As bad as it gets...

[Roxane]

I have debated with myself whether to post this or not. It came through my message center this morning.
I do not wish to upset/disgust anyone (as I have been). However, as a pet owner I believe it is important to be "aware" of the ugliness that exists.
After reading all of the report, I hugged both Greta and Baylea and swore to them I would be extra vigilant whenever they are outside the house.
Although the article cites the South East as the major purveyor of this misery, it also states the problem exists throughout our country. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/mad.gif
http://www.apbnews.com/newscenter/breakingnews/2000/07/17/dogfight0717_01.html

Roxane

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by Roxane (edited August 26, 2000).]</font>

[Dolly's Mom]

I am shaking and sick to my stomach over this. If anyone has doubts that there IS a Devil as the Bible mentions, here is hard evidence and he is at work here in our society.

Everyone PLEASE hug their puppers today. I know I will.

Sandi

[doxielover]

It is hard to understand this, WHY people are SO DAMN IGNORANT!! This makes me sick! Of course, I don't understand Bull-fighting either. People will do ANYTHING to see a "good fight". SICK society!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm23.gif" border=0>

Susan http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kfrown.gif

[georgette]

1. So what was the problem in the House & what can we do? Anyone know?
2. Somehow I must believe that publicity would make this more unacceptable. This brings me back to what I'll be facing again when I'm back at school: that almost amused near smile about my little eccentricty regarding dog abuse. And that declaration that I really should not be upsetting myself over these things - you'd think I was reading "the Inquirer" or something. Provide your own curses of choice...<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm4.gif" border=0>

[Penny's Aunt]

It's hard to understand why laws are created with deliberate loopholes so they can't be enforced. Are the lawmakers (or their kids) involved in this kind of stuff, & they don't want to be prosecuted? What other reason could there be?

I don't know if it's been changed or not, but in NY, it used to be (maybe still is) impossible to charge a man with rape unless there were witnesses. I would like to know who put THAT criteria in the law! How many rapists do it in front of witnesses??? And what were the lawmakers doing in THEIR spare time that they wanted that in the law?

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by Penny's Aunt (edited August 26, 2000).]</font>

[isobelsmom]

I live with two pit bulls who are rescues. I have also dealt with rescued fighters. Some have to be PTS and others are just crying for a chance at love and acceptance. Friends on my pit list have dogs who've been stolen and are terrified that their baby has been used and died this way.

This breed is misunderstood and the media and others continue to create and ram this intentional sensationalism down the public's throat---this creates a fear and a desire to see these dogs extinct. People, many times, automatically associate anyone who has a pit with dog fighting in some way. Many people have been approached on the street as they walk their pets and are asked if they have "rolled" their dog. No, it's not an alpha roll--but a fighting term used as a signal for a possible fight and do you want to join.

There are many problems with dog fighting and how it keeps slipping through the cracks of the laws. one: many people are just plain blood-thirsty. remember the roman gladiator games . . . ? This is a sub-culture that many law enforcement are trying to crack--but these "games" move and are hard to shut down. LOTS of money changes hands---thousands of dollars a fight. The laws on the books against animal cruelty are worded in such a way that many fighters are slapped on the wrist even when authorities are faced with dozens of canine corpses. Animals are property, they are things, they are a means to an end, they are here to serve man . . . and the animals have no feelings, or a aoul so it doesn't really matter, now does it? This is how many people think of animals. If that doesn't change, then the horrors of pit fighting will not. And many people feel that if it doesn't effect them, then it doesn't really exist; therefore they have no reason to get involved to end this mass murder.

American Pit Bull Terriers (and related breeds) are incredible dogs. Their jaws do not lock--but their mental power is what is in action. Pits are solid heart and will give their all to whatever their "owner" wants. Pits are animal aggressive--not human aggressive, but these blend into one in many peoples' eyes.

I am sorry this is so long, but this article, and I thank you Roxanne for passing it along, is touching to me in many ways. This type of criminal unfeeling is why we are getting Breed Specific Legislation everywhere you go. Many want these dogs exterminated and do not care if they are "culled" in fights. I, and many others, want to save this breed and the only way to do that is to gather together and voice our views that this is animal murder--not just cruelty. These dogs are being punished for the sins of humans--most animal shelters have a blanket euth order for anything even remotely resembling a pit-type dog. The breed is paying for the sins of greedy, blood-thirsty and soul-less humans. Check at your local shelter to see how they handle pits. They will either tell you that they do not adopt them out (some may go to rescue) and these are the ones killed for who they are; or you must carry the insurance (this is something that is almost non-existant and doesn't cover squat-but is aimed at good pit people and not the criminals. Criminals do not care if they are busted w/o ins. Their dog is PTS and they just get another one. Our dog is put to sleep and we weep for the loss and swear to make a difference so another doesn't have to die).

Please help us stop this cruelty, both in the backwoods of this country and in the halls of so-called "justice and public safety".

Again, sorry this is so long.

mary (and her two beautiful pits-- Quincy and Sophie and their best wiener friend--Isobel)

P.S. It has been shown by independent people in many anti-BSL and other human organizations that the HSUS is one of the reasons dog fighting has reached near- epidemic proportions. The HSUS, in the 80's to raise a flagging organization, began sending info to people to "stop the fighting". At this point in history, there was minimal fighting going on and there has been a direct corollation between the HSUS's efforts to "end it" and the rise in popularity of pit fighting. PETA backs the HSUS in that they are promoting myths: the locking jaws, and "once they taste blood" and the belief that all pit-type dogs should be exterminated like cockroaches. The HSUS and PETA are very firm in this stand. I am tracing this info myself and slowly am realizing that this is indeed true . . .not an urban legend. I wish it were just a myth . . .

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by isobelsmom (edited August 27, 2000).]</font>

[loving two dachsie's]

I am so sickened by this, I am about to go to bed and I know the thought of this going on will bring me nightmares.

This is the world we live in? it is horrible and some thing must be donehttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

God bless these dogs

Linda

[Mickamack]

Mary, as I was reading this, I was also thinking about ancient Romans who loved blood-thirstiness and called is "sport". People, thousands of people, used to come to watch animals and people get ripped apart...and they only cheered for more. I think we can easily see how sick a society like that was, and we could see the downfall of that society that followed.

In some ways, I see that happening here. The hatred, selfishness, greed, and pure evil that lives in the heart of some people really scares me. It used to be small numbers of people, but now, everytime we turn around, we are hearing horrifying stories like this one.

Just the thought of watching and placing bets on two animals ripping one another apart...that just sickens me...who would even THINK to start a "sport" like that, or who would even THINK to attend something like that...it's just beyond my grasp.

[isobelsmom]

Karen,

Many people think it's just the "gangsta's" or backwoods people. Believe it or not, just like in the Roman Republic, it's also "high ranking officials". I think that that's another reason that nothing is really being done.

May these people rot in a hell worse than anything they could ever imagine! I keep a careful eye on my two as on two separate occasions I have seen a man I do not recognise "eyeing" them. It's really scary.

mary

[Roxane]

Hi Mary:
Being involved with the Doberman breed for many years I understand exactly what you have said.
The basis for most of the problems in the canine world is man. From overpopulation, to misuse and abuse.
Most breeds were domesticated to serve man as hunters, herders or guard dogs. In recent times, responsible breeders in this country have dedicated themselves to eliminating aggressive temperament and developing loyal family pets.
This, for the Doberman, is not true in Germany, where the "sharp" dog is still the standard. In addition, there are a number of Doberman owners involved in Schitzhund training, in our country.
The media has played a large part in convincing the public that specific breeds are untrustworthy and dangerous. Slobbering, fang showing animals portrayed in television/film is as much misleading propaganda, as was "Jaws" regarding all species of sharks.
As a result some insurance companies have jumped on the bandwagon refusing home owners coverage if you own a specific breed. And, as you stated, many, many shelters will automatically put down Dobes, Shepherd, Rotties, Pits and Akitas.
Man has created the problem. Rather than face that fact and find responsible solutions, man has chosen to make it the animal's fault. That is the easy way; inhumane, immoral, unethical, but easy.
Sorry this is so long,
Roxane