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.
