From The Sula Foundation…April 2, 2010

This past week, we were devastated to learn of two incidents involving roaming pit bulls attacking children in the city of New Orleans. We have been following these cases closely, as well as the ensuing media coverage. The owners in both incidents have been identified and cited by the Animal Control officers working with the Louisiana SPCA. The two little girls involved are recovering from their injuries.

Both incidents were entirely preventable. In spite of media coverage highlighting the breed of the dogs involved, dog safety is not breed specific. Earlier this week, an 11-year old in Washington was mauled by a mixed breed dog; in Concord, California, a young girl sustained serious injuries after being bitten by a yellow lab; in Vicksburg, Mississippi, a child was attacked by the family’s cur; and so on.

In light of this, we want to reiterate our standards for responsible dog ownership (of any breed):
*Never leave your dogs unsupervised, even in a fenced yard.
*Always supervise interactions between dogs and children.
*Report any stray or aggressive dogs in your neighborhood–don’t wait until something happens.
*Never allow your dog to walk or roam off-leash–no matter how well-behaved.

Unfortunately, rather than focusing on individual dogs and their owner, “pit bulls” continue to garner the headlines. On WWL radio, Tommy Tucker was heard telling his listeners that pit bulls should be shot and “sent to doggie heaven and be done with.” It is not appropriate for mainstream media to encourage people to shoot family pets–and it doesn’t feel like something that would make the community safer. ABC26 has posted a poll on banning pit bulls–a costly practice that has actually resulted in increased dog bites in other cities. None of this hysteria promotes safety.

With so much misinformation being recirculated on the airwaves, we thought it was a good time to remind people of some of the basic facts:
*Pit bulls do NOT have “stronger jaws” than other breeds; all dogs, on average, have a bite with 320 lbs of pressure per square inch.
*Pit bulls do NOT have “locking jaws”; the University of Georgia found that there were no differences in jaw structure between pit bulls and other dogs
*The CDC does NOT track dog breeds involved in bites and does NOT endorse the suggestion that a dog’s breed is a predictor of behavior; an often-cited CDC study of dog breeds has actually been discredited by the CDC on their own website.
*Pit bulls do NOT attack without warning; a study by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany found that “pit bulls signal like other dogs.”

If you would like more information on the truth about pit bulls, including some helpful, printer-ready handouts, go to Animal Farm Foundation.

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung’s posts)
Aug 28th 2009 1:00PM
Photo: Scott Utterback, The Courier-Journal, Scott Utterback / AP

If you were forced to choose between your apartment or your dog, which would you pick?

For 21 year-old Kelsey Westbrook, the answer is clear. “An apartment, to me, is just a material thing,” she tells Paw Nation. “But you can’t get a dog’s life back.”

In July, the University of Lousiville senior was serving tables at Joe’s Crab Shack overlooking the Ohio River when she heard a boom so loud she thought a piece of shrapnel had blown off the highway. “Somebody just threw a dog off the bridge,” a customer said, stunned.

“We looked down,” remembers Kelsey. “And sure enough, we saw her little head bobbing in and out of the water. You could tell she was confused. She was swimming in circles and had no idea where to go.” The dog, a pit bull, had just been hurled off the Clark Memorial Bridge and plunged 80 feet into the water below, reports the Courier-Journal. Kelsey and others ran down to the river, where they tried to coax the frightened dog to shore. “When she heard my voice, she started swimming real hard towards us,” says Kelsey. The Louisville Fire Department dive team was practicing nearby and rescued the dog.

Once on land, the reddish brown pit bull dog began jumping all over everybody. “She was licking me like crazy,” says Kelsey. “She was wagging her tail and so happy. You would never know what she had just went through.”

Miraculously, the dog appeared to be unhurt. Kelsey took the dog home that day, and later, to a veterinarian who estimated that the pit bull was less than a year old and had already had a litter of puppies. Kelsey planned to find the dog a good home, but changed her mind. “After a day, I thought, ‘Nope, she’s mine. I have to keep her,” says Kelsey.

Friends suggested she name the dog “Miracle” or “Lucky,” but Kelsey decided on a different name. “She’s so happy, like a ball of sunshine,” explains Kelsey. “So I named her Sunny.”

Unfortunately, the day after Sunny’s harrowing rescue, Kelsey’s landlords notified her she had two days to remove Sunny from the apartment. Kelsey balked at the idea, but Areté Real Estate, the company that owns Kelsey’s apartment complex, insists pit bulls are a “vicious breed” and not allowed on the premises, reports the Courier-Journal.

“I’m really attached to her and I love her, and I’m not getting rid of her,” says Kelsey. “If that means me having to find a new place, then that’s what I have to do.” Efforts to reason with her landlords haven’t been fruitful. “I’ve called them upwards of fifteen times and left messages, but they won’t return my calls,” says Kelsey. “They’re not really working with me at all.”

Sunny, meanwhile, has gotten spayed and is doing wonderfully. She’s been shuttling back and forth between Kelsey’s boyfriend’s house and the apartment. “Sunny is such an amazing, resilient creature,” marvels Kelsey. She has become best friends with Kelsey’s two year-old German Shepherd named Nala, who is allowed to live at the apartment for an extra monthly fee.

So many good things have come from rescuing Sunny, says Kelsey. They are planning to hold a fundraiser at Joe’s Crab Shack on October 10 to raise awareness about animal cruelty. “A lot of people will come up to me at Joe’s and want to give me a hug and say, ‘Thanks, I love animals too,’” says Kelsey. “Every day you hear about really bad things going on in the news, I guess it’s kind of an uplifting story.”

See the original article at pawnation

July 22, 2010, 3:39PM MT
By Brandee Brunot (Apollo’s Mom)
Rescued pit bull terrier is helping, healing and giving hope

The excited chatter of little children echoes throughout the room. Twelve little hands are eagerly reaching out to touch the glossy white coat. Little fingers are curiously exploring every inch of the muscled body. As the children part to leave, a little pup emerges. He is all white, with one brown spot on his right ear, and big amber eyes that are as soft and bright as those of a young deer.

This is the memory I hold close to my heart of one of Apollo’s first pre-school visits, as vivid as the day he first trotted into the school. And in my heart, it is a miracle that may have never been. You see, Apollo is a registered therapy dog, but he is also a pit bull terrier.

But let me back up a moment and share with you how Apollo’s story began.

Apollo had a rough start in life. He was picked up by a Georgia Animal Control Office and faced the fate promised to so many other pit bull terriers. But he was one of the rare lucky ones.

Jason Flatt, founder of Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue, was visiting dogs at this shelter, when he took notice of the little terrier. As he peered through the bars Flatt saw that the dog was terribly frail and ill, so he snatched him up and took him to a local vet clinic. A mere 27 pounds, the pup was suffering with a 104 degree fever and was diagnosed with pneumonia and kennel cough. He was kept at the clinic for two weeks and then moved into Flatt’s home with his pack. Flatt would later tell me that Apollo was a shattered dog when he took him in. He would hold his tail tightly between his legs. His spirit was broken.

A new beginning
I met Apollo at a local adoption fair. Flatt was holding this little ball of yellowed fur like a baby perched on his shoulder. I listened to his story, but moved on.

I was like so many others. I had largely bought into the hype, “pit bulls were dangerous, they were not a ‘family’ dog.” At that point I had two choices: give in to the fear mongering I had inadvertently absorbed through the media, or take a chance on this little dog. On that day something made me circle back.

As I approached Apollo, I kneeled down on the ground and looked into his eyes. He climbed onto my lap and gazed right back into mine. I can’t explain what happened at that moment, but I knew our fate was sealed. He would be coming home with me.

Over the following months Apollo and I went to obedience class, passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen exam, and began agility training. But because he was a pit bull terrier, I did not allow him to socialize with others, and I shielded him from the world that had been so hard on him earlier in life.

Luckily that would soon change. I was introduced to Vickey Russell, a wonderful trainer who saw past his breed. She helped me understand my dog. It brought tears to my eyes the day I saw my little pit bull terrier running freely through the countryside for the first time with a pack of dogs — border collies, cattle dogs, German shepherds, a borzoi, and a little Norwich terrier.

It was on that day I learned to trust him. I saw that he didn’t need rehabilitation at all. He had goodness in him all along. All he needed was to be around people that would nurture him and let him just be a dog again. Any ill perceptions that I once carried about the breed were shattered.

Nearly six months to the day that I first laid eyes on Apollo, he proudly received his Therapy Dogs International (TDI) certification. So far he has visited pre-schools, elementary schools, after-school programs, and libraries. He has worked with children and teenagers with autism and Down syndrome.

Making a connection
One of our more memorable visits was to an after-school program for teenagers with Down syndrome. There was a young boy who was terrified of dogs. When Apollo and the three other therapy dogs walked into the room, he quickly got up and went to the back. After introductions, we scattered around so everyone could visit with the dogs. I saw this young man out of the corner of my eye watching Apollo from afar. As time wore on he was getting closer and closer. Finally within arms distance, he reached out his arm two feet above Apollo’s head and stood there frozen.

When Apollo would look up at him, he would back away all over again. The boy would not look at Apollo. This cycle repeated for about 15 minutes. I held my hand out above Apollo’s head and told the boy to put his hand on my hand. Then I lowered my hand slowly down to Apollo’s head and slid my hand away. At first he would only touch him for a second. And as he touched Apollo, he looked the opposite way. We did this over and over, and each time he touched him for a little longer.

Then the boy’s father arrived. I heard a teacher telling him out in the hall that he was with a dog, to which the father sounded shocked … saying his son was afraid of dogs. Well, the look on this man’s face as he turned the corner to see his son sitting on the floor stroking a pit bull terrier was priceless!

I told the dad he was welcome to pet Apollo, to which he responded that he too was afraid of dogs – especially pit bulls. The best part, the dad could not get his son to leave. As I turned back to the boy, he was petting Apollo all by himself … stroking his back … and was gazing into his eyes the entire time.

Overcoming misconceptions

I would be remiss in not saying that we do run into the occasional naysayer.

On one of our elementary school visits, a teacher commented that pit bulls have no business being around children. When this happens, I simply let Apollo speak for himself. Watching how he interacts with people, especially children, speaks louder than words. Whether it be young children learning to read or teenagers with disabilities, his tenderness, deep desire to please and willingness to patiently sit by the side of those he is visiting is heartwarming. You can see the exact moment when animal and spirit connect.

Apollo’s legacy
Today, the only reminders of his past are the scars that pepper his head. It was the happiest day of my life when the little white dog that was snatched from the hands of despair became the love of my life, admired, well adjusted, and adored by so many. I am grateful every moment for that fateful day that I stopped into that rescue fair.

Looking forward, I hope that Apollo’s legacy will be one of love and redemption. With every person he meets, with every therapy visit he makes, and with every mind he changes he may be helping save the life of another pit bull terrier in need.

Apollo’s story serves as a reminder to the true nature of the pit bull. He is not a rarity. Their resilience, gentleness of spirit, and ability to forgive are traits that make this breed so admirable.

There are thousands of others just like Apollo sitting in shelters who, if given the chance, would prove to be excellent companions and citizens of the greater community. I have connected with many other people whose pit bull terriers were rescued from the streets and shelters, and are now performing miracles in animal therapy and as service dogs.

Help us share their stories. These avengers have the power to break barriers, one touch at a time.

For more information:

• Apollo’s blog on the Best Friends Network
• Apollo’s Facebook page
• Best Friends outreach program – Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dog
• Best Friends campaign – Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dog
• Click here to read about Lucy – another pit bull terrier who is a registered therapy dog in Georgia.
• Interested in adding a pit bull terrier to your family? There are thousands currently available for adoption on Petfinder. Find one near you.

Photos courtesy of Brandee Brunot (Apollo’s Mom)

Original Article from Best Friends Animal Society

By Courtesy Janis Stephenson

A regular morning romp through the yard turned into a nightmare for a young Chihuahua named Buster when he was suddenly attacked and taken by a wild coyote in the suburban town of Littleton, Colo. But thanks to two brave pit bull neighbors, the dog survived the frightening encounter and is on the road to a recovery.

Four-year-old Buster had just returned from his morning walk with mom Jodi Robinette on July 31, but wanted a little more play time outside. Having already checked the surroundings of her back yard, Robinette felt it safe to let Buster burn off some active energy while she kept an eye out from her living room couch. But not even 30 seconds later, Robinette was back on her feet.

“I heard him scream like I’ve never heard an animal scream before,” Robinette tells PEOPLEPets.com. “I instantly knew that an animal got him.”

After spotting a tail turn the corner of her house, Robinette sprinted to the front of the yard and saw the coyote running off with Buster in his mouth. While Robinette was in pursuit, a pair of pit bulls were on neighborhood watch and ran toward the coyote, on a mission to rescue the poor dog from the vicious abductor. Realizing he was outnumbered, the coyote released Buster and ran off.

“The pits followed my dog underneath a bush, guarding him,” Robinette recalls. “[They] lay next to him, licked him and protected him.”

Robinette, a neurosurgery coordinator, wrapped the gravely injured canine in a towel and rushed him to Columbine Animal Hospital. Immediately treated for pain and shock, Buster was scheduled for surgery on Aug. 2 to repair damage to his chest wall on both sides. Dr. Lee Bregitzer performed the operation, and is happy to report that Buster is well on the road to recovery — thanks to the quick thinking of the neighboring dogs.

They were “guardian angels for her dog,” Dr. Bregitzer says, “disguised as pit bulls.”

Robinette has nothing but praise and gratitude for the heroic canines, who stepped in quicker than she ever could have.

“[They] were looking out for Buster’s best interest against the coyote,” Robinette says. “They were looking out for my dog.”

I don’t consider myself a real political doggy … only I know my story so please don’t judge me. My vet believes I was used as a bait dog …. I don’t know what that means but I do know that I suffered at the hands of my former ‘owner’.

I’m actually a Pittsburgh Steelers fan … since my team wasn’t playing Sunday I caught the tail end of the Packers – Eagles game. Mom and Dad had boycotted the game at our house out of respect for me … Michael Vick, who some see as an American Hero was on the field.

I believe in redemption … I believe if you commit a crime and you are truly sorry for what you did and serve your time … you should be given a second chance. Do I think Michael Vick regrets the pain and suffering he inflicted on the dogs at Bad Newz Kennel? No, I don’t — I do however, believe he is sorry he got caught …. but you know what? No one is beating down my door to get my opinion.

Everyday I live with the stigma of being a “Pit Bull”. Until you’ve walked a mile on my paws – you have no idea what that means. I wasn’t born a ‘bad dog’. I didn’t choose to have my ears cut off at my head … probably in someone’s garage, wide awake with nothing for pain. I didn’t choose to be used as a tool to teach other Pit Bulls how to fight …. someone like Michael Vick did that to me. Yet, I am the one who pays the ultimate price. Do you think I will get my own TV show so the world can see how I overcame the odds? I don’t …. Do you think I will ever be allowed in schools to teach kids about animal abuse? I don’t ….. Do you think people will ever see past the way I look to what is in my heart? I don’t …. But, I’m a good dog. My idea of the perfect Sunday afternoon is curling up on Mom’s lap with Leroy Brown to watch the Steelers … do you think anyone wants to hear that? I don’t ….

It was so nice to see an NFL player that wasn’t afraid of the repercussions of being ‘Anti-Vick”. Thank you Mr. Matthews for taking a stand against animal abuse …. we could use more people like you …..

Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers said ……”I’ve got three dogs and it will be my pleasure playing against Michael Vick today…”(when it comes to tackling the QB)

A note from Turtle’s Mom:
Turtle is an amazing little dog who overcame incredible odds just to survive. She is also a great Ambassador for her kind. I have had the privilege of watching Turtle work to overcome her past, and it hasn’t come easy …. whenever Turtle tries something new, such as walking into a strange building or meeting someone who frightens her and I see the fear in her eyes – it breaks my heart …. but true to her kind, Turtle will do whatever I ask of her. Maybe someday society will see Turtle as a victim and not public enemy number one …. maybe ….

Chihuahua Mix Attacked By Coyote, Saved By Pit Bulls
Neighbors Say Attacks Becoming Commonplace
Russell Haythorn, 7NEWS Reporter

LITTLETON, Colo. — A Littleton neighborhood is on edge after a coyote attacked and nearly killed a woman’s dog Saturday morning.

These attacks are becoming more and more common.

According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, in the wild where they are actively hunted and trapped, coyotes are generally elusive. Near cities or in areas where hunting and trapping is not allowed, coyotes may be aggressive. In urban settings, they can lose their fear of people and may even threaten domestic pets.

They’ve even attacked children recently. One young boy in Erie had to receive rabies shots for several weeks after an attack.

Coyotes are being spotted more in alleys and open spaces, attracted to things like open garbage and bird feeders.

Buster is a Chihuahua-Terrier mix. He was attacked Saturday morning.

“He woke me up at 6:30 to do his thing. I let him out and I came out with him,” said Jodi Robinette of Littleton. “And about a minute later, he screamed like I’ve never heard an animal scream.”

Robinette ran after Buster and the coyote behind her home at 949 West Peakview Circle near Angeline Little Greenway Park.

[Buster, a Chihuahua Terrier mix seen here before his attack by a coyote.]
Photo Taken: May 4, 2010
Buster, a Chihuahua Terrier mix seen here before his attack by a coyote. More
“And right when I came around this corner, the coyote had my dog in his mouth, shaking him as he was running,” she said. “And then, I see the coyote at the very middle of this field drop my dog.”

Turns out the neighbor’s pit bulls were going after the coyote.

“Oh I, I (pause) can’t talk. (Chokes up). It’s really, you know, to see it happen,” said Robinette.

Buster is now in the oxygen chamber at Columbine Animal Hospital and Emergency Clinic. He is being kept on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and an IV.

Several neighbors witnessed the attack. Lucas Bouts said coyotes seem to be getting more dangerous.

“They’ve gone after pets before, usually behind fences. They’ve been becoming more aggressive,” said Bouts. “And there are a lot of children in this neighborhood. The coyote’s just look at you like, ‘oh – we’re used to people being around.’”

“I mean they need to be relocated. I don’t want them destroyed or wish them harm, but it was just a tragedy for everyone,” said Robinette.

As for the pit bulls – they scared off the coyote and then protected Buster under a bush.

“They were circling him and sitting by him. Making sure he was all right,” said Robinette. “So it needs to be said that there’s some good (in pit bulls) and not all bad.”

Back at the animal clinic, Buster’s got a polka-dot bandage, a heated blanket and some pain medicine. He’s had a rough day.

He will need surgery Monday. He has a collapsed lung, chest injuries and many deep lacerations.

The Division of Wildlife suggests never allowing your pets to roam, especially at night.

The division also suggests you keep your pets in a fenced area, or a completely enclosed kennel at times when you’re not able to keep an eye on your pet.

See the original article on thedenverchannel.com

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

See the original article at ksl.com

Company will also sponsor the AKC Canine Good Citizen® and S.T.A.R. Puppy^sm programs

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) today announced a program that will offer auto and home insurance to American Kennel Club® (AKC®) dog owners. Through this alliance, the company will also become the exclusive insurance sponsor of the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC®) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs.

“We are proud to align with the AKC, a well-respected organization dedicated to responsible dog ownership,” said Andy Napoli, president of consumer markets at The Hartford. “The AKC has a strong brand recognized by millions of loyal dog owners for more than 125 years. We look forward to meeting their insurance needs.”

The Hartford and the AKC recognize the importance of responsible dog ownership. In support of this alliance, the Hartford will offer the program to owners of all AKC registered dogs. Owners with breeds historically ineligible for coverage may be eligible if they meet specific conditions demonstrating obedience and responsible dog ownership. This includes passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

“We are pleased that The Hartford is leading the way to providing insurance for responsible families that own purebred dogs,” said AKC President and CEO Dennis Sprung. “By promoting the AKC Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs, The Hartford is also assisting AKC stay true to its mission of helping families have positive relationships with their dogs.”

Nearly 40 percent of U.S. households own dogs and taking the AKC Canine Good Citizen test has become one of the most popular training programs offered by the AKC. As part of this program, dogs are required to pass a 10-step test, in a non-competitive environment, to evaluate the training and demeanor of the animal. The certification is also confirms that the dog is under the appropriate care of a veterinarian. Each year more than 40,000 dogs take the test nationwide. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is designed to get puppies and their owners off to a positive start while building the foundation for responsible care and ownership. For more information about taking the AKC Canine Good Citizen test and the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Program, visit www.akc.org.

The program is effective January 1, 2011. Products and sponsorship activities will roll out throughout the year.

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4270