Wow. Several news stories involving KCDA (a couple I haven't even talked about yet). A new lawsuite in KCK for illegal siezure. The whole Michael Vick fiasco. It's been a crazy week. Amongst all the big stories, there have been a few other interesting news stories. So read up!
This story from the a county newspaper in Ohio talking about why some people consider bigger dogs to be better. What's pretty funny about this story is that it talks about someone and their 115 lbs Cane Corso, someone else with their 92 and 114 lbs Rottweiler's, someone else with Mastiffs, and of course, the pit bulls are mentioned here. It's pretty amazing that pit bulls are always grouped in with large dogs, when in reality most are only around 50 lbs. Meanwhile, other large breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labradors are left out of the discussion.
Man accused of dog fighting in Chicago
37 dogs were removed from the property in what is being called the largest dog-fighting bust in Illinois State history.
Here's a candidate I'd like to vote for
Candidate for Plattsburg, NY city council, Irving Breyette calls the city's proposed pit bull ban "discriminatory" and "ridiculous". "What if a GermanShepherd bites someone and then a Doberman, are we going to put bans on them too?"
Can I vote?
Pit bull mix tied to tree, doused with gasoline, and lit on fire
The dog tried to make it, but was eventually put down. This is one of the more horrific things I've ever read about someone doing...is anyone suprised of the breed of dog involved?
PetPAC was one of the groups that opposed AB1634 in California. Their methods and some of their statistics were questioned by a lot of people...but I'm glad they did what they did and fought the bill off...
Letter to Editor in Minneapolis filled with Hyperbole
"Big dogs". "Four legged terrorists." "News coverage describing how pit bulls have savaged human beings." "Barrelling Chest." "Snarling".
It's these types of words, fresh out of the newspaper reports and then put back into the newspaper with letters, that get people on edge over something they don't understand. This woman does seem to have an unfortunate situation with her dog-owning neighbor having an invisibile fence (which I'm no fan of for a host of reasons), but I was struck more by her use of the hyperbole cliches that are found in the media reports...
A "counterpoint" editorial from the Star Tribune
Mentions all the inherant difficulties of trying to enforce breed specific legislation.
Elkhart, IN News Station does report on dog bites
It's interesting that the two bite incidences they specifically mention include a border collie and a lab...and because these dogs are "non aggressive breeds" I suppose, the focus of the story is on what to do to prevent dog attacks...good advice for all breeds of dogs. The stories always take a different tone if a Rottweiler or pit bull is involved though...
Nice piece though by WNDU.
Mountain City, WV looking at how to deal with dangerous dogs
Sounds like most on the council are looking at this with an open lense...which usually leads to good ordinances.
Pit bull bites 5 year old girl in Boston
The girl was trying to pet the momma dog that had 3 day old puppies. Dorothy Joyce, the mayor's spokesperson, says the intial reports are that this "could have happened with any dog. I don't think we can say this is a pit bull being a pit bull. I think this might be a case of a dog being protective of its puppies."
If only we looked at all dog attacks as it was a dog being a dog and then look into the reasons of the attack, we'd be in a much better situation right now.
Indianapolis man faces charges for cruelty to nine dogs
As is usual, the dogs involved are pit bulls. If you look at breeds of dogs involved in attacks and breeds of dogs involved in cruelty, it's amazing the similarities.
"Cops Shoot Pit Bull During Drug Raid"
And why is the word "pit bull" a key word in this headline? It seems the media is intent on building up the image at any possible opportunity.
Dog attacks two people in Forrest City, AR
Got two public servents -- a Meter Reader and an Animal Control officer -- before it was shot and killed. The breed of the dog, an Akita, appears in paragraph three.
Man fears worst for missing pit bull
Folks who own other breeds of dogs have no idea the stress that comes with being a pit bull owner sometimes. It's pretty frightening to know that if your dog somehow got away, that someone unsavory might really want your dog, or someone else might freak out and just shoot it...
"Horrified family sees pit bull maul pet cat"
Read this story. This story has almost nothing to do with a pit bull, and virtually everything to do with a couple of young teenage kids that we need to get into psycho-therapy before their violence involves someone's teenage daughter.
Pit bulls don't deserve the bad rap
This is a pretty good article out of Massillon, OH. It's funny though that the animal control officer felt the need to clarify that pit bulls weren't "inherantly evil".
And finally, a gem from Louisville, KY
There must be something in the water in Louisville. This opinion piece talks about the Michael Vick dog fighting situation, then goes into how Louisville's (dissaster of an) ordinance "unfortunately" stopped short of breed specific legislation and banning pit bulls. The writer then assumes that a ban on pit bulls would be safer for people and dogs by keeping them out of the hands of dog fighters.
Here's the deal. Dog fighting is a FELONY in the state of Louisville (as it is in 48 states). If someone is willing to commit a FELONY in fighting dogs, I hardly think the local city dog law is really going to be the curbing device to stop the dog fighting. The only people affected are the people who choose to obey laws. If you want to stop dog fighting, there are already FELONY laws in place to stop it. Enforce your cruelty laws with vigilence...and you'll get to these people. You don't stop felons with dog laws.
Wow, really the only thing that came out of bizarro world this week was the cat thing. I wonder how they feel about cats getting killed when some guy in a monster truck with a huge confederate flag runs over them?
Posted by: Tony | July 22, 2007 at 01:35 PM
P.S.
No, I'm not saying I am that guy, but it happens all the time up here in the northland. And you know if some mutt stray dog did it, like they do all the time in my neighborhood, it wouldn't be news. Just like the Shar-Pei that attacked my neighbors 4 chiuhahas and then tryed to miss with my APBTs over in IndepenDUNCE. In fact the lady that owned the dogs was very mean to my neighbor and threated to call AC on us. And then her boyfriend in a truck with a huge confederate flag showed up and picked her up. I even overheard her call all pit bull owners white trash and other racial slurs one day, despite the fact she's like 28, works at KFC,lives with like 8 people in a 2 bed room, and my old Indy neighbors and I had to call the cops on her and her boyfriend(s) like 20 times.
P.P.S.
Sorry for the tangent.
Posted by: Tony | July 22, 2007 at 01:50 PM
I disagree with the popular notion that 'pit bulls' are the most abused 'breed' - partly because they aren't a breed at all.
Know much about hounds?
The fact is, that since APBTs are the most popular purebred dog in the US by a long way (labs are second) and since any short-haired mutt with short nose and a whip tail is a 'pit bull' in the minds of the populace and since the information comes from news reports where every dog of unknown origin that could even vaguely fit the 'pit bull' profile is one, I call BS on this common statement.
Obviously, the most popular breeds will have the most likelihood of falling into the hands of uncommitted, inexperienced and criminal dog owners, that's a given, so if it's the popularity that's contributing, then that makes some sense.
I just dispute the accuracy of these news reports about 'pit bulls'.
Tony, sounds like you live in a neighbourhood full of troglodytes. Have you considered moving? They are unlikely to be able to follow you - their trailers likely don't have wheels.
Posted by: Caveat | July 23, 2007 at 10:06 AM