If anyone would like to chime in on the pit bull debate currently ongoing on the ACT Ohio FB page, just look at the Huff Po article I posted on our wall and check the comments section. I wanted to copy/paste my last reply here and if you feel like chiming in, please do it on the ACT Ohio FB page: --------------- well Im glad I misunderstood your original statement because I think that even though we have different opinions we can at least carry on a civil conversation. All I ask is that it remains civil and Im happy to continue until the point that we agree to disagree because I have no intention of changing your mind but merely replying to your comments with my own perspective. Just like dogs, our experiences and our perspectives shape our reality. You had a horrible experience and Im sorry that it happened, first and foremost. Mark Twain is one of my favorite animal loving authors and Im going to quote him briefly when he said lies, damn lies, and statistics. You mention the number of pit bull and pit bull mixes that have injured or killed. Now, I sincerely hope you are able to follow my train of thought with an open mind even if you come to a different conclusion at the end. First of all, these are breeds identified by the media and police who have had no training in breed identification, first and foremost. The term pit bull does not encompass one breed, it in fact encompasses up to six different breeds depending upon interpretation. The term pit bull mix applies to any dog that has a square head and is a mutt. Are there any other breeds listed on the CDC study that encompass six different breeds and any mutt with common features (a lab/boxer mix looks A LOT like a pit mix) A recent study was conducted where veterinarians and shelter professionals who actually are trained in breed identification (unlike the police and media who the CDC relies on for their statistics) were shown a screen full of dogs of all types and they were asked to identify the pit bull. Would you believe that the majority of these experts GOT IT WRONG? They do this every day, work with animals every day, and mis identified the lab/boxer mixes from the pit bulls so do you really think you can rely on the media who are untrained in breed identification? And, even if you say you can, is there any other single breed of dog listed in that statistic that encompasses so many breeds at the same time? Of course the numbers will be high! So back to Mr. Twains point; lies, damn lies and statistics...we can trade studies back and forth all day on any number of subjects. Like the 2010-2011 American Temperament Test Society who tested all breeds of dogs and pit bulls passed with an incredibly high 86.4%. That rating was higher than 121 other breeds of dogs. Here is a link, by an insurance agency and not a bleeding heart like myself: einhorninsurance/.../pit-bulls-pass-atts.../ Heres another fact to consider. When Ohio dropped Breed Specific Legislation a few years ago, did you know that the first dog put on trial based on its actions was a bichon frise? The Bichon was acquitted but if this large group of breeds is the inherent problem you would think they would be the first dogs put on trial for their actions rather than their appearance. So.....how is it that you can have this horrible experience yet an unbiased report gives them such high marks overall in regards to their temperament? How can there be people like you so staunchly on one side of the fence and people like myself so staunchly on the other side of the fence? Perspective and experiences. Thank you for sharing your one story with me. If you havent given up on reading this reply Id like to share my perspective with you. It is the perspective of a County Humane Agent who is commissioned to enforce animal cruelty laws with police powers here in Ohio. The majority of the calls I go on in regards to animal cruelty, and the majority of the dogs I have rescued from abuse, have been in that broad category of dogs we are calling pits. Why is that? Well, like you said, not all pets are the same and nobody is trying to insinuate that...well....Im not trying to insinuate it at least. A dogs breed gives them the basic building blocks for how they may look and act but their upbringing and the environment they live in, gives them everything else. One more statistic for you, over 90% of dogs no longer do what they were bred to do. Dogs that are tied up and chained up become very territorial of their environment. Dogs that arent exercised that are large and muscular become stir crazy and frustrated. Dogs that arent socialized and brought into the public regularly with their owners who can teach them that new dogs, new people and new experiences are something to look forward to, become reactive. Unfortunately, for these beautiful dogs, the wrong types of people take their size, strength, intelligence and intense loyalty to their owners and they put them in these situations where they are nothing more than glorified lawn ornaments at best. The people are the problem in that equation, not the dog. If we banned pit bulls and somehow managed to eliminate them from society do you think that the people who get these dogs and use their qualities for bad rather than good will just start obeying laws all of a sudden because they cant chain a pit up in their yard? No, itll be another dog, and the public will have another breed to fear and demonize when the root of the problem is and always has been the people. Almost every breed of dog was bred to protect people or property or hunt and bring down other animals. If its JUST the breed that determines the dog, then we have a big problem in the dog world. I have rescued so many of these dogs who have literally changed their temperament the moment they were taken off of that chain in the yard and given love, exercise (both mentally and physically) and were socialized and in more or less words taught how to behave. One of my many rescues was a stray pit bull from the streets of Dayton who was sleeping under a bush until a cop kicked him. The dog jumped up, startled, and reacted. The police officer shot the dog and I took him into my house for rehab work. This dog now teaches dog safety classes to schools and with large groups of children with me. He is certified by the AKC as a Canine Good Citizen and he is my sons best friend. He is cat friendly, dog friendly, horse friendly, stranger friendly and if you broke into my house he is most likely to lick you and wonder if you have any treats for him. Because thats the world Ive shown him, thats the reality Ive given him, and thats the environment he is in. I would be honored to introduce you to him, he is featured on the right hand side of our cover photo and his name is Chesty. He is just one more experience out of so many that I have as I travel across the State rescuing dogs who should be aggressive, reactive and unsafe.....dogs who should hate everyone and anyone that comes their way. Yet they dont. Time and time and time again. But they arent the same way in my house that they are on those chains I take them off of. I visibly watch the change in their mood as their environment and the amount of exercise and socialization they get changes. That is my reality, and I would be happy to show it to you anytime.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 16:15:44 +0000
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