Legion

The Saga of a Dangerous Dog

The six entries below, all of them about a Montana pit bull named Legion, are gathered from several different web sites. The dates and chronological order have been ascribed by the editors of SRUV.

* * * * * 

Chapter 1
Montana; June 22, 2012

I persuaded everyone to calm down, and assured the woman (bi-polar and off meds) to let me take the dog. Through the door I assured her that I have never let a pit bull be put down once I get them into rescue, and I wouldn’t do so with Legion either. She opened the door a crack, and agreed to let me take him. Before I could get in though, the stepfather rushed the door, and set Legion into barking and snarling again, and he was chained to the wall, just inches from the baby.

> > > Read more: Pit bull chained to a wall stops a murder and now needs a home 

Chapter 2
Longmont Humane Society; July, 2012

Longmont has contacted us to say that Legion needs to go to Sanctuary, Best Friends Animal Society, in Utah. We need to raise $4000.00 to get him to Best Friends, an unequivocally NO KILL shelter and we need your help to help him. Will you please become a member of Legion's legion?

> > Read more: Can you help us to help him?

Chapter 3
Longmont Humane Society; November 27, 2012

In order to transfer him to Best Friends, Longmont must commit to bringing 4 adoptable dogs in his place to Longmont. The cost to them is around $4000.00. . . . Rhea [Morriarty] at Longmont is opening negotiations with Best Friends, and Longmont will keep Legion safely, while we raise these funds.

> > Read more: Please help Legion

Chapter 4
Therapy costs money; December 11, 2012

Since the Humane Society at Longmont was never meant to be a permanent home, and they do not have room to keep Legion -- despite his progress -- his brief reprieve at Longmont has become a new death row.

> > Read more: A good dog's sad story

Chapter 5
A Sleepover with Legion at LHS; January 31, 2013

Thanks especially to Rhea Moriarty, Behavior and Training Department Manager; Marianna Langan, Training and Behavior Coordinator; Annie Wyatt, Training Specialist; and 4th level volunteer Michael Schupp.

> > Read more: Legion is on his way to Best Friends!

Chapter 6 
From Longmont to Best Friends

Fortunately, Gypsy was able to fly up to Longmont, Colorado to say a personal goodbye to her "boy" before he went to live at Best Friends. Longmont generously made arrangements for us to spend a special day and "sleep-over" with Legion. These photos capture some of our visit with Legion and friends from LHS.

> > Read more: Gypsy was able to fly to Longmont

Legion and Gypsy

* * * * *
Definitions:
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163. 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.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

Statistics:
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.
View or download the current PDF

2014 Year-end report of dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015
32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014
How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?
   Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015

This page may also include information from Dogsbite &Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Google News: Today's pit bull attacks

2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities on Daxton's Friends
Index of canine fatalities on Daxton's Friends

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Questions For Journalists at The Newark Advocate

The Newark Advocate has long been a voice for public safety legislation which places restrictions on pit bulls. But in January 2015 that policy changed and the Newark Advocate began to advocate for the dogs that kill more humans than all other breeds combined.

What motivated the Newark Advocate to abandon their support of laws that have protected Newark citizens for years? How did this change happen? The public deserves to know.

The Newark Advocate's recent series on pit bulls included at least six articles published over a ten day period. The Sunday, January 11th edition included what appeared to be a heavily illustrated special insert titled Pit bull owners share the softer side of 'bully breeds'.¹ The digital edition included multiple videos and the story, written by Emily Maddern, was picked up by newspapers across the country.

The series required a significant concentration of resources by the Newark Advocate. A project on such a scale requires large investments of human and financial capital; it requires extensive planning by the newspaper's management.  Was there outside funding?

The series was an extraordinary effort by a city newspaper to influence their city council on an important public safety issue. A publishing event of this significance raises numerous questions, a few of which are listed below.

1/   Did local pit bull advocacy groups lobby the paper to suggest this series?

2/   Did any pit bull advocacy groups from outside Licking county participate in lobbying the Newark Advocate?

3/   Did any pit bull advocacy groups from outside Ohio participate in lobbying the Newark Advocate?

4/   Did any employee of the Gannett newspaper corporate office provide input or assistance for the series? Did any Gannett employee object to the series? Was any Gannett employee aware of the Newark Advocate's series?

5/   Did any members of city council have any contact with the Newark Advocate regarding this series, other than answering questions during routine interviews?

6/   Did any pit bull advocacy group (local, state, or national) suggest or provide talking points or other content for any of the articles in the series?

7/   Did any pit bull advocacy group or any animal welfare group provide content, or technical or financial assistance for any of the articles in this series? Was the outreach from outside groups solicited by the Newark Advocate? Did the outside input or assistance, if it existed, corrupt the editorial integrity of The Newark Advocate?

* * * * * 

The citizens of Newark, Ohio deserve to know how their newspaper made the decision to reverse their editorial position on this public safety issue, which will adversely affect the city and its citizens in the years to come.


* * * * *
Notes:
¹   See A Softer, Safer Pit Bull

Definitions:
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" should be made even more inclusive.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

Statistics:
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.
View or download the current PDF

2014 Year-end report of dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015
32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014
How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?
   Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015

This page may also include information from Dogsbite &Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Google News: Today's pit bull attacks

2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities on Daxton's Friends
Index of canine fatalities on Daxton's Friends

Sources:
Rath renews attempt to delay vote on pit bull bill
   February 16, 2015; Newark Advocate
Scuffle may have led to dog attack
   February 12, 2015; The Newark Advocate
   There was some dispute Wednesday night about the breed of the dog involved, with some indication it could have been a pit bull.
Three people hospitalized in dog attack
   February 11, 2015; The Newark Advocate
   Initially, the call came in as a dog bite, Bingham said. As first responders were driving to the scene, though, the dispatcher kept adding potential victims to the list.
Newark dog owners hold vigil to support pit bulls
   February 10, 2015; WBNS  10 TV
Pit bull bill on to full council despite delay attempt
   February 2, 2014; The Newark Advocate
Mixed breed, pit bulls, labs bit the most in 2014
   February 1, 2014; The Newark Advocate
The public needs protection from all pit bulls
   Guest column  by Carole Miller
   January 30, 2015; The Newark Advocate
Newark’s third dog bite in a month attributed to pit bulls
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
New humane society facility means more adoptions
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
Pit bull equality bill heading to full council
   January 27, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Newark Considering Vicious Classification for Pit Bulls
   January 26, 2015 (Mon); MyFox 28 Columbus
Pit bull supporters push against breed-specific law
   January 20, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Pit bulls deserve another look
   January 17, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate Editorial
Rath vows to help pit bull owners fight vicious status
   January 13, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Pit bull running loose attacks, bites man
   January 13, 2015; Newark Advocate
Safety panel session invites pit bull owners' comments
   January 12, 2015 (Mon); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners share the 'softer side' of bully breeds
   January 11, 2015 (Sun); Newark Advocate
Roscoe; An American red nose pit bull
   January 10, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners complain to council about law, officer
   December 16, 2014; Newark Advocate
Official cancels meeting with pit bull owner
   December 5, 2014; Newark Advocate
Activist wants county to stop killing pit bulls
    August 12, 2014; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bulls Must Pass Good Citizenship Test To Get Off Vicious Dog List
   December 17, 2013; WBNS 10TV
Newark council passes pit bull ordinance
   December 17, 2013; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bull Regulations Close To Makeover
   December 10, 2013 (March 4, 2014); NBC4i
Newark's current pit bull law should stand
   December 7, 2013; Newark Advocate Editorial
Don't change Newark's vicious dog law
   October 14, 2012; Newark Advocate Editorial
Pit bulls kills dog
   December 1, 2004; Newark Advocate









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Newark and Niagara

Revised: February 14, 2015; 15:04 GMT

Newark, Ohio, and Niagara Falls, NY are two cities with a few similarities and with many differences. The cities are so different it would be pointless to make comparisons, but for the fact that in January 2015 both cities found themselves beset by pit bull problems. The problems these two cities are currently confronting are echoed across the country; how they resolve these problems may be instructive for dozens of other cities in the near future.

Newark and Niagara Falls are cities with virtually identical populations, with just under 50,000 individuals in each city.¹  In January, 2015 the newspapers in both cities launched a series of articles about their respective pit bull problems. The newspapers in Newark published at least twenty articles in thirty days, beginning in mid-January, and the newspapers in Niagara Falls published about fifteen articles in the same period.

Newark has been protected by Breed Specific Legislation which imposes restrictions on pit bulls; Niagara Falls, along with all other municipalities in the state of New York, is prohibited by state law from passing BSL.

Niagara Falls, where BSL is not an option, is swamped by a surplus of pit bulls.  The Niagara County SPCA shelter has kennels to house 74 dogs. Recently the shelter housed 84 dogs with the overflow held in temporary cages in hallways. 90% of the dogs were pit bulls. The shelter has recently achieved no-kill status.

Niagara County SPCA provides animal control services for the city of Niagatra Falls, but has considered terminating service to the city since at least 2013 due to skyrocketing costs. The service will likely be terminated in 2016, and the city must then house its own surplus of pit bulls. Mayor Dyster of Niagara Falls has set aside $3.2 million from the city's casino income to build and equip a shelter.

A surplus of pit bulls is an unfamiliar problem in Newark, where BSL has kept the population in check.

* * * * * 

The problems the two cities face are different, and the newspapers have assumed diametrically opposite roles. The Niagara Falls Reporter has served as the conscience of the city, haranguing and prodding the Mayor, and serving to inform the public of a looming crisis. The Reporter has accused Mayor Dyster, whose options are limited and decreasing by the minute, of accommodating the problem rather than solving it.

The Newark Advocate, after years of supporting the city's BSL, did a volte-face and has actively supported the pit bull advocates who besiege every council meeting. The January 17th editorial announcing the paper's reversal on BSL does not fully explain their change of heart. The Advocate has assumed the bewildering role of advocating for the breed of dog that kills more humans than all other breeds combined.

* * * * * 

If the Newark City Council passes the new legislation next Tuesday (February 17) it will rescind the city's Breed Specific Legislation and remove public safety protections. If Council chooses to renounce BSL the councilors would do well to consult with their counterparts in Niagara Falls, who can advise them of the consequences.


* * * * *
Notes:
¹  Newark OH, pop 48,000; Licking County OH, pop 168,000
    Niagara Falls NY, 49,000; Niagara County NY, pop 215,000

SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163. As pit bulls are increasingly crossed with exotic mastiffs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and other breeds, the vernacular definition of "pit bull" should be made even more inclusive.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

Statistics:
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.
View or download the current PDF

2014 Year-end report of dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015
32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014
How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?
   Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015

This page may also include information from Dogsbite &Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Google News: Today's pit bull attacks

2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities on Daxton's Friends
Index of canine fatalities on Daxton's Friends


Sources: Newark, OH
Rath renews attempt to delay vote on pit bull bill
   February 16, 2015; Newark Advocate
Scuffle may have led to dog attack
   February 12, 2015; The Newark Advocate
   There was some dispute Wednesday night about the breed of the dog involved, with some indication it could have been a pit bull.
Three people hospitalized in dog attack
   February 11, 2015; The Newark Advocate
   Initially, the call came in as a dog bite, Bingham said. As first responders were driving to the scene, though, the dispatcher kept adding potential victims to the list.
Newark dog owners hold vigil to support pit bulls
   February 10, 2015; WBNS  10 TV
Pit bull bill on to full council despite delay attempt
   February 2, 2014; The Newark Advocate
Mixed breed, pit bulls, labs bit the most in 2014
   February 1, 2014; The Newark Advocate
The public needs protection from all pit bulls
   Guest column  by Carole Miller
   January 30, 2015; The Newark Advocate
Newark’s third dog bite in a month attributed to pit bulls
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
New humane society facility means more adoptions
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
Pit bull equality bill heading to full council
   January 27, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Newark Considering Vicious Classification for Pit Bulls
   January 26, 2015 (Mon); MyFox 28 Columbus
Pit bull supporters push against breed-specific law
   January 20, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Pit bulls deserve another look
   January 17, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate Editorial
Rath vows to help pit bull owners fight vicious status
   January 13, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Pit bull running loose attacks, bites man
   January 13, 2015; Newark Advocate
Safety panel session invites pit bull owners' comments
   January 12, 2015 (Mon); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners share the 'softer side' of bully breeds
   January 11, 2015 (Sun); Newark Advocate
Roscoe; An American red nose pit bull
   January 10, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners complain to council about law, officer
   December 16, 2014; Newark Advocate
Official cancels meeting with pit bull owner
   December 5, 2014; Newark Advocate
Activist wants county to stop killing pit bulls
    August 12, 2014; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bulls Must Pass Good Citizenship Test To Get Off Vicious Dog List
   December 17, 2013; WBNS 10TV
Newark council passes pit bull ordinance
   December 17, 2013; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bull Regulations Close To Makeover
   December 10, 2013 (March 4, 2014); NBC4i
Newark's current pit bull law should stand
   December 7, 2013; Newark Advocate Editorial
Don't change Newark's vicious dog law
   October 14, 2012; Newark Advocate Editorial
Pit bulls kills dog
   December 1, 2004; Newark Advocate


Sources: Niagara Falls, NY
City Animal Shelter Moves Closer to Housing Pit Bulls
   by Frank Parlato
   Niagara Falls Reporter; February 10, 2015
PETA Director Weighs in; Favors Action on Pit Bulls
   by Teresa Chagrin
   Niagara Falls Reporter; February 10, 2015
Pit Bulls - Not Other Breeds - Are Causing The Serious Dog Problem in Niagara Falls
   by Jonathan A. Macready
   Niagara Falls Reporter, February 3, 2015
Some Pit Bull Facts You Might Like to Know
   by Jonathan A. Macready
   Niagara Falls Reporter, February 3, 2015
Nasty Pit Bull Owners Don't Help Their Cause
   by Jonathan A. Macready
   Niagara Falls Reporter, February 3, 2015
Pit bulls bred to be aggressive, like many of their owners
   by Jonathan A. Macready
   Niagara Falls Reporter, January 27, 2015
Euthanasia rates drop at Niagara County SPCA
   WIVB.com 4; January 25, 2015
Director Tells SPCA's Side of Challenge with City Pit Bulls Not the Problem
   by Amy Lewis, Exec Dir, Niagara County SPCA
   Niagara Falls Reporter, January 13, 2015
Are Reckless Pitbull Owners Behind Dyster's Proposed Animal Shelter?
   Niagara Falls Reporter; January 6, 2015
Is Dyster's Proposed $3.2 Million Animal Shelter Plan for the Pits?
   Niagara Falls Reporter; January 6, 2015
Bite Statistics to Sink Your Teeth Into
   Niagara Falls Reporter; January 6, 2015
Overabundance of pit bulls at Niagara Co. SPCA
   WKBW ABC7;  January 5, 2015
SPCA of Niagara deals with surplus pit bulls
    Niagara Gazette; December 28, 2014
Two pit bulls shot after attacking alpacas on Heartland farm
   Niagara Gazette; October 9, 2014
Teen hurt in pit bull attack
   Tonawanda News; October 2, 2014
Newfane pit bull attacked previous owners
   Lockport Union-Sun & Journal; September 30, 2014
On Sunday, a Newfane man was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center after being attacked by the pit bull at his South Main Street residence. The man had just acquired the dog, authorities said . . . Amy Lewis, Niagara SPCA director, said the pit bull attacked its previous owners on Sept. 15. . . . And before that, the same pit bull had been brought into the SPCA after biting someone in May, Lewis said.







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Pit Bull Prayer Vigil

About two dozen pit bull supporters braved below-freezing temperatures Monday evening to take part in a prayer vigil outside Newark's city building.
    ~WBNS 10TV; February 10, 2015

* * * * *

There have been four fatal pit bull attacks since Christmas day. But anyone who thinks the prayer vigil outside the Newark city hall on February 9th was a remembrance of the four victims would be wrong.

The observance was held by pit bull advocates as part of their continuing effort to pressure city council to overturn restrictions on their breed of obsession.

Those who observe the collective behavior of pit bull advocates will not be surprised by the crossover of religion and pit bull advocacy.

Theologians consider prayer an attempt to communicate with the sublime, which often includes an expression of gratitude to God or to an object of worship. Praying for anything as banal as the overthrow of Breed Specific Legislation makes the prayer trivial, ridiculous, or even profane.

It turns prayer into nothing more than a kind of voodoo.

The "prayer vigil" outside Newark city hall on February 9, 2015 offers convincing proof that extreme advocacy of fighting breeds is for some advocates a kind of religion.


* * * * *
See also:
Dog cult prays for pit bull that mauled child

   by Christian Diarist; March 23, 2014

Definitions:
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163. 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.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

Statistics:
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.
View or download the current PDF

2014 Year-end report of dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015
32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014
How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?
   Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015

This page may also include information from Dogsbite &Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Google News: Today's pit bull attacks

2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities on Daxton's Friends
Index of canine fatalities on Daxton's Friends

Sources: 
Newark dog owners hold vigil to support pit bulls
   February 10, 2015; WBNS  10 TV
Pit bull bill on to full council despite delay attempt
   February 2, 2014; The Newark Advocate
Mixed breed, pit bulls, labs bit the most in 2014
   February 1, 2014; The Newark Advocate
The public needs protection from all pit bulls
   Guest column  by Carole Miller
   January 30, 2015; The Newark Advocate
Newark’s third dog bite in a month attributed to pit bulls
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
New humane society facility means more adoptions
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
Pit bull equality bill heading to full council
   January 27, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Newark Considering Vicious Classification for Pit Bulls
   January 26, 2015 (Mon); MyFox 28 Columbus
Pit bull supporters push against breed-specific law
   January 20, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Pit bulls deserve another look
   January 17, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate Editorial
Rath vows to help pit bull owners fight vicious status
   January 13, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Safety panel session invites pit bull owners' comments
   January 12, 2015 (Mon); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners share the 'softer side' of bully breeds
   January 11, 2015 (Sun); Newark Advocate
Roscoe; An American red nose pit bull
   January 10, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners complain to council about law, officer
   December 16, 2014; Newark Advocate
Official cancels meeting with pit bull owner
   December 5, 2014; Newark Advocate
Activist wants county to stop killing pit bulls
    August 12, 2014; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bulls Must Pass Good Citizenship Test To Get Off Vicious Dog List
   December 17, 2013; WBNS 10TV
Newark council passes pit bull ordinance
   December 17, 2013; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bull Regulations Close To Makeover
   December 10, 2013 (March 4, 2014); NBC4i
Newark's current pit bull law should stand
   December 7, 2013; Newark Advocate Editorial
Don't change Newark's vicious dog law
   October 14, 2012; Newark Advocate Editorial
Pit bulls kills dog
   December 1, 2004; Newark Advocate

Ohio News:
Dog bite sends man to hospital
   February 7, 2015; Fox 45
Dog named "Precious" bites woman
   January 18, 2015; WDTN
Pit bull running loose attacks, bites man
   January 13, 2015; Newark Advocate
Man chased, bit by dog
   January 4, 2015; WDTN







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The Concept of Breed

It’s not the breed, it’s not some genetic thing from 200 years ago . . . It’s all about the environment the dog is being put in.
    -- Steffen Baldwin, ACTF Ohio

* * * * *

It has now been 40 days since Christmas, and there have been at least four fatal pit bull attacks.

Statistics lack specificity, so to insure that Steffan Baldwin, Councilman Jeff Rath, Councilman Jeremy Blake, and others will remember the real people behind these numbers, the victims are remembered here.

Malaki Mildward, d. January 22, 2015, 7 yo

 * * * * *

Declan Moss; d. January 19, 2015, 18 mo

* * * * * 

Eugene Smith, d. January 7, 2015; 87 yo

* * * * *

Edward Cahill; d. December 25, 2014, 40 yo

* * * * *

Since Christmas there has been an average of one fatal pit bull attack every ten days. These four people were murdered by pit bulls that lived with them in loving environments. The families showered their pit bulls with exceptional levels of care and affection, yet the dogs killed their own family members.

But Mr Baldwin (of the Ohio Animal Cruelty Task Force) insists that pit bulls are no different from other breeds if they are treated with love. Mr. Baldwin's assertion that "It's not the breed" is a statement of faith or a statement of opinion; it is clearly not a statement of fact.

Journalists have been too willing to accept such statements from advocates of fighting breeds. Emily Maddern of the Newark Advocate published Mr Baldwin's claim in an extravagant Newark Advocate piece on January 10th. For emphasis, the phrase was repeated in the Advocate three weeks later in a story by Bethany Bruner.

When a Labrador Retriever and his human companion walk along a lake the dog quivers with anticipation, waiting for that stick to go in the water. No one questions that the retriever's desire to jump in the lake and retrieve the stick is a trait that's been selected and inherited over hundreds of years of intentional breeding.

But advocates of fighting breeds are unable to accept that their breed of obsession developed in the same way, with traits being selected and inherited over hundreds of years. When advocates of fighting breeds deny this principle they deny the very concept of breed.

When Mr Baldwin and other advocates of fighting breeds claim that "It's not the breed," they knowingly deceive the public. When journalists print such statements without also offering a more truthful counterpoint, the journalists are complicit in the deception.


* * * * *

Definitions:
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163. 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.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

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 advocates of fighting breeds and should be referenced accurately.

Statistics:
Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 30+ year, continuously updated Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.
View or download the current PDF

2014 Year-end report of dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; January 3, 2015
32 years of logging fatal & disfiguring dog attacks
   Animals 24-7; September 27, 2014
How many other animals did pit bulls kill in 2014?
   Animals 24-7; January 27, 2015

This page may also include information from Dogsbite &Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Google News: Today's pit bull attacks

2014 Dog Bite Related Fatalities on Daxton's Friends
Index of canine fatalities on Daxton's Friends

Sources: 
Pit bull bill on to full council despite delay attempt
   February 2, 2014; The Newark Advocate
Mixed breed, pit bulls, labs bit the most in 2014
   February 1, 2014; The Newark Advocate
The public needs protection from all pit bulls
   Guest column  by Carole Miller
   January 30, 2015; The Newark Advocate
Newark’s third dog bite in a month attributed to pit bulls
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
New humane society facility means more adoptions
   January 30, 2015 (Fri); Newark Advocate
Pit bull equality bill heading to full council
   January 27, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Newark Considering Vicious Classification for Pit Bulls
   January 26, 2015 (Mon); MyFox 28 Columbus
Pit bull supporters push against breed-specific law
   January 20, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Pit bulls deserve another look
   January 17, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate Editorial
Rath vows to help pit bull owners fight vicious status
   January 13, 2015 (Tues); Newark Advocate
Safety panel session invites pit bull owners' comments
   January 12, 2015 (Mon); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners share the 'softer side' of bully breeds
   January 11, 2015 (Sun); Newark Advocate
Roscoe; An American red nose pit bull
   January 10, 2015 (Sat); Newark Advocate
Pit bull owners complain to council about law, officer
   December 16, 2014; Newark Advocate
Official cancels meeting with pit bull owner
   December 5, 2014; Newark Advocate
Activist wants county to stop killing pit bulls
    August 12, 2014; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bulls Must Pass Good Citizenship Test To Get Off Vicious Dog List
   December 17, 2013; WBNS 10TV
Newark council passes pit bull ordinance
   December 17, 2013; Newark Advocate
Newark Pit Bull Regulations Close To Makeover
   December 10, 2013 (March 4, 2014); NBC4i
Newark's current pit bull law should stand
   December 7, 2013; Newark Advocate Editorial
Don't change Newark's vicious dog law
   October 14, 2012; Newark Advocate Editorial
Pit bulls kills dog
   December 1, 2004; Newark Advocate

Other Ohio News:
Dog named "Precious" bites woman
   January 18, 2015; WDTN
Pit bull running loose attacks, bites man
   January 13, 2015; Newark Advocate
Man chased, bit by dog
   January 4, 2015; WDTN







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A Softer, Safer Pit Bull

The softer side of pit bulls has been in the advocacy lexicon for years, but 2014 was the year the phrase achieved iconic status.

Articles, books, and photo essays depict pit bulls in soft light with glowing auras, or in studio settings with pastel backgrounds. Or the pit bulls are dressed with accessories such as scarves, tutus, and bandannas, or adorned with flowers. They're shown sleeping with children or frolicking like any normal dog.

We rarely if ever see other dog breeds portrayed with such fawning attention but it has become the norm to portray pit bulls with a cloying sentimentality. Perhaps pit bull advocates, authors, journalists, and photographers should engage in a virtual co-therapy session, which might lead them to the self-discovery that they are over-compensating for something.

Soft pit bull articles or photo-essays appear routinely as part of the on-going effort to alter public opinion. But a recent article published by the Newark [OH] Advocate came during the campaign by local pit bull advocates to repeal BSL, and must be recognized as an attempt to manipulate the Newark city council at a delicate time in their deliberations.

In 2014 pit bulls killed a human at least once every two weeks, and they kill over 40,000 domestic and companion animals a year, so it is peculiar that anyone can imagine pit bulls as soft. A peculiar world view is necessary to view pit bulls as soft. Pit bulls are undeniably bigger, stronger, faster, harder, and they are, IMHO, not attractive.

Listed below are a few recent articles and photo-essays about the Softer Side of Pit Bulls.

* * * * *

Local Ad Campaign Seeks to Soften Pit Bulls' Dangerous Image
   by Kathryn Flagg
   Seven Days Vermont; June 26, 2013

Pit bulls given 'hippie' makeover to soften their dangerous image with families
   by Joshua Hammond
   Mirror (UK); August 7, 2014

The Softer Side of Pit Bulls; a Reviled Breed Gets a Makeover
   by Paul Tullis
   Photographs by Jeff Minton
   Time Magazine; July 22, 2013

Pit bull owners show the softer side of 'bully breeds'
   by Emily Maddern
   Newark Advocate; January 11, 2015

The Softer Side of Pit Bulls
   by Nan Talleno
   CBS Philly; February 19, 2013

Pit bulls show their softer side
   Photographs by Douglas Sonders
   ABC; Undated

Photographer poses pit bulls to show their 'softer' side
   Photographs by Sophie Gamand
   ABC7 Eyewitness News; August 8, 2014

'Not a Bully' Project Shows Public Softer Side of Pit Bulls
   Fox17 WZTV Nashville; Undated

Heart-warming campaign shows pit bulls' softer side
   Health and Wellbeing; Undated

Attitudes and laws against pit bulls soften
   by Bill Draper
   Associated Press; March 11, 2014

Efforts to soften the image of the pit bull
   LA Times; March 1, 1986

Pit bull dogs are family
LouisvilleKy.gov; Undated
(Campaign renewed January 21, 2015)
   We are grateful to Best Friends Animal Society for a generous grant for this campaign, which is designed to increase the number of pit bull dogs adopted from Louisville Metro Animal Services.

* * * * *

Statistics:

Statistics quoted on SRUV are from the nation's authoritative source for current dog attack statistics, the 32+ year, continuously updated Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada.
View or download the current PDF

Record 33 fatal pit bull attacks & 459 disfigurements in 2015

Pit bulls killed 24,000 other dogs & 13,000 cats in 2015

2015 Dog Bite Related Fatalities (Daxton's Friends)

Fatal Pit Bull Attacks

Today's pit bull attacks

Definitions:
SRUV uses the definition of "pit bull" as found in the Omaha Municipal Code Section 6-163. 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.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.

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 advocates of fighting breeds.


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