tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85936831382739193752024-03-13T11:58:54.709+00:00Sudden, Random, Unprovoked & ViolentSRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-4689041279953981092016-02-11T20:38:00.000+00:002019-02-02T20:40:03.838+00:00The Associated Press: Five Years of Pit Bulls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: February 17, 2016; 21:39 GMT<br />
Revised: December 15, 2016; 12:39 GMT<br />
Revised: December 15, 2016; 18:26 GMT<br />
Revised: February 02, 2019; 29:38 GMT</span></div><br />
<br />
On February 3, 2011, newspapers across the country published an Associated Press article by Sue Manning titled <i>Training, not nature, makes bully</i>.<sup>1</sup> The article was picked up by newspapers around the globe and was reprinted for weeks.<br />
<br />
A week after the appearance of Ms Manning's AP article SRUV published our first blog post. The current post is published on the 5th anniversary of our response to Ms Manning, and is our final post.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *</div><br />
In the five years following her 2011 article Ms Manning has published at least five additional laudatory AP articles about pit bulls, the most recent just days ago. Other AP writers have added to the catalog of positive press. In the five-year period from Ms Manning's 2011 article until the publication of our current post at least 124 people have been killed by pit bulls in the United States, and hundreds have been critically injured.<br />
<br />
Ironically, the first fatal attack to occur following Ms Manning's 2011 article was the attack on a newborn child, Darius Tillman, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a week after her article about nature vs nurture in pit bulls. The irony is twofold: Kalamazoo is the home of the United Kennel Club, the organization formed in 1898 to legitimize pit bull dog fighting, and which continues to serve as the breed registry. The second irony is that Michigan is a state dominated by exceptionally effective pit bull advocacy groups, a sad legacy of its dogfighting heritage.<br />
<br />
The very question of nature vs nurture, when it comes to pit bulls (or any canine for that matter), is bizarre: it's both. Pit bull advocates are the only dog owners who claim that nurture can alter specific behaviors that have been bred into the various breeds for centuries. Breeders of scent hounds, retrievers, sheep dogs or rat terriers know that the behaviors their dogs inherit will be with them from cradle to grave. And so it is with pit bulls, who have been bred for centuries for pit fighting.<br />
<br />
In addition to the 124 fatalities an estimated 20,000 people have been maimed or otherwise permanently disfigured. An estimated 100,000 companion and domestic animals have been killed in these five years.<sup>2</sup><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *</div><br />
Ms Manning has published many fine articles about companion animals, but is also one of the most prominent national journalists for articles sympathetic to pit bulls. The other AP articles appear to be one-offs for the journalists. Two of the AP pit bull articles which received wide distribution during this 5-year period concerned coverage of two pivotal voter referendums, in Aurora, Colorado and in Miami-Dade County. In both cases breed specific restrictions had been in force for decades, and in both cases the citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping those restrictions on pit bulls.<br />
<br />
Neither of those two Associated Press journalists chose to write a follow-up story on the outcomes of the voter referendums.<br />
<br />
The most recent AP story to earn wide circulation is the David Klepper article about a pit bull that was trained as a K9.<sup>3</sup> Mr. Klepper's article was still being published in newspapers nearly two months after the original date of publication, which led us to ponder how Associated Press articles come to be written, and how their authors are paid. Mr Klepper generally covers New York state capitol news for the AP, so it is fair to assume that he was approached by lobbyists from the Animal Farm Foundation, the Dutchess County pit bull advocacy group which funded, facilitated, and placed the pit bull with a Dutchess County police department.<sup>4</sup><br />
<br />
Ms Manning, Mr Klepper, and the other Associated Press journalists who write about pit bulls have a guaranteed audience. Their articles serve as internet click-bait for the hundreds of thousands of media-savvy pit bull advocates. If these authors receive a penny each time their article is read they could live comfortably well into the future. The newspapers that publish these stories, and their advertisers, all receive tens or hundreds of thousands of hits from pit bull advocates, generating an immense revenue stream for the publishers.<br />
<br />
This may explain why Associated Press journalists, as well as other authors (at the Huffington Post, for example), write about the wonders of pit bulls, rather than writing about their victims, human and animal. Or rather than writing about Golden Retrievers, for that matter, or other lovely breeds that have never killed a human. The United States is experiencing a public safety crisis, while the journalists avert their eyes and extol the virtues of pit bulls.<br />
<br />
SRUV challenges the authors of the Associated Press articles, whose names and articles are listed below, to read the names of each of the 124 victims, also listed below, and continue to believe that pit bulls are like any other dog.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Coda:</i></span><br />
The last five years have been a crucial period in pit bull politics. As noted above, there have been significant victories for the advocates of public safety legislation. But the advocates of fighting breeds, including organizations with multi-million dollar budgets and squads of salaried lobbyists and attorneys and IT and Social Media specialists, are far more powerful than those who fight for the victims of pit bull attacks. It will be difficult to enact additional public safety legislation until we achieve fair and balanced, uncensored reporting. That will not happen until journalists recognize and write about the immense burden of grief and loss caused by pit bulls.<br />
<br />
The Editors of SRUV are grateful to the many readers who have supported us during the last five years.<br />
<br />
<i> <span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Associated Press Pit Bull Articles:</i></span><br />
</i><br />
<blockquote><i><a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-instagrams-of-dog-named-jimmy-turned-owners-life-2016jan27-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How a Dog Became Internet Famous</a></i><br />
<i> </i> by Sue Manning (in the San Diego Union-Tribune)<br />
January 27, 2016; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2ddc7e4b54064a45931ec001f23045c8/pit-bull-police-dog-defies-breeds-savage-stereotypes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull police dog defies breed's savage stereotypes</a></i><br />
<i> </i> by David Klepper<br />
November 13, 2015; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><a href="http://www.telegram.com/article/20150923/NEWS/150929683" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PBS series featuring shelter dogs debuts Oct. 1</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Sue Manning<br />
September 23, 2015; Associated Press<br />
<div><i><br />
</i></div><i><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rescued-pit-bulls-fight-stigma-guiding-people-174449009.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Sue Manning<br />
February 11, 2015; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/10/18/pit_bull_vote_aims_to_settle_disputes_over_breeds/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull vote aims to settle disputes over breeds</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Kristen Wyatt<br />
October 18, 2014; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><a href="http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=29017978" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Attitudes and Laws Against Pit Bulls Soften</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Bill Draper<br />
March 10, 2014; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i><a href="https://siouxcityjournal.com/ap/lifestyles/new-center-offers-help-for-dogs-consumed-by-fear/article_4985c9c6-9cad-54a4-8c00-bfe5e2be126c.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New center offers help for dogs consumed by fear</a><br />
by Sue Manning<br />
March 24, 2013; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/news/1558869-151/attorney-gets-animal-law-degree-to-fight-breed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Attorney gets animal law degree to fight breed bias</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Sue Manning<br />
October 25, 2012; Associated Press<br />
<i><br />
</i> <i><a href="http://staugustine.com/jennifer-kay/2012-08-06/voters-consider-lifting-pit-bull-ban#.VmezWVWrTnB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Voters consider lifting pit bull ban</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Jennifer Kay<br />
August 6, 2012, Associated Press<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/article/OP/20120206/NEWS/302069891" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McDonald's pulls ad after pit bull owner outrage</a></i><br />
by Sue Manning (in the Oakland Press, Pontiac MI)<br />
February 7, 2012; Associated Press<br />
<br />
<i> </i> <i><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ap-petside-poll-training-not-nature-makes-bully/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AP-Petside Poll: Training, Not Nature, Makes Bully</a></i><br />
<i> </i>by Sue Manning<br />
February 3, 2011; Associated Press<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20090813/champion-of-underdogs-saves-pit-bulls-parolees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Champion of underdogs saves pit bulls, parolees</a></i><br />
by Sue Manning (in the Oakland Press, Pontiac MI)<br />
August 13, 2009; Associated Press</blockquote>* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> The AP-Petside.com Poll was based on data derived from telephone interviews with 1,000 pet owners, and was conducted Oct. 13-20, 2010, by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.<br />
<sup>2</sup> These figures are conservative estimates based on data from <a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/31/pit-bulls-killed-24000-other-dogs-13000-cats-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015</a> as well as other data from Animals 24-7.<br />
<sup>3</sup> In response to Mr Klepper's article about the pit bull K9, SRUV published a series of posts about the suitability of pit bulls as Search & Rescue and K9 dogs.<br />
<sup>4</sup> Mr Klepper's article was published by the Albuquerque Journal on two separate occasions,while the paper has neglected to report on the many pit bull attacks in its area. This prompted SRUV to publish an article about the censorship of pit bull attacks, <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-albuquerque-pit-bull-journal.html">The Albuquerque Pit Bull Journal</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Fatal Pit Bull Attacks, February 11, 2011 through February 11, 2016: 124 canine homicides</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[ This list of 124 fatal pit bull attacks does not include attacks by pit bull type dogs such as American Bulldogs, Cane Corsos, and other pit bull x mastiff crosses. We are indebted to <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks; The Archival Record</a>, where full documentation for every death listed can be found. ]</span><br />
<blockquote>February 2016, Perquimans County, NC<br />
Suzanne Story, 36<br />
<br />
January 2016, Robeson County, NC<br />
Talan West, 7<br />
<br />
January 2016, Grayson County, VA<br />
Payton Sawyers, 1<br />
<br />
January 2016, Yuba County, CA<br />
Tyler Trammell-Huston, 9<br />
<br />
December 2015, Butte County, CA<br />
Maria Torres, 57<br />
<br />
December 2015, St. Clair County, MI<br />
Rebecca Hardy, 22<br />
<br />
December 2015, Wayne County, MI<br />
Xavier Strickland, 4<br />
<br />
November 2015, Oneida County, NY<br />
Carter Hartle, < 1<br />
<br />
November 2015, Nassau County, NY<br />
Amiyah Dunston, 9<br />
<br />
October 2015, Oklahoma County, OK<br />
Edgar Brown, 60<br />
<br />
October 2015, Orange County, TX<br />
Tanner Smith, 5<br />
<br />
September 2015, Berkeley County, WV<br />
Lamarkus Hicks, 2<br />
<br />
September 2015, Riverside County, CA<br />
Emilio Rios Sr., 65<br />
<br />
August 2015, Davie County, SC<br />
Cathy Wheatcraft, 48<br />
<br />
August 2015, Spartanburg County, SC<br />
Porsche Nicole Cartee, 25<br />
<br />
July 2015, Wagoner County, OK<br />
Carolyn Lamp, 67<br />
<br />
July 2015, Cuyahoga County, OH<br />
Annie Williams, 71<br />
<br />
July 2015, Henderson County, NC<br />
Joshua Strother, 6<br />
<br />
July 2015, Reeves County, TX<br />
Norberto Legarda, 83<br />
<br />
June 2015, Comanche County, OK<br />
Jordan Collins-Tyson, 3<br />
<br />
May 2015, Cook County, IL<br />
James Nevils III, 5<br />
<br />
April 2015, Dallas County, TX<br />
Brayden Wilson, < 1<br />
<br />
April 2015, Nye County, NV<br />
Kenneth Ford, 79<br />
<br />
March 2015, Jefferson County, AR<br />
De'trick Johnson, 36<br />
<br />
March 2015, Ohio County, WV<br />
Roy Higgenbotham Jr., 62<br />
<br />
February 2015, Allegheny County, PA<br />
TayLynn DeVaughn, 2<br />
<br />
February 2015, Johnson County, AR<br />
Frederick Crutchfield, 63<br />
<br />
January 2015, Page County, IA<br />
Malaki Mildward, 7<br />
<br />
January 2015, Hernando County, FL<br />
Declan Moss, 18-months<br />
<br />
January 2015, Frederick County, MD<br />
Eugene Smith, 87<br />
<br />
December 2014, Porter County, IN<br />
Edward Cahill, 40<br />
<br />
December 2014, Nueces County, TX<br />
Rita Ross-Woodard, 64<br />
<br />
November 2014, Robeson County, NC<br />
Alemeaner Dial, 83<br />
<br />
October 2014, Stanislaus County, CA<br />
Juan Fernandez, 54<br />
<br />
September 2014, Sharp County, AR<br />
Alice Payne, 75<br />
<br />
September 2014, Benton County, MS<br />
David Glass Sr., 51<br />
<br />
August 2014, Miami-Dade County, FL<br />
Javon Dade Jr., 4<br />
<br />
August 2014, St. Charles County, MO<br />
Deriah Solem, < 2<br />
<br />
August 2014, Levy County, FL<br />
Joel Chirieleison, 6<br />
<br />
August 2014, Butler County, OH<br />
Cindy Whisman, 59<br />
<br />
July 2014, Montgomery County, OH<br />
Johnathan Quarles, Jr., < 1<br />
<br />
July 2014, Hillsborough County, FL<br />
Logan Sheppard, 4<br />
<br />
May 2014, New Haven County, CT<br />
Rita Pepe, 93<br />
<br />
May 2014, Kent County, DE<br />
Kasii Haith, 4<br />
<br />
May 2014, Lee County, AL<br />
Katie Morrison, 20<br />
<br />
April 2014, Highlands County, FL<br />
Jessica Norman, 33<br />
<br />
April 2014, Bexar County, TX<br />
Petra Aguirre, 83<br />
<br />
April 2014, St. Clair County, AL<br />
John Harvard, 5<br />
<br />
March 2014, Kaufman County, TX<br />
Dorothy Hamilton, 85<br />
<br />
March 2014, Holmes County, MS<br />
Christopher Malone, 3<br />
<br />
March 2014, Terrebonne Parish, LA<br />
Mia DeRouen, 4<br />
<br />
March 2014, Maricopa County, AZ<br />
Nancy Newberry, 77<br />
<br />
February 2014, Guilford County, NC<br />
Braelynn Coulter, 3<br />
<br />
February 2014, Bell County, TX<br />
Je'vaeh Mayes, 2<br />
<br />
January 2014, McLean County, IL<br />
Kara Hartrich, 4<br />
<br />
January 2014, Comal County, TX<br />
Betty Clark, 75<br />
<br />
January 2014, Harris County, TX<br />
Christina Bell, 43<br />
<br />
December 2013, Valencia County, NM<br />
Michal Nelson, 41<br />
<br />
December 2013, Cook County, IL<br />
Jah'Niyah White, 2<br />
<br />
November 2013, White County, AR<br />
Levi Watson, 4<br />
<br />
November 2013, Pierce County, WA<br />
Nga Woodhead, 65<br />
<br />
November 2013, Forsyth County, NC<br />
Katherine Atkins, 25<br />
<br />
September 2013, Baltimore County, MD<br />
Terry Douglass, 56<br />
<br />
September 2013, Baker County, OR<br />
Jordan Ryan, 5<br />
<br />
September 2013, San Bernardino County, CA<br />
Samuel Zamudio, 2<br />
<br />
September 2013, Maricopa County, AZ<br />
Daniel Teubner, 2<br />
<br />
August 2013, Harris County, TX<br />
Juan Compos, 96<br />
<br />
June 2013, Florence County, SC<br />
Arianna Merrbach, 5<br />
<br />
June 2013, Alameda County, CA<br />
Nephi Selu, 6<br />
<br />
May 2013, Dorchester County, SC<br />
Carlton Freeman, 80<br />
<br />
May 2013, Los Angeles County, CA<br />
Pamela Devitt, 63<br />
<br />
April 2013, Fulton County, GA<br />
Beau Rutledge, 2<br />
<br />
April 2013, Jasper County, IA<br />
Jordyn Arndt, 4<br />
<br />
April 2013, San Joaquin County, CA<br />
Claudia Gallardo, 38<br />
<br />
April 2013, Bay County, FL<br />
Tyler Jett, 7<br />
<br />
March 2013, Bryan County, GA<br />
Monica Laminack, < 2<br />
<br />
March 2013, Walworth County, WI<br />
Daxton Borchardt, 1<br />
<br />
March 2013, Knox County, IL<br />
Ryan Maxwell, 7<br />
<br />
February 2013, Uvalde County, TX<br />
Isaiah Aguilar, 2<br />
<br />
February 2013, Riverside County, CA<br />
Elsie Grace, 91<br />
<br />
January 2013, Montgomery County, TX<br />
Christian Gormanous, 4<br />
<br />
January 2013, Greenwood County, SC<br />
Betty Todd, 65<br />
<br />
December 2012, Shawnee County, KS<br />
Savannah Edwards, 2<br />
<br />
December 2012, Fresno County, CA<br />
Esteban Alavez, 34<br />
<br />
October 2012, Wayne County, MI<br />
Tarilyn Bowles, < 1<br />
<br />
October 2012, Robeson County, NC<br />
Mary Jo Hunt, 54<br />
<br />
September 2012, Oklahoma County, OK<br />
Nellie Davis, 60<br />
<br />
September 2012, Johnson, Tarrant Counties, TX<br />
Rayden Bruce, < 1<br />
<br />
September 2012, Perquimans County, NC<br />
James Hudson, < 1<br />
<br />
September 2012, Jefferson County, AR<br />
Deborah Wilson Roberts, 45<br />
<br />
August 2012, Cook County, IL<br />
Charles Hagerman, 44<br />
<br />
August 2012, DeKalb County, GA<br />
Rebecca Carey, 23<br />
<br />
July 2012, Hamilton County, OH<br />
Ronnel Brown, 40<br />
<br />
June 2012, Washoe County, NV<br />
Kevin Latz, 50<br />
<br />
June 2012, San Deigo County, CA<br />
Tyzhel Latella McWilliams, < 1<br />
<br />
May 2012, Person County, NC<br />
Eugene Cameron, 65<br />
<br />
May 2012, Allen County, OH<br />
Makayla Darnell, < 1<br />
<br />
May 2012, Maricopa County, AZ<br />
Maryann Hanula, 73<br />
<br />
May 2012, Doña Ana County, NM<br />
Jazilyn Mesa, < 2<br />
<br />
May 2012, Santa Fe County, NM<br />
Clifford Wright, 74<br />
<br />
April 2012, Bryan County, OK<br />
James Hurst, 92<br />
<br />
March 2012, Victoria County, TX<br />
Kylar Johnson, 4<br />
<br />
March 2012, San Diego County, CA<br />
Diane Jansen, 59<br />
<br />
January 2012, Montgomery County, TX<br />
Jace Valdez, 1<br />
<br />
December 2011, Bradley County, TN<br />
Mable McCallister, 84<br />
<br />
December 2011, San Diego County, CA<br />
Emako Mendoza, 76<br />
<br />
December 2011, Lowndes County, GA<br />
Misti Wyno, 40<br />
<br />
December 2011, Winnebago County, IL<br />
Tonia Parks, 39<br />
<br />
December 2011, White County, IN<br />
Joseph Hines, 58<br />
<br />
November 2011, Harris County, TX<br />
Edna Dyson, 71<br />
<br />
October 2011, Potter, Randall Counties, TX<br />
Mya Maria Maeda, < 1<br />
<br />
September 2011, New Haven County, CT<br />
Nevaeh Bryant, < 2<br />
<br />
September 2011, Harris County, TX<br />
Brayden McCollen, < 1<br />
<br />
August 2011, Bladen County, NC<br />
Addyson Camerino, < 1<br />
<br />
August 2011, Philadelphia County, PA<br />
Carmen Ramos, 50<br />
<br />
August 2011, Pima County, AZ<br />
Michael Cook, 61<br />
<br />
August 2011, San Mateo County, CA<br />
Darla Napora, 32<br />
<br />
June 2011, Chesterfield County, VA<br />
Salvador Cotto, < 1<br />
<br />
June 2011, Putnam County, FL<br />
Roy McSweeney, 74<br />
<br />
June 2011, Spotsylvania County, VA<br />
David Quyon Haigler, 38<br />
<br />
April 2011, Sierra County, NM<br />
Margaret Salcedo, 48<br />
<br />
April 2011, Carter County, OK<br />
Virgil Cantrell, 50<br />
<br />
March 2011, San Bernardino County, CA<br />
Jennie Erquiaga, 47<br />
<br />
February 2011, Kalamazoo County, MI<br />
Darius Tillman, < 1</blockquote><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/04/record-33-fatal-pit-bull-attacks-459-disfigurements-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/31/pit-bulls-killed-24000-other-dogs-13000-cats-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> (Daxton's Friends)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
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<i><br />
</i><i>The following posts are our personal choice as top posts of 2015. The posts are listed chronologically and do not reflect the number of page views. The list is subject to change.</i><br />
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<blockquote>
1/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/01/advocacy-bullies.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Advocacy Bullies</a><br />
January 4, 2015<br />
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2/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-softer-safer-pit-bull.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Softer, Safer Pit Bull</a><br />
February 1, 2015<br />
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3/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/03/springfield-at-crossroads.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Springfield at the Crossroads</a><br />
March 6, 2015<br />
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4/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/04/by-any-other-name.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">By Any Other Name</a><br />
April 15, 2015<br />
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5/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/05/debacle-at-hazel-park-part-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Debacle of Hazel Park: Part 2</a><br />
May 12, 2015<br />
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6/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/06/carnival-of-madness-canada.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carnival of Madness: Canada</a><br />
June 17, 2015<br />
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7/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/07/first-x-then-y-then-z.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">First X, Then Y, Then Z</a><br />
July 2, 2015<br />
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8/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-pit-bull-advocates-interview-with.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Pit Bull Advocate's Interview with Merritt Clifton</a><br />
August 2, 2015<br />
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9/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/09/carolinas-under-siege.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carolinas Under Siege</a><br />
September 4, 2015<br />
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10/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/10/carnival-of-madness-illinois.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carnival of Madness: Illinois</a><br />
October 4, 2015<br />
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11/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/11/pit-bull-aggregator.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Aggregator</a><br />
November 3, 2015<br />
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12/ <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/12/port-huron-official-blames-victim.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Port Huron Official Blames the Victim</a><br />
December 13, 2015</blockquote>
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<div style="font-family: tinos;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span></div>
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/04/record-33-fatal-pit-bull-attacks-459-disfigurements-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/31/pit-bulls-killed-24000-other-dogs-13000-cats-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> (Daxton's Friends)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-60775899359144646602016-02-08T20:32:00.001+00:002016-12-15T18:59:47.249+00:00The Albuquerque Pit Bull Journal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: February 9, 2016; 18:16 GMT<br />
Revised: February 16, 2016; 16:07 GMT</span></div>
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The city of Albuquerque was plagued by two long-running animal welfare embarrassments during 2015. An investigation of the Animal Welfare Department (AWD) began in March, when complaints surfaced that the city was adopting out dangerous dogs. Several weeks later, on April 27, Maria Escamilla's pit bulls attacked Jack Cash and killed his companion, the 10-pound Maltese Terrier Duncan. This began the court case that lasted throughout 2015 and into 2016.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DDJ7eQ6i-48wmWOu-iB3xnLUsWfbf3CZPw3yfgS2qmguPDZdw-p5C87D0YAu5wjL2HtPUTZdNfYqzz0V5BguXp3Qr8SDeQXIbj00ZfHBSnE_WdeL0VZk3rZ22cBKgA06f8BzcOKbFJ0j/s1600/duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DDJ7eQ6i-48wmWOu-iB3xnLUsWfbf3CZPw3yfgS2qmguPDZdw-p5C87D0YAu5wjL2HtPUTZdNfYqzz0V5BguXp3Qr8SDeQXIbj00ZfHBSnE_WdeL0VZk3rZ22cBKgA06f8BzcOKbFJ0j/s400/duncan.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duncan; d. April 27, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By November, 2015, the situation for Albuquerque's dogs was somewhat improved. The nine-month long investigation of the Animal Welfare Department (AWD) had been resolved the previous month. The Maria Escamilla case was also finally (almost) resolved, when Escamilla was acquitted of keeping vicious animals on November 25, 2015.<br />
<br />
New Mexico has experienced more than its share of pit bull embarrassments and horrors: the mysterious 2012 case of Debra Swenerton, who dognapped over 60 dogs, most of them pit bulls, to "rescue" them from their families. The 2011 fatal attack on Margaret Salcido on Easter Sunday in Truth or Consequences. The 2012 fatal attack on Clifford Wright, whose son claimed that Mr Wright loved his pit bulls more than he loved his children. Gavin Wright also later claimed his father would have defended the breed even as the pit bulls were mauling him to death. The week after Mr Wright's death a 16-month old girl was fatally attacked in Las Cruces. The shocking, inhumane response by Animal Humane New Mexico who, after the bloodletting of the May 2012 pit bull attacks, had the temerity to claim that pit bulls show no more aggressive tendencies than Golden Retrievers. The 2011 death of Michal Nelson, mauled by one of her 11 pit bulls. The 2014 suit, following the mauling of a 9-year old child, against the city of Roswell and Doggie Saviors Rescue. And finally, in the midst of an investigation of the city's Animal Welfare Department, a pit bull attacked a child's service dog, after which the city put the pit bull up for adoption. Devout pit bull advocacy is not unusual in New Mexico, despite the record of pit bull attacks in the state.<br />
<br />
The Journal has been reluctant to cover news of these and other pit bull attacks. In this respect the Journal is like many other newspapers, which also suppress or self-censor news of attacks by pit bulls. In the extensive list of news accounts (see below) readers will not find a single Journal article about these recent New Mexico pit bull attacks.<sup>1</sup><br />
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<sup><br />
</sup></div>
As November progressed Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry may have believed his city's animal welfare embarrassments were finally over. On November 13th the Albuquerque Journal published a story on the Mayor's call for stronger dangerous dog legislation. There is an inescapable subtext when talking about "dangerous dogs" and that subtext is pit bulls, but neither the Mayor nor the Journal acknowledged the connection. Pit bulls killed a record 33 humans in 2015 and have already killed three people in the first month of 2016. But nowhere in the Journal's article are pit bulls mentioned.<br />
<br />
Instead of publishing news of the attacks, The Journal publishes articles friendly to pit bulls at every opportunity. On the same day the journal published Mayor Berry's November 13th dangerous dog proposals the Journal also published "Pit bull police dog defies breed's savage stereotypes."<sup>2</sup><br />
<br />
On Friday the 13th, the same day the Journal published the Mayor's proposals and the Associated Press article about a pit bull K9 in upstate New York, the hometown pit bull news turned ominous. An Albuquerque man took his unneutered pit bull to Kit Carson Park. The pit bull attacked other dogs in the park, whereupon the pit bull's owner joined in the attack. He pulled out a concealed gun and shot the dogs that were under attack by his pit bull. The two canine victims (victims of the pit bull as well as victims of the pit bull's owner) were expected to recover. The pit bull owner will be charged for carrying a concealed weapon but his pit bull will return to the safety and comfort of his home. The Journal declined to cover this story; the space that day was given to the pit bull K9 that defied the breed's savage stereotypes.<br />
<br />
There were additional pit bull attacks on November 16th and 28th. Readers of the Journal, however, could remain blissfully uninformed of all these attacks, which were carried only by radio and TV stations.<br />
<br />
Then, in a remarkable publishing event, on Friday, November 27 the Albuquerque Journal published the November 13th Associated Press article about the New York pit bull K9 a second time. The second appearance of the story featured new photos from the Animal Farm Foundation which were not originally published with the article. To our knowledge, no other paper in the country published the article glorifying the fraudulent pit bull K9 more than once. The reasons the story was published a second time are unclear.<br />
<br />
The Escamilla case, which had been in-and-out of court all summer, was finally resolved in January 2016. The case was resolved only because of a subsequent attack by Escamilla's pit bulls. A 22-year old woman living in the Escamilla house attempted to break up a pit bull fight and required medical attention on January 9. The drumroll of pit bull attacks continued on January 22nd and 23rd; none of these attacks were reported by the Journal.<br />
<br />
How can the citizens of Albuquerque and New Mexico make informed decisions about an important public safety issue if their newspaper does not provide accurate news? The Albuquerque Journal does not consider the welfare of their readers and the community they serve when it chooses to publish only feel-good news about pit bulls. The Journal has chosen to hide the facts from their readers, rather than reporting accurately on the growing public safety menace of pit bull attacks.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> The Journal covered the Maria Escamilla case because it became a protracted legal and political embarrassment for the city, not because it highlighted pit bull attacks. The Barbara Bruin investigation, capably covered by Colleen Heild, also became a major political issue: Both the Escamilla case and the Barbara Bruin case were given extensive coverage because they involved city government, not because they involved pit bulls. Ms Bruin, incidentally, although relieved as director of the Animal Welfare Department, continues to draw a generous salary despite performing the duties an intern or volunteer could perform.<br />
<sup>2</sup> See Associated Press articles, next section below. Since the article appeared on November 13th SRUV has published a series of posts exposing fraudulent pit bull K9s.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Recent Associated Press Pit Bull Articles in the Albuquerque Journal:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/682203/news/super-dog.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull named Kiah will be one of a few of her kind to take a spot on a police force helping to fight crime</a><br />
By David Klepper<br />
November 27, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/675323/news-more/pit-bull-police-dog-defies-breeds-savage-stereotypes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull police dog defies breed’s savage stereotypes</a><br />
By David Klepper<br />
November 13, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/550841/news/pit-bulls-in-training-as-service-dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls in training as service dogs</a><br />
by Sue Manning<br />
March 6, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Other ABQ Pit Bull News:</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[ NOTE: The list below includes only a few of the more notable New Mexico pit bull attacks during the period indicated. Note the paucity of coverage of pit bull attacks by the Albuquerque Journal. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Articles related to the 2015 turmoil at Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department are noted in the subsequent list below. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/712872/opinion/finally-some-justice-for-a-little-dog-named-duncan.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Editorial: Finally some justice for a little dog named Duncan</a><br />
January 27, 2016; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/dog-owner-reports-attack-by-larger-canine-on-canyon-road/article_61342739-9a5a-5749-913f-789d93f45884.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog owner reports attack by larger canine (pit bull) on Canyon Road</a><br />
January 23, 2016; Santa Fe New Mexican<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.koat.com/news/dog-and-owner-injured-after-pit-bull-attack/37590266" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog and owner injured after pit bull attack</a><br />
Julio Carattini says the pit bull turned on him<br />
January 22, 2016; KOAT ABC 7<br />
<i>There was a pit bull, female pit bull, just chewing on my puppy, Susie. My thoughts were 'My God, this is my baby . . . '</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://krqe.com/2015/12/11/albuquerque-cracks-down-on-pit-bulls-and-chihuahuas/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Albuquerque cracks down on pit bulls and chihuahuas</a><br />
December 11, 2015; KRQE<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/686359/news/nurse-dogmauling-victim-reunited.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nurse, mauling victim reunited, 3 decades later</a><br />
December 4, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/684390/news/looking-for-fabulous-unmh-nurse-3-decades-later.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Looking for ‘fabulous’ nurse, 3 decades later</a><br />
December 1, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://trio%20of%20pit%20bulls%20attack%2C%20kill%20two%20dogs%20in%20neighborhood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trio of pit bulls attack, kill two dogs in neighborhood</a><br />
November 28, 2015; KOAT<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.koat.com/news/pit-bulls-kill-two-small-dogs/36490472">Pit bulls kill two small dogs</a><br />
November 16, 2015; KOAT ABC 7<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3963109.shtml#.VqleTX0rLnA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man shoots 2 dogs at ABQ dog park</a><br />
November 13, 2015; KOB 4 Eyewitness News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/661593/news/avid-runner-attacked-seriously-hurt-by-dog-pack.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Avid runner attacked, seriously hurt by dog pack</a><br />
October 18, 2015; Valencia County News Bulletin<br />
<a href="http://krqe.com/2015/09/14/carlsbad-residents-pack-of-dogs-terrorizing-neighborhood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://krqe.com/2015/09/14/carlsbad-residents-pack-of-dogs-terrorizing-neighborhood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carlsbad residents: Pack of dogs terrorizing neighborhood</a><br />
September 14, 2015; KRQE News 13<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/city-officers-impound-pit-bulls-after-attack-injures-woman-kills/article_c16c7e63-53e3-5580-9da9-fce355475385.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City officers impound pit bulls after attack injures woman, kills poodle mix</a><br />
July 15, 2015; Santa Fe New Mexican<br />
<br />
<a href="http://krqe.com/2014/06/27/abq-man-steps-in-to-end-pit-bull-attack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ABQ man steps in to end pit bull attack</a><br />
June 27, 2015; KRQE News 13<br />
<br />
<a href="http://krqe.com/2015/06/18/pit-bull-attacks-girls-service-dog-city-posts-animal-up-for-adoption/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Attacks Girl's Service Dog; City Puts Animal Up For Adoption</a><br />
June 16, 2015; KRQE<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/567412/news/uncontrolled-breeding-epidemic.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uncontrolled breeding an ‘epidemic’ in NM</a><br />
April 10, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/531779/news/pit-bulls-that-bit-rio-rancho-boy-dog-to-go-back-to-owner.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/531779/news/pit-bulls-that-bit-rio-rancho-boy-dog-to-go-back-to-owner.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bulls That Bit Rio Rancho Boy, Dog To Go Back To Owner</a><br />
January 25, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
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<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/385631/news/pit-bull-ambassadors.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Treats, Training for Pit Bull Ambassadors</a><br />
April 18, 2014; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-newmexico-pitbull-idUSKBN0G30TC20140803" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man almost loses genitals in pitbull attack</a><br />
[The NM victim was attacked while in Albuquerque]<br />
August 3, 2014; Reuters<br />
<br />
<a href="http://krqe.com/2014/06/11/3-dogs-maul-9-year-old-roswell-boy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3 dogs (pit bulls) maul 9-year-old Roswell boy</a><br />
Family plans to sue city of Roswell and nearby pit bull rescue<br />
June 11, 2014; KRQE News 13<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/pit-bulls-flood-albuquerque-animal-shelters/21367752">Pit bulls flood Albuquerque animal shelters</a><br />
Unwanted pets costing taxpayers<br />
August 7, 2013; KOAT<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/111825/living/fetch/citys-animal-shelters-overrun-with-animals-needing-adoption-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/111825/living/fetch/citys-animal-shelters-overrun-with-animals-needing-adoption-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City's Animal Shelter Overrun With Animals Needing Adoption</a><br />
June 8, 2012; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2242864/Woman-accused-stealing-nearly-60-dogs-years-misguided-animal-rescue-attempts.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman 'stole SIXTY pet dogs and gave them to animal shelters by claiming they were strays'</a><br />
December 4, 2012; Daily Mail<br />
<a href="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19860101&id=maojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LyQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6792,59204&hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19860101&id=maojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LyQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6792,59204&hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Communities Considering Bans On Pit Bull Dogs</a><br />
(Note: This 1986 article recounts the historic 1984 attack on Angela Hand of Tijeras NM. In December 2015 The Journal published two articles on the reunion of Ms Hand with the nurse who treated her at the time.)<br />
January 1, 1986; Associated Press<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Maria Escamilla Case:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/710927/news/dangerous-dogs-finally-seized.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One attack too many</a><br />
January 23, 2016; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/692829/abqnewsseeker/judge-considering-sentence-for-woman-with-dangerous-dogs.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Judge considering sentence for woman with dangerous dogs</a><br />
December 17, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/briefs/dog-owner-acquitted-of-keeping-vicious-animals/article_15de0c4a-5e36-5ff2-880f-b82cf6344c87.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog owner acquitted of keeping vicious animals</a><br />
November 25, 2015; Santa Fe New Mexican<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/681894/news/jury-offers-mixed-verdict-in-dog-case.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jury delivers mixed verdict in dog case</a><br />
November 25, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/675790/news/berry-seeking-stronger-law-on-dangerous-dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Berry wants stronger law on dangerous dogs</a><br />
November 13, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/620402/news/judge-grants-defense-request-by-busy-lawyer.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog case gets pushed back</a><br />
July 30, 2015; Albuquerque Journal</div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Barbara Bruin / Animal Welfare Department Investigation:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/655155/news/animal-shelter-director-deleted-rewrote-spayneuter-goals.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shelter director deleted, rewrote spay/neuter goals</a><br />
October 5, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/652717/news/director-out-at-animal-welfare-effective-nov-1.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+living&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Director Out At Animal Welfare</a><br />
October 2, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/652453/news/director-of-albuquerque-animal-welfare-to-step-down.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+living&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Director of Albuquerque Animal Welfare department to step down</a><br />
October 1, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/651358/news/director-saves-dog-dog-bites-worker.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shelter Director Saves Dog; Dog Bites Worker</a><br />
September 30, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://krqe.com/2015/09/29/city-shelter-director-violates-new-policy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City shelter director violates new policy</a><br />
September 29, 2015; KRQE News 13</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/649678/news/dangerousdog-policy-overhauled.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City overhauls shelter policy on dangerous dogs</a><br />
September 26, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/09/06/albuquerque-city-shelter-released-dangerous-dogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Albuquerque city shelter released dangerous dogs</a><br />
September 26, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.insideedition.com/investigative/12041-after-dog-bites-12-year-old-girl-family-accuses-shelter-of-deceiving-them" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">After Dog Bites 12-Year-Old Girl, Family Accuses Shelter of Deceiving Them</a><br />
September 22, 2015; Inside Edition<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/643775/opinion/time-for-a-change-at-the-top-at-animal-welfare.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+living&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Time for a change at the top at Animal Welfare</a><br />
Editorial<br />
September 14, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://krqe.com/2015/09/06/reports-albuquerque-shelters-adopted-out-dangerous-dogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Albuquerque shelters adopted out dangerous dogs</a><br />
September 6, 2015; KRQE News 13<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/639697/news/report-by-city-upholds-criticism-of-animal-welfare.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City Report Upholds Criticism of Animal Welfare</a><br />
September 5, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/07/28/albuquerque-pound-broke-citys-own-dangerous-dog-law/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Albuquerque pound broke city’s own dangerous dog law</a><br />
July 28, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/603822/news/tougher-policy-for-dangerous-dog-adoptions.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Team Advises Tougher Policy on Dangerous Dog Adoptions</a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> June 25, 2015, Albuquerque Journal</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></span> <a href="http://krqe.com/2015/06/18/pit-bull-attacks-girls-service-dog-city-posts-animal-up-for-adoption/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Attacks Girl's Service Dog; City Puts Animal Up For Adoption</a><br />
June 16, 2015; KRQE<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/575533/news/dangerous-dog-coverup-alleged-by-awd-workers.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dangerous Dog Coverup Alleged</a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> April 27, 2015; Albuquerque Journal</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/572142/news/city-tightens-policy-on-dog-adoptions.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City Tightens Policy on Dog Adoptions</a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> April 20, 2015; Albuquerque Journal</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.koat.com/news/city-rejected-startling-investigation-of-animal-welfare-in-2012/32187644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.koat.com/news/city-rejected-startling-investigation-of-animal-welfare-in-2012/32187644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="http://www.koat.com/news/city-rejected-startling-investigation-of-animal-welfare-in-2012/32187644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City rejected startling investigation of Animal Welfare in 2012</a><br />
Report: Department failed to meet city ordinances, processes<br />
April 3, 2015; KOAT ABC 7<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/564134/opinion/city-must-put-public-safety-first-at-its-animal-shelters.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+living&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City must put public safety first at its animal shelters</a><br />
Editorial<br />
April 3, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/04/02/albuquerque-animal-welfare-department-2-and-behaviorist-allege-neglect-of-public-safety-in-pushing-pit-bull-adoptions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department #2 and behaviorist allege neglect of public safety in pushing pit bull adoptions</a><br />
April 2, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/563115/news/potentially-dangerous-dogs.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City puts hold on adoptions of certain dogs</a><br />
April 1, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/562534/news/stories-of-two-dogs-that-killed.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stories of two dogs that killed</a><br />
March 31, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/562535/news/is-city-releasing-dangerous-dogs.html?utm_source=abqjournal.com&utm_medium=related+posts+-+default&utm_campaign=related+posts">Complaint: Dangerous dogs being released by city</a><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
March 31, 2015; Albuquerque Journal</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: tinos;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span></div>
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/04/record-33-fatal-pit-bull-attacks-459-disfigurements-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/31/pit-bulls-killed-24000-other-dogs-13000-cats-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> (Daxton's Friends)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-6742710100861108732016-02-02T18:49:00.000+00:002016-08-22T21:30:47.393+01:00Ulster County K9 Training<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
To: Sheriff Van Blarcum, Ulster County NY<br />
<br />
We are writing in response to the recent graduation of three canines from the Ulster County Sheriff's K9 training program.<sup>1</sup> One of the graduates of the program, a pit bull, received widespread media attention. While much has been written about the pit bull Kiah, there remains much that is not yet known.<br />
<br />
The national K9 community has a strong interest in maintaining standards of training and professionalism. K9 team members and animal welfare professionals would benefit from an open discussion about the circumstances that brought Kiah to your department for training, and ultimately to the Poughkeepsie Police Department in Dutchess County. Thousands of interested trainers, officers, and others with an interest in law enforcement and animal welfare will be grateful for your responses to the following questions.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Questions:</i></span><br />
<blockquote>
1/ Most K9s are selected from carefully bred lines, which have been bred for generations specifically for law enforcement work. Kiah, on the other hand, was a shelter pit bull from Texas with an unknown background. In addition, Kiah belongs to the type of dog which killed a record 33 humans in 2015, and maimed or otherwise permanently disfigured 459 humans. Would you tell our readers who proposed that Kiah be included in the training class, and who was involved in the decision to include Kiah in the Ulster County K9 training class?<br />
<br />
2/ Dutchess County, where Poughkeepsie is located, trains their K9's at the regional K9 academy hosted by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. This would appear to be the logical training facility to train Poughkeepsie K9s. Please explain why Poughkeepsie's pit bull K9 was not trained in her home county? Why was your county (Ulster Cty) involved in training a Dutchess County K-9 when Dutchess County has its own training program? How was this decision made and who was involved in the decision?<br />
<br />
3/ Explain the financial arrangements between Ulster County, Poughkeepsie, and the Animal Farm Foundation, the pit bull advocacy group involved in the transaction. Was Ulster County compensated for training Kiah? By whom? If Ulster County was not compensated, why wasn't it?<br />
<br />
4/ Was the decision to train and place Kiah discussed by the Ulster County Legislature? Was the Legislature fully advised of the liability issues facing local governments due to poorly trained K9s? Was the legislature advised of the financial risks incurred by Ulster County by claiming that a pit bull is a fully trained K9?<br />
<br />
5/ K9 certification for Ulster and Dutchess Counties appears to be provided by the Eastern Police Canine Association. Is the pit bull that graduated from your K9 training course fully certified by the relevant certifying organization?</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * *</div>
<br />
We appreciate your willingness to resolve these issues for the thousands of dedicated officers who closely follow developments in the field of K9 law enforcement.<br />
<br />
The Editors<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> <a href="http://hudsonvalleynewsnetwork.com/2015/12/27/suny-ulster-goes-to-the-dogs/">SUNY Ulster Goes To The Dogs</a> (December 27, 2015; HVNN)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources: </i></span><br />
[Note: The list below includes only a few of the more notable recent pit bull attacks in the Hudson Valley.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hudsonvalleynewsnetwork.com/2016/01/12/woman-despair-dog-attack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pitbull Mauling Of Chihuahua Leaves Woman Heartbroken</a><br />
January 12, 2016; Hudson Valley News Network<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/crime/2016/01/09/city-poughkeepsie-police-seek-suspect-dog-attack/78562408/">Service dog killed by pit bull; owner held on different charge</a><br />
January 10, 2016; Poughkeepsie Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/local/amherst/2016/01/04/amherst-police-dog-attack/78277800/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amherst police investigating dog attack against girl</a><br />
January 4, 2016; WGRZ.com<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/after-pit-bull-case-questions-dog-new-71710/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">After Pit Bull Case, Questions Dog New York’s “Unfortunate Event” Test</a><br />
January 4, 2016; JD Supra<br />
<a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/spate-of-pit-bull-attacks-puts-the-spotlight-on-the-polarizing-breed-20151017" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/spate-of-pit-bull-attacks-puts-the-spotlight-on-the-polarizing-breed-20151017" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spate of pit bull attacks puts the spotlight on the polarizing breed</a><br />
October 17, 2015; Buffalo News<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">FATAL PIT BULL ATTACK -- Marshall NY</span><br />
<a href="http://pix11.com/2015/11/17/familys-pet-pit-bull-kills-11-month-old-boy-playing-at-home/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family’s pet pit bull kills 11-month-old boy playing at home</a><br />
November 17, 2015; PIX11 TV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/dog_warden_on_pit_bulls_if_they_attack_they_dont_want_to_let_go.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Breed can be risky because it won't let go, dog warden says</a><br />
November 16, 2015; Syracuse.com<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kingstonx.com/2015/07/29/dogs-sought-in-llama-drama/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls sought in llama attack</a><br />
July 29, 2015; Kingston Times<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lohud.com/story/news/investigations/2015/06/12/animal-bites/71117490/"> 1,200 animal attacks in region</a><br />
by Ernie Garcia<br />
June 15, 2015; Journal News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.recordonline.com/article/20150603/NEWS/150609769">Middletown police officer fatally shoots pit bull after it attacks</a><br />
June 3, 2015; Times Herald-Record<br />
<i>The attack and the subsequent shooting marked the second time in a week that Middletown police have had to shoot a pit bull because it turned violent in a public space, said Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twcnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/news/2015/04/17/sullivan-county-pit-bull-attack.html"> Pit Bull Turns on Family, Attacks Girl, Mother</a><br />
April 17, 2015; TWC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wpdh.com/pit-bull-attacks-8-year-old-girl-in-hudson-valley/">Pit Bull Attacks 8-Year-Old Girl in Hudson Valley</a><br />
July 23, 2014; WPDH<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.troyrecord.com/article/TR/20140605/NEWS/140609797"> Hudson Valley cop kills pit bull after attack</a><br />
June 5, 2014; Troy Record<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>K9/SAR Resources:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://cravendesires.blogspot.de/2015/02/the-problem-with-pit-bull-service-dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Problem with Pit Bull Service Dogs</a> (and numerous other posts)<br />
February 12, 2015; Craven Desires<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/07/03/how-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-has-become-the-pit-bull-pushers-act/">How the Americans with Disabilities Act has become the “Pit Bull Pushers Act”</a><br />
July 3, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<br />
<a href="https://daxtonsfather.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/service-and-therapy-pit-bulls-that-turned-pit-bull/">Service and Therapy Pit Bulls that turned pit bull</a><br />
September 16, 2014; Daxton's Father<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/11/lawdogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LawDogsUSA, Pit Bull Detection Dog Program, Shuts Down</a><br />
November 5, 2008; Dogsbite<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: tinos;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span></div>
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/04/record-33-fatal-pit-bull-attacks-459-disfigurements-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/31/pit-bulls-killed-24000-other-dogs-13000-cats-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> (Daxton's Friends)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
-->--><br />
--></div>
SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-62385606307851808842016-01-25T23:36:00.001+00:002016-02-10T02:10:38.571+00:00Michigan Legislators' Winter Reading List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote>
With the clock running out on the legislative session the representatives will soon decide several important issues. No issue is more controversial, nor more contentious, than Senate Bill 0239, the bill which prohibits Michigan municipalities from enacting public safety measures that restrict pit bulls.<br />
<br />
Michigan witnessed back-to-back fatal pit bull attacks on December 2nd and December 3rd, 2015. In the days following the attacks Michigan newspapers and editorial writers found their voice and published a series of opinions about the pending attempt to preempt local public safety laws. The advocates of fighting breeds will continue to press their cause but there is no doubt about where the majority stands on this issue.<br />
<br />
In the holiday rush Michigan's legislators may have lost track of the editorials. We have collected them here to remind the legislators of the resounding call for common sense public safety legislation.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * *</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Opinion Pieces:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/contributors/viewpoints/2015/12/20/viewpoint-pit-bull-crisis-growing-victims-need-help/77568712/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull crisis growing; victims need help</a><br />
by Joan Kowal<br />
December 20, 2015; Lansing State Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/12/15/laws-protect-pit-bulls-prevent-attacks/77349758/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laws to protect pit bulls would prevent attacks</a><br />
By Teresa Chagrin, PETA<br />
December 15, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://windsorstar.com/opinion/columnists/lessenberry-time-for-detroit-to-ban-pit-bulls" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Time for Detroit to ban pit bulls</a><br />
By Jack Lessenberry<br />
December 15, 2015; Windsor Star<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/12/14/pit-bull-attacks-racial-issue/77275196/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacks are not a racial issue</a><br />
by Joan Kowal<br />
December 13, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2015/12/11/pit-bull-type-dogs-place-civil-society/77193776/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull-type dogs have no place in civil society</a><br />
by Lori Welbourne<br />
December 11, 2015; Detroit News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/12/08/pit-bulls-never-meant-household-pets/76970208/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls were never meant to be household pets</a><br />
by Lori Welbourne<br />
December 8, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/rochelle-riley/2015/12/04/detroit-pit-bull-ban/76747706/">Detroit should adopt pit bull ban it didn't 9 years ago</a><br />
By Rochelle Riley<br />
December 5, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/12/let_local_laws_determine_how_t.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Let local laws determine how to reduce dog attacks, restrict breeds</a><br />
by Mia Johnson and Joan Kowal<br />
December 4, 2014; MLive<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: tinos; font-size: medium; font-style: normal;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Recent News :</i></span></div>
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/02/04/witness-woman-pulled-death-pit-bull/79824186/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman was pulled to her death by pit bull</a><br />
February 4, 2016; Detroit Free Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2016/01/26/pit-bulls-seen-near-lansing-school/79337048/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police shoot pit bull near Lansing school</a><br />
School was on brief lockdown<br />
January 26, 2016; Lansing State Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/owner-of-dog-in-washington-township-attack-identified" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owner of dog in Washington Township attack identified</a><br />
January 22, 2016; WDIV Detroit<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/articles/2016/01/12/news/doc56951a452002c361196110.txt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pet pit bull euthanized after attacking Clinton Township man</a><br />
January 12, 2016; Adviser and Source<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2016/01/07/man-bitten-dog-attack-owner-flees/78422978/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">‘Pit bull-type’ dog bites Macomb Co. man, owner flees</a><br />
January 8, 2016; Detroit News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.9and10news.com/story/30896538/detroit-city-council-urges-more-animal-control-resources" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit City Council urges more animal control resources</a><br />
January 6, 2016; 9&10 News<br />
<br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: tinos; font-size: medium; font-style: normal;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span></div>
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/04/record-33-fatal-pit-bull-attacks-459-disfigurements-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/31/pit-bulls-killed-24000-other-dogs-13000-cats-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> (Daxton's Friends)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-70703152858468338062016-01-05T22:06:00.000+00:002016-11-22T19:12:00.587+00:00Steve Croft: Pit Bull Entrepreneur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">[ NOTE: The list of Sources below includes news items concerning Steve Croft and Universal K9 of San Antonio. Also included is a list of pit bull attacks during the last months of 2015, the period Mr Croft's company has been in the news. Keep in mind that this extensive list represents only a few of the more notable pit bull attacks which occurred in Texas during this period. Comments are enabled for this post.]</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Corrections: January 6, 2016; 15:22 GMT<br />
Corrections: January 6, 2016; 19:38 GMT<br />
Revised: January 12, 2016; 21:40 GMT<br />
Correction: January 23, 2016; 19:34 GMT</span></div>
<br />
<br />
For some it is impossible to separate the term "pit bull" from the word "sweet." For others it is impossible to think of pit bulls without also thinking of unprovoked attacks on humans.<br />
<br />
Pit bulls provoke fierce responses. For some people pit bulls and money are so interrelated that it's difficult to think of pit bulls without thinking of them as a source of revenue.<br />
<br />
Historically, there are two ways of making money off of pit bulls: fighting them or breeding them for fighting. But during the last decade pit bull rescue has also become a significant revenue generator.<br />
<br />
Now an entrepreneur in San Antonio has devised yet another way to make money from pit bulls. It's quick, it's easy, and it requires little or no up-front capital investment.<br />
<br />
Steve Croft of Universal K9 in San Antonio scouts the Austin area shelters and is given his pick of the surplus pit bulls.<sup>1</sup> Mr Croft then transfers the pit bulls to police departments, most of them in small rural communities, claiming the pit bulls are trained K-9s. Mr Croft is reimbursed for his efforts by one of the country's most ardent deep-pocket pit bull advocacy groups, Animal Farm Foundation (AFF) of upstate New York.<br />
<br />
As part of the transaction he trains the new police handler, thereby creating another revenue stream. The handler comes to Texas, and Mr Croft is paid by the handler's employer. The training lasts 2 weeks, for which Mr Croft receives $2,500, according to news sources.<br />
<br />
The Animal Farm Foundation originally agreed to underwrite a program which funded five shelter pit bulls a year for Mr Croft. It appears the first pit bulls (under the AFF program) were placed with police departments in 2015.<br />
<br />
Now Mr Croft has added a new wrinkle to the formula. Mr Croft has discovered he can grow his revenue by selling his services directly on the open market, without involving the Animal Farm Foundation as an intermediary. Several towns have reportedly decided to buy discounted pit bull K-9s directly from Mr Croft.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
"Many legitimate police dog programs are being criticized . . . because of the proliferation of fraudulent trainers and handlers," wrote Daniel A Smith, the eminent Michigan K9 educator and trainer.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One of the biggest problems I saw were very short training periods for police dogs. There are agencies that are giving only five weeks of training to handler and dog and then putting them on the street.<sup>2</sup></blockquote>
Mr Croft claims that he can take shelter pit bulls, with unknown histories, train them in as little as four weeks, and produce K9s that are "just as good if not as good as the [purpose bred] dogs we buy from overseas." This stands in stark contrast to most K9 schools, which require twelve to sixteen weeks of K9 training before deployment.<br />
<br />
Mr Croft's training philosophy raises questions about the shelter pit bulls he claims to have trained as K9s:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We take back steps with them and we teach them that it's OK to be a dog, it's OK to jump here, it's OK to grab that ball and keep it for yourself," Croft said. "Once they understand that they don't need to have those manners and are able to do those things, then we put the control back into them . . . .<sup>3</sup></blockquote>
<i>Put the control back into them?</i> To say that Mr Croft's training methods are unorthodox is an understatement.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Search & Rescue/K9 Fraud</i></span><br />
<br />
Cheyenne, Dakota, and Tahoe were perhaps the most famous, most heroic pit bull Search and Rescue (SAR) K9 team of all time. The pit bull heroes and their handler, Kristine Rae Crawford, were allegedly asked by NASA to assist in the search following the shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003.<br />
<br />
Doubts began to surface about Crawford soon after the attack on the World Trade Center. Crawford subsequently pled guilty to charges of grand theft and embezzlement, and was eventually exposed in a 2006 ABC TV investigation.<sup>4</sup> Blogger Craven Desires has tracked Crawford's muddy trail and in 2013 published a major exposé, after which Crawford closed at least four of her 29 websites, a number of which included PayPal donation buttons. The aftershocks of Crawford's downfall rippled through the pit bull chatrooms for years.<sup>5</sup> Nonetheless, Dakota continues to be heralded as a pit bull hero on many pit bull advocacy sites, including Pit Bull Rescue Central.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R0TWRJm3bFWYdt9fY-VhyjIdjvZoaQ5AVHxi9ujPW_QNmj8OWbuYabuR_NFfDkI3b9TCzLSJtolye3TFToRWJsv5HX34ddD2_ZOUiiVoypUp39k4XpNk_hvnld24Eb_aOYk3_KmWUy19/s1600/TeamCrawford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R0TWRJm3bFWYdt9fY-VhyjIdjvZoaQ5AVHxi9ujPW_QNmj8OWbuYabuR_NFfDkI3b9TCzLSJtolye3TFToRWJsv5HX34ddD2_ZOUiiVoypUp39k4XpNk_hvnld24Eb_aOYk3_KmWUy19/s400/TeamCrawford.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheyenne, Dakota, and Tahoe in one of their pimped-out vehicles.<br />
Crawford also used an elaborately refitted emergency medical vehicle with flashers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Dakota may have been the most notorious fraudster claimed to have worked at Ground Zero, but the tragedy also attracted other unscrupulous SAR wannabees. Among those who were ultimately exposed were James Symington and his dog Trakr, and Sandra Anderson and her dog Eagle. The convictions of fraudulent K9 handlers such as Russell Lee Ebersole (2003) and Anderson (2004) brought additional attention to SAR/K9 fraudsters.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioziuGCYxsOmay0l8r-wjeBFSRBt0-Zt5VzX6Vhu0zTON29pk2LZnff9PoPPhdpQnQqoUFIPlAiQs4eAzN802K0ytvvj82jKZ8g2lLzTlx8dwgv-zFZggwj_7t84ujdJxA8ZC0vRH-tBVU/s1600/trakr_groundzero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioziuGCYxsOmay0l8r-wjeBFSRBt0-Zt5VzX6Vhu0zTON29pk2LZnff9PoPPhdpQnQqoUFIPlAiQs4eAzN802K0ytvvj82jKZ8g2lLzTlx8dwgv-zFZggwj_7t84ujdJxA8ZC0vRH-tBVU/s400/trakr_groundzero.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Symington and Trakr pose at Ground Zero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Steve Croft's Rescued Pit Bull K9s</i></span><br />
<br />
According to a recent article by the Dutch animal behaviorist Alexandra Semyonova, "Sales of pre-trained dogs to law enforcement agencies have mushroomed in recent decades, . . . especially by smaller agencies which previously could not afford to have canine units."<sup>6</sup> Mr Croft jumped on the bandwagon and has been trying to sell recycled shelter pit bulls to law enforcement agencies since at least 2013. The media, which apparently can't resist a pit bull hero story, has responded with friendly coverage for Croft. The Associated Press has been especially generous.<sup>7</sup><br />
<br />
Croft had little success placing pit bull K9s until he formed the partnership with Animal Farm Foundation. With their help he has now placed at least one pit bull K9 in a major city, Poughkeepsie NY. As it happens, Poughkeepsie is a short drive from AFF headquarters in Duchess County NY. Croft's partnership with AFF has inoculated him from charges of fraud.<br />
<br />
Mr. Croft may claim that his shelter pit bulls are every bit as good as a purpose-bred Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd K9, but the claim is fraudulent. We urge the US Police Canine Association and other reputable organizations to censure Mr Croft for his promotion of pit bull K9s. To allow pit bulls to proliferate among the ranks of well-trained, trusted K9s would seriously erode the public trust in a valued law enforcement asset.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> SRUV has not yet learned why Mr Croft makes the 75 mile trip to Austin for his pit bulls, rather than drawing them from one of San Antonio's shelters.<br />
<sup>2</sup> <a href="http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Patrol,%20Operations,%20Tactics/Fraudulent%20Use%20of%20Canines%20in%20Police%20Work.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fraudulent Use of Canines in Police Work</a><br />
b Daniel A Smith<br />
<sup>3</sup> <a href="http://www.ksat.com/news/local-company-trains-shelter-dogs-to-be-police-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Local company trains shelter dogs to be police dogs</a><br />
December 10, 2013; KSAT<br />
<sup>4</sup> <a href="http://www.10news.com/news/less-than-heroic-">Less Than Heroic?</a><br />
Dog Handler Accused Of Scamming Those Who Help Her<br />
December 12, 2006; KGTV ABC 10 San Diego<br />
<sup>5</sup> <a href="http://www.pitbulltalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3467">Pit Bull Talk</a>; <a href="http://docslide.us/documents/pit-bull-forum-kris-crawford-a-fraud.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Forum</a><br />
<sup>6</sup> <a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/05/police-dogs-should-be-trained-as-officers-not-equipment/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police dogs should be trained as officers, not equipment</a><br />
by Alexandra Semyonova; January 5, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<sup>7</sup> The media coverage was positive despite the fact that pit bulls killed 33 people in 2015, the fourth year in a row they have killed over 30 humans. In addition, in 2015 pit bulls maimed 459 people, or 1.25 people every day of the year. (See Statistics, below.) A forthcoming post will focus on David Klepper's laudatory AP article about Mr Croft's pit bull K9s, and about the AP's coverage of pit bulls in general.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>K9/SAR Resources:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://cravendesires.blogspot.de/2015/02/the-problem-with-pit-bull-service-dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Problem with Pit Bull Service Dogs</a> (and numerous other posts)<br />
February 12, 2015; Craven Desires<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/07/03/how-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-has-become-the-pit-bull-pushers-act/">How the Americans with Disabilities Act has become the “Pit Bull Pushers Act”</a><br />
July 3, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<br />
<a href="https://daxtonsfather.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/service-and-therapy-pit-bulls-that-turned-pit-bull/">Service and Therapy Pit Bulls that turned pit bull</a><br />
September 16, 2014; Daxton's Father<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/11/lawdogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LawDogsUSA, Pit Bull Detection Dog Program, Shuts Down</a><br />
November 5, 2008; Dogsbite<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>News Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2016/01/19/arlington-dog-loses-leg-in-brutal-attack-owner-wants-changes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arlington Dog Loses Leg In Brutal Attack, Owner Wants Changes</a><br />
January 19, 2016; CBS DFW<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Fort-Worth-Child-Recovering-After-Pit-Bull-Attack-365559861.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fort Worth Child Recovering After Pit Bull Attack</a><br />
January 16, 2016; NBC DFW 5 (update on late October attack)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Sheriff-s-Office-addresses-recent-pit-bull-attacks-250609.shtml#.VpwX8n0rLnA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Paso County Sheriff’s Office addresses recent pit bull attacks</a><br />
January 14, 2016; KFOX 14<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kgns.tv/home/headlines/Man-attacked-by-pitbull-in-San-Antonio-365367711.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man attacked by pitbull in San Antonio</a><br />
January 14, 2016; WGNS<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Pit-bull-in-Montana-Vista-mauls-neighbor-39-s-dogs-249036.shtml#.VpKEIX0rLnB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull in Montana Vista mauls neighbor's dogs</a><br />
January 7, 2016; KFOX 14<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>. . . I find it unfair that the dog jumped over and we have a closed area and it killed my dog and they’re not going to put him down.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Two-pit-bulls-attack-and-kill-neighbor-s-dogs-in-Canutillo-247448.shtml#.VonKKcYrLnA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Two pit bulls jump fence and kill five dogs in Canutillo</a><br />
January 3, 2016; KFOX 14<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>They called our neighbor to come get his dogs and they told us they just couldn't do anything.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAPD-officer-injured-while-saving-man-being-6699385.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SAPD officer injured while saving man being mauled by dogs on the South Side</a><br />
December 15, 2015; My San Antonio<br />
When Belver arrived, he found 39-year-old Abel Arias lying in a pool of blood with four to six pit bulls mauling him.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/-Texas-Officer-Kills-3-Dogs-to-Save-Man-From-Mauling-362381571.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/-Texas-Officer-Kills-3-Dogs-to-Save-Man-From-Mauling-362381571.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Texas Officer Shoots 3 Pit Bulls To Save Man From Mauling</a><br />
December 15, 2015; KWTX (San Antonio)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest-Southampton/133701/Southampton-Animal-Shelter-Raises-Funds-To-Send-Dog-To-Police-Training-School" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Southampton Animal Shelter Raises Funds To Send Dog To Police Training School</a><br />
December 15, 2015; Southampton Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/pit-bull-mix-joins-normangee-police-department-s-narcotics-detection/article_69d375bc-180c-55c3-afa4-51ac0d4b19e6.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mix joins Normangee Police Department's narcotics detection team</a><br />
December 12, 2015; The Eagle (Bryan College Station, TX)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest-Southampton/133443/Southampton-Animal-Shelter-Launches-GoFundMe-Campaign-To-Send-Dog-To-K9-Police-Training" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Southampton Animal Shelter Dog Set To Go To K9 Police School</a><br />
December 11, 2015; Southampton Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/caught-camera-beloved-pet-mauled-south-side-neighborhood-18058.shtml#.VnSolcYrLnA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caught on Camera: Beloved pet mauled in South Side neighborhood</a><br />
December 5, 2015; Fox 29<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.krgv.com/news/local-news/Dog-Owner-Facing-Hefty-Fines/36789690" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Owner Facing Hefty Fines</a><br />
Neighbor shoots dog after it attacked his dog<br />
December 3, 2015; KRGV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/682203/news/super-dog.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull named Kiah will be one of a few of her kind to take a spot on a police force helping to fight crime</a><br />
By David Klepper<br />
November 27, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.kcentv.com/story/30532857/troy-police-department-gets-new-k9-unit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Troy Police Department Gets New K9 Unit</a><br />
November 16, 2015; (Updated 12/16/2015) KCEN TV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ksat.com/news/woman-daughter-attacked-by-their-four-pit-bulls" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman, daughter attacked by their four pit bulls</a><br />
The woman suffered bites to her body, her daughter suffered a cut on her face<br />
November 13, 2015; ABC KSAT 12</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/675323/news-more/pit-bull-police-dog-defies-breeds-savage-stereotypes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull police dog defies breed’s savage stereotypes</a><br />
By David Klepper<br />
November 13, 2015; Albuquerque Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theeagle.com/news/crime/bryan-officers-save-man-from-pitbull-attack/article_baca23c8-82b6-11e5-94ca-ef8c5eba55b6.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bryan officers save man from pitbull attack</a><br />
November 4, 2015; The Eagle<br />
<a href="http://www.click2houston.com/news/deputy-shoots-kills-pit-bull-after-dog-attacks-him-hcso-says" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.click2houston.com/news/deputy-shoots-kills-pit-bull-after-dog-attacks-him-hcso-says" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deputy shoots, kills pit bull after dog attacks him, HCSO says</a><br />
Pit bull was 1 of 3 dogs that bit women, 2 men<br />
October 26, 2015; Click2Houston<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.akc.org/news/abandoned-dog-now-k9/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This dog was once abandoned but you won't believe where she is now.</a><br />
October 21, 2015; American Kennel Club<br />
<a href="http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/nation/2015/10/21/dog-mauled-by-same-pit-bulls-who-killed-boy/74332454/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/nation/2015/10/21/dog-mauled-by-same-pit-bulls-who-killed-boy/74332454/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman's dog mauled by same pit bulls who killed Texas boy</a><br />
October 21, 2015; WMAZ 13<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">FATAL PIT BULL ATTACK</span><br />
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/texas-boy-5-mauled-death-pit-bulls-police-article-1.2403782" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Texas boy, 5, mauled to death by two pit bulls at home of family friend</a><br />
October 20, 2015; NY Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ksat.com/news/local-business-training-shelter-dogs-to-be-k9-units" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Local business training shelter dogs to be K-9 units</a><br />
Universal K-9 giving shelter dogs second chance<br />
October 2, 2015; KSAT 12 ABC<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ksat.com/news/two-pit-bulls-attack-men-in-two-separate-west-side-incidents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Two pit bulls attack men in two separate West Side incidents</a><br />
One pit bull captured, one still on the loose<br />
August 15, 2015; KSAT ABC 12</div>
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Born-to-protect-and-serve-6441428.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Born to Protect and Serve</a></div>
<div>
August 12, 2015; San Antonio Express-News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/06/2-pit-bulls-attack-woman-in-texas-driveway/13699231/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 pit bulls attack woman in Texas driveway</a><br />
August 6, 2015; USA Today<br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc13.com/news/dog-attack-in-sw-houston-sends-woman-girl-to-hospital/903293/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Attack in SW Houston Sends Woman, Girl to Hospital</a><br />
August 4, 2015; ABC Eyewitness News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc13.com/news/terrier-dies-protecting-children-from-pit-bull-attack/854463/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[Boston]Terrier Dies Protecting Children From Pit Bull Attack</a><br />
July 15, 2015; ABC 13 Eyewitness News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kvue.com/story/news/investigations/defenders/2015/07/09/dog-mauling-victim-blames-city-company-for-attack/29923881/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog mauling victim blames city, company for attack</a><br />
July 10, 2015; KVUE ABC<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">AUDIO INTERVIEW W/ STEVE CROFT</span><br />
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/07/from-shelter-to-k9-unit-group-gives-dogs-second-chance-and-a-duty/"> From Shelter to K9 Unit: Group Gives Dogs Second Chance and a Duty</a><br />
"We thank Brad for writing us a letter about his dogs"<br />
July 7, 2015; ABC News<br />
<a href="http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/06/12/woman-injured-dog-dead-after-4-pitbulls-attack-them-in-kyle/71136378/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/06/12/woman-injured-dog-dead-after-4-pitbulls-attack-them-in-kyle/71136378/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman injured, dog dead after 4 pit bulls attack them in Kyle</a><br />
June 12, 2015; KVUE<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.news-journal.com/news/2015/jun/05/longview-woman-charged-pit-bull-attacks-cited-dogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Longview woman charged in pit bull attacks cited for dogs</a><br />
June 5, 2015; Longview News-Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/06/01/513382/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Couple And Pet Survive Dog Attack, Want Pitbull-Mix Punished</a><br />
June 1, 2015; CBS DFW<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/3/stray-off-the-streets-is-rock-star-for-police/?page=all" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray off the streets is ‘rock star’ for police</a><br />
May 3, 2015; Washington Times<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/if-a-pit-bull-attacks-my-dogs-or-me-will-i-be-prosecuted-if-i-shoot-the-damn-thing-7182096" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If A Pit Bull Attacks My Dog -- Or Me -- Will I Be Prosecuted If I Shoot The Damn Thing?</a><br />
April 24, 2015; Dallas Observer<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20150422-as-family-mourns-propaganda-hides-danger-of-pit-bull-attacks.ece" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">As Family Mourns, Propaganda Hides Danger of Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
April 23, 2015; Dallas News<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: #660000;">FATAL ATTACK</span><br />
<a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/04/20/infant-killed-in-pit-bull-attack-in-dallas/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Infant Killed In Pit Bull Attack In Dallas</a><br />
April 20, 2015; CBS DFW<br />
<a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-man-honored-for-rescuing-woman-in-pit-6169196.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-man-honored-for-rescuing-woman-in-pit-6169196.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Houston man honored for rescuing woman in pit bull attack</a><br />
March 30, 2015; Houston Chronicle<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/03/06/austin-pets-alive-pit-bulls-training-to-become-police-k-9s/24532899/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Austin Pets Alive pit bulls training to become police K-9s</a><br />
March 6, 2015; KVUE ABC<br />
<br />
[For Texas pit bull attacks during the first half of 2015, see <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/07/cities-of-strays.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cities of Strays</a>]</div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2016/01/04/record-33-fatal-pit-bull-attacks-459-disfigurements-in-2015/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> (Daxton's Friends)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-12483117414933442822015-12-13T16:15:00.002+00:002016-12-14T17:39:09.662+00:00Port Huron Official Blames the Victim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: December 13, 2015; 20: 44 GMT<br />
Revised: December 14, 2015; 20:15 GMT</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"She climbed the fence and jumped in and basically subjected herself to the attacks, which constitutes a purposeful act."</i><br />
<br />
-- Dr Ljubisa Dragovic<br />
Chief Medical Examiner, Oakland County</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNLPIG4bUW1V1RfsOXLRVdYVEKwDr9ZuFr4VGFgprfhRBYkU1_gnrdx_PtFfEXSmkJG5suKpM6WZUVGoRn1Jw4KJVtO18GDz-fEoktdOgCpWNrT6Q6rNiURWsyDGY9gJ-APciPmYBy2qe/s1600/rebecca+hardy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNLPIG4bUW1V1RfsOXLRVdYVEKwDr9ZuFr4VGFgprfhRBYkU1_gnrdx_PtFfEXSmkJG5suKpM6WZUVGoRn1Jw4KJVtO18GDz-fEoktdOgCpWNrT6Q6rNiURWsyDGY9gJ-APciPmYBy2qe/s400/rebecca+hardy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca Hardy, d. December 3, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On Wednesday, December 2, 4-year old Xavier Strickland was pulled from his mother's arms and mauled before her eyes by four pit bulls on Detroit's West Side. "They just ate him," said his mother later. On the following day 22-year old Rebecca Hardy was mauled to death in a Port Huron back yard.<br />
<br />
There are few questions about the attack on Xavier; Geneke Lyons, the dogs' owner, has been charged with 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, and possessing dangerous animals causing death.<br />
<br />
But no one saw Rebecca Hardy wander into a neighbor's fenced yard as evening was falling the next day. She may have been distraught. She may have been tipsy, disoriented, or simply thoughtless. She may have wanted companionship from what she took to be companionable dogs. She may have wanted a moment's respite from a difficult life. Whatever she was thinking, she entered the wrong back yard and was killed.<br />
<br />
Because Rebecca's life was young and unsettled, her terrible death has been exposed to public scrutiny.<br />
<br />
We do not know why Rebecca climbed over the fence (if she did), and neither does Dr Dragovic. But in statements made to the press the doctor referred to her death as a suicide. A British newspaper has labeled Dr Dragovic's statements "bizarre".<sup>1, 2</sup><br />
<br />
Dr Dragovic claims to understand Rebecca's motives at the moment she entered the dog's back yard, even though she left no note and told no one. Somehow Dr Dragovic knows what the the 22-year old mother was thinking when she climbed over the fence. Dr Dragovic officially determined that Rebecca wanted the dogs to kill her by mauling her to death. There must be countless ways to commit suicide; choosing to have your body ripped apart by dogs must be the most horrifying and painful ways to accomplish it. People who want to end their lives do not choose to be eaten alive.<br />
<br />
A neighbor noted that the dogs often ran free and were troublesome. Many believe that Rebecca could have been killed by pit bulls that escaped and pulled her back into their yard, under or through the poorly maintained fence, as happened the previous day to Xavier.<sup>3</sup><br />
<br />
Moveover, Dr Dragovic revealed elements of Rebecca's personal medical history to journalists. Who then published it. Dr. Dragovic broke a cardinal rule of the medical profession. He exposed private medical records to the scrutiny of the public.<br />
<br />
It has been a long process but decades ago we learned to not blame victims of rape for being victims of rape. Victims of domestic abuse are often still blamed for being victimized. Now Dr Dragovic has added a new class of victims to those who are held accountable: victims of fatal pit bull attacks.<br />
<br />
Only a thorough investigation will satisfy the public. Dr Dragovic should be censored by the Michigan Board of Medical Examiners and the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners. A public apology is also in order.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Postscript:</i></span><br />
2015 marks the fourth consecutive year in which pit bulls have been involved in at least 30 human fatalities. Two of those deaths occurred on successive days this month in Michigan. The Michigan House of Representatives is currently considering a bill which would preempt Breed Specific Legislation in the state. Legislators who are closest to the fire often fail to recognize the cause of the fire, and the bill to preempt BSL may pass. Senate bill 239, a bill written to protect dangerous dogs, has been heavily promoted by pit bull advocacy groups. The results of the vote will not alter the groundswell of public opinion favoring public safety protections from pit bulls.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Opinion:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/contributors/viewpoints/2015/12/20/viewpoint-pit-bull-crisis-growing-victims-need-help/77568712/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull crisis growing; victims need help</a><br />
by Joan Kowal<br />
December 20, 2015; Lansing State Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/12/15/laws-protect-pit-bulls-prevent-attacks/77349758/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laws to protect pit bulls would prevent attacks</a><br />
By Teresa Chagrin, PETA<br />
December 15, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://windsorstar.com/opinion/columnists/lessenberry-time-for-detroit-to-ban-pit-bulls" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Time for Detroit to ban pit bulls</a><br />
By Jack Lessenberry <br />
December 15, 2015; Windsor Star<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/12/14/pit-bull-attacks-racial-issue/77275196/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacks are not a racial issue</a><br />
by Joan Kowal<br />
December 13, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2015/12/11/pit-bull-type-dogs-place-civil-society/77193776/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull-type dogs have no place in civil society</a><br />
by Lori Welbourne<br />
December 11, 2015; Detroit News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/12/08/pit-bulls-never-meant-household-pets/76970208/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls were never meant to be household pets</a><br />
by Lori Welbourne<br />
December 8, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/rochelle-riley/2015/12/04/detroit-pit-bull-ban/76747706/">Detroit should adopt pit bull ban it didn't 9 years ago</a><br />
By Rochelle Riley<br />
December 5, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/12/let_local_laws_determine_how_t.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Let local laws determine how to reduce dog attacks, restrict breeds</a><br />
by Mia Johnson and Joan Kowal<br />
December 4, 2014; MLive<br />
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3354472/Death-mother-22-mauled-pit-bull-attack-bizarrely-ruled-SUICIDE-grieving-fiance-sticks-breed.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Death of mother, 22, who was mauled in pit bull attack is bizarrely ruled a SUICIDE as medical examiner says she climbed into their enclosure on purpose to get mauled</a>; December 10, 2015; Daily Mail<br />
<sup>2</sup> Correction: Dr Dragovic's finding that Rebecca Hardy's death was suicide may, in a clinical sense, be accurate. In a purely forensic sense, <i>suicide means simply that the death was not of natural cause, occurred through the actions of the victim, and no one else caused it to occur.</i> However, Dr Dragovic also refers to Ms Hardy's motivations, which none of us are privy to. His public announcements are misleading, inflammatory, and caused unnecessary pain for Ms Hardy's family. Moreover, they have exacerbated a highly sensitive issue.<br />
<sup>3</sup> <a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/12/14/pit-bull-attacks-racial-issue/77275196/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull attacks are not a racial issue</a>, Times Herald, December 13, 2015<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/12/michigan_state_police_k-9_reco.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bullet grazes Michigan State Police dog as troopers stop pit bull attack</a><br />
December 15, 2015; MLive<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.michigansthumb.com/news/local/article_a9716592-9f39-11e5-8e5d-17c89b12320e.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Officials say dog attack is suicide</a><br />
December 10, 2015; Port Huron Daily Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2015/12/michigan_womans_mauling_death.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michigan woman's mauling death from pit bulls' attack ruled a suicide</a><br />
December 10, 2015; Cleveland.com<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/56753083-story" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family of woman killed in dog attack says it was not suicide</a><br />
December 9, 2015; Fox2 News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/12/09/port-huron-dog-mauling-victims-death-ruled-suicide/77034274/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mother mauled by dogs had history of suicide attempts</a><br />
December 9, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2015/12/09/port-huron-dog-mauling-victims-death-ruled-suicide/77031710/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman subjected herself to dog attack</a><br />
December 9, 2015; Port Huron Times Herald<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">FATAL PIT BULL ATTACK</span><br />
<a href="http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/13799/for_2nd_time_this_week_local_person_dies_in_pit_bull_attack#.VmLytVWrTnA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attack Is 2nd This Week</a><br />
December 4, 2015; Deadline Detroit<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3346289/Woman-22-dies-pit-bull-attack-backyard-Michigan-home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman, 22, dies from pit bull attack after she was found in backyard of home with extensive injuries to her face and neck</a><br />
December 4, 2015; Daily Mail<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">FATAL PIT BULL ATTACK</span><br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/12/03/owner-pit-bulls-deadly-attack-still-custody/76714712/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">‘They just ate him,’ mom says about dog attack on son</a><br />
December 4, 2015; Detroit News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article_548905c4-9ad1-11e5-8c3c-5f29e4b49945.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North Huron grad dies from injuries after pit bull attack in Port Huron</a><br />
December 4, 2015; Huron Daily Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2015/11/man_attacked_by_his_pit_bull_m.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man attacked by his pit bull mix, had severe facial, head injuries</a><br />
November 28, 2015; MLive<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/51826896-story">Yorkie killed in dog attack, animal control officer threatened</a><br />
November 19, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hastingsbanner.com/city-asked-to-reconsider-eliminating-breedspecific-dog-ordinance-p8192-84.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City asked to reconsider eliminating breed-specific dog ordinance</a><br />
November 12, 2015; Hastings Banner<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/sheriff-pit-bull-kills-yorkie/article_e3b1a854-4ee3-58bd-9387-2734cfe907d6.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheriff: pit bull kills Yorkie</a><br />
November 11, 2015; Traverse City Record-Eagle<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/canton/2015/11/09/canton-pitbulls-attack-dog/75479072/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog fight ends with hound mix dead, man injured</a><br />
November 9, 2015; Hometown Life<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thenewsherald.com/articles/2015/11/06/news/doc563c0d46e42ea036913064.txt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boy bitten by 2 pit bulls; Dogs reportedly got loose during fight</a><br />
November 6, 2015; The News Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/pit-bull-rehab-former-fighting-dogs-find-homes-in-detroit-1.3285785" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull rehab: Former fighting dogs find homes in Detroit</a><br />
October 24, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2015/10/amid_criticism_detroit_animal.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amid criticism, Detroit Animal Control makes effort to save more dogs' lives</a><br />
October 20, 2015; MLive<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/31-pitbull-type-dogs-seized-276-charges-pending-in-alleged-dog-fighting-ring-1.3269993" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">31 'pitbull-type' dogs seized, 276 charges pending in alleged dog-fighting ring</a><br />
October 14, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2yearold-boy-bitten-by-pit-bull-in-detroit/35515728" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2-year-old boy bitten by pit bull in Detroit</a><br />
September 27, 2015; ClickonDetroit<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/south-lyon/2015/09/21/pit-bulls-bites-owner-kills-another-dog/72562480/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police remove pit bull after it bites owner, kills dog</a><br />
September 21, 2015; HomeTownLife<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2015/09/pit_bull_euthanized_as_two_chi.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl requires plastic surgery, up to 75 stitches following pitbull attack</a><br />
September 16, 2015; Jackson Citizen-Patriot<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2015/09/11/news/doc55f2ce06a3c2c907758877.txt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull to be euthanized after attacking two dogs, killing one</a><br />
September 11, 2015; News Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/09/10/pit-bull-killed-after-attacking-lawn-service-employee/72025496/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull killed after attacking lawn service employee</a><br />
September 10, 2015; Lansing State Journal<br />
<br />
(September 2, 2015; unreported attack on Alecia Finch covered on Sept 16)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150831/oakland-county-sheriffs-office-pit-bull-seized-after-biting-deputy-in-pontiac" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oakland County Sheriff’s Office: Pit bull seized after biting deputy in Pontiac</a><br />
August 31, 2015; Oakland Press News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/08/suspects_pit_bull_attacks_sher.html#comments" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Suspect's pit bull attacks Sheriff K-9 during arrest</a><br />
August 13, 2015; MLive<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/6022358-story" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Parents speak out day after daughter is mauled by neighbor's dog</a><br />
August 8, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit WJBK<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2015/08/08/dog-bite-girl-warren-pitbull/31353247/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl, 9, bit by pitbull-type dog, Warren police say</a><br />
August 8, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/29741144/9-year-old-attacked-by-pit-bull-in-warren" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">9-year-old attacked by pit bull in Warren</a><br />
August 7, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit WJBK<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2015/08/07/warren-police-girl-injured-pit-bull-attack/31327885/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl, 9, injured in pit bull attack</a><br />
August 7, 2015; Detroit News<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-33160398556710582062015-12-06T21:26:00.000+00:002015-12-12T04:45:57.529+00:00Should Pit Bulls Be Trained As Police K9s?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: December 7, 2015; 17:14 GMT<br />
Revised: December 8, 2015; 02:41 GMT</span></div>
<br />
<br />
Kiah, a pit bull rescued from an Austin animal shelter, has been accepted as the new K9 officer by the Poughkeepsie NY police department. According to the Associated Press article by David Klepper, Kiah will be used to detect drugs and track missing people.<br />
<br />
Brad Croft of San Antonio-based Universal K9 was paid by the Animal Farm Foundation to facilitate the transfer of Kiah from an Austin animal shelter to the Poughkeepsie Police Department. "The breed isn't important" for a police K9, said Mr. Croft.<br />
<br />
Mr Croft is dead wrong.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The feats of scent tracking dogs have become legendary. A bloodhound named Nick Carter is frequently cited as the archetype of the trailing bloodhound. Born in 1900, Nick Carter was owned and handled by Captain G.V. Mullikin of Lexington, Kentucky; he is credited with more than 650 finds, including one that required him to follow a trail 300 hours old (12 days). Sleuth hounds are known to have been used as early as 1307, when the English pursued the Scottish patriot Robert the Bruce.<br />
<br />
K9 training is a rigorous, time-consuming and comprehensive process for both the dog and the handler. K9 candidates begin training as early as 10 weeks of age. Obedience training is essential for the dog's safety, for maintaining order at staging areas, for professionalism in law enforcement, and for providing good relations with the public.<br />
<br />
Trainees also require socialization and agility training 2 to 5 times a week with each session lasting from 10 to 60 minutes. Scent training for Search and Rescue (SAR) K9 candidates takes place 3 to 7 times per week for 5 to 30 minutes. Scent training frequency decreases over time to 3-5 times/week but the length of each session increases to 20–60 minutes per session.<br />
<br />
The pit bull Kiah's early training is unknown, but it is most unlikely that she received obedience training in the months or years before she came to the Austin shelter. Mr Klepper does not tell us how long Kiah trained for her position with Poughkeepsie's K9 unit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDGcX_n9lx_ZhU2xQoRgcuqRdEolySTWzUPZh5hBk6i0Fg1N708yMDKxaO5I0dGxA1hQf2eNdmEjl5kEyH37M5l7WmvdETEo-n_UqTmnQrbHbE28fhg1rQEt5VaPjMijtah9X0aFOHstQ/s1600/hansen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDGcX_n9lx_ZhU2xQoRgcuqRdEolySTWzUPZh5hBk6i0Fg1N708yMDKxaO5I0dGxA1hQf2eNdmEjl5kEyH37M5l7WmvdETEo-n_UqTmnQrbHbE28fhg1rQEt5VaPjMijtah9X0aFOHstQ/s400/hansen.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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Statue of Hansen, the 7-yo Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero. In 2011 the original statue in Lindenhurst, Long Island, was vandalized beyond repair. The rebuilt memorial was re-dedicated on the tenth anniversary of 9/11.</div>
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Hansen died in 2004 at the age of eleven.</div>
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In the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs like Apollo (German Shepherd), Bretagne (Golden Retriever), and Jake (Black Labrador), among hundreds of other dogs, worked 12 to 18 hour shifts under hazardous conditions. Dogs selected as police K9s, SAR, or scent tracking dogs must be capable of working without interruption under harsh conditions until their task is completed. As described below, these dogs must be friendly while also being high drive dogs:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Although most SAR dogs belong to working, herding, retrieving, or sporting breeds, dogs of numerous breeds, including mixed breeds, can be successful in SAR work. Important characteristics in a potential SAR dog are termed hunt drive, prey drive, and ball drive. A dog with high hunt drive will search for a hidden toy for prolonged periods without giving up or turning to the handler for assistance. A dog with high prey drive enjoys the chase and will enthusiastically pursue a person who runs away to hide or chase a toy that is dragged behind a handler. A dog with high ball drive is one in which a toy is extremely important, and the dog will play with and pursue the toy to the exclusion of any distractions. These qualities help predict the willingness and ability of a dog to search unendingly for a victim until he or she is found.<sup>1</sup></blockquote>
The distinction between hunt, prey, and ball drive, as described above, requires close scrutiny when considering pit bulls as K9s. Greyhounds have a high prey drive -- for rabbits and other small furry creatures; otherwise they are indolent and extraordinarily gentle dogs, until they race. Rat Terriers have a high prey drive -- for rats. But the prey drive associated with pit bulls, otherwise known to aficionados of the breed as <i>gameness</i>, is erratic. Prey drive in pit bulls is meant to be directed toward killing other dogs in a fighting pit, but is too often misdirected toward our More Vulnerable Animal Companions, or worse, toward a human. There is no evidence that the pit bull's prey drive, i.e. gameness, is a trait that can be put to use in a positive way. It is impossible to understand how a dog with this kind of prey drive would be a suitable candidate for police work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EVAoH5ifcR0Pok2C52JeSjFMbnjPa_sYPOqdo-S9LYiMZGOlZ_i1P1smlf3RzKPRVyqwd1pW-lpXTFhCwwNrTD3SNIpEVSx9EjDe7tlEX5_3wlTcTTb6pBJZMpG_gHLRiBD7mJjMSyFR/s1600/Sirius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EVAoH5ifcR0Pok2C52JeSjFMbnjPa_sYPOqdo-S9LYiMZGOlZ_i1P1smlf3RzKPRVyqwd1pW-lpXTFhCwwNrTD3SNIpEVSx9EjDe7tlEX5_3wlTcTTb6pBJZMpG_gHLRiBD7mJjMSyFR/s320/Sirius.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sirius d. September 11, 2001<br />
Sirius and Sgt David Lim served as the Explosive Detector Team for the World Trade Center.</td></tr>
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<br />
In addition to the innate problematic behavioral characteristics of the pit bull, there are physiological characteristics that make pit bulls unlikely candidates for tracking or trailing dogs. Detection, sniffing, and SAR dogs depend on an extraordinary sense of smell.<br />
<br />
A recent study states that "the phenotypic difference among breeds in scenting ability may be a function of differences in available olfactory epithelial surface area."<sup>2 </sup>In other words, brachycephalic breeds -- dogs which have been bred with shorter muzzles -- have a smaller olfactory epithelial surface area.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Click images to enlarge.]</span></div>
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Recent studies show that breeding for short muzzles has a cascading negative effect on a breed's sense of smell. Not only is there less olfactory surface area, but the olfactory lobe in the brain itself has diminished capacity:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The dogs with the shortest skulls—such as the pit bull and Akita showed significant brain reorganization. It was found that when selective breeding by humans shortened the snouts of certain dog breeds, it also morphed their brains to compensate. The whole brain was shown to have rotated thus relocating the olfactory lobe towards the bottom of the skull. This has sacrificed the sensitivity of some breeds sense of smell somewhat and it is for this reason that bulldogs are no good at tracking!<br />
<a href="http://www.balancebehaviour.org/blah-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Balance Behaviour</a>, 19 Savile St, Emley, HD8 9RX UK</blockquote>
The <i>Chien de Saint-Hubert,</i> the likely ancestor of the bloodhound, was first bred in 1000 AD by monks at the Saint-Hubert Monastery in Belgium. In the ensuing millennium breeders have been selecting for ever better scent trailing dogs. The pit bull, on the other hand, was bred during recent centuries as a fighting breed, with negative consequences for the breed's sense of smell.<br />
<br />
It is difficult to understand why any police department would knowingly choose as a "sniffing" dog a breed known to have diminished capacity,<br />
<br />
It is impossible to understand why Poughkeepsie would accept the risk of using a pit bull, the type of dog known to have killed roughly 30 humans a year over the last five years, when there are numerous breeds which excel at K9 work without the enormous risks associated with pit bulls.<br />
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Poughkeepsie's decision to accept Kiah as a K9 is a disgraceful public relations gimmick by the Animal Farm Foundation.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> <a href="https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Documents/javma_225_6_854.pdf">Search-and-rescue dogs: an overview for veterinarians</a><br />
By Katherine E. Jones, et al.<br />
JAVMA, Vol 225, No. 6, September 15, 2004<br />
<sup>2</sup> op. cit.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The vomero nasal illustrations for both the German Shepherd and the Pit Bull are based on the diagram found in <a href="https://hikarufan1.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_section_through_head_of_a_dog.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Anatomy and Physiology of Animals</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the second post in a series about Poughkeepsie's pit bull K9. See also the first post, <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/11/poughkeepsies-new-k-9.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Poughkeepsie's New K9</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2ddc7e4b54064a45931ec001f23045c8/pit-bull-police-dog-defies-breeds-savage-stereotypes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull police dog defies breed's savage stereotypes</a><br />
by David Klepper<br />
November 13, 2015; Associated Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rescued-pit-bulls-fight-stigma-guiding-people-174449009.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need</a><br />
by Sue Manning<br />
February 11, 2015; Associated Press<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>See Also:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/p/legitimate-organizations-dealing-with.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">K9 & Service Dog Resources</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Useful Wikipedia Pages:</i></span><br />
[Note: Pit Bull advocates have infiltrated numerous Wikipedia pages, including some of the following.]<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_and_rescue_dog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Search and Rescue</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detection_dog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detection (Sniffer) Dogs</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosework" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nosework</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracking_(dog)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tracking Dogs</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_dog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police Dog</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleuth_hound" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sleuth Hound</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodhound" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bloodhound</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">K9</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Resources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://cravendesires.blogspot.de/2015/02/the-problem-with-pit-bull-service-dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Problem with Pit Bull Service Dogs</a><br />
February 12, 2015; Craven Desires<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/07/03/how-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-has-become-the-pit-bull-pushers-act/">How the Americans with Disabilities Act has become the “Pit Bull Pushers Act”</a><br />
July 3, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<br />
<a href="https://daxtonsfather.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/service-and-therapy-pit-bulls-that-turned-pit-bull/">Service and Therapy Pit Bulls that turned pit bull</a><br />
September 16, 2014; Daxton's Father<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/11/lawdogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LawDogsUSA, Pit Bull Detection Dog Program, Shuts Down</a><br />
November 5, 2008; Dogsbite<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Recent NY Fatal Pit Bull Attacks:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.wktv.com/news/Infant_dies_following_dog_mauling_in_Deansboro.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Infant dies following dog mauling in Deansboro</a><br />
November 16, 2015; WKTV<br />
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/pit-bull-kills-9-year-old-girl-long-island-article-1.2427746" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mauls 9-year-old girl to death on Long Island</a><br />
November 9, 2016; New York Daily News<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-57217271768806509502015-11-24T22:08:00.001+00:002015-11-30T17:10:37.423+00:00St Louis Public Radio: II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Following our post of November 12 (<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/11/st-louis-public-radio_12.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St Louis Public Radio</a>), SRUV corresponded with the producers and editors of KWMU. That correspondence is published below, slightly edited for clarity. </i></blockquote>
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<br />
Dear KWMU,<br />
<br />
"St Louis Public Radio," our post responding to Don Marsh's interview with Ledy VanKavage, continues to rank among our most popular articles two weeks after publication. It has struck a nerve with victim's advocates across the country.<br />
<br />
KWMU is not alone in advocating for fighting breeds; many radio and TV stations and newspapers have been charmed or bullied into giving pit bull advocates free advertising. <br />
<br />
FoxNews 2 (Detroit) is one example. For years they repeatedly invited advocates of fighting breeds onto their programs, thereby providing a forum for these advocates to alter the public perception of pit bulls. At the same time the station declined to publish news of pit bull attacks. This was happening at the same time that attacks by pit bulls were escalating, more and more pit bulls were euthanized in shelters, and more and more pit bulls were abandoned to run loose as strays in Detroit. These are the symptoms of dysfunctional pit bull advocacy.<br />
<br />
SRUV wrote a series of posts reporting on the imbalanced coverage provided by FoxNews2, and the channel responded. Fox has since stopped inviting the advocates onto the shows and has belatedly begun to carry news of pit bull attacks. Fox recently broke the story of a pit bull attack which killed a companion animal, and the ensuing bullying of Animal Control Officers by local pit bull advocacy groups.<sup>1</sup> FoxNews2 is to be commended for their fair and balanced reporting on this case.<br />
<br />
There have been over twenty fatal pit bull attacks this year, and dozens of additional pit bull attacks which maimed or disfigured humans. There have been hundreds of fatal attacks on our More Vulnerable Animal Companions (see <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-many-companion-animals-were-killed.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How Many Companion Animals Were Killed In 2014?</a>).<br />
<br />
In our post we asked that KWMU grant equal coverage to victim's of pit bull attacks, so these attacks will become part of the public knowledge base. KWMU has yet to respond to that request. <br />
<br />
We are taking this opportunity to renew the request that KWMU provide equal time to advocates for victims of pit bull attacks. We will gladly provide contact information at your request.<br />
<br />
The Editors, SRUV<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dear Editors of SRUV:<br />
<br />
Thank you for contacting St. Louis Public Radio. We have received your messages. If we do follow-up programming on our talk program concerning pit bulls we will keep your group in mind.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Alex Heuer<br />
Producer, “St. Louis on the Air” and “Cityscape”<br />
St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU<br />
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<br />
To Alex Heuer:<br />
<br />
You have seriously misread our letter, which was written as a courtesy to you and your colleagues at KWMU. <br />
<br />
We did not ask that you "keep our group in mind;" -- that is dismissive boilerplate language and it is insulting. We did not request a spot on your program nor do we want one; we have our own means of reaching the animal welfare community.<br />
<br />
Our letter was to ask you and your colleagues to consider a fundamental change to your programming: to provide equal time for victims of pit bull attacks, as your recent programming is seen by many as tantamount to advocacy for fighting breeds.<br />
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The FCC eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 but public radio stations might still be expected to program in the public interest. Should you decide to offer equal time to victims of fighting breeds, rather than advocating for the breed that attacked them, we will be pleased to suggest contacts.<br />
<br />
The Editors<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Note:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> <a href="http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/51826896-story">Yorkie killed in dog attack, animal control officer threatened</a><br />
November 19, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Source:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/pit-bulls-and-breed-discriminatory-laws-following-vick-s-dog-fighting-conviction-what-has" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls and breed-discriminatory laws: Following Vick’s dog-fighting conviction, what has changed?</a><br />
November 4, 2015; 90.7 KWMU<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Resources for Victims of Pit Bull Attacks:</i></span><br />
National Pit Bull Victim Awareness: <a href="http://www.nationalpitbullvictimawareness.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Web</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalPitBullVictimAwareness/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FaceBook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daxton's Friends</a><br />
<a href="http://www.banpitbulls.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ban Pit Bulls</a>, and many others<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
<br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-41798465058175964312015-11-16T16:45:00.000+00:002015-12-06T17:31:44.822+00:00Poughkeepsie's New K9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: November 17, 2015; 14:45 GMT</span></div>
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The Poughkeepsie NY police department has a new K-9 service dog. Cities customarily pay as much as $15,000 for a fully trained K-9, but Poughkeepsie's new canine officer comes with all costs paid.<br />
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The evaluation and selection of the dog, the transportation, boarding, and lengthy training will all be paid for by an angel. What's not to like?<br />
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For decades German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois have been the breeds of choice as police and military dogs. Other breeds such as retrievers or Border Collies are trained as bomb or narcotics sniffers, or to recover cadavers, lost children or hikers. Poughkeepsie's new officer, Kiah, will be used as a "sniffer," used to detect drugs and track missing people.<br />
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Kiah is a pit bull. George Carlson, the Ulster County sheriff's deputy who trained Kiah, said Kiah is the only pit bull police dog that he's heard of on the East Coast.<br />
<br />
Taking Kiah from a shelter in Texas and placing her as a K9 in New York was a joint project involving Austin Pets Alive!, San Antonio-based Universal K9, and the Animal Farm Foundation. Brad Croft of Universal K9 claims he has placed "about" 10 pit bulls with law enforcement agencies around the country.<sup>1</sup> He then adds, <i>There are two dogs that really stand out right now</i>, Libby with the Montgomery County, TX Constables and Ruby with the Chattahoochee Hills Police Department in Georgia.<br />
<br />
Images provided for Libby and Ruby are informal poses with their handlers in front of police cruisers. It is not clear if these two dogs are official members of their respective law enforcement agencies, or if they are unofficial sidekicks.<br />
<br />
It appears that Mr Croft has found a way to grow his revenue: take a pit bull from a shelter and find a police department willing to accept it, either officially or unofficially. Animal Farm Foundation generously covers all costs through its pit bull giveaway, er . . . , grant program. Mr Croft's company receives remuneration for services rendered. The appeal to cash-strapped police departments is undeniable. Have the cities and police departments considered the implications of accepting the gift of a fighting breed so that Animal Farm can raise the breed profile?<br />
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The attempt to place pit bulls as K-9s is relatively recent but has already provided an extensive literature. In 2008 Dogsbite reported on the closure of the abortive LawDogs program, which attempted to train rescued pit bulls for police work. In September, 2014 the website DaxtonsFather compiled a catalog of service and therapy pit bulls involved in attacks.<br />
<br />
In February 2015, blogger Dawn James published an expose on the Craven Desires blog. The post begins by describing the collapse of several organizations attempting to place pit bulls as service dogs, including <i>Pit Bulls 4 Patriots</i> and <i>Pits for Patriots,</i> both of which closed their doors in 2012. Animal Farm Foundation not only continues to place rescued pit bulls as service dogs but has expanded their initiative with their efforts to place K-9s.<br />
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A future post about Kiah will cover liability issues for K-9 units and the physiological reasons why pit bulls are unsuited for K-9 work.<br />
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Poughkeepsie is the county seat of Dutchess County, NY, which is also home to The Animal Farm Foundation.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=14239711" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=14239711" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqiRCwNnA52O6-786G8BmPCX4Aysor1L2L2oi8oFGwhXl6qF3MOYuJ-87DsgFSP3Y7r3oYzxIa7tyaxE-XkewdbJwHcACfakULqkEJV7f3uEr0zFOZHvkxfPGsx_v-uSnZ6DCuuqK6ML_/s400/stop+fraud.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=14239711" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Canine Companions for Independence</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pledge to Stop the Fraud</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> <a href="https://animalfarmfoundation.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/working-k9-pit-bull-dogs-keeping-communities-safe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal Farm Foundation</a>, June 4, 2014<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>See Also:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/p/legitimate-organizations-dealing-with.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">K9 & Service Dog Resources</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/2ddc7e4b54064a45931ec001f23045c8/pit-bull-police-dog-defies-breeds-savage-stereotypes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull police dog defies breed's savage stereotypes</a><br />
by David Klepper<br />
November 13, 2015; Associated Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rescued-pit-bulls-fight-stigma-guiding-people-174449009.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need</a><br />
by Sue Manning<br />
February 11, 2015; Associated Press<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Resources:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://cravendesires.blogspot.de/2015/02/the-problem-with-pit-bull-service-dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Problem with Pit Bull Service Dogs</a><br />
February 12, 2015; Craven Desires<br />
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<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/07/03/how-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-has-become-the-pit-bull-pushers-act/">How the Americans with Disabilities Act has become the “Pit Bull Pushers Act”</a><br />
July 3, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<br />
<a href="https://daxtonsfather.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/service-and-therapy-pit-bulls-that-turned-pit-bull/">Service and Therapy Pit Bulls that turned pit bull</a><br />
September 16, 2014; Daxton's Father<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/11/lawdogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LawDogsUSA, Pit Bull Detection Dog Program, Shuts Down</a><br />
November 5, 2008; Dogsbite<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
<br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-26031152799870208392015-11-12T17:27:00.000+00:002016-10-16T02:05:12.884+01:00St. Louis Public Radio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ledy VanKavage; Photo by Kelly Moffitt, St Louis Public Radio</span></div>
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On November 4, 2015, St Louis Public Radio (KWMU 90.7) aired a 21-minute segment featuring Ledy VanKavage of Best Friends Animal Society. Don Marsh hosted the show.<br />
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Ms VanKavage timed her on-air appearance to coincide with the local showing of the film <i>The Champions</i>, in which she appears.<br />
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An earlier version of this post was sent as an email letter to the KWMU producers.<br />
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Dear Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer, Kelly Moffitt, and Don Marsh,<br />
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Re: <i>Pit bulls and breed-discriminatory laws: Following Vick's dog-fighting conviction, what has changed?</i> (Aired November 4, 2015)<br />
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We can tell you what has changed: in the eight years since Vick's arrest and conviction there have been 174 fatal pit bull attacks on humans, an increase of 180% over the preceding eight year period.<br />
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The number of pit bulls involved in fatal and disfiguring attacks rose from 78 in 2007 to 603 by 2014; the number of child victims rose from 30 to 264.<br />
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You will not hear these facts from Ledy VanKavage, the guest on your program. Advocates of fighting breeds do not acknowledge the victims of pit bull attacks.<br />
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Ms VanKavage's behavior during the segment, including laughing dismissively at times, is an insult to the memory of the victims, to the enduring agonies of those who have been disfigured or maimed, and to those who have lost a companion animal. It is because of performances like Ms VanKavage's and Mr Marsh's that the victims' movement has burgeoned in the last two years.<sup>1</sup><br />
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Your use of the word "discriminatory" in the title of the segment is inflammatory and provocative, especially in view of the fact that your state has been in the news for over a year and especially during this week, for human racial discrimination. To imply that distinguishing between canine breeds is similar to human racial discrimination is an insult to those who are impacted by real discrimination. Yes; some laws apply only to certain breeds of dogs, which makes sense, if you bother to think about it. We discriminate every time we acknowledge that one breed is different from another, otherwise we might expect a retriever to herd sheep. This kind of "discrimination" is inherent in the concept of breed; it is why man bred dogs. All dog people know this.<br />
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We are dismayed that St Louis Public Radio, which presumably is supported by the public and works in the public interest, should devote such a significant block of time to the advocacy of fighting breeds. You will note from the comments that many of your listeners and readers vehemently disagree with Ms VanKavage.<br />
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Further, we are astonished that advocates of fighting breeds continue to gain access to public media, which often fails to provide equal access to those who advocate for victims or for public safety measures. As KWMU is a public, not-for-profit, subsidized news organization, the public has every right to know how this story came to be aired. Did Best Friends Animal Society call and suggest that Ms VanKavage would be available for an interview? Did Ms VanKavage (or Best Friends) provide the "talking points" for Mr Marsh?<br />
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The softball questions Mr Marsh lobbed to Ms VanKavage are an embarrassment. In her next appearance at KWMU Ms VanKavage should be made to answer questions from the victims of pit bull attacks. She would have to significantly adjust her demeanor.<br />
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Ms VanKavage's misstatements of fact are too numerous to mention, but one in particular must be addressed. The following comment was emphasized in bold type in a sidebar on your web page:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>There’s always a dangerous dog du jour. Back in the ‘70s, it was the German Shepard, then the Rottweiler, then the Doberman, and then the pit bull terrier. I think it is the popularity—the more dogs there are of a breed, the more bites you’re going to see.</i></blockquote>
This is utter nonsense! If the number of bites depended on the number of dogs then Golden Retrievers would be among the biggest biters. A more effective rebuttal is found among the comments:<br />
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<header style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 3px; padding-right: 46px;"><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; padding: 0px;">
<span class="post-byline" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="author publisher-anchor-color" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><a data-action="profile" data-role="username" data-username="disqus_jh3jlD5kU8" href="https://disqus.com/by/disqus_jh3jlD5kU8/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(22, 141, 217) !important; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;">Liz Adams</a></span> </span><span class="post-meta" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="bullet time-ago-bullet" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #cccccc; font-size: 9.75px; line-height: 1.4; padding: 0px 4px;">•</span> </span></blockquote>
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<span class="post-meta" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block;"><a class="time-ago" data-role="relative-time" href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/pit-bulls-and-breed-discriminatory-laws-following-vick-s-dog-fighting-conviction-what-has#comment-2343957761" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 39, 59, 0.498039); font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;" title="Thursday, November 5, 2015 4:04 AM"></a></span>Ledy you are the one that spewed lots of silly myths. Myth 1: In the past 30 years, pit bulls have killed 350 people, Rottweilers 86, German Shepherds 15, Huskies 26, Dobermans 8... Even Dalmations, who are known for being not good with kids have killed zero.</blockquote>
</header>Yet the idiotic <i>dog du jour</i> jingle persists and can be found on the internet just about any day of the week.<sup>2</sup> It must now be put to rest, along with the free advertising by public radio for advocates of fighting breeds.<br />
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KWMU could provide a valuable service to listeners of pubic radio by offering equal time to an expert who is more interested in protecting our citizens, our domestic animals, and our <i>More Vulnerable Animal Companions</i> than in promoting fighting breeds.<br />
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The Editors<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> National Pit Bull Victim Awareness: <a href="http://www.nationalpitbullvictimawareness.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Web page</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalPitBullVictimAwareness/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FaceBook</a>; <a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daxton's Friends</a>, <a href="http://www.banpitbulls.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ban Pit Bulls</a>, and many others.<br />
<sup>2</sup> See also <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.de/2015/07/first-x-then-y-then-z.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">First X, Then Y, Then Z</a><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Source:</span><br />
<a href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/pit-bulls-and-breed-discriminatory-laws-following-vick-s-dog-fighting-conviction-what-has" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls and breed-discriminatory laws: Following Vick’s dog-fighting conviction, what has changed?</a><br />
November 4, 2015; 90.7 KWMU<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Postscript:</i></span><br />
Hours before <i>The Champions</i> premiered at the St Louis International Film Festival 9-year old Amiyah Dunston was killed by a pit bull on Long Island. She became the 21st victim this year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Amiyah Dunston, 9 yo; d. Nov 8, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
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This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
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Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-23242729169449624702015-11-08T20:15:00.000+00:002016-09-28T02:02:19.054+01:00October Op-Ed Pieces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Ranasinghe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merritt Clifton</td></tr>
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During the final ten days of National Pit Bull Awareness Month, from October 20 through October 30, pit bull aficionados and detractors were treated to an exchange of views from across the spectrum. Our brief review follows the list of seven articles we've selected:<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ingrid-newkirk/pit-bulls-deserve-protection_b_8338930.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bulls Deserve Breed-Specific Protection</a><br />
by Ingrid Newkirk, PETA<br />
October 20, 2015; Huffington Post<br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-white/pit-bull-lovers-think-bef_b_8335130.html">Pit Bull Lovers: Think Before You Click</a><br />
by Chris White, Bikers Against BSL<br />
October 20, 2015; Huffington Post<br />
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<a href="http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/voices/2015/10/21/op-ed-petas-pit-bull-stance-favors-shock-value-over-ethics/74360838/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Op-Ed: PETA's pit bull stance favors shock value over ethics</a><br />
by Kelly Ranasinghe<br />
October 21, 2015; Reno Gazette-Journal<br />
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<a href="http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/voices/2015/10/26/opinion-can-fix-pit-bull-problem/74652414/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Opinion: How we can ‘fix’ the pit bull problem</a><br />
By Daphna Nachminovitch<br />
Senior Vice-President of the Cruelty Investigations, PETA<br />
October 26, 2015; Reno Gazette-Journal<br />
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<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-dog-attacks-prevention-st-1029-20151028-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal experts: Don't blame pit bulls; training curbs dog attacks</a><br />
By Frank S. Abderholden<br />
October 27, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
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<a href="http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/2015/10/30/dog-attacks-not-normal/74891242/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog attacks are not normal</a><br />
By Merritt Clifton<br />
Editor, Animals 24-7<br />
October 30, 2015; Reno Gazette-Journal<br />
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<a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/article41953548.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What I learned about pit bulls woke me up</a><br />
By Alexandra Phillips<br />
Social Media Assistant, PETA<br />
October 30, 2015; The News Tribune</blockquote>
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The Huffington Post article by Chris White is a conventional HuffPo pit bull article. Meaning it is excruciatingly, mind-numbingly l-o-n-g. Many pit bull authors suffer from prolixity, perhaps because they lack confidence in their arguments. HuffPo pit bull authors go beyond mere wordiness: they write as if they're paid by the word, like the authors of pulp fiction.<br />
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Second, the article follows advocacy convention by attacking Merritt Clifton and Colleen Lynn, in the mistaken belief that a good defense of pit bulls is a strong offense. Need we say more?<br />
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But there are also two things that set Mr White's article apart from the run-of-the-mill advocacy article. The level of spite directed at his opponents is disgraceful, even for advocates of fighting breeds, even for Huffington Post authors. And secondly, Mr White actually comes out and suggests that his readers self-censor, by not exposing themselves to arguments other than his own. We know this happens in the world of pit bull advocacy, but has it ever been stated so baldly?<br />
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A solution to the BSL contretemps is as remote as ever, so Ingrid Newkirk's valiant effort to reframe the debate is welcome. The suggestion that BSL would protect living family pit bull pets is not new. Nonetheless, pit bull advocates were apoplectic with fury, acting as if Ms Newkirk had suggested the sacrifice of the kingdom's first-born sons.<br />
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Among those who were most outraged by Ms Newkirk's proposal was Kelly Ranasinghe, who suggested that Dogsbite.org and Animals 24-7 were extremist and marginal groups. Mr Ranasinghe seems unaware of the irony that his words, published in the Reno Gazette-Journal, will garner only a fraction of the page-views of his opponents, making his essay even more marginal. Mr Ranasinghe's rancor was inspired by PETA's presumed affiliation with Victims' Advocacy Groups, but Mr Ranasinghe declines to mention victims of pit bull attacks a single time in his diatribe. The refusal to acknowledge the victims has been a defining characteristic of pit bull advocacy<br />
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There was the obligatory "Blame the Deed, Not the Breed" argument, coming this time from Frank S. Abderholden in the Chicago Tribune. The obligatory "experts" (see <i>Definitions</i>, below) testified that well-trained pit bulls do not attack. (Ahem!)<br />
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Two additional articles were by PETA staffers. The first (by Daphna Nachminovitch) appears to be a clarification of Ms Newkirk's incendiary piece, while also serving as a counterpoint to Mr Ranasinghe's bitter diatribe. More effective is the boots-on-the-ground report by PETA staffer and volunteer field worker Alexandra Phillips. Ms Phillips' 1st-person account of a pit bull attack is a Heart-of-Darkness moment.<br />
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Merritt Clifton has previously noted that our culture has become inured to pit bull behavior, that we have come to see pit bull attacks as acceptable canine behavior and a corollary of pet ownership.<sup>1</sup> Clifton's short essay, <i>Dog Attacks Are Not Normal</i>, was published as a letter in the Gazette-Journal. We reprint it here (in its entirety) to give it the coverage it deserves:<br />
<blockquote>
Young people tend to imagine that dog attack violence is normal, because they never knew a time when it was not.<br />
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From 1930 to 1960, the U.S. averaged fewer than one fatal dog attack per year, yet almost all dogs ran free, less than 1 percent were fixed, and males far outnumbered females because of the common practice of drowning female pups to prevent surplus litters. Pit bulls during that entire 30-year span killed nine people. Dobermans killed two, one in 1955, one in 1960, and that created the lasting image of the Doberman as a dangerous breed.<br />
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Since 2010, we have averaged more than 30 fatalities per year from pit bulls alone.<br />
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What changed?<br />
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In 1960 pit bulls were under 1 percent of the U.S. dog population. By 2000, they were about 3.5 percent, and now they are 7 percent of dog births, though still only about 3.5 percent of the dog population due to excessively high mortality, mostly through shelter surrenders and impoundments.<br />
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PETA is right: It is time to stop breeding pit pulls and time to mandate sterilizing them, since only about 20 percent are sterilized now, compared to 70 percent-plus for all other dogs.</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> See <i>Inured to Pit Bull Behavior</i>, included in <a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/09/09/how-behavior-testing-fails-adopters-dogs-volunteers-shelter-staff/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How behavior testing fails adopters, dogs, volunteers & shelter staff</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
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This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
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Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-75924424847768934642015-11-03T20:13:00.000+00:002015-11-08T18:06:28.433+00:00Pit Bull Aggregator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: November 3, 2015; 21:21 GMT</span></div>
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National Pit Bull Awareness Month began with a half-hour "feeding frenzy" attack on two young cousins, Isabella George and Rebekah Forgey, on a country road near their homes in rural Indiana.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPph_5FnDNV1Mw2ONFOHJhGFV_GYgxeSTocuS1ZSlDdG15f0KTRpHrD1tv3aNKqCAn2_7dtqv-opoVsnblHzxpPlQM75ID3Xs0luVXw9fqax5duhICWEOjq0zHm6NMqha6Y_dnBaftGwvL/s1600/indiana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPph_5FnDNV1Mw2ONFOHJhGFV_GYgxeSTocuS1ZSlDdG15f0KTRpHrD1tv3aNKqCAn2_7dtqv-opoVsnblHzxpPlQM75ID3Xs0luVXw9fqax5duhICWEOjq0zHm6NMqha6Y_dnBaftGwvL/s400/indiana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cousins Isabella George, 19, and Rebekah Forgey, 20<br />
Attacked by four pit bulls on October 1, 2015</span></div>
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The month celebrating pit bulls ended 30 days later, after forty or fifty known attacks on humans, two of which were fatal, and dozens of attacks on our <i>More Vulnerable Animal Companions.</i> A few of the more notable attacks are listed below.<br />
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This astonishing 31-day sampling of pit bull attacks is a tip-of-the-iceberg indicator of the many attacks that actually occurred. It is difficult to know with certainty the true number of pit bull attacks. <i>Dog Attack Statistics</i>, the authoritative, cumulative report, is a log of the most serious attacks.<sup>1</sup> The new victims' advocacy web page has compiled a compendium of statistics from 45 states.<sup>2</sup><br />
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The list below is a one-month sample of what should be undertaken, on a comprehensive scale, for an entire year, by an impartial public safety or victims' organization: a database which logs every pit bull attack requiring a visit to a doctor, gleaned from public health offices, state veterinarians, and other uncensored sources.<br />
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City councils and legislatures have been intimidated by advocates of fighting breeds. The sheer weight of evidence such a database provides would compel even the most timid politicians to pass public safety legislation.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<i>The list below includes only a few of the more notable pit bull attacks during October 2015, National Pit Bull Awareness Month. </i>The list begins with the most recent attack, listing the attacks in reverse order.<br />
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<a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/mom-told-son-to-lie-about-pit-bull-attack-to-save-dog-complaint-says-mom-told-son-to-lie-about-pit---339028651.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mom told son to lie about pit bull attack to save dog, complaint says</a><br />
October 30, 2015; Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee WI)<br />
<i> A woman whose 3-month-old son was mauled by her pit bull when she left him alone with his 8-year-old brother told the brother to lie about what happened in order to protect the dog, which had previously bitten the older boy in the face, according to a criminal complaint.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wisn.com/news/infant-in-critical-condition-after-being-mauled-by-family-dog/36156000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Infant in critical condition after being mauled by family dog</a><br />
October 30, 2015; WISN 12 Milwaukee WI<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Woman-bitten-trying-to-quell-dog-fight-in-her-car-6605995.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman bitten trying to quell dog fight in her car</a><br />
(October 30, 2015; Greenwich CT)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tnonline.com/2015/oct/30/man-shot-pit-bull-after-it-attacked-his-dog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man shot pit bull after it attacked his dog</a><br />
October 30, 2015; Times News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20151030/NEWS/151039426" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fall River man hospitalized after pit bull attack</a><br />
October 30, 2015; Herald News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wbtv.com/story/30387657/officer-suffers-bites-to-face-hand-trying-to-save-woman-from-dog-attack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Officer suffers bites to face, hand trying to save woman from dog attack</a><br />
October 29, 2015; WBTV (Davidson, NC)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wsbtv.com/ap/ap/georgia/animal-control-officer-severely-injured-in-pit-bul/npBX5/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal control officer severely injured in pit bull attack</a><br />
October 29, 2015; WSB TV 2 (Columbus GA)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/Man-hospitalized-after-animal-attack-338529192.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man hospitalized after pit hull attack</a><br />
October 29, 2015; KGWN Cheyenne WY<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/1763080-155/animal-dog-family-thacker-attacked-clearfield" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pitbull euthanized after attacking Clearfield boy</a><br />
October 28, 2015; Salt Lake Tribune<br />
<i>. . . the boy sustained broken ribs, a facial bite that nearly removed an ear, and multiple slashing wounds on his stomach so severe that paramedics found him with his intestines on the point of spilling out.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Officials-Pit-bull-attacks-police-dog-as-it-chased-a-suspected-car-thief-338086992.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacked police dog as it chased a suspected car thief</a><br />
October 28, 2015; KOMO News (Centralia WA)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Pit-Bulls-Attack-Alpaca-in-East-Windsor-337591441.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bulls Attack Alpaca in East Windsor</a><br />
October 28, 2015; NBC Connecticut<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/566397/Florence-dog-attack-investigated.html?nav=5002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Florence dog attack investigated </a>(WI)<br />
October 27, 2015; The Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/girl-attacked-by-pit-bull-in-pocatello/article_8635605f-fa0e-5eb8-a567-cf288af62791.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl attacked by pit bull in Pocatello</a><br />
October 27, 2015; Idaho State Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.click2houston.com/news/deputy-shoots-kills-pit-bull-after-dog-attacks-him-hcso-says/36061718" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deputy shoots, kills pit bull after dog attacks him, HCSO says</a><br />
Pit bull was 1 of 3 dogs that bit women, 2 men<br />
October 26, 2015; Click2Houston<br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc13.com/news/three-people-attacked-by-dogs-in-north-houston/1051685/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three People Attacked by Dogs in North Houston</a><br />
October 26, 2015; ABC 13<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2015/10/25/authorities-child-bitten-family-dog/74599048/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Child bitten by family dog in central Brevard</a><br />
October 26, 2015; Florida Today<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wral.com/cumberland-mother-could-face-charges-after-dog-bites-boy/15023428/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cumberland mother could face charges after dog bites boy</a><br />
October 25, 2015; WRAL (Fayetteville NC)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox35orlando.com/home/39128881-story" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boy, 6, bit by dog in Cocoa</a> (FL)<br />
October 25, 2015; Fox 35<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wvtm13.com/news/pit-bull-day-coincides-with-day-for-attack-victims/36035712" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull day coincides with day for attack victims</a><br />
October 24, 2015; WVTM 13<br />
<br />
<a href="http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/10/23/dog-shot-killed-by-police-after-attacking-owner-at-patterson-park/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Killed By Police After Attacking Owner In Baltimore Park</a><br />
October 23, 2015; CBS Baltimore<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wsau.com/news/articles/2015/oct/23/dog-killed-woman-hurt-after-pit-bull-attack-in-glendale/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog killed, woman hurt after pit bull attack in Glendale</a><br />
October 23, 2015; WSAU 550 AM (WI)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/El-Paso-sheriff-39-s-deputy-bitten-by-stray-animal-221826.shtml#.VirusVUVikq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Paso sheriff's deputy bitten by stray animal</a><br />
October 22, 2015; KFOX 14<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pit-bull-attack-sends-montreal-woman-to-hospital-for-three-days-1.3285367" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attack sends Montreal woman to hospital for three days</a><br />
October 23, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wmur.com/news/dog-seriously-injured-in-dog-attack-in-bow/35991660" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog seriously injured in dog attack in Bow</a><br />
October 22, 2015; WNUR 9 ABC<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gbtribune.com/section/69/article/89934/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Women recovering from pitbull attack</a><br />
October 22, 2015; Great Bend Tribune (KS)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>FATAL ATTACK</b></span><br />
<a href="http://m.news9.com/story.aspx?story=30321700&catId=112032" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OKC Man Dies After Being Mauled By Five Dogs</a><br />
October 21, 2015; News 9 Oklahoma<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/jogger-attacked-by-pack-of-pit-bulls">Jogger attacked by pack of pit bulls</a><br />
October 21, 2015; My Panhandle (FL)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2015/10/21/fort-myers-beach-dog-bite-victims-seek-owner-canines/74321316/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls, owner sought in Fort Myers Beach attack on girl, dog</a><br />
October 21, 2015; News Press (FL)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://savannahnow.com/bryan-county-now/2015-10-29/dog-attacks-man-richmond-hill-car-wash" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog attacks man at Richmond Hill car wash</a><br />
October 21, 2015; Savannah Morning News (Bryan Cty, GA)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>FATAL ATTACK</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/texas-boy-5-mauled-death-pit-bulls-police-article-1.2403782" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Texas boy, 5, mauled to death by two pit bulls at home of family friend</a><br />
October 20, 2015; Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20151020/NEWS/151029936" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lorain dog owner cited after multiple dog attacks</a><br />
October 20, 2015; Lorain Morning Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://limaohio.com/news/154380/2-pit-bulls-attack-off-duty-lima-police-department-officer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 pit bulls attack off-duty Lima Police Department officer</a><br />
October 20, 2015; LimaOhio<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Proceedings-delayed-against-man-watching-dogs-when-they-attacked-people-334882391.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Proceedings delayed against man watching dogs when they attacked people</a><br />
October 20, 2015; WIBW Topeka<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.whio.com/news/news/crime-law/police-investigating-pit-bull-attack-on-woman/nn6rC/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police investigating pit bull attack on woman</a><br />
October 20, 2015; WHIO Dayton<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.10news.com/news/woman-says-pit-bull-charged-her-killed-her-dog-102015" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman says pit bull charged her, killed her dog</a><br />
October 20, 2015; ABC 10 San Diego<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.orangeleader.com/2015/10/19/vidor-child-dies-from-injuries-sustained-in-dog-attack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vidor child dies from injuries sustained in dog attack</a><br />
October 19, 2015; The Orange Leader (CA)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kmov.com/story/30301315/woman-and-daughter-attacked-by-pit-bull-in-north-st-louis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman and daughter attacked by 2 pit bulls in north St. Louis</a><br />
October 19, 2015; KMOV St Louis<br />
<br />
<a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/10/19/family-searches-for-dog-that-allegedly-mauled-daughter-in-long-island-city/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family Searches For Dog That Mauled Daughter In Long Island City</a><br />
October 19, 2015; CBS New York<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/2015/10/17/pit-bull-mix-that-killed-puppy-in-hollis-had-previous-attack/74140040/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mix that killed puppy in Hollis had previous attack</a><br />
October 18, 2015; WCSH 6 (Hollis ME)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Pierce-County-pit-bull-owner-charged-after-vicious-mauling-333394071.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pierce County pit bull owner charged after vicious mauling</a><br />
October 16, 2015; KOMO News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/2015/10/15/man-shoots-kills-dog-during-attack/73982456/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man shoots, kills dog during attack</a><br />
October 15, 2015; Post-Crescent<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/local-woman-recovering-after-being-mauled-by-pack-of-dogs/article_f8c8986c-7299-11e5-917d-7392042813ef.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Local woman recovering after being mauled by pack of dogs at cemetery</a><br />
October 14, 2015; News-Bulletin (Valencia County, CA)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/index.ssf/2015/10/pit_bull_mixes_kill_two_dogs_b.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mixes kill 2 dogs, bite 2 people, police say</a><br />
October 14, 2015; Lehigh Valley Live<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article39210294.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Two pit bulls bite man walking past airport neighborhood home</a><br />
October 14, 2015; Modesto Bee<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ksby.com/story/30264502/dog-attacks-housekeeper-in-san-luis-obispo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog attacks housekeeper in San Luis Obispo</a><br />
October 14, 2015; KSBY<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wral.com/baby-injured-in-johnston-county-pit-bull-attack/14967389/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baby injured in Johnston County pit bull attack</a><br />
October 13, 2015; WRAL 5 (Kenley NC)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2015/10/13/24-impounded-in-stray-dog-sweep-prompted-by-fatal-attack/73897480/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">34 dogs impounded in sweep after fatal attack</a><br />
October 13, 2015; Desert Sun (CA)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/30242918/officers-shoots-kills-2-pit-bulls-during-attack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Officers shoots, kills 2 pit bulls during attack</a><br />
October 12, 2013; MyFoxBoston, Wichendon NH<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/10/pitbull_attacks_bayonne_girl_about_to_board_school.html#incart_river_home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bayonne police kill pit bull after it attacks 4 people, cops say</a><br />
October 9, 2015; Jersey Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.njherald.com/story/30226170/police-shoot-kill-dog-after-it-attacks-young-girl-others" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police shoot, kill dog after it attacks young girl, others</a><br />
October 9, 2015; New Jersey Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/10/bayonne_girl_attacked_by_pit_bull_released_from_th.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Father of girl attacked by pit bull: 'I tried to protect my daughter'</a><br />
October 9, 2015; NJ.com<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/clermont-county/after-pit-bull-attack-mom-worries-about-how-clermont-county-identifies-problem-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">After pit bull attack, mom worries about how Clermont County identifies problem dogs</a> (Batavia OH)<br />
October 9, 2015; WCPO 9 Cincinnati<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/dc/2015/10/06/pit-bull-attack-leaves-1-injured-southeast-dc/73456442/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attack leaves man injured in Southeast DC</a><br />
October 6, 2015; WUSA 9<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/crime/appleton-couple-attacked-by-pit-bull-they-had-brought-home/article_19f4ca68-6bd5-11e5-98f8-9f181562a19e.html">Appleton couple attacked by pit bull they had brought home</a><br />
October 5, 2015; Niagara Gazette<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/2015/10/05/man-saves-woman-from-pit-bulls/73412742/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man saves woman from pit bull attack</a><br />
October 5, 2015; 13 WMAZ<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/pit-bulls-charged-officers-killed-shot-corona-330785912.html?utm_campaign=Contact+SNS+For+More+Referrer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=snsanalytics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police Shoot, Kill Pit Bulls in Corona After Dogs 'Terrorize' Neighborhood</a><br />
October 5, 2015; NBC 5 Los Angeles<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-dog-attacks-prevention-st-1029-20151028-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(Previously unreported October 4th attack on 8-year old Zion, IL child noted in Oct 27 Chicago Tribune story)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/home/headlines/Kempner-Woman-Claims-Neighbors-Dog-Killed-Her-Ten-Goats-330488031.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Allegedly Mauls Goats Leaving Ten Dead</a><br />
October 2, 2015; KWTX<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2015/10/01/dog-attack-still-haunts-north-shore-victim/73150010/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attack still haunts North Shore victim</a><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
October 1, 2015; Desert Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3258637/Vicious-pack-pit-bulls-maul-cousins-run-ripping-woman-s-scalp-horrific-30-minute-feeding-frenzy.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vicious pack of pit bulls maul cousins out for a run, ripping most of woman's scalp off in horrific 30-minute 'feeding frenzy'</a><br />
October 1, 2015; Daily Mail<br />
<a href="http://wlfi.com/2015/10/01/sheriff-women-in-fight-for-their-lives-in-vicious-pit-bull-attack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Women ‘fight for their lives’ in vicious pit bull attack</a><br />
October 2, 2015; WLFI 18<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span></div>
<sup style="font-style: normal;">1</sup> <i>Dog Attack Deaths and Maimings</i>, compiled by Merritt Clifton, logs only the most severe attacks in which the victim is killed or disfigured. See the following paragraph to view or download the report.<br />
<sup style="font-style: normal;">2</sup> <a href="http://www.nationalpitbullvictimawareness.org/attacks/bites-bans-deaths-usa/#ohio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bites, Bans, and Deaths by State</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
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This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-89185227525092980542015-10-18T19:38:00.000+01:002015-10-19T15:12:11.889+01:00Pit Bull Awareness Month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
In August 2007 Michael Vick was convicted on felony charges of dog fighting at his Virginia farm. Two months later Jodi Preis<sup>1</sup> of Tennessee organized National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD), an annual event which takes place on the last Saturday of every October.<br />
<br />
In the eight year period before Ms Preis launched NPBAD (Oct 1999 to Oct 2007) pit bulls killed 97 men, women, and children. In the subsequent eight year period pit bulls have killed 174 men, women, and children, an increase of 180%. Over the last four years pit bulls have killed humans at an average rate of one every two weeks.<br />
<br />
October has become National Pit Bull Awareness Month, during which shelters and humane societies across the country launch their annual outreach campaigns. One component of the public relations blitz is to place articles praising pit bulls in the major media, as part of their effort to adopt out more of these dogs into family environments.<br />
<br />
The New York Times has resisted publishing such free advertising for pit bulls . . . until this year. On October 1st, timed to coincide with National Pit Bull Awareness Month, the Times published the first of several articles promoting pit bulls. The Times subsequently published pit positive articles on October 7th, 9th, and 10th, and there may be more to come.<br />
<br />
The October 1st NY Times article, <i>Dogs Hurting the Most Have a Special Place to Heal,</i> is a 1500 word <i>argumentum ad misericordiam.</i><sup>2</sup> This article, or a localized version of it, has been published in nearly every major media market in the United States over the last several years. Many of these articles are published as a result of outreach from advocacy groups, and could have been ghostwritten by them. When it comes to pit bulls there is an obvious disconnect between what happens in the editorial boardrooms and what happens outside their doors.<br />
<br />
The Times, like other major newspapers, appears indifferent to the toll of devastating economic hardship, grief, and suffering caused by pit bull attacks on their own turf. The Times did not cover the September 6th attack on 15- year old Briana Neira. Briana was attacked by a pit bull the family had rescued from a city operated shelter that very day. Nor did the Times cover the September 8th attack on a homeless man in Brooklyn, which was stopped only when the dog was shot by an off-duty corrections officer.<br />
<br />
The Times failed to report on the eruption of attacks in the East Village in August and September. Nor did the Times cover the September 11th attack on Francesco Bove, an attack so violent that a priest at Mount Carmel gave Bove last rites. Farther afield, the October 5th attack on an Appleton couple, by their recently rescued pit bull, went unreported.<br />
<br />
The Times has devoted many column inches to the plight of pit bulls, but certainly the human victims of pit bull attacks are more deserving of our consideration. It is because the media, including the New York Times, has failed to report the victims' stories that the victims, those who are able, have been forced to tell the story themselves.<br />
<br />
Exactly a year ago, at the prestigious ArtPrize Competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the country's first Pit Bull Victims Memorial, an installation by Joan Marie Kowal, was displayed; Ms Kowal's memorial jump-started the victims movement. New Facebook pages to promote public safety legislation restricting dangerous breeds continue to come on line.<br />
<br />
The stalwart Dogsbite.org has advocated for victims' rights since founder Colleen Lynn was attacked in 2007. Dawn James, blogging as Craven Desires, has been an unrelenting critic of irresponsible owners and is a meticulous researcher of advocacy misinformation. Animals 24/7, in addition to their invaluable articles on global animal health and welfare, has exhaustively tracked dog attack statistics by breed for over 30 years. Jeff Borchardt, whose son Daxton was killed in March, 2013, has become a powerful voice for victims. Barbara Kay, the Canadian journalist and cultural critic, has contributed eloquent, incisive articles.<br />
<br />
Two new web pages have recently come on line which are certain to influence the course of the debate. <i>Ban Pit Bulls</i> is a new legislative resource for writers, journalists, and reporters, pulling together information from hundreds of sources. The second, <i>National Pit Bull VICTIM Awareness Day</i>, represents the victims rather than celebrating the breed responsible for attacks on them. If justice prevails in the world this new site will eclipse its predecessor, "NP-BAD".<br />
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Visit these powerful new resources; if you breathe air and have blood in your veins you will be moved to tears.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Notes:</span></span></i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> Ms Preis is also founder of Bless the Bullys, a Tennessee pit bull rescue. <br />
<sup>2</sup> Appeal to Pity, or Appeal to Sympathy, a logical fallacy.<br />
<sup>3</sup> See <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2014/11/artprize-and-pit-bulls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ArtPrize and Pit Bulls</a><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Victims' Resources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.nationalpitbullvictimawarenessday.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Day</a><br />
<a href="http://www.banpitbulls.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ban Pit Bulls</a><br />
<a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb13018456.htm#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Crisis Prompts Support Groups to Declare October 24th National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Day</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Related Posts:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2014/11/artprize-and-pit-bulls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ArtPrize and Pit Bulls</a>; SRUV November 10, 2014<br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2013/10/pimping-pit-bulls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pimping Pit Bulls;</a> SRUV October 15, 2013<br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2013/12/november-outreach_20.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">November Outreach</a>; SRUV December 20, 2013<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>NY Times:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/nyregion/dogs-hurting-the-most-have-a-special-place-to-heal.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dogs Hurting the Most Have a Special Place to Heal</a><br />
October 1, 2015; New York Times<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/12/us/series-of-pit-bull-attacks-stirs-a-clamor-for-laws.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Series of Pit Bull Attacks Stirs a Clamor for Laws</a><br />
July 12, 1987; New York Times<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Recent NY Pit Bull News:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/pit-bulls-mans-best-friend-or-dangerous-killer-20151017" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls: Man’s best friend, or dangerous killer?</a><br />
(Lists recent regional pit bull attacks)<br />
October 17, 2015; The Buffalo News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sponsor-story/lollypop-farm/2015/10/08/lollypop-farm/73525176/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What you never knew about pit bulls</a><br />
** Sponsored story **<br />
October 9, 2015; Rochester Democrat & Chronicle<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/crime/appleton-couple-attacked-by-pit-bull-they-had-brought-home/article_19f4ca68-6bd5-11e5-98f8-9f181562a19e.html">Appleton couple attacked by pit bull they had brought home</a><br />
October 5, 2015; Niagara Gazette<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/authorities-probe-fatal-attack-on-pomeranian-by-pit-bull-in-town-of-lockport-20150926" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Authorities probe fatal attack on Pomeranian by pit bull in Town of Lockport</a><br />
September 26, 2015; The Buffalo News<br />
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<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/pit-bulls-attack-man-bronx-graphic-video-shows-article-1.2358056" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man viciously attacked by pit bulls in Bronx; owner arrested </a><br />
September 14, 2014; NY Daily News<br />
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<a href="http://gothamist.com/2015/09/09/pitbull_shot_bedstuy.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Off-Duty Correction Officer Fatally Shoots Pit Bull As It Mauled Man In Brooklyn</a><br />
September 9, 2015; The Gothamist<br />
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<a href="http://nypost.com/2015/09/09/street-living-almost-turns-deadly-for-vagrant-mauled-by-pit-bull/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Street living almost turns deadly for vagrant mauled by pit bull</a><br />
September 9, 2015; NY Post<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3226433/Pit-bull-attacks-teen-girl-day-rescued-Long-Island-family-later-euthanized.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family Rescues Pit Bull From "Death Row"; Attacks Teen Daughter Within Seconds of Entering New "Forever" Home</a><br />
September 8, 2015; Daily Mail<br />
<br />
<a href="http://kfor.com/2015/09/08/they-made-me-feel-confident-dad-frustrated-with-shelter-after-sociable-dog-attacks-teen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“They made me feel confident,” Dad frustrated with shelter after “sociable” dog attacks teen</a><br />
September 8, 2015; KFOR 4<br />
<br />
<a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/09/08/pit-bull-long-island-attack-euthanized/">Rescued Pit Bull Euthanized After Attacking New Owner’s Teen Daughter On Long Island</a><br />
September 8, 2015; CBS New York<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pit-bull-attacks-ny-teen-rescued-shelter-article-1.2352340" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mix attacks Long Island teen after being rescued from kill shelter</a><br />
September 8, 2015; NY Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/pit-bull-rescued-from-euthanasia-attacks-new-owner-stephen-neira-s-daughter-authorities-say-1.10816285" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mix rescued from 'death row' attacks new owner's daughter</a><br />
September 7, 2015; Newsday<br />
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<a href="http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/article/20150904/NEWS/150909327" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">More than $2K in fines for owner of pit bulls that killed local dog</a><br />
September 5, 2015; Kirksville Daily Express<br />
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<a href="http://gothamist.com/2015/08/17/dog_bites_man_august.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Another East Village Pedestrian Attacked By A Pit Bull</a><br />
August 17, 2015; The Gothamist<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> &<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
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Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
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Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-59864901503802384372015-10-04T20:29:00.000+01:002015-11-08T18:13:40.082+00:00Carnival of Madness: Illinois<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: October 5, 2015; 22:29 GMT</span></div>
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The Spring silliness began with the story of a protracted legal battle in Hawthorn Woods, pitting the city against residents Brian and Jean Bacardi. By the Spring of 2015 Hawthorn Woods had spent over $28,000 in legal fees on the case; in response the Bacardis invested more than $15,000 in legal fees and at least $10,000 in boarding fees for their dogs. In February, 2013 the Bacardis had filed a lawsuit against the village. In May, 2014, Brian Bacardi was jailed for eight days for contempt of court.<sup>1</sup><br />
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The reason for the protracted standoff? Over a period of eight years, since the Bacardi's got their eight-week old puppy Heidi, she has accumulated a lengthy rap sheet. Between 2008 and 2015 the Bacardis have been reported to various municipalities or Animal Controls (in Illinois and Florida) at least 25 times for violations, including biting and roaming dogs. At least two delivery men and a child received bites to the groin.<sup>2</sup> In violation of vicious dog orders the Bacardis refused to install a physical fence, defied court orders to remove Heidi from the city, and then defied orders to surrender her for humane euthanasia.<br />
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In the Chicago Tribune article<sup>3</sup> Heidi is referred to, <i><u>seven times</u></i>, as a Beagle. Adult Beagles weigh no more than 22-25 lbs. This is a Beagle:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpohY0qLnZU0rD39Cw2dYS41x3E4TD1IwKOUlkUhcGfPKuTKou1NkcqkQzDIj0fVq7T9bHluVabM5Rdl8M6kaJdhegIoD87J_xlNH89yRtAmrpV9wQcbErr0CLFAXCHXI851YPgSDDayT/s1600/beagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpohY0qLnZU0rD39Cw2dYS41x3E4TD1IwKOUlkUhcGfPKuTKou1NkcqkQzDIj0fVq7T9bHluVabM5Rdl8M6kaJdhegIoD87J_xlNH89yRtAmrpV9wQcbErr0CLFAXCHXI851YPgSDDayT/s1600/beagle.jpg" /></a></div>
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Heidi, on the other hand, weighs at least 40 - 50 lbs, perhaps twice as much as a normal Beagle. There is one telling reference in the article to Heidi as a Beagle mix. Photos of Heidi are copyright protected and are not reproduced here. The photo below is a Beagle x pit bull, and is strikingly similar in appearance to published images of Heidi:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo_Ii94SNKnzJM9JbiVlfKDdD2rxRMdUKT4xvwRxSklZiUgQrcR5A5Tmp_g2SKh0FooXIE4VRIrCrkqlQUbMC_Hhokrolv_428-Vrud8XJwKGjGHeuZoJzneqe9KthArOG_-p_AUOXIc5/s1600/beaglexpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo_Ii94SNKnzJM9JbiVlfKDdD2rxRMdUKT4xvwRxSklZiUgQrcR5A5Tmp_g2SKh0FooXIE4VRIrCrkqlQUbMC_Hhokrolv_428-Vrud8XJwKGjGHeuZoJzneqe9KthArOG_-p_AUOXIc5/s320/beaglexpit.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The author of the article, Ronnie Wachtler, carefully described Heidi's repeated biting, as well as the obstinacy of the Bacardis. But the takeaway appears to be that the village of Hawthorn Woods recklessly spent tax dollars on persecuting a harmless little Beagle.<sup>4</sup><br />
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All this anguish, all the bites, all the police and Animal Control man hours, all of the legal rigamarole, all of the wasted tax dollars, all of the wasted energy over many years, the clogging of the courts with useless, frivolous cases: all of it is easily understood once we acknowledge that Heidi is first and foremost a pit bull mix.<br />
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With that understanding the takeaway is changed: pit bull genes are now, sadly and perhaps irreversibly, widely dispersed in the rescue and shelter gene pool. For many of us the good old American mutt, loaded with hybrid vigor and boundless good cheer, is a thing of the past. Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue has become a high risk activity.<sup>5</sup><br />
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The account of Heidi the biting 'beagle' was lost in the clamor over another story that broke the same day and was widely reported. Armed robbers took three pit bulls, two of which were pregnant, from a backyard breeding operation. The pit bulls appear to be "American Bullies" and are reportedly valued at $15,000 each.<br />
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Many of the commenters under published news accounts expressed outrage that the story was widely reported as an armed robbery of a law-abiding business, while nowhere was it noted that the backyard breeders were running a tax-free operation supplying high-end fighting breed dogs.<br />
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Doing the numbers on this robbery: pit bulls often whelp ten or more puppies; 20 puppies @ $15,000 = $300,000. Even if the pups only brought in $500/ea the take could amount to $10,000. We assume the backyard breeders are back in business with their remaining dogs.<br />
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The Animal Protective League in Springfield, Illinois, made headlines for harboring or adopting out dangerous dogs. Volunteer James Sanders was attacked by Stewart, who is advertised on the agency’s website as a 49-pound pit bull mix puppy. Following the attack on Sanders the APL continued to promote Stewart for adoption. Later reports indicate that Sanders was prepared to sue to halt the adoption of Stewart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk2ie7QDHhtNdZZFg2h_4FGD_c0WiSFF2dnWWBsdGHk2rOzPMPXdRCRhX5uwmFlPBgjaYEJ8_GCbR-oBW8XEj9KuKz7-HqkX8DXeQ6ANrJUmMH8bETE-gfPG3F7QeB8jEaPicvCtBoWPX/s1600/stewart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk2ie7QDHhtNdZZFg2h_4FGD_c0WiSFF2dnWWBsdGHk2rOzPMPXdRCRhX5uwmFlPBgjaYEJ8_GCbR-oBW8XEj9KuKz7-HqkX8DXeQ6ANrJUmMH8bETE-gfPG3F7QeB8jEaPicvCtBoWPX/s320/stewart.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image courtesy of <a href="http://pitbullattacksinillinois.blogspot.com/2015/07/jul-23-2015-animal-protection-league_27.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois</a></span></div>
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One of the most bizarre news stories came from WGN TV9 Chicago. In a brief (105 word) account the station described the attack, in which two small dogs were killed, as a fight in which the pit bull survived. The real story is told in an eloquent, outraged comment posted by Marc Brown:<br />
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How dare you call a vicious pit bull attack on two small dogs a ‘fight’? How dare you say ‘the pit bull survived’, as if the pit bull’s life was in danger as it attacked two small dogs? In fact, this pit bull’s life should have been in danger and it should have died on the spot — someone should have choked, stabbed or shot it to death.<br />
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How dare you call Chicago Pit Bull Care and Protection ‘Animal Care and Control’? The only thing that agency does in Chicago is make sure pit bull type dogs will live to maul or kill another day, no matter whether those pit bulls have killed a dog or a child.</div>
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Mr Brown deserves a journalism watchdog award.<br />
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Among the accounts of attacks on humans and on our More Vulnerable Animal Companions in Illinois this summer, there were also a few uplifting stories. A former Olympic boxer fought off a pit bull as it attacked an 8-year-old boy on the Chicago's South Side. The child was initially taken to Metro South Hospital in Blue Island, then transferred to Christ Hospital for further treatment. Officials say he may have permanent damage to one of his legs.<br />
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The Good Samaritan, Danell Nicholson, also received injuries during the encounter and was hospitalized.<br />
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In a related incident, a UPS driver was rescued by a postal carrier after being attacked by a pit bull in the North Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side. UPS driver Jesus Toledo received injuries to his ear, head, forearm, hands and ankle, and underwent surgery at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. Animal care has up to 30 days to make a determination about the dog’s future. It can be returned to its owner, banished from the city or destroyed, said a spokesman for the city’s department of Animal Care and Control.<br />
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The most heart-wrenching story to emerge from this Carnival of Madness is the death of 9-year old James W. Nevils III. His grandfather stood in the doorway of his home, grave and dignified in his anguish, and choking back his tears, delivered this lovely eulogy for the TV cameras:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>He was a good boy, a very good boy. I just can't believe he's gone. I'm just devastated. . . . He was all boy. Basketball, football, he was all boy. He was a loving little kid.</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">James W. Nevils III; d. May 25, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> In addition, in 2010 the Bacardis, who at the time owned three residences, filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, a request which was dismissed. See the <a href="http://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions/Bacardi.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Memorandum Opinion of the US Bankruptcy Court</a>.<br />
<sup>2</sup> See the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-zurich/news/ct-timeline-heidi-bite-records-20150501-htmlstory.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Timeline of Heidi's incident record</a>.<br />
<sup>3</sup> The story was authored by Ronnie Wachtler of the Lake Zurich Courier, a Pioneer Press subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune.<br />
<sup>4</sup> See <a href="http://muckrack.com/link/yhpc6/hawthorn-woods-spends-nearly-29k-in-legal-fight-to-euthanize-dog">Muck Rack</a>, a compilation of Tweets on the article.<br />
<sup>5</sup> See <a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/09/09/how-behavior-testing-fails-adopters-dogs-volunteers-shelter-staff/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How behavior testing fails adopters, dogs, volunteers & shelter staff,</a> Animals 24/7, September 9, 2015.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://abc7chicago.com/1020185/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">8-Year Old Girl, Woman Attacked By Dog in Gage Park</a><br />
October 6, 2015; 2015; ABC 7 Eyewitness News Chicago<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-waukegan-pit-bull-clinic-st-1001-20150930-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Large pit bull population in Waukegan prompts second vaccination clinic</a><br />
September 30, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc7chicago.com/news/ups-driver-attacked-by-pit-bull-in-west-side-police-say/1002173/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UPS Driver Attacked by Pit Bull in West Side</a><br />
September 25, 2015; ABC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://abc7chicago.com/news/man-fights-off-dog-attacking-8-year-old-boy-on-south-side/992818/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man Fights Off Dog Attacking 8-Year Old Boy on South Side</a><br />
September 20, 2015; ABC 7 Eyewitness News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/09/19/man-boy-bitten-by-pit-bull-in-chatham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man, Boy Bitten By Pit Bull In Chatham</a><br />
September 19, 2015; CBS 2 Chicago<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thetelegraph.com/news/71381/man-dog-survive-pitbull-attack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man, dog survive pitbull attack</a><br />
Pitbull mauls lab, bystander in Wood River<br />
September 17, 2015; The Telegraph<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-pit-bull-attack-mchenry-met-20150910-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls who injured dog, 2 people in attack will return to owner</a><br />
September 10, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wandtv.com/story/30004753/bully-pit-bulls-attacking-pets" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bully Pit Bulls Attacking Pets</a><br />
September 10, 2015; WAND TV 17<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/7/71/822817/police-officer-fatally-shoots-pit-bull-chatham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police officer fatally shoots pit bull in Chatham</a><br />
July 24, 2015; Chicago Sun-Times<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://pitbullattacksinillinois.blogspot.com/2015/07/jul-23-2015-animal-protection-league_27.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal Protection League Adopting out Pit Bull that Launched Severe Unprovoked Attack</a><br />
July 23, 2015; Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pitbullattacksinillinois.blogspot.com/2015/08/aug-01-2015-lincolnwood-pit-bull-kills.html">Lincolnwood Pit Bull Kills Yorkie in Front of Children Walking Their Pet</a><br />
April 1, 2015; Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://illinoistimes.com/article-15916-dog-bites-man,-who-sues.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog bites man, who sues</a><br />
APL dog is dangerous, plaintiff says<br />
July 23, 2015; Illinois Times<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/07/22/dog-attack-victims-say-owners-not-punished-enough/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Attack Victims Say Owners Not Punished Enough</a><br />
July 22, 2015; WBBM CBS Chicago<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nwherald.com/2015/07/13/pit-bull-dies-from-injuries-sustained-in-attacks-on-2-woodstock-dogs-animal-control-says/agx4rqi/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull dies from injuries sustained in attacks on 2 Woodstock dogs</a><br />
July 12, 2015; Northwest Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nwherald.com/2015/07/12/pit-bull-shot-at-in-woodstock-area-after-reportedly-attacking-2-dogs/ajcf337/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull shot at in Woodstock area after reportedly attacking 2 dogs</a><br />
July 12, 2015; Northwest Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2015/06/24/man-accused-abandoning-pit-bull-fatally-attacks-poodle/29223411/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Illinois man accused of abandoning pit bull as it fatally attacks poodle</a><br />
June 24, 2015; Fond du Lac Reporter<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/7/71/676013/man-charged-10-abused-pit-bulls-rescued-far-south-side-home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man charged after 10 abused pit bulls rescued from Far South Side home</a><br />
June 9, 2015; Chicago Sun-Times<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/woman-wants-ordinance-against-dangerous-dogs/31053/Np3ZMwB0XEWcnka3hK3waQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman wants ordinance against dangerous dogs</a><br />
June 1, 2015;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/dogs-owner-arrested-after-jogger-attacked/24598/qBvO11BBJUCZwwSEofYQjA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog's owner arrested after jogger attacked</a><br />
June 1, 2015; Illinois Homepage<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/7/71/635497/police-boy-mauled-death-dog-south-side">5-year-old boy mauled to death by dog on South Side</a><br />
May 26, 2015; Chicago Sun-Times<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dog-kills-boy-20150526-story.html" target="_blank">Grandfather of boy killed by dog: 'Person responsible should be made to pay'</a><br />
May 26, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wgntv.com/2015/05/18/2-dogs-reportedly-killed-in-mauling-in-lakeview/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 dogs reportedly killed in mauling in Lakeview</a><br />
May 18, 2015; WGN TV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-brook/crime/ct-dob-blotter-tl-0514-20150508-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull bites 61-yo man</a><br />
May 8, 2015; Chicago Tribune (Police blotter)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-alsip-vicious-dog-0506-20150505-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull could be euthanized after mauling Alsip boy</a><br />
May 6, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
[Editor's note: this attack was unreported, and only made the news when it appeared the attacking dog was about to be euthanized. Matthew Dancho was hospitalized for three days after the attack.]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RCtWXYQg8PR3JvWRVdBivZt-UizWurPNkarD4hR3zgd8h81T4f3JjnQa9QlLFrfu4NppUM3cVEYiiL2ofGUbH_lhmtPrsa2hd9DNoqdA8zeixtVbzerR92OpXv19ylFmdllQLTVNFO5O/s1600/m+dancho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RCtWXYQg8PR3JvWRVdBivZt-UizWurPNkarD4hR3zgd8h81T4f3JjnQa9QlLFrfu4NppUM3cVEYiiL2ofGUbH_lhmtPrsa2hd9DNoqdA8zeixtVbzerR92OpXv19ylFmdllQLTVNFO5O/s320/m+dancho.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Matthew Dancho</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Attacked April 8, 2015</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-dog-rules-st-0501-20150501-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elgin eyes time limit for dangerous dog label</a><br />
May 2, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wgntv.com/2015/05/01/familys-pit-bulls-stolen-at-gun-point/">Family’s pit bulls stolen at gun point</a><br />
May 1, 2015; WGN TV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-zurich/news/ct-lzc-dog-tl-0423-20150507-story.html#page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hawthorn Woods spends $28K in legal fight to euthanize dog</a><br />
May 1, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Previous Illinois References:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://wgntv.com/2015/04/26/girl-attacked-by-pit-bull/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl, 12, attacked by pit bull in Albany Park</a><br />
April 26, 2015; WGN TV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.straight.com/blogra/419866/pit-bull-attacks-84-year-old-us-woman-shes-gardening" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacks 84-year-old U.S. woman as she's gardening</a><br />
March 27, 2015; Georgia Straight<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-pit-bulls-st-0222-20150227-story.html#page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Experts put bite on pit bull backlash</a><br />
By Teresa Auch Schultz<br />
February 27, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-04-07/news/ct-tinley-park-pitbull-hearing-tl-s-0410-20140404_1_pit-bull-owner-dog-attack-buddy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull owner fined over vet attack</a> (Tinley Park)<br />
By Gregory Pratt<br />
April 7, 2014; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-12-05/news/ct-pit-bull-abandonment-met-20131205_1_pit-bulls-reported-dog-bites-strains-rescuers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull overload floods shelters, strains rescuers</a><br />
By Robert McCoppin<br />
December 5, 2013; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0608130330aug13-story.html#page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The enduring agony of a pit bull rampage</a><br />
By Carolyn Starks and John Keilman<br />
August 13, 2006; Chicago Tribune<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-45308829215124818772015-09-23T17:44:00.001+01:002015-11-08T18:16:46.608+00:00Pit Bull Deniers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The article below first appeared in Sierra Magazine.<sup>1</sup> Though the subject is climate change nearly all the arguments apply equally to advocates of fighting breeds, many of whom ignore or deny that pit bulls are disproportionately responsible for fatal attacks on humans.<br />
<br />
It's doubtful that the author, Jake Abrahamson, thought his article would reverberate in the world of pit bull politics. It may be that he would not agree with our appropriation of his ideas about climate change deniers. But many of us who dwell in the galaxy of pit bull politics believe that the pit bull wars, like climate change, constitute a new cultural war.<br />
<br />
In a discussion of fatal dog attack statistics, you will often find the advocate of fighting breeds peering intently at an invisible spot on the wallpaper. If you show a pit bull denier statistics which prove that pit bulls and other fighting breeds are responsible for nearly all fatal attacks on humans, the denier's eyes quickly glaze over. This is a dispute in which facts are all-important but to the deniers the facts are irrelevant.<br />
<br />
Following the Sierra article are brief excerpts from two previous SRUV posts about denial and the culture wars.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>What Makes Climate Deniers Tick</i></span><br />
Hint: It's not the science; it's the culture<br />
by Jake Abrahamson<br />
<blockquote>
No matter how many scientific papers point toward climate change, some people refuse to be convinced. A PEW Research Center poll in June found that American's views on whether the planet is heating up have barely changed since 2006, despite growing scientific consensus and an increasing number of climate-related disasters. The reason for that stasis, Andrew Hoffman argues in <i>How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate</i> (Stanford University Press, 2015), is that a person's belief in climate change has little to do with an assessment of the science and everything to do with their preexisting values, social web, and world view. Climate skeptics are often focused on "protecting deeply held values they believe are under attack," he writes. For stakeholders in dirty fuels or proponents of limited government, acceptance of climate change would require a dramatic reorientation of their values and sense of self, because dealing with the issue will likely involve the end of fossil fuels and greater regulatory powers for government.<br />
<br />
Hoffman, a professor of sustainable enterprise at the University of Michigan, first lays out the psychological and social biases people bring to the climate discussion and then suggests techniques for making that conversation more productive. (A combination of empathy and clever framing is key.) This slender, practical volume will aid anyone hoping to sway climate deniers -- whether on facebook, from a podium, or over a beer.</blockquote>
* * * * *<br />
<br />
from <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2014/01/canine-cognition.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canine Cognition</a>; SRUV, January 24, 2014<br />
<br />
We can be grateful to Mr. Homans for confronting the larger issue; in the early pages he notes that pit bulls are a political issue. This is an insight of great moral courage. We have suffered through four great conflicts during our cultural wars: abortion, gun rights, immigration, and gay rights. Now we may be embarking on our fifth. The politics of dogs are a reflection, distilled and distorted, of the politics of people. Like our previous cultural wars the problem of pit bulls is intractable because it crosses social, economic, gender, and educational boundaries, and because our convictions about pit bulls are based on emotions and faith. Which means that, much like the previous culture wars, the pit bull wars seem intractable.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<br />
from <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/09/carolinas-under-siege.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carolinas Under Siege</a>; SRUV, September 4, 2015<br />
<br />
Deniers: first there were those who denied the Earth was round. Then there were those who denied the Earth circled the Sun. There were some who refused to believe that Apollo 11 landed on the moon, but instead was filmed on a sound stage or in New Mexico. In our times there have been the Holocaust deniers and the Climate Change deniers.<br />
<br />
Now we have the Huffington Post, with their stable of writers who deny that pit bulls, in disproportionate numbers, launch unprovoked attacks and kill or maim members of their human family or a <i>More Vulnerable Animal Companion</i>.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup><i> Sierra </i>is the magazine of the Sierra Club. The article appeared in the September/October 2015 issue.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-76885087522584163622015-09-17T20:48:00.000+01:002015-09-28T00:56:55.610+01:00Michigan Pit Bulls 3; Victims 0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The Fall pit bull season has gotten off to a quick start in Michigan, with the locals amassing an early 3-0 record. The early scores are highlighted below. A number of attacks against <i>More Vulnerable Animal Companions</i> and officers of the law (and very likely other unreported attacks against humans) have been omitted.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"The dog attacked, destroying approximately 70 percent of her face."</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeZhFF9ErapS-P-iTWcsIQG-hfxJolzLAezh3WPaQJvhDdOcZjxEDjNp2E9UKo-H3nZHcLmJTt_A0-6ajPsW9bbAvu_72lwXcb-_evHurixgM0JqvWGKH7c5ydfBPk1QTwXRTjEFFGp-y/s1600/kayla.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeZhFF9ErapS-P-iTWcsIQG-hfxJolzLAezh3WPaQJvhDdOcZjxEDjNp2E9UKo-H3nZHcLmJTt_A0-6ajPsW9bbAvu_72lwXcb-_evHurixgM0JqvWGKH7c5ydfBPk1QTwXRTjEFFGp-y/s400/kayla.JPG" width="293" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kyla Kelly, 9 yo; Warren, Michigan</span></div>
<br />
On August 7, 2015, a pit bull belonging to Matt Abare escaped from its home and attacked Kyla Kelly. Kyla was rushed to St John Hospital and Medical Center and faces years of reconstructive surgery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH75iCwNyZ3g2BvyWLV9tt2aqdmPRL75efnQgf7Vwv3bwlDnMp6x4uQkEM3WOS3yZsq_FOCNJMJfitbjEg9xHNqZ9i99v_tSBBu_SP8ATfO4jL29QJ9rElITtFNKDazN9fpFYj0fGdnhI7/s1600/alecia_finch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH75iCwNyZ3g2BvyWLV9tt2aqdmPRL75efnQgf7Vwv3bwlDnMp6x4uQkEM3WOS3yZsq_FOCNJMJfitbjEg9xHNqZ9i99v_tSBBu_SP8ATfO4jL29QJ9rElITtFNKDazN9fpFYj0fGdnhI7/s400/alecia_finch.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alecia Finch, attacked September 2, 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Nick Gonzales, MLive</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;">The dog, Max, had bitten a 12-year-old boy about 90 minutes before he turned on Alecia, according to a Jackson police report.</span></blockquote>
. . . [Alecia] went to Allegiance Health shortly after the attack and was transferred to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, where she underwent plastic surgery on her face and received 50 to 75 stitches. Alecia required several rounds of rabies shots as the dog was not vaccinated.<br />
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<br />
On September 10, 2015, an Eaton County lawn service employee was attacked by a pit bull. The Lansing State Journal filed a brief account of the attack, based on information from the Sheriff's Department. SRUV wrote to the LSJ journalist with a request for additional information. Our letter, in a slightly edited form, is copied below:<br />
<blockquote>
According to the account published in the LSJ, "The deputy arrived to find the dog still biting and dragging the victim in the back yard." This implies the attack lasted for a few minutes, at a minimum. The wounds would therefore have been severe.<br />
<br />
Was the employee a man or a woman? Were there dismemberments or amputations? <br />
<br />
Whose dog was it -- did it belong to the property owner or a neighbor? Have charges been filed? Was the dog licensed? Neutered?<br />
<br />
Does the company that employed the victim have insurance which covers the employee's medical expenses?<br />
<br />
We would appreciate the courtesy of a prompt reply.<br />
The Editors</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * *</div>
SRUV has yet to receive a reply.<br />
<br />
With a 3-0 record the Michigan pit bulls are off to a devastating Fall season. We can expect dozens of similar attacks before the end of the year, leaving in their wake a toll of grief that is largely unacknowledged by newspapers, city councils, county commissions, and state legislators.<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2015/09/pit_bull_euthanized_as_two_chi.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl requires plastic surgery, up to 75 stitches following pitbull attack</a><br />
September 16, 2015; Jackson Citizen-Patriot<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2015/09/11/news/doc55f2ce06a3c2c907758877.txt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull to be euthanized after attacking two dogs, killing one</a><br />
September 11, 2015; News Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/09/10/pit-bull-killed-after-attacking-lawn-service-employee/72025496/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull killed after attacking lawn service employee</a><br />
September 10, 2015; Lansing State Journal<br />
<br />
(September 2, 2015; unreported attack on Alecia Finch covered on Sept 16)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150831/oakland-county-sheriffs-office-pit-bull-seized-after-biting-deputy-in-pontiac" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oakland County Sheriff’s Office: Pit bull seized after biting deputy in Pontiac</a><br />
August 31, 2015; Oakland Press News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/08/suspects_pit_bull_attacks_sher.html#comments" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Suspect's pit bull attacks Sheriff K-9 during arrest</a><br />
August 13, 2015; MLive<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/6022358-story" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Parents speak out day after daughter is mauled by neighbor's dog</a><br />
August 8, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit WJBK<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2015/08/08/dog-bite-girl-warren-pitbull/31353247/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl, 9, bit by pitbull-type dog, Warren police say</a><br />
August 8, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/29741144/9-year-old-attacked-by-pit-bull-in-warren" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">9-year-old attacked by pit bull in Warren</a><br />
August 7, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit WJBK<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2015/08/07/warren-police-girl-injured-pit-bull-attack/31327885/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl, 9, injured in pit bull attack</a><br />
August 7, 2015; Detroit News<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Fatal Pit Bull Attacks in Michigan</i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe height="336" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zQiAYWhgAuHE.kAB2ppqlBTVY&hl=en_US" width="448"></iframe><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zQiAYWhgAuHE.kAB2ppqlBTVY&hl=en_US" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Full screen map in new tab</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Interactive map courtesy of Dogsbite.org</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span></div>
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> &<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-37162231146601066982015-09-04T17:40:00.000+01:002015-12-13T23:50:04.169+00:00Carolinas Under Siege<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carolinas under siege by pit bulls; HuffPo runs pit bull smootch story during week of terror<sup>1</sup></span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: September 24, 2015; 20:43 GMT<br />
Revised: September 30, 2015; 20:08 GMT</span></div>
<br />
In the summer and early fall of 2015 pit bulls attacked North and South Carolinians at an unprecedented rate. The horrible news came with such frequency that it was difficult to know if we were reading about today's attack or yesterday's, or the attack the day before that or a forthcoming attack. Reading the news became an exercise in controlling fear, not unlike reading a Stephen King novel or watching a Wes Craven movie.<br />
<br />
The attacks began on June 7 in Mountain Home, NC, when 6-year old Joshua Strother was killed by a neighbor's pit bull. On July 26 48-year-old Katherine Rizk of Charleston, SC, was attacked by her husband's pit bull. According to a witness, the dog<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>dragged Rizk around three houses . . . . I couldn’t believe her own dog would do those things to her. I need to remove that scene from my brain.</i></blockquote>
Ms Rizk suffered wounds to her head, torso, legs, and one arm was amputated. According to the police report, Ms Rizk's husband arrived a short time later and initially declined to relinquish the pet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k9qC0pcEdfdwkFNtHopDZ9zEpasJrLM5ERfXxUefytPwW4WW3UADA6xFI-nILn1lmgaLUJ2-bqVPCP5vjGlJm6iecIk4cvjBHWj9EHZUMZ1BW6IsezRIDkAO9Fb0KLZ7EXdLQv6gd6Z4/s1600/mahmoud+katherine+rizk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k9qC0pcEdfdwkFNtHopDZ9zEpasJrLM5ERfXxUefytPwW4WW3UADA6xFI-nILn1lmgaLUJ2-bqVPCP5vjGlJm6iecIk4cvjBHWj9EHZUMZ1BW6IsezRIDkAO9Fb0KLZ7EXdLQv6gd6Z4/s1600/mahmoud+katherine+rizk.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Katherine and Mahmoud Rizk</span></div>
<br />
After a three-week hiatus the attacks resumed with dizzying intensity. On August 22, 25-year-old Porsche Nicole Carter was killed by her pit bull in Spartanburg, SC; her mother and a roommate were also injured by their pit bull. On August 24, 48-year-old Cathy Wheatcraft of Mocksville, NC, was killed at her mailbox and a neighbor injured by another neighbor's pit bull.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifEi3Bw5zINGgrLlu51ZWkbKR80T59VDjZRTJQZi2bKzM7NLxPYcaygLWGGagvGJQQwPPXjADUV_TAuuDZMQy8gbOUp0kyzvJWULxxS1a29sjsz8Qwfj1qbGuXkorzoFIv7kqMuTHl6O1/s1600/porche+nicole+cartee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifEi3Bw5zINGgrLlu51ZWkbKR80T59VDjZRTJQZi2bKzM7NLxPYcaygLWGGagvGJQQwPPXjADUV_TAuuDZMQy8gbOUp0kyzvJWULxxS1a29sjsz8Qwfj1qbGuXkorzoFIv7kqMuTHl6O1/s320/porche+nicole+cartee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Porche Nicole Carter, d. August 22, 2015</span></div>
<br />
On the following day a tragedy was averted when a deputy interrupted a pit bull attack on the dog's owner and her roommate in Greenville County, SC. On the day after that a pit bull attacked three people at the Travelers Inn Motel in Four Oaks, one of them seriously. On the same day a family pit bull in Fayetteville, NC attacked an 18-month old toddler, who is reportedly "fighting for his life."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Smootchie, Smootchie"</i></span><br />
<br />
Deniers: first there were those who denied the Earth was round. Then there were those who denied the Earth circled the Sun. There were some who refused to believe that Apollo 11 landed on the moon, but instead was filmed on a sound stage or in New Mexico. In our own era there have been the Holocaust deniers and the Climate Change deniers.<br />
<br />
Now we have the Huffington Post, with their stable of writers who deny that pit bulls, in disproportionate numbers, launch unprovoked attacks and kill or maim members of their human family, or a <i>More Vulnerable Animal Companion</i>.<sup>2</sup><br />
<br />
A recent example of the Huffington Post's advocacy of fighting breeds was published on August 27th, as the week of carnage in the Carolinas came to a close. Associate Editor Kimberly Yam, with the assistance of video producer Oliver Noble, published a video showing children and adults kissing and cuddling pit bulls.<br />
<br />
Such callous indifference to the suffering and grief of the victims has become routine at the Huffington Post; indeed we have come to expect it. And yet this most recent example is different. The number of attacks in the Carolinas, the immediacy and the severity of them, coupled with the absolute lack of compassion for the victims on the part of Ms Yam and the Huffington Post, combine to make Ms Yam's article morally offensive. The article degrades the humanity not only of Ms Yam and the Huffington Post, but of all of us who happened upon it by chance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSqpYCZKkHOko7lAU9vsvSWHn7lXiFINurG0d42lM6uU9vtfJcqNE29v_aV-n-UorI9BZYI1lL48CqeE5Tj9Di60Pll_g-POLhqZgtYXmhheIVHKg-vFNjEK09le_FFpaKtc9uvOQBeLT/s1600/kimberly+yam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSqpYCZKkHOko7lAU9vsvSWHn7lXiFINurG0d42lM6uU9vtfJcqNE29v_aV-n-UorI9BZYI1lL48CqeE5Tj9Di60Pll_g-POLhqZgtYXmhheIVHKg-vFNjEK09le_FFpaKtc9uvOQBeLT/s320/kimberly+yam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kimberly Yam, Assoc Editor, The Huffington Post</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pit-bulls-attack-with-smooches_55df63eae4b08dc09486d411" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LOOKOUT! Big, Bad Pit Bulls Are Coming For You... With Kisses</a><br />
Pit Bulls Attack, with Smootches (Video)<br />
August 27, 2015; Huffington Post<br />
Kimberly Yam, Assoc Editor<br />
Oliver Noble, Video Producer</blockquote>
</div>
* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> SRUV is indebted to the anonymous Craigslist poster from Eugene, OR, for the "Carolinas Under Siege" meme. A cached version of the Craigslist post can be viewed at <a href="https://goo.gl/ggE02l">https://goo.gl/ggE02l</a><br />
<sup>2</sup> This is not to infer that pit bull denial is in any way comparable or equivalent to the denial of the genocide of millions of humans by the Third Reich.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.wyff4.com/news/family-member-says-victim-of-pitbull-attack-of-long-road-ahead/34993488" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attack victims on 'long road' to recovery</a><br />
August 29, 2015; WYFF 4 (Greenville, SC)<br />
<i> "The dog ripped off about 99 percent of her left hand. The first surgery removed it completely," Dixon said. "Her second surgery removed the rest of the arm halfway to the elbow."</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.jocoreport.com/victims-of-dog-mauling-may-have-undergo-rabies-treatment/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three victims of previously unreported mauling may have to undergo rabies treatment</a><br />
August 27, 2015; Johnston County Report<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wral.com/fayetteville-pit-bull-euthanized-after-attack-on-toddler/14858560/">Fayetteville pit bull euthanized after attack on toddler</a> (NC)<br />
August 27, 2015; WRAL<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wspa.com/2015/08/26/in-one-week-pit-bulls-attack-4-people-across-upstate/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In One Week, Pit Bulls Attack 4 People Across Upstate</a><br />
August 26, 2015; WSPA CBS 7 (Spartanburg, SC)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wspa.com/2015/08/25/pitbull-attacks-two-elderly-greenville-co-women/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Attacks Two Elderly Greenville County Women</a> (SC)<br />
Sheriff Deputies Shot and Killed the Dog to Save the Victims' Lives<br />
August 25, 2015 ; WSPA CBS 7<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2015/08/25/greenville-deputy-saves-two-women-pit-bull/32318337/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Greenville deputy saves two women from pit bull</a><br />
August 25, 2015; Greenville Online<br />
<i> A deputy arrived on scene and saw a dog on a woman’s arm, which was almost severed, Smith said. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://wncn.com/2015/08/25/1-killed-1-hurt-after-pit-bull-attack-in-nc/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1 killed, 1 hurt after pit bull attack in NC</a><br />
(Mocksville, Davie County, NC)<br />
August 25, 2015; WNCN<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.people.com/article/one-killed-two-injured-south-carolina-pit-bull-attack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Kills Woman, Injures Two Roommates in South Carolina</a><br />
August 25, 2015; People Magazine<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/state/south-carolina/article31960215.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coroner: Spartanburg woman died from dog bites</a><br />
August 24, 2015; Myrtle Beach Sun News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/pit-bull-get-loose-at-whiteville-shelter-kills-cat-and/article_f9de7669-49db-5ec9-8b75-31d240f6d0a1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull get loose at Whiteville shelter, kills cat and 13 kittens</a><br />
August 11, 2015; Fayettville Observer<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Other Recent Attacks in the Carolinas:</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://wncn.com/2015/08/06/1-person-killed-in-dispute-over-dog-in-person-co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man charged with murder in pit bull dispute in Person Co.</a><br />
August 6, 2015; WNCN<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-carolina-man-pit-bull-attacks-wife-loses-arm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man's pit bull attacks wife, who loses part of arm</a><br />
July 28, 2015; CBS News (Charleston, SC)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pit-bull-mauls-6-year-old-boy-to-death-in-north-carolina/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull mauls 6-year-old boy to death in North Carolina</a><br />
July 8, 2015; CBS<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;">
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrN1VERmZwa0ZwYmhSSmhhWG9ROERka1Rvczhr/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-bibliographies.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog Bite Studies Index</a><br />
Dogsbite.org<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a><br />
Google News<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-83176623973611730672015-08-11T15:20:00.001+01:002015-09-01T16:08:04.084+01:00Charges Pending: V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>This period of reporting covers March 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015, during which there were at least 9 fatal pit bull attacks. </i><br />
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<i>The legal trends for this reporting period appear to indicate an increased number of individuals bringing civil suits following a pit bull attack</i><i>.</i><br />
<i> <br />
In many of the cases indicated below, including those with profound medical and economic consequences or involving the death of a companion animal, the attacking pit bull was returned to the safety and comfort of its home. <br />
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The following list includes only a few of the more notable recent legal cases involving pit bull attacks during this period. Click on any image to enlarge.</i></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.kmbc.com/news/mauled-boys-family-wants-charges-filed-in-case/34403748" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mauled boy's family wants charges filed in case</a> (KC, MO)<br />
Dog previously attacked someone in Lee's Summit, police say<br />
July 28, 2015; KMBC.com<br />
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<a href="http://www.kshb.com/news/crime/dog-that-attacked-toddler-euthanized-head-sent-to-jefferson-city-family-says" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jackson County prosecutors file felony charges against owners of Greenwood, Mo. dog</a><br />
July 26, 2015; KSHB<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnL2r9PxJMCgDdRJWfMtBJu5gr40qSQ0zGL8Q_k_Dz0rt7HxPHppo2sqTOg0rtvnaCgpOnzbWS28Bvr61ZAXHjf7XNAtXohkNVMItYdiK_mXPzU489JpAL8QfnyT0XMvGPR_UwsQ-rpH5/s1600/susan+cottrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnL2r9PxJMCgDdRJWfMtBJu5gr40qSQ0zGL8Q_k_Dz0rt7HxPHppo2sqTOg0rtvnaCgpOnzbWS28Bvr61ZAXHjf7XNAtXohkNVMItYdiK_mXPzU489JpAL8QfnyT0XMvGPR_UwsQ-rpH5/s1600/susan+cottrell.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Susan Cottrell</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20150723/ohio-woman-charged-in-death-of-step-grandson-killed-by-dog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ohio woman charged in death of step-grandson killed by dog</a><br />
July 23, 2015; Morning Journal<br />
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<a href="http://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/510628765-pit-bull-allegedly-attacks-neighbor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull allegedly attacks neighbor</a><br />
July 22, 2015; Cook County Record<br />
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<a href="http://www.koat.com/news/owner-faces-charges-after-pit-bull-attack/34220580" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owner faces charges after Pit Bull attack</a><br />
July 17, 2015; KOAT 7 ABC Albuquerque<br />
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<a href="http://www.kvue.com/story/news/investigations/defenders/2015/07/09/dog-mauling-victim-blames-city-company-for-attack/29923881/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog mauling victim blames city, company for attack</a><br />
July 10, 2015; KVUE (Kyle TX)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Two dog owners in Kyle will soon face felony charges after their four dogs nearly killed a neighbor. A KVUE Defenders investigation uncovered animal control and others knew the dogs posed a danger months before the attack, but the pets remained with the owners.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.wyff4.com/news/hcso-pit-bull-attacks-kills-6yearold-in-western-nc/34043126" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deputies release name of 6-year-old boy attacked, killed by pit bull</a>I<br />
<span style="color: #660000;">CANINE HOMICIDE</span><br />
July 9, 2015; WYFF 4<br />
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<i>The investigation revealed the pit bull was adopted from the Asheville Humane Society about three weeks before the attack. . . Deputies say based on that information, no charges will be filed.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.kvue.com/story/news/crime/2015/07/08/charges-to-be-filed-after-woman-attacked-by-4-dogs/29886651/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charges to be filed after woman attacked by 4 dogs</a><br />
July 9, 2015; KVUE, Kyle TX<br />
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<a href="http://www.tylerstarnews.com/page/content.detail/id/520863/Pitbull-Owner-Charged.html?nav=5008">Pitbull Owner Charged</a><br />
July 8, 2015; Tyler Star News (Texas)<br />
<i>According to police reports the two Pitbulls have been documented attacking people and other animals on five separate occasions</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://wqad.com/2015/06/30/monmouth-college-grad-charged-for-stomping-puppy-to-death/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monmouth College grad charged for allegedly stomping puppy to death</a><br />
June 30, 2015; WQAD<br />
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<a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2015/06/24/man-accused-abandoning-pit-bull-fatally-attacks-poodle/29223411/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Illinois man accused of abandoning pit bull as it fatally attacks poodle</a><br />
June 24, 2015; Fond du Lac Reporter<br />
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<a href="http://louisianarecord.com/stories/510550954-man-claims-permanent-disability-after-being-attacked-by-couple-s-pitbull" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man claims permanent disability after being attacked by couple’s pitbull</a><br />
June 24, 2015; Louisiana Record<br />
<i>A couple is being sued by a man who claims he was permanently disabled after being attacked by their pit bull . . . . The defendant is accused of violation of state law, causing injury and damage, negligently owning a pit bull, allowing the plaintiff into their yard where their dog had access, allowing pit bull to attack plaintiff, failing and refusing to properly secure the pitt-bull and failing to warn of the aggressive nature of the dog. An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain, mental anguish, medical treatment, permanent disability, lost income and loss of earning capacity.</i><br />
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<a href="http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33209576-75/owner-of-pit-bull-that-attacked-veneta-woman-and-dog-is-fined-606.html.csp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owner of pit bull that attacked Veneta woman and dog is fined $606</a><br />
June 19, 2015; The Register-Guard<br />
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<a href="http://www.news9.com/story/29325948/okc-animal-welfare-officers-threatened-during-investigation-into-dog-fight-video">OKC Animal Welfare Officers Threatened During Investigation Into Dog Fight Video</a><br />
June 15, 2015; News 9 (Oklahoma City)<br />
<i>According to the report, charges are pending.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.news-journal.com/news/2015/may/30/poilce-longview-womans-pit-bulls-attacked-4-people/">Longview woman's pit bulls attacked 4 people</a><br />
May 30, 2015; Longview News Journal<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqY8zoDxUKmBMj0d6jMxQsc8GkV8QMiIuIBJtZRsNWsvcJVFMLBHo6XwKxBv7QHT_HRZ9BMU-TU4Fg8M2xzO5q7cCmNBqFMJpvmGfYsqlJMUaNeMKX36mNtYFAuHJcIbhsnfIDDqKDmgFh/s1600/s+r+kroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqY8zoDxUKmBMj0d6jMxQsc8GkV8QMiIuIBJtZRsNWsvcJVFMLBHo6XwKxBv7QHT_HRZ9BMU-TU4Fg8M2xzO5q7cCmNBqFMJpvmGfYsqlJMUaNeMKX36mNtYFAuHJcIbhsnfIDDqKDmgFh/s320/s+r+kroll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sondra Rene’ Kroll</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wvtm13.com/news/man-indicted-in-tuscaloosa-pit-bull-attack/33263798" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man indicted in Tuscaloosa pit bull attack</a><br />
May 28, 2015; WVTM<br />
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<a href="http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/100-million-symbolic-judgment-entered-in-dog-6273291.php">$100 million 'symbolic' judgment entered in dog attack case</a><br />
May 19, 2015; Houston Chronicle<br />
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<a href="http://www.recordnet.com/article/20150518/NEWS/150519626/-1/A_SPORTS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owner in dog-mauling death gets 4 years</a><br />
May 18, 2015; Stockton Record<br />
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<a href="http://www.newtondailynews.com/2015/05/14/wright-found-guilty-of-child-endangerment-causing-death/acgw7lj/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wright found guilty of child endangerment causing death</a><br />
May 14, 2015; Newton Daily News<br />
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<a href="http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/05/syracuse_man_facing_up_to_25_years_in_prison_for_ordering_pit_bull_attack.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Syracuse man facing up to 25 years in prison for ordering pit bull attack</a><br />
May 8, 2015; Syracuse.com<br />
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<a href="http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/05/04/pair-of-families-seek-justice-after-dog-maims-3-year-old-kills-pet/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pair Of Families Seek Justice After Dog Maims Boy, Kills Pet</a><br />
May 4, 2015; CBS LA<br />
<a href="http://abc7.com/pets/lawsuit-filed-against-owner-of-pit-bull-that-mauled-2-year-old-boy/698974/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lawsuit filed against owner of pit bull that mauled 2-year old boy</a><br />
May 5, 2015; KABC TV Eyewitness News LA<br />
<i> The family of a 2-year-old boy who allegedly had his nose bitten off by a pit bull has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the dog's owner. . . . A few weeks ago the pit bull went on the attack again. This time, it killed a poodle named Sarge who was on a walk with his owner in Lake Arrowhead.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mspcwT3f3Cn_PZdYYatyiW-RCgjMGxMDbN-wnszGgKPjd-qQ9K37MkUsUIcrlPpdAwRKw2ke8EyPdO0MnH7ceBjN8dZuiX4GcDxvYZZOtPMdWLF8k4E5ram_uETxdDGugQk7Jr9ljHmc/s1600/050515-kabc-ie-dog-attacks-poodle-img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mspcwT3f3Cn_PZdYYatyiW-RCgjMGxMDbN-wnszGgKPjd-qQ9K37MkUsUIcrlPpdAwRKw2ke8EyPdO0MnH7ceBjN8dZuiX4GcDxvYZZOtPMdWLF8k4E5ram_uETxdDGugQk7Jr9ljHmc/s1600/050515-kabc-ie-dog-attacks-poodle-img.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/poodle-killed-pit-bull-lake-worth-25391.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Poodle killed by pit bull in Lake Worth</a><br />
April 29, 2015; CBS 12<br />
<i>Investigators decided not to impound the dog and gave the owner a ticket for improper confinement of a dog.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.nogalesinternational.com/news/pit-bull-owner-cited-after-attack-on-goats/article_69f51bc6-ee85-11e4-b492-7768b167bd62.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull owner cited after attack on goats</a><br />
April 29, 2015; Nogales International<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfb3FSl31LnfaUj7t6T6WTU8_XcfIRWP2BGNvQQKxfwu9GPf0t1PY-Qy5cTqKPQxxB0_-4DKF9AHPCD3LxiX2JhNqbth9Ywp8XHB2W3m26QrMi7N_1HpLH4oeWxlVtikytmxkkhMvHPR_/s1600/nogales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfb3FSl31LnfaUj7t6T6WTU8_XcfIRWP2BGNvQQKxfwu9GPf0t1PY-Qy5cTqKPQxxB0_-4DKF9AHPCD3LxiX2JhNqbth9Ywp8XHB2W3m26QrMi7N_1HpLH4oeWxlVtikytmxkkhMvHPR_/s1600/nogales.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://patch.com/rhode-island/northkingstown/judge-orders-dogs-held-vicious-dog-case-be-returned" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Judge Orders Pit Bulls Held in Vicious Dog Case to be Returned</a><br />
April 27, 2015; North Kingston Patch<br />
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<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/04/22/man-who-had-15-minutes-of-fame-for-attempted-pit-bull-rescue-to-be-sentenced-for-involuntary-homicide-by-pit-bull/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man . . . sentenced for "Involuntary Homicide by Pit Bull"</a><br />
April 22, 2015; Animals 24-7<br />
<i> The Hrenko conviction preceded by 19 days the convictions on April 14, 2015 in Dayton, Ohio of Andrew Nason, 30, and Julie Custer, 27, in connection with the February 7, 2014 fatal mauling of Klonda Richey, 57, by their two Cane Corsos.</i><br />
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</i> <a href="http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/apr/22/pine-bluff-garage-owner-charged-pit-bull-attack/?news-arkansas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pine Bluff garage owner charged in fatal pit bull attack</a><br />
April 22, 2015; Arkansas Online<br />
<i> The manslaughter charge is a Class D felony, and an arrest warrant for Smith was issued at the time the charges were filed, Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Case Coordinator Cheryl Skagsjord said.</i><br />
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</i> <a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/04/20/pit-bull-mauling-death-being-referred-to-grand-jury/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Mauling Death Being Referred To Grand Jury</a><br />
April 20, 2015; CBS DFW<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP9CwYIJvW2697kd-LojJ6Cwm0GzARBhjyQxnGdvxffN9ALmT50Sv9X1S4TGD7nmO-03ODCUOEAp-VAiWjzUVEM3VgG-gdizoj5N_f3xdC2x6jQ0Dq3V_XbhrEU8yvzRLQAHKHfqZ9x4O/s1600/Screenshot+2015-05-01+at+06.39.51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP9CwYIJvW2697kd-LojJ6Cwm0GzARBhjyQxnGdvxffN9ALmT50Sv9X1S4TGD7nmO-03ODCUOEAp-VAiWjzUVEM3VgG-gdizoj5N_f3xdC2x6jQ0Dq3V_XbhrEU8yvzRLQAHKHfqZ9x4O/s1600/Screenshot+2015-05-01+at+06.39.51.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://kdhnews.com/news/briefs/woman-charged-after-alleged-cove-pit-bull-attack/article_b37f6da0-e4b2-11e4-91fa-7780f8df0ec2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman charged after alleged Cove pit bull attack</a><br />
April 17, 2015; Killeen Daily Herald<br />
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<a href="http://family%20of%209-year-old%20mauled%20by%20pit%20bull%20says%20dog%20has%20bitten%20before%2C%20sues%20owners%20for%20negligence/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family of 9-year-old mauled by pit bull says dog has bitten before, sues owners for negligence</a><br />
April 14, 2015; Alabama.com<br />
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<a href="http://www.thv11.com/story/news/2015/04/02/owners-will-not-be-charged-in-union-co-pit-bull-attack/70835808/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owners will not be charged in Union Co. pit bull attack</a><br />
April 2, 2015; THV11 Little Rock AK<br />
<i> According to the prosecutor, the owners will not be charged because the three pit bulls showed no previous signs of aggression.</i><br />
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March 29, 2015; SILive.com<br />
<a href="http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2015/03/mauled_in_pit_bull_attack_she.html#comments" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mauled in pit bull attack, she settles lawsuit for $450,000</a><br />
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March 25, 2015; CBS Sacramento<br />
<a href="http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/03/25/stockton-man-going-to-prison-for-pit-bulls-deadly-mauling/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stockton Man Going To Prison For Pit Bull’s Deadly Mauling</a><br />
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March 23, 2015; KOAT 7ABC<br />
<a href="http://www.koat.com/news/woman-faces-charges-after-pit-bull-attack/31964970" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman faces charges after pit bull attack</a><br />
<i>According to police, Romeyn’s dogs have injured other animals twice before.</i><br />
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March 18, 2015; The Republican, Springfield MA<br />
<a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/springfield_jury_awards_150000_to_mother_of_child_injured_by_pit_bull.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Springfield jury awards $150,000 to mother of child injured by pit bull</a><br />
<i> jury found both the owner of the dog, Thomas Peralta, and the owner of the apartment building in which Peralta lived, Tomas Paris, negligent. It said that negligence resulted in damages to Lazarro Lopez.</i><br />
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March 17, 2015; The Detroit News<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/03/17/pit-bull-pack-owner-arraigned/24918101/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owner of pit bulls that mauled Detroit man arraigned</a><br />
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March 13, 2015; Pahrump, NV<br />
<a href="http://www.8newsnow.com/story/28493736/3-injured-after-pit-bull-attack-1-critical-owner-arrested" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3 injured after pit bull attack, 1 critical, owner arrested</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ric Davidson, owner of three pit bulls</span></div>
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March 10, 2015; Marshall, TX<br />
<a href="http://www.ketknbc.com/news/crimewatch/1-arrested-in-vicious-dog-attack-resulting-in-hosp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1 arrested in vicious dog attack resulting in hospitalization of 83-year-old</a><br />
<i> On February 9, 2015, at 8:45 am, Sarah Harper, an 83-year-old retired teacher, was attacked in her front yard by two pit bull type dogs o . . . . The victim, a great-grandmother and longtime Marshall resident, remains in ICU while she recovers.</i><br />
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March 2, 2015; Miami-Dade County, FL<br />
<a href="http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/man-at-center-of-dog-mauling-case-rejects-plea-deal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dad Takes Plea Deal In Pit Bull Death</a><br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Related Posts:</i><br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2013/05/charges-pending.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charges Pending</a> (May 26, 2013)<br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2014/06/charges-pending-ii.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charges Pending II</a> (June 20, 2014)<br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2014/09/charges-pending-iii.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charges Pending III</a> (Sept 02, 2014)<br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/03/charges-pending-iv.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charges Pending IV</a> (March 01 2015)<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
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This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> &<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-31206257374660493132015-08-02T16:09:00.000+01:002015-08-03T20:01:04.013+01:00A Pit Bull Advocate's Interview with Merritt Clifton<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
[Editor's note: This series consists of two posts: <i>A Pit Bull Advocate's Interview with Merritt Clifton,</i> and a prefatory essay by Barbara Kay titled <i>Sweet Revenge. </i>"Mark" is a pseudonym; Ms Kay does not wish to call negative attention to his highly reputable college or its excellent film department. See <i><a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/08/sweet-revenge.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sweet Revenge</a></i> for events leading to this interview.]<br />
<br />
The following email interview was conducted in February, 2013.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mark:</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Right off the bat, assuming someone doesn’t know your stance on the BSL issue, would you say that pit bull-type dogs are inherently more dangerous than most other breeds of dog? If so, what evidence would you use to support this assertion?</blockquote>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Merritt Clifton:</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
see: http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-study-dog-attacks-and-maimings-merritt-clifton.php </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The pattern discovered during the past 30-plus years of data tracking turns out to have prevailed among non-rabid dog attack cases going all the way back to 1844, which is as far as the data can be reconstructed from published accounts. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
However, the frequency of attacks has increased exponentially, from fewer than one dog attack fatality per year in the middle decades of the 20th century to an average of more than 30 per year just by pit bulls since 2010. Also, more than half of all the pit bull fatalities & disfigurements of the past 30 years have occurred just since the Michael Vick dogfighting case broke in April 2007. Pit bulls had already accounted for half the total numbers of dog attack fatalities & disfigurements then.</blockquote>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mark:</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Looking at the report, and some summations of it, one would come to the conclusion that you feel pit bulls are an inherent danger to the public. Why is it that almost every single agency concerned with animal welfare and veterinary medicine has come out vehemently against any breed-specific legislation? They really have nothing to gain or lose by opposing BSL.</blockquote>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>MC: </i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It is entirely incorrect, indeed the inverse of reality, to assert that the agencies involved “have nothing to gain or lose by opposing BSL.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Indeed, the organized veterinary profession has for more than 60 years opposed ANY legislation that would curtail breeding dogs, and the largest humane societies have tended to align themselves with the veterinary societies time & again, until smaller organizations employing veterinarians who have been willing to buck the establishment have conducted the demonstration projects & won the lawsuits that permitted the introduction of discount spay/neuter, high-volume spay/neuter, spay/neuter offered through non-profit clinics, the introduction of neuter/return, and differential dog licensing, which means that sterilized dogs are licensed for a lower fee than those who are intact. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Time and again the major humane societies have belatedly climbed aboard the bandwagon once it was already rolling, rather than risk losing market share. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Further contributing to the present positions of most of the major humane societies is the reality that over the past 20 years, donors have responded very positively to the transition many have made to a no-kill or low-kill modus operandi – exactly as I had editorially urged at the now defunct Animal People newspaper from Volume 1, #1. (I was in fact the keynote speaker at the first No Kill Conference, in 1995.) </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Unfortunately, it is very difficult for any humane society to remain no-kill when 30% or more of the dogs coming through the doors are pit bulls – unless the humane society ceases to be open-admission on the one hand, thereby obliging a public agency to accept all of the hardest cases, and denies the realities pertaining to pit bulls on the other, so as to be able to adopt out more of them. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Among the consequences are that of the 42 fatal dog attacks by shelter dogs occurring in the past 33 years, 40 have occurred since 2000. There have been 37 fatalities involving shelter dogs from 2010 to present, involving 29 pit bulls, seven bull mastiffs, two Rottweilers, a Lab who may have been part pit bull, and a husky.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Even Dr. Julie Gilchrist of the CDC has come out with the statement: "There are enormous difficulties in collecting dog bite data.”</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Julie Gilchrist has a background in sports medicine and water safety. She has no relevant background in dog attacks, animal care & control, or dog-related zoonotic disease, and does not seem to have any interest in these areas, either. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I had already been tracking dog attack data for 21 years before the dog attack portfolio was tossed into her jurisdiction, & had been tracking dog attacks by breed for 17 years, often exchanging data with her predecessor at the CDC, who produced some relevant studies. Under Gilchrist’s tenure, which began in 1999, the CDC has produced no new studies or data worthy of being taken seriously.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dr. Gilchrist explained that no centralized reporting system for dog bites exists, and incidents are typically relayed to a number of entities, such as the police, veterinarians, animal control, and emergency rooms, making meaningful analysis nearly impossible.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If the CDC took this view of the data pertaining to any other disease or occupational health and safety issue, the CDC would have no meaningful data on any subject, because in fact there is no centralized reporting system for any medical issue until one is established, usually by an Act of Congress. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Usually the reason such an Act of Congress is passed is that “a number of entities” have assembled an overwhelming preponderance of data establishing that something – smoking, asbestos and drunk driving, among other examples – is creating a public health problem worthy of official tracking & study.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dr. Julie Gilchrist also said: “If anyone says one dog is more likely to kill — unless there is a study out there I haven’t seen — that’s not based on scientific data.”</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Her opinion would be more significant if she had in fact kept up with the relevant studies. Some examples: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Laurel Holmquist, M.A. and Anne Elixhauser, Ph.D. Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD, USA, November 2010; www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb101.pdf </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
John K. Bini, MD, Stephen M. Cohn, MD, Shirley M. Acosta, RN, BSN, Marilyn J. McFarland, RN, MS, Mark T. Muir, MD, and Joel E. Michalek, PhD. Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs. Annals of Surgery, Volume 253, Number 4, April 2011, page 791. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Alan M. Beck, Honey Loring, and Randall Lockwood The Ecology of Dog Bite Injury in St. Louis, Missouri. Public Health Reports, May-June 1975, Vol. 90, No.3, page 263. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lisa B. E. Shields, MD, Mark L. Bernstein, DDS, John C. Hunsaker, III, MD, JD, and Donna M. Stewart, MD. Dog Bite-Related Fatalities: A 15-Year Review of Kentucky Medical Examiner Cases, American Journal of Forensic Medical Pathology 2009;30: pages 223–230. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Angelo Monroy, MD, Philomena Behar, MD, Mark Nagy, MD, Christopher Poje, MD, Michael Pizzuto, MD, and Linda Brodsky, MD. Head and neck dog bites in children. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (2009) 140, pages 354-357. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008, Laurel Holmquist, M.A. and Anne Elixhauser, Ph.D., Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project Statistical Brief #101, November 2010.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Many have criticized your report for being based on “press accounts since 1982,” as stated in the report itself. Even with verification of each press account with a police file, medical report, etc., isn’t the use of media reporting (notoriously sensationalized) sourcing an incomplete, untrustworthy source for a meta-study of this scale? (i.e. even though the media reports are backed up with secondary sources, using the media reports as the initial source seems like it would limit the data to only cases reported in the media, hardly an empirical source.)</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
From the daily stock market reports to the sports scores, the world relies on media compilations of data to inform practically every form of both personal and public policy decision-making.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How do you feel about the vagueness of breed-specific legislation? For example, in Ontario, the law essentially states that Pit Bull Terriers are banned, that Staffordshire Terriers are banned, and then it goes on to state “a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d).” Many feel that this is a slippery slope where many other breeds could be sucked into the fold simply because of how they look (and this type of misapplied profiling has been documented in Ontario, for example with a man named Rui Branco).</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A pit bull is not actually a terrier; it is a category of molosser dog, with a bit of terrier added, to which the term “terrier” was applied as a sort of whitewash when dogfighters such as John P. Colby began to sell their culls as pets about a century ago.<br />
<br />
The inherent misunderstanding in your question is the confusion of the definition of “pit bull” with show dog breed standards, which have no relevance to the issue at hand. Pit bulls are dogs in whom form follows function: if the dog has the armament of a pit bull, with sufficient adaptations for fighting and dismembering to do what pit bulls have historically been bred to do, it is a pit bull, regardless of whatever other superficial cosmetic traits it may possess. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It is important to understand that nature never created any dog analogous to a pit bull. No street dog resembles a pit bull, nor does any other breed which was not very selectively bred to be capable of fighting, dismembering escaped slaves, and holding livestock by the nose while their throats are cut.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What is your take on the data collected by the American Temperament Test Society, in operation since 1977 and having tested over 32,000 dogs, and their temperament results? The American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terriers have 86.8% and 84.5% pass rates respectively, whereas the average passing rate for all canine breeds is only 83.0%, with many falling well below that into the 50s, 60s, and 70s.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
No person of good sense takes any of that seriously. Here is a detailed explanation of why, compiled by Dawn James: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2010/08/there-are-three-kinds-of-lies-lies.html</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Looking at bite statistics may pose a problem with creating a full-spectrum analysis of the pit bull type. Many would say that this is the most abused, neglected, and mistreated type of dog on the planet, so of course there will be more bites numerically than other breeds not traditionally labelled as a “risk”. Couldn’t the data be skewed by the fact that humans have turned so many of this type of dog into fighting, killing machines? Can the dogs themselves really be to blame for the actions of their owners? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
First of all, I wonder if you are aware that I was probably the first on record to quantify that pit bulls are the most “abused, neglected, and mistreated type of dog” in North America – certainly not the world, though, as I have observed while investigating the dog meat markets of Asia. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It is interesting that pit bull advocates have seized upon this finding, which I began making public in 1993, and have pretended that it in some manner supports their desire to continue to breed, fight, neglect, chain, and otherwise abuse pit bulls, in between allowing their pit bulls to run amok, killing and maiming other animals and sometimes humans. What this finding actually shows is that the maladaptive traits of pit bulls tends to make them particularly attractive to maladaptive people – and that in itself should be sufficient reason to stop breeding pit bulls. Why should they be bred, only to suffer and die? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The view that pit bull terriers get into trouble chiefly because the wrong people have them was reinforced on November 16, 2006 when a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence revealed that among a sampling of 355 people who keep pet dogs, all who keep pit bulls turned out to have had some sort of trouble with the law. Thirty percent of the people in the sampling who had been cited at least once for failing to license a pit bull were found to have had at least five criminal convictions or traffic citations. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Explained lead study author Jaclyn Barnes of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, "Owners of vicious dogs [mostly pit bulls] who have been cited for failing to register a dog (or) failing to keep a dog confined on the premises ... are more than nine times more likely to have been convicted for a crime involving children, three times more likely to have been convicted of domestic violence ... and nearly eight times more likely to be charged with drug (crimes) than owners of low-risk licensed dogs." </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Co-authors included Frank W. Putnam of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Barbara Boat of the University of Cincinnati, an investigator of animal/human relationships who has often spoken at humane conferences; and Harold Dates and Andrew Mahlman of the Cincinnati SPCA.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the course of making this documentary (which I am approaching from an objective standpoint, having never even owned a dog or worked with an animal organization), I have come to meet many calm, affectionate, obedient pit bull types who, quite frankly, put me at ease. Why are there so many dogs that effortlessly break the stereotype applied by popular media?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
First of all, what alleged stereotype? If you are talking about “aggressive” behaviour, you are completely missing the substance of the problem – because that isn’t the problem at all, nor even part of it. <br />
<br />
Literature produced by dog behaviorists and legislation drafted by public policy makers has historically treated ordinary dog bites and those of more severe consequence as a continuum produced by aggressive dog behavior. Dog training, dog guardian education, and animal control ordinances have consequently focused on preventing or restraining aggression in dogs, without understanding that aggression may be much less the issue than the capacity for doing extreme damage in any biting incident. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The capacity for doing extreme damage is coupled in many molosser dogs, e.g. pit bulls, Rottweilers, and their mixes, with the tendency among breeds produced to fight to explode from calm to all-out attack for an obvious reason, in that the dog who hesitates in a fight to the death will soon be killed. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
At least 15 common dog behaviors may be considered aggressive, and may result in biting, but most are rarely involved in fatal and disfiguring attacks. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Among these "aggressive" behaviors are play-chasing; the air-biting & growling of two dogs who are just becoming acquainted; enthusiastically greeting a person by leaping up on the person or putting paws up; trying to steal food; barking, even when the barking is just a friendly hello; ear-biting; defense of food; growling at a perceived territorial intruder; irritability at being suddenly awakened (mostly seen in older dogs); assertion of dominance; and response to pain, either acute or chronic. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Defense of pups by a female dog was identified in early Dog Bite Prevention Week literature (1955-1961) as the most single common cause of bites, very distantly followed by rabid behavior. Studies published from the mid-1930s into the 1960s consistently identified female dogs as most likely to bite. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fatal and disfiguring attacks were then so rare, occurring at the rate of less than one non-rabid fatality per year 1851-1971, that no one even tried to study them before the late 1960s. Yet during most of that time the national dog sterilization rate was zero, rising from about 1% to about 10% after 1960. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Neither defense or pups nor rabies is commonly seen now in either the U.S. or Canada, where the rate of sterilization of female dogs reached circa 70% in the early 1990s, while canine rabies was eradicated from the U.S. by the early 21st century. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Predatory behavior, more than classically aggressive behavior, appears to be commonly involved in fatal and disfiguring attacks by wolf-like dogs, such as wolf hybrids, huskies, Akitas, Malamutes, German shepherds, and their mixes. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But by far and away the aggressive behavior most often involved in fatal and disfiguring dog attacks in the U.S. and Canada today is the characteristic behavior of molosser breeds, associated with hair-trigger reactivity to stimulus and the capability of doing catastrophic harm in a first-ever biting incident. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Indeed, the rate of sterilization among pit bulls in particular is very low -- probably less than 25% for females, less than 20% for males. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But the rate of sterilization for all dogs in the U.S. was effectively zero between 50 & 60 years ago, when just two fatal attacks by Dobermans -- in 1955 and 1960 -- were sufficient to make national headlines and get them a lasting reputation as dangerous. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Ironically, pit bulls also killed at least two people within that time frame. A couple of other breeds killed people too. But any dog attack fatality was still an extraordinarily rare event.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Fatty Arbuckle, Helen Keller and President Roosevelt had pit bulls, not to mention celebrities like Jon Stewart, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Kaley Cuoco, Linda Blair, Alicia Silverstone, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, and Jamie Foxx have all owned pit bulls, yet have never been mauled, maimed, or killed. With so many high-profile and famous owners, why hasn’t there been a case of one of these celebrities being attacked or killed?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Miss Universe Canada joins call to restrict pit bulls in B.C.<br />
Attacked at age 14 by her family's puppy, she still has scars<br />
By Kim Nursall, Vancouver Sun, August 31, 2012<br />
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=65b33eed-af9d-43b1-98ac-b442ab142297<br />
<br />
Miss Universe Canada has joined the fight for a pit bull ban in B.C., and plans to make the effort a major part of her reign. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sahar Biniaz, 26, was crowned Miss Universe Canada on May 19, and thinks the provincial government should adopt either a pit bull ban or at least require that pit bulls be leashed and muzzled at all times. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The Richmond resident was a victim of a pit bull attack herself at the age of 14, a year after her family adopted a five-month-old pit bull from a breeder.<br />
<br />
* * *<br />
<br />
Police say noted artist likely killed by pit bulls<br />
Watercolorist Elsie Grace, of Desert Hot Springs, is found dead in the room with two family pit bulls<br />
<br />
By Craig Shultz; Press Enterprise, February 11, 2013<br />
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/hemet/hemet-headlines-index/20130211-hemet-police-say-noted-artist-likely-killed-by-pit-bulls.ece<br />
<br />
A 91-year-old woman died Friday, Feb. 8, after being mauled by two family pit bulls in a Hemet motel room, police said. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Elsie Grace, of Desert Hot Springs, was pronounced dead by paramedics who were sent to the Motel 6 in the 3900 block of West Florida Avenue about noon Friday, Hemet police Lt. Duane Wisehart said in a news release. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Grace was a nationally known water colorist who taught for many years at Copper Canyon College in Joshua Tree, said Karen Ellis, a Palm Springs consultant who said she knew Grace.<br />
<br />
* * *<br />
<br />
Mariel Hemingway Targeted in Pit Bull Probe<br />
12/26/2010 12:10 AM PST by TMZ Staff<br />
<br />
Actress Mariel Hemingway -- Ernest's granddaughter -- could lose her dog ... because according to Animal Control officials, her pooch went on the attack recently ... and sent two people to the hospital.<br />
<br />
A rep for Animal Control tells TMZ, the attack went down last week near Mariel's L.A. home -- her pit bull went after another dog and two humans, who were immediately sent to the hospital with serious puncture wounds.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
* * * </blockquote>
<blockquote>
First On 4: Steelers Star James Harrison's Dog Attacks Son, Will Be Put Down<br />
Woman Says Pit Bull Bit Crying Toddler In Back Yard<br />
POSTED: 11:43 am EDT May 22, 2009<br />
UPDATED: 5:25 pm EDT May 22, 2009 </blockquote>
<blockquote>
FRANKLIN PARK, Pa. -- Steelers linebacker James Harrison's toddler son remained at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh with a severe leg wound Friday after being badly bitten by a family dog one day earlier.<br />
<br />
WTAE Channel 4 Action News broke the story that Patron, a 4-year-old pit bull, went after 1-year-old James Harrison III in the back yard of his father's Franklin Park home.<br />
<br />
* * *<br />
<br />
Houston Chronicle; June 4, 2008, 4:36PM<br />
Ex-Texan Foley turns self in after dogs injure woman<br />
He's accused of failing to secure pit bulls that attacked a neighbor<br />
and her puppy<br />
By ERIC HANSON <eric.hanson@chron.com>, Houston Chronicle<br />
<br />
RICHMOND - Former Houston Texans linebacker Steve Foley, the owner of<br />
two pit bulls involved in the attack on a woman and her puppy, has been indicted on a charge of attack by a dog by a Fort Bend County grand jury.<br />
<br />
* * *<br />
<br />
Steelers' Porter cited because dogs killed neighbor's horse<br />
The Associated Press 9/21/2006, 6:25 p.m. ET<br />
<br />
WEXFORD, Pa. (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was cited by police after two dogs he owns got off his property and killed a<br />
miniature horse on a nearby farm.<br />
<br />
Porter's dogs, a pit bull and a mastiff, got loose on Tuesday and killed the horse that was about 30 inches tall.<br />
<br />
* * *<br />
<br />
Garritson Brothers Mauled by Dogs During Run in Valley Center<br />
Despite being injured himself, John Garritson carried Richard Garritson to a safer area after the attack<br />
By R. Stickney and Artie Ojeda<br />
Monday, Nov 28, 2011 | Updated 9:24 PM PST<br />
<br />
Several national publications have featured the Garritson family including Runner's World Magazine.<br />
<br />
Two members of an elite running family from the North County were seriously injured in an attack by a pack of pit bulls Sunday. The two brothers were out for a run just after 5 p.m. on Cobb Lane near Valley Center Middle School in Valley Center. Richard Garritson, 21, and his 20-year-old brother John Garritson were running with other family members when as many as six pitbulls attacked them.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[Editor's Note: Since this interview was conducted there have been other noteworthy attacks by celebrity pit bulls. Chief among these are the suits pending against Cesar Millan, the "dog whisperer," as well as those brought against Kim Richards, whose notoriety now stems more from the suits brought against her than for her role in the TV reality show "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." In May of 2012 a judge ruled that former NASCAR star Jeremy Mayfield pay a postal service employee a $1 million judgment after she was attacked by Mayfield's pit bulls.]</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Pit bulls are seen throughout history as something to be respected; a sign of strength and goodwill. What happened to the “hero” status that this type of dog once had?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
There has been a great effort made in recent years to invent & propagate this fiction. The actual historical record is considerably different.<br />
<br />
It is commonly mentioned by pit bull enthusiasts that pit bulls were featured in the "Buster Brown" and "Our Gang" film shorts without mentioning that the dogs' roles included chasing and attacking people, and that some of the dogs who played those roles were biters in real life, too.<br />
<br />
It is sometimes mentioned that some pit bulls were mascots of troops during the U.S. Civil War, but not that pit bulls and pit bull derivatives, such as "Cuban bloodhounds", not at all related to English bloodhounds, were extensively used to track and dismember fugitive slaves, as a warning to other slaves who might think of escaping. Neither do pit bull advocates like to acknowledge the well-documented use of pit bulls by the Ku Klux Klan in connection with lynchings, as described--for example--by Cayton's Weekly for August 2, 1919, easily accessible online.<br />
<br />
Indeed some dogfighters did photograph their pit bulls with their children, to help advertise the sale of their cull dogs as pets, but that hardly means pit bulls were safe pets.<br />
<br />
One of the most notorious of these gents, professional dogfighter John P. Colby, of Newburyport, produced his first pit bull litter in 1889. The Boston Globe on December 29, 1906 reported that police shot one of his dogs who mauled a boy while a girl escaped.<br />
<br />
On February 2, 1909 the Globe described how one of Colby's dogs killed Colby's two-year-old nephew, Bert Colby Leadbetter.<br />
<br />
The sole known published reference to the now popular "nanny dog" notion, before the rise of opposition to breed-specific laws in recent decades, came in a 1922 work of fiction, Pep: The Story of A Brave Dog, by Clarence Hawkes, a blind man who wrote by dictating his stories and, though able to spin a gripping yarn, routinely muddled his facts.<br />
<br />
The entire history of the "nanny dog" myth, also by Dawn James, is outlined here:<br />
<br />
http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
What are some other criticisms you’ve had made against your report, and what were your responses to them?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
A couple of weeks ago someone did some web searching which discovered that 1,470 pro-pit bull web sites & Facebook pages have identified me as an idiot, 60 as a moron, 33 as an asshole, & seven as a motherfucker. I am assured by longtime friends that only the latter assertion is correct.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Something I’m asking all interviewees, on either side of the debate, is: have you yourself ever been attacked by a pit bull type dog, or a dog that would be included in one of these legal bans?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Anyone who has dogs, works often in proximity to unfamiliar dogs, as I do in visiting shelters, rabies control projects, and censusing street dogs in developing world back alleys, or does a great deal of running, as I have for most of my life, will be bitten.<br />
<br />
Altogether, I have been bitten many dozens of times, by many different types of dog – some trying to play, some injured and frightened.<br />
<br />
The first dog who seriously injured and tried to kill me, in 1982, was an attack-trained German shepherd, whom I had rescued from the road after he was hit by a car. He gave every warning sign possible, but it was open countryside and there was nowhere I could go to be safe.<br />
<br />
The second dog who seriously injured and tried to kill me, only two months later, was a pit bull who rushed out into a busy street full of joggers in downtown Amsterdam and was already flying through the air toward me, silently, from behind, before I was ever aware of his existence.<br />
<br />
I had already been logging dog attacks for four years, as a control sample parallel to a log of attacks by exotic pets, but until that moment I had never realized that different types of dogs might attack in such different ways that the differences could be significant.<br />
<br />
So I began logging fatal and disfiguring attacks by breed, not just as “dog,” upon my return home to Quebec. Pit bulls were then a very rare breed type compared to German shepherds, Dobermans, huskies, chows, et al, so I did not really expect to see very many of them in the data. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
After eight years, though, during which pit bulls topped the list and accounted for half the total deaths and disfigurements in every year, it was clear that this was a recurring pattern (as also was that Doberman attacks proved to be unexpectedly rare.)</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Where else have your reported statistics been published, or cited, besides ANIMALS 24-7?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
I haven’t kept any sort of personal bibliography or resume since my student years. I am called & e-mailed constantly, though, by people who have seen the data in a variety of places, including the footnotes of peer-reviewed professional journals, & spend a great deal of time, including now, answering questions which would have been answered already if the askers had read the relevant reportage in ANIMAL PEOPLE.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What would you say to people that are against the idea of banning specific breeds?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
See any of my many editorials on the subject.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Would you say that proper education and harsher punishments for owners of dogs that actually display real aggression or attacks could be a more viable, more humane alternative to destroying an entire breed?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
Punishment is no substitute for prevention. Civilization pretended to have learned that lesson when we abandoned public torture, hangings, & witch-burning.<br />
<br />
It is not necessary to “destroy” an entire breed; only to stop producing it. Pit bulls are a wholly artificial creation in the first place, with no analog in nature, and although dogfighters have tried for centuries to find other breeds as willing to fight to the death, they have failed, so if pit bulls are no longer bred, that’s the end of the problem.</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Mark:</i><br />
<blockquote>
What statement would you, yourself, give to summarize or characterize this entire debate?</blockquote>
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">MC:</i><br />
<blockquote>
The humane community long since accepted & advanced the recognition that regulatory distinctions among dog breeds must be made to provide both long-haired and short-haired dogs with appropriate protection from the elements, and to accommodate the differences in working abilities between racing dogs, cart-pulling dogs, retrievers, etc.<br />
<br />
Breed-specific recognitions, in short, are fundamental to practically all humane legislation governing dogs – except when it comes to prohibiting the propagation of pit bulls.<br />
<br />
This is a blind spot which serves pit bulls themselves the worst of all, since it is the people who purport to love pit bulls who keep breeding & then dumping in shelters most of the 900,000 or thereabouts per year who are killed in shelters at the average age of 18 months, mostly after flunking basic behavioural screening.</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>End of interview</i></span><br />
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<br />
For events leading to the publication to this interview read Barbara Kay's prefatory comments, <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/08/sweet-revenge.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sweet Revenge.</a><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-42250209873950143802015-08-02T16:08:00.000+01:002015-08-02T20:05:43.589+01:00Sweet Revenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Turning the Tables on A Pit Bull Con Artist</i></span><br />
<br />
by Barbara Kay<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">[Editor's note: This series consists of two posts: </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-pit-bull-advocates-interview-with.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Pit Bull Advocate's Interview with Merritt Clifton</a></i><span style="background-color: white;">, and a prefatory essay by Barbara Kay titled </span><i style="background-color: white;">Sweet Revenge</i><span style="background-color: white;">.]</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * *</div>
<br />
Most of us know the old dictum, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” I’ve had to say “shame on me” a few times in my life. But reflexive distrust is foreign to my nature and my general life experience. So my defences against fraudsters aren’t foolproof. Two years ago I got taken for a ride by a consummate charlatan, who also (unbeknownst to me at the time) happens to be a pit bull advocate.<br />
<br />
“Mark” – not his real name – got in touch with me in the fall of 2012. He introduced himself as a student from a well-known college of technology in Toronto, who had decided to do his final-year film assignment on pit bulls. A member of the Ontario legislature was at the time attempting, through a private member’s bill, to repeal Ontario’s 2005 pit bull ban, sparking the usual buzz that accompanies such initiatives. Having read some of my columns on pit bulls, Mark hoped I would appear in his documentary as a spokesperson for the anti-repeal side.<br />
<br />
He seemed genuine in his assertion that the subject was entirely new to him, and that he hoped to make an objective film from an entirely neutral perspective. As a gesture of good faith, I asked him to respond in writing to a number of pointed questions, such as: Do you own or have you ever owned a pit bull? Have you ever taken part in any advocacy work on behalf of pit bulls? And so forth. He assured me in his response that before taking note of the issue in the news, pit bulls had never been on his radar before.<br />
<br />
I asked him who else he was interviewing on my side. He said he was happy to take suggestions. I told him about Merritt Clifton, publisher and editor of Animals 24/7, and at that time editor of Animal People News, the doyen of humane-movement history and research on breed-related damages to animals and humans. I also sent him one of Clifton’s annual reports on canine depredations by breed, strongly urging him to contact Merritt for a telephone or e-mail interview. He thanked me warmly for the information and said he would.<br />
<br />
A few weeks later, I did my interview. The set-up was professional. Mark was pleasant and focused, with a list of reasonable questions. I thought I acquitted myself pretty well during the 45 minutes or so I taped, from which I knew much would be edited out, of course.<br />
<br />
But I was disturbed to learn at this meeting that Mark had still not been in touch with Clifton, and a feeling of unease took hold. It was only after another rather sharp email nudge that Mark did contact Clifton, who agreed to an e-mail interview. I saw the exchange and was very relieved that Mark had asked so many leading questions, pleased at Clifton’s generosity with his answers, and how much basic information he managed to convey. My unease dissipated, and I looked forward to seeing much of it in the final product.<br />
<br />
Two months later, Mark sent me a draft version of the film, which I unfortunately failed to cache before it was removed from the Internet. However, I had made sure to send it around to Clifton and a few others, who had the same appalled reaction to it as I had.<br />
<br />
The film was a travesty of journalistic integrity, essentially an info-mercial for pit bulls. Approximately seven people were interviewed in the film, which was of 10 minutes duration. I was the only person on the BSL side, and I appeared for about 45 seconds, my remarks carefully selected to make me appear as a conspiracy theorist (the chosen comments had to do with the pit bull advocacy movement as a propaganda machine supported by a wealthy activist: true, but de-contextualized unpersuasive and somewhat alarmist sounding).<br />
<br />
One of my statements was put to an interviewee on the pro-pit bull side for rebuttal; but Mark had misquoted me, so her rebuttal was meaningless. I was not offered any reciprocal opportunity, a blatant show of bias in itself. Neither a dog geneticist nor a dog behaviourist was interviewed. There are many shots of docile, friendly pit bulls, no shots of them engaged in the vicious “sport” of dogfighting. No surgeon who has worked on a pit bull mauling and could have explained the magnitude of difference between a normal dog bite and a pit bull mauling was interviewed. No victims of pit bull attacks were interviewed.<br />
<br />
One pro pit bull participant stated that former Ontario Attorney-General Michael Bryant had done no research before imposing the ban, a brazen lie which Bryant was never called upon to challenge. Indeed, until I contacted Bryant, he had no idea the film was being made. One really has to wonder how the creator of a film about repealing a pit bull ban, who claims to be making a “balanced” film, can justify his failure to seek an interview with the politician who backed it.<br />
<br />
I was devastated to see that not a single word from Clifton’s interview had been included in the film, never mind a single fact or statistic. It was clear that I had been bamboozled by the smoothest of con artists, and that the “fix was in” since the conception of the film. Given Mark’s tender years, this is a disturbing fact in itself. If the tree of Mark’s life bends increasingly in the direction established by the twig he is now, he will achieve Soviet-level prowess in the field of agitprop, whether it is pit bull advocacy he sticks with, or moves on to damage control for celebrity rapists.<br />
<br />
In retrospect, I am amazed on two fronts. I am astonished that Mark overplayed his hand so foolishly. A better con artist would have included some lines from the Clifton interview, of the kind that advocates are practiced in rebutting with myths, and allowed me more time on air, and in a more flattering light. Then he could have made a case, however meager, for his objectivity. I am also shocked that he thought I would accept his duplicity without retaliation. Narcissism breeds complacency, I daresay.<br />
<br />
What I did was what any reasonable cheater should have predicted I would do. I immediately contacted the head of his film studies department, recounted a faithful history of the affair, and demanded that my image and words be redacted from the film. I also pointed out the fact that I had been misquoted by one of the interviewees, so asked that that be redacted as well. And I further noted that Mark had received a plethora of information via the anti-pit bull world’s foremost and most credible authority, and had ignored it. I did not have to add that if the film went public, I had a very good podium for writing it up as a cautionary tale, and for casting the film studies department of the college in a bad light.<br />
<br />
I had almost instant satisfaction. Two days later, the department head informed that he had viewed the film, agreed that it was unusually biased (although he defended the right of the filmmaker to be biased; well, so do I, I just don’t defend the right of the filmmaker to lie about his bias when directly asked), and agreed that I was justified in demanding redaction of my role in the film, which he had ordered Mark to do. Nothing could have been more gratifying. I had been duped, yes, and I had endured a few unpleasant hours imagining the unredacted film being used for its intended propaganda purposes, but on the other hand, here was Mark with a useless piece of film, in which seven earnest pro-pit bull people argue that pit bulls are wonderful. Yawn! The most rabid pit bull fan in the world would find this diminished film about as riveting as a dog food commercial touting its own brand of kibble.<br />
<br />
Did I learn my lesson? To the extent that I will never take part in any student film production again (unless my own son or daughter is making the film). But I did take part in <a href="http://www.thepetnetwork.tv/fwvideos/the-pitbull-debate/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">another film project</a> on pit bulls, and the Ontario ban-repeal controversy, made by professionals, and it was a good experience; the film was objective and I felt I was given respectful and positive attention. The moral of the story is never to lend your name and reputation to anyone on whom you cannot do real due diligence. In the case of the professionals at Fido and Wine, I could see that their own credibility was at stake and important to them.<br />
<br />
Even though I was able to salvage my error regarding Mark, I continued to feel bad about having dragged Merritt Clifton into participation, which he only did at my request. He wasted time and energy on a scam, and that has bothered me for more than two years. It occurred to me that his effort wouldn’t go to waste, if the interview were made public, and if open-minded people of good faith, seeking objective information, could access Clifton’s responses to Mark’s questions (which were good questions, by the way: Mark has a poor character, but he is by no means stupid). The responses are a kind of Pit Bulls 101, and it is in that spirit that I introduce (with permission from Merritt Clifton, and very lightly copyedited)…The Interview!<br />
<br />
As you read this, ponder how it could be that even a biased filmmaker could read these responses, then toss the whole interview into the garbage, film his gossamer-thin agitprop, and still look at himself in the mirror and call himself a maker of documentary films. I would like to think the episode was a wake-up call for him, but realistically, I am afraid the episode has probably trained him only to be craftier in his methods of deception. Tellingly, Mark accused me on Twitter a year after the episode of being a person who does not honour her contracts. I responded that contracts made in bad faith are not considered contracts – ethically, of course, and even in courts of law. But that he believes he is the wronged party does not speak well for his future.<br />
<br />
I blocked him from any further contact with me via Twitter. Another small satisfaction.<br />
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Read: <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-pit-bull-advocates-interview-with.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Pit Bull Advocate's Interview with Merritt Clifton</a><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-89415934572092935462015-07-19T16:12:00.000+01:002015-08-20T17:09:05.401+01:00Cities of Strays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: July 20, 2015; 15:22 GMT<br />
Revised: July 21, 2015; 05:14 GMT<br />
Revised: July 22, 2015; 14:42 GMT</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Estimates indicate there could be more than a million stray dogs in Houston, Texas.</i><br />
USA Today; March 24, 2015</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * <br />
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It became the story that wouldn't die.<br />
<br />
In January, 2011 the Detroit Film Office blocked a $1.4 million proposal from the Discovery Channel. Journalist Chris Christoff, writing for the Detroit Free Press, said the proposed docudrama would capture life from the perspective of Detroit's feral and abandoned stray dogs.<br />
<br />
Two weeks after Detroit rejected the movie proposal Dan Carlisle<sup>1</sup> and Monica Martino posted a five-minute video to YouTube. The video included scenes of stray dogs and, incredibly, a starving American Bulldog eating the carcass of a dead pit bull puppy.<br />
<br />
Carlisle's video announced that Detroit was home to 50,000 feral or abandoned strays. The number jolted the animal welfare community. A year later, in March, 2012, Rolling Stone brought the story of Detroit's stray dogs to national attention with <i>City of Strays</i>.<br />
<br />
Questions began to surface about Carlisle's figure of 50,000 stray dogs. By late summer of 2013 Tom McPhee, director of the World Animal Awareness Society, decided to put an end to the speculation. In a landmark survey, forty teams of observers would count Detroit's stray dogs on September 21st and 22nd, 2013.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4lbRJs08n5XBgFzbG1wYVIQoUjWz_ELJcLdPYW8hMVki7QNp_x3uvt7vPJEF9TResUzI4xq9GpVuRkylzS89cCCTivilhTdJOQeEa0UJiuggG2W8ba8RZWTkQC5x6lW678d1b4eaM9Py/s1600/detroit+strays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4lbRJs08n5XBgFzbG1wYVIQoUjWz_ELJcLdPYW8hMVki7QNp_x3uvt7vPJEF9TResUzI4xq9GpVuRkylzS89cCCTivilhTdJOQeEa0UJiuggG2W8ba8RZWTkQC5x6lW678d1b4eaM9Py/s320/detroit+strays.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image courtesy of American Strays; click to expand)</span></div>
<br />
By this time Chris Christoff had moved from the Detroit Free Press to Bloomberg Business News. In August, 2013, a month before McPhee's planned survey, Christoff reprised his 2011 Free Press stray dogs article. The Bloomberg publication of <i>Abandoned Dogs Roam Detroit in Packs as Humans Dwindle</i> hit Detroit and the national animal welfare community like a firestorm. Newspapers around the globe picked up the story.<br />
<br />
In his new article Christoff doubled down on the image of Detroit as a ruined city:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> It was almost post-apocalyptic, where there are no businesses, nothing except people in houses and dogs running around.</i><sup>2</sup></blockquote>
A year later, when McPhee's survey was completed and the data tabulated and released, the number of Detroit strays was revised dramatically downward. McPhee determined there were between 1,000 and 3,000 "loose dogs" in Detroit. But the two-and-a-half year drumroll of stray dog news insured that Detroit would never shake the perception of a city occupied by armies of stray dogs.<br />
<br />
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* * * * * </div>
<br />
There are an estimated 600 million stray dogs spread across the globe, living in nearly every city. According to Merritt Clifton, editor of Animals 24-7, there are approximately 5,000 stray dogs in the US on any given day.<sup>3</sup><br />
<br />
The global stray dog problem is largely identified with cities in developing countries of the global south. The majority of the world's strays are unbred landraces or village dogs, fawn-colored dogs of the kind that existed before man began selectively breeding <i>Canis familiaris.</i><br />
<br />
Many of the global strays live openly in their communities, and are supported either directly or indirectly by the community. Strays in Moscow reportedly know how to use the complex subway system, boarding and getting off at various stops along with their fellow commuters.<br />
<br />
America's strays, on the other hand, are a largely invisible population, hiding during the days and foraging for food in the early morning hours. When we talk about American stray dogs, Detroit's in particular, we are talking primarily about pit bull type dogs.<br />
<br />
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* * * * *</div>
<br />
In 2014 the US stray dog news front moved to Saginaw. Throughout the summer and fall packs of strays attacked both companion animals and humans. Trail cameras caught eerie night vision images of dog packs, roaming like zombie dogs along hunting tracks. After one pack was eliminated the county discovered another night-roaming pack, and warned citizens to remain vigilant. In 2015 the cities of Flint, Michigan, and Little Rock, Arkansas reported neighborhoods overrun by stray dogs.<br />
<br />
The stray dog problem in Houston is of a different order of magnitude: headlines claimed there were 1.2 <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>million</i></span> stray dogs in Houston. Unlike Detroit's figures, which were the product of Dan Carlisle's fertile imagination, the 1.2 million figure came from BARC, the city's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care.<br />
<br />
After the initial shock of the headlines wore off people realized that 900,000 of those stray animals were cats, allowing for 300,000 stray dogs. BARC had arrived at the number by using "a math formula hodgepodged from a couple of sources."<sup>4</sup> McPhee believes Houston's numbers may also be inflated and is now at work surveying Houston's stray dog population.<br />
<br />
It would be pointless to compare the stray dog problems in Houston and Detroit. Detroit is a rustbelt city; Houston is a sunbelt city. Detroit is contracting; Houston is expanding. Detroit is 20th-century urban; Houston is 21st-century suburban. Detroit's economy is a shambles; Houston's is booming.<br />
<br />
And the dogs are different.<br />
<br />
The problems in the two cities aren't comparable but they point to similar failures in each city. The failures can be attributed to both civic institutions and animal welfare organizations. NGO's in Houston, working in concert with BARC, spend a small fortune to ship stray dogs out of state rather than euthanize them. Houston's wealthy animal welfare benefactors have purchased a fleet of specially equipped transporters that are constantly ferrying strays to far-away cities.<br />
<br />
Detroit is the end of the line for stray dogs; there's nowhere to ship Detroit strays. Instead the region's numerous pit bull rescue organizations endlessly recycle the <i>breed of obsession</i>, insuring that many pit bulls end up on the streets a second or even a third time.<br />
<br />
Rescues could be accused of dog laundering,<sup>5</sup> sometimes renaming and moving dangerous dogs from one location to another to hide their history, rather than working for the benefit of all our society's companion animals. Some rescue organizations act with impunity because the state provides little or no oversight. There is a simple solution to Detroit's problem of a runaway rescue system: the state legislature should pass legislation mandating that every dog passing through a licensed Michigan rescue organization or shelter must be entered in a special registry for stray, abandoned, feral, and rescue dogs.<br />
<br />
With the recent cessation of efforts to standardize microchipping,<sup>6</sup> an alternate registration system must be developed. This would enable law enforcement to determine responsibility for any attacks by rescued dogs, and help public officials track a growing public safety issue. Shelters and rescue organizations would be more inclined to act responsibly when placing fighting breeds in homes, if they knew attacks would be traced back to them.<br />
<br />
Before Detroit, out-of-control dog population was associated primarily with third world countries. Detroit, with the assistance of a prolific pit bull advocacy and rescue network, has demonstrated that even a first-world city can make the mistakes that lead to a third-world animal welfare tragedy.<br />
<br />
The stray dog problems in Houston, Dallas, Detroit and other American cities is a tragedy created not by nature or by neglect; it is a tragedy created by humans. These humane tragedies were created by the determined, on-going policies of pit bull rescue organizations, and by the passivity of the government institutions that allow them to continue.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="252" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSITeIMFQLk" width="448"></iframe><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Postscript:</i></span><br />
As this post was being prepared the Henderson County, NC Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the pit bull who killed six-year-old Joshua Phillip Strother in Hendersonville, North Carolina on July 7 had been adopted from the Asheville Humane Society three weeks before the attack. The dog had been brought to AHS as a stray by the Buncombe County Sheriff's office. It was then monitored by the AHS for 30 days, after which it was adopted by Joshua's neighbors. The Sheriff's Office said no charges will be filed. Joshua was the third fatal pit bull attack in a seven-day period. [Ed. A fourth fatal pit bull attack occurred several days later.]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS3iakWsGU9Rifd9lgFegy8IOiEuFk3GK_WxDWgTFtEHMqdPeDJguqQg4p6eY0-nEOhUX8kJDBSAoR8q_8XxozEnm6C6CgnczoGrmIC1pJJ7JGOwd0ns7Ji5xN4HAnsSJp-ImWvimSPA1/s1600/Joshua+Phillip+Strother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS3iakWsGU9Rifd9lgFegy8IOiEuFk3GK_WxDWgTFtEHMqdPeDJguqQg4p6eY0-nEOhUX8kJDBSAoR8q_8XxozEnm6C6CgnczoGrmIC1pJJ7JGOwd0ns7Ji5xN4HAnsSJp-ImWvimSPA1/s400/Joshua+Phillip+Strother.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Joshua Phillip Strother, 6 yo; d. July 7, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Fort Worth Addendum:</i></span><br />
FORT WORTH — A skinny brown pit bull sits in a parking lot watching traffic on Berry Street.<br />
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Nearby, two more pits — a male and female — roam free. No collars.<br />
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A third rounds the corner behind them, dragging his leash down Sydney Street.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wfaa.com/story/life/pets/2015/03/03/stray-campaign/24336345/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fort Worth has plan to deal with stray dogs</a><br />
March 3, 2015; WFAA ABC 8<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> Mr Carlisle, a local Detroit celebrity and entrepreneur, is also a hip-hop artist who records under the name <i>Hush.</i><br />
<sup>2</sup> Amanda Arrington of HSUS; Bloomberg Business News, Aug 20, 2013<br />
<sup>3</sup> This figure does not include semi-owned dogs who run at large, as on Native American reservations and in parts of the rural South.<br />
<sup>4</sup> Houston's problem is not 1.2 million stray dogs; Houston Chronicle, March 27, 2015<br />
<sup>5</sup> See <a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2013/12/dog-laundering.html">Dog Laundering</a>, SRUV<br />
<sup>6</sup> As this post was readied for publication we learned that microchipping has no preventive value. See <a href="http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=37450">Entrepreneur finds pet microchip problem unsolvable</a>. States are urged to develop an alternate, reliable registry for identifying and tracking rescue dogs across state lines.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Stray Dog Resources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.worldanimalprotection.org/our-work/protecting-animals-communities/stray-dog-population-management" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray Dog Population Management</a><br />
World Animal Protection<br />
<a href="http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahc/2010/en_chapitre_aw_stray_dog.htm#chapitre_aw_stray_dog_0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray Dog Population Control 2015</a><br />
Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chap 7.7<br />
World Organization for Animal Health (<a href="http://www.oie.int/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OIE Home page</a>)<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/may/02/animal-welfare-stray-dogs-development" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal welfare: why dogs are a development issue</a><br />
May 2, 2014; The Guardian<br />
<a href="http://600milliondogs.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">600 Million Spay and Neuter Cookies</a><br />
600 Million Dogs<br />
<a href="http://www.wa2s.org/the-visionaire/stray-dogs-around-the-world-how-big-is-the-problem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray Dogs Around the World -</a><a href="http://www.wa2s.org/the-visionaire/stray-dogs-around-the-world-how-big-is-the-problem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> How Big Is The Problem</a><br />
World Animal Awareness Society<br />
[This page includes an extensive list of resources]<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>International Stray Dogs:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2015/07/24/Stray-dogs-targeted-after-attack-on-governor-Kilpatrick/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray dogs targeted after attack on governor Kilpatrick</a><br />
July 24, 2015; Cayman Compass<br />
<a href="http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/13491193.Number_of_stray_dogs_put_down__double_the_national_average_/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Number of stray dogs put down 'double the national average'</a><br />
July 22, 2015; Telegraph & Argus (UK)<br />
<a href="http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/7-700-stray-dogs-West-year/story-27462100-detail/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">7,700 Stray Dogs Found in West Last Year</a><br />
July 22, 2015; Western Morning News (UK)<br />
<a href="http://www.uttoxeteradvertiser.co.uk/Huge-homing-stray-dogs/story-26899042-detail/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Huge bill for re-homing stray dogs</a><br />
July 15, 2015; Uttoxeter Advertiser<br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/13/asia/india-dog-culling/">Indian state's plans to cull stray dogs hits opposition</a><br />
July 13, 2015; CNN<br />
<i> The WHO reported in April 2014 that India has about 18,000 to 20,000 cases of rabies a year and 36% of the world's deaths from the disease are found in the country.</i><br />
<a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-more-stray-bites-kerala-to-eat-into-dog-population/article1-1367581.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bitten and bruised by stray dogs, Kerala cracks down</a><br />
July 9, 2015; Hindustan Times<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3132979/End-stray-dog-cull-UK-tells-Romania-Diplomats-step-pressure-300-000-animals-killed-crackdown.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">End your stray dog cull, UK tells Romania</a><br />
June 21, 2015; Daily Mail<br />
<a href="http://national.bgnnews.com/dozens-injured-in-stray-dogs-attack-in-eastern-turkey-haberi/6750">Dozens injured in stray dogs’ attack in eastern Turkey</a><br />
June 11, 2015; BGN News<br />
<a href="http://national.bgnnews.com/istanbuls-stray-golden-retrievers-taken-to-us-for-adoption-haberi/5901" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Istanbul’s stray golden retrievers taken to US for adoption</a><br />
May 12, 2015; BGN News<br />
<a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/stray-dogs-interrupt-flights-at-istanbul-airport.aspx?pageID=238&nID=81448&NewsCatID=341" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray dogs interrupt flights at Istanbul airport</a><br />
April 22, 2015; Hurriyet Daily News<br />
<a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/04/iran-protest-dog-animal-cruelty.html#">Iranians protest killing of stray dogs</a><br />
April 20, 2015; AL-Monitor, Iran Pulse<br />
<a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-woman-dies-due-to-attack-by-stray-dogs.aspx?pageID=238&nID=79734&NewsCatID=341" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Turkish woman dies due to attack by stray dogs</a><br />
March 16, 2015; Hurriyet Daily News<br />
<a href="http://www.romania-insider.com/what-happened-to-the-51000-stray-dogs-captured-in-bucharest/139771/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What happened to the 51,000 stray dogs captured in Bucharest?</a><br />
January 16, 2015; Romania Insider<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/world/asia/india-stray-dogs-are-a-menace.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where Streets Are Thronged With Strays Baring Fangs</a><br />
August 6, 2012; New York Times<br />
<a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/mans-best-friend-or-the-worlds-number-one-pest-3576949/?no-ist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man’s Best Friend or the World’s Number-One Pest?</a><br />
July 18, 2012; The Smithsonian<br />
<i>With perhaps 600 million strays skirmishing for food on the fringe of the human world, street dogs are a common element of travel just about everywhere</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Moscow's Subway Strays</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/the-search-for-moscows-train-riding-dogs/486017.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Search for Moscow's Train-Riding Dogs</a><br />
September 12, 2013; The Moscow Times<br />
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/moscows-metro-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moscow's Metro Dogs</a><br />
July 8, 2013; New Yorker<br />
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/Technology/stray-dogs-master-complex-moscow-subway-system/story?id=10145833" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray Dogs Master Complex Moscow Subway System</a><br />
March 19, 2010; ABC News<br />
Moscow's Stray Dogs Evolving Greater Intelligence, Including a ...<br />
January 21, 2010; Popular Science<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Feral, Abandoned, Loose, and Stray (FALS) Dogs in the United States:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/128255/police-dog-killed-by-stray-dog-in-roan-mountain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police dog killed by stray dog in Roan Mountain</a><br />
July 27, 2015; Johnson City Press (TN)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Gunner was attacked by a stray dog he had not seen around the area before. He said the stray dog was a silver pit bull mix.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2015/06/29/pack-of-stray-dogs-intimidating-a-little-rock-community/29489777/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pack of stray dogs intimidating a Little Rock community</a><br />
June 29, 2015; THV 11<br />
<a href="http://www.columbiachronicle.com/metro/article_3b883e3e-e017-11e4-95b4-afcad41a967b.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Petition fights stray animal hold ordinance in Chicago</a><br />
April 13, 2015; Columbia Chronicle<br />
<a href="http://www.wfaa.com/story/life/pets/2015/03/03/stray-campaign/24336345/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fort Worth has plan to deal with stray dogs</a><br />
March 3, 2015; WFAA ABC 8<br />
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/pets/ct-stray-dog-trapper-met-20150220-story.html#page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray dogs have guardian angel in Chicago area</a><br />
Feb 9, 2015; Chicago Tribune<br />
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/08/7-years-after-katrina-new-orleans-is-overrun-by-wild-dogs/261530/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">7 Years After Katrina, New Orleans Is Overrun by Wild Dogs</a><br />
August 24, 2012; The Atlantic<br />
<i>When residents fled the city, many left their pets behind. Today, those animals and their offspring are roaming the streets in overwhelming numbers.</i><br />
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2012/01/14/the_secret_lives_of_feral_dogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The secret lives of feral dogs</a><br />
by Will Doig<br />
January 14, 2012; Salon<br />
<a href="http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purduepress_ebooks/3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ecology of Stray Dogs: A Study of Free-Ranging Urban Animals</a><br />
by Alan M. Beck<br />
June 30, 1973; Purdue University Press (e-book)<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Houston & Dallas Stray Dogs:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/08/winnetka-heights-dog-attack-scary-reminder-of-why-strays-issue-must-be-fixed.html/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Winnetka Heights dog attack: scary reminder of why strays issue must be fixed</a><br />
August 19, 2015; Dallas Morning News<br />
<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/see-where-dallas-residents-rank-stray-dogs-problem-and-a-new-das-solution.html/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">See where Dallas residents rank stray dogs problem</a><br />
July 20, 2015; Dallas Morning News<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/29310034/residents-terrorized-by-wild-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Residents terrorized by wild dogs</a><br />
June 12, 2015; MyFox Houston<br />
<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/06/agree-or-disagree-no-solutions-in-sight-for-southern-dallas-abandoned-dogs.html/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No solutions in sight for southern Dallas’ abandoned dogs</a><br />
June 5, 2015; Dallas Morning News<br />
<a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/columnists/hoffman/article/Houston-s-problem-is-not-1-2-million-stray-dogs-6163874.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Houston's problem is not 1.2 million stray dogs</a><br />
March 27, 2015; Houston Chronicle<br />
<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/03/loose-or-abandoned-dogs-the-city-doesnt-have-a-clue-which-are-which.html/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">‘Loose’ or ‘abandoned’ dogs? The city doesn’t have a clue which are which</a><br />
March 25, 2015; Dallas Morning News<br />
<a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/nationworld/7/71/465547/drones-being-used-to-track-houstons-stray-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drones Being Used to Track Houston's Stray Dogs</a><br />
by Marcelino Benito, KHOU-TV, Houston<br />
March 24, 2015; USA Today<br />
<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/03/dallas-needs-big-fix-of-enforcement-to-help-solve-abandoned-dog-problem.html/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">There’s only one way Dallas will solve its stray dog crisis</a><br />
March 19, 2015; Dallas Morning News<br />
<a href="http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2015/02/rather_than_fix_the_problem_houston_officials_ship_stray_animals_off_to_other_states.php">Rather Than Fix the Problem, Houston Officials Ship Stray Animals Off to Other States</a><br />
by Craig Malisow<br />
Houston Press; February 17, 2015<br />
<a href="http://abc13.com/news/stray-dog-complaints-on-the-rise-on-east-end/339605/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stray Dog Complaints on the Rise on East End</a><br />
October 6, 2014; ABC 13 Eyewitness News<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Michigan Stray Dogs:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/07/27/detroit-dog-rescue/30766399/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit gets first no-kill dog shelter</a><br />
July 28, 2015; Detroit News<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2015/06/detroit_dog_rescue_says_rescue.html#incart_related_stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit Dog Rescue says its animals are safe after meeting with Mayor Mike Duggan</a><br />
June 18, 2015; MLive<br />
<a href="http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/06/18/thousands-sign-petition-to-shut-down-detroit-animal-control-claiming-it-kills-95-percent-of-dogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thousands Sign Petition To Shut Down Detroit Animal Control, Claiming It Kills 95 Percent Of Dogs</a><br />
June 18, 2015; CBS Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/06/flint_residents_say_sray_dogs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flint residents say stray dogs are making neighborhoods unsafe</a><br />
June 14, 2015; MLive<br />
<a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/06/13/rescue-groups-seek-detroit-animal-control-reform/71171234/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rescue groups seek Detroit Animal Control reform</a><br />
June 13, 2015; Detroit News<br />
<a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/msu-researchers-want-figure-out-how-many-stray-dogs-are-really-roaming-detroit#stream/0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MSU researchers want to figure out how many stray dogs are really roaming Detroit</a><br />
January 26, 2015; Michigan Radio<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/10/search_for_wild_dogs_in_sagina.html#incart_story_package" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Search for wild dogs in Saginaw continues as deputies install trail cameras</a><br />
October 17, 2014; Saginaw News<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/10/trail_cam_captures_new_images.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trail camera captures dog images in terrorized southwest Saginaw neighborhood</a><br />
October 13, 2014; Saginaw News<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/10/detroits_stray_dog_population.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit's stray dog population is likely 1,000, includes 10 packs; get an expert's analysis</a><br />
October 10, 2014; MLive<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/10/sheriffs_department_warning_sa.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheriff's department warns Saginaw residents to watch for another pack of wild dogs</a><br />
October 8, 2014; Ann Arbor News<br />
<a href="http://www.wnem.com/story/26717866/pack-of-wild-dogs-still-linger-in-saginaw-neighborhood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pack of wild dogs still linger in Saginaw neighborhood</a><br />
October 6, 2014; Ann Arbor News<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20140831/NEWS01/308310080/Dog-education-Detroit-schools" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit students will learn pet care along with the 3 R's</a><br />
August 31, 2014; Detroit Free Press<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/07/saginaw_dog_pack_update_3_kill.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fourth dog shot and wounded as search for roaming pack in Saginaw winds down</a><br />
July 22, 2014; MLive<br />
<a href="http://www.wnem.com/story/26051150/wild-dog-pack-continues-to-strike-fear-in-community">Wild dog pack continues to strike fear in community</a><br />
July 18, 2014; WNEM<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/07/pomeranian_attacked_by_wild_do.html">Pet Pomeranian attacked and carried off by wild dogs in southern Saginaw County, woman says</a><br />
July 18, 2014; Saginaw News<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/07/saginaw_woman_captures_photo_o.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trail camera photographs pack of dogs roaming southwest Saginaw</a><br />
July 3, 2014; MLive<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/07/saginaw_sheriff_to_seek_michig.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Saginaw sheriff to seek Michigan State Police help to track pack of dangerous dogs</a><br />
July 3, 2014; The Saginaw News<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/07/loose_pack_of_dogs_roaming_sag.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog pack roaming southwest Saginaw kills 65-pound domesticated dog; police say beware</a><br />
July 1, 2014; Saginaw News<br />
<a href="http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/detroits-stray-pets-overwhelm-rescue-workers/">Detroit's stray pets overwhelm rescue workers</a><br />
February 3, 2014; MSU Global Urban Studies Program<br />
<a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/new-study-nowhere-close-50000-stray-dogs-detroit#stream/0">New study: Nowhere close to 50,000 stray dogs in Detroit</a><br />
January 21, 2014; Michigan Radio<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/us/michigan-study-disputes-stray-dog-numbers.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michigan: Study Disputes Stray Dog Numbers</a><br />
January 20, 2014; New York Times<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/161327950726739/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Strays: Canine Survey & Treasure Hunt</a> (FaceBook)<br />
September 21, 2013; World Animal Awareness Society<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20130822/NEWS01/308220131/Detroit-bankruptcy-abandoned-dogs-truth-about-detroit-50-000-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The truth about Detroit: Are there 50,000 abandoned dogs in the city?</a><br />
August 22, 2013; Detroit Free Press<br />
<a href="http://detroit.jalopnik.com/no-detroit-is-not-beset-by-wild-dogs-1185080273" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No, Detroit Is Not Beset By Wild Dogs</a> (Blog)<br />
August 22, 2013; Jalopnik Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2399675/Stray-dogs-swarm-Detroit-people-flee-bankrupt-city-leave-pets-behind.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Packs of starving stray dogs swarm Detroit as people flee . . . </a><br />
August 22, 2013; Daily Mail<br />
<a href="http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/6118/post-apocalyptic_bloomberg_article_on_detroit_resembles_a_horror_film_pitch#.VZqu23qUzGc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">'Post-Apocalyptic:' Detroit Wild Dogs Article Resembles Horror Film Pitch</a><br />
August 21, 2013; Deadline Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-08-21/abandoned-dogs-roam-detroit-in-packs-as-humans-dwindle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abandoned Dogs Roam Detroit in Packs as Humans Dwindle</a><br />
August 20, 2013; Bloomberg<br />
<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/city-of-strays-detroits-epidemic-of-50-000-wild-dogs-20120320" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City of Strays: Detroit's Epidemicof 50,000 Abandoned Dogs</a><br />
March 20, 2012; Rolling Stone<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/02/with_video_duo_exposes_detroit.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Duo exposes Detroit's stray dog problem after city rejects reality series</a><br />
February 2, 2011; MLive <br />
<a href="http://host-54.242.54.159.gannett.com/news/article/148832/82/Detroit-wont-bite-on-TV-show-about-stray-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Detroit won't bite on TV show about stray dogs</a><br />
By Chris Christoff; WZZM ABC<br />
(<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110113/NEWS06/101130526/1318/Star-in-stray-dog-TV-show?-Detroit-says-No-way" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Originally published</a> in the Detroit Free Press, Jan 13, 2011)<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Other Michigan Pit Bull News:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/29485341/ahead-of-pit-bull-change-hazel-park-woman-says-dog-attacked-for-second-time" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ahead of pit bull change, Hazel Park woman says dog attacked for second time</a><br />
July 6, 2015; MyFoxDetroit<br />
<a href="http://woodtv.com/2015/07/05/girl-attacked-by-dog-at-grand-haven-splash-pad/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl bitten by dog [pit bull] at Grand Haven splash pad</a><br />
July 6, 2015; WOOD TV8<br />
<a href="http://candgnews.com/news/farms-looks-add-teeth-dog-animal-control-ordinances-84553" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Farms looks to add teeth to dog, animal control ordinances</a><br />
July 1, 2015; C&G News<br />
<a href="http://www.9and10news.com/story/29446420/mother-asks-for-help-after-dog-bites-14-month-old-son" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mother Asks For Help After Dog [pit bull] Bites 14-Month-Old Son</a><br />
June 30, 2015; 9 & 10 News<br />
<a href="http://www.9and10news.com/story/29365139/man-attacked-by-dog-speaks-out-about-terrifying-ordeal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man Attacked By Dog [pit bull] Speaks Out About 'Terrifying' Ordeal</a><br />
June 19, 2015; 9&10 News<br />
<a href="http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/2015/06/17/news/doc55816e2f8aabe562965452.txt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacks jogger on roadway</a><br />
June 17, 2015; Crawford County Avalanche<br />
<a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/farmington/2015/06/09/farmington-hills-pitbull-dog-attack-shot-dead/28746999/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pitbull shot dead after fatal attack</a><br />
June 9, 2015; Hometown Life<br />
<a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/2155620/pit-bull-mix-attacks-edwardsburg-michiagan-woman-becomes-victim-of-cyber-bullying/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Mix Attacks Edwardsburg Michiagan Woman, Becomes Victim Of Cyber Bullying</a><br />
June 8, 2015; The Inquisitr<br />
<a href="http://www.monroenews.com/news/2015/jun/06/pit-bull-attacks-postal-worker/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacks postal worker</a><br />
June 6, 2015; Monroe News<br />
<a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2015/06/bay_city_pit_bull-boxer_mix_bi.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bay City pit bull-boxer mix bites police officer, owner fighting to keep dog alive</a><br />
June 5, 2015; MLive<br />
<a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/canton/2015/06/02/canton-death-threat-allegations/28346681/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attack (Canton, MI)</a><br />
June 2, 2015; Hometown Life<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/05/21/pit-bull-attack-northern-michigan-toddler/27731713/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Northern Mich. girl hospitalized after pit bull attack</a><br />
May 21, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
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<i>. . . emergency crews took the girl to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, and she later was airlifted to DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/100-million-symbolic-judgment-entered-in-dog-6273291.php">$100 million 'symbolic' judgment entered in dog attack case</a><br />
May 19, 2015; Houston Chronicle<br />
<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3-injured-by-pit-bull-after-breaking-up-fight-with-other-dogs/32918534" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3 injured by pit bull after breaking up fight with other dogs</a><br />
May 10, 2015; WDIV Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.dailytribune.com/general-news/20150508/hazel-park-set-to-lift-ban-on-pit-bulls">Hazel Park set to lift ban on pit bulls</a><br />
May 8, 2015; Daily Tribune<br />
<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/hazel-park-lifts-pit-bull-ban/32868428" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hazel Park lifts pit bull ban</a><br />
May 7, 2015; WDIV Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/29008713/hazel-park-lifts-pit-bull-ban-after-dog-saves-domestic-abuse-victim" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hazel Park lifts pit bull ban after dog saves domestic abuse victim</a><br />
May 7, 2015; Fox 2 News<br />
<a href="http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=1201717#.VU3z6JI4nTY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flint Police shoot, run-over dog with history of biting people</a><br />
May 7, 2015; MI NBC News<br />
<a href="http://www.wbkb11.com/news/local/7273-mail-carrier-bitten-by-dog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mail Carrier Bitten By Dog</a><br />
May 5, 2015; WBKB Fox TV (Alcona County, MI)<br />
<a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/2015/05/05/canton-dog-stewie-shot-sponsler/26912863/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Family dog shot and killed by neighbor in Canton</a><br />
May 5, 2015; Detroit Free Press<br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/opinion/20150501/letter-pitbull-advocates-shouldnt-march-in-local-parade">Hazel Park plans on denigrating the local veterans Memorial Day parade with pitbull promoters and their dogs allowed to walk in the parade</a> (Letter)<br />
May 1, 2015; Oakland Press<br />
<a href="http://wlns.com/2015/04/24/pit-bull-put-down-after-biting-teenager/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull Put Down After Biting Teenager</a><br />
April 24, 2015; WLNS (Ingram County)<br />
<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/woman-seriously-injured-by-dog-attack-in-grosse-pointe-farms/32284908" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman seriously injured by dog attack in Grosse Pointe Farms</a><br />
April 9, 2015; WDIV Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/28523389/let-it-rip-weekend-hazel-park-pit-bull-ban-and-ticket-scalping-legislation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hazel Park pit bull ban</a><br />
March 15, 2015; Fox News (Discussion/interview panel)<br />
<a href="http://www.dailytribune.com/general-news/20150312/two-more-pit-bulls-face-removal-as-hazel-parks-breed-specific-ban-controversy-rages" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Two more pit bulls face removal as Hazel Park's breed-specific ban controversy rages</a><br />
March 12, 2015; Daily Tribune<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/28364610/pit-bull-advocates-speak-in-hazel-park" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hazel Park neighbors, pitbull owners working together to repeal breed ban</a><br />
March 10, 2015; Fox News Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/28359167/animal-rights-group-intervenes-to-help-hero-pit-bull" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animal rights group intervening to help hero Pit Bull</a><br />
March 10, 2015; Fox News Detroit<br />
<a href="http://woodtv.com/2015/03/09/newaygo-sheriffs-deputy-attacked-by-pit-bull/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull bites Newaygo Co. sheriff’s deputy</a><br />
March 9, 2015; WOOD TV<br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150307/hero-pit-bull-saves-owner-during-domestic-violence-faces-removal-from-home-due-to-city-ordinance" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hero pit bull saves owner during domestic violence, faces removal from home due to city ordinance</a><br />
March 7, 2015; Oakland Press<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/28284806/pit-bull-saves-owner-but-will-be-removed-from-home-due-to-city-ordinance" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pitbull credited for saving owner, but will be removed from Hazel Park home</a><br />
March 6, 2015; Fox 2 Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/man-runs-animal-shelter-hazel-park-home/31486122" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man runs animal shelter out of Hazel Park home</a><br />
February 25, 2015; Click on Detroit<br />
<a href="http://www.dailytribune.com/general-news/20150204/clinton-township-man-fights-for-his-life-in-dog-attack-on-clinton-river-trail" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clinton Township man ‘fights for his life' in dog attack on Clinton River Trail</a><br />
February 4, 2014; Oakland Press<br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150107/man-bitten-by-pit-bull-while-shopping-at-petsmart-in-southfield" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Man bitten by pit bull while shopping at PetSmart in Southfield</a><br />
January 7, 2015; Oakland Press<br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20130224/pit-bull-owners-praise-breed-fight-waterford-ordinance" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull owners praise breed, fight Waterford ordinance</a><br />
February 24, 2013; Oakland Press<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/18477646/pit-bull-family-pet-or-dangerous-animal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull: Family Pet or Dangerous Animal?</a><br />
July 6, 2010; Fox2 Detroit<br />
<i>In the second video, a panel of guests joins Huel Perkins to debate pit bulls during a special edition of "Let It Rip". Joining him are Michele Watts, whose dog was killed by a pit bull, Terry Hodskins, who is a pit bull owner, and FOX 2 Legal Analyst Charlie Langton.</i><br />
<a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20091115/protesters-voice-outrage-over-pit-bull-euthanasia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Protesters voice outrage over pit bull euthanasia</a><br />
November 15, 2009; Oakland Press<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Other Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/bill/SB0239/2015" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Senate Bill 239 (2015)</a> Legiscan<br />
<a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kz4beiclq5ss0qlubcxnxktl))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2015-SB-0239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Senate Bill 239 (2015)</a> MI Legislature<br />
<a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2015-2016/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2015-SIB-0239.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Senate Bill 239 (2015)</a> Text<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
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This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> &<a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
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<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
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Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
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Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-70495913116780878512015-07-14T20:40:00.000+01:002015-07-16T06:19:07.956+01:00Wisconsin People Problems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: July 16, 2015; 06:19 GMT</span></div>
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<h1 style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-weight: 500; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://wsau.com/news/articles/2015/jul/07/out-of-control-dog-attacks-kills-small-dog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Out-of-control dog attacks, kills small dog</i></a></span></h1>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">WSAU, Wausaw, WI<br />
Tuesday, July 07, 2015 4:22 a.m. CDT</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Humane Society of Marathon County Executive Director Mary Kirlin said not all pit bulls are bad.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Just like people, dogs have their own issues and their own likes and dislikes. Not every person likes every other person, not every dog likes every other dog,” Kirlin said. “There can be a lot of things that happen."</span><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">* * * * * </span></div>
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On July 3, 2015, a poochon named Snowball was attacked and killed by a pit bull named Krayze in Wausau, Wisconsin. Krayze had attacked a husky puppy the week before he killed Snowball. That tells you just about all you need to know.<br />
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But then Mary Kirlin, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Marathon County, commented on the attack, and it became manifestly more interesting. Every time a pit bull attacks Ms Kirlin can be counted on to say something infuriating. On this occasion she uttered the thoughtless, insensitive, cruel comment above about likes and dislikes.<br />
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Ms Kirlin is mindless of the grief suffered by the human companions of our more vulnerable animal companions. Her first thoughts are of the pit bulls, and how to mitigate the damage to their reputations.<br />
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Ms Kirlin suggests that the killing of Snowball is equivalent to a minor snit between teen-aged girls; that Snowball was killed because she was "disliked." Her comments have become so casual, so routine, so dismissive of the suffering and loss that they are simply repugnant. What is of greater importance, in this case, are the reader comments below the story, which are copied in their entirety below.<br />
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The councilmen, legislators, other public servants and "animal welfare" professionals in Wisconsin would be wise to note the responses of their constituents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAUF8XoFlDLQtSFf5DCy5ynlvQfgevOy6CXiEIbtxq1FscJOCaX5cDtz1WFYZGNhmcRnnFVkh7V7_XhT6C9luw4z1iBldJUP22YFvp3nOVoF29N7xRUdA4XbgCB7aS0PZzSY5iI7eWCXB/s1600/Apricot_Poochon_Puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAUF8XoFlDLQtSFf5DCy5ynlvQfgevOy6CXiEIbtxq1FscJOCaX5cDtz1WFYZGNhmcRnnFVkh7V7_XhT6C9luw4z1iBldJUP22YFvp3nOVoF29N7xRUdA4XbgCB7aS0PZzSY5iI7eWCXB/s400/Apricot_Poochon_Puppy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Apricot Poochon Puppy from Chevromist Kennels<br />
(Wikimedia Commons, Hockey252)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reader Comments:</i></span><br />
<br />
Jeff Duranso<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">If that happened to me, by the time my lawyer got done with the dog's owner they`d be living under a bridge.</span><br />
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Cindy >Jeff Duranso<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Well it happened to me. I was attacked and still suffer from the injuries and my Chihuahua was killed by this monster. The skank owner complained that she is on welfare and foodstamps and didn't have much money. So I get a big 750. for my murdered little companion and my pain and she only pays 40. a month. She continually tries to skip out on paying and I have to go to the courthouse and file papers. She was legally allowed to get another pit bull. She couldn't be sued for more because my attorney said she didn't have anything. So too bad for me. She should be in jail or beat up! Maybe this pit will attack her!</span></blockquote>
Heidi S<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">That is hilarious -- that some have been trained to attack... I thought that's what they were bred for.... Humane Society always looking out for society as a whole, great job! This time a puppy next time an infant...</span><br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span> Robert Parent<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Oh look, a 'pit bulls are a menace' thread!!</span><br />
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Denise >Robert Parent<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Oh look, it's an unfeeling, uncaring about any other breed of dog other than a pit bull obsessed jerk!!</span></blockquote>
Travelmate<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What the hay is the humane society doing promoting pit bulls? They KILL pets and people with impunity. Are they suggesting that the owner in this case trained his dog to break containment to kill innocent puppies? is that what they're suggesting. Humane societies are supposed to be HUMANE. It is not humane to promote the kind of dog that kills more than ALL OTHER KINDS OF DOGS COMBINED. That is highly irresponsible and just disgusting. They are becoming merchants of death.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span> Animals 24-7<br />
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3f4549; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Humane societies, in their zeal to save every dog, have abdicated their moral duty to protect the public and other animals from dangerous dogs, most whom have been bred specifically to be dangerous. The history is worth recalling.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3f4549; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
There were two fatalities involving shelter dogs from 1858 through 1999, both involving wolf hybrids, one in 1988 and one in 1989.</div>
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There were three fatalities involving shelter dogs from 2000 through 2009, involving a pit bull, a Doberman, and a Presa Canario.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3f4549; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
There have been 37 fatalities involving shelter dogs from 2010 to present, involving 29 pit bulls, seven bull mastiffs, two Rottweilers, a Lab who may have been part pit bull, and a husky.</div>
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Also of note, there were 32 disfiguring maulings by shelter dogs from 1859 through 2009, 19 of them involving pit bulls.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3f4549; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
From 2010 to present, there have been 136 disfiguring maulings by shelter dogs, 97 of them involving pit bulls. 17 shelter dogs have killed or disfigured people thus far in 2015, all of them pit bulls.</div>
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For every human killed, hundreds of animals have been--about 6,500 animals killed by shelter dogs per year in 2013-2014, more than 90% by pit bulls.</div>
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Only 26 fatalities associated with exploding Ford Pinto gas tanks, over seven years, were sufficient to kill the sales of what had been the top-selling car in history, ahead of even the Volkswagen beetle.</div>
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Ultimately, what shelters are doing in focusing on adopting out pit bulls instead of drastically curtailing the pit bull birth rate & discouraging acquisition of "bully" breeds is flirting with the same sort of disaster that killed the Pinto: persuading the public that shelters are not a good place to get a dog.<br />
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ban pit bulls<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I say go after the humane society for not doing anything with that dog after the first attack!</span><br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
teejk >ban pit bulls<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">In Jackson County Wisconsin the offending dog is apparently given a "3 strike" rule. After the second bite (on my wife and son...two different incidents with two different "shelter dogs" owned by our neighbor) we were advised by the director of the county humane society to "move". We were also advised by the county sheriff that I couldn't shoot them even if on our property. Two weeks before Christmas we lost the most interesting little dachshund to the neighbor's wolf mix (was in our yard...snow on the ground so we knew what happened) while she was "doing her business" after dinner. We now have 2 dachshund puppies. And I have a new H&K 9mm handgun. If it comes to it, these puppies will be defended. I'll go to jail but I am not going to relive that December thing again.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Cindy >teejk</span><br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I was told by the previous manager of the humane society in Marathon co. that the lady who runs it now is evil and keeps the pits there longer than she is supposed to and then crys to the city for more money!</span></blockquote>
Sharon Savage Yildiz<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">This is why I broke all ties with humane societies and shelters. They are NOT dog experts, and they certainly have not researched the 500 year history of the pit bull as genetically-modified killing machine (known for jumping fences and killing kids even in the 1500's). 1:20 pits sends a pet or human to the hospital each year, compared to 1:3,000 for other breeds. Pit bulls last year killed 18,000 American dogs, including 5 killed at Petsmart alone. Pits kill more humans, more pets and more livestock that all other 300 dog breeds combined, and have since records were first kept in the 1850's. It has NOTHING to do with training, and is 100% genetic. If killing other dogs was about "training," how strange that every dog fighter uses only pit bulls, rather than training Goldens, Great Danes, German Shepherds or any other breeds to fight...</span><br />
<br />
Denise<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Pit bulls are all genetic ticking time bombs, use at your own risk. You never know when one might go off. Why would any sane human want to take that risk when there are so many other dog breeds? What's up with the Humane Society's ignorance on this subject? They should be more concerned with protecting humans and ALL other dogs and pets than worrying about offending the ignorant pit bull advocates.</span><br />
<br />
Jaloney Caldwell<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">so great of the worthless media to contact the humane society folks that make money by keeping the pitbull overbreeding fiasco alive and keep the world safe for dog fighting with their promotions of the breed. The people and pets killed and mutilated by New GOD: The pitbull.. is what the tax payers are paying to promote. SICK. </span><a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2015/06/pit-bull-danger-billboard-initiative-milwaukee/" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.1s linear; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 91, 164) !important; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;">http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/...</a><br />
<br />
Irene LOBAIDO<br />
<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Get legally armed America! Don't be dead victims of Dangerous dog Attacks!! When they Attack, they get Whacked!! Its just that simple!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">* * * * * </span><br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Sources:</i><br />
<a href="http://wsau.com/news/articles/2015/jul/07/out-of-control-dog-attacks-kills-small-dog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Out-of-control dog attacks, kills small dog</a><br />
July 7, 2015; WSAU<br />
<a href="http://www.waow.com/story/29486522/2015/07/06/pit-bull-kills-small-dog-in-wausau" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit Bull kills small dog in Wausau</a><br />
<div>
July 6, 2015; ABC 9 WAOW<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-9119721636766640842015-07-09T14:45:00.000+01:002015-07-11T00:29:10.423+01:00Sgt. Stubby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Revised: July 10, 2015; 19:09 GMT</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote style="text-align: left;">
<div style="color: #111111; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But back to Stubby, a stray Pit Bull from Hartford, Conn., smuggled by a soldier onto a ship bound for France. Stubby started out as a mascot, the main role dogs played in the Great War, providing companionship and boosting morale for U.S. troops.</span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stubby went from mascot to war hero somewhat instinctually. He warned a group of sleeping soldiers of an impending gas attack, giving them enough time to put on their masks. He once acted as a sentry for the soldiers he was with, standing guard and biting a German infiltrator, detaining him long enough for soldiers to capture him. And he was wounded by shrapnel, but continued on with the 102<span style="line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">nd</span>, surviving several battles, according to Michael G. Lemish, a war dog historian and author.</span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
The above excerpt is from an article by Sarah Kershaw published in the Washington Post on July 3, 2015. The article, a moving tribute to war dogs, includes a glaring error that could have been avoided with a few minutes of research. The comment copied below is one of several reader comments which corrected Ms Kershaw's error:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="echo-streamserver-controls-stream-item-authorName" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: content-box !important; color: #2a2a2a; float: none; font-family: FranklinITCProBold !important; font-size: 16px !important; font-stretch: normal !important; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-wrap: normal;">
<span style="box-sizing: content-box !important; padding-right: 0px;">Merritt Clifton</span></div>
<div class="echo-streamserver-controls-stream-item-date" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: content-box !important; color: #b2b2b2; float: left; font-family: FranklinITCProLight, Helvetica-light, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-wrap: normal;">
7/3/2015 2:59 PM PDT</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: FranklinITCProLight, Helvetica-light, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Sergeant Stubby was introduced to the world by the Boston Globe on April 8, 1919, about halfway through an article entitled “Heroes Aplenty On Agamemnon,” profiling the soldiers and animals aboard a recently landed troop transport ship. “The reporter was just taking down the names of some of the men,” the anonymous author recounted, “when from the dock came a faint, small sound. There, sniffing inquiringly at the reporter, was a small but unmistakeable bulldog…The small ‘bull’ can justly be called a Yale bulldog," i.e. Boston terrier--much smaller than a pit bull. "Corporal J.R. Conroy of New Britain, Connecticut is the dog’s official keeper," the Boston Globe account continued. "He explained that Stubby was adopted by the old 1st Connecticut Regiment when it was training at Yale field. When the regiment was merged into the 102nd, Stubby went along. Corporal Conroy and the rest of the company managed to smuggle him on board the ship which took them overseas. Stubby has been with the men ever since. He was wounded during the Seicheprey fight, and wears every conceivable sort of decoration on his blanket. He took part in the fight at Marchville, Corporal Conroy being regimental observer on that occasion, and the company believes that he alone held at least one German division at the time.” From that jocular claim, the Stubby myth expanded with every retelling. His remains, taxidermically mounted and displayed at the Smithsonian, are unmistakably those of a Boston terrier.</span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp2QlOS2BszRF8iZ2jlZncaEJKUM83vg0Bd8Z-lhrzyfAjG7PbJX_O03f8cTjzwXXqVn6FvLefyS15NjIq9qN5hV3nbAOY9yiYVfHma5xXaViD8trsBcJI2kg9djkgUqHYnzwXyL86gVk/s1600/Boston+Terrier+%2526+Stephen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp2QlOS2BszRF8iZ2jlZncaEJKUM83vg0Bd8Z-lhrzyfAjG7PbJX_O03f8cTjzwXXqVn6FvLefyS15NjIq9qN5hV3nbAOY9yiYVfHma5xXaViD8trsBcJI2kg9djkgUqHYnzwXyL86gVk/s400/Boston+Terrier+%2526+Stephen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Stephen Wood, age 6, with his Boston Terrier "Peggy"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Long Neck, LI, New York, 1940</span></div>
<br />
Pit bull advocates have cultivated the belief that Sgt Stubby was a pit bull. Ms Kershaw's error was to believe the misinformation published by many pit bull advocacy websites. The misidentification of Sgt Stubby as a pit bull is only one of many fantastic deceptions circulated by advocates of fighting breeds.<br />
<br />
We encourage the Boston Terrier Club of America (BTCA) to lodge a formal objection to the Washington Post, whose fact-checkers failed to note and correct Ms Kershaw's error. The BTCA should also write to the AKC, who must acknowledge that Sgt Stubby was indeed a Boston. Aficionados of the valiant little Boston Terrier breed must object to the repeated misidentification of one of their own, and reclaim their own little hero, Sgt Stubby, as a Boston Terrier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU36bp3GOOIfMH-9rfzHc1FEVgK4yIhkSx-kcja7hG4ubsLsEHoTRTjYRMV6QH0sDdK6kjJrTxfgBINQ_DHOEFPWa1E_7zVSQbr7iuqq408xA66HR3oeWqPeC2YeR7PUW6Fnux_wOLW30L/s1600/1917+Boston+Terrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU36bp3GOOIfMH-9rfzHc1FEVgK4yIhkSx-kcja7hG4ubsLsEHoTRTjYRMV6QH0sDdK6kjJrTxfgBINQ_DHOEFPWa1E_7zVSQbr7iuqq408xA66HR3oeWqPeC2YeR7PUW6Fnux_wOLW30L/s400/1917+Boston+Terrier.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Mayor" (Boston terrier) 1917, by Harry Lyman</span></div>
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* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Source:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/07/03/heres-a-short-history-of-the-american-war-dog-starring-sergeant-stubby-a-canine-hero-who-served-during-wwi/">Here’s a short history of the American war dog starring ‘Sergeant Stubby,’ a canine hero who served during WWI</a><br />
July 3, 2015; by Sarah Kershaw, Washington Post<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8593683138273919375.post-3922839910965669032015-07-02T18:57:00.000+01:002016-11-03T20:43:12.931+00:00First X, Then Y, Then Z<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </i><i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">. . . Then Pit Bulls</span></i><br />
<blockquote>
<i><br />
In the 1980s, Doberman Pinschers were associated with 'tough guy image,' tarnishing that breed's reputation . . . in the 1990s it shifted to Rottweilers, then into the 2000s it became pit bulls.</i><br />
<br />
Leon Davis<br />
BC SPCA Nanaimo & District Branch Manager<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * *</div>
<br />
<i>At one point it was German Shepherd dogs that were considered to be potentially dangerous or inherently dangerous. Then it was Rottweilers, then it was Doberman Pinschers. For the last 20 years or so it's been pit bulls. . . . </i><br />
<br />
Nicholas Gilman<br />
Executive Director, Montreal SPCA</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * </div>
<br />
The dogs used as examples vary and the order is random. But according to advocates of fighting breeds, pit bulls are simply the latest in a line of maligned, though innocent, victims of bad press.<br />
<br />
The XYZ motif has been so overused south of the 49th parallel that it has, for the most part, fallen out of use. But Canadian advocates of fighting breeds haven't yet realized that this tired cliché has outlived it's usefulness.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the reason the XYZ motif has been abandoned, by even the staunchest US advocates, is that it was never true. When the 30-year summary of <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada</i><sup>1</sup> was released it became obvious that Dobermans and German Shepherds were never as dangerous as pit bull advocates make them out to be.<br />
<br />
A recent article in the National Post puts the issue to rest:<br />
<blockquote>
In my youth, people used to think the Doberman Pinscher was a dangerous dog. But from 1955 to 2015, Dobermans have killed only 11 people. That is about as many as pit bulls kill in any given four-month period. Seventy percent of dog bite-related fatalities and extreme damage to humans are inflicted by pit bull type dogs, who represent four percent of the breed population. Surgeons testify to the especially horrific damage their peculiar biting method – hold and rend – does to human flesh and bone. Pit bulls are also responsible for the deaths of virtually 100% of domestic animals (including cows and horses) killed by canines.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/barbara-kay-pit-bull-bans-work" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull bans work</a><br />
by Barbara Kay<br />
June 19, 2015; The National Post</blockquote>
Advocates of fighting breeds would have us believe that pit bulls are simply the latest in a line of wrongly-maligned dogs. In reality they are unique. Pit bulls are the first, and only, dogs intentionally selected and inter- and cross- and outbred for centuries for their capacity to fight other dogs to the death, while ignoring pain and life-threatening injuries to themselves.<br />
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* * * * *<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>See Also:</i></span><br />
<div>
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/2015/06/carnival-of-madness-canada.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carnival of Madness: Canada</a><br />
<a href="http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com/p/canada.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canada</a> (Index of posts and resources)</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Notes:</i></span><br />
<sup>1</sup> 2012. See <i>Statistics</i>, below.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Canada Sources:</i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Opinion+Vancouver+needs+grip+bulls/11205203/story.html">Vancouver needs to get a grip on pit bulls</a><br />
by Mia Johnson (Opinion)<br />
July 10, 2015; Vancouver Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/lakritz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">We're not the answer to U.S.'s pit bull problem</a><br />
by Naomi Lakritz<br />
July 3, 2015; Calgary Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Therapy+Adopters+imported+rescue+dogs+must+consider+liability/11176786/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adopters of imported rescue dogs must consider liability</a><br />
by Dr Rebecca Ledger<br />
June 29, 2015; Vancouver Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/nelson-love-your-pit-bull-but-pay-the-price" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Love your pit bull, but pay the price</a><br />
June 26, 2015; Calgary Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Dogs+rescued+from+causing+problems+animal+advocacy+group/11158274/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span id="goog_2000758408"></span>Dogs rescued from the U.S. causing problems in B.C.: animal advocacy group<span id="goog_2000758409"></span></a><br />
June 23, 2015; Vancouver Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/17-bully-breed-dogs-on-death-row-in-california-sent-to-calgary" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">17 bully breed dogs on 'death row' in California sent to Calgary</a><br />
June 22, 2015; Calgary Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/Wings-of-Rescue-takes-Bakersfield-pit-bulls-to-Canada-309068401.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wings of Rescue takes Bakersfield pit bulls to Canada</a><br />
June 22, 2015; Bakersfield Now<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pit-bull-accused-of-biting-5-year-old-girl-won-t-be-put-down-1.3119947" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull accused of biting 5-year-old girl won't be put down</a><br />
June 19, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/barbara-kay-pit-bull-bans-work" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull bans work</a><br />
by Barbara Kay<br />
June 19, 2015; The National Post<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2015-06-17/article-4185749/Membertou-pit-bull-ban-working/1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Membertou pit bull ban working</a><br />
June 17, 2015; Cape Breton Post<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.avtimes.net/pit-bull-dog-breed-is-a-danger-to-general-public-1.1969603" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull dog breed is a danger to general public</a><br />
by Mia Johnson<br />
June 16, 2015; The Alberni Times<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/enforcement-needed-for-pit-bull-type-dogs-in-city-1.1969614" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enforcement needed for pit bull-type dogs in city</a><br />
June 16, 2015; Nanaimo Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-142196-3-.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pitbull seized after attack</a><br />
June 15, 2015; Castanet Times<br />
<i>Her insides were all over, my two friends were covered in blood.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <a href="http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/use-data-not-anecdotes-to-judge-pit-bull-problem-1.1967180" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Use data, not anecdotes to judge pit bull problem</a><br />
June 12, 2015; Nanaimo Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/st-michel-man-and-dog-attacked-by-pit-bull-terrier-1.2412579" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St. Michel man and dog attacked by pit bull terrier</a><br />
June 8, 2015; CRV News Montreal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/our-view-pit-bulls-will-always-be-a-bit-of-an-easy-target-1.1954353" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls will always be a bit of an easy target</a><br />
June 2, 2015; Nanaimo Daily News (Editorial Opinion)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2015-05-30/article-4163948/%26lsquo%3BThis-is-not-a-pit-bull-issue%26rsquo%3B/1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This is not a pit bull issue</a><br />
by Rosie Mullaley<br />
May 30, 2015; The Telegram (Montreal)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/number-of-incidents-with-pit-bulls-a-concern-1.1952603" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Number of incidents with pit bulls a concern</a><br />
by Mia Johnson<br />
May 30, 2015; Nanaimo Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/news/nanaimo-woman-says-pit-bull-attack-caused-death-of-small-dog-1.1951398" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nanaimo woman says pit bull attack caused death of small dog</a><br />
May 29, 2015; Nanaimo Daily News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://medicinehatnews.com/news/provincial-news/2015/05/28/central-alberta-judge-orders-pit-bulls-destroyed-after-attack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Central Alberta judge orders pit bulls destroyed after attack</a><br />
May 28, 2015; Canadian Press<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ngnews.ca/News/Local/2015-05-27/article-4160399/Newfoundland-teen-terrified-by-pit-bull-attack/1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Newfoundland teen terrified by pit bull attack</a><br />
by Rosie Mullaley<br />
May 27, 2015; New Glasgow News (Pictou County, NS)<br />
<blockquote>
<i>“If this wasn’t a pit bull, it would’ve been put down right away. They’re only concerned about giving (the breed) any more of a bad name than what they have now. If it was a German shepherd, a Shih Tzu or a beagle, do you think people would be coming forward fighting to keep it alive? No, they wouldn’t.</i></blockquote>
<a href="http://ntv.ca/pit-bull-owner-charged-after-two-attacks-on-teenagers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull owner charged after two attacks on teenagers</a><br />
May 26, 2015; NTV<br />
<br />
<a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2012777/pit-bull-controversy-reignites-after-boy-is-mauled-by-two-dogs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull controversy reignites after boy is mauled by two dogs</a><br />
May 22, 2015; Global News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Lakritz+bull+logical+next+step/11067034/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull ban is logical next step</a><br />
by Naomi Lakritz (of the Calgary Herald)<br />
May 20, 2015; Vancouver Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/paul-johnston-hopeful-owner-of-pit-bull-that-killed-cooper-can-be-found-1.3079794" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paul Johnston mourning Copper killed by pit bull cross</a><br />
May 19, 2015; CBC News<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpWN_ccQ4sN4Rrke_r6Wpb0cPs3WkCexjgKcXTBWPtzskmLBpvcZQYN3Goi3u3dXiomM-ffW2PCiWxToRqMoUpgnqa0ibO30l5YXUu5tZUcMqnjiJhX6gEmcImSbwjcWGx95ynUv9FlkI/s1600/cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpWN_ccQ4sN4Rrke_r6Wpb0cPs3WkCexjgKcXTBWPtzskmLBpvcZQYN3Goi3u3dXiomM-ffW2PCiWxToRqMoUpgnqa0ibO30l5YXUu5tZUcMqnjiJhX6gEmcImSbwjcWGx95ynUv9FlkI/s1600/cooper.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/owner-of-dog-killed-in-attack-weighs-in-on-calgary-breed-debate/ar-BBjTHK4?srcref=rss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owner of dog killed in attack weighs in on Calgary breed debate</a><br />
May 18, 2015; MSN News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.660news.com/2015/05/13/recent-dog-attacks-has-bylaw-services-suggesting-policy-changes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Recent dog attacks has bylaw services suggesting policy changes</a><br />
May 13, 2015; 660 News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-teen-taken-to-hospital-after-pit-bull-type-dog-bites-her-legs-1.3072573">Calgary teen taken to hospital after 'pit bull-type' dog bites her legs</a><br />
May 13, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/opinion-pit-bulls-are-inherently-high-risk-dogs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bulls are inherently high-risk dogs</a><br />
By Barbara Kay<br />
May 13, 2015; Montreal Gazette (Opinion)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-time-to-debate-pit-bull-ban" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Time to debate pit bull ban</a><br />
May 13, 2015; Calgary Herald (Editorial)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jesse-ferreras/pit-bull-ban-canada_b_5284944.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canada, Get Rid Of Pit Bulls Once And For All</a><br />
By Jesse Ferreras<br />
May 13, 2015; Huffington Post<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/dog-attacks-in-calgary-under-investigation-1.3070175" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dog attacks in Calgary under investigation</a><br />
<i>'Aggression from animals will not be tolerated,' says animal services manager after 3 separate attacks</i><br />
May 11, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/05/11/questions-raised-about-london-ont-coyote-attack-on-girl-14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Questions raised about London, Ont., coyote attack on girl, 14</a><br />
May 11, 2015; Calgary Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/dog-kills-another-dog-in-northeast-attack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Two small dogs are dead following two unrelated, but nearly “identical” attacks by two other dogs over the weekend</a><br />
May 10, 2015; Calgary Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1283483-debert-woman-mourns-pet-pit-bull-that-attacked-her">Debert woman mourns pet pit bull that attacked her</a><br />
April 29, 2015; Chronicle Herald<br />
<br />
<a href="http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/small-dog-fatally-attacked-while-stunned-owner-holds-leash-1.2340176" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Small dog fatally attacked while stunned owner holds leash</a><br />
April 22, 2015; CTV News<br />
<i>“My dog was just laying limp on the ground and I cuddled him. Of course I started crying because I knew he was dead.”</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/life/charges+against+owner+whose+bull+killed+therapy+Vancouver/10975174/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No charges against owner whose pit bull killed therapy dog in Vancouver</a><br />
April 16, 2015; Vancouver Sun<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pit-bull-shot-by-opp-after-attack-on-mother-and-child-in-rockland-1.3030867" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull shot by OPP after attack on mother and child in Rockland</a><br />
April 13, 2015; CBC News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/bc/Kelowna+judge+orders+bull+destroyed+after+savage+attack+owner/10958637/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kelowna judge orders pit bull destroyed after ‘savage attack’ on its owner</a><br />
April 9, 2015; Edmonton Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1930745/pit-bull-attacks-nine-year-old-penticton-girl/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull attacks nine-year-old Penticton girl</a><br />
April 9, 2015; Global News<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/bull+shot+after+attacks+police+service/10954565/story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pit bull shot after it attacks police service dog</a><br />
April 8, 2015; Edmonton Journal<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/15/04/01/A_Gruesome_Attack_by_a_Pitbull_Lands_in_Kelowna_Court">A Gruesome Attack by a Pitbull Lands in Kelowna Court</a><br />
April 1, 2015; Kelowna Now<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Statistics:</i></span><br />
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated <i>Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.</i><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZrSk1LbXRxS3E3ZGs" target="_blank">View or download the current PDF</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/03/773-rise-in-fatal-disfiguring-pit-bull-attacks-from-2007-to-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Year-end report of dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/09/27/32-years-of-logging-fatal-disfiguring-dog-attacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks</a><br />
Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?</a><br />
Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015<br />
<br />
This page may also include information from <a href="http://www.dogsbite.org/" target="_blank">Dogsbite</a> & <a href="http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/" target="_blank">Fatal Pit Bull Attacks</a>.<br />
<br />
Google News: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=attack+%22pit+bull%22+OR+pitbull" target="_blank">Today's pit bull attacks</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2014-dog-bite-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<a href="http://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-related-fatalities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Index of canine fatalities</a> on Daxton's Friends<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definitions:</span></i><br />
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxm2rT0Rp7ZreFlFTXBYbTl0YjQ&authuser=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163</a>. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" must be made even more inclusive.<br />
<br />
Sources cited by news media sometimes refer to "Animal Advocates" or sometimes "Experts." In many cases these words are used to refer to single-purpose pit bull advocates who have never advocated for any other breeds or species of animals. Media would be more accurate to refer to these pit bull advocates as <i>advocates of fighting breeds</i>.<br />
<br />
Similarly, in many cases pit bull advocates refer to themselves as "dog lovers" or "canine advocates" and media often accepts this usage. The majority of these pit bull advocates are single-purpose <i>advocates of fighting breeds.</i><br />
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SRUVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988090547213750639noreply@blogger.com