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DenverKillsDogs.com Takes Aim at Breed-Specific Legislation

January 03, 2009, 2:58PM MT

By Roni Raczkowski

Southern California group launches nationwide campaign in Denver to eliminate BSL

Imagine coming home to find animal control in your back yard, taking your pet dog—the dog that is obedient, gentle, and loving. You wonder what your dog did wrong to warrant this seizure. If you live in Denver and own a pit bull, the answer is simply that the dog doesn’t have to do anything wrong, it’s just banned from the city.

Cue “Superman,” in this case a Southern California-based anti-BSL (Breed Specific Legislature) group called ROVERlution, that has launched a campaign called DenverKillsDogs.com designed to overturn Denver’s breed ban.

ROVERlution started in 2005 as a conscientious and righteous movement to oppose Denver’s breed ban and now boasts approximately 2,200 members nationwide along with 35 affiliate organizations, rescues and advocate groups. This group was founded by four Southern California animal lovers, Dr. Paula Terifaj, DVM (veterinarian), Jan Keith (school teacher), David Edelstein (professional chef), and Mark Schoenfeld (former city councilman and non-practicing attorney) who took their anti-BSL beliefs worldwide. The spin-off, DenverKillsDogs, is specific to the immediate threat they all see in Denver.

"The behavior of any breed of dog is largely determined by the actions of dog owners. All dogs must be judged by their actual behavior and not stereotyped as breed aggressive. Insurance companies and government entities who have chosen to penalize dog ownership based on breed prejudice must be stopped," according to Dr. Paula Terifaj. She further asserts that media hype and misinformation has largely contributed to the irrational fear and ignorance that surrounds these breeds. What is needed is stronger law enforcement to protect communities from any dog found to be a public threat and stiffer penalties on dog owners who harbor dangerous dogs.

In its December 2008 issue, Sports Illustrated ran a cover story that featured the work of rescue groups, including Best Friends, in saving Michael Vick's dogs in an article that addressed the misconceptions that surround some breeds. For details, see Best Friends article. In that same issue, SI recanted a cover story it ran in 1987 that featured a snarling pit bull below the headline “Beware of this Dog.” It shows that opinions are slowly changing, but they are not changing in Denver.

“The media is creating a McCarthyism type of hysteria related to pit bulls. If we don’t stop BSL, we will find this spiraling out of control,” said David Edelstein, co-founder of ROVERlution and DenverKillsDogs.

Edelstein knows firsthand the irrational tactics being displayed in Denver. The story of Forrest Gump, as reported in the Denver Post and on Best Friends Network in September 2008, hit a chord with Edelstein. He heard about the gentle pit bull in Denver that was soon to become a victim of city code DRMC 8-55 at the hands of Doug Kelley, director of the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter. Forrest had been picked up twice by Denver Animal Care and Control for wandering, and was due to be euthanized because he was a pit bull. Amidst a worldwide protest, Best Friends representatives negotiated the release of Forrest, who is now Edelstein’s faithful companion. “The whole scene was surreal. Forrest was released with a police escort to ensure he left city limits,” according to Edelstein.

Denver enacted Municipal Code DRMC 8-55 on August 7, 1989 as a result of several vicious pit bull attacks, one of which resulted in the death of a three-year-old boy.

The issue in Denver is immediate and dangerous. DenverKillsDogs members intend to raise awareness, increase membership, and save pit bulls in Denver by plastering the city with billboards and posters that emphasize the result of the pit bull ban.

Just as some people still believe no healthy animal is ever euthanized in a shelter, some believe a breed ban simply results in owners choosing other breeds or moving the dogs outside the city. They also may presume that a banned dog must do something aggressive before it is killed. The campaign illustrates this is not necessarily the case.

For more information about BSL: check the March/April 2008 issue of Best Friends Magazine, Best Friends online Network Stop BSL, and in American Dog Magazine.

How you can help: Immediate assistance with this cause can be made by donating on The Point Campaign.

Story by Roni Raczkowski and Sandi Cain, Network Volunteers
Photos courtesy of Lisa Scarsi Photography, David Edelstein, and Eric Christensen

Comments

Posted February 09, 2009, 12:36AM by MonikaSwiss

Having tried to "educate" people on the breeds that are so doomed by BSL for years... I am still appalled at how many Denverites have no clue at what is going on. I am so hoping that some film-maker will ever create a documentary on the plight of these dogs across our nation - the silent killings and destruction of families... and expose the hysteria about these dogs that is fed by hyped media... and also shed light on the TRUE nature of these dogs: loyal, loving, affectionate and fun -
rattling the public's mind and awaken some of them to a reality they have been sleeping thru. I have been confronted with this reality in the canine world, which is deeply anchored in this country, but only those who are directly affected by it know the immense pain and helplessness it presents, not only to them, but to their very animals, that are caught in it.

America. Where a dog's life truly is at risk. If a Pomeranian or Chihuahua will nip at a person, it's ok. Cute little furballs are conveniently excused. But here, in the land of the Supersize, a large breed dog (BSL will affect other breeds) is declared a threat, when the only real threat is the average Joe who has no clue about dogs.
A film about this canine horror situation that sadly shadows over this country in many states, would open eyes, minds and hearts. Dogs caught in these pathetic court cases/situations suffer at the hands of a footdragging system. The ignorance and denial of the public and city officials about this has been going on too long. OUR LAWS NEED CHANGE.
It is time to move away from the doggie-daffy comedies and make a documentary on the plights of thousands of dogs, who are put on death row for unjustified reasons, to expose how they suffer while trapped in the claws of a pathetic legal system, to reveal the preposterous manipulations that find more respect in our courtrooms than the suffering of an animal, and mostly how this country has lost one thing: To respect and cherish fellow animals, who live amongst us. It should be time our society is willing to open it's mind to understand their existence, their bond with us, their loyalty and unconditional love. This topic needs exposure.

Posted February 05, 2009, 8:40AM by danny_loves_dogs

Politicians care about two things and two things only 1)VOTES 2)MONEY. I don't live in Denver so I cannot effect the outcome of elections except to express my opinion to the people that do live and vote in Denver and I will continue to do that. But I can tell the mayor and city counsel of Denver that I as a tourist will never spend a single dime in your city/state until you get Muni code 8-55 off the books. You can help and please encourage others to go to this web site and sign this petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/spend-no-dollars-in-denver-colorado . Tell them what you think of them slaughtering innocent family pets for no other reason than their breed.

Posted January 05, 2009, 1:54PM by mariahspromise

We at Mariah's Promise are so thankful for the strides ROVERlution and DenverKillsDogs.com have made in alerting the 'outside world' of the holocaust taking place in Colorado, specifically the Denver area!!! There has been an ongoing genocide of innocent family pets and responsible families who cherish these dogs who are being ripped from their homes. There has been such awesome positive press for our bully buds and we are so hopeful this year will end BSL!!! Thanks to all for your hard work to fight BSL.