Saturday, July 27, 2013

ledy's legacy

LEDY VANKAVAGE wielded her pit nutter sword at the ASPCA for 9 years and 4 months. and what do they have to show for it?

this is the story of SPIKE, an ASPCA "staff favorite". (staff favorite is code for no one wants him because he scares the hell out of potential adopters who do not suffer from hybristophilia or apotemnophilia.)

At the ASPCA, Spike is a staff favorite. Everyone’s had a chance to fall in love with him because he’s been with us for nearly two years—longer than any other dog currently in our care. Spike came to us through our Humane Law Enforcement department in 2011. Back then, Spike was emaciated and undersocialized, afraid of most new people and things.

"came to us through humane law enforcement" is code for unknown history. "emaciated and undersocialized" is a red flag for a pity scam. beware of attempts to manipulate your emotions.

Naturally, as soon as he was medically ready, our behavior counselors set to work socializing this special guy. They took him to new places, like the park and on busy streets. They introduced him to many volunteers so he could learn how great people can be. Before long, Spike blossomed into a dog who couldn’t wait to shower his favorite staffers with kisses.

"favorite staffers" is code for people selective.

Behavior counselors also taught Spike basic manners, and he eagerly showed us how smart he is, learning Sit and Drop It very quickly. Due to chronic lung disease, Spike needed an inhaler for a time, and he shocked behavior counselors with how fast he learned to use it. (Today, Spike no longer requires an inhaler.) Late last year, Spike became eligible for adoption. He’s been waiting for his family ever since.

if SPIKE learned sit and drop it so quickly, why haven't they taught him more? 

So what gives? Why hasn’t Spike found a home? (We ask ourselves these questions all the time.) He’s shy with new people, and sometimes when Spike sees adopters through the glass of his habitat, he barks his unique, hoarse-sounding bark at them. Understandably, that can make some people feel unwelcome and move along to other dogs.

SPIKE is "shy" so he barks at "new" people and they feel unwelcome. hmmm... maybe the people looking to adopt know more about dogs than the idiots at the ASPCA? shy dogs don't bark, they cower and don't make eye contact.

It’s a shame those folks miss out on Spike, though. He’d so like to get to know them better—just slowly. That’s why we’re asking you to share Spike with all your social networks. Together we have the power to write Spike’s happy ending. What are you waiting for? 
 
"folks" is code for gullible morons. it's a shame that a gullible moron hasn't walked into the ASPCA and snatched up this accident waiting to happen.

Spike would love a teens-and-up home. He loves to play with other dogs, but can play a bit rough, so a resident dog would need to be up for that.

"plays rough with other dogs" is code for dog aggressive. after almost TWO years at the ASPCA, they taught him to sit, drop it and a magic trick we'll show you later, he is now ready for his furever home. time to pull out all of the stops and aggressively pimp SPIKE.



















SPIKE is a 2 yr old brindle APBT (one of those dogs that doesn't exist and no one can identify.)
Big fan of: You! Spike is super affectionate and social. He loves to play with people and with other dogs (though he may play a bit too rough for the dog park), and he enjoys getting lots of running exercise.

Not a fan of: Unusual people and objects. Spike gets a little scared and barks at them to try to keep them away.

Special features: Spike already knows Sit and makes a great pupil. Check out a video he made with his best bud earlier this year, and you’ll see why he’s a staff favorite.

Other reasons he’s special: Spike came to us through Humane Law Enforcement and, for legal reasons, had to wait a long time to become available for adoption. That means that he’s been in our care since September 2011! This guy loves his friends at the ASPCA, but he’d like to go home ASAP.

Dream home: Spike would thrive with an energetic person who will take him running or play with him in a yard every day. (Not into running yourself? No biggie. Just toss him a toy or ball from your park bench and Spike will obligingly bring it back to you.) Be prepared to train this guy, and you’ll have an amazing dog on your hands! Teens and up, please.
so, to recap and to translate into a language that everyone can comprehend, SPIKE is uncontrollably affectionate towards YOU, as long as YOU are not "unusual" and don't possess any "unusual" objects. SPIKE loves to play rough with other dogs, all good pit bulls do, so stay away from the dog park. SPIKE loves to be taught, he is just not fond of learning. SPIKE is the perfect project for just the right rescue angel who possesses that never say die american spirit. be prepared to spend the next 2 years teaching him the "down" command. SPIKE is typical of the APBT, in that he needs to run 5 miles a day. oh, you're a lazy fat ass? no problem! just take him to the park, plant your ass on the bench with your laptop. you can be a pit bull warrior while you throw the ball.
***please remember to sweep the perimeter for UNUSUAL people and objects first.

Tracey Allyn Hess stated "I would like to adopt Spike!" which was followed by a rhapsody of "your'e awesome" "yaaay tracey" and a dozen "bless you".
kumbaya sing for pibble, kumbaya pibble is crying, kumbaya pray for pibble, kumbaya pibble is dying...
blech. it's time to throw up in my mouth again as all of the "awesome" people gather round for a cyber group hug.

of course SPIKE is on facebook. more photos of SPIKE and rescue angels oohing and aahing can be found HERE

6987 likes
2742 shares
and 375  "awes"  "i'd take him but..."  "i want him!!!"  "poor baby!!!"  "please find him a furever home!"  "ME TOO!"  "i love you spike!"  "BLESS THE ASPCA!!!!!!!"  "prayers for spike"  "so sad please open your heart to this doggie!!!" and lots and lots of emoticons. it's enough to make you sick. why do so many people feel compelled to clog up the page with this nonsense? or do they think their collective well wishes will magically find him a home? in my mind and i suspect anyone not under the influence of pitter koolaid, the bigger the fuss, the more desperate they appear, the more desperate they appear the more likely they are hiding something. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." but seriously, is there an ASPCA groupie capable of actually reading his profile and understanding the shit load of trouble SPIKE brings? EVERYTHING a critically thinking person needs to know is right there!

it's been almost 2 years and no one wants the pitdog with an unknown history, who is not a fan of unusual people or objects, barks at strangers, needs to run 5 miles a day in order to cuddle at night and plays too rough with other dogs. the ASPCA in all of their infinite wisdom and dog expertise brainstormed to jazz up SPIKE'S curb appeal. no tutus for SPIKE, he likely put a serious dent in the ASPCA pibble wardrobe playing too rough with them. instead they start an aggressive spread the word campaign to move his brindled wiggle brute outta there. so after a year in the shelter/rescue system, some dipshit came up with the bright idea to emphasize SPIKE'S einsteinian brain.

prepare to be wowed.



ooh... aaah... wow... ahmaaaazing... NOT!

all normal dogs, and i do literally mean ALL normal dogs AND puppies can do this, WITHOUT being taught. they are BORN with this ability. in fact, any normal dog can do this without pointing. normal dogs can do this just by watching the person's eyes look at the cup. don't believe me? click on Dogs Decoded. click on part 2. it is towards the beginning.



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Sadfalada strikes again





They are everywhere, everywhere
on pretty streets, and ugly;
on walking paths, on beaches,
in parks, playgrounds, in shops,
in flimsy backyards
or suddenly in houses we thought secure
they bolt across open space, head low,
with eyes like fixed gravel
common as stones, everywhere
we see them, adrenaline scorches the image, body becomes trembling ice
yet we are told they cannot be known, that we deny the loss and toll,
and ignorance, accept

But this is how they may be known,
by hellish roil of nightmare sound
as a living thing
we love and protect,
in futile struggle, is ground down to death
and that death isn't quick, it's meant to prolong
the display of bloodcraft, the Raveners song
but this unknown actor works in silence,
the chorus provides him with shrieks and screams and blows, he will not relent
till costumed in blood and shreds of a dying soul
and is hurried from the scene by his keeper, grinning in furtive pride
and bloody footprints follow
like rose petals and confetti

Out on any busy midday street another performance is unfolding
in a cluster of anguish, the chorus of watchers heave
and lunge, in panic and horror
the dog unmoving and silent
as a little grey poodle is throttled
and lies flattened as an
Irregular shadow on the pavement
his only life a strangled thin scream
a fraying ribbon tying him to life
clinging to it as he is gripped
the throat
a throat no larger than a child's wrist
rising and falling with his owner's own shrieks
as he was thrashed into the sidewalk he had walked so happily
and his silly, soft curls
made him look like a child's frivolous plaything
Now broken, old, discarded, nothing
The bulldog, the bulldog
Is unadorned, as befits his task
he wears a metal collar and
on his huge head is marked
a death mask
and his thick mineral skull
Unassailable and cruel
digs down it's stone weight
to gnaw, shake, and chew
the slaps, tugs, and splashing
does nothing to deter
he thinks it only due his dire work
receive the honor
his owner still straddles him,
that gargoyle to buttress
and whines and tugs, and knocks
his head
tells him time to soon desist
when then the poodle escapes, and scrambles free
it's joy in life forever tainted
but the bulldog in his owners grasp
Is raised upright as though sainted
and put on view between her legs
it's meaty forelegs spread stiffly wide
as though to show her dog was braced
for contender or for homicide
a steroidal toad, might think some not in the Pit troops
an unnatural creature for delusional dupes.


Friday, July 19, 2013

Hollywood Animal Hospital in Florida - Question and Answer time

Dahlia Canes made a little poster entitled Veterinarians know BSL is NOT the answer!!!
















What is the question?

The question is how much money does the Hollywood Animal Hospital make sewing up or disposing of the bodies of pit bull victims?  Another question: is it seemly to be promoting a position that makes you money at the expense of the lives, safety and well-being of normal companion animals?

Veterinarians are in the position to know just how devastating pit bulls are to the normal pet population, and they say nothing about it.  Instead, they protect their income stream by posing as experts in companion animal issues other than medical care, and publicly stand against BSL.

The REAL answer to the veterinarians is: disclose how many victims of pit bulls you  have charged full price for saving, sewing up, euthanizing and disposing of.  And everyone of you that is publicly anti-BSL, let's see you sew up and give extended medical treatment to those pit bull victims at a charge that is no greater than the average cost for caring for victims of all other dog breeds combined.  We'll then see if you continue to promote pit bulls when it is a net loss for you.

So, all you doctors at HAH, are you prepared to give up real money in support of pit bulls?
Dr. Johnattan Arango, DVM, First Year Associate, Surgical Intern

Dr. Fumiko Miyamoto, D.V.M. First Year Associate
Dr. Katie Quinter, D.V.M. First Year Associate

Dr. Ashley Akins, D.V.M. First Year Associate
Dr. Tiffany Sheldon, D.V.M. First Year Associate
Dr. Amber Schoeller, D.V.M. First Year Associate
Dr. Maggie Low, D.V.M. First Year Associate
Dr. Irma Manasherov, D.V.M. First Year Associate
Dr. Robert Swinger, D.V.M., AVCO
Dr. Jennifer Bibevski DVM
Larry Dee DVM, Partner, Diplomat, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Canine/feline practice, Fellow, National Academies of Practice, veterinary medicine, AVMA Executive Board, District IV
Dr. Jon Dee - D.V.M., M.S., ACVS, ACVSMR, Partner, Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. James Dee - D.V.M., Partner
Dr. Jim Herrington - D.V.M., Partner
Dr. Tom Sessa - D.V.M., Partner
Dr. Millie Rosales, D.V.M., ACVD
Dr. Anne Murphy, D.V.M., Associate
Dr. David Shapiro, D.V.M., Associate
Dr. Crispin Spencer, D.V.M, ACVR, Associate
Dr. Carlos Ameijeiras, D.V.M., Associate
Dr. Nicole Patterson, D.V.M., Associate
Dr. Jodi Heim, D.V.M., Associate
Dr. Paul Vaughn, HAH Associate
Dr. Morgan Guoan HAH Associate
Dr. Kristin Holland HAH Associate
Dr. Erica Bello HAH Associate
Dr. James Carson HAH Associate
Dr. Elizabeth Rosainz HAH Associate


Dr. Larry's letter responding to Broward County's Breed Ban
















Thanks to Lucy Muir for the head's up on this!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

H 5671, intrinsically dangerous, infinitely stupid

UPDATE

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and City Council President David Moran have written to the governor expressing their displeasure with H5671 and asked him to veto it.

"We certainly respect and appreciate the love of pit bulls and all dogs by the supporters of the bill. However, as public officials, we must do what is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the two- and four-legged residents of our city."

if you live in rhode island, let the governor know that you would like him to veto the bill.

Office of the Governor
82 Smith Street
Providence
RI 02903-1196
Phone: (401) 222-2080
governor@governor.ri.gov


“Years ago it was German Shepherds that were ‘bad’ dogs. Then it was Dobermans, then Rottweilers and today it is Pit Bulls. No specific breed of dog is intrinsically bad or vicious or dangerous.” PALANGIO

State Rep THOMAS PALANGIO, a democrat and lead sponsor of the bill that reversed the state's ability to regulate pit bulldogs, despite the objections of animal control officers.























i've never seen a politician so uncomfortable in his own skin. a person can get spoiled watching reptiles like DICK CHENEY and BILL CLINTON. it's easy to forget that some of these guys are not actually from mars. the very nervous PALANGIO seemed to do okay answering the questions but the split second he completed his answer he began a strange cycle of panic that repeated throughout the short interview. he seemed to exhale a huge sigh of relief, while thinking "okay, tom, you got through that one, maybe they haven't caught on yet that you are a complete idiot." then the reporter would start in with the next question and PALANGIO would inhale deeply and the look on his face seemed to be telling the viewer, "oh god, here comes another one. this time they're going to see that i am complete idiot. i don't know how much longer i can continue this charade."

i love this interview with PALANGIO. he described why he returned to politics after leaving politics to become a full time lobbyist. he is concerned about his community losing some of its luster citing the foreclosure and abandoned housing problem. PALANGIO'S answer to breathing life back into his dying community: PIT BULLS! and who can blame him? blood is lustrous, but only when wet, not so much when dry. personally, i'd rather the house next to me was abandoned than continue to endure the mutants and the pit scum that currently occupy it.

i was so fixated on mr. brylcreem and his nervous facial twitchings, i had a tough time following the interview, i had to watch it twice. i kept wondering about what qualified him for this job, what he did before becoming a professional sleazeball. slippery investment banker? bottom feeding lawyer? greasy mafia peon? my imagination ran wild but it was nothing compared to reality - used car salesman. LOL! i thought, that can't be true. yup, it's true. in fact, he was a used car salesman in trouble with the tax man. the PERFECT imbecile to carry the nutter torch.

only me and 39 others have seen this interview and there is only one comment. it's a doozy.
Isn't this the guy who was a lobbyist for Ciccilline? Man... this guy is the poster child for RI hacks... ask John Lombardi... he criticized this guy REPEATEDLY for being a no-show even while lobbying.. no one could ever find the guy! I wonder where he golfs? Need a good laugh? This dude is actually a "USED CAR DEALER"... no joke! LOL

back to the serious issue of intrinsically dangerous dogs. YES, Rep PALANGIO, some dogs ARE intrinsically dangerous. pit bulldogs are unique in the mayhem they create; jumping out of 2nd story windows, breaking into homes, jumping into cars, ONE dog mauling multiple victims. in london last year, ONE pit bull put FIVE cops in the hospital. more recently and much closer to your home, ONE pit bull again put FIVE people in the hospital. should have listened to those animal control officers.



Rep. Palangio on Capitol Spotlight, January 29, 2013

H 5671 

Pawtucket RI - Come for the not being mauled by pit bulls

pit bulls: goddess of madness, rage and frenzy

a o way to go ohio

Robert Marx was acquitted for shooting a pit bull after a fight "broke out" at a dog park.

"The prosecutor argued that he had no right to kill one dog to save another."

nutter alert


hey, i thought Marx was charged for firing a weapon to protect mere PROPERTY?
me thinks the prosecutor has a nutter on staff and is exploiting loopholes to protect gripping dogs.



committing perjury

committing perjury

































finding Marx not guilty was as easy peasy as owning a lab. the judge listened to Marx testimony and weighed it against the lies of HORNSBY and PARKER.
KAITLYNN HORNSBY said she and four others tried to get her mutant to release Marx's little dog. and KAITLYNN HORNSBY said that Marx didn't even give her a chance to get her mutant. i like watching that news snippet of these two idiots. PARKER sounds like a halfwit from the Appalachia and HORNSBY is obviously lying. watch her again. she starts to retell the event but when she comes to the self-incriminating part, she stops short and repeats herself and she touches her face.
and of course this whopper of a contradiction, "BRUSKI was just playing" and Marx's dog bit BRUSKI first."
i'm sure there were more lies. i bet the court transcripts are a hoot. i would have loved a front row seat. i wonder if SHANA KLEIN attended?


“At the time I think your actions were justified. It's hard to second guess the outcome of a dog fight.” ~Judge Bouchard

the judge gets it. they usually do.


cincinatti.com

ohio injustice

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Justice Mule inspires again








I'm the ghost of that dog,
yeah, me, you musta seen me
inna battle, a dustup Supremo
a contest of skill and noble bravado
It went down like this and I modestly say
I was seekin immorality that dark grungy day
an I was swaggerin round town like the gangsta I be
when I spied me a horse kinda curiosity
who looked nice and tender, all offered for me
a feast for da eyes and a treat for da teeth
and so I did wait till the challenge was met
and flew with my jaws like a toothed lunatic
and lost my grip to tease the hapless brute
and saw his eyes, who knew the truth
that I would win, in leisurely dispatch
and swagger away without even no rash
when next I knew, in his teeth was me
and flung like moldy old laundry
and then that brute on my ribs went a-joggin
and put many more dents in my big fearsome noggin
and swirled me round inna slithery puddles
his brain it weren't right, his thinking was muddled
cause where was the blood, the gore, and defeat
where was the pile of hair and torn meat?
i have pride in my work, I think it appalling
that a horsey-type thing on my body keeps falling
the creature played dirty, I'll teach it a lesson
finish what them start, then goes for my blessin'
it all a flesh wound, it barely a test
lemme up coward, I'll grip shut your last breath
but now the light's murky, the pavement seems soft
they will holler my praises, they'll send them aloft
they'll come to my shrine, a nice shiny hollow
where a hopeless horse-thing did steal my tomorrow
and left a fine dog-print in the bloody wet brick
a warning sign to lesser dogs
to best not lunge to bite so quick.

Sadfalada


liveleak

youtube

Sunday, July 14, 2013

a pit bull odyssey

Dawn-

I have considered sending you our story a number of times.  The story might not even interest you.  And it certainly isn't as horrid as a lot of stuff on your website.  But in the interest of (maybe) understanding the poor 'soccer moms' who end up with these dogs, I think I should give it a go.  I ask that you please not vilify me for this story.  I made my share of mistakes.  I don't know how I could have done it any differently, besides giving up earlier or not trying at all.  But no hindsight frees me from the ultimate result.  And I know the conclusion sucks.  I am much, much wiser now, and back then I hadn't yet realized that it isn't all just hype, and there is a possibility (even if remote) that it wasn't all my fault.  When this story opens, I had a lifetime of dog-owning experience.  I love dogs, consider myself a dog person with a special soft-spot for the terrified ones.  I have trained a few, loved many, and always felt like I could handle myself well around a variety of them.  I have been growled at, lunged at, and once got a nip from a tiny dog when I was a kid (totally justified).  I've read many books, attended a few obedience classes (none were at a chain store), and was extremely comfortable. 

After coveting the sweet pit/lab mix a relative had bought, we finally received our new pal.  They are neglectful people who throw off pets when they get bored, so it was only a matter of time. At a tender 5mos old, the puppy already came with a laundry list of bad behaviors, but they all seemed like uncorrected puppy-shenanigans to me, and I wasn't scared off.  She was cute, and calm, and I was no newbie to 'rescues'.  The only things they had done for this puppy was good socialization with people and dogs, and teaching her to sit on command. 

It is quite a long story, but I will try to sum it up here:

Within two weeks, there were multiple dog fights in my house.  The resident dogs (a lab/husky and a lab) were both 12 years old, and neither was prone to fighting.  Actually, they NEVER fought each other.  One particular fight ended with my daughter getting a dog-tooth shaped bruise on her leg, even though she had just been sitting nearby.  If I could have been sure it was the new puppy, it would have ended the roller coaster ride immediately.  I worked hard to establish pack hierarchy here (as I always did with multiple dogs), but the fighting continued.  When she wasn't fighting with our elderly dogs, the new dog was licking our male (neutered) labX's mouth until he growled at her.  The rest of the time she just ignored us completely.  She did not initiate play, did not ask to be petted.  And anything said to her (praise, her name, anything) was met with a blank stare and no body language at all.  More like a shark than a dog.  I (probably wrongly) assumed her neglectful past had left her with no idea how to read inflection, so I exaggerated my facial expressions and tone.  It made no difference.  I describe her behavior as 'an island', she truly didn't seem to care if we were there or not.

On an almost daily bases I was training her in basic obedience.  I think it helps to strengthen a bond, and gives everybody confidence.  I tried praise, then food rewards.  In desperation, I re-read articles and books on dog training.  I tried play-training next.  But no matter what I tried, the results were abysmal.  It took me a month and a half to teach her to lie down.  The worst part: I only knew she knew the command because dh got frustrated and told her to "Go lie down!" in a much less-nice voice than I was using.  She did it immediately.  She only became housebroken after 5 months, and only because there was snow outside.  (that sounds like a joke, but it's not).  All the sweet talking, cajoling, treats, and catching her in the act didn't work.

She became an escape artist.  She broke the tie out potty-break line we had used with the labs for years.  Dh fixed it, and she broke her collar.  She was constantly running off, and we had to go catch her.   Another time, she got loose and launched herself onto my goat's back (going for the back of his neck/base of his skull).  Thankfully, he escaped. We came home from a trip to town to a slaughter of chickens and a broken window.  We changed our management style, bought a crate, and used it religiously anytime the door was opened, if an adult couldn't watch her, if we were going to be out in the yard (she couldn't be brought out on a leash due to the most abhorrent leash manners I have ever seen in a dog), or if we were leaving.  It's a miracle she didn't harass the neighbor's livestock during one of her.. outings.  No dogs were attacked, either.  I worked to teach her to come for the 'oh shit!' moment that happens to everyone.  She gave me a blank stare and didn't comply.

Inside the house, with supervision, things weren't going as well.  She got in the trash if we weren't directly in the room with her, or went after it as soon as we went to the bathroom.  She stole food from the counters, becoming so bold she would steal even if I was a foot away.  She kept picking fights with our dogs.

And I cried.

I consulted books, questioned everyone I could talk to, relied on the vet and behaviorist.  I could feel something brewing, something seething under the surface.  It was there in the blank stare, the mid-level head, the not showing interest in us at all otherwise.  Something undefinable.  I told my husband I could feel it.   Our lives became crating, dog fights, ripped trash, and stealing.  The puppy who would play with the kids in the yard never materialized.  She did sit patiently to wait for her food bowl, and wasn't food aggressive, but that was the extent of what she would give us.

After 6 months of this, I decided she needed to be rehomed.  In my heart, I felt that she needed someone with a much harsher method of discipline than I could or would give out.  Despite what I thought I knew, and what I had tried, the bad behaviors were getting worse.  I did manage to teach her some basics commands, but there was zero connection between her and the rest of us (oh how we tried!).  I contacted people and kept my ears open for the right home for this dog. 

And then the growling began.  Only at my son.  The first time, she was next to my chair.  I thought it was guarding me.  Concerning, but in an young dog, correctable still.  And a few days later she growled at him for no discernible reason at all.  Discussions and websearches offered nothing: it wasn't about a resource, wasn't about territory, wasn't about me, wasn't about anything he had done.  He wasn't yelling, running, or less than 10 feet away from her.  He wasn't threatening her at all.  He had no food and hadn't been around any other dogs. 

My husband revealed, in our conversation that day, that she had been growling at him, too,  from her crate for weeks.  I just didn't know.  We immediately put her back in her crate to stay (except to go outside) until we could decide what to do.

And here's where we did what I would not do now.  We discussed options.  I would not keep her here to train because I have children, and I had clearly failed already.  I was no longer comfortable just giving her away: I had screwed things up so badly, how the hell would I pick out the right person for this?  We could have her pts.  Or we could bring her to the shelter (well funded in this area), let their professionals assess her and treat her in a safe environment, and find her a home or have her pts if they thought she was too dangerous.  I absolutely abhor shelters- I think they are dens of disease.  Taking a supremely pack oriented animal and locking it in a cage, by itself, with limited human contact would drive a less sensitive creature mad.  (and I get it.  I know most shelter staff have their hearts in the right place.  But the entire thing is just so... wrong).  I promised myself I would never send any animal to one, ever.  Now, I would have her pts in a heartbeat.  But at the time, I didn't know as much as I do now, and I thought, as horrid as the idea was, that at least it might give her a chance.  I thought maybe a different owner could bring her back before she crossed into actual biting.  A note here: if she was, say, a generally friendly dog who had started resource guarding, it would have been a different story.  But she was neither overly friendly nor was she guarding anything.  The blank stare, the lack of interest, the absolute refusal to be part of our 'pack' coupled with the growling was like a cauldron set to boil a nasty green goo all over.  With no loyalty, what was to stop her from attacking us all?  She was just 11 months old.

The shelter told dh that they 'don't do that anymore' when he said we thought pts might be the best answer.  I'm still horrified by that.  Not necessarily for this particular dog (who knows there), but for the ones who have already bitten.  They don't put any of them to sleep for aggression?

Does this dog represent pit bulls?  I don't know.  I certainly don't have enough experience with that breed to make such a conclusion.  I'm sure similar stories could be told about lots of different breeds of dogs.  What strikes me is how often, and how terrifyingly awful, this stuff is when it happens in a pit bull.  How permanent the results of mistakes can be.  I certainly can't bring back my birds, no matter how much I regret it.  I have seen that same blank look in the eyes of another pit bull very recently.  The owner (pit bull savvy and honest about this breed) has said he is sweet but dumb.  Who am I to question that assessment?  I wish her luck with him.  I'll be keeping the kids away.

It was an extremely difficult time for us.  I will say that that dog changed my life.  She taught me that love isn't enough.  She taught me that 5 months old is too old, that rescues aren't to be trusted, no matter what source.  She taught me that no matter how hard I try, how patient I am, dogs don't give a flying fuck.  She taught me that dogs aren't safe, and that maybe I'm not.  She taught me that I could be angrier than I thought.  She broke parts of me, and I don't know how many kisses, belly tickles, and perfect heels it will take to get that back. For awhile I tried to blame her (unknown) parentage, the first people who owned her (who got a strongly worded letter from me, to which they replied in asshole fashion: she was a fucking PERFECT dog when we gave her to you!), and ultimately.. I was just left blaming myself.  Oh, she changed my life, exactly like they tell you.  It is only by the good graces of a supremely wonderful Border Collie - the dog worth waiting for- that I am not terrified of dogs now.  He'll exchange a kiss for every tear you give, check on you if you fall down, and loves everyone furred or feathered, no matter how small.  He wears his heart on his collar, and spares no display of giddy enjoyment at your company.  He is what all dogs ought to be- what all good dogs, from balanced breeds and mixes- ARE.  He is the fundamental dogness of dogs, with no shark blood coursing through his veins.  Just like millions of other, non-shark dogs.  The only thing lurking beneath his surface is more him.. the same him you see.  And yes, I'm grateful every day that I have this dog, who is patient and kind with me.  Who reminds me that I can still get it right, sometimes, when I trust myself.  Maybe I truly suck with other dogs, but not with this one.

So those fur-mommies with their 'babies', who's dog rips the face off a child, get zero sympathy from me.  I did my absolute, no-holds-barred, every day in the trenches best with that pitX.  And knowing how hard I tried- how hard my entire family tried- we would still have taken total blame if she had hurt someone.  While in our care, we tried harder than I certainly have with any other dog, and yet it would still be my fault if she had done something terrible.  I don't believe dogs suddenly bite- well, almost never anyway.  I don't believe 'he's never been like that before!'  I think it's a crock of poo excuse to cover the fact that they saw it coming but don't want to admit it.  At any time on that train wreck they could have stopped it, but they didn't.  They had a million excuses, until it was too late.  These people make me far more angry than the dog-fighters.  Those assholes know what they have, know what they are doing, and know why their dogs are killers.  The lipstick and high-heeled set pretend until they can't.  They flood my fb page with cutesy pictures, with stories, with nauseating messages.  They would have to have never been around any other dog, ever, close enough to breathe on to believe the crock about how extra cuddly, or extra friendly, or reliable those dogs are.  They would have to have turned off their brain and ignored their newspaper.  They would have to be willfully, illogically ignorant.  I get it- I fed into it (albeit briefly, and I was never a nutter.. I fell into the 'it's how you raise them' clan, though, and pretended the news stories were mistaken identity).

And maybe my reaction seems like an over-reaction to everyone else.  There was no attack on a human.  We were never bitten.  I know I was had by the propaganda machine, but so what.  That is nameless, faceless.  What I see, when I think about that time, is my exaggerated facial expression, my constantly calling her name in a happy voice, the love we tried so hard to project, with the shark-eyes staring back at us. In some primal way, it is like we had a murderer living in our attic, stealing our food, and we never knew it until we heard him on the stairs.  The police may have caught him in time, but I still feel violated.  We loved that dog, we cried for her, we gave her structure, time, patience.  We trusted her.  And in the end, she betrayed us all, she told us as clearly as if she had spoken that she would come for us when she was ready.  And I think about those other poor morons, the ones hugging their doll's-eyes dogs.  The ones who don't see the nearly indefinable danger, who don't feel that undercurrent pulling them down.  The women in the SUVs, with their prettied up pitties, who wear bandanas that say 'kiss-a-bul' or something else grotesquely dangerous.  Maybe they don't want to lie, when they see the signs.  Maybe, like me, they just don't want to be the one who sent that sad old pit dog back to the shelter, who work so hard to balance it all that they can't -can't- admit they made a mistake.  They don't hear the footsteps on the stairs.  They don't call the police.  And by the time they realize who they have, he's already in the livingroom blocking the tv. 

I don't know what you will draw from this e-mail.  I don't know how I feel about sending it.  But ultimately, I think I need to say this: sometimes good people are suckered into things they are convinced they can handle (by dog trainers, by the shelter staff, by their own good intentions), and only educating people about the truth can combat that sort of.. innocent disaster.  We can vilify assholes in high heels who set these dogs up as princes and princesses (and when their satan dog kills/maims someone or something, and they claim surprise or blame the victim, we SHOULD) but they won't stop adopting these dogs until they learn the truth.  I'd like to see the stats on how many first-time pit owners go on to have a second.  I know I will never be among that number (nor will I own any other 'bully' breed.  Who needs the fucking headache?   Give me a dog that actually likes people). 

And shelters should be ashamed.  They know, they know far more than the middle class women trying to do a good deed.  They feed on the ignorance, the malleability of people who just want to do the right thing.  It's a slogan for a pyramid scheme: counter their excuses until they run out!  Then SELL THEM THAT PIT BULL!  Smile as they head out the door- no matter how it ends up, you know the dog won't be back up for adoption.  Don't waste time on the popular dogs of yesterday, they are so out of fashion.  More fighters!  More ticking time bombs!  More sharks in the tank for naked ladies to swim with!  And who cares if they are so heartbroken they never adopt again, there are 17 million more next year.  It's all in how you raise 'em, you know!

Your website has been instrumental to me.  I can let go of some of the guilt, some of the regret, some of the blame.  But not all- for who knows what happened with that dog we sent to the shelter.  I hope, more fervently than I have ever hoped before, that the shelter listened to my husband, that some foster mom or dad had her pts before she ever made it out into public.  It's a lie I tell myself.  I know my border collie will kiss my tears away long enough for me to believe it.

Thank you for your time.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

it's not you, it's not me, it's that guy behind the tree

the spate of attacks in the seattle area prompted an interview on a local radio show with a seattle dog trainer and pit bull owner. this is an unusual break from the routine which typically lines up pit bull apologists for monday morning quarterbacking and damage control. STEVE DUNO had this to say
"The dogs that participated in these attacks weren't Pekingese. You don't have herds of Pekingese roaming the city attacking people. When someone says all breeds are created equal, well then they're denying the definition of what a breed is. Breed serves a particular purpose."

"I like them. They're eager. They're athletic. They're aesthetically pleasing. But even if they're bred perfectly, they can be problematic, particularly with other dogs."

"When you combine the breed specific behaviors ... with owners who either don't give a rip, or with owners who (have) too much dog, you have a problem."

you can read more expert opinions about purpose bred dogs HERE and HERE.


seattle, washington - it's not the breed OR the owner.
four dogs wriggled through a weak spot in the fence, two pit bulldogs, a "mixed breed" and a pomeranian. after entering and exiting a strange home, the "mixed breed" bit a man who was painting a house. firefighters/medics were called to the scene. the dogs swarmed the firetruck and became aggressive towards the first responders, preventing them from treating the victim. police and animal control were called. the police tried pepper spray, then a fire extinguisher but had to shoot one of them when they charged them.

ARIES the neutered 4 yr old dirt napping "mixed breed"















warning: area patrolled by therapy pits, who, depending on the situation may or may not bite.






























KIM PACE providing an emotional, grandiose and fantastic statement to the police, while her room mates, the owners of the dogs, wring their hands in shock and hyperventilate. police need to carry paper bags for nutters to breathe into.















the reporter stated that KIM PACE identified herself as a "veterinarian" and said that she lives with the mutants which are certified "therapy dogs" who visit the elderly. PACE also stated that she has never had a problem with the dogs.  

here is tattooed "veterinarian" KIM PACE describing how wonderful the dogs are and offering up yet ANOTHER excuse.











"I've lived with them, I've had many situations where these dogs could have done something to me and they rolled over and licked me. So, it's not the breed. It's the situation."

contrast the "veterinarian's" statement with reality.
1) the dog that was shot and killed, had a bite history.
2) the veterinarian's linkedin page states she is a vet tech.
3) one of my secret squirrels contacted a previous employer who confirmed PACE worked there as a vet assistant, ie a glorified title for a pooper scooper & dog walker.

later for the seattle times interview, PACE offered up the following:
1) the shooting was unnecessary because the police KNEW that she was on her way home.
2) it's the fault of the police and firefighters because they pulled into her driveway by mistake. had they gone to the neighbor, the dogs would not have felt compelled to protect their property. (considering the dogs ran into the home of another neighbor, i suspect these mutants would have protected anything in their sight)
3) the victim's injury consisted of "barely scratched".

KOMO

seattle times



white center, washington - the other dog was the instigator.
MICHAEL STEVEN VEIDT'S two dogs escaped his yard and joined up with another neighborhood thug and attacked a 66 yr old man. the victim was trying to fight off the attackers with a pocket knife when another neighbor came to his aid.

VEIDT states that his dogs, SAVAGE and MV are "loving" and "family oriented", and blames the mystery mutant for initiating the attack. VEIDT also claims his dogs are a bullmastiff and a boxer.

this doesn't look like any bullmastiff i've ever seen. in fact, it looks a lot like that ugly "mixed breed" pictured at the top.














i guess this must be the "boxer"?













VEIDT has a colorful past. in 2007, he and one of his home boys were scooped up in a prostitution sting. VEIDT and HUTTON were charged with first degree kidnapping. VEIDT also picked up a second degree rape charge, while HUTTON was charged with pimping women.
















just for kicks, try entering VEIDT'S pimp buddy, Christopher Ilandes Hutton into the court database.

since the dogs escaped from a locked yard, the owners will not likely be charged because the police absolutely believe this story from a man with a tattoo of his area code on his neck, long criminal record and ties to the crips.
















KOMO

KOMO update

KIRO

KATU

seattle weekly

seattle PI

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Dear Pit Bull Chat,





At what point do you stop attacking a dog that attacked yours?


I need help with a rather sticky situation. [Michigan]

I apologize if this isn't the correct forum for this post. I was unable to find any legal questions forum. I love my brother and his Pit Bull Ozzy. This entire situation makes me sick and we need help. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.

I have a big problem. My brother owns a Pit Bull in Lansing Michigan. Last night he broke his collar and attacked a neighbors dog. While the neighbor was holding Ozzy *my brothers pit bull* down by his collar and allowing his dog to attack him, he ended up getting bitten by Ozzy. The bite happened because Ozzy tried to defend himself. I have video of the entire incident. Good quality, and you can see everything.

After allowing his dog to attack Ozzy for nearly a minute. They finally separated the dogs. The neighbors dog continued to viciously go after Ozzy while Ozzy showed no further interest in fighting. After dogs were seperated, he (the neighbor) continues to hit, choke, slam his head on the concrete and do everything he can do damage Ozzy and "try to kill him". Those are the words he said to my brother. What I need is legal help. My brother is very passive and doesn't defend himself very well and has NO idea where to turn. If he allows it, he will be completely railroaded in this situation, to say nothing of what will happen to Ozzy and further Pit Bull reputation in the area.

The neighbor said, in his statement to the police. "That dog came after my throat and my dog stopped him". In the video you can see that not only did Ozzy bypass him completely, he never once tried to bite the PERSON holding him down and choking him during the entire event. Even after getting punched several times, choked and having his head slammed into the concrete. All Ozzy did during, even THAT, was try to get away. I need help, please. We need resources and ideas for legal protection. I will provide the video once I know it's legal and safe to do so and to the proper person.

Thank you very much for your time and any help that anyone here may be able to offer.

Concerned Pit Bull lover and brother.


a few naive fur mommies commiserate with the OP then WHAM! awesome response
Here's the deal.

Tell your brother to go in the bathroom, look in the mirror and say......WAY TO GO DUMBASS! YOU'RE TOO DUMB TO CONTAIN YOUR DOG NOW LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!

Get rid of the dog and be done with it. He's too stupid to be a responsible owner and if I was the neighbor I would have went and got a metal crowbar and split that fuckers head open. I don't know wtf you expect from people when a dog comes onto THEIR PROPERTY and starts to maul their dog. All your sympathy begging captions doesn't change the fact of who is in the wrong and who is in the right here.

SHITTY OWNERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!! It makes all responsible owners look bad!


"if I was the neighbor I would have went and got a metal crowbar and split that fuckers head open."

i like the way this guy problem solves! be sure to click the link, the debate rages a little while longer.

pit bull terrorists

the war of ugly vs cute rages on.

this blood spattered nutter is dragging her gripper away from it's recently decapitated prey.
















 

the story goes like this:
Elvis barked at a passing gripper. gripper busted through the gate, snatched Elvis in his jaws and spit our Elvis' head as he was being dragged off by the thing at the other end of the leash. this was witnessed by the small children who own Elvis.

“I am aware of pictures that have been circulated on social media which will undoubtedly cause concern for the community but can I reassure people that we have now seized the offending dog so there is no risk to the general public."

correction: THIS mutant poses no risk to the general public. THIS nutter likely still does pose a threat and of course the rest of those gripping sleeper cells that are waiting on orders from their DNA.


decapitated because he barked at a passing dog.
or maybe because he is cute.
rip Elvis




















Tuesday, July 2, 2013

There's a Werewolf in Waddy Kentucky

Ledy VanKavage on pit bulls:
"They're just dogs, not werewolves" 2007
"They're dogs - they're not werewolves," 2010
"Because of all the media bias, it's going to take awhile to realize 'pit bulls' are just dogs, not werewolves," 2012




On November 28, 2012 Theresa Parker discovered five of her pet goats mutilated in what turned out to be only the first attack of a months long spree of mutilating attacks on livestock including attacks on three bulls in Waddy KY.

“Their ears had been chewed off, their tongues had been ripped out, their lips had been torn off; their faces had just been literally ripped off. When I found them that way, all covered in blood, I just started screaming and screaming.”

The rural community of Waddy KY was left shaken by the horrific mutilations. The local Animal Control Director Rusty Newton said the attacks are mystifying to him because they don’t resemble any animal attack he has ever seen.

“It is not doing this for food; it’s just mauling them,” he said.

That’s something that Teresa Parker said was so distressing to her.

“It just mutilated them; just for fun, just to torture them,” she said. “It just tore them to pieces and left them to die.”

“I’m scared to death to go outside without a gun,” she said. “Because this thing, whatever it is, you could just turn around and it could be right there.”

David Theiler agreed.

“Having to go around armed all the time is getting old,” he said.

Over the course of a few weeks the mystery animal had mutilated, sometimes fatally, 6 goats, four calves, and three bulls.  Neighbors say that it only attacks at night, and they fear it is lurking in the woods.

One couple found tracks they believe to be the culprit's:
Speculation ranged from loose exotic animals, to bears, wolves, a pack of wild dogs and supernatural entities.

As word spread and fear mounted among some, others set up a Waddy Werewolf twitter feed and a printer made up some T-shirts.

A town meeting was called and it was decided to do forensic tests on the mutilated animals.  Dog DNA turned up.

When an owner-described "gentle" pit bull named Wacko was caught mauling Speckles, a small, elderly dog right after attacking some horses in January, animal control officers thought they had their culprit even though the owner claimed Wacko could not possibly have been the Waddy Werewolf because he was definitely chained up at the time of each and every other attack.

Cementing her credibility, Wacko's owner, BRENDA TILLETT,  added that the only reason Wacko was out and able to maul the small, elderly dog and some horses was because the night before Wacko's attacks, a mysterious car had pulled into her driveway and someone had stolen Wacko.

Animal control held onto Wacko for a while to see if the attacks would stop while he was in custody.  They did.  However, since there was no proof that Wacko had committed all the atrocities, he was returned to his owner.  (yeah, I don't get that either - Wacko unquestionably did attack horses and a little dog requiring heroic efforts to get him off the little dog he was locked onto.)

When yet another attack occurred - a calf was killed - several months later in April, an animal control officer was dispatched to Wacko's place and found him there where he should be sans blood.  So, its either time to put the T-shirts back on or conclude there are two pit bulls in Shelby Co. Kentucky....

Yes, Ledy, it was just a pit bull, not a werewolf, but you have to admit you can see why the town of Waddy was confused.

Mystery animal attacks livestock in Shelby County