Thursday, December 11, 2008

Pit Bull shot saving family and my media disappointment

Yesterday morning as I lay in bed listening to the news I hear a story coming on of a heroic dog, I sit up to watch the story on the local news. The family explains how an armed man broke into the house and was threatening them when Dboy came to the rescue and took 2 bullets in the head to save his family from the intruder. When I see Dboy, he of course is a pit bull type dog and I feel a sense of pride for my breed of choice. For this is the Pit bull I know, loyal and loving and not what the media presents by reporting every negative possible.



Then it hits me, the media has done it again. In the 2 or 3 minute story, the term "dog" was used over and over. Not once did the report mention the breed. Of course had this been a negative story we know the sound byte would have been "Pit Bull" and that would have been mentioned every couple of seconds through the story. Later in the day, we find the video of the story on CNN as well, again no mention of breed, just dog.



Why must we constantly be disappointed in the media? What does it take for some fairness to come through... My belief in the news is at an all time low these days. I watch the local news , CNN and MSNBC but more and more I don't believe much of anything they report because I have seen what the national media has done to my beloved breed. They pick and choose what is being reported, they sensationalize the smallest of incidents and create a atmosphere of fear. The are not reporting the good stories with the same attention or flare, heck they don't even use the words pit bull. Since they do this with dogs, what are they doing when reporting on other issues? Whatever happened to an unbiased media reporting the facts.... Did it ever exist?

Friday, November 14, 2008

A city of shame

Sadly, we have reached a new era of BSL where ignorant cities pass laws for no reason.

This week DeQueen, Arkansas passed a ban on pit bulls for absolutly no reason. A quote from the Mayor: “We haven’t had anyone attacked, but people are fearful of the pit bull breed. The council has received complaints. The pit bulls get bad press sometimes,” said De Queen Mayor Billy Ray Kelvy.

Talk about a violation of power and citizens rights, this takes the cake. What will they pass next? The city council has nothing better to do than to make up and pass laws for no reason? So all of their people must be employed, there must be no crime in the city, no one hungry, nothing better to do that make up laws. Talk about a witch hunt.

The members of the council and Mayor ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Little Rock, AR Passes BSL

As I read through my oodles of emails I see that Little Rock unanimously passed restrictions on pit bulls last night. Yet another law that will not protect citizens from the real danger, irresponsible owners. Proof of this fact, the next email I read was about a 5 yr old girl mauled by a stray Labrador. Where might you ask? Why yes, Little Rock on the same day the uneducated city council passed a law against "pit bulls".

Apparently the city doesn't feel its important to pass laws that will protect citizens from dangerous dogs, they prefer to use breed profiling because its easier than addressing the real issue.

A time will come when city councils actualy educate themselves and work towards creating safe communities with good non breed specific laws, funding for animal control, laws that will allow animal control to be proactive instead of reactive. Dare to Dream....

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

BSL Alerts!!

The Good:

State of Ohio - HB366 was introduced to REMOVE the breed specific language from the State law.


The Bad:

State of Florida – HB 101 has been introduced to the House. This bill would repeal the current State law prohibiting any new BSL in Florida

State of Minnesota – There are a couple of Representatives that have indicated they will introduce a bill to ban pit bulls, rotties and chow chose to start.

Washington DC - Bill 17-89 would authorize the District Mayor to label any breed of dog as potentially dangerous.


And the UGLY:

State of Tennessee – SB2738 has been introduced by Senator Kilby. This bill would make it illegal (a misdemeanor) to own a pit bull in the State. Pit Bull defined as SBT, AST, ABD, APBT or any 50% mix. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2738.pdf