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Stop BSL

Best Friends is Best Friend to Bully Breeds!

January 25, 2008 : 2:26 PM

From revered family pet to reviled villain: Pit Bulls and their mixes are the most misunderstood animals in the world – Best Friends is helping change all that.

Persecuted by the media, elected officials and in some instances, the animal welfare movement itself – so called “Bully Breeds” face an onslaught of opposition everyday. According to Laurie Adams, director of Casa Del Toro Pit Bull Education and Rescue, “One in every 600 pit bulls will find a home…Nationwide, 75% of shelters euthanize all pit bulls…the majority of shelters will euthanize them without attempting to adopt them out.” In addition, many communities have turned to Breed Specific Legislation (or “BSL”) to single out pit bulls and Bully Breeds. There has been no other companion animal “type” so singled out for mass destruction in the history of domestication.

When the public thinks “Pit Bull,” the media has ensured that the conjured image is that of: rampage, dangerous, ferocious, dogs bred to fight to the death. This sensationalized image sells papers and attracts viewers. To try to get past the hype to the facts in this issue, in 2006 Best Friends invited many experts in the field to Denver to work together at the Dangerous Dog Summit. In addition to the experts, many rescuers and animal lovers also showed up in order to find some answers to help the Bully breeds in their community. Everyone from lawyers of the Animal League Defense Fund to Tammy Grimes of Dogs Deserve Better to Jim Crosby, an expert in canine aggression, all came with their presentations and ideas on what could help improve the plight of Pit Bulls and Bully Breeds in America.

Call Off the Crusade

There were many topics present at the Summit, but the most important one was, ”What makes a dog dangerous?” What came out was that owner responsibility was the #1 reason dogs were dangerous! While there are many views on almost every topic in the animal welfare world, this everyone agreed upon! Upon further research by Laura Allen, founder of Animal Law Coalition and Russ Mead, General Counsel of Best Friends, there were some very specific criteria that made a dog a menace to the community - and breed didn’t factor into it at all!

A popular slogan from the animal welfare movement: Judge the Deed Not the Breed, suddenly made a lot more sense. But for the most part, it’s neglect and mistreatment by some people, and not of bad deeds of dogs, that requires judging! The Best Friends Dangerous Dog Summit helped boil down the recipe for making a dog dangerous and a risk to the community.

Here are some of the findings:
Don’t Chain Your Dog: Chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than non-chained dogs
Spay and Neuter Your Dog: it’s been reported that 90% of fatal attacks by dogs were by animals that were unaltered
Socialize Your Dog: fear aggression is an avoidable pitfall
Strengthen Dog Fighting laws: flimsy, unenforceable laws put your family in peril
Dog Parks: build a safer community for all

By using these findings, Best Friends was able to create a solid plan that communities could use! The Community Safety Program:.
The Summary
The Dangerous Dog Ordinance
Model Ordinance Statutes

The Michael Vick case has also blown open the dialogue of the animal/human violence connection. The discussion is on the table, but one uncomfortable discussion was hiding in the condiments: what of the victims themselves? The dogs taken from Bad Newz Kennels, what would become of them?

Many groups stepped up to help and the Best Friends Animal Society once again said, “what can we do?” Turns out we can take 22 dogs from this horrendous situation and help turn their lives around. This is a monumental case because Best Friends, unlike many other national animal organizations, actually cares for hundreds of homeless animals and can help change the perception of Pits and their mixes by showing the world that they can be rehabilitated! Even these dogs, basically worse case scenarios! Best Friends does it everyday – dogs that come from neglected and abusive situations are turned into happy, healthy pets that find forever homes!

Here are a few other things you can do:

According the Washington Post, it is reported that there are over 25 state legislatures considering strengthening animal fighting laws, in addition to a myriad of other bills to heighten the humane treatment of animals this year alone. Tell your elected official that animals matter to you! Of course, Best Friends is also working very hard to get a stronger laws passed! Please join our campaign to pass the Georgia Dog Fighting Bill.

To access all the resources that can help keep your community safe please click here.

by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staff
image by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer

Comments

June 2, 2008 at 10:57 AM
posted by: dogma

The BSL enacted by the UK in the 1990's is proof that BSL doesn't work. Despite the ban and the associated drop in numbers of the so-called "dangerous breeds" (pits, rotties, akita, staffies etc). The dogbite statistics in the UK - WERE UNCHANGED BY THE BAN. The number of dog bites per capita remained exactly the same!!!

May 29, 2008 at 11:57 AM
posted by: jangilmer

ahughes

you are a perfect example of why the public desperately needs educated (and not by they media who are in it for the money/story/audience) for it is quite obvious that you have no practical experience with pit bulls (or probably any other breed - or you would know that, yes dogs have been bred over the years to perform different tasks etc, but there are several breeds that have been bred for fighting -- bulldogs to fight bulls for example -- are we to kill all of those as well?)

I work at a rescue that currently has 7 pit bull - pit bull/mixes and they are the most loving, loyal, eager to please dogs. 1 of them is dog aggressive (from the environment it was pulled from) but with work she can be rehabilitated out of that as well (I’ve seen it done many times) -- she is my best dog (obedience wise) and even corrects me when I start to walk her on ‘the wrong side’. I love all over her (hugging, face to face contact, kisses), pick up her food, take toys/balls from her mouth and she is the most submissive dog we have at the shelter.

And it’s not just the public that needs educated but these ignorant, self-righteous officials who propose and enact BSL (breed specific legislation). It’s obvious that those that propose the destruction of a whole breed because of the carelessness, ruthlessness and plain stupidity of a few (humans) are closed-minded and not really interested in solving the real issues. They are having trouble enforcing the dog-fighting laws and enforcing other laws that are in place to handle ‘dangerous animals’ so they take the easy way out and just say “let’s get rid of the whole breed” - then we can look like we are doing something for the public w/o really having to work.

I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions on things, but I really wish that people would educate themselves first before speaking about topics they know nothing or little about. It also would be a great thing if people (myself included) would be open to new information, ideas, etc and not immediately and permanently set in their thinking (about any subject really).

Rottweilers, Dobermans and Shepherds went through similar bashing years ago (though not quite to the extent of the bully breeds) and now are deemed perfectly acceptable. It’s amazing how people will rush/jump to conclusions without the proper experience/education and then after the fact want to back track and say “oh, well maybe we were wrong”.

March 31, 2008 at 10:25 PM
posted by: m4rci4

Wow, AHughes, you really are offering up a lack of intelligence concerning Pit Bulls and Bully breeds...

March 28, 2008 at 6:21 PM
posted by: punky0617

I used to visit a large kill shelter to photograph the animals and post them to the shelter's website. Of all the animals I encountered the pit bulls and pit mixes generally were the friendliest and sweetest of all the dogs there. The little dogs were the ones you had to be careful of.

March 12, 2008 at 10:36 AM
posted by: mmgoris

Everyone is entitled to their opinon, however, understand the facts about this breed. All dogs will bite. Dogs do not bite for no reason as well. This debate on whether pit bull (which is a blanket term) are vicious or not has been ongoing for years. As a bully breed owner/foster I try to educate instead of attack persons who feel different than I do. I feel the people that do attack and say very mean things about this breed are not educated on this breed, they just go by what the media says. These are not vicious dogs! These dogs are the most loyal, sweet, and loving breed. When are we as a country going to stop blaming the dog and not the owner? People that think this breed should be banned do not understand that it is the owner. It is just easier to pass laws against dogs who can not say anything on their behalf. They are guilty. That is why it is important to have groups that are pulling for this breed to not be banned and educate everyone. We need to have tougher laws against owners who abuse this breed and every other breed. I am horrified to see photos of dogs that have been chained, dragged, beaten, starved, I could go on. My heart hurts everytime I see those images. This is not about banning the breed, it is about making owners more accountable for their actions.

March 12, 2008 at 9:44 AM
posted by: Gonzogirl

For everyone who would point to a newspaper article as "proof" that certain breeds are more dangerous than others, remember that the media is a "for profit" business. They're as guilty of exploiting the dogs as Michael Vick.

Take a look at this survey from NCRC:

THE PIT BULL PAPARAZZI

A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.

Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between August 18th and August 21st:

 August 18, 2007 - A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers. This incident was reported in one article and only in the local paper.

 August 19, 2007 - A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed breed dog. This attack was reported two times by the local paper only.

 August 20, 2007 - A 6-year-old boy was hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving severe bites to the head by a medium-sized mixed breed dog. This attack was reported in one article and only in the local paper.

 August 21, 2007 - A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe injuries.

This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.

"Clearly a fatal dog attack by an unremarkable breed is not as newsworthy as a non-fatal attack by a pit bull" says Karen Delise, researcher for the National Canine Research Council.

People routinely cite media coverage as “proof” that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs. Costly and ineffective public policy decisions are being made on the basis of such "proof". While this biased reporting is not only lethal to an entire population of dogs; sensationalized media coverage endangers the public by misleading them about the real factors in canine aggression.

www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com

March 11, 2008 at 12:33 AM
posted by: heathrs9

It is quite illogical to simply say that all pit bulls and other bully breeds have been created to kill and should be fully eradicated as a result. As many articles that one can reference to about a bully breed attacking people, they could find a greater amount of personal stories where these breeds never attacked people. All dogs have the ability to kill - whether it be a cat, another dog or some form of a vicious attack on a person. While dogs were kept in dog houses out in the back yard in past decades, they have now become more of a part of the family and hence, spend their time indoors. Those dogs that remain outside can often spend days chained up with little or no exercise. This can be true, too, of animals spending their days locked inside while we all go to work on a daily basis. Without being fully committed to our animals by exercising and fully training/disciplining them, how can we place the blame for unstable behavior on a dog? Other breeds will bite and attack if they are not in a stable home and have no daily exercise. Perhaps rather than saying we will ban all bully breeds, we should be more concerned with who can own a dog and whether that person is committed to the full responsibilities of being a good dog owner. Be careful what you wish for to those wanting bully breeds to be banned. If something like that gains even more momentum throughout the states, it will only be a matter of time before those smaller and sometimes pampered and unstable dogs like cute chihuahuas also become banned. Can't we all agree that we are all concerned about the welfare of animals, hence the reason we read and post on this site? Then I would suggest that those wanting breed restrictive legislation would do well to volunteer at a shelter and interact with more breeds of dogs.

I have been bitten by a Lab and my current border collie mix was attacked by a miniature pinscher. Do I believe either of these breeds need to be banned? Most certainly not.

February 18, 2008 at 7:21 PM
posted by: marla

to marquerite4rezdogs

Thank You So very very well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM
posted by: marguerite4rezdogs

Being the proud mom of a 14 and 1/2 year old pit mix that looks pit- I can tell you that he IS the sweetest dog- he was neutered young- I have had him since he was about 10 weeks old- and he has tolerated and loved a mix of dogs and cats through the years- fostering and saving a plethora of dogs- all of which he greets with a tail wag and sniff and love. He has NEVER once growled- bit- lets anyone take a bone out of his mouth- and just an even tempered- kind- intelligent-loyal-beautiful dog. He had high energy in his younger days- but I religiously walked him every single morning before work- whatever time it happened to be- 5- or 6- or 7 am without EXCEPTION for at least 11 of those years. He is exceptional with his intelligence and sensitivity to EVERYONE- all animals included. I have stopped the car and picked up hurt animals- strays-when necessary---- etc and he is 100% predictable and tolerant. Period. ANd I never ever- bullied him- as people think you have to do to strong breeds. I loved him a lot- and never played rough- but DID play a lot- he had a LOT of attention through the years. Yet- he takes a back seat to the little chihuahua I adopted 5 years ago- and lets her bark- or take over- or even get the most attention. SO he- and countless others- could be misread. The BREED is not bred to kill- it is gang people- and young single males- as well as macho wannabes- or greedy- weak- cruel humans - that breed the pits on purpose and THEY do not neuter them- they chain them- they are mean to them- the y abuse them- even give them steroids- all because they think that makes THEM tough. They are weak- misift losers who the world would be better off without- but- since they exist- only legislation AND understanding the ugly humans that are "collecting" THEIR pits- as opposed to normal- law-aiding- loving humans who then "breed" so to speak wonderful- precious loving pets. SO people DO need to be educated about this and start looking at the profiles of the abusive- or neglectful humans that recklessly purchase and perpetuate the myth about pitbulls. They are too weak and cowardly to fight their own fights- so they have an animal do it for them. I am sure they are bullies- when they drive- when they marry- when they walk the streets- etc- so beware of THEM- for THEY are the victimizers of people AND pitbulls. LEgislation should include NO adopting to anyone with a criminal record- noone under 21- every pit needs to be licensed - and EVERY single ad in any paper- throughout our country needs to be prohibited from advertising pitbulls period without a license- with their age-name-proof of identity- etc. Make it HARD for them to make money off of their bullying.

February 15, 2008 at 10:10 PM
posted by: marla

to ahughes798
Boy ,you do not know anything about pit bulls,
it is truly sad ignorant people like you cause so much harm to this wonderful breed

February 15, 2008 at 9:53 PM
posted by: ahughes798

So, southerndogmom, anyone who disagrees with your position, and the position of Best Friends about these vicious animals that have been bred for thousands of generations to kill, is a troll?

Then I guess I'm a troll, because I feel all pit bull breeds and crosses should be banned.

Get real. Dogs were bred to perform certain functions for the benefit of humans. This is why we have different breeds of dogs. Retrievers retrieve. Rat terriers hunt varmints. Sheep dogs herd. Pointers point. Scent-hounds scent. Pitbulls kill. These are inbred traits that are not going to go away just because you want them to.

I pity, really pity, the families of anybody who adopts any of these Vick dogs. They were born and bred to kill, and they are the best of the best killers...that's the only reason Vick and his cronies didn't kill them.

I am sorry that Best Friends is wasting it's money and time on these vicious animals.

February 7, 2008 at 5:33 PM
posted by: southerndogmom

Beware of Trolls and do not feed them. Or at least enjoy feeding them if you must. This subject tends to bring out some "members" who feed off of our enthusiasm and try to use our beliefs against us.

February 2, 2008 at 1:34 AM
posted by: noblebird

I'd like to suggest an addition to the title of the "Dangerous Dog Ordinance." Perhaps it should be called "Dangerous Dog/Irresponsible Guardian Ordinance" to further the public's understanding of the owner's responsibility to the public. Also, I think we need to begin to change the nomenclature from "bully breed" to "beautiful breed" or something to that effect. Keep the faith.

February 1, 2008 at 8:03 PM
posted by: pit_bull_luvr

I made a petition on www.indypaws.com last year against Mayor Bart Peterson on banning pit bulls. Luckily, I never had to turn it in, but now I'm always prepared! I have one, (a pit bull), and she has NEVER bitten anyone and hasen't tried to either. I got almost 200 signatures on one site and I even got the Indy Pit Crew to sign it too. I'm 12 years old and I want kids my age to know that you don't ever have to listen to other peoples opinions and agree with them. I told one girl in my class that I had a pit bull, and she said "OMG, pit bulls are mean!". I go, "Ummmm, well mine isn't...". That shut her up! You don't have to be rude to get your point across. Pit bulls are supposed to be as nice as any other dog, but unfortunately because of the way their body is built, they are bred for fighting. The media makes sure not to tell you that people train them this way, (cause it makes it so much more intresting to say the pittie learned all by itself!). Now all pit bulls are mean (according to the media). People don't realize that's being a dog breed "racist". I mean seriously! People used to have their set opinions about different races of people, and the same is with dogs now! I know it sounds crazy, but it's so true. Now before I go on an extreme rant...I'll stop writing now!!! XXOO PBG

January 31, 2008 at 4:12 PM
posted by: scratchtopaz

Well the Animal Welfare Federation of New Jersey is having an upcoming conference, I'm sure they'll cover this important topic!

AHughes, you have fallen prey to the media's exploitation - the hysteria is good for business! And how do you know that none of these dogs live near you?

January 31, 2008 at 8:00 AM
posted by: njanmlrsq3

Hey Denise... great information here. I also like how Best Friends has an example of a model ordinance. I wonder if that would help NJ with changing of the dog legislature? It is at a stand still right now.

January 30, 2008 at 11:39 PM
posted by: jaime_aalen_dunn

Ahughes, your posting the Daily Herald story of the Elgin woman is very interesting. I agree with you, reading about Ms. Mellinger's injuries is very disturbing. Equally disturbing are these bits of information from the article:

"Monica Bradley, who lives next door, said the pit bulls were always kept in an outside garage just south of the apartment building. She rarely saw them fed or walked, but noted they were always leashed up...
I always hear the dogs whimpering and it's kind of cold (out)," Bradley said. "The owners were kind of skittish, (saying) 'Leave those dogs alone.' "

A tech at my old vet's office told me once that in seven years the only dog that had ever bitten her was a golden retriever.

January 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
posted by: sleepyandb

Nothing frustrates me more than peoples complete ignorance. Banning one breed of dog is just the same as banning a certain race of people. I am a owner of two pitbulls that no where come close to the stereotype that has been put on them. I wish before people past judgement they would educate themselves instead of letting the media form their opinions. How often do you see positive things about anything in the media?

January 30, 2008 at 7:21 PM
posted by: ahughes798

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=122958

Such NICE dogs.

Glad none live near me.

January 28, 2008 at 7:28 PM
posted by: jazzywazzy

its heartbreaking when i see the faces of these beautiful loving special companions i am an owner of a pit bull and she was my life i just recently had to put her to sleep because she had kidney faliure and i didnt want to see her suffer anymore they are the best and i think you best friends for allowing people to really see waht kind of dogs they really are thats why i am going to do my best in allowing people to see what kind of animals they truly are lets keep them alive

January 25, 2008 at 10:37 PM
posted by: marla

Thank you for this great information. Our Humane Society does try to adopt them out. They are very strict , and the dogs do not always make it out alive. It is very heartbreaking. They are always the greatest dogs. it is so hard not to get attached to them. Almost impossible. Sometimes I do not think I can keep going back there, but of course I always do. If i can make a difference for one, then it is worth it.
Thank God for you Best Friends, you make such a difference!!!