AP Investigates: Gang Dogs

August 20th, 2010

The other night I sat through AP Investigates: Gang Dogs. Ugh, not an easy thing to do for me.

Dog fighting and gangs are not new. People seem shocked that murderers, rapist, or muggers, would turn to dog fighting. These people would kill you over nothing. What makes people think they would give a crap about a dog?

These shows are not intended to help Pit Bulls. They are intended to strike bias in the minds of the public. Every single show Animal Planet has about Pit Bulls is about dog fighting in some way or another. Not a single show on Animal Planet has ever shown the breed in regular homes, doing therapy, working as assistance dogs, or working as law enforcement officers.

Nope. A bunch of uneducated back street murdering thugs are profiled. I mean, only these type of people have these dogs. At least that is what they want the general public to see. So when they start pushing for a ban they don’t see the 50 year old working mother of two. They see, “Poobear” with his grill and his gang dog.

I hate shows like this. Not only do you have to sit there and watch the dogs tear each other apart but the information on the shows is often based on lies or myths or they are just plain wrong.

For example, during AP Investigates: Gang Dogs they show dogs running on treadmills and they cut to an HSUS guy and he says they train them to be killers using treadmills.

Really? So putting a dog on a treadmill makes them a killer. This was implied by the statements. Shortly before that statement the narrator stated they train them to be killers by exercising them. Cutting to a scene of one dog running a mill, another dog running a jenny (or cat) mill, and then another one was on a spring pile.

What does a show like this do to help American Pit Bull Terriers or Pit Bull type dogs? Nada. Zip. Nothing.

Am I saying that these shows shouldn’t be made? No. It’s a free country (well sorta) and they can do what they like. However, my beef, my gripe, my anger is caused when Animal Planet (Anti-Pit Bull) does not offer a show that demonstrates the reality or at least an unbiased show that counters all the graphic, bloody dog fighting messages they love to show people.

Are Pit Bulls owned by gang members? Of course. Pit Bulls are also owned by regular people. Like you. Like me. Where is that show?

Pit Boss? Step in the right direction.

Pit Bulls and Parolees? A step in the right direction.

But where is the one hour show about the American Pit Bull Terrier that does not include dog fighting, gangs, crime, fatal attacks on people, where is that show?

If you saw AP Investigates: Gang Dogs you know what I am talking about. I am a grown man and I was working hard not to lose it. It’s sad. It’s horrific. But it is not the whole story.

Animal Planet (Discovery) needs a wake up call. I do not watch Animal Planet because they support animal rights (which I oppose) and they support anti-Pit Bull organizations like the Humane Society of the United States.

I am not saying this show is lying about everything. They had one animal control officer who actually had great things to say about Pit Bulls. However, it is the “dark and dirty” type programming that bothers me. They do it because it gets people to watch and they can sell advertising, they do it to create an image of the Pit Bull owner in the general public’s mind.

But the end result is, some dog owner sitting there watching and they see “Pit Bull = Gangs = Dangerous = yes I support a ban.” What do you think the first image they think of when they see you walking down the street with your Pit Bull Terrier? Do you think it would be positive?

That is why I get angry. Shows like AP Investigates: Gang Dogs do one thing really well. Create bias and fear.

If you’re not angry something is wrong.

Until Next Time!
Jason Mann
The Most Completely Pit Bull Site Online

Categories: Pit Bull Blog | Tags: , , , , | No Comments

Fighting Breed Specific Legislation

August 12th, 2010

I am asked how to fight BSL or Breed Specific Legislation on a daily basis. First, what is BSL? Breed specific legislation as I see it is any law that targets a specific breed of dog.

A few BSL ordinances:

1. Mandatory Spay and Neuter for Pit Bull Terriers.

2. Forced muzzling or restrictions on length of leash. (I.e… must be muzzled all the time outside and on a 2 foot leash)

3. Complete ban on Pit Bull Terriers. Obviously the most damaging ordinance around.

While some people are all for spay and neuter they raise all kinds of cain over muzzling and banning. In my view there is no difference between forcing me to spay or neuter my dog or giving my dog to the pound to be put to death because they are banned.

The same principles are at work. They are:

1. Government targeting Pit Bull owners.

2. Complete eradication of the breed in their town.

3. Demonize the breed and make their owners look like trash.

One thing that is not mentioned very often when BSL is brought up is in many cases it is not the dogs that are being targeted but instead, it is the owners that are the intended focus.

Here are a couple of quotes from a letter to the Louisville, Kentucky city council from the HSUS. The letter was written to the city council when they were considering a ban on Pit Bulls.

“There is no doubt that pit bulls are in bad shape in America right now. They are likely the most popular dog in the country, but unfortunately, they are also the dogs of choice for drug dealers, gang members, and anyone else who is looking for a dog to be a status symbol“

I put the part that really got my goat in bold. So they lump us law abiding citizens in there with gang bangers, drug dealers, and status symbol seeking morons.

“Legislation banning pit bulls or requiring strict regulation will not solve the problems created by dangerous dogs. However, because pit bulls currently flood animal shelters in Louisville and across the country, legislation requiring their mandatory sterilization could be a benefit to the breed and to all dogs in the community. Additionally, the mandatory sterilization of pit bulls would negatively impact those individuals who use pit bulls for fighting, guarding locations used for illegal activities, and the backyard breeders who so recklessly add to the dog overpopulation”

First bold: How would spaying/neutering only Pit Bulls help “all dogs in the community?”

Second bold: Read that twice. I mean really read it. So spay/neuter laws would stop drug dealers, dog fighters from having Pit Bulls. Are these people cracked? They are CRIMINALS. They are already breaking the law! Why would they care if they didn’t fix their dogs. Unreal.

“Requiring the sterilization of pit bulls does not have the same problems as traditional breed-specific legislation. This does not punish responsible pet owners, as truly responsible owners already have their animals sterilized.”

First Bold: The HSUS is basically saying, “You can enact BSL and no one will argue because they are not going to consider FORCED spay/neuter as BSL.”

Second Bold: So I show my dog in conformation. I am not responsible because I have not fixed my dog. I show my dog in obedience and compete in working dog sports, yet, I kept the dog intact, I am irresponsible. Sorry but I have intact dogs, they are well kept, and I do not breed them. I am a responsible dog owner and so are the umpteen million people that do the same thing.

You can read the entire letter from the HSUS to the Louisville city council here.

Now that we have a better idea about what BSL is …

How do you fight BSL?

Vote.

Seriously it is that easy. Vote against anyone, regardless of political affiliation, that is anti-dog and vote for pro-dog legislators. That is the only way we will ever stop BSL and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Pit Bull Terriers.

Having a political stance and being powerful with your vote is one thing they cannot take from you. It is your right, it is your duty, and you should use it every chance you get.

Say it out loud, how can you stop BSL? Vote!

Until Next Time,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online

Categories: Pit Bull Blog | Tags: , , , | No Comments

Shame on You United Kennel Club, Shame on You!

July 10th, 2010

Call me a purist, call me a uptight prick, call me whatever you like but I am extremely frustrated with the United Kennel Club and their practices when it comes to the American Pit Bull Terrier.

One of the main registries for the American Pit Bull Terrier is dishonoring the breed in such a way that they should be ashamed. I deplore, loath, hate!, what they are allowing people to do to the breed.

I visited a website online and found these dogs listed:

1. 95 pound female, standing 20 inches tall, UKC registered.

2. 115 lbs (unreal) and stands 22 inches at the withers. Again, UKC registered.

Let’s look at their (the UKC’s) height and weight standard:

“The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy.

Very Serious Fault: Excessively large or overly massive dogs.”

I bolded the parts that I’m thrown off by. So if height and weight doesn’t matter why have a desirable weight at all?

The female mentioned above is 45 pounds over the desirable weight limit and the male dog is 55 pounds over the desirable weight limit.

I understand some dogs will be a little over the desirable weight limit. However, 45-55 lbs over the weight limit is a bit of stretch dontcha think?

Why even have a standard? Really, it doesn’t make sense. If you let anyone register anything then the standard is pointless.

Wait, they have a serious fault, but that is only if they are showing the dog. These idiots can still register their dogs, breed the hell out of them, and they literally make millions each year off these incredibly ridiculous cartoon like “pit bulls.”

I don’t care who you are or what excuse you give me, if you breed a dog that is 115 lbs. 22 inches at the withers, and call it an American Pit Bull Terrier, you are an idiot.

If the UKC would stop registering these behemoths as American Pit Bull Terriers hopefully the people selling these dogs would move to either create their own registry or move to another registry. Either way, I’d smile.

You may think I’m a prick for downing these dogs. It is not the dogs fault but just like a Maltipoo, these dogs are useless. I am a functional canine kind of guy. I love working dogs. Pit Bull Terriers, that is, American Pit Bull Terriers should be bred, sold, and used as working dogs.

Now before I get a hundred emails from Pit Bull mix owners, owners who have rescued Pit Bull Terriers, or the “bully style” owner, read the above paragraph twice.

One day, I sincerely hope the UKC recognizes the situation for what it is. The real American Pit Bull Terrier is being pushed out by these freak show dogs and their idiot breeders. One day, the real APBT will be underground, unregistered, and I really find that sad.

The greatest dog in the world, turned into a freak of nature. The UKC is an accomplice in this horrible crime and they should be ashamed.

Sick and Tired,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Website Online

Categories: Pit Bull Blog | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments

Dog Sports: Get Your Pit Bull Terrier Involved

July 9th, 2010

American Pit Bull Terriers are outstanding athletes and why I do not see more APBT’s competing in popular dog sports I don’t know.

Dog sports are a great way to get your APBT out there into the world and show other dog owners and dog lovers what APBT’s are capable of.

Whether you compete in agility, dockdog, disc dog, UKC obedience, weight pulling or one of the protection sports doesn’t matter so long as you get out there and compete.

There are a ton of different dog sports out there. From the fun to the serious. Several up and coming sports that I highly recommend are K9 nose work (based on detection dog training) and MondioRing sport. MondioRing sport while not new started gaining popularity in 2000. MondioRing is a blend of French and Belgium Ring sports and is the most difficult dog sport out there right now if you ask me.

You may not be the competitive type and that’s fine. Getting involved in a dog sport doesn’t have to be a pain the butt. You can compete for fun, Rally Obedience is one of those sports that really focuses more on having a good time rather than getting the come fore juuuust perfect.

The UKC has now added Slashdog titles to their list of titles. APBT’s are outstanding at this sport and the locations of the trials make for great PR for the breed.

Whatever sport you choose to participate in serves the breed. When people see well mannered dogs in competition it tends to lower their guard a little. People are more likely to approach a dog that just flew off a dock after a toy than a dog walking down the street. The PR potential is huge.

Here is a list of sport organizations:

http://www.ukcdogs.com

http://www.usmondioring.org

http://www.splashdogs.com/

http://www.usdaa.com/

http://www.iwpa.net/

Enjoy!
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Website Online

Categories: Pit Bull Blog | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Older Posts »