Animal welfare institutions work on behalf of our animal companions, and on behalf of the public. It is not always apparent that the attorneys, lobbyists, and legislative analysts who represent these institutions may not have the same goals as the public they serve. Journalists have, to a large extent, given these animal welfare representatives a free-pass by declining to pose difficult questions about pit bulls.
We've asked friends across the country what questions they would like to ask of the animal welfare organizations, and we've added several questions of our own. We encourage journalists to use these questions.
We may print additional questions as we receive them from readers.
Revised: Nov 20 2012; 18:47 GMT
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, , , , , from a reader in Florida:
Question: Why do you not advocate for the welfare of pit bulls by proposing legislation that would make them rare and inaccessible to dogfighters and only accessible to the few owners/breeders/advocates who truly know to maintain them safely for the welfare of both the dogs and the public?
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, , , , , from a reader addressed to Wayne Pacelle of the HSUS:
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, , , , , from SRUV:
Q: Animal welfare representatives are fond of blaming pit bull attacks on irresponsible owners, when in fact many of the pit bull attacks which result in death or disfigurement are caused by well-cared for, much loved family pit bulls which have never before shown signs of aggression. Now, will you act responsibly and accept responsibility for your organization's advocacy of pit bulls?
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Q: A breed does not need to be preserved--especially dog breeds which for thousands of years were specially bred to kill other dogs and other animals (such as bears and bulls) in sadistic gambling spectacles. Why in God's name would a true animal advocate want to preserve the legacy of the people who bred them?
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, , , , , from a reader, addressed to Ledy VanKavage:
Q: My question to Ledy VanKavage is: Why do you continue to promote and promulgate false information about DNA testing when you know it is untrue and deceptive?
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, , , , , from SRUV addressed to the American Veterinary Medical Association:
Q: Are veterinarians prohibited from making statements which contradict AVMA policies or guidelines? Does the AVMA limit the public speech of veterinarians in any way?
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, , , , , from an anonymous reader in Denver, addressed to Ledy VanKavage:
Q: You are known for visiting college campuses to speak to law students with the goal of recruiting new attorneys into the practice of animal law. A number of your recruits now specialize in defending pit bulls and attempting to overturn existing BSL. Could you comment on the ethics of defending and advocating for pit bulls vis-à-vis advocating for the victims of pit bull attacks?
Q: Can you explain why you're against BSL which would require neutering of pit bulls when it's clear that the San Francisco model is effective?, , , , , from an anonymous reader in Denver, addressed to Ledy VanKavage:
Q: You are known for visiting college campuses to speak to law students with the goal of recruiting new attorneys into the practice of animal law. A number of your recruits now specialize in defending pit bulls and attempting to overturn existing BSL. Could you comment on the ethics of defending and advocating for pit bulls vis-à-vis advocating for the victims of pit bull attacks?
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, , , , , from a reader addressed to any animal welfare association:
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Q: A human has been killed by a pit bull every 21 days, on average over the last several years. No animal welfare spokesperson has publicly acknowledged these deaths, as far as we know, and the public sees this refusal as denial. If you were in a room with the door closed, could you acknowledge these deaths privately, to yourself?, , , , , from SRUV for any pit bull advocate:
Notes:
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