Much pit-bull rhetoric is not based in experience

I must admit that every time I see the breed-ban ramblings of Dr. Stanley Coren, I have to smile. Not that I'm agreeing with him but at times he can be so out of whack, he's downright funny.

As someone who has shared her entire adult life with 'gamebred' American pit bull terriers, I question comments based solely on what appear to be selective paper trails not proven by "hands-on" experience.

Bragging that all puppies from certain lines must be separated from their dams at the precise age of five weeks is pretty damning. I assume Coren has not only seen a number of these litters, but is intimately familiar with the pedigrees and history of all stock in question.

Otherwise, he is simply parroting the same clichéd hyperbole breed detractors trot out at every opportunity.

Unfortunately, in his mention of Doberman registrations, it's not hyperbole Coren is guilty of. Either Paul Walton misunderstood Coren, or he was told a gross untruth.

In this country, regulations enforced by the Canadian Kennel Club insist puppies must be permanently identified before leaving for their new homes, and owners issued registration papers within a period of six months. Once ownership has changed hands, neither the breeder, the parent club or the CKC has the power to "revoke papers" at their discretion.

It was also unfortunate no mention was made of the current situations in the Netherlands and Germany -- two countries with long "priors" in breed banning. Both found the practice somewhat less than productive, and have recently dropped all such legislation at a national level.

The American pit bull terrier and its relatives have a long and proven record in service to mankind. Sadly, little time is ever given by the media to those of us who toe the line, because owners with 'clean' records, decent bank accounts and positive reputations skew statistics and defy stereotypes. Nobody who has ever jumped on the pitbull 'hate' wagon wants to admit they could possibly be wrong; that would never 'sell.'

Dawne Deeley

Sidney

Inside Chicago's dog fighting underworld

Pitbulls are widely used in dog fighting which is illegal across the US
By Nina Robinson
BBC News, Chicago

In Chicago, some of the city's most deprived neighbourhoods see more than their fair share of violence, with shootings an everyday occurrence.

Such areas are also home to a sub-culture of dog fighting, part of the estimated 40,000 people involved in the illegal activity across the US.

Tio Hardiman, from the United States Humane Society's End Dog Fighting Campaign, grew up in an inner city neighbourhood in Chicago.

He has first-hand knowledge of the street dog fighting culture in Chicago's South Side and West Side.

Mr Hardiman now works with former dog fighters, arranging training sessions for local pitbull owners to see dogs as loyal pets, rather than fighters.

'I would shoot my dogs'

One of the former dog fighters working on Mr Hardiman's campaign team is Sean Moore.

He admits that his actions during 13 years of dog fighting led to many animals being destroyed.

"Everything I did was bad," he says.
Tiger, the pitbull, who has had his ears cut off


Some dogs have their ears cut off to encourage them to go for the neck

"Fighting them, preparing them to fight and once the fight was over, I killed them. I saw a lot of guys hang their dogs for hours and that's like torture. More often than not I would shoot my dogs, just to get it over with," he says.

Mr Moore also says it is not unusual for children to become involved from an early age.

He is mentoring a 14-year-old boy who has a tiger-stripe pitbull at his side.

The dog's ears have been cut off.

The practise of cutting ears is known as the "fight cut" and is done to encourage the dogs to go straight for the neck, rather than biting off the ears.

"Which more often than not," says Mr Moore, "will be bitten off anyway."

"I used to fight dogs in the back of buildings and abandoned garages. I went through almost 100 dogs, fighting them, just doing what I wanted to do with them, for no apparent reason," says the boy, who calls his current dog Tiger.
Tio Hardiman


Tio Hardiman is trying to change the way people see pitbulls

He said he would find dogs in the neighbourhood and take them to fight.

If their subsequent injuries turned out to be too severe, he would leave them on the ground, the boy says.

Some dogs were picked up by the police, or he would tie a dog to a tree and walk away.

According to Mr Hardiman, there are three levels of progression in dog fighting.

Local children begin by staging dog fights on street corners to improve their standing in the community.

If their dogs emerge as winners, the children will appear tough and other people will be less likely to mess with them.

At the next level, money begins to change hands. "Anywhere between $500 and $2500," says Mr Hardiman, and the dogs are "trained to become ultimate fighters."

At the final, more professional level, dog fights are more organised and involve inter-state travel and dog fighting kennels, yielding earnings of up to $100,000.

Drugs, guns and sex

The fact that street dog fighting is happening in Chicago's poorest and most violent communities is no coincidence.

In a Chicago police survey of dog fighters, it was found that the vast majority of offenders had been arrested for other crimes, often involving drugs and violent assault.

Mike, an 18-year old juvenile offender from the South Side, went to his first dog fight aged just five.

He says dog fighting and other crimes are connected.

"Money, respect, power, showcasing the dogs' abilities, which dog has the bigger testicles, which has the bigger jaw - it's all about attributes of a dog, and money, drugs, guns and sex are involved in it too, because fighting dogs leads to selling drugs, selling guns and selling women," he says.
A pitbull's fangs


Some dogs have their teeth filed to make them sharper

Mr Hardiman agrees that many of the young men involved in the gang lifestyle and who put their dogs to fight become desensitised to violence.

Former dogfighter Sean Moore knows that growing up on the streets of a violent neighbourhood rmeans you have to show you are tough from a young age.

"A lot of us have got to be violent out here to even survive out here in these streets," he says.

"It's how we grow up and it's all we know. You'll see two humans fighting each other. If there's a shooting... we're going to run and see; we want to see who's going to get shot and who's doing the shooting."

Mr Moore admits that with daily murders and shootings, "Dog fighting right now, in the city of Chicago is the least of our problems."

APD investigating pitbull attack in Downtown

By Jenifer Gee Journal Staff Writer

A 17-year-old male is recovering from injuries after he was attacked by four pitbulls in Downtown Auburn this week.

Auburn Police Department Capt. John Ruffcorn confirmed that four dogs attacked the teen at about 6:15 p.m. Sept. 16 while he was walking to his car in a parking lot located off Lincoln Way.

Ruffcorn said the investigation is ongoing but he expects charges to be filed once police have concluded their work.

Ruffcorn said the owner of the dogs was reportedly not on scene but that the dogs came from a nearby residence that has a backyard with access to the parking lot where the dogs attacked.

He said witnesses reported that the teen did not provoke the attack and rather the dogs came running. Another witness reported that the dogs also came after him but he quickly locked himself inside a car and scared them off with the sound of the vehicle’s alarm.

Ruffcorn said two “good Samaritans” fought the dogs off of the 17-year-old Weimar male. He said both helpers pulled the young man into a car while one fought the dogs back with a wrench.

Ruffcorn said the victim suffered lacerations and puncture marks to his body.

The four dogs will remain quarantined at the Placer County Animal Shelter until Auburn Police officials finish their investigation.

“Anybody who was in the parking lot at the time potentially could’ve been a victim,” Ruffcorn said. “The young man was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Pitbull Links

Items

Pitbull Store - Has a lot of collars, bite sleeves, muzzles, etc. Good site for people who like to do Schutzhund.
Pitbull Gear - Has clothes, as well as spiky harnesses, and girly leashes.
The Bully House - Dvds, bite sleeves, harnesses, kennels.
Xtreme K9 Supplies - Specializes in big dog items such as collars, leashes, harnesses, toy, bitesleeves, etc.
Paco Collars - Awesome site with awesome collars and buddy leashes.
Pitbull Lovers - Various products for every Pit bull lover out there.
Cesar Millan Inc. - Home of the Illusion Collar and The Dog Whisperer, I recommend anything from this site.

Blog

Happy Pitbull Blog - Wonderful blog. About a woman and her pitbulls.

Forums

Pit Bull Talk - A forum about Pitbulls.
The Bully Forum - A forum about bullies.

I Rescued a Human Today

Author:Janine Allen CPDT

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Breed Profile

Breed:
American Pit Bull Terrier/ American Staffordshire Terrier

Average Life Span:
12-14 years

Typical Health Problems:
Generally healthy, may be subject to Parvo, hip displaysia, hereditary cataracts and allergies.

Personality:
Pit bulls tend to be very dependent on their humans and crave love and attention.

On average, pit bulls tend to be very confident and outgoing dogs. However, their natural confidence can be eroded by severe abuse or long confinement with little human contact.

What are these dogs surrendered for typically?
Owner turn-ins of pit bulls are usually due to dog aggression (which is often mistaken for human aggression by inexperienced owners).

Other reasons include:

* Destructive chewing, which is usually out of frustration and lack of exercise
* Too much energy/lack of time for dog and breed specific legislation against pit bulls in the area/moving to an area with breed specific legislation.
* Pit bulls also often are brought in as strays or confiscated from abusive owners, dog fighters, or criminals.

Pit Bull Terrier in a shelter.How do these dogs handle rescue or shelter life?
Being an extremely people-oriented breed as well as one that tends to be dog aggressive, the typical pit bull is not happy in a kennel setting. This breed does, however, do well in a home fostering situation, as they tend to bond quickly with new people. How well they tolerate a rescue or shelter depends heavily on the amount of human attention, contact, and exercise they receive, as well as on the individual dog's temperament and past experiences.

What would be the ideal owner for this breed?
The ideal owner of a pit bull is an extremely responsible person committed to the care, training and exercise of their dog. Such an owner should be knowledgeable about the breed (or at least willing to learn), very aware of the dog aggressive but people loving nature of the breed, and dedicated to protecting not only their dog, but also the breed as a whole from the continuing media hysteria generated by bad press and bad owners. The ideal owner of a pit bull would never allow their dog to roam the neighborhood, be off leash in a public place or around strange dogs, and would not leave their adult pit bull alone and unsupervised with another dog of any breed, since fights can start between unsupervised dogs, especially dogs of the same sex, and such fights can have serious consequences. This owner would spay/neuter, make sure their dog remains socialized with all types of people, contain their dog securely when not supervised by an adult, obedience train their dog, and insure that their dog is well exercised every day. This owner would NOT be looking for a guard dog, as pit bulls are typically very people friendly and not naturally inclined toward "man work." This owner would either have no other dogs or an altered dog of opposite sex, since many pit bulls are same sex aggressive and can be placed with a non-dominant dog of opposite sex.

Is this breed good with children in general?
This breed tends to love all people, especially children. The only caution I would add is that, because they are very exuberant and energetic dogs, they can sometimes overwhelm very young children and accidentally bump them or knock them over, particularly when they are pups (under 2 years old).

Is this breed good with other dogs in general?
The short answer is no. Developed for the purpose of fighting other dogs, most pit bulls are dog aggressive, at least to some degree. Some pit bulls will simply not tolerate any other dogs, regardless of sex. A few pit bulls will remain dog friendly their entire lives, but they are a minority.Pit Bull with ownerThe majority of pit bulls are at least same sex aggressive and as adults will not do well with other dogs of the same sex or those that are "pushy" with them, although as pups they may get along fine (this can be very misleading to a novice pit bull owner). Pit bulls will commonly start developing signs of dog aggression between the ages of 8 months and 2 years, although it can develop at any age and can come on either gradually or quite suddenly. It is important to note that many pit bulls do not display the "typical" signs of dog aggression before a fight. They may not growl, bark, or posture at all, but simply alert and raise up on their toes. Owners of dog aggressive pit bulls learn to "read" their dogs and recognize the subtle signs indicating impending dog aggression. Training will not eliminate dog aggression in the pit bull but, when combined with responsibility and vigilance, training can bring these natural tendencies under control in on-leash situations. Where housemates are concerned, if one is a pit bull, extra care should be taken to prevent tension over food, desirable treats (like bones), and favored toys. These items are often "triggers" for spats or fights between dogs sharing the same house and owners should be very aware of them. This is also the reason that an adult pit bull should NOT be left alone with housemates or other dogs. Due to their fighting heritage, many pit bulls do not recognize signs of submission given by a dog they are fighting and, if they are unsupervised, the results can be disastrous. It should be noted that many breeds have dog aggressive tendencies, and leaving any such breed unsupervised with another dog, especially a dog of the same sex, can lead to a tragedy.

Pit Bull Terrier puppyHow easy is housetraining with this breed?
There is much variation to the time housetraining will take, depending on the method used. Pit bulls, as a group, are intelligent dogs, soft to their owners and relatively easy to train as they are eager to please their owners. With all phases of training, praise is a key element when it comes to the pit bull. Positive methods will work best for training this breed.


How easy is socialization with this breed?
With humans, the pit bull is very easy to socialize but, since they tend to be very enthusiastic, they should be taught manners early on. A trained pit bull is often a "social butterfly," loving friends and strangers alike. As with most breeds, socialization with humans of all types should be part of the dog's training for life. Note: A pit bull that shows unprovoked human aggression, especially with children, is NOT typical of the breed and is showing very poor temperament. Such a dog should be thoroughly evaluated by a trainer or behaviorist experienced in the breed for a final determination of their temperament and recommendation on how to proceed.

Other relevant information:
The pit bull is typically a people loving, intelligent and fun breed. Many excel at obedience training and dog sports such as agility, weight pull, frisbee, and flyball. Due to their affinity with people, this breed is a good candidate for rescue and adoption, but potential homes need to be carefully screened to insure that the new owners understand and accept the responsibility of owning a pit bull. Media hysteria and bad owners have greatly damaged this breed and every incident involving a pit bull makes it worse for the entire breed and their owners, often prompting breed specific legislation or breed bans.

Potential owners need to be informed of the pit bull's correct temperament, and need to be prepared to deal with the issue of dog aggression. Most pit bulls have a high prey drive and may chase small animals or livestock. This is NOT a breed for everyone! The only way to repair the pit bull's bad reputation is to keep them in the hands of responsible owners.

Pit Bull for Life - Save the Breed 09/08

I think all owners of any dog should have there dog trained. What these guys are doing, free, is wonderful. Not many people can afford to have there dogs trained.

Find more videos like this on ASPCA Online Community

Pitbull Saves Child's Life 08/04/09

Pitbull Saves Owners Life

By Kyla Igoe

Diana Walbert considers herself lucky today.
Police say Diana's boyfriend, Nicholas Clark started assaulting her around 8 p.m. yesterday. Allegedly punching her several times and threatened her with a large samurai sword. That's when Lily, Diana's 3-year-old Pit-Bull came to the rescue.
Multimedia

"As soon as (Mr. Clark) made contact with me, she jumped and grabbed him in the back of the calf and then bit him in his arm a couple times," said Walbert. "No matter what, i'll be there for Lily and she'll be there for me."

Neighbors consider Lily a hero and Diana a lucky woman.

"Good thing she had that dog to save her life or she would have been dead," said neighbor Patricia Carlson. "She's very lucky."

"In this case the owner of the dog was protected by the dog," said Capt Barry Swanson of the Jamestown Police Department. "In this particular case, it was a lady's best friend, it did protect her, and probably stopped a further assault from taking place."

Clark was charged with Assault in the third degree, Menacing in the second degree, and Criminal Possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Ten Facts About Pit Bulls Every One Should Know

1. Pit Bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, Pit Bulls are making a mark as outstanding therapy dogs.

2. Pit Bulls are used in Search and Rescue work. One example of well known SAR Pit Bulls is Kris Crawford and her dogs. Kris and her dogs have helped save the lives of many people during their efforts. http://www.ForPitsSake.org

3. Pit Bulls serve as narcotic and bomb sniffing dogs. One Pit Bull, Popsicle (named that because he was found in an old freezer) has the largest recorded single drug find in Texas history. Read more about Popsicle here. Including how he found over 3,000 lbs of cocaine in Hildago, Texas.

4. Pit Bulls are great with kids. They weren't referred to as the "nanny's dog" for nothing that's for sure.

5. Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. The American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed is not human aggressive. In fact, quite the opposite is true of the breed. They are gentle and loving dogs. Like any dog individuals can be unsound and have behavior problems.

6. The Pit Bull was so popular in the early 1900's they were our mascot not only in World War One, but World War Two as well. They were featured on recruiting and propoganda posters during this time period.

7. Sgt. Stubby. A Pit Bull war hero. Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy.

8. Pete the Pup on the orginal Little Rascals was a Pit Bull.

9. Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society. That's better than the popular Border Collie (a breed who scores 79.6%). View the ATTS stats here.

10. They are dogs not killing machines.

The Pitbull Problem

I'd like to first post this video, made by Z. I believe that it is a wonderful video, and it makes me cry every time I watch it. Please, enjoy.

What this site is about

This is a site about pitbulls. I will be posting articles, facts and information, pictures, items, etc. about pitbulls. I believe they are one of the most beautiful creatures in the world. I have had the wonderful experience of having them as companions, and, I must say, they are the best companion you could ever have. Thank you for viewing the site. Anything you would like me to post, please email mkbenge@gmail.com.

MKBenge