Why Does It Take So Long To Prosecute?

Today, a man in Kanawha county was found guilty of animal cruelty for putting razor blades in raw meat and feeding it to his neighbor's dogs. Luckily, the dogs survived. One had to have surgery, though. I am disturbed that this happened in '05, and he is just now being sentenced. His sentencing is in the first week of April. I am hoping that the judge will give him the maximum sentence, which is 3 yrs. In January of '07, a horrific abuse and cruelty case happened in Lincoln county, WV. Shawnita Cooper was arrested for some of the worst abuse and cruelty I have ever seen. Actually, she turned herself in. (That does not make her any better, as far as I am concerned) I have a post on this blog about it. As of the last time I spoke with the owner of Timbral Pet Services in Barboursville, WV, the case was still pending.

It has been continued over and over. Her lawyer is hoping to get it thrown out. Lawyers do this hoping that if enough time passes, witnesses will forget, evidence will disappear, etc...Tim Childers, owner of Timbral, and Cpl. Sally Hatton, of the WV State Police, were the ones that went out on this case. Tim told me it was on of the worst he had seen. Tim has been training dogs for over 25 yrs. and has been involved in rescue for the same amount of time. The police have photos and statements of this abuse. I have seen the pictures, and believe me, it is horrific. Luckily, the dogs that were rescued, went to great homes. The ones that didn't survive, died alone, cold and starving. The ones that did live, were living off the carcasses of the dead. Also, this woman had some horses. I believe one or two had to be put down.

Tim told me she has dogs tied up outside of her trailer now, but they are in her boyfriend's name. By doing this, she won't get in more trouble. And, evidently, she was operating a grooming shop out of her trailer, too. I was shocked when Tim told me that the day they were there, a man actually pulled up with his dog to be groomed. Cpt. Hatton told him to get in his car and leave, which he did. He (Tim) said that the inside of the house was horrid. Evidently she didn't clean up the hair where she groomed dogs. Tim said it was so deep that if he hadn't heard puppies crying, he never would have found a female Dachshund with pups.

But, as I said, the dogs that were lucky enough to survive, are all well. They found a Doberman that weighed only 40 pounds. This is 20 plus pounds underweight. If you want to check out abuse cases, go to http://www.petabuse.com/ and click on abuse cases database. They have a clickable map. Click on WV and it will give you all the cases in WV.

Humane Society Of The United States Pet Photo Contest.

Hello everyone!! The Humane Society's website is offering a chance for people to enter their pet's photo in their Spa Day photo contest. Spa Day was 2/26/08 and made it possible for people across the United States to get their pets spayed or neutered. This contest runs until 3/7/08. I entered Chance's photo. It has a place at the end of the entry form for you to put 10 email addresses of friends and family so they can vote for your pet. I entered the above photo of Chance winking at me, trying to get me to "throw the ball, mom." The website is:
www.hsus.org.

The HSUS And The AVAR Launch The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assoc.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) announced on Jan. 14, 2008 that their respective boards of directors have approved a corporate combination agreement which will result in a powerful new veterinary advocacy organization, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA). The HSVMA will give veterinarians, veterinary students and veterinary technicians an opportunity to participate in animal welfare programs, including disaster response; expanded hands-on animal care; spaying and neutering; and advocacy for legislative, corporate and veterinary medical school reforms."Veterinarians bring a special credibility and authority on animal issues, and I am delighted to add this exciting new operation to The Humane Society of the United States' family of organizations," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. "For 27 years, AVAR has been an important and principled veterinary voice in animal advocacy. Now we will be able to amplify that voice and expand our veterinary-related programs dramatically."


In 2007, RAVS delivered more than 30,000 treatments to animals. More than 700 veterinary students a year participate in RAVS program, providing veterinary students with invaluable clinical experience with animals in need. The HSUS also has major collaborative programs with the veterinary schools at Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University. AVAR, founded in 1981, has 3,500 affiliated veterinarians.


The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association will be a voice for the vast majority of veterinarians not in the employ of industries that do harm to animals."HSMVA will continue the veterinary work of The HSUS and AVAR, and will explore new programs such as offering benefits for veterinary practitioners and starting student chapters at veterinary medical colleges in the United States. The combination took effect on February 1, 2008.

Another Great Event By The Humane Society Of The United States.

Today, at events all over the country, thousands of dogs and cats will be given a treatment that is guaranteed to save countless lives: They will be spayed or neutered. It's Spay Day USA, a national event that seeks to end the tragedy of too many pets and not enough homes. Spaying or neutering is the most humane and cost-effective way to reduce the vast number of animals whose lives are ended prematurely each year in shelters and on the streets, simply because there are not enough homes for them all. In 2007, The Humane Society of the United States spayed or neutered more than 3,200 pets through our innovative program that provides free or subsidized services to pets of families living in poverty-stricken or geographically isolated areas. This year, we hope to reach even more animals in need through this program, run by our newly formed Humane Society VeterinaryMedical Association (HSVMA). The average cost to taxpayers to care for a homeless animal is$176. Compare that to the $75 national average to spay or neuter a dog or cat, and it's clear that we have tremendous potential to reduce animal suffering and save communities millions of dollars.

A Feel Good Story Out Of The Horrors Of War.

Chance wants to personally thank Maj. Dennis for caring!!

A dog named Nubs, whom was befriended by a kind Marine in Iraq named Major Brian Dennis, arrived at Lindbergh field in San Diego, CA., Monday 2/25/08. He is a German Shepherd/Border Collie Mix. Major Dennis is a native of San Diego. His friends, Eric and Chrissy Sjoberg, along with friends and support of some animal organizations, collected $3500.00 to get Nubs to the states. They were all on hand to greet Nubs when he touched down. He is estimated to be about 2 yrs. old, but his life has not been easy, as it is not easy on any dog in a war zone. He is so lucky to be alive. When he was younger, an Iraqi cut his ears off, because he thought it would make him tough and alert. Stupid!!

Abuse is world-wide. He was also stabbed with a screwdriver, and Major Dennis patched him up and slept with him through the cold Iraqi nights to keep him warm. But, when the unit received orders to move, Maj. Dennis had to leave him behind, or so he thought. Nubs traveled 2 days and 70 miles to catch up with the man that he knew had saved his life. Since it is against military rules to have an animal, Maj. Dennis wrote home and asked for help. His friends rallied and now Nubs is here. He now has a chance at life thanks to the kindness of a tough Marine. He will live with the Sjoberg's until Major Dennis comes home from the war.

Dogfighting Down For The Count.

Some ran endlessly around well-worn circular paths—their small worlds circumscribed by the lengths of their heavy chains. Others leapt maniacally to the tops of their chain-link kennel confines. All were frantic for human attention and seemingly half-mad from their lives of isolation and confinement. These are the dogs who greeted officials from Pima County Sheriffs Department, The HSUS, and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona during an orchestrated takedown of some of the largest players in the world of underground dogfighting.


Orchestrated Takedown
The Feb. 19 raids were the culmination of a nearly year-long investigation by The HSUS and the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Conducted simultaneously at four Tucson-area locations, they resulted in the arrests of six people, including Mahlon "Pat" Patrick, one of the most notorious figures in dogfighting, whose involvement in the blood sport stretches back to 1968. Also targeted and arrested during the Tucson raids were Patrick's alleged dogfighting cohort, Emily Dennis, as well as two other big players in professional dogfighting: T.L. Williams and Bobby Smith. All were charged with felony dogfighting and face up to two years in prison and up to $150,000 in fines if convicted. The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States said that the dogs found during the Tucson raids lived in decrepit conditions and cruel isolation.


Ringleaders
With the arrests of these dogfighting kingpins, one of the most important underground dogfighting networks in the U.S. has been effectively dismantled. As a supplier of several major fighting-dog bloodlines, Patrick holds a status among professional dogfighters ranking second perhaps only to the infamous Floyd Boudreaux, who currently awaits trial on felony dogfighting charges after a 2005 raid on his Louisiana property put him out of business. Like Patrick, Williams and Smith have been entrenched in the world of underground dogfighting for decades—breeding pitbulls and operating the second-largest game dog registry in the country, constructed to help dogfighters trace the bloodlines of fighting dogs and turn profits off their breeding. Together, the three men together may be responsible for the deaths of countless thousands of dogs during their decades-long reign. "This was a well-established, organized, criminal enterprise that profited off the blood of innocent dogs," said Chris Schindler, The HSUS' deputy manager of animal fighting law enforcement. "The repercussions this raid will have on the world of underground dogfighting are incalculable."


Extensive Evidence
Aside from the scores of scarred, injured and neglected dogs, Pima County Sheriff's deputies seized mounds of dogfighting documents, dogfighting paraphernalia (including medications, treadmills, "rape stands" for breeding, and breaking sticks to pry apart a dog's clamped-down jaws) and at least 50 guns. As for the dogs themselves, after a lifetime of isolation interrupted only by periodic, bloody bouts in the fighting pit, most had nothing but affection and sloppy kisses for their rescuers. For these dogs and the countless thousands of others who die for organized dogfighting every year, ensuring a swift and decisive prosecution of their tormentors remains the most important task at hand.

Support Legislation To Stop Dogfighting.

The last part of the Final Farm Bill.
In early 2007, after a six-year campaign by The Humane Society of the United States, Congress enacted a law to upgrade the penalties for interstate movement of animals for fighting, from a misdemeanor to a felony, and also to ban the interstate commerce in cockfighting weapons. In the wake of the high-profile indictment of NFL quarterback Michael Vick on federal dogfighting charges, and the national outrage over dogfighting crimes, new legislation has been proposed to further strengthen the nation’s laws to combat the cruel practice of dogfighting.


Three bills—S.1880, introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA); H.R. 3219, the Dog Fighting Prohibition Act, by Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH); and H.R. 3327, the Federal Dog Protection Act, by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)—would make all participation in dogfighting, including being a spectator at a dogfight and possessing dogs for the purpose of fighting, a federal felony, and would increase the maximum penalty from three years to five years in prison. The Humane Society of the United States urges members of Congress to support S. 1880, H.R. 3219, and H.R. 3327.


Dogfighting is an inhumane and barbaric activity. In a typical fight, dogs are drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep fighting even after suffering broken legs, puncture wounds, dehydration, severe blood loss, and shock – all for the amusement and illegal wagering of handlers and spectators. Dogfighting is also associated with other criminal conduct, such as drug traffic, illegal firearms use, and violence toward people. Children are often present at these spectacles. Some dogfighters steal pets to use as bait for training their dogs; some allow trained fighting dogs to roam neighborhoods and endanger the public. A federal dogfighting ban is warranted. As demonstrated in the Vick indictment – and by the many law enforcement records, animal welfare reports, and economic studies – the dogfighting industry has become nationwide in scope, and Congress is well within its authority to address both the nationwide framework and localized branches that are a critical part of that extensive criminal venture.


In 2005, the Supreme Court made clear in Gonzales v. Raich that Congress’ authority under the Commerce Clause extends to local activities that are an integral component of interstate criminal activities. The high-stakes gambling, sales of fighting dogs for as much as tens of thousands of dollars per animal, sale of “stud” privileges for mating with winning dogs, traffic in specialized equipment to train and house fighting dogs, handling, training, and courier services to transport dogs to matches are among the ways that dogfighting – an inherently commercial and economic activity – substantially affects interstate commerce. In addition, dogfighting burdens interstate commerce by increasing the risk of injury or disease to both animals and humans, including dog bites, rabies, heartworms, and harm to stolen pets used as bait, as well as the enormous financial burden that dogfighting puts on animal shelters as they struggle to care for abandoned fighting dogs.

Support the Animal Welfare Accountability Improvement Act (H.R. 2193)

This is a continuation of the Final Farm Bill information.Representatives Steve Israel (D-NY) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) have introduced the Animal Welfare Accountability Improvement Act (H.R. 2193) to prohibit the use of animals for sales/marketing of medical devices and products, increase maximum penalties for animal research facilities, and require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to submit an annual report to Congress regarding enforcement activities.


Harming Animals in Sales Demonstrations:The recent death of a dog following a sales demonstration at an Ohio medical center highlighted the fact that the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) does not bar the use of live animals in sales demonstrations for products such as medical devices. The HSUS is calling on Congress to amend the AWA to prohibit the use of animals for mere sales pitches.


What happened at the Cleveland Clinic?An individual artificially created an aneurysm in the brain of an anesthetized dog in an attempt to demonstrate a medical device used to treat such aneurysms. The demonstration was for the benefit of salespeople from the device's manufacturer, about two-dozen of whom watched and at least some of whom participated in the hands-on exercise. According to news reports, the surgeon thought it would be “fun” for the sales representatives to use the device; the exercise had nothing to do with the advancement of medical science. The procedure was repeated several times on the dog, who was later killed. Why should the use of live animals in sales demonstrations be prohibited?


Many people have concerns about animal experimentation even when conducted for the most compelling medical purposes. However, in this case, a dog was operated on, manipulated repeatedly by non-medically trained salespeople, and later killed, all for marketing of a device and for the financial gain of a for-profit corporation. The Cleveland Clinic took swift action in the matter, and has stated that the exercise was not approved and it does not allow procedures with animals for the sole purpose of sales training. However, this is not a decision that should be left up to individual research facilities; this use of animals should be prohibited by law altogether. How many animals are used for sales demonstrations each year? While the exact number cannot be determined, the use of live animals in sales demonstrations is increasingly coming to light.


In the 1980’s, a company that sold surgical staples used over 1,000 dogs per year in sales demonstrations. The company eventually stopped but only after years of public pressure. How does H.R. 2193 solve the problem of the use of live animals in sales demonstrations? This legislation would specifically bar the use of live animals for demonstrations of medical devices or products for the purpose of marketing. This amendment will not prohibit the training of physicians as to how to use a device or product if the training is for purposes other than marketing a device or product.


Increased Penalties for Violations by Animal Research Facilities:The proposed amendments increase the current maximum penalty for research institutions under the AWA from $2,500 to $10,000 per violation. The maximum penalty has not changed since 1985. It would also require that penalties be calculated per animal affected per day per violation.

Durbin Puppy Imports 2007 Amendment.

This is a continuation of the Final Farm Bill to protect pets.
Background:
According to representatives of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a significant volume of imports of puppies from Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Columbia, Mexico, and several other source countries arrive in the United States each year. Unfortunately, many of these animals are shipped at 8 weeks of age or younger, before their immune systems are developed and before they can be safely vaccinated. Although definitive statistics are not available, large numbers of buyers and veterinarians report that imported puppies suffer from higher than normal incidences of pneumonia, parvovirus, and severe congenital defects. Because puppies under 3 months of age are too young to be vaccinated for rabies, they may be imported without the vaccination. The CDC requires importers to complete a confinement agreement (form CDC 75.37) agreeing to confine the animal until it is old enough to be vaccinated, and to confine the animal for 30 days after vaccination.


Under this regulation, most imported puppies would not be eligible for sale until at least 4 months of age, but complaints indicate that they are routinely imported and sold at a much younger age. The CDC has acknowledged a large volume of puppies are imported without their knowledge and that they do not have the staff or resources to properly handle this problem. The CDC does not have law enforcement powers and can’t screen every flight or shipment. When violations are found, the CDC can only issue warnings, except in extreme cases that require law enforcement assistance. A 2005 Border Puppy Task Force study estimated that 10,000 puppies enter San Diego County from Mexico annually. Many of them are smuggled in without health records or vaccinations. Many of the puppies carry contagious diseases, are infested with parasites, and are too young to be weaned. Common diseases included distemper, rabies, parvovirus and ringworm.


Amendment:
This language addresses the problem of unscrupulous commercial importers of live dogs by providing USDA APHIS with enforcement authority and tightening and clarifying minimum health requirements for commercial imports of live dogs destined for resale. At a minimum, this language will require that all dogs imported to the United States for resale be properly vaccinated and in good health. In addition, the amendment requires dogs entering the United States for resale to be at least 6 months of age. Exceptions are provided so as not to interfere with veterinary treatment or research purposes. Violations of these provisions are subject to the enforcement mechanisms in the Animal Welfare Act. The language has the support of The Humane Society of the United States, The American Kennel Club, and The American Veterinary Medical Association.

Protect Pets In The Final Farm Bill!

The House and Senate unanimously approved language in both their respective versions of the Farm Bill to prohibit the use of dogs and cats obtained from random source Class B dealers (who may steal pets or fraudulently obtain them through "free to good home" ads) in experimentation. The Senate also included measures to stop the import for commercial sale of very young puppies from foreign puppy mills, and to strengthen the federal law on dogfighting, and the House included provisions to increase the maximum fines for Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations and require USDA to resume providing annual reports to Congress on its AWA enforcement efforts.

Research facilities generally obtain their animals from one of two sources: Class A (Permit Breeders) dealers who supply purpose-bred animals to laboratories, or Class B dealers who obtain the animals they supply to labs from “random sources.”


The Problem:Class B dealers obtain the animals they provide to research facilities through a variety of unseemly methods, such as responding to “free to good home” ads in local newspapers, adopting from local animal shelters, and stealing companion animals from their owners’ yards, cars, and farms. Too often, dogs and cats are subjected to abusive handling and exposure to the elements while kept at the premises of Class B dealers, as pet owners mourn the loss of their stolen pets.


The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has repeatedly documented the failure of random source Class B dealers to comply with the minimum requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Because of the questionable reliability of random source animals, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a long history of using only purpose-bred dogs and cats for its intramural research. Robert A. Whitney, D.V.M., former Director of Research at NIH, said the following about random source Class B dealers: The continued existence of these virtually unregulatable Class B dealers erodes the public confidence in our commitment to appropriate procurement, care, and use of animals in the important research to better the health of both humans and animals. (Letter to Members of the U.S. Congress; June 12, 2006)


After hundreds of AWA violations, and an undercover investigation (by Last Chance for Animals), one of the most notorious Class B dealers in the U.S. - C.C. Baird of Martin Creek Kennels in Willifore, Arkansas - was finally shut down by the USDA. The undercover investigation, documenting extreme animal cruelty and the illegal acquisition of animals by the 15-year-old facility, was featured on HBO and called dramatic amount of attention to the issue. However, the remaining 10 Class B dealers who sell live, random source dogs and cats to research pose a terrible drain on USDA resources as the agency struggles to oversee these problematic operators.


The Solution:
To remedy this serious problem, Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), and Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Phil English (R-PA) introduced the Pet Safety and Protection Act, S. 714 and H.R. 1280. This legislation will ensure that dogs and cats used in research and education are neither stolen nor obtained through fraudulent practices and will also establish monetary penalties for related violations. Under this bill, purpose bred and random source, young and old, genetically uniform and genetically diverse dogs and cats will ALL still be available to research facilities from a variety of sources, such as Class A dealers, shelters, research facilities with breeding programs, individuals, etc. They just wouldn’t be able to use the Class B middlemen to obtain animals from the illegal sources – stolen pets, pets being offered through “free to good home” ads, and other fraudulently obtained animals.


S. 714 and H.R. 1280 will accomplish the following:•
Prohibit Class B dealers and unlicensed individuals from selling random source dogs and cats to laboratories.
• Prevent stray animals, who may be lost family pets, from being sold to laboratories.
• Provide pet owners peace of mind that their animals will not be sold to a laboratory, should their animal be stolen or become lost.

Take A Moment To Read This, Please!

A message from Tamara and Chance regarding the comments of the DA and judge in the Tammy Grimes, Dogs Deserve Better, case.

The comments of the judge and DA are appalling to me. It is up to the public to come together and send letters and emails to the judge and the DA in this case voicing their utter astonishment over the comments that were made. Please go to www.ddb.org and do what you can to let your voice be known. Thank you.

Tammy Grimes Of Dogs Deserve Better To Do Community Service.

Today Grimes was sentenced to 300 hours community service for a 'people organization', because 'people are dogs too'. She was also ordered to pay for the cost of the trial. This was justified by the judge because she said that Grimes chose to go to trial over ARD, therefore she should have to pay for it. Isn't it every person's right to go to trial? Does that right come with a price tag? Interestingly enough, according to Grimes' attorneys, this is not only NOT OFTEN done, but RARELY done. The costs were around $1700. She was also ordered within 10 days to take everything Doogie related off any any site she 'has control or influence over'. They will be appealing most if not all of the sentencing asap.


The absolute worst part of it all was the way she was treated by both the DA and the judge. The saddest thing is that they actually seem to BELIEVE the horrible things they said about her. They seem to actually BELIEVE that the taking of Doogie was a publicity stunt by Grimes, so that she could be a 'hero'. That the Arnolds are 'victims' of her lies, and that 'the dog was just old'. The DA said he was shocked this was her first offense, because her disrespect for the law and it's officials is like his worst hardened criminals. He also said that everything on the DDB site is a lie, twisted by Grimes to make people believe her. He was seriously ticked off that the Arnolds received Valentines and a brochure attempting to educate them this Valentine's Day.


Yet, at trial he insisted DDB should try to educate them, so which is it? Do you want them educated or not? She is now again not to have any contact with 'the victims'. The judge said that Grimes was no Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr. That she has disgraced herself and her cause, as well as her supporters by her actions. That two wrongs don't make a right. (If she's admitting there were 'two wrongs', then why are the Arnolds still not being convicted of abuse?) They are saddened by the state of affairs in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Saddened by the people 'in control', and saddened by the beliefs they put out into the world. The pictures and video do not lie. If it were a he said/she said situation, they could understand how they would believe the Arnolds when they say the dog was just old. But with the abundance of evidence of neglect, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for the behavior of both DA Richard Consiglio and Judge Elizabeth Doyle. Pictures and video DO NOT LIE.

Cruelty Caught In Hollywood Glare.

Just because a pet shop is in a high class area does not mean they are on the up and up. The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States), released the findings of an undercover investigation of Pets of Bel Air in CA. What they found was shocking. Many of the puppies they sell came from puppy mills in the Midwest.


At least 28 commercial breeders in AK, IA, KS, MO, AND OK, supplied puppies to Pets of Bel Air. Each of these locations are mass breeding operations that house 100 to 300 dogs in horrific living conditions. Some of these dealers have been cited for failure to comply with the Animal Welfare Act. Two of the breeders did not have the proper license from the USDA required for commercial breeders to sell to pet stores.


Never buy a puppy from a pet store, it is a bad idea. Employees will lie, just to sell a puppy. When one is sold, it makes room for another one. We have stores in our area that sell puppies and say they are from local breeders. No reputable breeder sells their puppies in a pet shop, flea market, internet or in a newspaper. Talk to a vet or kennel owner, if you are thinking about a puppy.

Hog-Dog Fighting.

This is something I had never heard of. It boggles my mind what some people think is a sport.

In a hog-dog fight or "hog-dog rodeo," a trained dog attacks a trapped feral hog who is released into an enclosed pit from which there is no escape. To confer an advantage on the dog, fight organizers will either cut off the hog's tusks or outfit the dog in a Kevlar vest. While the crowd cheers, the dog is timed to see how quickly he can pin down the hog by tearing into the hog's snout, ears and eyes. Although hog-dog fight promoters often bill fights as "family entertainment," this bloodsport is closely connected to other crimes and forms of violence in addition to cruelty to animals.


Public exposure of hog-dog fighting and efforts by our Animal Cruelty and Fighting campaign have helped spur a legislative crackdown on hog-dog fighting. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina have passed laws making hog-dog fighting illegal, alongside the blood sports of cockfighting and dogfighting. And the attorneys general in Texas and Florida have delivered opinions stating that hog-dog fights violate their cruelty laws.

Kanawha-Charleston Animal Shelter Information.

This shelter is one of the top in our area. After talking with their manager, Teresa, I had to post information on this great organization. Here is some important information for anyone that is looking for a great companion, and are not close to the Huntington, WV animal shelter. They stop adopting animals 30 minutes prior to closing each day. For more information on how you can help save these precious lives, please contact the Shelter at (304) 342-1576 their beautiful animals anxiously await your call !

Services:
Lost and Found Information.
Aid to Stray, Injured or Deceased Animals.
Education for schools on animal care.
Adoption.
Volunteer Program.
Enforcement of City ordinances regarding Animal welfare.
Low income Spay/Neuter programs.
Dog Licensing available during regular hours.
There is information on cat confinement measures available at the Shelter. The Director of The Kanawha Charleston Animal Shelter is Ms. Donna Pauley Clark.
Address: Charleston/Kanawha Humane Association 1248 Greenbrier Street Charleston, WV 25311. Telephone # 304-342-1576 Our Hours of Operation: Monday Through Saturday 12:00PM to 6:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. If you have a big heart, time to spare and a willingness to open your home to loving and needy animals, then you are just the person they are looking for.

Huntington WV Animal Shelter. Please Help!

Chance says: Please help my friends find a home.
INFORMATION:
WHO WE ARE: HUNTINGTON-CABELL-WAYNE Animal Control Shelter.
Director: Anita Asbury
WHERE: 1901 James River Road Huntington, WV 25704
PHONE: (304) 696-5551
HOURS: 10am- 4:30pm Monday through Friday and 10am- 3:30pm on Saturday
WHAT WE HAVE: ADOPTABLE PETS
DOGS: cost $60
CATS: cost $50
SPAY AND NEUTER INCLUDED AT LOCAL VET CASH ONLY
PLEASE HELP!
If you have questions or your're interested in making a donation to HCW Animal Control, there are a few things the shelter could use. Newspapers, laundry detergent, dry cat/dog food, towels, blankets, toys, sponges, bleach, and cat litter. Monetary donations are also welcome! If you are interested in the availability of a pet, contact the shelter directly at 696-5551. It will save so many animals for so little of your time! Thanks so much!

Chaining Dogs Can Kill A Child.

A message from Tamara and Chance:

Dogs Deserve Better, 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA/Chase Pet Protector Award, is a voice for chained and penned dogs, whose sadness speaks only through the eyes. As the days become years, many of these dogs sit, lay, eat, and defecate within the same 10-foot radius. Chained by the neck, they exist without respect, love, exercise, social interaction, and sometimes even basic nourishment. They live as prisoners, yet long to be pets. Chaining is not only inhumane for dogs, but has taken a severe toll on this nation’s children as well. In the period from October 2003 through January 2008, there were at least 194 children killed or seriously injured by chained dogs across the country. Chained dogs, unsocialized with humans, can become very territorial of their tiny space, and any two year old who wanders into this space can be attacked and killed before adults can intervene.


A recent attack in Texas in March, 2007 left 2 year old Carolina Sotello dead from head and neck wounds. She was attacked and killed by an unneutered male dog chained in the backyard, next to an unspayed female with puppies. Would you for one second choose to live the life of these dogs? No matter what reason is given, the bottom line is that it is NOT ok to chain a dog for life. Dogs should not have to live chained or penned as prisoners, yearning for a place in a family, craving acknowledgement, respect, and love. They DESERVE BETTER, and we as caretakers have the obligation to provide it for them.

Pit Bull Facts.

What is a pit bull?
Pit bulls are actually not one breed of dog but 3: the American pit bull terrier (ABPT), the American Staffordshire terrier (AMSTAFF) and the Staffordshire bull terrier. (STAFFIE).


There is no such thing as a "bad breed".
The pit bull breed gets a bad rap, but more often than not, they are the VICTIMS of irresponsible and abusive ownership. Pit bulls are extremely intelligent dogs and take their cues from the humans who raise them. Only humans are capable of knowing the difference between “right and wrong” and all dogs are bred, raised, and trained to behave the way they do.


Pit bulls are actually bred to be affectionate towards people.
Pit bulls have been bred for hundreds of years for strength, agility, high pain tolerance and absence of aggression toward humans. Because they were traditionally fighting dogs and most were also family pets, the dogs required extensive handling. So even though they were bred to be aggressive towards other dogs, aggression toward humans has never been tolerated.
Bull breeds score better on temperament tests than the general dog population.
In December 2004, the American Temperament Test Society showed the American pit bull terrier scored an overall temperament rating of 83.9%, compared to the 77% score of the general dog population.


Most “pit bulls” are not really pit bulls!
Pit bulls are probably the most misunderstood dog in the United States. Often, an aggressive dog that has a big head and short hair is mistakenly identified as a pit bull and unfortunately this makes for good headline news, even if it is false. Do you think you can identify a pit bull?


Pit bulls love and adore humans.
Most pit bulls in this country are family dogs and love to spend time with people more than anything else. Often, even those that have been severely abused can't wait to be petted and loved, even by the person who is abusing them. Of course, there will always be exceptions to normal temperament and behavior in any dog, and the same is true of the people who own them.


Pit bulls are bred to fight.
This is very important to understand. Pit bulls love humans, but they need to have very responsible owners who will be vigilant all the time and will not allow them to fight with other dogs, ever. Pit bull owners must be extremely receptive to canine body language and know that the responsibility of their dog with any other dog ultimately depends on them.


Animal cruelty ends through humane education.
The humane education process must start with children so that they will grow up understanding how to treat dogs and other living creatures. Through our Humane Education programs North Shore Animal League America representatives visit schools and day care facilities and offer shelter tours to children’s groups to teach children empathy to fellow living creatures.

Animal Welfare Act Timeline.

1966: Congress passes the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act to regulate the care and handling of dogs, cats, non-human primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits at licensed research institutions and animal dealer facilities.
1970: The act was, with certain exceptions, expanded to cover all warm-blooded animals in research as well as to cover animals in circuses, zoos, roadside shows, and commercial breeding operations. It was rechristened the Animal Welfare Act.
1976: Congress approved amendments to the act to cover animals in transportation as well as those forced to fight.
1985: Congress passed amendments requiring the use of pain killers and presurgical and postsurgical care; animal care training for personnel who work with animals; and euthanasia of an animal upon completion of an experiment. The amendments, among other things, also required exercise for dogs and a physical environment to promote the psychological well being of nonhuman primates.
1990: Congress passed amendments that imposed longer holding period requirements upon animal dealers.
2002: U.S. lawmakers, as part of the Farm Bill, passed an amendment that closed loopholes in the federal ban on the interstate shipment and foreign export of fighting animals. Congress also passed an amendment that codified into law the USDA’s long-standing exclusion of birds, mice, and rats from coverage as research animals.

Universities That Do And Don't Use Class B Dealers And Universities That Would Not Say Either Way.

The following universities said YES—they do purchase random-source dogs and/or cats from Class B Dealers:
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (dogs only)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

These universities did not disclose whether they purchase random-source dogs and cats from Class B dealers, despite an HSUS follow-up:
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
Columbia University, New York, New York
Harvard Medical Area, Boston, Massachusetts
Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis, Indiana
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, Colorado
University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
University of Texas Health Sciences Center-San Antonio, Texas
Wake Forest University, Winston, Salem, North Carolina

According to The HSUS 2007 survey, these universities said they do NOT purchase
random source dogs and cats from Class B dealers:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York
Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
Leland Stanford Junior University, Stanford, California
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts
New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona
University of California, Berkeley, California
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
University of Miami, Miami, Florida
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
University of California, Davis, California
University of California, Los Angeles, California
University of California, San Diego, California
University of California, San Francisco, California
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
University of Texas-Southwestern Med. Center, Dallas, Texas
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

What Is A Class B Dealer?

Class B dealers are licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to buy animals from "random sources"(meaning animals not bred or raised on the dealers' property) and sell them to animal research facilities for biomedical research, testing, and educational purposes. Such random sources for dogs and cats include auctions, flea markets, or animal shelters. Class B dealers also buy animals from "bunchers," another group of people who collect animals from random sources. Unlike dealers, bunchers are not regulated, which creates additional problems with enforcement. Class B dealers and bunchers have been known to acquire lost, stray, and "free to a good home," dogs and cats, and even pets from their owners' backyards. In addition to concerns about the sources of animals that enter the Class B dealer network, there are also questions about the treatment of the animals while they are being held at dealer facilities awaiting sale for research. Numerous documented cases of mistreatment and neglect, as well as animal welfare violations, have occurred at Class B facilities. However, many dealers with Animal Welfare Act violations have not lost their licenses or faced serious sanction. By its own admission, the USDA lacks the necessary resources to track the interstate activities of Class B dealers. As of 2006, only 15 Class B dealers sell dogs and cats to research institutions in the United States. The Humane Society of the United States would like to see the elimination of Class B Dealers altogether. This would not end the use of dogs and cats in research, but would at least ensure that animals slated for research would not suffer ill-treatment in the Class B dealer pipeline. The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) went undercover to a class B dealer called Martin Creek Kennels, and exposed the horrors that these dogs were put through. HBO showed it and it is called "Dealing Dogs." I watched this with tears streaming down my face, and finally, I actually became sick to my stomach, and threw up. The undercover investigator, "Brian", had to watch this day in and day out. But, by doing what he does, he uncovered the horrors and the kennel was finally shut down. So, when you see dogs at a flea market, step up and tell the people with the puppies that they are wrong. I have done so on many occasions at the Milton Flea Market. Although it is not illegal to sell dogs at a flea market, the people selling them are not reputable breeders. They just want to make a dollar.
Support "Buck's Bill" (the Pet Safety and Protection Act). There are 15 Class B dealers left who round up dogs and cats from various "random sources" and sell them to research facilities. The Humane Society of the United States firmly believes that it is time to stop funneling dogs and cats—often times stolen family pets—into research facilities. The Pet Safety and Protection Act, otherwise know as, "Buck's Bill," will prohibit the sale of "random source" (Random source animals are those dogs and cats that are either obtained from auction sales or from any person who did not breed and raise the dogs and cats) dogs and cats for experimentation, preventing the theft of pets for research and the abusive treatment of these animals in the hands of Class B dealers. The House and Senate both recently accepted amendments to their respective Farm Bills to prevent stolen pets from being sold into research. While this is a great step forward, we need to make sure this legislation becomes law. "Buck's Bill" is named in honor of Buck, a black hound dog seized in 2003 in Oklahoma from a Class B dealer. Buck, who had heartworm disease and other ailments, died months after his rescue, while in foster care. TAKE ACTION!
Make a brief polite phone call to your two U.S. Senators and Representative and ask them to co-sponsor S. 714/H.R. 1280, the Pet Safety and Protection Act. You can reach your federal legislators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Here is all the info on both Senators and Representative Rahall:
Capitol Address: Rep. Nick RahallU.S. House of Representatives
2307 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 205150001
Ph: (202) 225-3452
District Address:301 Prince Street
Beckley, WV 258014515
Ph: (304) 252-5000
Capitol Address: Senator John (Jay) Rockefeller
U.S. Senate
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 205100001
Ph: (202) 224-6472
District Address:Martinsburg Federal Building
217 West King Street, Suite 307
Martinsburg, WV 254013286
Ph: (304) 262-9285
Capitol Address: Senator Robert Byrd
U.S. Senate
311 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 205100001
Ph: (202) 224-3954
District Address:300 Virginia Street East
Suite 2630
Charleston, WV 253012503
Ph: (304) 342-5855

Quote.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Gandhi.

The Media Just Doesn't Care About Animal Abuse.

This story is just one of many, many abuse cases in the state of WV that the media, TV and newspapers, even though the Pt. Pleasant newspaper carried a few lines, just doesn't think is important. I feel it is my job to let the public know what is happening right in their own back yards. It also ties in with my post on people that abuse animals go on to abuse humans.

A man from Hurricane is a charged with the beating death of 8 puppies. 39-year old Joey Keith Jeffery is charged with 8 counts of animal cruelty in Mason County. Jeffery is also charged with one count of domestic violence. According to a Point Pleasant newspaper, deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a house in Leon on Sunday. The report says at the house deputies found 8 puppies beaten to death with a blunt object then thrown into a trash can. Jeffery is currently in the Western Regional Jail. His bond was set at $21,000. The report says Jeffery has an extensive criminal record with 44 arrests.
source: www.petabuse.com

How To Help Our Local Greyhound Adoption Agency.

Our Mission Statement:
Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption was founded by racing people, is currently run and staffed by racing people, and is largely supported by people from within the racing community. However, AHGA's function as a group is not to promote racing. We love racing, but we love our dogs more and they will always come first.
Our threefold mission is:
1. To educate the general public about the availability
and suitability of retired racing Greyhounds as pets,
2. To find loving and qualified homes for Greyhounds
who are entrusted to us, and
3. To offer ongoing support to those who adopt
Greyhounds, whether from us or from other sources.

There are plenty of other things you can do to help Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption whether or not you live in our area. Believe me, no contribution is too small and all are deeply appreciated! Join us! We need active (hard-working) local members from within a reasonable driving distance of Cross Lanes/Charleston WV. Jobs to be done include:
1. Publicity/public relations (ideas and/or footwork!)
2. Fund raising (more ideas and more footwork)
3. Dog grooming (brushing, clipping toenails, ear cleaning, bathing, etc.)
4. Socializing shy dogs
5. Occasional full scrub down of the kennel
6. Home visits of prospective adopter homes
FOSTER HOMES!!! We have a growing list of retired hounds waiting for space in the kennel or in foster care. Patronize our sponsors! All of them donate a portion of the sale when a customer makes an online purchase through one of our links. Donate! As soon as we complete the massive paperwork for our 501(C)3 we will be able to provide tax deductible receipts for donations. This is our "wish list":
CASH - this always runs short
Pedigree Proof of Purchase squares
Purina Weight Circles
Baled bedding paper - we go through 2-3 of these every week
Dogfood (good quality kibble)
Canned chicken broth
First aid supplies (vet wrap, antibiotic ointments, gauze pads, Imodium tablets, Ascriptin)
Cleaning supplies (laundry detergent [for kennel blankets], bleach, Pinesol, paper towels, etc.)
Gift items that can be raffled or sold on eBay
Adjustable martingale collars
Leashes
Kennel muzzles
Pyrethrin-based flea sprays or Advantage - during last summer's flea invasion we found that Advantage drops work best. We no longer use Frontline Top Spot.
Pre-paid phone cards for use by adoption reps contacting prospective adopters and dog owners. There are many things you can do to help retired racing Greyhounds even if you aren't able to adopt or foster one right now and don't live in our area.
Volunteer with an adoption group in your area. Nearly all of them are glad to have any help they can get. Volunteer tasks might include helping with "meet and greets" and booths, fund raising, publicity, etc. Or, if they have a kennel, you might walk dogs, help with feeding, bathing, etc., help check in incoming dogs, help clean the kennel. Or you might volunteer to help transport dogs to and from vet visits or from the track and to their new homes. The list of jobs needing to be done is endless.
Spread the word! This sounds like a very small thing to do, and it IS simple, but it's critically important. If you aren't already friends with any Greyhounds, try to make it a point to get to know a few so you can tell people from your own experience what wonderful, gentle and loving animals they are. It's amazing how much of the general public still think that Greyhounds are hyper, mean, etc. Others have just never considered adopting a Greyhound because they've never heard much about them. It's time to change that and word of mouth goes a long way. If you're unable to get out much, consider making craft items to donate to adoption groups for raffles and other fund raisers. Dig into your pocket! Nearly every adoption group in the country needs a lot more money than their adoption fees bring in. Adoption fees generally cover basic veterinary work and maybe a few incidentals. The costs of feed, transportation, publicity, phone calls, extra vet work for some dogs, and other expenses nearly always come from donations, fund raisers, or out of the group members' pockets. AHGA has joined two dogfood rebate programs. If we clip and send in Pedigree Proof of Purchase (POP) squares, or Purina weight circles, we receive rebates of at least 8¢ per pound. That's $4.00 for each 50 lb bag, but we'll happily take POP's and weight circles from smaller bags, too. If you feed any Pedigree dry product, or one of several Purina products (including Pro Plan, Purina One, Dog Chow, Puppy Chow and Hi Pro), please clip the POP or weight circle from the bags and send them to us. These things really add up. Between our house dogs and the kennel, we usually use 170-200 lbs of kibble every week. They have rebate requests ready to mail for over $200! That's going to help us a lot. So if you save up several POP's and/or weight circles you can make a nice contribution to AHGA without spending any money. Send them to the address below. Heck, they will even send you a SASE if you email them and ask for it. Just keep the envelope in a drawer and drop it in the mail when it's got several POP's in it. Then they will send you another one. So please, SAVE THOSE CIRCLES and POP'S FOR them! Cutting them out only takes about 15 seconds, but donates $$ to Almost Heaven.

Almost Heaven Greyhound Adoption
5340 Doc Bailey Rd
Cross Lanes WV 25313
www.almost-heaven.org

Universal Declaration On Animal Welfare.

This is the draft of this declaration.
Recommendations for Ministerial Conference consideration:
The following recommendations for the proposed Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare shall be considered in the preparatory process to the Ministerial Conference:
PREAMBLE: The Costa Rica Steering Committee, following on from the Manila Conference on Animal Welfare, confirms:
a. That animal welfare is an issue worth consideration by governments.
b. That the promotion of animal welfare requires collective action and all stakeholders and affected parties must be involved.
c. That work on animal welfare is a continuous process.
A PROPOSAL FOR A DECLARATION ON ANIMAL WELFARE ARISING FROM THE MANILA CONFERENCE ON ANIMAL WELFARE (MARCH 2003) AND THE COSTA RICA STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING (NOVEMBER 2005.)
1. RECOGNIZING that animals are living, sentient beings and therefore deserve due consideration and respect;
2. RECOGNIZING that animal welfare includes animal health [and that veterinarians have an essential role in maintaining both the health and welfare of animals];
3. RECOGNIZING that humans [inhabit] this planet with other species and other forms of life and that all forms of life co-exist within an interdependent ecosystem;
4. RECOGNIZING the importance of the ongoing work of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) in setting global standards for animal welfare.
AGREEING that the term [state] includes people and civil society;
ACKNOWLEDGING that many [states] already have a system of legal protection for animals, both domestic and wild. SEEKING to ensure the continued effectiveness of these systems and the development of better and more comprehensive animal welfare provisions. ACKNOWLEDGING that the humane use of animals can have major benefits for humans. AWARE that the “five freedoms (freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from physical and thermal discomfort;
freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour)” and the “three Rs (reduction in numbers of animals, refinement of experimental methods and replacement of animals with non-animal techniques)” provide valuable guidance for the use of animals;
5. RECOGNIZING that the provisions contained in this declaration do not affect the rights of any [state].
PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION:1. The welfare of animals shall be a common objective for all [states];
2. The standards of animal welfare attained by each [state] shall be promoted, recognized and observed by improved measures, nationally and internationally. While there are significant social, economic and cultural differences between societies, each should care for and treat animals in a humane and sustainable manner in accordance with the principles of the Declaration.
3. All appropriate steps shall be taken by [states] to prevent cruelty to animals and to reduce their suffering.
4. Appropriate standards on the welfare of animals be further developed and elaborated such as, but not limited to, those governing the use and management of farm animals, companion animals, animals in scientific research, draught animals, wildlife animals and animals in recreation.
Proposed Government initiatives to further promote animal welfare:
- Need for linkages with local organizations.
- Need for linkages with international organizations.
- Need for continued interactions through conferences, etc.
- Need for convergence/alliance of principles.
- Need for identification of common goals.
- Need for verbalizing commonalities in country approaches.
- Need for laws and regulations to underpin each advance (note carefully the importance of education)
- Need for international cooperation.
- Government support for animal welfare research and development.
WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals), March 2007.

What Is HSUS?

Humane Society Of the United States. Their mission statement: Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty. They work to reduce suffering and to create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating cruelty and working to enforce existing laws, educating the public about animal issues, joining with corporations on behalf of animal-friendly policies, and conducting hands-on programs that make ours a more humane world. They are the lead disaster relief agency for animals, and they provide direct care for thousands of animals at their sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics. They celebrate pets, as well as wildlife and habitat protection. They are the nation's most important advocate for local humane societies, providing shelter standards and evaluations, training programs, direct support, and national conferences. They are building a Humane Wildlife Services program to provide homeowners and businesses with humane and effective solutions to conflicts with our wild neighbors. The HSUS publishes All Animals, a membership magazine, and Animal Sheltering, a bi-monthly magazine for animal sheltering professionals. They confront national and global cruelties through major campaigns targeting the barbaric practices of dogfighting and cockfighting; abusive puppy mills where dogs are treated not like family but like production machines; the worst cruelties of factory farming in modern agribusiness such as confinement of animals in crates and cages; inhumane and unsporting hunting practices such as "canned hunts" of captive exotic animals; the slaughter of American horses for export to foreign countries where horsemeat is considered a delicacy; and the clubbing of baby seals and other animals for the commercial fur trade. Their track record of effectiveness has led to meaningful victories for animals in Congress, state legislatures, courtrooms and corporate boardrooms.

Reply To Breed Specific Legislation.

I want to thank you for your comment. I understand your feelings. I feel the reason that some, and I stress some, of the breeds listed are being targeted is because of the backyard breeding that is done. I have groomed many Pits, Staffie's, Rotties, German Shepherds and Dobie's in my career. I can honestly say that I have only run into 2 Pits that I could not groom. All but the Shepherd's require only a bath, toenails and ears cleaned. And, the two that I couldn't do, were horribly bred. I actually called animal control because these two dogs were so abused. The people were, in my opinion, fighting these dogs because of the scarring that was on each. This occurred in Charleston, WV. My first dog, after I left home, was a Rottie that my ex-husband bought from Cratty Kennels in Marion OH. He was such a delight and a super companion to me, as my ex was a construction pipeliner, and worked out of town 3 wks. at a time. If we, as a society, would stand up and put a stop to the abuse and back-yard breeding, these beautiful breeds would be able to live a happy and normal life, free of abuse.

Breed Specific Legislation. Do You Know What This Is?

Imagine you're taking your dog for a walk through a local park. You’re stopped by a local animal control officer and told that pit bulls are restricted from your community. Before you can tell him that your dog is not a pit bull the officer takes your dog and kills it. In many cities across America this is completely legal and not uncommon. Cases like this as well as the restrictions placed on certain breeds of dogs by insurance companies are what made me want to tell you all about the prejudices against pit bulls, why it is wrong, and what you can do to stop them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are over 4.7 million people bitten by dogs per year. Of those dog bites 800,000 people actually seek medical attention and 386,000 require treatment in the ER. Only about 12 of those dog bites actually result in death. First for those of you who are not familiar with the pit bull bread of dog let me give you a little history. The pit bull actually originated in England as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is, was a cross between a Bulldog and a terrier. They began finding their way to America in the 1870’s where they became known as the Bull Terrier. As the breed developed they became known as the pit bull terrier because they were used in the sport of bull baiting. The American Kennel Club recognizes the names American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier. Although there are two different names they are from the same blood line therefore essentially the same breed of dog.
Breed Specific Legislation:Breed specific legislation is exactly what it sounds like, legislation against specific breeds of dogs. Some of the most well known cities with bans on pit bulls are Denver, Miami, and Cincinnati. Denver first passed a ban on pit bulls in 1989. This ban is currently being fought but is still in place. Since May 2005 Denver has impounded 481 pit bulls, returned 111 to owners after certifying that they would be taken out of the city, and killed 341. Ohio is the only state with a statewide breed ban, but many other states are pursuing such legislation. There are currently 19 states with breed specific legislation that requires the owners of these dogs to take certain steps such as registration, muzzling, purchasing liability insurance or even having the dog killed. In Oklahoma there have been multiple bills introduced. One of the bills says the owners of pit bulls (being described as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Terriers or any other dog displaying the characteristics of these breeds) would be required to register the dog, keep them muzzled and leashed, in a secure enclosure, purchase $100,000 liability insurance, and spay or neuter the animal. Any violators could face a fine of up to $10,000 if the pit bull seriously injures or kills a person or domestic animal. Los Angeles, California has proposed a similar ordinance but adds that the dog must go through the AKC Canine Good Citizenship Certification or American Temperament Test Society test. They must also microchip the dog. The problem with breed specific legislation is that although legislators are targeting pit bulls there is no accurate way of identifying what actually is a pit bull. It also does not completely place the responsibility in the hands of the owner. These bans or restrictions actually cost more money to the taxpayers and do not get the results expected by the legislator. The Westminster Best in Show Dog in 2006 was a Bull Terrier. Although it is not a pit bull, in most cases it is lumped into the pit bull category therefore being targeted in breed specific legislation. I find it very odd that the winner of the most well know dog show in America is ban from specific places. Does this dog get special treatment when in goes to the cities with bans or restrictions? And if it is such a vicious dog why is it even allowed in the dog show?
Insurance Restrictions:According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites account for approximately one quarter of all homeowners insurance liability claims which cost these companies approximately $321.6 million. The average dog bite claim cost insurers $16,600. Many homeowners insurance policies cover dog bite liability for dogs not included on the uninsurable list. These policies provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. If a claim exceeds the limit the dog owner is responsible for the rest of the cost. Some companies have begun requiring dog owners to sign liability waivers for dog bites, some charge extra for what they call biting breeds or they do not insure the home at all. In my research I acquired the uninsurable dog list of three local insurance companies.
The first list, from Farmers Mechanics Mutual Insurance Company of WV includes:
Akita, Pit Bulls, Chow, Rottweiller, any Wolf mix, or any dog trained for protection.
The next list from Erie includes: All of the first list plus Presa Canario, Shar-pei and any dog predominately any breed listed.
The third list, from Encompass, includes:All of the first two plus Alaskan Malamutes, Bull Terriers (Again Westminster Best in Show), Doberman Pinchers, English Bull Terriers, German Shepherd, Great Danes, Huskies, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, St. Bernard’s, Coyotes, and Wild Dogs. One breed being added to the lists in the near future is the Collie. These insurance companies absolutely refuse to insure a home with liability insurance if the homeowner owns one of the dogs on the list. There was an instance here in Fairmont a while ago in which during one of the wind storms a guy had a tree fall on his house. The insurance agent came out to assess the damage and once he got to the house he saw a Rottweiler through the window. He canceled the insurance immediate and did not file the claim to fix the mans house. Amazingly insurance companies are well within their legal right to do this to their own customers. They use statistics to support their cases, but just like with breed specific legislation, these statistics are not accurate. Again there is no accurate way to decide what breed a dog is without registration papers. Some references say that there are over 30 different breeds of dogs that have been lumped into the pit bull category in the dog bite statistics. Therefore the statistics the insurance companies are using are completely false! While speaking with an insurance agent, the agent made a very interesting comment. He said that owners of pit bulls are not people that he or I would want to associate with. I did not ask what he meant by this comment but I could only assume. This just goes to show the prejudice is not just against the dog but also the dog owner.
Temperament testing/ Obedience training: While speaking with the insurance agent, I asked why insurance companies did not just require temperament testing or obedience training certification in order to insure all dogs. Placing the requirement on all dog owners would relieve the prejudice issues and could possibly reduce the number of dog bite claims since obviously the claims being submitted are not on the “biting breeds” since they are not being insured. The agent said that there is no where that would actually certify that a dog would not bite someone. The American Temperament Test Society performs a test in which several breeds of dogs are tested and the passing dogs are given a certification. There are also many state and veterinary run obedience training programs that give a passing dog a certification. After telling the insurance agent this information he then said that is it just too much of a liability, or in other words, cost too much money for them to insure these breeds of dogs. Even with some type of certification these breeds of dogs will not be insured. Like I mentioned earlier, some breed specific legislation requires these certifications just to be allowed in the community. Tests from the American Temperament Test Society shows many interesting facts. Many dogs expected to fail the test did not and many dogs expected to pass did not. You can find the full results at: http://www.atts.org/Conclusion: In conclusion there is not enough evidence to support breed specific legislation or the prejudices in insurance. Both are based upon information that is inaccurate therefore the actions being taken have not been justified. In my opinion if a city or an insurance company wants to have restrictions they should be realistic and should include all breeds of dogs not just a few. I also think the responsibility of all dogs should be in the dog owner. This would curb some dog owners from allowing their dogs to become out of control and dangerous. Insurance companies could design a program in which customers who want liability insurance on their home could go through some type of training or testing before receiving the insurance. Therefore the insurance company could be comfortable with insuring the dog no matter what the breed. Also you can do a few things to help this situation. First of all inform dog owners that you know about theses prejudices, especially owners of pit bulls. Next, when you’re talking to your insurance agent next time ask why there has not been steps taken to eliminate the prejudices by the insurance companies. Maybe if we tell these insurance companies that this is not an acceptable way to treat there customers they will take action and fix the problem. And for those of you who really want to get involved call, write, or email your state and local officials and encourage them to put a bill in place outlawing breed specific legislation. The last thing I want to leave you with is a thought, if legislators and insurance companies take away our right to have a specific breed of dog what will they take away next?

The Lost Doberman.

This post is being done with much sadness and anger. Recently in the Herald Dispatch, a man named Richard Hill submitted a photo and information about a lost Doberman. This man professes to be an animal lover and rescuer of abused animals. He says that he has 50 acres that he lets his rescues roam loose on. Why in the world would you rescue these poor creatures and then let them run loose and take the chance of them getting hit by a car, taken and sold for research, or at the mercy of cruel children that think hurting an animal is fun. And yes, there are kids out there that do that! Also, dogs are taken to be used as training tools for people that fight dogs. Mr. Hill, you say that this is the first dog you have ever lost in your 50 yrs. of rescuing dogs. I am sorry, but your method has a lot to be desired. All you can hope is that the dog is being cared for. I am so disturbed by your methods. Personally, I think you should be charged with neglect. Shame on you.