"I am terrified of 'pit buls.'"

So, I am parked in front of my optometrist today. Left the windows 3/4 down with Sandor in a backseat harness. When I come out of the office, 10-mins later, 50ish lady sez, "What a beautiful dog! Look at those eyes. Can I pet him." I said, "Sure. He loves to be petted." So she sticks her arm through the window and pets Sandor who promptly licks her hand, grins, and wags his rump off. She, then arks,"What kind is it?" I say, "An American Pit Bull Terrier." She yanks her hand out of the car as if burned, and says "I am terrified of 'pit bulls.'" I say, "Apparently not, you just petted one."

Which, of course, ended up in a discussion with both of us agreeing that it's not the dog's breed that makes a difference, but the owner.

Mark a brownie for bullies, today. ;-D

We also went to Caldwell Park in the South Highland (Birmingham) area. Guy with two bullies all over the place. Him screaming their names, them ignoring him. They run up to Sandor. Sandor sits like statue, until I say, "OK...make friends," which, of course, creates a lot of happy frolicking, until I say, "Out," make the hand signal "Come," and Sandor promptly runs up to me and sits next to me. Guy says "How did you do that?" I say, "It's called obedience training" and introduce him to Aaron McDonald, our trainer, who was there to teach me agility training using benches and low walls.

Mark brownie two for bullies and one for obedience training.

Then we went to the vet to check the stitches (which are gone) 10-days after neutering. The staff fawns all over Sandor because is so well-behaved and sits calmly in the middle of the waiting room, with a lady's Schnauzer going nuts. She asks, "What kind of dog is that?".... well, you know the rest of the story...

Brownie three.

As a reward, we go to PSP, tie Sandor's leash to the shopping cart and he pulls the cart following me, while I get him $61-worth of chew toys, hide twists, and treats to hide inside doggie puzzles. Staff is howling with laughter when they see us and everyone wants to pet the "cute little cart puller." They didn't have to ask the breed... they know him, by now.

Brownie 4, anyway.

I guess we just started Ambassadorship 201.

Love Mondays, when our clinic is closed and we go carousing and we both end up with huge grins on our faces. Of course, Sandor grins all the time anyway.

Alabama Bulldogger Association Show

Man Bites Dog

Milwaukee and other cities have banned pit bulls, but the legislation doesn’t really protect people. Worse, it blinds us to the real threat.

by Susan Nusser

Tuesday 8/1/2006

This a superb article and a must reading for anybody who is eitehr sitting on the fence or wants to get "educated" by a fine writer. Do take a looksee at:

http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentIssue/full_feature_story.asp?NewMessageID=13117&pf=yes

You won't regret it.

Hollywood hypocrites or just morons?

List of Hollywood Hypocrites

The following Hollywood celebrities have all supported PETA, a group which is opposed to all animal research. At the same time they have directly benefited from or supported important charities whose work relies on the very research PETA opposes:

Gillian Anderson: Her brother suffers from Neurofibromatosis and she is Honorary Spokesperson Neurofibromatosis Association (U.K.). Gillian has also lobbied Congress for more research funding and education.

Pamela Anderson: Pamela has done charity work for Liver disease includes American Liver Foundation—Grand Marshal (10/27/02), S.O.S. ride aimed at combating hepatitis C, Canadian Liver Foundation—involved in ABC’s of Liver Disease: A National Conference on Viral Hepatitis

Christina Applegate: Christina has done charity work for Breast Cancer, including Lee National Denim Day—2003 Spokesperson (promotes breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation)

Rosanna Arquette: Rosanna has supported numerous causes including AIDS - Attended 2001 amFAR gala; Breast Cancer - Quilts of Inspiration—submitted quilt block for massive Komen Foundation quilt fundraiser

Bea Arthur: Bea is a supporter of AIDS charities through multiple galas/fundraisers, etc.

Alec Baldwin: Alec supports a number of charities for AIDS - More information; His mother is a survivor of Breast Cancer and Alec is Executive Vice President of Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund; He also attended gala for Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation to support Spinal Cord Injury charity work.

Jillian Barberie: Jillian supports AIDS research and care, attending “Karaoke Revolution” fundraiser for Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; For the City of Hope was the Moderator, The Real Deal: A Celebration of Your Favorite Out & Proud Reality Show Stars (12/11/03)

Kim Basinger: Kim is a supporter of a number of AIDS chairities

Marc Bouwer: Marc designed a gown for a doll that would be sold to support breast cancer research

Rebecca DeMornay: Rebecca attended Carousel of Hope fundraiser for Pediatric Diabetes

Kevin Eubanks: Kevin volunteers to fight Pediatric Diseases and Disorders at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles with weekly visits with hospitalized pediatric cancer patients; He also spoke at fundraiser benefiting Neil Bogart Memorial Fund, devoted to hands-on research for the treatment and cure of children with cancer, leukemia, and AIDS

Edie Falco: Edie is a breast cancer patient and has benfited from the research PeTA opposes. She also participated in “Curtain Call for Carolers” fundraiser Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDSin 2004 (a service organization for AIDS patients)

Carrie Fisher: As a bipolar disporder patient, Carrie has benfited from research opposed by PeTA. She has also supported charities fightin AIDS as an attendee at the Art for AIDS Charity Auction and fighting Pediatric Diabetes attending the Carousel of Hope Gala.

Joan Jett: Joan supported T.J. Martell and Libby Ross Foundations by covering the Beatles’ “The Word” to support awareness of Breast Cancer research.

Shirley Jones: Shirley contributed to charity auction for Discovery Fund for Eye Research

David LaChapelle: David contributed artwork to Village Care of New York’s Network of AIDS Services “Who Do You Love? Art Exhibit and Sale” and charity auction for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. He was also was part of the Got Milk! campaign which contradicts his support for PeTA on so many other levels.

Bill Maher: Bill supports AIDS, Cystic Fibrosis & Cancer charities. He also attended “Rock & Soul to Erase MS” party;

Cindy Margolis: Cindy conceived her child using In Vitro Fertilization, and is a major advocate for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Paul McCartney: McCartney has been criticized by British scientists for his support of organizations which animal research

Rue McClanahan: As a breast cancer survivor and advocate, Rue has benefited from research which PeTA opposes.

John McEnroe: The John McEnroe Foundation has donated to Lenox Hill Hospital, Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Olivia Newton-John: Olivia has founded Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre (research & treatment) in Melbourne, Australia

Carlos Ponce: Carlos participated in Hope & Harmony Golf and Tennis Classic for Diabetes Research Institute

Dennis Rodman: Dennis participated in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research

Charlize Theron: Charlize supports Project Angelfood and AIDS charities in her native South Africa
-----------------
So, dudes & dudettes - make up your collective minds! You can either have research or PETA. Not both. Or are you just hedging your bets?

Ad in Variety - Jan. 17. 2008

Consumer Group Asks Virginia Government to Reclassify PETA as a Slaughterhouse

WASHINGTON, DC- Yesterday the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom formally petitioned Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), requesting that the government agency officially reclassify People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) as a slaughterhouse.

An official report filed by PETA itself shows that the animal rights group put to death nearly every dog, cat, and other pet it took in for adoption in 2006. During that year, the well-known animal rights group managed to find adoptive homes for just 12 animals. Not counting pets brought to PETA for spaying or neutering, the organization killed 2,981 of the 3,061 “companion animals” it took in. According to VDACS, the average euthanasia rate for humane societies in Virginia was 34.7 percent in 2006. PETA's "kill rate" was 97.4 percent.

“It is absurd to classify PETA as a ‘humane society’ when its employees are slaughtering nearly every companion animal they bring in,” said CCF Director of Research David Martosko. “PETA has killed over 17,000 pets since 1998. Given the group's astonishing habit of killing adoptable dogs and cats with such ruthless efficiency, it's only fair that the state of Virginia refer to PETA as a slaughterhouse.”

CCF’s letter to VDACS Commissioner Todd Haymore reads as follows:

Dear Commissioner Haymore,

The Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) enjoys nonprofit status as a “humane society” and “releasing agency” as defined in Virginia Code § 3.1-796.66. But when PETA filed its required online “Animal Record” report for the year 2006, it reported something startling.

Setting aside the dogs and cats the group sterilized that year, PETA euthanized (killed) 97.4 percent of all the domestic animals it took in.[1] This percentage has been steadily increasing each year since 2001, when PETA’s “kill rate” was 72.4 percent. In 2006, the state average for “humane societies” was less than 35 percent.

In 2006, PETA employees killed 2,980 dogs, cats, and other pets; they transferred 46 to other Virginia releasing agencies; they adopted out only 12.

During a 2007 criminal trial in North Carolina, a PETA manager testified that her organization maintains a large walk-in freezer for the storage of animal carcasses. She testified that PETA employs a crematory service to periodically dispose of the bodies. And she also affirmed that (despite its $32 million budget), PETA does not operate a public “shelter” where members of the public may select dogs or cats and adopt them into their homes.

Given PETA’s apparent practice of killing animals shortly after they come in the door (or, in the North Carolina case, inside a cargo van), without making a good-faith effort to find them adoptive homes or provide necessary long-term veterinary care, its classification as a “humane society” and “releasing agency” seems inappropriate.

Accordingly, I am requesting as a resident of Virginia that your office strip PETA of these designations, and regulate it instead in the future as a “slaughterhouse.”

I recognize that Virginia law presently provides only for the regulation of slaughterhouses, packing facilities, and stockyards which handle animals defined as “livestock.” I respectfully suggest that you should also amend your regulations to account for the fact that at least one Virginia institution (PETA) already operates a slaughterhouse for dogs and cats.

Sincerely,

David Martosko

Director of Research

The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.

For media comment, contact our media department at 202-463-7112 ext 115
URL: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/pressrelease_detail.cfm?release=224

PETA Killed Over 97 Percent of the Animals in its Care in 2006

From the PETA Kills Animals Site:

Hypocrisy is the mother of all credibility problems, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has it in spades. While loudly complaining about the "unethical" treatment of animals by restaurant owners, grocers, farmers, scientists, anglers, and countless other Americans, the group has its own dirty little secret.

PETA kills animals. By the thousands.

From July 1998 through December 2006, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed over 17,400 dogs, cats, and other "companion animals." That's more than five defenseless creatures every day. PETA has a walk-in freezer to store the dead bodies, and contracts with a Virginia Beach company to cremate them.

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/proof/ 

Not counting the pets PETA spayed and neutered, the group put to death over 97 percent of the animals it took in during 2006. And its angel-of-death pattern shows no sign of changing.

Here are the VDAS original records:
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/downloads/PetaKillsAnimals.pdf

On its 2002 federal income-tax return, PETA claimed a $9,370 write-off for a giant walk-in freezer, the kind most people use as a meat locker or for ice-cream storage. But animal-rights activists don't eat meat or dairy foods. And during a 2007 criminal trial, a PETA manager (testifying under oath) confirmed the obvious -- that the group uses the appliance to store the bodies of its victims.

In 2000, when the Associated Press first noted PETA's Kervorkian-esque tendencies, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk complained that actually taking care of animals costs more than killing them. "We could become a no-kill shelter immediately," she admitted.

PETA kills animals. Because it has other financial priorities.

PETA rakes in nearly $30 million each year in income, much of it raised from pet owners who think their donations actually help animals. Instead, the group spends huge sums on programs equating people who eat chicken with Nazis, scaring young children away from drinking milk, recruiting children into the radical animal-rights lifestyle, and intimidating businessmen and their families in their own neighborhoods. PETA has also spent tens of thousands of dollars defending arsonists and other violent extremists.

PETA claims it engages in outrageous media-seeking stunts "for the animals." But which animals? Carping about the value of future two-piece dinners while administering lethal injections to puppies and kittens isn't ethical. It's hypocritical -- with a death toll that PETA would protest if it weren't their own doing.

PETA kills animals. And its leaders dare lecture the rest of us?

Oh, I am perfectly aware of care2 and other pseudo-"we care" political gatherings of masses of the mindless... their sustained campaign that the whole thing is a hoax because the PETA Kills site is supported by "Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), a front group for Philip Morris, Outback Steakhouse, KFC, cattle ranchers, and other animal exploiters who kill millions of animals every year, blah, blah, blah...."

But what about the FACTS?

Animal Abuse Cases

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/1379/NC/US/ 

Better dead than fed, PETA says

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/06/23/EDG11DC9BK1.DTL 

Euthanasia: The Compassionate Option

http://www.peta.org/issues/Companion-Animals/euthanasia-the-compassionate-option.aspx 

PETA and Euthanasia (from Newsweek)

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/04/27/peta-and-euthanasia.html 

I like Christina Harvey

Non-Profit Organizations- Beware of the Bad Apples 

http://www.iheartpaws.com/articles/40/1/Non-Profit-Organizations--Beware-of-the-Bad-Apples-by-Christina-Harvey/Page1.html 

FAILING THE AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER

By Nathan J. Winograd

“Teach Compassion.” It is perhaps the most important job we have as animal protectionists. In the mission statement of every animal welfare and animal rights group, every private and public shelter, and within the credo of every activist is a calling to raise awareness of animal suffering and to ultimately encourage more humane treatment. From the earliest days of our movement’s founding, we have heeded the call to change the hearts and minds of the public, knowing that doing so is a precursor to changes in laws and practices that result in animal suffering. But we have our blind spots.

There is no breed of dog in American more abused, maligned, and misrepresented than the American Pit Bull Terrier. There is no breed of dog more in need of our compassion; in need of our call to arms on their behalf; and in need of what should be the full force of our enduring sanctuary. But we have determined that they are not worthy of it.

We have determined that they do not deserve to live. The more circumspect among us might not say so publicly. We may couch it in more benign terms, shifting the blame to others, claiming that no one will adopt them, convincing ourselves that only a ban will keep them out of harm’s way, but the end result is exactly the same. By our actions, by our words, by our policies, by our failure to speak out on their behalf, we stoke the fire that has at its core only one end for Pit Bulls: their mass killing.

To a breed abused for fighting, victimized by an undeserved reputation, relegated to certain death in shelters, add one more torment: those who should be their most ardent protectors have instead turned against them. We have joined the witch hunt.

The very agencies whose officers seek out dog fighters and abusers in order to “save” the poor creatures relegate Pit Bulls to locked and barren corridors away from public view. Ultimately, all of them—the healthy and friendly ones, side-by-side with the hopelessly sick or vicious—are uniformly put to death.

One of the nation’s leading humane newspapers lauds a city not only for outlawing Pit Bulls but for proactively enforcing the ban on them—a ban that leads to their execution. The editors, who have also called for consistency in ethical practices by encouraging shelters to serve only vegetarian food and who applaud other animal rights causes, apparently see no moral ambiguity when officers go door-to-door seizing happy and friendly pets sleeping on beds and couches, taken from their families upon threat of arrest, while animal control shelter workers wait, “euthanasia kits” at the ready.

In an Oregon county, Pit Bulls are killed en masse in a shelter with an avowed No Kill goal by misusing temperament testing as a de facto ban on the breed. In Denver, Colorado, they are simply outlawed and executed. And People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the nation’s most outspoken animal rights group, has joined the battle to exterminate these dogs—supporting a ban on the breed, and agreeing with a policy that all Pit Bulls who enter shelters seeking sanctuary, instead be killed.

Ending the tragic plight of the American Pit Bull Terrier should be among our most ardent goals. Our advocacy must remind people that at one time, the Pit Bull was the most popular pet in America because of their reputation as a friendly, family dog. We must educate people that the Pit Bull’s misfortunate is in finding themselves the favored breed of the dog fighter at this time in history—a distinction shared at one time by the German Shepherd, Doberman, and Rottweiller. And a distinction that will shift to another breed if we ban Pit Bulls but do not bring about an end to the scourge of dog fighting.

We must rally against the injustice of politics which condemn an entire breed of dog—in practical terms, literally hundreds of thousands of dogs a year—to death, because of the unfortunate characteristics of a few of them.

Where there is vilification, we should teach compassion. Where there are scare tactics, we should preach temperance. Where there are lies, we should speak the truth. Otherwise, the animal welfare movement will have failed the Pit Bull completely.

- - - - - - - - - -

Read the book that is being called "powerful and inspirational," "ground-breaking," and "a must read for anyone who cares about animals." Nominated as the Best Book of 2007 (General Interest) by the Dog Writers Association of America, the book shatters the notion that killing animals in U.S. shelters is an act of kindness.

RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK "REDEMPTION" by Nathan J. Winograd: Anyone who donates $50 or more to the No Kill Advocacy Center will receive a copy of Redemption, personally signed by the author.

Note: This book is not published by the No Kill Advocacy Center and the No Kill Advocacy Center is not responsible for its content. To attend the author's free "Building a No Kill Community" seminars at a city near you, click here.

And more. For more information, a sample past issue, and/or to subscribe, go to www.nokillsolutions.com and click on "What's New?"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nathan J. Winograd, the president of No Kill Solutions, is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former criminal prosecutor and corporate attorney. He has helped write legislation at the state and national level, has spoken nationally and internationally on animal sheltering issues, has created successful no-kill programs in both urban and rural communities, and has consulted with a wide range of animal protection groups, including some of the largest and best known in the country. No Kill Solutions is a full-service consultant agency. By providing consulting, strategic planning, conferences, newsletters, and community-specific lifesaving blueprints, No Kill Solutions can help shelters, rescue groups, animal control agencies and coalitions achieve no-kill in their own hometowns.

Nathan J. Winograd No Kill Solutions P.O. Box 74926 San Clemente, CA 92673 www.nokillsolutions.com (949) 276-6942 telephone (949) 276-6943 fax

Mitt Romney - a cruel moron

In 1983 Mitt Romney stuffed the family station wagon with children, suitcases, and supplies, then strapped a dog carrier with the family Irish Setter on TOP of the car. He, then, proceeded to drive for 12 hours for the family’s annual trek from Boston to Ontario. He told everyone they will stop only to refuel. But the Setter took his revenge by having diarrhea all over the carrier and back of the car. Romney then hosed everything down and continued the trip.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/romney/articles/part4_main/

Go ahead, vote for him, if you want to, but I won’t, that’s for sure.

Maybe I am reading too much into this, but if Mr. Romney can do this to a dog, can you imagine what he could do to this country?

There you go… a politician moron, cruel to boot.

Changing the Perception of Pit Bulls

By LINDA LOMBARDI

Bad dogs, or bad press? When it comes to pit bulls, it seems like most people assume it's the first. But it wasn't always that way.

A pit bull named Stubby earned the rank of sergeant in World War I and appeared on the cover of ``Life'' magazine. Loyal pet of the ``Little Rascals'' on TV, the breed also used to symbolize the nation in editorial cartoons and army posters at the beginning of the 20th century. At one time pit bull terriers were the classic American dog.

Despite this honorable history, they've fallen on hard times. But their defenders are working hard to redeem them.

This February, the ASPCA in New York City is introducing its Adopt-a-Bull contest, co-sponsored by the Animal Farm Foundation in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Open to adopters from shelters that use the ASPCA's Meet Your Match temperament testing, the grand prize winner will get a trip to New York and a $5,000 grant for their shelter.

``There are myths about every breed,'' says Dr. Emily Weiss of the ASPCA, who developed the Meet your Match program. ``If you read the breed description of American pit bull terriers, it doesn't say aggressive. They're incredibly social. They've been our heroes at war, our companions at home.''

In fact, it's only recently that pit bulls have become the dogs that we fear most.

Ledy VanKavage, senior director for legal training and legislation at the ASPCA, knows this from experience. She had a German shepherd in the 1970s, when that breed had a fearsome reputation.

``When I was a kid, once I was walking my German shepherd. A woman came up to me and said, 'That dog's going to rip your face off,''' she says.

That experience was good preparation, perhaps, because VanKavage now has three adopted pit bulls - which she dresses in frilly collars so that people will stop to pet them instead of crossing the street to avoid them.

Perceptions of breeds change over time not because the dogs change, but because they become popular with different types of owners. ``It's the fad dogs, not the bad dogs,'' VanKavage says of the changing fashions for ``dangerous'' breeds.

Behaviorist Weiss says that's what's important to is focus on the individual animal. Each dog that comes into the ASPCA goes through the same testing, to rule out aggression - which can appear in any breed - and to evaluate personality. Adopters are then given color-coded categories corresponding to the results of these tests, so they can look through the shelter for dogs that will meet their preferences.

``People walk in the door thinking they'd never have a pit bull. We've had people completely change their minds after seeing that animal as an individual,'' says Weiss.

This focus on the individual dog is helping pit bulls at other shelters as well. When Lisa LaFontaine was made the new CEO of Washington Humane Society in Washington, D.C., she brought with her a new emphasis on temperament testing.

In the past, pit bulls that came to the shelter were euthanized. Now they've adopted out close to four dozen, and follow-ups show that all are doing well in their new homes.

LaFontaine has a personal reason to want the pit bulls that come from her shelter to be good ambassadors for the breed, her own pit bull mix, Nicholas.

``As someone who shares my life and my home with a pit bull, whom I love, I don't want to see dangerous pit bulls out there,'' she says. ``We did this very thoughtfully. We worked with the whole staff, we provided training.''

Employees were enthusiastic about the change, and perhaps there's no better advertisement for the breed than the attitude of shelter workers, who have more basis for comparison than any of us could have in a lifetime. According to LaFontaine, she and fellow pit owner VanKavage are not at all exceptional.

``I've seen a lot of employees of humane organizations who are really aficionados of pit bulls and pit bull mixes,'' she says. ``They're loyal, they're funny, they're energetic, they're people-oriented. I'm not surprised that people who see a lot of animals fall in love with them.''

Email Linda Lombardi at creaturewriter(at)gmail.com

01/21/08 13:35 © Copyright The Associated Press.

Dog's attack on baby called 'freakish accident'

from the





Posted on Sun, Jan. 20, 2008

Dog's attack on baby called 'freakish accident'

By Valarie Honeycutt Spears
VHONEYCUTT@HERALD-LEADER.COM

Jeff Mozer said the Jack Russell terrier that attacked and killed his sleeping 6-week-old nephew Friday was a longtime family pet he trusted around his own baby and other babies in the family.

And Justin Mozer and Layne Crim were doting parents, he said, who took safety precautions and "tried to do everything just right," Jeff Mozer said.

"This is the most freakish accident. It was a dog you would never think would harm anyone at all. And my brother was just really proud of the baby, it was his first," Jeff Mozer said.

According to Jeff Mozer, the baby Justin Mozer, named after his father, was sleeping in the middle of a king-size bed about 3:15 p.m. Friday when, without warning, the Jack Russell terrier attacked and killed him.

The Fayette County Coroner's office said Saturday that the cause of the accidental death was "traumatic asphyxia and blood loss due to dog attack."

Lexington police Lt. John Gensheimer said Saturday that at this point there was no reason to file charges. Though police were continuing to conduct interviews, Gensheimer said, there was no evidence to suggest that the death was anything but an accident. The baby was alone in the room, and there were no witnesses to the attack.

The baby's mother, whom Mozer identified as Layne Crim, was in another room when the attack occurred.

Layne Crim's husband died in January 2007, leaving her with two sons, about 1 and 3.

Jeff Mozer said his brother had stepped in to become a loving father to those boys, too.

"I'm very proud of him," Jeff Mozer said.

Mozer said he spent time with his nephew last week. "I held him and kissed him. He was beautiful."

Justin Mozer, 28, was at work at a pool company when the attack occurred, Jeff Mozer said.

The baby had a crib, Jeff Mozer said, but on Friday afternoon he was napping on the bed.

Jeff Mozer said Justin Mozer had owned the Jack Russell for six or seven years. "The dog has been around my baby and other babies in the family. There has never been any reason for alarm."

Jeff Mozer said his brother bought the family home at Seven Pines Drive, near Versailles Road and Alexandria Drive, about a year ago and was remodeling it.

The former president of The Lane neighborhood association, Pete Hagan, said that in September 2007, the association sent Justin Mozer a letter complaining about the behavior of pit bulls kept in the back yard. The letter, which Hagan e-mailed to the Herald-Leader on Saturday, said pit bulls routinely got out of the yard and frightened neighbors. But Hagan said he had no problems with the Jack Russell terrier, and he had noticed no problems with the pit bulls since November.

"We extend our condolences to the Mozers," Hagan said.

Justin Mozer kept a pit bull in the back yard for protection, Jeff Mozer said, but that had nothing to do with the attack on the baby.

The two dogs were taken by Fayette County Animal Control at the owner's request. The dogs' fate was not known last night. Officials did not return telephone calls.

Jeff Mozer said his brother and the baby's mother are inconsolable, as is the rest of the family.

"We will never be the same because of it."

----------------------------------------------------

NOTE by Andrew

ONLY local papers and newscasters carried the story. It's "a freakish accident" if a JRT kills a baby. It's a "murderous rampage" if a dog that MAY be an APBT does. The latter would also make hundreds of newspapers across the Nation and every TV and press news agency known in the galaxy.

Animal Miracle Foundation’s Hero Dog of 2008

January 24, 2008 |

Animal Miracle Foundation is a Washington state based foundation that aims to raise the awareness of about pet and wildlife issues. Sponsoring three special ‘dog’ awareness days, National Puppy Day on March 23, National Dog Day on Aug. 26 and National Mutt Day on Dec. 2 to highlight the high number of dogs in shelters that need homes, it has chosen it’s Hero Dog of 2008.

Maya, who in June of 2007, saved her human companion, Angela Marcelino, from a violent attack and rape at the hands of an intruder who stood in wait is the Animal Miracle Foundation’s Hero Dog of 2008.

Not only did Maya save Marcelino, she was also instrumental in the conviction of the attacker, Anthony Easley, 37, due to DNA from blood that was taken from Maya’s fur after she attacked the would-be attacker.

For Angela Marcelino, she’s proud of Maya receiving the honor but not surprised that the ever gentle and sweet Maya came to her rescue when she did. You see, Marcelino rescued Maya when the now 5 year old, 25 pound, pit bull mix was only 3 months old and they have been companions ever since.

So not only does this award honor Maya, it’s “a testament to the fact that the pit bull breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed,” Colleen Paige, founder of the group, said in a statement.

As part of the award, Marcelino agreed to write an account of the morning her Maya became a hero.

“I opened my front door and was about to walk inside when I saw someone’s shadow out of the corner of my eye,” she wrote. “I turned my head just as a man pushed me into my house. I screamed as loud as I could, but the man had slammed the door shut behind him.

” ‘Shut up’ were the only words he said to me. He was choking me with one hand. I was able to scream one last time. After I did, his grip tightened around my neck. That is when I saw a white streak run in from the other room. His grip was so tight that I could only gurgle the words ‘Maya, get him.’ He still had a grip on my throat, as his other hand was busy trying to fight off my angry dog.

“I don’t know how, but I managed to get on my feet. His attention turned away from Maya for a second so that he could push my front door open and she followed. At that point, I grabbed him in the groin as hard as I could. He doubled over and released the grip around my neck. I pushed him away and grabbed Maya by the collar. I like to think, at that moment, he told himself he had picked the wrong woman to mess with. He looked at me one last time, only for a second, and then simply walked away.”

Needless to say, Maya has no doubt been more pampered than usual by her ever grateful companion, Marcelino.

“I cry sometimes when I hug Maya and ask her, ‘What would I do without you?’ “

No doubt many of us feel the same about our beloved canine companions, I know that I do and sometimes the worst thing they have rescued us from is a bad day or loneliness but they are ever at our side giving love, loyalty and so much more. For me, my dogs are heroes everyday!

Source - San Jose Mercury News

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8063087?nclick_check=1

S.J. dog that scared away attacker honored as hero
By Linda Goldston
Mercury News
Article Launched: 01/24/2008 03:34:57 AM PST

Bama Bully Rescue - Alabama's new pit bull rescue organization

The original Pit Bull rescue organization in Alabama, Turtle Moon Rescue, was disbanded by its president.

Members of the ex-TMR that include placement counselors, step-families, and other volunteers immediately stepped up to the plate and proceeded to organize what will be the only Alabama statewide Pit Bull rescue organization. The name of the new rescue group is Bama Bully Rescue (BBR) and its site (under construction) is:

http://www.bamabully.org/

I am VERY proud of these folks for their dedication, expertise, competence, and for delivering “the goods.” They definitely fill an incredible need of one of the most wonderful dog breeds, ever.

While the permanent BBR site is being created, there is a personal MySpace page as a point of contact for friends, and especially for friends of Bullies. The MySpace BamaBullyRescue page contains a Mission Statement for the fledgling 501c3 organization. It starts with:

Bama Bully Rescue is a non-profit, 501c3 pending organization located in Alabama that works with shelters and the public in finding homes for Pit Bulls that have been abandoned, abused, neglected, or fallen victim to other situations in their lives. BBR strives to educate the public about the breeds true nature and encourages responsible ownership by offering training, behavioral and health care advice in hopes to decrease the number of Bullies that would, without such support, be relinquished.

I note that the MySpace site also includes a list and pictures of bullies in need of adoption.

Garland posted the following email to the new Alabama Pit Bull Lovers Yahoo Group:

"Support Bama Bully Rescue! Spread the word and make sure everyone finds out.

Please visit us at http://www.myspace.com/bamabullyrescue and add us as a friend today!

Many of you have heard the news about Turtle Moon Rescue. As the only pit bull specific rescue in Alabama, the need in our state is great now that TMR is no longer.

Previous TMR volunteers and board members have continued on to create Bama Bully Rescue. Our formation of a new bully specific rescue group will be more successful and meaningful with all of our friends' support! Our mission is to help as many needy, homeless, unwanted and abused pit bulls and bully breeds as possible. We also will offer outreach programs to promote responsible pitty ownership, spay and neuter programs and fun events!

Thanks for your support and we look forward to working among the best in the animal welfare community!

Thank you, ladies. Very impressive!

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PIT BULL OWNERSHIP

Written by Susan Thompson - Former - PBRC Volunteer

01. Thou shalt NEVER trust thy Pit Bull not to fight
02. Thou shalt contain thy Pit Bull securely when not supervised by an adult
03. Thou shalt NEVER leave thy adult Pit Bull alone and unsupervised with another dog
04. Thou SHALT attend obedience classes most faithfully with thy Pit Bull
05. Thou SHALT keep thy Pit Bull socialized with ALL KINDS of people
06. Thy Pit Bull wilt NEVER be allowed off-leash in a public place
07. Thy Pit Bull wilt NEVER be allowed to roam free in thy neighborhood, EVER!
08. Thou SHALT take thy well trained Pit Bull out in public and show him/her off - on leash for good breed PR!
09. Thy Pit Bull shalt go forth into the world as an ambassador of the pit bull breed
10. THOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY WRONG DONE BY THY DOGS!

Excellent article in New Yorker

This article by Malcolm Gladwell is an excellent example what a thoughtful writer can do, if he does his homework. Mr. Gladwell is not a pit bull lover; he is an objective writer with a decent perspective.

It's a longish article (5 pages), but I do recommend reading it. It should be required reading especially for bully-hating idiots.

The New Yorker
February 6, 2006
Annals of Public Policy
Troublemakers - What pit bulls can teach us about profiling.
by Malcolm Gladwell

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/02/06/060206fa_fact

If you are interested my exchange with Ing

Do travel to his blog...

IngyNotes

Intelligent people do change their minds

Read the exchange on the topic "Pit Bull Owners Are Idiots" between Ingelbert Lievaart II, a photojournalist from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and me: http://ingynotes.blogspot.com/2006/05/pitbull-owners-are-idiots.html

The discussion, which I started by writing a nasty and uncivil comment, ended with Ing telling me in a private email that:

"Thanks for posting your comments. Both of them. Thanks for the "better" title, I have changed it. I was not insulted or hurt by your first comment.

The title was meant as a hook to get some discussion going in case I was to do a story on it. Your argument really brings more truth in to the matter but the paper I worked for closed it's doors and I've quit writing and just photograph now mostly.

I also checked out your website. Interesting stuff indeed. I'm so glad you posted a comment!

As far as my blog, I was surprised anyone ever read it. I think yours is the only comment ever posted and I really liked everything you said. If I ever get an editor who wants me to do the story I'll definitely ask for your help if that's okay. "

So, it was worth the effort to comment on his blog. I may have even made a friend in the process.

So, educate the uninitiated, one a time.

Keep your eyes on this site

I will need to keep and eye on a new site: "Families and Dogs Against Fighting Breeds" http://www.fdafb.org/#
It has no information yet, other than to say they are in partnership with DogsBite.Org. Looks to me they are the same outfit. A rabid (sic!) pro-BSL group.

Would anyone care to guess what these people's motivations are? Or, maybe they don't have any motivations... they could just be morons. I vote for the latter.

They quote: "Did you know that pit bulls attack adults nearly as often as they attack children?"

So it's not fighting breeds.... it's pit bulls. OK. I will ignore the fact that they will be cherry-picking "evidence" to support their point of view (ANY point of view is defensible if you ignore the facts that contradict it), so, instead, I will ask:

What are the OBJECTIVE data?

What is more likely to bite you? An American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) or a Dachshund? Wait... we don't have to guess. The American Temperament Testing Institute has done the work for us.
http://www.atts.org/index.html

Who are they? Well, "The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) is a national not-for-profit organization (registered in the state of Missouri) for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs."

They have no ax to grind, have no sponsors, and have no reason to report anything other than the facts.

"The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies.

The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions."

As a matter of statistics, nearly 85% of the HUNDREDS of Pit Bulls tested passed this temperament test.

So let's see how your pooch did...... Here I am listing all the breeds of dogs that do WORSE in temperament testing than APBTs. That is, the following dogs, in alphabetical order, are less stable, more shy, more aggressive, and less friendly than Pit Bulls.

AFGHAN HOUND, AIREDALE TERRIER, AKITA, AMERICAN BULLDOG, AMERICAN ESKIMO, AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL, ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG, AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG, AUSTRALIAN KELPIE, AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD, AUSTRALIAN TERRIER, BASENJI, BEAGLE, BEARDED COLLIE, BEAUCERON, BELGIAN SHEEPDOG, BELGIAN TERVUREN, BICHON FRISEE, BORDER COLLIE, BULLDOG, BULLMASTIFF, CAIRN TERRIER, CANAAN DOG, CANE CORSO , CAO DE FILA DE SAO MIGUEL, CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI, CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL, CHIHUAHUA, CHINESE CRESTED DOG, CHINESE SHAR-PEI, CHINOOK,
CHOW CHOW, CLUMBER SPANIEL, COCKER SPANIEL, COLLIE , ALL DACHSHUNDd (MINIATURE SMOOTH, MINIATURE WIREHAIRED, STANDARD LONGHAIRED, STANDARD SMOOTH, STANDARD WIREHAIRED),
DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER, DOBERMAN PINSCHER, ENGLISH SETTER, FIELD SPANIEL, FILA BRASILEIRO,
FINNISH LAPPHUND, FINNISH SPITZ, GERMAN PINSCHER, GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG, GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER, GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER, GIANT SCHNAUZER, GOLDEN RETRIEVER, GORDON SETTER, GREAT DANE, GREAT PYRENEES, GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG, GREYHOUND,
ITALIAN GREYHOUND, JACK RUSSELL TERRIER, KERRY BLUE TERRIER, KUVASZ, LHASA APSO, MINIATURE PINSCHER, MINIATURE POODLE, MINIATURE SCHNAUZER, NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND, NORWICH TERRIER,
NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER, POLSKI OWCZAREK NIZINNY, POMERANIAN, PORTUGUESE WATER DOG, RAT TERRIER, SALUKI, SAMOYED, SCOTTISH TERRIER, SHIBA INU, SHIH TZU, TOY FOX TERRIER, WELSH TERRIER, TREEING WALKER COONHOUND, VIZSLA, WEIMARANER, WIRE FOX TERRIER,
YORKSHIRE TERRIER.

Notice, dear, that your beloved ShihTzu is worse-tempered than my Pit Bull

You will probably say that when a pit bull bites it's much more damaging.

How about a Pomeranian killing a baby? http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/10/09/pomeranian.kills.ap/

a Labrador....
"Labrador kills elderly woman." http://furbabyplace.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=chat10&action=display&thread=1147437950

Over the 37-year period from 1965-2001, pit bulls have been blamed for an average of 2.48 human fatalities per year.

You are.....

- more than 200 times more likely to die from taking aspirin than from a pit bull attack;

- more than 25 times more likely to have your baby killed by a faulty crib than the total
number of children AND adults killed by Pit Bulls;

- more than 60 times more likely to be killed by a palm tree than a Pit Bull;

- 151 times more likely to be killed by your bathtub than you are by a Pit Bull;

- more than 3,000 times more likely to be killed by your medication than an Pit Bull;

- more than 87,000 times more likely to be killed by an in-hospital error than by a Pit Bull

- 30 times more likely to be killed by lightning (U.S. National Weather Service reporting on lightning fatalities over the last 30 years - average 62 lightning fatalities per year);

- A child is more than 800 times more likely to be killed by their parent/caretaker than by a pit bull.

- Slip and falls account for over 20,000 fatalities per year in North America

- Alcohol abuse kills some 75,000 Americans each year

Since, it is estimated that perhaps as many as 1.25 million pit bulls are killed per year, it is at least a 500,000 more likely that a pit bull will be killed by a human than the other way around. For every pit bull who kills, there are hundreds of thousands that DON'T.

So let's ban aspirin, in fact all medications, hospitals doctors, coconut trees, parents, bathtubs, the weather, rolling pins, mountains, stairs, skates, tigers (wild tigers kill on average 40-60 people per year), zoos, domestic cats (care to guess how many babies are still-born because their mother changed the cat litter?), snow, hills, sinkholes pocket knives, cocktails, loud music, Home Depot (2200 people are injured in Home Depot stores per year), fish (fugu kills 20 people every year in Japan)....

So, dear reader, what do I want from you?

I am asking you to take a personal responsibility of what you do, where, when, and how. If you prefer to have your welfare legislated what if "they" also come after YOUR passion. When I was about 18 I was preparing for an entrance exam into a University in a communist country I was arrested and interogated for 3 days, because I was caught painting a bridge that had rail tracks going over it. I can give you the name and email address of the other guy who was arrested with me. He is in Los Angeles now.

I will take responsibility for the behavior of my dog. If my pure-bred American Pit Bull Terrier ever gets out and hurts you or any of your family members, I will turn myself in to the police immediately and won't even attempt to defend myself against a charge of attempted murder.

I certainly will not believe that you still prefer to kill millions of animals each year so that you and yours are "protected?"

But I am willing to go further... if you can identify the American Pit Bull Terrier in fewer than 10 tries, from the pictures of the following 25 dogs, I will surrender my dog right this second:

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

So which one are you going ban?

See the problem?

Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten, habe ich nicht protestiert; ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie mich holten, gab es keinen mehr, der protestierte.

Martin Niemöller (1892—1984) (protestant German pastor)

[Translation]

When the Nazis arrested the Communists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist.
When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat.
When they arrested the trade unionists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist.
When they arrested me, there was no longer anyone who could protest.

What do I want from Families and Dogs Against Fighting Breeds? I want them to get a life and spend their energy and money on some truly worthy cause. Like, say, paying the salaries of a couple of more police officers who could get drunk drivers off the road. Hmmm.... now that's an idea I would support.

Creep gets 102 years in prison for fighting pit bulls

From my neck of the woods (Alabama):

"A jury convicted 43-year-old Johnny Ray Lewis of Cottonwood in September on 17 felony counts of possessing dogs with the intent to train them for fighting. In November, Circuit Court Judge Ed Jackson sentenced Lewis to serve 102 years in prison, at six years for each of the felony convictions....." read on:
http://www.dothaneagle.com/gulfcoasteast/dea/local_news.apx.-content-articles-DEA-2008-01-09-0003.html

Unfortunately, it also brings up the ripples the "easing up" on Vick's sentence could produce, when invoked as "precedence" by unscrupulous defense attorneys.

The part about 39 dogs being euthanized, breaks my heart, but I'd rather see them at peace than tortured.

McDonald K-9 Academy - very impressive

In case you live in the Birmingham, Alabama Metro Area, and want/need training to work with your dog, do yourself a favor and check out the McDonald K-9 Academy.

I know you will be impressed, just like we are.

The breeds most likely to kill

In recent years, the dogs responsible for the bulk of the homicides are pit bulls and Rottweilers:
"Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996....[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.)

The Clifton study of attacks from 1982 through 2006 produced similar results. According to Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes were responsible for 65% of the canine homicides that occurred during a period of 24 years in the USA. (Clifton, Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006).

Other breeds were also responsible for homicides, but to a much lesser extent. A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas. (Dog Bite Related Fatalities," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 30, 1997, Vol. 46, No. 21, pp. 463 et. seq.) Since 1975, fatal attacks have been attributed to dogs from at least 30 breeds.

The most horrifying example of the lack of breed predictability is the October 2000 death of a 6-week-old baby, which was killed by her family's Pomeranian dog. The average weight of a Pomeranian is about 4 pounds, and they are not thought of as a dangerous breed. Note, however, that they were bred to be watchdogs! The baby's uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. ("Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog," Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)

In Canine homicides and the dog bite epidemic: do not confuse them, it has been pointed out that the dog bite epidemic as a whole involves all dogs and all dog owners, not just the breeds most likely to kill.

In all fairness, therefore, it must be noted that:

Any dog, treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person. Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner or handler most often is responsible for making a dog into something dangerous.

An irresponsible owner or dog handler might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous, as in the case of the Pomeranian that killed the infant (see above).

Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog, no matter its breed. One cannot look at an individual dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack.
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html

Factors that determine whether a dog will bite

It unfortunately is common for dogs to direct their aggression against people, by biting them. Two percent of the population of the USA is bitten by dogs every year.

There is much in the scientific literature of animal behavior that sheds light on the causes of dog attacks. As you review the literature, it is interesting to note that a dog owner is directly responsible for the presence or absence of most factors that determine whether a dog will bite.

A report by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions, entitled “A Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention” (http://www.dogbitelaw.com/dogbite.pdf), refers to five factors commonly associated with dog bites:

1. Breed and "parents" of the attacking dog: this refers to aggression as a type of behavior that has been bred into certain breeds of dogs, and characteristics of the "sire" and "bitch" that produce an individual dog.

2 Socialization of the dog: how the dog has been desensitized to stimuli, especially stimuli produced by children. Poor socialization results in less inhibition to bite and engage in other undesirable behavior.

3. Training of the dog: the nature, degree and quality of training. A dog that has been trained to threaten people is an obvious danger, but so is a dog that has been poorly trained or not trained at all.

4. Health of the dog: whether the dog was sick or injured. When a dog is sick or injured, or in pain, biting can result for a number of reasons.

5. Behavior of the victim: this includes any behavior (i.e., a baby rolling over on a bed), not just provocation (i.e., hitting the dog).

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/whybite.html

At one time, the American Pit Bull Terrier was a true American “nanny dog” protecting children and loved by families. In the beginning of the 20th Century it was the number one family dog:

http://www.thetruthaboutpitbulls.com/

So what happened?

Now let’s look at the issues behind the statistics….

I. The Difficulty In Accurately Identifying 'Pit Bulls'

First of all, The term 'pit bull', in its somewhat broad meaning, generally includes breeds such as: American Pit Bull Terrier (UKC), American Staffordshire Terrier (CKC & AKC), Staffordshire Bull Terrier (CKC & AKC), and sometimes the Bull Terrier.

To accurately identify a dog of just about any breed, the viewer must be truly experienced with a wide array of dog breeds. Even some "experts" might have difficulty differentiating between a female AmStaff and a female Cane Corso, for example.

Unfortunately, many other breeds or crosses are confused with 'pit bulls'. Similar-looking, but much larger breeds such as: Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Dog Argentino, & Tosa Inu are more frequently misidentified as 'pit bulls' than not.

And even breeds that look nothing like 'pit bulls' have been reported as such. Some of those misidentified as 'pit bulls' are: Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Great Dane, and even an Airedale cross.

If anyone thinks I am kidding, here is a site that has the pictures of 25 dogs:

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Go ahead, click on the pictures of the dogs you think are pit bulls. (Hint: Only ONE of them is!).

When government agencies or the media report a “pit bull” attack (fatal or otherwise) it is seldom that the actual breed is verified by a qualified professional. Even, when a knowledgeable person does point out that the attacking dog was some other breed, we NEVER hear a correction or a retraction from the reporting source. NEVER. Does that surprise you?

Still not convinced? Look here:

http://www.coldsteelpits.com/coldsteelfindthepitbull2.htm

Honestly, now, could YOU tell the difference between what you thought a pit bull was and a Alapaha BlueBlood Bulldog? Now think about the average person (or policeman) reporting a dog attack… if you are reading this you are at least somewhat interested in dogs…. Most people can’t tell the difference between a Molosser and a Chihuahua.

BTW, there are over 100 breeds of Molossers:

http://www.moloss.com/001/ptxt/breed.html

You want a list of dog fighting breeds?… also dozens:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dog_fighting_breeds

"In reviewing and studying over 448 cases of fatal dog attacks in the United States, it is apparent that the three most critical factors that contribute to a fatal dog attack are: function of the dog, owner responsibility and reproductive status of the dog. There is no documented case where a single, neutered, household pit bull was the cause of a human fatality.” Karen Delise, in “Fatal Dog Attacks.”

Biting and attacking are behaviors, NOT a matter of temperament.

II. Temperament Test Results

What is temperament?

W. Handel, German Police Dog Trainer, in his article, "The Psychological Basis of Temperament Testing," defines temperament as:

"the sum total of all inborn and acquired physical and mental traits and talents which determines, forms and regulates behavior in the environment"

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies.

The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.

The ATTS Temperament Test consists of ten subtests divided into five subcategories:

1. Behavior Toward Strangers
2. Reaction to Auditory Stimuli
3. Reaction to Visual Stimulus
4. Tactile Stimuli
5. Self-Protective/Aggressive Behavior

http://www.atts.org/testdesc.html

The American Temperament Test Society conducts tests every year on thousands of dogs to determine the soundness of their temperament. The American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier routinely and consistently rank in the average range, and well above many "popular" breeds such as the beagle, collie, Doberman pinscher, cocker spaniel, dachshund, and Great Dane. (Source: American Temperament Test Society)

http://www.atts.org/index.html

Alfons Estelt of the American Temperament Test Society, Inc., stated the following with respect to pit bulls: "The American Pit Bull Terriers participating in our temperament evaluation have thus far shown a passing rate of 95%. The other 121 breeds of dogs in our tests showed the average passing rate of 77%."

III. Morons 1 – Politicans (wouldn’t you know)

According to the National Canine Research Council, Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, (R-Moore), pushing for (Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) for the entire state of Oklahoma was reported ("Dog Gone Goal of Lawmaker," Enid News, July 28, 2005), to have stated:

"Each year we lose 10 children and two elderly people because of pit bull attacks nationally"

Wow! you say. That’s really bad. Except for a tiny flaw… the man is lying. Here are the statistics:

· In 1998 there was 1 child & 0 elderly persons killed by Pit Bulls & pit bull-type dogs.
· In 1999 there were 3 children & 0 elderly persons killed by Pit Bulls & pit-bull-type dogs.
· In 2000 there were 4 children & 2 elderly persons killed by Pit Bulls & pit bull- type dogs.
· In 2001 there were 4 children & 0 elderly persons killed by Pit Bulls & pit bull-type dogs.
· In 2002 there were 3 children and 0 elderly persons killed by Pit Bulls & pit bull-type dogs.
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/politicsandpitbulls.asp

Although 3 children were killed by Pit bulls in 1999, an additional 19 children were killed that same year by other (non-Pit Bull) breeds of dogs. So while Pit Bulls and aggression grab the headlines, these other 19 young victims go virtually unnoticed in a climate of breed hysteria - and any lessons we may have learned about the cause of their tragedies are overshadowed by the Great Pit Bull Debate.

Kory Nelson, Assistant City Attorney for the Denver City Attorney's Office is quoted with making the following remark in "City Plans to Fight for Pit Bull Ban", Fox31 KDVR-Denver: "The fact we haven't had fatal attacks in years indicates it (the ban) may be working." The last “pit bull” attack in Denver occurred in 1986. The BSL banning “the breed” in Denver was instituted in 1989.

Makes sense, right? Wrong. Portland, Oregon, a city with the same population as Denver, also reported a fatal Pit Bull attack in 1986. Portland, Oregon did not institute a ban on Pit Bulls after this incident, yet they have not had another incidence of a fatal Pit bull attack since 1986.

Cause and effect? I think not!

In 2004, thirty-five (35) children died as a result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect) in Colorado. In a single year, 2004, more than FOUR times as many children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the total of ALL dog attacks in Colorado over the past 42 years. Oh, yeah… in 2004, 8 people drowned in their pool and 249 were killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. Not a single dog-related fatality.

Heard about Ontario’s Michael Bryant? No? Well, he was elected as the Ontario Attorney General and Minister with responsibility for Native Affairs and Democratic Renewal. You know what he is known for best? You guessed… lying. See for yourself:

http://www.dogwatch.net/fight_ontario_ban/michael_bryant.html

Like I said… morons! This time with a political agenda.

IIIa. IDIOTS 2 – The Media

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.

So is media coverage “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". The result? Biased reporting is not only lethal to an entire population of dogs, but sensationalized media coverage endangers the public by misleading them about the real factors in canine aggression. I guess you can’t make money by reporting that a Pomeranian killed a child. Which did happen.

I don’t condone aggression. You want to see some truly vicious bullies? Here, take a gander:

http://pitbulls.iwarp.com/photo.html

Some excellent sites about pit bulls or, more, precisely, the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT):

http://www.squidoo.com/pit-bulls
http://www.fataldogattacks.com/
http://www.thetruthaboutpitbulls.com/
http://www.realpitbull.com/
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/
http://www.pbrc.net/
http://www.workingpitbull.com/
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_pitbull
http://www.dapbt.org/
http://www.pitbulllovers.com/