden retriever died and spotted an ad on Craigslist for Staffordshire terriers. Pictures of Grady and Judd popped up.

"I was not a pit bull person. Like everyone else, all I heard was how vicious they were. But when I saw them on Craigslist, I thought, 'I think I want them,'" Margaret said. "I've completely changed my attitude. ... They're physically affectionate, almost too much. They want to sit with me, be petted and scratched. They follow me wherever I go."

political spotlight

Perhaps no other breed has been the subject of as much political attention. Two attacks attributed to pit bulls in Polk County in August and September 1989 - one against a Lake Wales woman and her 2-year-old grandson, the other against a 33-year-old truck driver that left him severely injured - resulted in Polk County's first "vicious dog" ordinance that allowed law enforcement to impound and euthanize dogs that attack or injure people.

More recently, well-publicized incidents such as the infant death in Pasco County, to say nothing of the dog fighting scandal that landed pro football player Michael Vick in prison, have contributed to increased public mistrust of pit bulls, and politicians have taken note. Some communities have passed "breed-specific legislation" that prohibits some breeds, almost always including pit bulls.

The city of Denver passed an ordinance banning pit bulls in 1989, and some families were forced to give away their pets, have them euthanized or move. The state of Ohio requires pit bull owners to carry liability insurance, fence the dogs and leash them when off-property.

In Florida, state law forbids local communities from passing breed-specific laws, but an ordinance in Miami-Dade County was grandfathered in, and it remains the only municipality in the state that bans pit bulls. County officials said the dogs posed a greater threat than other breeds.

Whether the legislation prevents dog bites is disputed. The Toronto Star reported last month that a five-year ban on pit bulls in the Province of Ontario has not significantly reduced the number of dog bites on humans, and Moehring said Miami-Dade has seen similar results. Italy and the Netherlands have rescinded bans on pit bulls, although they do place restrictions on owners.

Colleen Lynn, of DogsBite.org, advocates banning pit bulls as a way of saving lives.

"Pit bull laws aren't designed to stop all dog bites. They're designed to stop catastrophic pit bull maulings," she said.

Not surprisingly, dog advocacy groups are opposed to breed-specific legislation. The American Humane Society states on its Web site that such laws can be difficult to enforce, "can unnecessarily discriminate against dogs that are not dangerous, and does little to protect the community from dog bite incidents."

McDaniel said "bad owners" are the problem behind aggressive pit bulls.

"I just don't think it's fair to blame the dogs. ... The majority of the ones I see are lovely dogs. I don't have reservations about them being around children as long as they're supervised. I'd never leave a baby around any dog," she said.

Moehring said "myths" associated with pit bulls have attracted people to use the dogs for the wrong reasons.

"Do citizens have something to fear? Yes, from owners who maintain them outside homes for purposes other than as family pets - for guarding, fighting, intimidation or status," she said.

Moehring pointed to the shift in the pit bull's image, from Buster Brown's Tighe to Michael Vick's fighting dogs.

"The dogs haven't changed. We've changed," she said.

[ Cary McMullen can be reached at cary.mcmullen@theledger.com or 863-802-7509. ]



 
This is a great article and the original can be found at this page.
I applaud Margaret, the woman who adopted the two pit bulls, for taking a chance on them and allowing them to show her how loyal, loving, and affectionate these dogs really are. Ignorance and misinformation has marred the reputation of pit bull type dogs forever. Incredibly, less than a hundred years ago the APBT was a beloved war hero and family dog. Moehring is absolutely correct in saying that, "The dogs haven't changed. We've changed." Cowards, thugs, drug dealers, and such fell in love with the APBT and tried to turn it into something the breed very well is not: a guard dog. Thus began the transformation of the agile medium sized pit bull into bulky macho muscle dogs bred for looks and intimidation- not conformation. Additionally, those types of dogs you see on the internet costing thousands of dollars are not a true APBT. They are hybrids, many of which have had Mastiff bred into the line somewhere to make their heads and bodies so massive.

I digress, but I do want to say that before you make your decision about whether or not you like or dislike pit bulls, please do your own research. Don't take someone else's- or mine for that matter- word or opinion and make a decision solely on that. Irresponsible owners have contributed heavily to the public's automatic dislike of pit bull type dogs thus giving responsible owners with great dogs a bad name. Judge the deed not the breed.

Pit Bull in a Wheelchair Inspires and Comforts Kids with Disabilities

Pit Bull in a Wheelchair Inspires and Comforts Kids with Disabilities
What an awesome dog!! Love the positive pit bull press!

Bored White Animal

I have been feeling super guilty because I have been neglecting White Dog. Not necessarily neglecting him per se but I have not been able to spend as much time with him because I due to school and Brayden; however, finals are now over and I intend to spend lots of my time with my baby white dog. We go for our walk every night but I have not had a lot of time for throwing the ball and playing tug o war lately. He shadows me 24/7 and I take him most everywhere I go but we have not had a lot of playtime and I can tell he is super bored; although, Brayden seems to wear him out a lot. 

He is sleeping like a rock on the couch in these pics I took on Tuesday. He pouts and groans when I sit on the computer for extended periods. 

Presently, he is passed out on his back, snoring like an old man. 

Once it cools off some tonight I am going to play tug o war with him. He loves his rope, for sure, but it is about time for a new one as him and Camo did a number on the current one. I am going to snuggle with him while Brayden is taking a nap right now—it has been a long day!

Pit Bull Found With Ears Cut Off

The following is an article about a pit bull puppy that had his ears cut off for fighting purposes. People are so sick. The puppy is cute as can be and I am so thankful he was given a second chance at life and will probably be adopted into a good home. His poor little ears- I'm sure his non-existent ears will be his trademark or defining characteristic as he gets older but it is hard to fathom somebody actually cutting off his ears. The video of Vinny the pit bull puppy can be watched by clicking on this link


 

 

 
CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. --

A 13-week-old dog was found in a field with its ears cut off, KERO-TV in Bakersfield, Calif., reported.

When the dog, named Vinny, was found last week in California City, he was also very skinny, the station said.

Vinny was taken to the California City Animal Shelter. He was later taken by Zach Skow of Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue.

"It definitely wasn't done with a scalpel and he definitely wasn't put down. It probably took two people, one to hold him down and one to clip his ears. And yeah, he was probably in a tremendous amount of pain," said Skow.

While some dogs do get their ears cropped professionally, Skow said it wasn't a cropping gone bad but an act of animal cruelty that's often associated with dog fighting.

"They want them to go for the jugular, and not to latch onto an ear. They want them to latch onto a neck, so they remove the ears so they don't have anything to latch onto," said Skow.

Vinny went to the vet recently for a check-up and he was doing well. Skow said the dog has put on weight, his ears are not infected and his hearing is fine, but Skow said he hopes Vinny can help bring attention to dog fighting and the need to stop it.

"People need to know that it is happening. Dog fighting, serious dog fighting in California City, in Kern County, and it's happening all the time and it's getting bigger and bigger and bigger. It needs to be stopped."

With the help of the California City animal shelter and Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue in Tehachapi, Vinny will get a second chance at a life that doesn't involve the brutality he was dealt.

"A dog is what you make of it, and luckily we caught him early enough, so he's just going to end up being a doggy. And we'll find a home for him. He's not going to win any beauty pageants, but he doesn't need to," said Skow.

The California City Police Department said Vinny is a part of a bigger and ongoing investigation when it comes to dog fighting in the area.

Uncle Kangol and his great-niece

 

Camo and Kangol