BuffettNews.com

Meet Mia...

She is one of many Pits our rescue has taken in off the streets of cities which include Newark, Paterson and New Orleans. They are all of dubious lineage. Some are known "bait" or fighting dogs.

She's in my lap on my couch in the picture.

She is a life.

What gives anyone the right to take her life away?

http://www.wikd.org/pitbull/pitflash.swf

spainjane wrote:

Meet Mia...

She is one of many Pits our rescue has taken in off the streets of cities which include Newark, Paterson and New Orleans. They are all of dubious lineage. Some are known "bait" or fighting dogs.

She's in my lap on my couch in the picture.

She is a life.

What gives anyone the right to take her life away?

http://www.wikd.org/pitbull/pitflash.swf

I did not get to meet Mia...

But I can tell the entire board that IS your couch..

Several people I work with rescue pits. They are some of the most responsible pet owners I know. All of them take the necessary precautions to prevent potential issues. They also understand that due to the questionable breeding of their babies anything is possible. The dogs are some of the sweetest ones I've ever met. Would I trust them with my dog? No. However, I have no problem being around the dogs myself.

I wish you could have met her. She's such a love!

She was adopted by a nice family. We work very hard to make sure all of our dogs go to responsible homes. Honestly, we worry more about the dog's safety... we've never had a "bite incident"...by choosing the right family for each dog.

People have complained....supposedly it's easier to adopt a child than a dog from us

Unfortunately, Mia's family had to unexpectedly take in an elderly aunt who was afraid of and allergic to dogs. Now, 6 months later, she needs a home again.

The family (a lawyer) said she was perfect and did nothing to deserve this. They feel terrible about it...

Quiet and Shy wrote:

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:

Quiet and Shy wrote:And perhaps like many things people have created in this world, just because they exist doesn't mean they should be kept...(agent orange, falidimide, sarin...).

So what's the solution? Mass killing of all pit bulls and other breeds deemed to be dangerous, along with any dog that might genetically be related to these breeds?

Sadly, I can see a vigilante mindset developing...folks taking it upon themselves to rid the world of pit bulls, and innocent dogs being killed as a result....not to mention the very real possiblity of innocent people being killed as well.

Thankfully there are rescue organizations that will take these dogs and let them live out their lives...but there aren't nearly enough for all the dogs that would be affected by such a decision.

There is no easy answer....

I don't know that there is a good or easy answer...it's a very tough situation.

Perhaps the starting point is to have extremely tight regulations created and enforced re. the lineage and breeding of pit bulls...enforced by an independent authority...but paid for by those who want to see the breed continue on.... This could at least start to put a dent in the genetic/hereditary issues they carry; the environmental (training/owner) issue is yet another can of worms.

the place to start, IMO, is enforcing, and I mean strictly enforcing dog fighting laws that are already on the books...the vast majority of dog fighters are drug dealers also...(at least in OK and from what I read by the HSUS and ASPCA it's pretty much true for every place there are dog fighting rings)

when you shut down a fighting ring you get 2 for 1, drug dealer and illegal dog fighting ring.

you eliminate the audience for the fight, there is no longer any need for the brutal death of so many dogs used to train the potential killers...We don't need anymore restrictions that aren't enforced...enforce what's already there.....dog fighting is illegal in every state, increase the fines and the jail time....those that bet and participate should be charged the same as the dog owner, or the owner of the fighting ring...prosecute them all the same...serious jail time, serious fines... confiscate their vehicles, etc...

a judge can do it..but most of the time you find them giving them minimum fines...it's this practice that still makes it a lucrative business...it's secret and kept hidden even when it wasn't against the law in some states, because it's so barbaric...put their faces on the front page of the local newspaper..

There are a lot of dog breeds out there, ages old breeds that were bred to kill..

Dashunds were for getting badgers out of their underground dwelling...the list goes on and on ...but modern day we don't need them to do that job anymore...

I also work with a rescue group.


Heartofmichiganrescue.com

What some of these animals go through

However it's great that there are folks willing to help them.

nutmeg wrote:I also work with a rescue group.


Heartofmichiganrescue.com

What some of these animals go through

However it's great that there are folks willing to help them.

that's so true, some of them are just pathetic....but what's worse is the dogs that are used to train them...injuries, broken bones...they look so battered and broken, and they are

the pups that don't show the potential for a good fighter are sacraficed to train those that do...it's viscious....

Kudos to those that are able to give the rescued dogs a better life...

Moonie wrote:

Quiet and Shy wrote:

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:

Quiet and Shy wrote:And perhaps like many things people have created in this world, just because they exist doesn't mean they should be kept...(agent orange, falidimide, sarin...).

So what's the solution? Mass killing of all pit bulls and other breeds deemed to be dangerous, along with any dog that might genetically be related to these breeds?

Sadly, I can see a vigilante mindset developing...folks taking it upon themselves to rid the world of pit bulls, and innocent dogs being killed as a result....not to mention the very real possiblity of innocent people being killed as well.

Thankfully there are rescue organizations that will take these dogs and let them live out their lives...but there aren't nearly enough for all the dogs that would be affected by such a decision.

There is no easy answer....

I don't know that there is a good or easy answer...it's a very tough situation.

Perhaps the starting point is to have extremely tight regulations created and enforced re. the lineage and breeding of pit bulls...enforced by an independent authority...but paid for by those who want to see the breed continue on.... This could at least start to put a dent in the genetic/hereditary issues they carry; the environmental (training/owner) issue is yet another can of worms.

the place to start, IMO, is enforcing, and I mean strictly enforcing dog fighting laws that are already on the books...the vast majority of dog fighters are drug dealers also...(at least in OK and from what I read by the HSUS and ASPCA it's pretty much true for every place there are dog fighting rings)

when you shut down a fighting ring you get 2 for 1, drug dealer and illegal dog fighting ring.

you eliminate the audience for the fight, there is no longer any need for the brutal death of so many dogs used to train the potential killers...We don't need anymore restrictions that aren't enforced...enforce what's already there.....dog fighting is illegal in every state, increase the fines and the jail time....those that bet and participate should be charged the same as the dog owner, or the owner of the fighting ring...prosecute them all the same...serious jail time, serious fines... confiscate their vehicles, etc...

a judge can do it..but most of the time you find them giving them minimum fines...it's this practice that still makes it a lucrative business...it's secret and kept hidden even when it wasn't against the law in some states, because it's so barbaric...put their faces on the front page of the local newspaper..

There are a lot of dog breeds out there, ages old breeds that were bred to kill..

Dashunds were for getting badgers out of their underground dwelling...the list goes on and on ...but modern day we don't need them to do that job anymore...

In addition to that, there need to be rules and restrictions on breeding cats and dogs. Right now, anyone can breed anything and sell it to anyone. Breeders should have to apply and pay for a license every year if they want to breed. Before licenses are given, they should have to show their screening process for potential owners and give legitimate reasons as to why they are breeding. If someone is caught breeding without a license, they go to jail. No questions asked. This would not only cut down on dog fighting, but our enormous problem with homeless pets.

My neighbors friend came over with a litter of pit puppies. She was talking about where they were going. One guy was buying two. I asked if he lived on a farm or had alot of land. She said "No..he lives in an apartment in the city". Baltimore City. I asked her what exactly she thought he was going to do with them. She said she knew, but wanted the $. Nice breeder.

Rescues also need to be regulated. There are pit "rescue" groups out there that pose as a rescue, only to turn around and sell them to dog fighters. I'm not saying there are not legit rescues... I've worked for them. But for someone who does not know and just looks online, they could be placing the dog in a potentially harmful situation.

For all of you pit lovers: we have someone on our side.

Cesar Millan.

He was in Ontario and spoke to the public about breed legislation and how ridiculous it is. His website addresses the issue and on his show "The Dog Whisperer", he has had many episodes with pits and explains that it is NOT the breed. He has a pack of 37 right now at his Dog Psychology Center in LA. Alot of them are rescued pits. Including Daddy, a gorgeous tan and white one that belongs to rapper Redman. He stays with Cesar when Redman is traveling. In two different episodes, Daddy and Cesar helped people overcome their fear of pits. Daddy is pictured on the cover of his book, "Cesar's Way".

Maybe since he has some popularity (and celebrities-Oprah, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, etc) behind him, he will succeed in educating the general public about the breed.

carey24 wrote:For all of you pit lovers: we have someone on our side.

Cesar Millan.

He was in Ontario and spoke to the public about breed legislation and how ridiculous it is. His website addresses the issue and on his show "The Dog Whisperer", he has had many episodes with pits and explains that it is NOT the breed. He has a pack of 37 right now at his Dog Psychology Center in LA. Alot of them are rescued pits. Including Daddy, a gorgeous tan and white one that belongs to rapper Redman. He stays with Cesar when Redman is traveling. In two different episodes, Daddy and Cesar helped people overcome their fear of pits. Daddy is pictured on the cover of his book, "Cesar's Way".

Maybe since he has some popularity (and celebrities-Oprah, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, etc) behind him, he will succeed in educating the general public about the breed.

I really like Cesar's take on dog training. I recomend his books to people at the dog park all the time that are frustrated with their animals. I've seen several out of control (though not aggressive) dogs really make some great strides when the owners start using his tips.

spainjane wrote:http://www.wikd.org/pitbull/pitflash.swf

Wow, only 1.89% of dog bites are from Pit Bulls and they are 4th from the BOTTOM in the list of most agressive dogs.