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Texas Animal Control Officer Fighting For Pit Bulls

April 20, 2009, 5:20PM MT

By Cheri Moon

Officer trying to find homes for pit bulls at risk of euthanasia.

Officer trying to find homes for pit bulls at risk of euthanasia.

By Morgan R. Boyd, Best Friends Network Volunteer

Jennifer Gaertner is the animal control liaison for Bandera County, Texas, and has an overwhelming number of dogs in her care. She “would fight tooth and nail” to prevent euthanasizing of any of these animals, but fears soon she might have to.

Working Towards No Kill
Since taking over her position in 2008, Gaertner has been able to avoid putting down the dogs in her care—excluding three with extreme medical conditions—with the help of 12 different rescue groups and individuals all over south central Texas.

The only problem: these rescues won’t take pit bulls.

Pit Bulls Tough To Place
Recently, Gaertner had the unfortunate experience of finding 30 dogs, seven cats, and three rabbits in an animal cruelty raid. While she has been able to place most of these animals, two pit bulls from that raid are still in the county pound.

Despite living in poor conditions, Gaertner says these pits have come out of their shells since being in her care and are the “greatest dogs in the world!” According to her, these dogs aren’t the exception, though. Another pit bull in her care, a red male, “talks” all day, instead of barking. They are all playful, happy dogs.

Jennifer Gaertner hopes one day these lovable dogs won’t get overlooked due to their breed.

How You Can Help
If you would like to help these dogs find forever homes, or would like more information on the Bandera County Animal Control, please click here.

Dog #1: This young male pit bull mix is a real lover. Besides being a ball-playing fool, he loves to cuddle and sit on your lap. He’s very friendly with other dogs and wants to run and play all day.

Dog #2: Barely three-years-old, this spayed female is just as sweet as she can be. High energy and very loving, she would fit in well with an active family.

Dog #3: If you like challenges, adopt this pretty boy. He’s not fond of other dogs, so he should be your one-and-only dog. He’s young and needs to be neutered.

Photos provided by Jennifer Gaertner
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Comments

Posted June 07, 2009, 7:6PM by StFrancisHelper

I am a Special Features writer for our local newspaper in Bonham (www.bonhamjournal.com/news then to Special Features, then Luv Me Luv My Pet. I just did some research for an upcoming column about pit bulls and the discriminatory policies of ACOs and municipal court judges who have no professional certification to a) identify a dog breed and b) to assess its behavior and potential to harm people or other dogs. Pit bull owners are starting to go to court with charges against municipalities for what amounts to "racial profiling" of dogs that they think look like pit bulls. "Pit bull" is not a breed. No registry in the world designates a breed by temperament. Public education (and a few lawsuits) might be the answer to the problem of profiling these dogs. Scrutinizing city ordinances that make it possible for ACOs to impound dogs they are afraid of and call them "vicious" so they can euthanize them need to be changed. That won't happen unless constituents go before their city councils and demand it..

Posted April 20, 2009, 6:49PM by marla

Jennifer

Thank you so very much for caring and taking care of these beautiful dogs. You are true Angel. I hope forever homes are found for all of them.

Posted April 25, 2009, 8:32AM by windsorco

As a pit bull owner and advocate I can't thank you enough for what you're doing for these dogs. They certainly deserve a loving family just as much as any other dog does. In fact, I usually feel like they deserve it more because of the terrible circumstances they usually come from. I hope these guys find loving homes like they are worthy of.

Posted April 27, 2009, 1:14PM by mariamal

As a pitbull advocate, thank you for what you do and may God help you find them a home. I have put a post my twitter sight for you, hope it helps you.

Posted April 21, 2009, 5:28PM by nicol

Thank you Jennifer for caring about these dogs - the most amazing breed and always victims of lies and false press. You are an example to all animal control staff across this country and the country would be a much better place if there were more like you. Please keep up your amazing work and thank you for everything you do for the animals.

Posted April 21, 2009, 7:0PM by emeraldwings1

As a Pit Bull Rescue volunteer, I just want to say thank you! I wish more people could see what we see when we look in those beautiful eyes. Donna

Posted June 07, 2009, 11:34PM by marla

Well said

StFrancisHelper Well said

Posted May 30, 2009, 1:22AM by bigboi

I pray for you and those great dogs i have six pits and they are highly discriminated against i know, i have been hounded by my neighbors for years trying to make me get rid of them, i live in a uptight community and i have had the police called on me for them barking ,finally the city told everyone to leave me alone my dogs don't do anything wrong they are just the wrong breed. So i wish you all the luck i wish i could help,i am trying to get started in my area against abuse of animals and to help pit bulls they are abused in my area and stolen its bad i hope to one day open a no kill shelter!!