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The gentleman who wrote of his experience of owning a pit bull and never doing it again, seems to me, a pit bull owner and responsible for my dog, to be a bit much. First, if I can't keep an animal that needs to be free fenced in the back behind a big fence or in my home with non-escape methods (we are talking a pit bull here) than I probably shouldn't own it. Secondly, I tell you, after the first cat or dog got eaten that would have given me a clue of his nature. After the second attack, I would have considered what is now not used, but should be ----Culling the dog. That's the old time method of extracting bad genes. I'm sorry if this is offensive, and this goes out to ANYONE, if your dog bites once, he may have had a bad day but twice and you should be more responsible than letting him be get out and be able to do more damage. I know after the third time I would be telling my vet CULL HIM (which for you who don't know what that means---kill his ass!! put him down.
Also, I think we tend to put money and our investment against rational thought, as well. For example, a 1000.00 dollars(or even 3 or 4 hundred) for the dog is a lot of money, but lesson leaned---do the right thing. Make breeders responsible too... after all some of them aren't paying any attention to bad genes. Sue them for a "bad temperament". Make them responsible if the law won't!! Don't keep a dog and hope he will become nice, if there are no reasons for bad behavior and he's mean. Obviously, this has happened in history--ergo, culling came about.
As a last note, I hope I never have a bad pit experience---I plan to adopt a "temper tested leftover" as my next family friend--a pit bull. If there are none ,(that' a joke)than I would buy only after spending some time with it's parents (BOTH HUMAN AND DOG)---you know get to know the family!!

I agree that the pit bull should not be outlawed. I own one myself and plan to own others in the future, barring they aren't outlawed. I believe breeders, first should be licensed. I don't mean pay your 20 bucks and there you are, I mean a 6 week course, absolutely no criminal record, and federal checks like a restaurant. The buyers or owners of these dogs should also have to take a course of some sort and if you have any criminal record--NO DOG PERIOD!!! Also being caught fighting a dog should be substantial time in jail---After all, if they do this to there dog imagine how they treat their kids!!! And the breeders can find ways to genetically pump up a chihuahua...they can be mean.

Donna, thank you for all the great work you've done to help pit bulls. They are wonderful dogs. I have one, wish I was able to have more, and she's my baby. She's a lover and so sweet. I'd like to see people move beyond the stereotypes and sensationalistic media hype and try to get to know these dogs. I found "Menace Unleashed" and the accompanying slideshow encouraging and disheartening at the same time. Seeing the BYB'ers selling their pups on the street to the thug at the end of the slideshow saying his dog's aggressiveness made him feel stronger. These are the people that are ruining our breed. You're up against some stiff odds, and you're doing a great job to overcome them.
Many, many thanks again!
Cathy Cerny and Raina

This breed is an amazing one! Anyone who sais all pitbulls are mean are just showing their ignorance! I too own a wonderful pitbull, and a chihuahua, and I am concerned with the fact that people let the media make up their mind about pitbulls, and not their personal experience. Pitbulls are sought after by people who shouldnt own a worm, much less a pitbull, and they are the most popular breed, and the most abused! Their are pitbulls that dont show the normal traits, which are amazing love of people and especially children. But thats true w/ any breed. Each pitbull is unique, and due to some bad breeding their are some pitbulls bred without regard to temperament. But the majority of pitbulls have never attacked, and never will! It's a dog, and like any dog, in the hands of a responsible owner can be the best dog you could ever have! Not everyone should own a pitbull! But every pitbull should have a responsible owner. And to these backyard breeders trying to make a quick buck, and do not care if their pups end up in the wrong hands, take a minute to visit ANY animal shelter. Maybe if you see how many pitbulls are put to sleep every week, you might rethink your decision to add to the pitbull population crisis! If you truly love this breed, then do yourself and other responsible owners a favor, and spay/neuter your pets. If something doesnt change, I wouldnt be suprised to see a ban on them everywhere, and that is sad. Why do a few bad apples have to spoil the whole bunch???

Hi Norman,

I hope this letter gets to you. I am the director and executive producer of a documentary about my own disabled pit bull named Coral - "Diva Dog: Pit Bull on Wheels."
I have been on a mission, ever since this amazing, strong, dynamic and inspirational pit bull changed my life forever. Coral was rescued from abuse, only to be left permanently paralyzed by a hit-and-run driver six years later on Easter Sunday. But this never dampened her spirit in the slightest. She was as loving and charismatic as ever in spite of her "tragic" circumstances - so much so that she became a local star on the streets of Los Angeles!
Being a filmmaker, I decided to document her experience in the hopes it would educate and enlighten people about the options available for disabled animals. As fate would have it, I literally happened into a job as a companion to disabled people! Coral often accompanied me on my field trips with my clients. Although neither she nor I had any formal training, I could see firsthand the positive effects she had on them.
As time went by, I began to learn more and more about the terrible opposition and stereotypes that pit bulls are facing. Coral was lucky - she had a very charmed life in spite of her setbacks, but she never really fell victim to the witch hunt so many of her breed are suffering from. But the more I became aware of the holocaust this breed is subject to, it became very clear that she was not only a Spokesdog for Disabled Animals (and an inspiration to ANYONE who has had to face seemingly insurmountable obstacles), but she was destined - if not chosen - to be a full-fledged Ambassador for her maligned brothers and sisters.
Now Coral's legacy is forever immortalized on film, and she is becoming the "Judy Garland" of pit bulls. I have been travelling all across the country, working with various pit bull rescue and advocacy groups - showing the film at fundraising events. I now have a monthly DIVA DOG newsletter in her memory that covers all sorts of topics, and I am developing an animated DIVA DOG children's series (amongst other things). I now know it is my mission and my calling to use Coral's amazing legacy to put a positive pit bull role model into the public eye and mainstream media.
The next step in this journey is to use Coral's ever-growing celebrity as leverage to create a platform where many, many pit bulls can be spotlighted and commended publicly for their contributions to both individuals and society. I have recently became aware of pit bulls being used as service dogs, search and rescue dogs, prison dogs, etc. I am now teaming up with some of these organizations to take this whole issue to the next level towards changing the public's misperceptions, which will ultimately lead to legislation that targets the people responsible for abusing this breed - rather than the dog who is being victimized and used for profit.
I came across your story and would very much like to talk to you about Chessie. I would like to do a feature on you and Chessie and possibly include your example in our overall presentation of Pit Bull Ambassadors.
If you are reading this, please visit our website at www.divadogthemovie.com. You may contact me at divadogthemovie@yahoo.com.
Anyone else who is reading this, I encourage you to also visit the website and learn about Coral's story - and please sign up for our newsletter on the home page. It is packed with information about amazing pit bulls and disabled animals, celebrity interviews, spotlights on artists and rescues and wonderful products for pets, poetry, pit bull historical info, dog politics, upcoming DIVA DOG screenings and events, editorials, pictures and much more.
Coral was my soulmate and best friend. She was gentle, loving and sweet - and also strong, determined and stoic. She was an inspiration to me and everyone she met. She was disabled, but you'd never know it by her outlook on life and infectious joie de vivre. And yes - she was a pit bull.

Sincerely,

Chris Cory

Dogs fighters fight several breeds; whatever is available to them.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/09/europe/web.0209dogs.php

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/studies.asp

Research/Studies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL CANINE RESEARCH COUNCIL
NCRC Data on Fatal Dog Attacks:
From January 1, 1965 through June 30, 2006 there have been at least 540 fatal dog attacks in the United States.

Often times, when the subject of fatal dog attacks is addressed, the breed of dog is viewed as the primary driving force behind these incidents and little recognition is given to other factors that directly contributed to these tragic events.

Investigation into 540 fatal attacks in the United States from Jan.1965 through June 2006 reveal the following circumstances and situations to figure predominantly in fatal dog attacks:

Sex of dog -
Though not possible to determine the sex of all the dogs involved in fatalities from 1965, a survey of the sex of the dogs involved in the last 6 years (Jan. 2000 thru Dec. 2005) reveal that overwhelmingly the dogs involved in fatal attacks are males. In the fatal attacks during this six year period, over 91% of these cases a male dog was involved, (i.e. either a single male dog or a male dog accompanied by other males and/or female dogs).

Reproductive status of dog (intact vs. altered)-
As with the sex of the dog, it was not possible to determine the reproductive status of all the dogs involved in fatal attacks dating back to 1965, but an examination of the dogs involved in fatal attacks from Jan. 2000 thru Dec. 2005, reveal that the overwhelming majority of dogs involved were unaltered.Of the fatalities during this 6 year period, 92% of the dogs involved were unaltered (not spayed or neutered).

Chained or restrained dogs-
Statistically, chained and penned dogs pose a greater danger than free roaming dogs. 30% of all fatal attacks are inflicted by a dog that was kept chained or penned. Dogs that are kept chained/penned may be more protective of their restricted space and their resources (i.e. food/water bowls). Additionally, the natural "fight or flight" response afforded to most animals in stressful situations is denied to a chained dog. Removing the option of flight for any animal will always increase the chance of a physical encounter (or fight response) to a perceived threat.

FAMILY DOG VS. RESIDENT DOG -

It needs to be recognized that dogs maintained outside the home (chained dogs, penned dogs, yard dogs) are not family dogs - they are resident dogs. This distinction is vital in the understanding of canine behavior and aggression. Dogs maintained as resident dogs cannot be expected to exhibit the same level of sociability as dogs afforded the opportunity to have positive interactions with humans on a daily basis. This is evidenced by the fact that 81% of the fatal dog attacks in 2006 were caused by dogs maintained in semi-isolated conditions (chained/penned/yard dogs).

Dogs obtained for protection, guarding, fighting or image enhancement-
The behavior of a dog is directly influenced by the use or function he/she plays in the life of the owner. Dogs acquired to protect, guard, fight or project an image of danger are often obliged or duty-bound to behave aggressively. Not surprisingly, a substantial number of fatal dog attacks involved dogs that were either directly encouraged or indirectly permitted to behave aggressively in their function as "guard or status" dogs.

Mulitiple dogs and pack mentality -
While single dogs are responsible for the majority of fatal attacks, pack mentality does play a role in fatal attacks. Obviously, multiple dogs can inflict injuries quicker and with more severity than a single dog. Also, there are cases where the victim may have been able to fend off or sustain an attack by a single dog, but became overpowered by the number of dogs involved in the attack.

Unsupervised children -
This is arguably the most critical factor in fatal dog attacks on children. There are a number of reasons why unsupervised children are especially vulnerable to a fatal dog attack:

-Dogs are much less likely to attack a child in the presence of an adult, particularly in the presence of the owner.

-In the event that a dog does attack a child in the presence of an adult, the intervention of the adult often prevents the attack from becoming a fatality.

-Children, because of their small size, are usually not able to sustain an attack until help arrives. Many adults survived severe dog attacks simply by virtue of the fact that they were able to sustain and fend the dogs off to some degree until assistance arrived.

-Children often engage in dangerous behavior (approaching too close to a chained dog or trying to hug/kiss an unfamiliar animal) that a supervising adult would have prevented.

The age group with the second-highest amount of fatalities due to a dog attack are 2-year-old children. Over 88% of these fatalities occurred when the 2-year-old child was left unsupervised with a dog(s) or the child wandered off to the location of the dog.

Breed of dog -
The breed of dog is another contributory factor in fatal dog attacks. While breed may be a factor in attacks, it is not the cause for an attack. While Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are responsible for a significant amount of fatal attacks in recent years, one cannot conclude that an attack occurred simply as a result of the breed of dog; no more than we can conclude that a fatal attack occurred simply because the dog was an intact male, or chained, or a because a child was left unsupervised with a dog(s).

Irresponsible owners and gross negligence -
While not every fatal dog attack is the result of an irresponsible owner, clearly the level of care and responsibility of an owner is an important element in permitting dogs to behave aggressively. There are a substanial amount of fatal dog attacks that were 100% preventable. The case of a 3-year-old Texas girl wandering over to one of 12 Pit Bulls chained in the yard was 100% preventable. The fatal mauling of a man climbing over a fence and attempting to buglarize a business with two large guard dogs was the result of a conscious human decision, thus was 100% preventable by simply choosing not to enter the property or engage the dogs.

One of the many problems with breed statistics and fatal or severe dog attacks is that there is no distinction made between an attack that was due to an unforeseeable event, or an attack that was due to a highly aggressive dog, or an attack that was due to human behaviors or gross human negligence. The fatality involving a newborn discarded by his mother in a junk-strewn yard with two Pit Bulls and the fatality in which a Pit bull attacked his owner are counted equally, yet one fatality is the direct result of human behavior while the other fatality can be attributed to canine behavior.

While proponets of breed specific legislation often seem uninterested in recognizing the distinction between dog attacks that can be attributed to canine behavior and those that can be attributed to human behavior, the criminal justice system (police and courts) are frequently recognizing that were it not for the reckless disregard of some dog owners (and/or parents of the victim) these fatalities would not have occurred.

Owner Convictions:

Since 1982, there have been at least 27 dog owners/parents charged and convicted of either, Murder, Manslaughter, Involuntary Manslaughter or Reckless Homicide as a result of a fatal dog attack. Defendants have received sentences ranging from probation to 15 years in prison on these charges. (One owner received 15 years to Life for his role in actively encouraging his dog to attack the victim).

Since 1982, there have been another 18 owners charged and convicted of offenses ranging from Child Abuse/Neglect and Reckless Injury to a Child to Criminal Recklessness as a result of a fatal dog attack. Defendants have received sentences ranging from probation to 5 years in prison on these charges.

After the recent articles in the Commerical Appeal it is time for all responsible Pit Bull owners to step up to the plate and support our dogs, especially those of us that adopted thru Hearts of Gold. Donna at Hearts of Gold is like a one woman army but can't do it alone.

While the CA articles do address serious problems that must be corrected, I don't think sufficient print was given to the opposite side of the coin...all the responsible owners and their dogs, owners with dogs saved through the rescue groups that make exceptional pets; I guess warm and fuzzy pit bulls don't make print, vicious cruel pit bulls do.

It takes a different person to be a responsible owner and willing to make some sacrifices to own the breed. When my daughter took her pit bull to live out of state it took trips to several apartment complexes to find one that would allow the breed. After living in this complex for several years she and her dog are well known, not for being a pit bull but being a responsible owner and a very people oriented dog, whose best friend was a Yorkie.

When her first pit bull died she received sympathy cards from people who had moved away...this is how to correct the perception of pit bulls.... not media hysteria.

Banning pit bulls is not the answer to the problem, as several others have correctly pointed out the irresponsible owners will just switch breeds. If the dogs are banned owners will just turn them out on the streets to avoid being caught with them or if they do keep them they are liable to become sick without proper care or vaccinations for fear trips to the vets will result being turned over to the doggie gestapo. This is not just a Memphis city problem, several weeks ago I saw pit bull puppies for sale on Germantown Parkway...the heart of suburbia.

Another reader questioned why anyone would want to own a pit bull. I highly doubt that there is any breed of dog that is more misunderstood, abused, maltreated, that needs love and attention more than these dogs and in return will give unmeasurable loyalty.

When I go sleep at night I much rather have my pit bull asleep at the foot of my bed than whatever rat with a bow is popular the latest reality or attention starved media personality.

I am a not only a responsible pit bull owner but also a responsible dobie owner so I have a vested interest in any banning attempt.

Having recently been shanghied into City of Memphis servitude (annexed), and being drug into this situation I will help do whatever necessary to prevent pit bull banning.

Ban The Deed...Not The Breed!!!!

Dave W
Cordova

My pit bull Chessie: a true therapy dog to a disabled

To the Commercial Appeal:

Hello, my name is Norman Schuman. I am writing this comment to urge that pit bull terriers not be outlawed in Memphis, especially with the assistance of the Commercial Appeal. Who am I?

I am a disabled pediatric dentist. I was never a private practitioner, but taught at UT College of Dentistry for over 20 years. I served as Interim Chair of Pediatric Dentistry for 2 years, and was Director of the Division of Public Health for 4 years. I also served as Dental Director of the UT Children & Youth Project for more than 15 years. In addition to my BA, DDS, and specialty in Pediatric Dentistry, I earned a Master of Public Health (MPH). I served my country as a dentist in the US Army Reserve for 6 years. I also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Memphis, for my efforts on behalf of poor and handicapped children. So much for my bona fides.

In 1998, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. For 2 years, I was treated with a medication called Rezulin, which was banned by the FDA in early 2000. However, I had been poisoned, and contracted Hepatitis, Nephrotic Syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis. I became paraplegic, but recovered about 50% of my abilities after over 2 years of intensive physical therapy. My liver, kidneys and nervous system are damaged forever. So be it. I'll die, but I won't go down easily.

My wife, kids & I had a fox terrier mutt for 14 years we rescued called Daisy. She died 31/2 years ago, a beautiful dog with a beautiful nature. I had been told about a year earlier, when I knew Daisy's time was short, that the best way to get over the death of a beloved dog was to get a new one as soon as you can bear it,since the family grieves for a lost member, even if it had 4 legs.So I called a rescue organization called Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue, thinking it was really Pet Rescue. I was wrong. The chief of the organization, Donna Velez, came out to my family with this 6 month old pit bull, affectionate & loving, who would have been euthanized. She explained the real story of pit bull terriers. Even my wife & kids took a liking to her and we took this dog named Chessie. That was 3 years ago.

Chessie has been very important in my continuing recovery She is a house dog, with run of the house privileges. She sleeps with my wife and I in the same bed about half the time, and is a constant & loyal companion to me. She also helps me with my exercise, especially going on walks. She has won over my friends, who entered the house the 1st time quite warily. She has never bitten anyone, and likes other dogs. She is a beautiful, loving dog with a heart of pure gold. She is a great therapy dog!

Please understand, any dog can be made vicious (Rottweilers, Dobermans). It is not the breed. it is what irresponsible people who feel they "own" their animals and train them to be cruel who give this breed a bad rap, & a cheap shot. So many dogs are put to death each day! Condemn the responsible party, the human. Dogs, like people, learn what they live. Deposit kindness & love in your pit bull & you will get it all back with interest. I beg you--condemn the responsible person who does not fence in his yard, doesn't have his pet spayed or neutered, and doesn't only not use a leash, but lets the dog run free in the streets! This is the criminal. Do not punish the one who is not at fault; punish the one who made the silk purse into a sow's ear.

Sincerely,
Norman Schuman

first it was german shepards, then it was doberman pinchers then it was the rotts, now its the pit bull. so strange how the trend changes and non and i say non of the dogs are vicious, its the owners that are at fault, the fault lies with whomever raises the dogs to do as the owner pleases. they are the guilty parties and not the innocent dogs, these dogs or any dog cannot speak for themselves, if i was starved, beaten, whipped, chained, and confined, i would do any thing for food even what my owner wanted me too. the fault does not lie with these animals folks, it lies with the humans that encourage and train these dogs to do.
maybe the word Dog spelled backwords is for a reason.

George K.
Illinois.

On March 12th, 2007 Benni McGrath (not verified) says:

I greatly appreciate the efforts of the writers to call attention to the plight of these wonderful dogs. I have owned many dogs and I have been rescuing dogs for about 15 years, but in the last 5 years I have focused solely on owning and rescuing pit bulls. This transition has come about as a result of discovering first, what wonderful, sweet dogs they are and second, the extent to which they are the victims of incomprehensible cruelty and stupidity. They are truly the underdogs of the dog world. I believe that all attempts to ban them are unfair and unworkable. However, there are sensible measures that can be taken to improve their lives, to ensure that responsible owners are able to continue to keep their beloved pit bulls and to protect the public from the results of the idiots who train them to attack or treat them so cruelly or neglectfully that they become dangerous. First, mandatory spaying and neutering of all pit bulls and pit mixes should be required, and stringent standards should be set for anyone who wants to breed them. Second, it is imperative that the owners of dogs of any breed, not just pit bulls, be penalized criminally when their dogs attack. It is useless to simply euthanize a dog that has attacked a person without imposing meaningful punishment, including jail time, upon the owner. Otherwise, the kinds of owners who either encourage their pit bulls to attack or allow them to roam free will simply acquire another dog that poses the same danger to the public.

These are wondeful, loyal, funny, precious dogs, no more inherently dangerous than any other breed. It is only due to irresponsible, often sociopathic owners, that some members of the "breed" become dangerous. It breaks my heart to know how many of these dogs are being bred only to end up in shelters and how much cruelty these dogs endure to satisfy the egos of the often flawed humans that are attracted to owning them. I also disagree with shelters that have adopted blanket policies against adopting out pit bulls. In my experience, it is often the gentle, non-aggressive pit bulls that end up abandoned in shelters because they would not fight or attack. I recently rescued one such dog - her ears were cut to her skull, so obviously someone intended to make her look scary, but she is as gentle and sweet as can be, and I strongly suspect that she was "dumped" because she just wasn't mean enough.

To outlaw pitbulls is unequivacally one of the dumbest things
I have ever heard of. We all know that a pitbull becomes
the kind of animal they are trained to be, not what nature
allows them to be. With the emphasis put on the animal, and
the human perps allowed to go free, outlawing pits will merely
make it so the perps move on to a different breed or different
animal to cruelly train. Outlawing pits is not a solution, it's a bandaid,
and a bandaid that is already peeling off.
Sincerely,
Susan Davis, New York

I got my first pit bull in 1989. My husband bought her as a gift so that I wouldn't have to live alone when he was on the road. I was afraid of the dog - a 4-month-old puppy - because I had heard they would "turn on you." I remember getting very angry that the surprise he brought me was a PIT BULL. I was afraid to turn my back on her. Looking back, I just smile at my ignorance! I named her Kayla and she was the beginning of my 18 year love for these dogs.

About 4 years ago, I started a pit bull rescue organization based in Memphis. I have rescued pit bulls from all corners of Memphis, Tennesse ---- unpapered dogs, the handiwork of backyard breeders. Based on my experiences, I have concluded that every single dog in existence should stand on its own. Judge dogs as you do people, INDIVIDUALLY.

I live with 5-10 pit bulls in my house at all times and each and every single dog is different. I have never been bitten or attacked. In living with a house full of dogs, I have learned a lot about dog behavior.

The American Temperament Test is open to any dog - papered, unpapered, purebred, and mutts. Any of the dogs I have rescued would be 'eligible' to enter the test. Read the website. You can learn all about the test.

Evaluate dogs individually and don't let the media decide your truth. Be an independent thinker.

Donna Velez
Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue
Memphis, Tennessee