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."

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?

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

B-More In Control!

Dog Owner? Wanna be? You should come!
I plan to be there and so do many of the members of B-More Dog.

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!

CAST OF "DOGTOWN" & "VICKTORY DOGS" ARE "TIRED OF" ANIMAL CRUELTY

Everyone, I featured these bracelets on We Covet on on January 16, 2009 and thought you might like an update. Or maybe it's just I wanted to show off the pictures of the beautiful puppies!

This is from an "I'm Tired" press release, so feel free to (kindly) repost.

CAST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL'S "DOGTOWN" AND THE "VICKTORY" DOGS SUPPORT THE "I'M TIRED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY" BRACELET CAMPAIGN

Just as the new season of National Geographic Channel's "Dogtown" is about to get underway, the cast got cozy with their favorite "Vicktory Dogs," rescued from the abuse of former NFL Quarterback Michael Vick, while showing off their "I'm Tired of Animal Cruelty" bracelets. Half the sale ($5) of each $10 bracelet goes to benefit Best Friends Animal Society, the rescue and rehabilitation center where "Dogtown" takes place.

Best Friends Animal Society was responsible for rescuing 22 of the Michael Vick Pit Bulls and bringing them to Utah for rehabilitation. Six of the show's human stars, as well as the rest of the cast, will be wearing their bracelets on the new season of the show and supporting the fundraising efforts of the "I'm Tired of..." (ITo) campaign.

The "I'm Tired of..." bracelets were created by brother and sister team, Dan Hoffman and Carrie Pollare, to fight against the world's issues that we are all tired of, like animal cruelty, world hunger, global warming, cancer, diabetes and so many more. The fashionable bracelets are made from recycled tires and
metals, creating a fun play on the word, tired, and cost just $10, so anyone can afford them. Then half the sale ($5) from each one is donated to charities the company is aligned with that support each cause. Best Friends Animal Society is the beneficiary of the sales of the animal cruelty bracelets.

The I'm Tired of Animal Cruelty bracelet can be purchased at www.ImTiredOnline.com, as well as bracelets supporting other causes, including AIDS, Autism, Alzheimer's, Cancer, Child Abuse, Diabetes, Global Warming, Heart Disease and World Hunger.

For more information, visit www.ImTiredOnline.com. Press contact is Carrie Pollare, carrie@ImTiredOnline.com, 310-314-3660. Photos courtesy of Gary Kalpakoff and Best Friends Animal Society.

Shown with their "Vicktory" dogs are (top to bottom) Animal Behavior and Training Consultant Sherry Woodard with Ellen (wearing her "I'm Tired of Animal Cruelty" dog collar), Assistant Dog Care Manager John Garcia with Georgia (most recently of The Ellen Show), Dr. Mike Dix, Dogtown's Medical Director, with Handsome Dan, Dog Care Manager Michelle Besmehn with Ray, Veterinarian Dr. Patti Iampietro with Denzel and Trainer Pat Whitacre with Lucas.

This is Stella at 7 weeks. She is twice as big now at 12 weeks but I've been so busy being with her I haven't had a chance to post new pictures. I will soon, I promise!