*Parents: Ferret, not pit bull, gnawed off baby's toes*

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5839156

*Parents: Ferret, not pit bull, gnawed off baby's toes*

BENTON, La. -- A woman jailed after four of her month-old daughter's toes were gnawed off says it was the family's pet ferret that did it, not their pit bull puppy.
"The way the bite marks were on her foot. The ferret being out of its cage. I knew it wasn't the dog," Mary Hansche told KTBS-TV on Tuesday.
Hansche, 22, and her husband, Christopher Wayne Hansche, 26, remained jailed in lieu of $50,000 bond each, booked with child desertion and criminal negligence. Their baby has been released from the hospital and is in state custody.TheHansches were asleep on a mattress on the floor and the baby in a carrier next to the mattress when they woke Dec. 10 because she was crying, Bossier City police have said.Attorney Pam Smart said she is waiting for results of a hair analysis to back up the couple's statement that they were not using drugs."This was an accident, very unfortunate accident. Hindsight is 20-20 and I'm sure the Hansches probably would say we would have done things differently looking back now," Smart said.She also said their bonds are too high for misdemeanors. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled next month.Both pets are in quarantine but show no sign of rabies, officials said.The puppy will remain at the animal control shelter until the court process is completed.

Holiday Season with your pets

Are you ready for the holidays? Do you buy presents for your
pets? According to a poll conducted by the International Fund
for Animal Welfare (IFAW), 42.3 percent of responders indicated
they plan to buy toys or treats for their pets this year.

Here are some seasonal thoughts for you and your pet.
1. Take your dog for a nice long walk. Pets often feel a
little left out and bewildered by the holiday process and
rushing around making preparations.
2. Make a Kong filled popsicle for your dog. Put kibble in the
kong and add a little bit of cheese, microwave for just a few
seconds to get the cheese soft so it will stick the kibble
together and then put in the freezer to chill. Will keep your
pooch occupied while you open presents on Christmas morning.
3. Be careful when giving your pet Rawhide treats. It is a
source of conflict between dogs if one finishes first and wants
what the other has. Also, they do not digest well and if large
chunks are ingested it could cause medical complications.
4. Make sure wrapping and ribbons are promptly disposed of so
they are not accidentally ingested by our furry friends
5. Make sure chocolaty treats are kept out of your dog's reach.
Chocolate is not good for dogs and the darker the chocolate the
more serious the health consequences. Baker's chocolate is
especially bad. IT is a good idea to use the kong popsicle idea
when you are doing your sweets baking to keep your dog occupied
and out from under your feet during cookie prep.

10 Easy Steps for a Dog Safe Holiday Tree

I love holiday trees but I've also seen the danger that they can
represent to pets. I've seen traumas from trees falling on pets,
cut mouths from dogs chewing on glass ornaments, and even had to
send pets to surgery for eating bulbs, garland and tinsel.

Are you putting up a holiday tree this year? If you are, read
this article. Even if your tree is already up - check it out. At
least you will be aware of potential dangers and fix them before
they become a problem.

The article is full of tips on how to create the prefect tree in
your home that is pet-safe. Go to 10 Easy Steps for a Dog Safe
Holiday Tree
(http://www.petplace.com/dogs/10-steps-for-a-dog-safe-holiday-tree/page1.aspx)

Have a great day!

Dr. Jon

Puppies as Holiday Gifts Are they right for you?

If you want to see the full graphic version of this newsletter,
please click the following link:
http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?8HrVo9KYUmAXIB7PV1KUCw

There is nothing cuter than a holiday puppy. I've seen a few
puppies given as gifts over the year and there is nothing cuter
than seeing a beautiful puppy with a big ribbon around his neck.

Are puppies' good gifts? I had our editors write an article for
our PetPlace.com site to address this issue. I've seen several
holiday pups get returned to the pound over the years and I
don't want this to happen to you.

There are many things to think about when you give a puppy.
First, you need to make sure it is wanted. After all, this is a
gift that they will need to take care of over the next 10 - 15
years! Don't make a spur of the moment decision.

Read this article to see if a puppy is a good gift for the
person on your list. Go to: Think Twice Before Giving Pets as
Holiday Gifts

Until next time...

Dr. Jon

Pit Bull Puppy Stolen, Mutilated (Longmont, Co)

 

http://cbs4denver.com/crime/local_story_330141257.html

Pit Bull Puppy Stolen, Returned To Yard Mutilated

 

Raj Chohan
Reporting

 

(CBS4) LONGMONT, Colo. Police in Longmont have few leads in a disturbing case of animal cruelty.

Someone killed Clarissa Garcia's four month old pit bull puppy, "Copper," then left his remains in her yard. The dog had been mutilated and decapitated.

"He was like family to us," Garcia said. "We've always had pit bulls and they've always been good to us."

It happened overnight on Nov. 12.

The family believes the suspect had to climb a fence to get into the yard.

Garcia said her other dogs almost always bark when someone approaches the house, but that night, she said the dogs were quiet.

"I just really want to find out who did it," Garcia said. "And why they did it."

Police believe whoever stole the puppy, butchered it somewhere else and came back to dump the animal's remains in Garcia's yard.

The Garcia family said they have not had any recent run-ins with anybody in their neighborhood.

Whoever killed the dog faces a felony charge of animal cruelty if caught. Anyone with information should call Longmont police.

(© MMVI CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

 

http://cbs4denver.com/crime/local_story_330141257.html

 

News Story

 

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=1546420&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Thanksgiving Pet Safety

You want to have your buddies with you at Thanksgiving and it will be hard to resist sometimes not giving them some of the goodies but you must be careful!

• cooked turkey meat is safe for dogs to eat, BUT items used to cook the turkey which may be tempting to dogs, such as skewers, string, pop-up timers, and roasting bags are not safe. Swallowing such things can cause an intestinal blockage or perforation.
• No Bones - especially bird bones. All poultry bones splinter easily, and, whether splintered or whole, they can lodge inside or perforate a dog's intestines.
• No Turkey Skin - it is extremely fatty and consuming fatty food like poultry skin can lead to gastric distress and Pancreatitis
• No Over indulgence!- A sudden change in diet, like a big bowl of full of turkey and all the trimmings could cause an upset stomach and diahrrea. If you must share, give just a few pieces of boneless, skinless meat to their food dish.

Are you ready for the holidays?

Dog attacks raise his fears (not pit bull)

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/11172006/nhnews-ph-r-dog.fight.html
Dog attacks raise his fears

By Karen Dandurant kdandurant@seacoastonline.com

RYE -- Perkins Road resident Robert Kennedy fears that one day a dog allowed to run free in town is going to attack and hurt his small friend, a friendly, gentle Chihuahua named Bella. "Whenever I walk her, big dogs run up to us, but the thing that stuck and made me speak out happened a few days ago," said Kennedy. "I was walking Bella about 5:30 p.m., when this big black Labrador ran up to us and tried to go for her head. I scooped her up and the dog jumped up on me, putting his paws on my shoulders trying to get to her." Kennedy said he was really frightened either he or Bella would be hurt.

He said he vaguely remembers hearing someone call the dog off. "But it happens all the time," he said. "Bella used to love to walk down Central Road because of a little stream there, but dogs are loose there all the time so we don't walk that way anymore. It happens on the beach, too. I hardly ever see dogs leashed at the beach."

Perkins is asking Rye dog owners to obey the leash law. He said he knows that most dog owners are responsible and that the trouble comes from just a few. "But it is a problem for us," he said. Acting Police Chief Kevin Walsh said his officers do enforce the law when they see a violation. He said he will contact Kennedy and work with him to resolve the problem. "I know that officers will (pick up an unleashed dog) when they see it and bring it to Sagamore Animal Hospital," said Walsh. "... We get calls and if there's a violation, we will warn or ticket the person." Walsh said the town's leash law indicates that dogs must be on a leash or under the immediate control of the owner/guardian of the animal. "I have tried telling people when I see them outside and their dogs are loose to use a leash," said Kennedy. "All it gets me is a dirty look. They say they have invisible fences, but the dogs run right out into the street, so I hope they didn't spend a lot of money on them. Also, I'd hate to see a dog get hit by a car." Kennedy said his mother sometimes walks Bella, and that makes him nervous for both of them. "I'm not sure if she could scoop Bella up quickly enough, and I worry she or my mother will be attacked," he said.

Wire and rope binding its neck, pit bull left bleeding by roadside

URL: http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/66659-11-15-06.html

Jackie Schlotfeldt News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jschlotfeldt@news-bulletin.com

Meadow Lake A resident out for his morning walk came across a disturbing sight along Fenceline Road in Meadow Lake Monday. An adult pit bull dog lay bleeding from his nose and mouth, a rope and wire pulled tight around his neck.

The walker immediately called Annie Lawler, who has rescued more than 80 dogs and is well known in Meadow Lake for helping with stray and dumped animals.
When Lawler arrived, the dog was barely breathing. She loaded the dog in her truck and took it to Arrow Veterinary Clinic in Los Lunas for care.
"His face was swollen and his tongue was purple. There was also massive scarring on his back," Lawler said.
Dr. Ralph Zimmerman said the dog will recover from its injuries, but it will take some time.
"There was a lot of swelling around the neck," Zimmerman said. "His mouth was traumatized, his eyes are pretty bulging and he had lots of hemorrhages. God only knows what's happened to this guy."
What happened to the dog may never be known for sure, but Zimmerman said the rope was tied in a slip knot so the dog could have caught it on something and hung himself, in a sort of a hangman's noose.
"He has rope burns around his neck, and they're fresh, so he was fighting it awhile," Zimmerman said. "He bit his tongue, and the vessels in the back of his throat are broken and bleeding. His entire back is scar tissue, which isn't all that old because he still has some scabs over some of it."
The injuries to the dog's back could have been caused by the animal being dragged or perhaps having something hot or caustic poured on him. The veterinarian said the dog is missing quite a bit of skin and not all the injuries are old.
Despite the dog's injuries, Zimmerman said his condition looks a lot worse than it is, and right now his rescuers want to keep him hydrated and get him to eat. "It's going to take some time for him to bounce back," he said.
Lawler said that, if it wasn't for Zimmerman, she didn't know what she would do. "He has been my savior," Lawler said. "He knows his business, and he's a class act."
Although Lawler will cover the expense of caring for the dog, Zimmerman said he tries to keep costs down. "I appreciate what she does, and if there's a less expensive way, we will do it," he said. "But if he needs something, then he needs it, and he will get it."
Lawler said the abuse and dumping of dogs in Valencia County is a problem.
"We can't get people to realize that it's not OK to dump an animal and let it die on the side of the road," she said with tears in her eyes. "It's not OK to starve them to death. It's not OK to beat the dog. It's not OK to put a collar on them and chain them in the yard and leave them with no shelter, food or water. It's not OK to not spay or neuter them."
Zimmerman said unfortunately many animals are treated this way. "He definitely deserves a better life than what he's had so far."
The pit bull dog is a young adult less than two years old, Zimmerman said. "He's been real docile," he said. "For all he's been through, he seems pretty easy-going. I've been in and out of his mouth looking for wounds, and he hasn't argued with me yet."
Lawler said she will try to find a good home for the dog, and, so far, she has had some calls about adopting him from as far away as Carlsbad. As of Tuesday morning, the dog was up, eating and drinking and doing well.
"Somebody threw him away like a piece of garbage," Lawler said. "It's not OK."

Animal Smart NEWS!

http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/061105/061105animalsmart.html
Issue Date: November 5, 2006

Animal Smart

The most misunderstood dogs in America

A look at five breeds often left abandoned. Their worst offense? Their human owners never should have bought them.

By Steve Dale

For some dogs, their only crimes are unrealistic expectations. As a result, they're misunderstood, and some are downright hated. Some breeds have such a bad rep that they need a press agent. Others have such idealistic "Lassie" images that it's nearly impossible to live up to them.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats are relinquished to shelters annually, and about half of those are euthanized. We don't know which breeds are relinquished most often, but when I asked four dog experts which five breeds they think are most often abandoned, their picks were unanimous and mirrored my own hunches. "My dream is that people would choose the right dog to match their lifestyles," says Ian Dunbar, founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. "Then, once you have that dog, understand what you're dealing with," adds Ledy VanKavage, senior director at the ASPCA. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen enough, and it leads to this list.

Rottweilers. This large dog with a head the size of a small dog can grow up to 27 inches and exceed 130 pounds. "They're big, strong and can be headstrong," Bradley says. "They're not for everyone." Rotties that don't have good training when they'reyoung may have behavioral problems as adults. These dogs suffer from bad press. Some insurance companies increase their homeowner fees for Rottweilers (and often other large breeds, including pit bulls), and people sometimes feel they have no choice but to give up their dogs.

Labradors (and Lab mixes). People expect Labs to be perfectly trained, like the service Labs who team with the visually or physically impaired. "Here's the reality: They were bred to work under difficult conditions and have the drive to swim through ice to get that bird," says Patricia McConnell, author of "For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend." That's not to say with training and time they don't settle down, but they're not the instant soup people expect. "The expectations are so high, it's difficult to live up to," VanKavage says. "They're great dogs for a fairly active family, but not for elderly Aunt Tilda," Bradley adds. "And because Labs are large, they can easily learn to drag Aunt Tilda down the street." Golden retrievers can have the same problems.

Border collies. "Exercise for border collies is measured in hours, not minutes," McConnell says. "They require a job and mental exercise to go with the physical exercise. An outlet for their intensity is important, or they can develop problems." McConnell rescued a compulsive spinning and licking border collie. The previous owners were unable to meet the dog's needs, and they couldn't cope with what they had. McConnell named her Lassie. Today, Lassie is normal -- normal for a border collie, that is. She has sheep to herd, and she gets plenty of exercise.

Pit bulls (and any dog that resembles one, such as a Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier or bull terrier). "They're easily the most vilified, even hated, dog," says Janis Bradley, author of "Dogs Bite but Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous." VanKavage calls it a witch hunt -- and she ought to know. She has three pit bulls: "They're clowns; they make me laugh." VanKavage says there are instances when pit bulls run up to kids to say "hi," the parent panics, the authorities arrive, and they deem the dog dangerous for no good reason. "If that dog was a golden retriever, nothing would have happened," she says. Bradley goes so far as to equate these situations to a canine version of racism. Many shelter dogs have a pit bull-type look. Rescuing a pit has become trendy, and the experience can go smoothly. "But understand what you're getting into," Dunbar warns. "Some come with difficult-to-deal-with behavioral baggage."

Terriers (and terrier mixes). Many are under 30 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. "It's a whole lot of dog in one package," Dunbar says. "They're dynamic, they're fast, they're tough, and they're actively telling you all about it." Most aren't demure about barking. There's a reason they're sometimes called terrors instead of terriers. "Really, all they require is training," McConnell says. "It's true for all dogs. It's not the dog's fault if it has no training." Although their generally smaller size is suitable to apartment life, sometimes terriers' vocal nature doesn't endear them to neighbors. Certainly, there's no reason for constant barking, but some people actually expect complete silence -- and that's not the terrier way.

BSL Updates for all Bully owners October 2006

BSL Updates for all Bully owners October 2006
Reply to: comm-223352577@craigslist.org
Date: 2006-10-20, 11:04AM

BSL is alive and well across the USA, despite proof that it does not work. However, BSL is being challenged in Federal Court in both Colorado and CA right now at the Federal level. There are still 2 cases in court in CA against SF ordinance, and one case is also against the Los Angeles ordinance. Non dog owners do not understand how canine laws work, the intent may be well intended, but the results are far from what they will want. The laws will encourage more puppymillers, defective dogs and dogs which are not genetically sound.

Registration is not indicative of sound temperament, and a mixed breed is not somehow less worthy than a purebred based on that fact alone.ACF will not stop fighting for the rights of responsible dog owners/the rights of those who raise well-tempered canines. The law in CO will be proven unconstitutional. (The case is in "discovery" stage right now!)

In addition, Kory Nelson took down his statement alluding to the fact that ACF was a strawman for dogfighters, but he still says anyone who is an advocate of BSL promotes dogfighting. Of course he thinks he can get away with saying anything---but just wait.
Thanks to Nick Van Duren and the others that helped,in Parker CO, for tabling BSL in Parker (Kory Nelson lives in Parker) Tellings v. Ohio Update: The only case to find BSL unconstitutional on 3 separate grounds, the case was appealed to Ohio Supreme Court by the "government"......there has been evidence tampering, Plaintiff's exhibits were either missing or damaged. But the briefs are being prepared for the Ohio Supreme Court, and if the court is too "political" and somehow rules against us, then will appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States for discretionary review. (The court chooses which cases to hear, no automatic right to be heard.)

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Pet ban will go further

Published: Sunday October 15, 2006

Pet ban will go further

The Pueblo Chieftain Online

Pit bulls are a common target of breed-specific laws.

Editor's note - La Junta City Council recently voted 4 to 3 to adopt "breed-specific legislation" banning pit bulls from the city.

By NICK VAN DUREN

Tragically, La Junta has joined the growing list of local communities to be targeted by militant animal rights organizations. The proof is that the City Council is flirting with breed-specific legislation.

What everyone needs to understand is that breed-specific legislation is not an end in itself. In fact, it is a "trojan horse" designed to get the extremist agenda of animal rights activism into the language of the law and into the administration of government.

If you're involved with agriculture and ranching, you have a right to be concerned. What everyone needs to understand is that this does not stop with dogs.

Ultimately, the animal rights leadership wants to destroy any and all animal and pet ownership. Their strategy is to squirm into the law by whatever means necessary. And once they get in, the amount of trouble they'll cause is immeasurable.

If you're curious as to why a lot of city attorneys and managers are all for this type of legislation, the reason is that it is designed to appeal to political vanity. Lawyers love the law. The more laws, the better. That is why breed-specific legislation is being paraded around by one of their own: Kory Nelson, a Denver assistant district attorney. He's seduced, misinformed and exploited local governments all over the country.

Where breed-specific legislation is considered, Nelson is almost always behind it. Just as he did in Parker, he'll have no problem embarrassing anyone, so long as it feeds his unending obsession with banning dog breeds. Thankfully, the town of Parker figured it out before it was too late.

Communities should demand answers. Why is your government flirting with an animal rights agenda? Why would lawmakers enact a public relations nightmare, one which has economic consequences which far surpass that of simply restricting dog ownership?

Once a community passes breed-specific legislation, it will gain a bad reputation as unfriendly to families and pets. The best and most responsible of owners will leave, as they've done in Denver and Aurora. They'll take their knowledge, experience and money with them.

The ethics of animal services will be compromised, not because these fine people want to be ruthless, but because they'll have no other choice. Finally, groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Animal Liberation Front and the image-conscious, but still militant, Humane Society of the U.S., will co-op your city government. Once inside, these socialists will unleash an unending assault on private property and usage rights for their own destructive ends.

No good can come of breed-specific legislation, strict animal ordinances or forcing pet and animal ownership to be less active and open. That is exactly what these groups are banking on. Will your community choose to be fall into their trap?

Nick Van Duren of Parker is Colorado director of Responsible Dog Owners of the Western States.

?1996-2006The Pueblo Chieftain Online

Halloween safety for dogs

http://dogs.about.com/cs/generalcare/a/halloween.htm

From Krista Mifflin,
Your Guide to Dogs.
Just the "Tricks" please ...

Halloween is almost here. And with it comes hundreds of ghouls, goblins, and superheroes, all holding out tempting bags of goodies full of treats and potential chew toys. Is it any wonder that dogs view Halloween as smorgasbord of possibilities?

While sharing their trick or treating booty with their best furry pal may seem like a natural conclusion to a night of revelry to children, I do advise that parents step in and curtail this part of the process. Both chocolate and raisins have serious effects on dogs, from mild to severe, and potentially fatal.

In addition to the treat hazards, not every dog will enjoy this ghoulish knight ... I mean night.

Costumes designed to alter the appearance of their favorite humans can be frightening to dogs.  And forty little ghouls and boys knocking on your door over the span of an hour in the evening darkness can make even the most the stout-hearted flee for cover, or worse, incite him into a play-time frenzy that can be scary for the trick-or-treaters. A loudly barking, over-excited dog might scare off all the costumed children that would otherwise knock on your door.

Putting your pets outside for the evening can also be asking for trouble. Kids who would otherwise be afraid of the consequences may take advantage of the anonymity of costuming to tease animals, or release them into the streets, causing harm to the dogs or worse, other Halloween revelers. A scared and frightened dog may feel cornered, and react with teeth bared, causing much grief for his owner, himself, and whoever has him cornered.

If your Oscar is the type to let you dress him up, please remember to never leave a dog unsupervised in a costume. Make sure that all elastics are accounted for, and loose fitting. A dog that gnaws on his costume can also end up with bowel obstructions and could possibly choke on any small parts. A costume can cause tangling in trees and bushes, so please be careful and watch your pet closely.

Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!

Why should you adopt a rescue??

Second hand pets?  Someone else's problems?  Why bother?  Wouldn't you rather buy a puppy than an adult dog?  I mean with a puppy, you are assured you are getting just what you want aren't you?

Not exactly.  Rescue groups carefully screen their dogs so you do have a better idea of what you are getting.  Dogs in rescue aren't defective.  Most dogs who come into rescue were not given up because they were “bad dogs” or had behavioral problems. Unfortunately, many people buy dogs without thinking about the time, effort, and expense involved in keeping a dog. These dogs end up in shelters, or along the side of the road, or, if they’re lucky, in rescue. In fact, the most common reasons a dog ends up with a rescue organization include the following:

• The owners don’t have time for the dog. Chances are though, they are bored with the dog,usually by the time dogs are given to rescue they require less time and energy than they did as a puppy.
• The owners find that they can’t afford either basic vet care or the expense involved in treating an illness or injury.
• The owner dies or goes into a nursing home and the remaining family doesn't want to be bothered.
• The owners divorce and neither party can keep the dog. (You would be amazed at how a dog that was once treated as a "child" is quickly thrown out the window)
• A young couple has a child and no longer has time for the dog, or the dog no longer fits into their “lifestyle.”
• The owner is moving to an apartment building that doesn’t allow dogs.  Or the owner is just plain moving and doesn't care to take their dog or take the time to find housing that allows dogs.
• They got a "new" dog and the older dog doesn't care for the new puppy.  I see an influx of older dogs around Christmas time or shortly after especially if the older dog is a little bit grumpy about the addition of a puppy.
• It wasn't what they expected.  Those Christmas puppies start coming to the shelter about the time they would be 5-8 months old and are more to feed, exercise and supervise.

Dogs also come from kill shelters, where they have ended up because they were lost, and from puppy mills, where uncaring owners have used the dogs as breeding machines and don’t need them any more. Some dogs who have been prisoners of puppy mills turn out to be the most loving and affectionate dogs we see; it’s as if they know they have left their miserable pasts behind forever. 

Here are the top reasons to adopt a rescue dog

1.  HOUSEBROKEN! - Most of the time people wanting to adopt are working adults who are gone between 8-5 or a relative set of 8 hour blocks.  Housetraining a puppy can be very difficult. Puppies need consistent schedules and frequent opportunities to go outside to learn proper elimination.  They just can't hold it all day long!  An adult dog or older puppy can hold it much longer and in some cases all day.  Sometimes the dog has been in rescue long enough to be already housebroken and /or crate trained.

This includes getting a full night sleep as older puppies and adults will be able to sleep through the night without a bathroom break.  Little puppies just like little babies will wake you in the middle of the night.  They need to take a midnight or later trip outside to help them get the consistency they need for housebreaking.

2.  INAPPROPRIATE CHEWABLES -   lets face it, puppies chew and they chew everything from shoes, socks, underwear, and furniture.  You can expect holes in cushions, missing magazines, books, pillows, cordless phones, cell phones and don't forget the remotes.  An older dog will destroy less and may get to a point where it can be trusted loose in a home much quicker than a puppy.

3.  LESS EXPENSE AT THE VET - puppies need three sets of shots, worming, physical exams, rabies boosters.  They also have other puppy problems such as chewing inappropriate objects that require a trip to the vet.  When you adopt a rescue, their vetting has usually been completed including spaying and neutering and your adoption donation helps defray the costs of this vetting. 

4.  WYSIWYG - in other words, what you see is what you get.  How big is your puppy going to grow?  Well with a rescue, you already know.  Same with temperament, activity level, personality, ease of training.  Is your puppy going to be everything you hoped for?  With a rescue dog, you will know going into the relationship that this dog is what you want. You can pick everything you want.  Size, shape, color, and personality.  Do you want a high drive dog for active dog sports or are you looking for a low maintenance couch potato?  With a rescue, you can pick that too.  The rescue and foster homes can help you pick just what you really want.  Rescues have lots of dogs that were "failed puppies" in their former homes.  They didn't turn out just like they wanted or they got in over their head.

5.  BREED EDUCATION - The rescue will provide you with all the breed education that they can provide. They want your match to work.  They are out to find permanent homes for their dogs so rescues do their best to educate owners about breed characteristics and general dog behavior.  Rescues will also be available to new dog parents for as long as they need help.  It is in the rescues best interest to be as helpful as possible.

6.  Instant companion - just bring food and water.  Your new pet is automatically going to be what you want.  It won't have to grow into anything.  It is a ready made companion raring to go start a new life with you.  Again, you are going to be able to select the most compatible dog for your lifestyle and personality.

7. You can't beat that bond you have with a rescue.  Dogs who have been in shelters or torn from their homes or haven't had a good start in life are deeply bonded to their new people.  They bond hard and fast and want to please you as best they can.  Rescue dogs truly seem to be thankful for the new start in life and it shows in their happiness.

Dogs in rescue aren't genetically inferior to your papered dog you bought from a breeder.  Chances are, they could be from the same breeders you are buying your puppy from...or had papers at one time.  A large percentage of dogs in shelters are purebred dogs.  It is not uncommon for Rescue to get $500 - $1500.00 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family; or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Not all breeders will accept "returns", so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations or kill shelters and Rescues, or owners trying to place their own dogs.

Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), but it does give many of them a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made. Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend for life.

Pit bull's barking alerts sleeping teen to house fire

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=40722
Fort Myers, Florida - A recently adopted pit bull whose barking alerted a sleeping 17-year-old may have saved her from a house fire.

Chato had just been brought to the home a couple weeks ago after he wondered onto a construction site in Lehigh. By the time firefighters arrived at the house, Jerrica Seals, who had been sleeping, was safely outside. Firefighers are calling the dog a hero.

A deputy fire chief says the blaze appears to have been caused by a bad extension cord on a window air conditioner.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Golden agers welcome a pit bull with a heart of gold

Minneapolis/St Paul

http://www.startribune.com/785/story/709099.html

Golden agers welcome a pit bull with a heart of gold
Joe Kimball, Star Tribune
September 28, 2006 11:07 PM

Ruby was a big hit at a Bayport nursing home Tuesday morning, nuzzling and licking faces, doing a few tricks and climbing onto laps. The folks all said they'd never seen a calmer, gentler or more patient dog -- which might come as a surprise to some, because Ruby is a pit bull.

Owner Pat Bettendorf of Scandia said Ruby is a certified therapy dog rescued from abuse three years ago. She has a heart of gold, said Bettendorf, who's very supportive of her breed.

"Pit bulls have been maligned because they're misused by bad people," he said. "In the early 20th century they were considered the top family dog, good with kids."

Residents at the Croixdale home in Bayport enjoy Ruby's visits, said activities director Mary Jo Ducklow. "Petting a dog has a real calming effect," she said. "The residents smile and relax with Ruby in the room."

What a WONDERFUL PROGRAM!!!

http://www.animalprotectionsociety.org/programs/spayneuter.shtml

If you live in Orange , Wake, or Durham counties and are on a fixed income, you may qualify for the $20 Fix. This program is sponsored by AnimalKind at www.animalkind.org. Once you have been approved for the program, you can schedule your pet’s surgery at the Nicks Road Veterinary Clinic.

APS is concerned about the high number of pitbulls being abused in our community and with the large numbers of these dogs entering and being euthanized in our local shelters. We work to reduce these numbers by offering $30 spay/neuter surgeries for pitbulls. Contact Nicole Carper at the APS Adoption Center (919-304-2300) for more information about this program.

APS is also concerned about the large numbers of feral cats being euthanized in our shelters and works with various humane organizations to reduce these numbers. These organizations humanely trap feral cats from colonies and bring them to the Nicks Road Veterinary Clinic for sterilization. The clinic charges $30 per cat and the humane organization then releases the cats back into their colonies and continues to care for them as they live out their lives. Please contact the Nicks Road Veterinary Clinic for more information about this program.

Programs try to curb pit bull numbers

Programs try to curb pit bull numbers
By CINDY SWIRKO
Sun staff writer September 24. 2006 6:01AM
Ray Sim calls pit bulls "the national dog of Alachua County" for good reason - lots and lots of them live here.

But as director of Alachua County Animal Services, Sim knows that yes, they are popular, but they are also difficult to find homes for. They take up kennel space at the shelter and drive up costs.

Veterinarian Debbie Cottrell of West End Animal Hospital in Jonesville realized the same thing and came up with an idea to cut the pit bull population - Operation Pitnip. She began offering free spaying and neutering to any pit bull or pit mix - a service that typically costs about $150 at her clinic. Her efforts have been rewarded with $20,000 in grants to keep the program going.
"Now we can start pushing more and try to reach these people who don't understand or are unaware that they are contributing to the problem," Cottrell said. "At least two or three times a day people come in with pit bulls and when I start to talk about spaying or neutering, they say, 'Oh no, we're going to breed her because she's special and all my friends want a puppy.' They are completely unaware that that is the problem. Nationwide, close to 40 percent of all dogs euthanized at shelters are pit bulls."

No More Homeless Pets of Alachua County - a coalition of veterinarians and animal advocates - donated $5,000 to Cottrell to pay for surgeries for 100 dogs living in low-income families. No More Homeless Pets several years ago landed a multiyear grant from the nonprofit Maddie's Fund to try to end euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs at the county shelter.

Meanwhile, another $15,000 was awarded to Cottrell from Florida Animal Friend - the organization that administers money raised through the sale of spay/neuter license plates.
University of Florida veterinary professor Julie Levy, president of the coalition and board member of Florida Animal Friend, said the grants are well-deserved and should help reduce the population of unwanted pit bulls.

"(Cottrell) was very farsighted and saw that we need to nip the problem at its source, which is reproduction, rather than trying to deal with this huge number of animals after the fact," Levy said. "They are trying to save adoptable animals at the (county) shelter and there are so many pit bulls. Even though they are technically adoptable, nobody wants to adopt them. It's a burden on the shelter, it's a burden on the community, it's a burden on the Maddie's project to try to find homes for all of these dogs that nobody wants."

Pit bulls are either reviled or adored. They are a breed so associated with dog fighting and maulings that many communities nationwide ban them. Florida now prohibits such breed-specific laws, but an ordinance that was already in place in Miami-Dade County was grandfathered in.

Yet others say that with proper training pit bulls are loyal, family-friendly pets with a clownish, loving personality.

Sim said some county shelters in Florida will not put pit bulls up for adoption, euthanizing them instead. Alachua County evaluates pit bulls to determine if they can make a good pet in the right hands and tries to find homes for them.

"They are hard to adopt and I think a lot of that is the stereotype of a pit bull. They are a powerful dog. Are they always a bad dog? Definitely not," Sim said.

Jerri Sullivan said her six pit bulls are wonderful dogs. She had all six sterilized by Operation Pitnip, giving the program a $250 donation for its efforts.

Sullivan said she found a pit bull in her yard when she moved into a rural High Springs home. Despite her prevention efforts, it bred with another dog. Eventually one of the puppies had a litter. Sullivan was able to give most of the puppies away, but got some of them back because the owners couldn't take proper care of them. Operation Pitnip was a godsend for her.

"It was great to get it done, and I donated because there might be another family that can't afford it, as well. It was a whole lot cheaper than the regular veterinarian," Sullivan said. "It would be taking me another year to get all of the dogs done if Dr. Cottrell didn't have this. It's very expensive."

Spay/Neuter services in Alachua County, Florida: Operation Pitnip at Westend Animal Hospital (pit bulls and pit bull mixes): 472-7626

Maddie's Spay/Neuter project at Micanopy Animal Hospital (any pets in Medicaid families): 466-0067

Operation Catnip (stray and feral cats): 380-0940

Alachua County Humane Society (NMHP free red vouchers for low-income non-Medicaid pets): 373-5855 x 13

Jean Donaldson of the SFSPCA Slams Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer...

 

http://www.sfspca.org/Viewpoint/index.shtml 

 

A Pit Bull-Related Shoplifting News Story!

 

 

http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_269001858.html

Health of puppies may scuttle pit bull auction

I am very glad this auction won't take place. These dogs need to be spayed/neutered and in companion homes if possible, not returned to where they can contribute to the sad situation regarding this breed. Babesia is contagious and transmitted through breeding, dogs with babesia should not be bred.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4185592.html
Sept. 13, 2006, 11:31PM
Health of puppies may scuttle pit bull auction
5 of the seized animals have died and most of the remaining 27 have virus or parasite
By CINDY HORSWELL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

An unusual auction of pit bull puppies, confiscated from what authorities
believe was a nationwide breeding operation for dogfighting, may never be
held. A majority of the pups are sick and five have died. Animal rights advocates and the Houston Humane Society had feared the pups, from a valuable fighting dog bloodline, would fall into the wrong hands and be used to perpetuate the illegal blood sport. It would have been the first dog auction involving an animal cruelty case the Humane Society can ever recall in the Houston area. Such auctions are normally held only for livestock, authorities said. Hundreds of dogs seized. But now 27 puppies, the last remnant of 285 dogs seized from a 23-acre spread in Liberty County on Aug. 2, may not be suitable for the auction block.

The other 258 dogs were euthanized after experts determined they could not be rehabilitated as pets. However, the puppy auction has not been scheduled because the Humane Society recently discovered a majority of the pups are sick from Parvo (a deadly virus) or Babesia (a blood parasite) they had contracted prior to the seizure. At the same time, investigators have disclosed that possibly seven of the most valuable dogs from the breeder's stock, estimated to be worth about $1 million, may have been transported out of state before the seizure. We had pictures and videos that had showed all the breeder's pens and carriers were full. But when we returned with a seizure order, a couple of pens were empty and some carriers were missing," said Liberty County Sheriff Sgt. Kenny Dagle. He said it took a couple of days to arrange for an animal cruelty investigator to come to the scene and then secure the seizure order, as authorities had gone to the site initially to investigate a fatal home invasion.

The breeder, Thomas F. Weigner Jr., 27, bled to death after being shot in the leg by three masked intruders. His wife, Julie Laban, their three children and her parents witnessed the shooting while bound with tape. Dagle said the intruders are believed to have been searching for $100,000 cash that Weigner recently won at a dogfight in Brazoria County. The intruders did not harm the other family members and missed a couple of thousand dollars in cash because "they weren't expecting it to be in plain sight on a closet shelf," Dagle said. Investigators also discovered a pound of marijuana at the house. "Neither Weigner nor his wife had a job, other than the dogs. But they had paid $215,000 in cash for their home and property and were making payments on three nice new cars," he said. Worldwide business Investigators are tracking down many leads on the homicide as data taken from the house showed the breeder was doing business "all over the world," Dagle said.

Laban went to Michigan to bury her husband and has not returned. She could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, Dick Wheelan of Houston, said his client was unable to post
the $30,000 bond necessary to have an independent examination of the dogs
that were confiscated. "We don't know the condition of these puppies," he said. "We also don't agree with the sweeping generalizations made that these dogs are aggressive." Wheelan's client has denied that the pit bulls were ever being raised to fight, and has argued the animals should be returned to herz. But Liberty County Justice of the Peace Phil Fitzgerald ruled the dogs should be seized because of abuse. Mark Beausoleil, assistant Liberty County attorney, introduced evidence that showed the dogs were possibly being bred to fight. He pointed to heavy chains hanging for a treadmill and a large tank, in which a dog would be
placed to swim and could not escape, that were used for endurance training. Parvo is a highly contagious intestinal virus, and none of the puppies had been properly vaccinated against it. "This illness can be 50 to 75 percent fatal even with excellent medical care," said Dr. David Shell, a Humane Society director and veterinarian. The blood parasite, on the other hand, is a chronic illness that can be difficult to treat and require blood transfusions, Shell said. cindy.horswell@chron.com

LETTER/ Justice For Puppy Baked Alive In Oven in Georgia

9/10/06 - Justice For Puppy Baked Alive In Oven

KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.KinshipCircle.org
SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Brothers Charged With Torturing, Killing Puppy http://www.wsbtv.com/news/9796419/detail.html
Police: Teens Bake Puppy in Oven
http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84347
DA Office Contact Information From:
http://www.atlantada.org/contactus/index.htm
PETITION: Seeking Felony Indictment for Puppy's Torturous Death http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/564805100
Animal abuse cases are TIME-SENSITIVE--depending upon the nature of a crime as well as court dates. To check the status of a case, search the Animal Abuse Crime Database for updates. Many animal cruelty cases (but not all) are on file here:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/database/
Also check National Court Watch about upcoming cases:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/courtwatch.php

=====================================================
SAMPLE LETTER Feel free to use portions of our letter, but please add some original thoughts. Hundreds of identical letters may lessen the impact. =====================================================
Paul Howard Jr., DA,
Fulton County District Attorney Fulton County District Attorneys Office
136 Pryor Street, SW, Third Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
ph: 404-730-4981;
fax: 404-730-4785
email: nicole.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us

The Honorable Sonny Perdue,
Governor State of Georgia,
State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia 30334
ph: 404-656-1776; fax: 404-657-7332 web email: http://www.gov.state.ga.us/contact_dom.shtml

Dear District Attorney Howard and Governor Perdue,

I am very troubled by the case of Justin, 17, and Joshua Moulder, 18, the Atlanta brothers charged with burglary, criminal damage to property and felony aggravated cruelty to animals.

Last month, the teens vandalized a newly renovated recreation center at an apartment complex. They brought a five-month-old puppy along. They doused the dog in paint, hog-tied his feet, duct taped his mouth, and attempted to burn him alive. When flames didn't kill the still alert puppy, they baked him to death inside an oven. The brothers even boasted about their act of violence to peers.

Brutality without remorse rarely occurs in isolated pieces. More often, teenage "pranks" that victimize animals form a pattern of aggression. I commend the Fulton County District Attorneys Office for recognizing the gravity of this case. I urge uncompromising prosecution, with the maximum five-year prison sentence and $15,000 fine allowed under present Cruelty Statues of Georgia (16-12-4. Cruelty to animals).

Please stipulate psychiatric evaluation, and mandatory counseling for these troubled youths. They should also be barred from owning or harboring animals in any context.

I fully support Mr. Howard's call for even tougher felony penalties for offenders who "knowingly and maliciously cause death or physical harm to an animal by rendering a part of such animal's body useless, or by seriously disfiguring such animal."

Inez Marshal, community association president at the Englewood Manor Apartments, claims she'll never forget the mutilated puppy she found in the oven.

Indeed, this haunting imprint ought to serve as a red flag. Randall Lockwood, Ph.D., a frequent consultant to cruelty investigators, law enforcers, court officials and mental health professionals, assesses an offender's distinct style of animal abuse. Among qualities outlined in his "Factors in the Assessment of Dangerousness in Perpetrators of Animal Cruelty," Lockwood cites violence against non-threatening creatures as a precursor to assaulting vulnerable victims such as children, the elderly or disabled. Few creatures are more helpless than a puppy. It is the intensity of this crime that demands your attention. In particular, young males with a history of parental neglect/abuse may vent feelings of powerlessness upon innocent animals.

Columbine High School shooter Eric Harris, 18, smashed the heads of mice and set them on fire.

Washington D.C. serial killer Lee Boyd Malvo killed stray cats with a slingshot.
Kip Kinkle blew up a cow and burned a live cat before he shot 25 classmates and murdered his parents in Oregon.

Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson, both 13, brutalized dogs before killing five people in an Arkansas school rampage.

Luke Woodham, 16, mortally stabbed his mother and shot nine students. He later confessed to pouring lighter fluid down his dog Sparkle’s throat and setting fire to her neck.

Please do not let Justin and Joshua Moulder hurt another living being.

Good Bully Article

   

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_pitbull

Dog Whisperer?

Is he really?  Read it for yourself.  I am supportive of people being in control of their pets but through positive reward based methods and non confrontational methods.  Dogs are individuals with unique training needs that vary with each dog.

 

http://www.linder.com/archives/category/the-dog-whisperer/

Information regarding the current lawsuit against Mr. Milan regarding abuse at his facility

 

http://www.seattledogs.com/seattledogsdiscussion.htm

Discussion from a well known Seattle dog trainer

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/31/opinion/31derr.html?ex=1157688000&en=7829de861ec87e60&ei=5070&emc=eta1

 

http://www.dogwhispererdvd.com/faq-national_geographic_dog_whisperer.html

The Original Dog Whisperer, speaks out

 

Pit Bull survives axe attack, neighbor arrested

 August 29, 2006

Pit Bull survives axe attack, neighbor arrested

VIDEO Watch this story

By Anita Kissee
and KATU Web Staff

CLACKAMAS COUNTY - A Pit Bull puppy is recovering after being struck several times with an axe and now the dog's owner is left wondering why someone would lay such a vicious attack on an animal.

A 35-year-old man, Corey Kimble, is now in jail and has been charged with Animal Abuse in the First Degree and Probation Violation - DUII.

Police were called to a home at 8417 S.E. Cornwell Street on August 22 after a witness reported seeing Kimble use an axe on a Pit Bull.

Kimble told police the animal was being aggressive toward him. The attack took place in a shed.

The dog that was injured is 10-month-old Dozer. The dog somehow got away from his home a few blocks away.

Some of the wounds on Dozer's head were almost an inch and a half deep. His legs were also cut down to the bone and one cut was so deep that it broke his toe.

 While Kimble sits in jail, the dog's owner, Joe O'Donnell, wonders why someone would take an axe to his dog.

"It takes a pretty messed up guy in the head to do something that bad," he said. "It just ain't right."

Dr. Denny Koontz, DVM, with Northwest Veterinary Specialists said Dozer was found wandering along Southeast 82nd Avenue.

 

"They had tried to take him to another hospital and they wouldn't accept him because he was injured and would probably be put to sleep," she said. "So they came here and the good Samaritan was actually willing to pay for some of his medical bills, even though they didn't have money to pay until later in the week."

"It's awesome," said Gloria O'Donnell, Joe's mother. "We can't believe someone would do that."

No one knows how Dozer got out. O'Donnell said the gates in his yard were locked.

With Dozer's care costing up to $1,800, O'Donnell said he plans to sue Kimble.

There is also a chance that more people could be charged in the case because there is the possibility that another person may have held the dog down during the attack.

As for the good Samaritan, O'Donnell said he would like to know who that person is so he can give them a huge 'thank you.'

Man Killed In Deadly Dog Mauling In The Redland

At least it wasn't a pit bull and wasn't falsely portrayed as one!

(CBS4 News) THE REDLAND A dog has fatally mauled a South Florida resident -- the second fatal dog attack in less than two weeks.

Miami-Dade police say Pablo Fleites, 56, was found dead Monday night in a dog pen located at a home at 20280 SW 190th Street. Fleitas lived in a structure on the property.

Inside the pen were two boxers -- a five-year-old male and a six-month-old female puppy.

Police say Fleites, who witnesses say was intoxicated throughout the day, was attacked by the older boxer. The dog was found covered in his blood. The dog will be taken by animal control.

The first fatal dog attack happened on August 18th in Broward County. Shawna Willey was killed in Coral Springs while bathing her 120-pound Presa Canario.

Homicide investigation veers into secret world of pit bull fighting

http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17087403&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6


Homicide investigation veers into secret world of pit bull fighting
By: F.A. KRIFT, The Enterprise
08/20/2006
CLEVELAND - Thomas Weigner, shot above the right knee, bled to death Aug. 1 in rural Liberty County.

His tied-up family, including three children, witnessed it while the gun-wielding robbers searched for money and firearms.

Here - in a brick ranch-style home down County Road 2252, which eventually leads to the Trinity River bottom - is where at least three masked men raided Weigner's fenced-off property.

Weigner, 27, was awakened by his barking American pit bull terriers, about 300 of them on 24 acres about 60 miles west of Beaumont.

The crime could have been a common thug's smash-and-grab job gone wrong, but investigators also suspect Weigner's dogfighting ties and money might have been factors.

Weigner's death opened a small gateway into the dogfighting subculture that local authorities rarely glimpse, according to Southeast Texas investigators. The dogfighting society stretches throughout the region as well as across the nation and overseas, they said.

Lawmen believe Weigner was at or near the top tier of the dogfighting underground, and authorities from the FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating the case.

"It's all part of a larger dogfighting operation," said John Goodwin, a deputy manager of animal-fighting issues and investigator for the Humane Society of the United States. "It didn't end with Thomas Weigner being shot. ... He's in a network at the top of the (dogfighting) list."

The dogfighting network ties together men like Weigner and his Westpenn Kennels, his elite-bloodline breeding operation, and local amateurs and "hobbyists" entering the game with dogs not genetically altered to be the true pit fighting dogs that Weigner developed, Goodwin said in a telephone conversation from his Washington, D.C., office.

Southeast Texas authorities who investigate pit bull operations said the subculture is so closed and secretive that busts are rare.

In Jefferson County, authorities had 23 dogfighting cases in the last two years, Assistant District Attorney Ann Manes said, adding that one person could be charged with a count for each dog involved. Overall in the region since 2000, at least 52 people have been arrested and 25 dogs seized in connection with suspected dogfighting.

Nationally, hundreds of dogfights are busted each year and as many 20,000 people, mostly men, are involved, Goodwin said.

Goodwin said the traditionally rural activity has become more popular in urban areas such as Beaumont and Houston. However, the city operations are largely disorganized and difficult to bust, he said.

Manes, who prosecutes local cruelty cases, said dogfighters typically are charged with owning or training a dog with the intent to use it in a fighting exhibition - a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Rarely are they caught during dogfights, attended by screaming spectators throwing down bets.

"It's almost always circumstantial (evidence)," Manes said.

A difficult pursuit

Sgt. Mark Timmers, a Houston Humane Society and Harris County animal cruelty investigator, said a "blind man" could recognize a fight occurred with so much evidence spread over a crime scene. This includes evidence such as a pit, blood-smeared walls and scar-faced dogs.

Nevertheless, culpability is tough to prove, creating a frustrating and sometimes futile chase for investigators, Timmers said.

Beaumont police Detective Tina Lewallen, who investigates Beaumont's animal cruelty crimes, regularly sees fighting dogs with punctured necks, scarred snouts and torn-off ears when they are seized from owners suspected of animal cruelty.

But a significant dogfight hasn't been busted in Beaumont since November 2003, when police arrested eight people and animal control took 15 dogs.

When police arrived, spectators scattered like startled quail, Lewallen said. Money flew in the air while officers detained anyone they could grab.

Meanwhile, the dogs kept fighting, she said.

Beaumont Animal Control Supervisor Greg Parker, who arrived at the scene 20 minutes after police, remembered bloody, exhausted dogs on Idylwood Street.

Pit-bull handlers regularly train fighting dogs inside the city limits, Lewallen said, and then they take them to large fights in surrounding rural towns such as Cheek and China so the fighting dogs and rowdy bettors avoid attracting unwanted attention.

"They have secret codes to find out where the dogfights are," Lewallen said.

Sheriff's department officials in Hardin, Newton and Tyler counties believe dogfighting occurs within their jurisdictions, but there have been no busts in recent memory.

It takes surveillance, manpower and extensive intelligence to make a bust, Timmers said.

Often, it's just by accident or luck.

In 2000, for example, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department arrested 49 spectators who attended a dogfight. Attending a dogfight is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of a $500 fine.

Jasper County Sheriff's Detective Aaron Tippett said officers just happened to be within 15 minutes of the fight's location just west of Kirbyville.

Like the Beaumont bust, money flew in the air, onlookers screamed and then dashed in every imaginable direction, Tippett said. Two men even ran through a barbed-wire fence, according to The Enterprise archives.

"The problem is most of the people that (attend) pit bull fights are thieves anyway," Tippett said. "Thieves stealing from thieves. It doesn't get reported that often."

Breeding operations such as Weigner's Westpenn Kennels are easier to find, but even in this case, it was not because of a complaint against dogfighting. It was Weigner's death that exposed the operation and led to the seizure of 285 dogs living in cruel conditions.

"Law enforcement, we're basically unaware of what is going on," Timmers said. "It's very organized. ... I'm not talking about the backyard stuff."

In fact, many Web sites associated with the guarded society require references to gain access. Only the highly trusted are invited.

A growing concern

In the fighting underground, the dogmen romanticize their "sport," claiming they return the breed to its 19th century English roots when fighting's popularity grew, Diane Jessup, a Washington-based pit bull breeder, authority and author, said in a telephone conversation. The dogfighters have made the breed a status symbol for machismo. They live through the breed and attract younger men by dramatizing the sport.

Bloodlines developed largely by venerable white men now are being promoted by a hip-hop culture, Jessup said. The bloodline history and the American pit bull terrier's gameness fascinate some common citizens.

"There are a whole bunch of people out there that are attracted by dogs with game pedigrees," she said.

The breed's keenly aggressive nature makes them the elite fighting dog, better than any other breed, Jessup said. So owning a pit bull is a statement of dominance, she said, and for some, hopefully, an invitation into the dogfighting world.

Goodwin said the pit bull breeding industry grows with it. And the fighting involves new players who are more aggressive and violent.

For lawful breeders, illegitimate practices have smeared the breed, pit bull enthusiasts say. The dogs are human-friendly, they say, but the over-breeding and the haphazard sale to anyone willing to buy has put the breed in the wrong hands.

"They're scumbags," said Jessup, who trains pit bulls for police work. "There's no mystique there in the dogfighting rings. When you're close to it, you see it's really a disturbed bunch of individuals that are living through their dogs. They talk about how much they respect them. ... No, they're idiots."

Secret world revealed

During the Aug. 7 pit bull seizure at Weigner's property, training equipment, including a treadmill and water tank, was discovered, said Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur, whose department is handling the homicide investigation.

However, investigators found no evidence on site of dogfighting, Arthur said.

But where the investigation could lead is what compels authorities.

"This is the first time when it's been such a high-level player," Goodwin said of Weigner's homicide and its connection to dogfighting. "This time it was somebody big."

Goodwin says Weigner was a professional dogfighter on whom Goodwin and the Humane Society have kept watch since he gained prominence in the fighting world two years ago - about the time he moved to Liberty County from Pennsylvania.

Dick Wheelan, the attorney for Weigner's wife, Julie Laban, said in a telephone interview from his Houston office that Laban denied all claims of dogfighting.

Arthur said the crime's link to suspected robberies of alleged dogmen in Michigan, Georgia and South Carolina is being investigated.

Goodwin believes the crimes are linked.

"When you have these high-end dogfights, you have violent men who come in for a violent blood sport," Goodwin said. "They gamble large sums of money on it. Of course, they all bring guns, because they don't want to be robbed and lose those hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"When you mix that sort of adrenaline and testosterone with a violent blood sport and all that money, you've got yourself a combustible situation and sometimes it erupts.

"We've heard about shootouts at fights, but now it's moving to a new level where they are following people to their homes and killing them."

For Liberty County's Arthur, the homicide is a top priority that uncovered a world he knew little about.

"I didn't realize dogfighting was as big an industry as it is," Arthur said in his office. "I've learned more about dogfighting than I wanted to know."

fakrift@beaumontenterprise.com

Breed bans won't stop dog attacks

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0608210197aug21,0,595343.story?coll=chi-newsopinioncommentary-hed

Breed bans won't stop dog attacks
Laws should regulate behavior of all dangerous dogs--and owners

By Adam Goldfarb, an expert on dangerous dogs with the Humane Society of the U.S
Published August 21, 2006

There's an adage that says, "When a dog bites a man, it's not news, but when a man bites a dog, it is news." These days, dog bites don't just lead to news, they lead to fights between neighbors, lawsuits and controversial legislation. Unfortunately, laws that ban certain breeds of dog from a community provide nothing more than the illusion of safety.

Many communities struggle with issues related to dangerous dogs. Some have responded with breed bans, yet time and again such laws have failed to solve dangerous-dog problems. Lawmakers who educate themselves and understand this issue quickly recognize that a truly effective law must address all dangerous dogs, regardless of breed.

There are many factors that contribute to a dog's temperament, but breed bans only address one of those factors. If elected officials are comfortable with regulation of such a limited scope, then the one factor to be targeted should be the most common.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70 percent of dogs involved in biting incidents are intact (not neutered) males. No other single factor is so highly represented in dog attacks. Mandatory pet sterilization is certainly a viable option, but this can also be easily addressed without legislation, through government-subsidized spay/neuter programs and community education about proper pet care.

Being a responsible pet owner is not difficult, but there are individuals who either don't care about their pets or who intentionally create aggressive animals. Too often, these individuals are the ones who cause problems for the community. The behaviors of these individuals are easily recognized and should be the target of dangerous-dog legislation.

Dogs that live chained up are nearly three times more likely to bite, the CDC says. Dogs that routinely run loose can cause numerous problems in their neighborhoods. Dogs that are trained for fightingalready have criminal owners.

Communities rely on animal control to enforce the laws, but most animal-control offices are already understaffed and underfunded. Because of the inherent difficulties of enforcing breed bans, they would only add more strain to an already overextended department. Breed identification is tricky and unscientific.

Laws that clearly identify dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs are the best tools for animal control and law enforcement officials. This is so important because in nearly all serious dog attacks, the dog involved was either known to the neighborhood or animal control as a roaming nuisance, had previously bitten or was being kept for inappropriate reasons. Laws addressing potentially dangerous dogs consider the many factors that contribute to a dog's likelihood to bite and single out behaviors that are indicative of aggression. These laws can be reactive by punishing the owners of dogs that have menaced people or other animals, or the laws can be preventative by targeting irresponsible and dangerous owner behaviors.

If Chicago truly wants effective laws to prevent dog attacks, a breed ban is not the answer. The city will be better armed with comprehensive dangerous-dog legislation, dog-bite education and enforcement of responsible laws on keeping pets. Legislation aimed at holding dog owners responsible rather than punishing the dogs is the most effective way to reduce the number of dog bites and attacks. Non-breed-specific laws that are enforced offer an effective and fair solution to the problem of dangerous dogs in all communities.

BSL update

MyDogVotes Candelight Vigil - TONIGHT 8:00 p.m. (EST)

 

Please join thousands of dog owners worldwide on Sunday, August 20th, 2006 at 8 PM EST, to remember the victims of breed bans in the 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans.

Please also remember to light a special candle for our dear friend and faithful BSL fighter, Judy Schreiber. Judy was critically injured in a car accident on Monday, August 14, 2006, and needs all of our thoughts and prayers.

BSL Victories!!

*Humbolt, Iowa - BSL voted down - WE WIN!!!!!!

*Northlake, Illinois - Removed breed specific language from the city ordinance

*Sacramento, California - Declines to adopt mandatory spay/neuter ordinance

*American Dog Owners Association (ADOA) Wins Judgment Against City of Englewood, New Jersey To Overturn Breed Specific Law.

Looking up...

Middletown, Ohio
Looking at removing breed specific language from ordinance

We still have the chance to make a difference!

Brandon, Mississippi
Police and other officials are delaying the enforcement of a newsly enacted pit bull ban while city officials review the ordinance. They are looking at other cities' handling of these matters. We might have a chance.

Mayor Carlo Martella
City of Brandon
P.O. Box 1539
Brandon, MS 39043
Phone: (601) 824-4578

 

James L. Morris
Alderman at Large
3155 Louis Wilson Road
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-4486

 

Barbara Mangum
Alderwoman, Ward 1
808 S. College Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-0381

 

David "Grumpy" Farmer
Alderman, Ward 2
585 Shiloh Road
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 591-0658

 

Tim Coulter
Alderman, Ward 3
37 Sunline Ct.
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 668-9998

 

Lu Coker
Alderman, Ward 4
650 Burnham Road
Brandon, MS 39042
(601)825-4038

 

Yvonne Bianchi
Alderman, Ward 5
10 Hunters Point
Brandon, MS 39042
(601) 825-5303

 

Gene Sirmon
Alderman, Ward 6
132 Richmond Drive
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-6073

 

Mark Baker
City Attorney
306 Maxey Drive
Brandon, MS 39151
Phone: (601) 824-7455

North Liberty, Iowa
Looking at alternatives to BSL (but BSL still on the table)

Mayor:
DAVE FRANKER
625 Pebble Court
North Liberty, IA 52317
665-6171
david.franker@northlibertyiowa.org

Council Members:
MATTHEW J. BAHL
15 Hickory St.
North Liberty, IA 52317
626-6071
Email: mbahl@southslope.net  

GERRY KUHL
1180 Saint Andrews Drive
North Liberty, IA 52317
626-6576
gerry.kuhl@northlibertyiowa.org

JAMES MOODY
115 Vixen Lane
North Liberty, IA 52317
400-2824
Email: james.moody@northlibertyiowa.org

TOM SALM
35 N Dubuque Street
North Liberty, IA 52317
626-2754
Email: tasalm@terracon.com  

JAMES WOZNIAK
1572 Deerfield Drive
North Liberty, IA 52317
626-3704
james.wozniak@northlibertyiowa.org  

Fall River, MA
Looking at alternatives to BSL (but BSL is still on the table)

City Hall
One Government Center
Fall River, MA 02722
Phone: (508) 324-2000
Fax: (508) 324-2211

Fall River City Council City Council President
William Whitty 508-324-2232

Fall River Mayor
Edward Lambert 508-324-2600

Fall River City/Town Manager
James Smith 508-324-2600

Fall River City/Town Clerk
Carol Valcourt 508-324-2220

Olathe, Kansas
Considering alternatives to BSL (but BSL still on the table)

John Bacon
At Large
Term: 4/03 - 4/07
913-269-6305
jbacon@olatheks.org

Bob Montgomery
At Large
Term: 4/01 - 4/09
913-980-8278
bmontgomery@olatheks.org

Marge Vogt
Ward 4
Term: 4/03 - 4/09
913-269-0625
mvogt@olatheks.org

Kathleen Huttmann
Ward 3
Term: 4/03 - 4/09
913-269-6360
khuttmann@olatheks.org

Jim Randall
Ward 2 and Mayor Pro Tem
Term: 4/03 - 4/07
913-522-2729
jrandall@olatheks.org

Beverly Wittenborn
Ward 1
Term: 4/03 - 4/07
913-269-6302
bwittenborn@olatheks.org

Mayor Michael Copeland
Term: 4/03 - 4/07
913-971-8500
mcopeland@olatheks.org

BSL PENDING

Memphis, Missouri
BSL being considering - next meeting is September 7, 2006

Memphis City Hall
135 South Main Street, Memphis, MO 63555
(660) 465-7285
(660) 465-7342(fax)

Merriam, Kansas
BSL being considered

Mayor Carl Wilkes
9416 W. 49th Terrace
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 722-1312
mayorw@merriam.org  

Bryan Burks, Ward 1
Council Vice President
9821 West 50th Terrace
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 262-6546
bryanb@merriam.org  

Chad Rowe, Ward 1
4749 Knox
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 831-0144
chadr@merriam.org  

Dan Leap, Ward 2
5848 Merriam Dr.
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 631-5326
dan@guitarlamp.com

John Crabtree, Ward 2
10113 W. 59th Terrace
Merriam, KS 66204
(913) 789-9028
jcrabtree@eventconceptsinc.com  

Nancy Hupp, Ward 3
Council President
10172 Edelweiss Circle
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 831-4471
nancyh@merriam.org

Christine Evans Hands, Ward 3
10206 Edelweiss Circle
Merriam, KS 66204
(913) 384-5340
chrish@merriam.org

Gayle Stephens, Ward 4
8117 W. 61st St.
Merriam, KS 66204
(913) 789-7958
gstephens1@kc.rr.com

Shawn McConnell, Ward 4
8323 W. 61st Street
Merriam, KS 66204
(913) 384-0764
shawnm@merriam.org

City Hall
The City of Merriam
9000 W. 62nd Terrace
Merriam, KS 66202-2815
(913) 322-5500
(913) 322-5505 fax

Gonzales, LA
Considering BSL

City of Gonzales
120 South Irma Boulevard
Gonzales, Louisiana 70737-3698
(225)647-2841

Horicon, WI
BSL may be on the agenda for the August 22nd meeting, so lets get some correspondence out to all these people.

Doug Plier
City Attorney
dougplierlaw@powerweb.net

Mayor
mayor@horiconwis.com
Phone: (920) 485-2495

City Clerk
David Pasewald
(920) 485-3500

Chamber of Commerce
writeus@horiconchamber.com

Mayor James Grigg 485-9945

Council President Steve Neitzel 485-2821

Legislative Home/Office Phone Numbers
Alderperson, 3rd District Donald Butler 485-4504
Alderperson 1st District Richard Marschke 485-2484
Alderperson, 1st District Jerry Billington 485-2356
Alderperson 2nd District Steven Neitzel 485-2821
Alderperson, 3rd District John Forster 485-4387
Alderperson 2nd District Carl Fausett 485-0566
http://www.horiconchamber.com/home.cfm  

James R. Wegner,
Municipal Judge
hmcourt@gdinet.com

Beaver Dam, WI
Considering BSL

Mayors Office
Mayor
Jack Hankes
Phone: 920-887-4600 ext 398
Email: mayorjack@charter.net  

City Clerk
Gary H. Dummer
Phone: 920-887-4600 ext. 338
Fax: 887-4605
Email: gdummer@charter.net  

City Attorney
Mary Ann Schacht, Esquire
222 South Spring Street
Business (920) 887-4638

Montgomery, Alabama
Meeting on the 21st

Physical Address
City Hall
103 North Perry Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104

Mailing Address
Post Office Box 1111
Montgomery, Alabama 36101-1111
Phone: (334) 241-2000
Fax: (334) 241-2600
E-mail: mayor@ci.montgomery.al.us  

Receptionist/Proclamations Clerk
Belinda Forte'
(334) 241-2000
bforte@ci.montgomery.al.us  

Executive Secretary to the Mayor
Katie Cord
(334) 241-2004
kcord@ci.montgomery.al.us

Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Jeff Downes
(334) 241-2002
jdownes@ci.montgomery.al.us

Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Michael Briddell
(334) 241-2005
mbriddell@ci.montgomery.al.us
Wanda Fox, Executive Secretary

Assistant to the Mayor
Felecia Holley-Martin
(334) 241-2427
fholley@ci.montgomery.al.us  

Assistant to the Mayor
Willie Peak

DISTRICT 9: CHARLES W. JINRIGHT
President
B: Jinright-Turner Insurance & Bonds, Inc.
4216 Carmichael Rd. (36106)
P. O. Box 230308 (36123)
272-1200

DISTRICT 4: JAMES A. NUCKLES
President Pro Tem
H: 3143 Patrick Road (36108)
834-4015

DISTRICT 1: JIM SPEAR
H: 648 Pimblico Road 36109
272-2558 Fax: 272-1846
spearj@bellsouth.net

DISTRICT 2: TIMOTHY WAYNE HEAD
3809 Wares Ferry Road 36109
B: 271-4228

DISTRICT 3: JANET THOMAS MAY
1412 South Perry Street 36104
W: 269-0093

DISTRICT 5: CORNELIUS CALHOUN
1055 Largo Lane 36116
H: 280-7899

DISTRICT 6: WILLIE COOK
P. O. Box 201441 (36120)
H: 281-7775

DISTRICT 7: MARTHA D. ROBY
2243 Country Club Drive 36106
H: 262-0604
martharoby@knology.net  

DISTRICT 8: GLEN O. PRUITT, JR.
H: 8642 Sturbridge Drive 36116
B: Locke & Associates
4144 Carmichael Road, Suite 20 (36106)
272-7400 FAX: 272-6106

Independence, Missouri
BSL is expected to pass on 21st

Office of the City Council
Sheila Saxton Council Aide
Phone: (816)325-7022
Fax: (816)325-7012
E-mail: ssaxton@indepmo.org

Mayor Don Reimal
Phone:(816)325-7022
Home Phone:(816) 461-6044
Fax:(816)325-7012

Councilmember Will Swoffer
Phone:(816)325-7022
Home Phone:(816) 257-1888
Fax:(816)325-7012

Councilmember Renee Paluka
Phone:(816)325-7022
Home Phone:(816) 478-8641
Fax:(816)325-7012
reneepaluka@comcast.net  

Councilmember Jim Page
Phone:(816)325-7022
Home Phone:(816) 252-1198
Fax:(816)325-7012

Councilmember Jim Schultz
Council Phone:(816)325-7022
Fax:(816)325-7012
E-mail: onelaw3@swbell.net  

Lees Summit, Missouri
Mayor-Karen.Messerli@lees-summit.mo.us  

Council
jhallam@mid-west.net  
hofmann.kathy@gmail.com
rrhoads@mid-west.net  (opposes)
rwilliam@mid-west.net  (doesn't want ban, but might be o.k. with BSL)
jspallo@sbcglobal.net
cockrelled@yahoo.com  (he has proposed the legislation)
jffreeman@att.net
Swearngin@gmail.com

Administrator
Steve.Lewis@lees-summit.mo.us  

Abby York
Kansas City Dog Advocates

Oak Grove, Missouri
Requesting additional information

Meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 pm at the Civic Center

City Hall is located at:
1300 S. Broadway Street
Oak Grove, Missouri 64075
Phone: (816) 690-3773
Fax: (816) 690-8478

Mayor
Mark Fulks

Alderman - Ward 1
Mary Holzbaur
Hank Melhorn

Alderman - Ward 2
Brad Alexander (Mayor Pro-tem)
Larry Moore

Alderman - Ward 3
Don Myers
Jody Gorham

Administration
1300 S. Broadway St.
Oak Grove, MO 64075
Phone: 816-690-3773
Fax: 816-690-8478

Long, Bryan City Administrator
blong@cityofoakgrove.com  816-690-3773 ext 1000

Scott, Judy Deputy City Clerk
jscott@cityofoakgrove.com  816-690-3773 ext 1005

Smith, Cathy City Clerk
csmith@cityofoakgrove.com  816-690-3773 ext 1004

BSL PASSED

Barboursville, West Virginia - Passed BSL

Clinton, Mississippi - Passed BSL but the law is being challenged

Heartbreak of the week

Kansas City, Kansas
Pit bull amnesty ends - 180 innocent pit bulls euthanized

City officials are so proud of themselves for "successfully pursuading" owners to turn their dogs in to be killed. Another senseless tragedy...

Support the Cause

The American Canine Foundation (ACF) is doing all it can to fight for our rights and has recently filed several lawsuits challenging BSL. PLEASE donate to and support the ACF. Please do all you can to help those fighting for our rights. It takes an incredible amount of money to file and defend a lawsuit, and positive outcomes can result in good things for everyone around the country.

American Canine Foundation 23969 NE State Rte 3 Suite G101 Belfair Wa 98528 or paypal at (legislation2003@hotmail.com )

Letters to Officials

You can find 3 different form letters, from simple to detailed, that can be modified and sent to the above officials at www.defendingdog.com.  Please voice your polite and respectful opposition to breed specific legislation!