Extreme is NOT an Answer

So Nathan Winograd, self-appointed head of the "No Kill" movement, now deletes questions or concerns from his Facebook posts and pictures (and BLOCKS the posters from further questioning) even when they are well and politely asked with a real concern and factual information. 

This is the quote that got me removed- and please note that this was only after he had done it to several others that I even felt compelled to say anything:

Removing dissent is a show of weakness and duplicity. I always thought that while Nathan Winograd went too far with his claims and didn't address the downsides of the "no kill" movement, he had his heart in the right place. Now I see he is deliberate in all his actions, including not addressing the less desirable animals and people who sit in the shadows of "no kill."

My response to others in the discussions involved, which I think can sum up a lot of this without any further explanation: 

You can do a world of good and a world of harm at the same time. I've actually seen it a lot with "animal people."

My email to MD State Sen. Brian Frosh on his irresponsible comments about "dangerous" pit bulls

My email to Brian Frosh (cc'd Md Sens & Reps Lisa Gladden, Nathaniel T. Oaks, Samuel Rosenberg, Jill P. Carter+ Heather Mizeur, Doug Gansler, and my Balt City Council Rep Nick Mosby:

Senator Frosh,

I was very upset and disappointed to read of your comments in the Daily Record [“Frosh: It’s a ‘to-die-for job,’” Jan. 2, 2013]. 

As a person who researches information for a living, I find it truly appalling that you would make such a rash and unsupported statement such as “These dogs are more dangerous than other dogs.” I have been a volunteer at BARCS Animal Shelter for a number of years now and have worked with THOUSANDS of what you refer to as “these dogs” and know what you say is not the case as I have never been harmed or in danger from any “pit bull” type dog. Not only that, there have been numerous studies showing that breed is not only incredibly difficult to determine but also not a determinant of aggression- by well-respected groups such as the CDC, the American Veterinary Association, the American Temperament Test Society, and Maddie’s Fund.

I quote the local 501c3 B-More Dog here when I say: All dog owners should be held to the same standard, regardless of breed. All dog bite victims should have equal legal recourse. To single out "pit bulls" is unfair to other victims. There is still a problem of identifying IF a dog is a "pit bull" since there is no dog breed called "pit bull" and no reliable way to make the determination. Fear and hysteria are not a sound basis for making public policy.

I ask you visit my personal blog and read a piece I wrote last a little over a year ago responding to fear, hysteria and misinformation about dog attacks. I think you will find it well-sourced and based on facts. Please note I wrote it long before you had to deal with this issue: Let Me Tell You About The NCRC. I’ve attached a PDF for your convenience as well.

I hope you will reconsider your statement and your stance before further damage is done to Maryland families.

Sincerely,

Ann R. Coleman

SO MUCH going on in Baltimore to help pit bulls this weekend. We need your help more than ever.

B-More Dog's latest newsletter is- A MUST READ! All about our family bowling event Saturday night, our huge rally (with well-behaved dogs encouraged to attend!) on Sunday, the first chance to get our TWO new "Stop Breed Discrimination Laws in Maryland" shirts, news about last Tuesday's protest in Annapolis, and a new and improved video of B-More Dog's "Message to Maryland" PLUS how you can join in the video.

Check it all out here!

Let me tell you about the NCRC.

The NCRC (National Canine Research Council) is an organization that actually collects FACTS, not innuendo or "reports" from innacurate and partisan groups, about dog bites, dog fatalities, and other canine/law issues. 

FACT: In the NCRC preliminary report on 2011 (they're making sure their facts are all there before the final report is submitted, imagine that!) they are currently investigating 31 incidents in a dog population of over 78 million dogs (ALL BREEDS) that occurred during 2011 that may qualify as dog bite-related fatalities. That's roughly 1 death for every 2.5 million dogs, according to 2011 numbers. Is one death too much? Of course. But let's come back to that. 

Let's look at the NCRC's finalized 2010 report:

FACT: Out of 33 dog-bite related fatalities that year (out of 78 MILLION DOGS), they have determined that only SEVEN (21%) were family pets. 64% (21 dogs) were deemed Resident Dogs*, while the rest were unknown.  

From the NCRC Handout "Resident Dog vs. Family Dog"

FACT: that year, only ELEVEN of the 33 dogs could be identified as a particular breed. EIGHT different kinds of dogs were identified in those eleven incidents.

And yet, according to dogsbite.org (I suggest you don't visit the site, it's extremely frustrating and full of the worst kind of appeals and nonsense). "21 people of all ages were killed in 2011 by pit bulls."

Eleven is very different than 21, isn't it? Especially when you take into account that those eleven dogs accounted for eight different breeds. Now yes, some of the "unidentifiable" dogs were reportedly "pit bulls." But many were not. Heck, some of the dogs were never identified. 

The eight breeds/eleven dogs were as follows: 

• American Bully/American Pit Bull Terrier (resident dog, intact male)
• Siberian Husky (altered, family male)- history of killing family pets noted
• American Bulldog (intact, penned male)
• Rottweiler (altered- formerly bred, resident female)
• 2 intact Rottweilers (one male, one female, residents)
• American Pit Bull Terrier (resident dog, intact male)
• Wolf/Dog Cross (intact, resident male)
• Boxer (intact, resident male)
• German Shepherd (intact, family male)- history of aggression noted
• Rottweiler (intact male, resident)

Notice, only two "pit bulls?" What does all this mean? dogsbite LIES. Oh, they have "reports." They track reports of dog bites IN THE MEDIA. Which, as we all know, is totally right all the time. (Insert sad trombone noise here.)

But let's take this a step further. What are the commonalities we see here? What are two things we can do to prevent dog bites? 

1. Your dog should be a part of your family. 
• Of the known breeds, only two of the eleven were "family" dogs and they both had troubled histories. 
• Of the other dogs of indeterminate breed, fourteen of the nineteen identifiable cases were resident dogs, not family dogs (often involving multiple dogs with checkered histories). 
• Everybody has a different idea what a "family dog" may mean, I get that. I'm not saying let your dog run your life. Yes, you should train your dog. A dog is still a dog. 
• The NCRC says: "Family dogs are dogs whose owners afford them opportunities to learn appropriate behavior and to interact with humans on a regular basis in positive and humane ways, and who give them the tools necessary to live harmoniously in our world."
• 
  
2. FIX YOUR DOG.

• AGAIN, of the known breeds, only two of the eleven dogs were altered. One had a troubled history, one had been bred previously and was in very poor condition.
• AGAIN, of the indeterminate breeds, fourteen of the nineteen identifiable dogs were not altered. 
• Some people will always have reasons not to fix their dog. Here are my caveats: 
1. I can't think of one reason/excuse/justification not to fix a mixed breed or pit bull other than an allergy to anesthesia... Nope. There are way too many of these pups out there.
2. If you're showing your dog or whatever other reason, you are taking on an additional risk and responsibility by not altering your dog. I expect you to live up to it. 
3. I don't like breeding of dogs. I think we have too many dogs in this country. Nevertheless, there will always be people who want purebred/ breed specific types of dogs. If you are a licensed and responsible breeder (again NOT of pit bulls or mixed breeds) who contracts for people to fix their dogs and follows up, enforces and keeps track of their dogs, that's not my fight. 

If people were to make dogs a part of their family, fix their dogs, and watch for warning signs like: aggression, socialization, new or different situations, and other very common problems, the rare event that is death by dog bite could become the rarest event.  

Isn't that something we all want?

A weekend for the pit bulls- something for everyone!

Come hang out with me this weekend! 

I'll be here Friday night and Sunday afternoon:

COMMIT TO A PIT FUNDRAISER ART SHOW

November 4th, 2011, 7PM-10PM

Robert McClintock Studio and Gallery, Fell's Point

Artist Robert McClintock and the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) have joined together to present the first-ever “COMMIT TO A PIT” fundraising event, which will be held at the Robert McClintock Studio & Gallery in Fell’s Point. This weekend-long event will begin with a Kick-Off party on Friday, November 4, 2011 with light refreshments being served from 7:00PM – 10:00PM. The event will wrap up on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The highlight of the event will be a month-long silent auction featuring a Commissioned Pet Portrait by Robert with the highest bidder being announced on Sunday, December 4, 2011 (valued at $1800.00). Also, there will be an unveiling of the most recent additions to Robert’s well-known “Dogs That I Know” collection featuring his “Commit To A Pit” series. A portion of the proceeds raised will directly benefit the BARCS Pit Crew program

-OR-

I'll be at The Windup Space (Charles St & North Ave) Saturday Night with B-More Dog for

Benefit Show for B.A.R.C.S.
November 5th, 2011, 8PM-1AM

Benefit show for BARCS: Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter and the BARCS PitCrew. 

$5 gets you in to see FIVE BANDS: LandSpeedRecord!, Sick Sick Birds, Sick Fix, Friend Collector and We Are Black Birds.

ALL the money collected at the door will got to benefit BARCS and the BARCS Pit Crew. There will several dog rescues and advocacy groups on hand including the Baltimore Bully Crew(BBC), Mid Atlantic Bully Buddies (MABB), B-More Dog, and the BARCS Pit Crew. Merchandise will be for sale to benefit these rescues and the pit bull type dogs they work with. We will also be accepting any additional donations you can provide. 

There's something for everyone. If you're in Baltimore this weekend, I expect to see you there!

Patterson is Pretty Perfect

Is he supposed to be your dog? 

In order to be a Pit Bull Ambassador Patterson has been professionally evaluated, he is in obedience classes, he attends events, participates in playgroups, and can stay with a volunteer overnight.

Patterson is amazing! 

He needs a home NOW!

BARCS- Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter

http://baltimoreanimalshelter.org/

301 Stockholm Street, 

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

410 - 396 - 4695

Shelter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 2pm to 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 4pm

"Biggest Bullies are back on the Block"

Here's the facts, as I know them, as of Monday, Oct. 19th!

Saturday, October 24th, 10am - 7pm
Baltimore Tattoo Museum is sponsoring a Tattoo-a-thon
Proceeds benefit Rescue Ink and Baltimore Humane Society (proceeds are going to our Pit Bull spay/neuter fund!) Tattoo examples: see below.

Sunday, October 25th, 12pm - 4pm
B-More Dog and Rescue Ink will be at Baltimore Humane Society to celebrate Pit Bull Awareness Day and to rally against animal cruelty. Demonstrations will include narcotics sniffing, weight pulling, agility and more. There will be photo-ops, Q&A session, book signing, adoptable pets and a bunch of tough guys hanging around.

Monday, October 26th, Rescue Ink will tour local area shelters to help rally people to the fight against animal cruelty.

Updates at the Baltimore Humane Blog and Unleashed.

Tattoo examples: Dog paw design on top, Cat paw design on bottom.

Sweet, Sweet Jasmine.

From Recycled Love:

Our hearts are heavy with sadness over the loss of our Sweet Jasmine. She was recently killed by an automobile in an unfortunate accident. Jasmine touched so many lives in so many ways. Her family is devastated by her passing, but they would like everyone to recognize and celebrate the unmistakable love Jasmine received and the priceless gifts she has given to everyone.

Please understand Catalina, along with the rest of Jasmine's family, are just beginning to process this loss. Thank you for allowing time for all to heal.

There's so many reasons this is heartbreaking to me, and will be to many. She was such a tiny, lovely little dog. She put a face to the Vick case for many when she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated: Cover; Gallery; Article.
She was a success story and attention getter for Recycled Love, a worthy organization if ever there was one.

It just doesn't seem fair that she lived through all she did to leave the good life so soon.

http://robertmcclintock.com/galleries/dogs/bully-breeds/sweet-jasmine.html

Found- a Wonderful Dog That Needs a Home

Fellow friends of dogs and/or Baltimore people,

Let anyone who might be interested know that I found an absolutely gorgeous, fantastic dog on the streets this past Saturday and that he will be available at BARCS on 2/25.

He is a pit bull, a blue/grey brindle with hints of light brown (such a beautiful color) and green-grey eyes, and he also still has his full ears and tail. He is very thin but otherwise in great condition. Oh, and he knows "Sit."

He is just SO well-behaved! Totally sweet, playful, docile. Loves ear & butt-scratches, and gives nuzzles and little teeny kisses. I found him in our back alley and he came right in our yard! He was a little nervous at first but played with both me & my brother Pat after only a minute.

He also played with my pit/lab Stella and let her beat him up a while before I called it off because I was worried about him, being so cold & thin.

He was wonderful in the car when I took him to BARCS- rode perfectly and quietly with no fuss. And not a peep the whole time.

If I wasn't moving to a smaller place (with my dog) that already had other dogs this weekend I wouldn't even have let him go. I cried when I left him and I think Pat almost did. This boy deserves a great home.

Anyone can email me if they want to know more about him!

Ask Animal Planet to stop airing anti-pit episode

PLEASE help me out on this!

As many of you know, Animal Planet is usually a pit bull-friendly network.

I recently saw an irresponsibly-made episode of Miami Animal Police from years ago where two loose pit bulls attacked & killed a man's rabbits. It was admittedly horrible, but became even moreso when the voiceover talked about pit bulls as "vicious animals". The animal control officer actually said "That's why we have a ban on pit bulls in Miami". As if other dog breeds would behave differently if they were abused, made to fight, and then left to their own devices!

I would like to ask Animal Planet to review these programs to ensure that they do not put out bad info and/or espouse breed bans.

If a lot of us go to http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations this week and make a POLITE Network/Program Related complaint about this daytime Animal Planet program (select "Other"- it's not on the drop-down menu) they WILL flag it and investigate.

Thank you!