Phillyist: BSL (With Extra Emphasis on the "BS")

Ross Currie

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:31:02 -0500

And if anyone still has any lingering doubts about why we cringe at the idea of BSL, and why pit bulls should be saved, check out this story from MSNBC about one of the pit bulls saved from Michael Vick's dogfighting compound.

styleprdiva

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:21:11 -0500

Responsibility for ones own actions speaks volumes`~ that of course makes to much sense

Ross Currie

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:22:33 -0500

Shauna, your point is well-taken. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "trained" into aggressiveness. More like tortured into it. But I think we may be talking about a distinction without a difference with regard to our choice of words, and I'm pretty sure we're on the same page with our feelings about Pits and BSL.

vaders mom

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:07:10 -0500

Well written article. I am a proud owner of a rescued APBT. She has her Canine Good Citizen certificate and is active in competitive obedience and agility. She has changed the minds of many "pitbull" fearing people. I have my letters sent to the PA Representatives and encourage everyone to do the same.

shaunaru

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:41:36 -0500

I really enjoyed your article and so appreciate the education that you provide to those who don't understand BSL and how terrible it is. I especially appreciate that you ended your article with actual things that people can do to help this situation because we certainly do need people to step forward and speak out on behalf of those who do not have a voice. There is only one thing that I would ask that you might consider modifying in the article: "And therein lies the twist. Under the watch of the wrong owner, these smart, eager-to-please canines can be trained to be aggressive. But they can also trained to be loving companions who won't hurt a fly." I also believe that they are easily trained and that's one of the reasons I choose them as my service dogs, however, I disagree with the idea that they are easily trained to be aggressive. My current service dog came to me at a year old with numerous fears and phobias because they had worked to make her a street fighter and found that she would not cooperate with them. They were able to terrify her of many simple things - rain, skateboards, fly swatters, etc. would send her crashing into my legs as she tried to "escape" from these scary things. Fortunately, I was able to ease her fears and find methods to calm her and reassure her that not only did I need her to take care of me, but I was also in her life to take care of her. Now, she's a brave, 3-year old and I love seeing her able to explore areas and things that would have been too frightening for her previously. It is difficult to "train" these dogs to be DEADLY aggressive - it's the incredibly unfortunate canines who, because of their physical traits, are taken by 2-legged monsters and beaten with chains, tortured with water thinking they are being drowned, given electrical shocks over and over (trying to comprehend what they have done wrong and how they can stop the torture), they are shot full of drugs that alter their personalities and make them insanely thirsty and hungry, and every step of the way, the humans they look to for love and companionship are urging them to fight, fight, kill, kill, kill - that being the only time they hear one word of praise. These horrible crimes start with the 2-legged monsters who completely destroy the personalities of these dogs who have been valued as canine clowns, loyal nannies, heroes, gentle giants who love kittens and are known for their ready smiles. It's not easy to train them to be deadly aggressive, but it is intentional - no one "accidentally" creates a dangerous pit bull type dog. It starts with a dangerous 2-legged monster. Respectfully submitted, Shauna Russ

Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:15:02 -0500

Pibble

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:48:20 -0500

Like I said in previous post,there was nothing to stop that father from getting another dog... well he didn`t wait long. He`s got another one. http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/NationalNews/VeterinaryAssociationwantsGovttorethinksomeofitsdoglaws/tabid/184/articleID/58895/cat/64/Default.aspx I wonder how long before this dog attacks, after this guy trains it to be vicious and keeps it chained up?

Pibble

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:43:16 -0500

Exceptional article! Just plain commonsense. I don`t live in your State or even your Country but I will sign the petition anyway. I live in a large area that has BSL which targets the 3 Pure Breeds normally targeted by BSL 1)Staffordshire Bull Terrier 2)American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and 3)APBT and that 4th vague Category a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those 3 dogs. There are upwards of 20+ Breeds that may fall under that as well as hundreds of thousands of Mutts. It`s ludicrous to say the least. If Politicians are not going to start listening to Canine Experts and Organizations and listening to what Courts are telling them ie Tack vs Alabama "No Dog is inherently vicious simply due to it`s breed" then I say it`s time for responsible "Pit Bull" owners to take a stand and say that they are simply not going to comply and each and every person needs to fight for their dog in court. Officials insist on slaughtering innocent pets and prosecuting owners who have done nothing wrong but own one of these dogs, but when a charge should be laid against an owner they back down. Case in point.. Couple of days ago a 2 year old wandered near a chained Pit Bull in his father`s yard and was severely attacked. The dog wasn`t registered,licensed or microchipped as required.Officials hadn`t known this dog even existed. Father admits it wasn`t a pet.It was trained to be vicious and to be a guard dog. Police and officials debated a few days whether to lay charges and today decided not to. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200806100542/1fbd7af3 What the hell-o? But if I was to just have a banned breed as a great house pet that likes to lie on the couch,get belly rubs and perhaps had it`s Therapy dog designation,I would be charged for owning a banned dog. Does that make sense to anyone? Of course that father should be charged and he should be banned from owning any dog until he can prove that he is a responsible pet owners. Responsible dog owners don`t train their dogs to be vicious guard dogs that they keep chained. Now this father is free to get another dog and do the exact same thing again which will further tarnish the reputation of "Pit Bulls". This is exactly the type of person who should not own one of these dogs. "Pit Bulls" love people and they are meant to be house pets and best friends not guard dogs.