tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16240814564865591522024-03-05T21:03:05.943-08:00Chako Pit Bull BlogPerspectives from Chako Pit Bull Rescuerschakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-66176069313224401272012-12-20T19:44:00.001-08:002012-12-20T19:45:23.522-08:00Open letter to kennel registries: require permanent identification on every pupMeet Chloe. Her owner surrendered her to the Animal Care Center of Indio. Her intake number is 12-10-12-503. She has papers issued by the United Kennel Club (UKC).<br />
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Someone bred her, then sold her, and eventually she ended up in a shelter -- another sad face, forlorn and discarded. Wouldn't it be fantastic if every breeder took lifelong responsibility for the dogs he or she bred? No UKC, AKC, ADBA, ABKC or other dog registered with any kennel club would die in a shelter because every breeder would instantly pull that dog and place it in a more responsible home (of course the dog would be spayed or neutered before being released from the shelter).<br />
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Responsible breeders do take responsibility for their litters and would be horrified to learn one of the dogs they produced ended up in a shelter. However, thousands of dogs die in shelters every year, and this overpopulation leads shelter workers, animal rights advocates, and most rescuers to scream for spay and neuter legislation or, in some cases, breed-specific legislation. Most breeders oppose these legislative efforts. Every dog produced by an irresponsible breeder that ends up in a shelter adversely affects responsible breeders. If responsible breeders want to avoid laws that restrict breeding or ban breeds, they must take united action against irresponsible breeders or end up lumped in with them.<br />
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It is time for the kennel registries to act. The kennel registries--not politicians--should step up and require that every breeder give each pup permanent identification--either a microchip or tattoo--that any shelter can look up if the dog ends up in their care. Require that breeders (owners of both the sire and the dam) never allow one of their dogs to remain in a shelter. Ban any breeder from being able to register additional dogs or enter shows if that breeder, after being notified that a dog he or she produced is in a shelter, fails to retrieve that dog.<br />
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It is time for kennel registries to support their responsible breeders by weeding out the irresponsible breeders and, by doing so, save a few thousands lives.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-61806366852595025742012-10-08T13:26:00.002-07:002012-10-08T17:58:19.008-07:00One Lawyer's Perspective: Dog Owner vs. Dog Guardian<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently, the term “dog guardian” has increased in popularity, presumably to encourage a more responsible and loving relationship between humans and the animals they share their homes with. However, there are a variety of issues, both legal and ethical, relating to the use of these terms. As an attorney, I’m going to focus mostly on the legal issues associated with these terms and explain why I favor the term owner over dog guardian.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>HISTORY OF THE TERMINOLOGY<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To understand this issue, it’s important to go over a bit of the history giving rise to “guardian” terminology. The </span><a href="http://www.cfa.org/documents/guardian-vs-owner.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cat Fancier’s Association</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> gave a decent summary of this history: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the late 1970s animal “rights” advocates began to argue that animals should be equal to humans. Peter Singer in his 1977 book, Animal Liberation”, claimed that “to discriminate against beings solely on account of their species is a form of prejudice, immoral and indefensible……” A law student in 1977 proposed the idea of recognizing legal rights for “nonhumans”. She proposed existing guardianship laws, which are for protection of incompetent or human minors, as the model for protection of the rights of dogs and cats. By the early 1980’s animal rights activists started using the term “guardian” instead of “owner” and in the 90’s the meaning of “guardian” became linked with taking away legal property rights of pet owners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The </span><a href="https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Ownership-vs-Guardianship.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">American Veterinary Medical Association</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> weighed in on this topic in April 2010, unequivocally stating its preference for the term “owner, as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">The American Veterinary Medical Association promotes the optimal health and welfare of animals. Further, the AVMA recognizes the role of responsible owners in providing for their animals' care. Any change in terminology describing the relationship between animals and owners, including “guardian,” does not strengthen this relationship and may, in fact, harm it. Such changes in terminology may adversely affect the ability of society to obtain and deliver animal services and, ultimately, result in animal suffering. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>AN END TO DOMESTICATED ANIMALS<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Extreme animal rights organizations, such as PETA, promote the term “guardian” over “owner.” On its Website, PETA has an article titled, “What Does It Mean to Be a Good Animal Guardian?” But these extreme animal rights groups generally see pet ownership as akin to slavery. PETA members have even gone so far as to pull dogs from </span><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8255324/ns/health-pet_health/t/peta-employees-charged-animal-cruelty/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">shelters only to kill them</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> instead of adopting them out as pets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Extreme animal rights groups would like to </span><a href="http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/pets-the-inherent-problems-of-domestication/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">end <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> pet ownership</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and advocating a change in terminology can be the first step toward accomplishing such a goal. Words have power and, in some cases, words can directly affect legal rights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>BUT FIRST, AN END TO PIT BULLS</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk even advocates outright Pit Bull bans and supports shelter policies mandating the euthanasia of all Pit Bulls. She has published her opinion in several forums, the most prominent being in </span><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Controlling-an-animal-as-deadly-as-a-weapon-2629558.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri;">2005 on SFGate</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most people have no idea that at many animal shelters across the country, any pit bull that comes through the front door doesn't go out the back door alive. From California to New York, many shelters have enacted policies requiring the automatic destruction of the huge and ever-growing number of "pits" they encounter. This news shocks and outrages the compassionate dog-lover. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's another shocker: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the very organization that is trying to get you to denounce the killing of chickens for the table, foxes for fur or frogs for dissection, supports the shelters' pit-bull policy, albeit with reluctance. We further encourage a ban on breeding pit bulls. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pit bull's ancestor, the Staffordshire terrier, is a human concoction, bred in my native England, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><i>I'm ashamed to say, as a weapon.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Newkirk advocates that Pit Bulls be killed and eventually exterminated completely. If you own a Pit Bull or are concerned about the plight of Pit Bulls or other often malinged breeds currently in shelters and rescues, Newkirk's words should concern you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>ABUSE AND NEGLECT<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many misguided advocates of the term “guardian” believe using this term promotes more responsible pet ownership and can put law enforcement in a better position to seize dogs that are being abused or neglected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, strong animal cruelty laws are the best tools for saving animals from irresponsible owners. Of course, animal control officers can intervene when a dog is starved, abused, or otherwise neglected, but currently, animal control agencies are understaffed and it’s often hard for them to respond to all reports. That being said, focusing on making animal control more effective without allowing such agencies to trample the rights of responsible, loving dog owners is the best way to help all animals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>THE POWER OF WORDS<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The primary difference between the term owner and guardian, from a legal standpoint, has to do with the United States Constitution. Nowhere does the U.S. Constitution protect or even recognize rights of “guardians.” <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, the U.S. Constitution gives several protections to property owners. For example, the Fourth Amendment on search and seizure provides, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While the Fifth Amendment explains that no person can “be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that no State shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Together, these amendments provide <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">owners</i> certain protections. Law enforcement can’t simply seize anything you legally own without a solid legal basis. They must obtain a warrant, in most cases, to enter your home or seize your property. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These Constitutional protections become very important where breed specific legislation arises. These protections help responsible, loving dog owners because animal control must abide by the U.S. Constitution in order to seize and kill an owner’s animal. Furthermore, the animal owner is entitled to due process, which means a Constitutionally mandated hearing and the ability to appeal before the agency is allowed to kill the seized dog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When dog owners give up ownership rights, they give much of their ability to protect their dogs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nowhere does the U.S. Constitution say that those who are animal guardians are entitled to such due process. A legal guardian is a person who has the legal authority (and the corresponding duty) to care for the personal and property interests of another. In fact, the very notion of guardianship flies in the face of due process because a guardian, in the traditional legal sense, if overseen by a Court of Law. The Court can decide that someone else would make a better guardian—for example, someone with more money; someone who owns his or her home rather than rents; or someone who stays home rather than works full-time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPHnF7pu2butMA2nxPS_9UPHMeBDq2D0T-RHReyPPOnBvv8bKIVx4yuk9u039Sg1W1gBDkfnWa950F7Wf-pWzQlAS4v29plnyjC3JTRtupEZe4d4yyKbJBRYaxEECo6fIibjrZchhpRY/s1600/meyoungsavvysmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Author with service dog" border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPHnF7pu2butMA2nxPS_9UPHMeBDq2D0T-RHReyPPOnBvv8bKIVx4yuk9u039Sg1W1gBDkfnWa950F7Wf-pWzQlAS4v29plnyjC3JTRtupEZe4d4yyKbJBRYaxEECo6fIibjrZchhpRY/s320/meyoungsavvysmall.jpg" title="" width="215" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then there is the issue of service, therapy, and search dogs. If we own dogs, we can train them and use them to help us if we become disabled. Laws grant disabled persons the right to be accompanied by service dogs. Dogs guide persons with visual impairments, for example, and help pick up dropped items for those confined to wheelchairs. Presumably, if we are mere guardians of our dogs, we cannot force them to perform tasks for our benefit, including search and rescue work. Therefore, we risk seeing the complete extinction of service, therapy, and search and rescue dogs. As guardians, we exist solely to benefit our dogs. In effect, we become their servants. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While many of us already do feel like servants to our dogs and, even more so, to our cats, there’s a very real difference between being a servant in the legal sense and being a servant in the practical sense. Yes, we provide them with food, shelter, vet care, toys, their own beds, and even throw them birthday parties, but we still own them. We have the right to decide what food to feed them (kibble, raw, or home made, for example) or what type of vaccinations to give them (other than the legally required Rabies vaccination, of course). Since overvaccination is becoming a </span><a href="http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_8/features/Annual-Pet-Vaccinations_20036-1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri;">real topic of discussion in veterinary circles</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, this alone is an important discretionary issues for dog owners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Important decisions about a dog’s care, feeding, and training are best left to dog owners, not courts. For example, people have strong feelings about feeding kibble versus raw. Some people believe kibble is ultimately harmful to dogs, containing low quality ingredients and, in some cases, toxins. Others believe feeding a raw diet exposes dogs to too many dangers from bacteria and bones. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we are guardians, those decisions are no longer our own. They are subject to control and oversight by the state or a court. Because I want the United States Constituion behind me when I fight for my dog’s life, should it ever come to that, I prefer the term “owner."</span></span></div>
chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-5245441143708661292012-03-08T13:18:00.000-08:002012-03-08T14:52:00.985-08:00Introduction to Myles aka Mr. Wiggles!!!!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Tales from the foster home -- Meet Myles!<br />
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Myles was saved about two and a half weeks ago from Contra Costa Animal Services in Martinez--right before he was scheduled for euthanasia...and what a good save it was! You will be hard-pressed to find a better dog than Myles.<br />
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Myles is about a year old, is great with dogs, and might be good with cats (although he does not live with any right now, he shows no interest when exposed). He LOVES absolutely everyone he meets and is just a total ham for attention and cuddles. He might be one of the best cuddlers I've ever had as a foster, and I have had more fosters than I can count, so that is saying a lot. He loves nothing more than to be curled up with you on the couch, the bed, the floor, pretty much anywhere you will let him be, he wants to be with you. He has a moderate energy level, and does great with just a brief walk each day and a nice romp in the yard or game of fetch. <br />
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Myles came to me with no training at all, and in just a couple weeks has learned to walk perfectly on a leash with just a martingale collar, knows "sit", "wait", "come", and is learning "down". He is also a GREAT fetch player! He just finally picked this game up from his foster brother, Cooper, and is a fetch rockstar now! </div>
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Myles also loves children, and shows great potential to be a therapy dog. He has the gentle and loving social-butterfly type attitude we all love in our pit bulls. He is the ultimate ambassador to his breed in every situation he has been in and continues to impress me with his rock solid temperament. </div>
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Myles would love to have a dog friend or two in his forever home, or he would do great as a single dog because his primary focus are his people. He just wants to be with you and is always looking up at you with his big brown eyes, wanting to please in any possible way. When you praise him, he wiggles so much he folds in half, it is just absolutely adorable. </div>
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This is a gem of a dog, and he truly deserves nothing less than the best, which I know he will find hopefully one day soon! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUqHPGArv4ovNE6U9o4BxS7XV6mVkKRtBq9ElYzKpOnuwdjIJJychKOME6pDYfu9MeDaDnpSGs13O2JP4ZXxyqxxYVoC6klVYVjt-C8PVtf131vILjT6R3zvNpPcLeS6wNlUqY_pjf05u/s1600/compressed+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUqHPGArv4ovNE6U9o4BxS7XV6mVkKRtBq9ElYzKpOnuwdjIJJychKOME6pDYfu9MeDaDnpSGs13O2JP4ZXxyqxxYVoC6klVYVjt-C8PVtf131vILjT6R3zvNpPcLeS6wNlUqY_pjf05u/s320/compressed+2.JPG" width="316" /></a></div>MerylCohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11079399778852442859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-4674570831278237862011-11-21T09:53:00.000-08:002011-11-24T16:32:59.427-08:00Our therapy dog workshopOn Saturday, nine Pit Bulls and their owners participated in Chako Pit Bull Rescue's therapy dog workshop in Sacramento. What an awesome group of dogs and handlers. Chako's very own Ozzie was one of the participants. We're so excited to see one of our rescued Pit Bulls taking the step toward becoming a certified therapy dog. Take a look at our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chakopitbull#!/media/set/?set=a.10150202145534438.330212.168345144437&type=3" target="_blank">photo album</a> for more photos of our therapy dog workshops, and if you are interested in finding out about more Chako events, <a href="http://www.meetup.com/pitbulls">sign up for our Meetup</a>!<br />
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</div>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-30218941013390891782011-09-26T18:19:00.000-07:002011-11-24T16:37:03.959-08:00Meet Henry: The Pit Bull pup who has gone through hell and still wags his tail happilyThis is Henry. He came to Chako on September 26th after a kind couple found him wandering a parking lot in South Sacramento. A very large, oozing wound around his neck tells the tale of a collar (most likely) that was never removed as he outgrew it and ultimately embedded itself into his flesh. At some point, the collar probably broke, allowing Henry to break free. <br />
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Henry also has a serious case of what is likely demodectic mange, with probably secondary skin infections. His age is hard to estimate, given his condition, but his teeth are pearly white and brand new, so it's obvious he's still a pup.</div>
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Henry exists in agony. His skin is on fire. The gaping wound on his neck oozes constantly, and he shakes his head and paws at his face, giving a low, pathetic wail of a whine. Then, he passes out, asleep. </div>
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Right now, Henry is at the Missouri Flats veterinary clinic in Placerville, being cared for by Dr. Randy Robinson, a dog lover who has a soft spot for Pit Bulls. Chako is currently seeking donations to help us get Henry the care and treatment he needs (and his course of treatment will no doubt take months). </div>
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You can chip in at <a href="http://chako.chipin.com/henrys-care">http://chako.chipin.com/henrys-care</a></div>
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Visit Henry on YouTube to see his kind eyes and wiggling/waggling little body. </div>
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Henry: Day One, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vDAKfu7GA8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vDAKfu7GA8</a></div>
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Henry: Waddles and Wags, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEA6hvBb5uw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEA6hvBb5uw</a></div>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-37354898679678019112011-06-05T08:10:00.000-07:002011-06-05T09:08:47.012-07:00Pit Bull Friendly ToysWe're often asked what kind of toys are good for enthusiastic chewers like most Pit Bulls, and we're including a list and brief review of some of the best toys out there for Pit Bulls. Keep in mind, of course, each dog is an individual, and some dogs might be more merciful to their toys than others, so not all Pit Bulls need the strongest, toughest chew toys out there. <br />
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But if you have one that does, here's a list! Remember, always supervise dogs with chew toys, and inspect the toy frequently. If you have a multi-dog household, make sure dogs are given their toys separately, away from each other, to avoid a fight.<br />
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<b>Plush Toys</b><br />
<div></div><ol><li><a href="http://www.tuffietoys.com/" target="_BLANK">Tuffie Toys</a> are strong, reinforced plush toys. They are not indestructible, but they do come with toughness ratings that indicate their durability. We've found even those rated 8-10 usually only last an hour or so if left as a chew toy, but the more grabbable ones do make decent tug toys. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spot-Skinneeez-Stuffingless-Dog-Toys/dp/B001B1U7DC" target="_BLANK">Stuffingless</a> toys make a great present for dogs that like to disembowl stuffies. While dogs still need to be properly supervised (as with any chew toy), the lack of stuffing yields a smaller mess and less chances of intestinal blockage (though of course dogs can still rip and swallow the fabric itself, which could lead to an expensive vet bill).</li>
<li><a href="http://www.godogfun.com/go-dog-dinos" target="_BLANK">Sherpa Toys</a> with Chew Guard Technology last about fifteen minutes for determined chewers, but a bit longer for less serious plushie slayers.</li>
</ol><strong>Non-Plushie Toys</strong><br />
<ol><li><a href="http://www.nylabone.com/product-finder/my-dog-is/dog-medium/galileo-bone.htm" target="_BLANK">Nylabone Galileo Bones</a> come in different sizes. The Wolf size seems to work nicely for the average sized Pit Bull (40-60 pounds), but many dogs also like the Souper size. These last a few days to a few weeks for most dogs, and the edges wear down, allowing you to see when it's ready to be thrown out.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.goughnuts.com/" target="_BLANK">GoughNuts</a> are fantastic toys that even the most serious chewers usually can't put a dent in, and if they do, there's a color coded interior lining that lets you see when the rubber is compromised. These are expensive, but worth the price since you probably won't have to replace it for a while. Be careful, though. These are generally heavy toys, so you shouldn't throw one at your dog. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.westpawdesign.com/catalog/dogs/dog-toys/eco-friendly-dog-toys/eco-friendly-products/hurley" target="_BLANK">Hurleys</a> are another rubber-like toy that stand up fairly well to heavy chewers, though they aren't as durable as the GoughNuts and Galileo Bones. They last a few days to a few weeks for most Pit Bulls, but they are a staple around here. Dogs like the soft toys, they are easy to throw (and much lighter than the GoughNuts), and the company will replace one if your dog destroys it (but you have to pay shipping).</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RI66NK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002AR0II&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=199Z9EFPGGCZVR29YVVJ">Black</a> or <a href="http://www.kvpusa.com/Kong-Blue.html" target="_BLANK">Blue Kongs</a> are generally decent options for chewers, but many dogs can tear through a black kong (especially if they find the "trick," which is to start at the big hole and work the rubber until pieces break off). However, black kongs are stronger than red kongs, and they are easy to stuff with natural peanut butter or other goodies to keep your dog occupied. Blue kongs have the advantage of being radio opaque, meaning if your dog swallows a piece, it'll show up on an X-Ray. Kongs come in different sizes -- Large or X-Large generally works best for most Pit Bulls. </li>
</ol>Want more great tips and information geared specifically for Pit Bull owners? Check out our <a href="http://www.chako.org/pitbullownerguide.html">Pit Bull Owner Guide</a>.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-82123781889360989112011-06-03T08:40:00.000-07:002013-08-19T12:48:47.772-07:00Getting a dog and cat acclimated to one another<em>We've had lots of questions about how to acclimate a dog and to a cat, and we frequently refer people to a wonderful link on a great forum called Pit Bull Forum. It's just so much easier when someone else has taken the time to lay out all the information, complete with photos. We did get permission from the author (known as "Red") to post the information, and we're including a link back to the original post (which is a member-only area).</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>We employ a very similar method, including using </em><em>firm verbal corrections if a dog shows aggression to a cat. We communicate firmly to our dogs that aggressive behavior toward the cat will not be tolerate while rewarding the appropriate behavior. The original Pitbullforum post is linked at the end of the article. I highly recommend that you check it out, and if you still have questions about it, then </em><a href="mailto:dogs@chako.org"><em>email us</em></a><em>!</em><br />
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Recently I have been reading of folks having difficulties with their dogs and cats. I had experiences like that with a few dogs and especially Tigger, now mine but came here as a foster dog. Tigger tried to kill my cat on the second day she was here. I do not do any interaction so soon, my husband left the laundry room open and the cat got in Tigger's face. The only thing that saved the cat was a furniture. Both me and my husband had trouble holding Tigger and we were on top of her. She was in lalaland, all she cared about was to get the cat. <br />
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So I thought of sharing my experience and what I did, for what is worth. It was about 9 months of work, it did not happen overnight and no mistakes. Maybe it can help someone and avoid a dog to end up kicked out of the house and a dead cat. This is especially for foster homes since we are responsible for the dog we take in and our own pets. <br />
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The first rule is to know the risks of bringing home an uknown dog. Your evaluation at the shelter, AC of whatever the dog comes from is only a little snapshot of the personality, habits and genetic of the dog. Once the dog is in a different environment all the "problems" show up, things might change. If the injury or even loss of a pet (it can happen) will buy the foster dog a ticket back to the pound or worse then don't foster. It is a risk, plain and simple, but good management and commitment can save troubles. <br />
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After the accident I kept Tigger totally away from the cat for about 2 months. She knew it was in the house but I did not allow her to see it. This is to try to take her mind off of it a bit and get to know the dog. <br />
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Then I started to show the cat to Tigger trough a baby gate and not knowing if she would jump it she was also on a lead. I had treats and solid hold of the lead.I was waiting for the moment she looked at me, to praise her. The first time it took 40 minutes for a quick look. Tigger knew no commands so before this I started teaching "watch me". I like positive training to teach commands but I am also not very positive when it comes to house rules. The cat is something the dogs here cannot touch and I enforce it. I don't get physical and hurt the dog but I make it clear that they cannot eat the cat. Tigger was "corrected" with voice and pulled back when she lunged at the cat. <br />
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When Tigger looked at me the first time she got her treat and the cat was put away. I started doing this every day. Tigger would see the cat for 5 minutes every day.The beginning was quite frustrating and things looked less than promising.There was lunging at open mouth, screaming and major fits. A strong and determined dog trying to do something can be an hassle. I kept insisting on it. <br />
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In the meantime I found out that she was very food motivated so I would do the "cat sessions" before a meal. <br />
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To one look a few more followed. After a few months the baby gate came down and I would have the cat loose and Tigger on lead and I would walk her around the house. By then she knew "watch me" and associated lunging at the cat with trouble while looking at me would bring treats and ball time. <br />
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I decreased the distance very slowly since she was still trying to see if there was a way she could get a hold of the cat. That meant taking a step back and work from distance. <br />
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Tigger also saw the cat when she was crated and treats were thrown to her when she laid down and ignored the cat, along with vocal praise.
When she finally stopped to lunge and pull toward the cat and I saw her focusing on me and the food I let her loose behind the baby gate and watched her, while the cat was on the other side of the gate. Tigger ignored the cat and walked away from the gate when asked.If she seemed too interested I would say "nah-ha" and she would step back and go lay down on her bed.This was around 5 or 6 months after she came here. Her body language in the cat's presence was starting to relax and she was able to play with her toys or chew on a bone behind the baby gate. With some experience we can read a dog before something happen and anticipate it and use postures to tell us what is going on. <br />
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Then Tigger was brought in the kitchen loose with the cat and me there, for 10 minutes or so each time.
My husband was there also in case of problems.I had a bunch of treats and kept asking the dog to stay next to me. Each time she looked at the cat she was re directed with the voice and a treat was popped in her mouth. <br />
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Three months after that, Tigger was allowed to be loose in the living room and every room of the house with both me and the cat there.I would still offer treats and kept calling her to me but by then she wasn't showing dangerous interest in the cat.The cat was also relaxed around her. <br />
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At that point I felt that Tigger was ready to be with the cat without major problems so I increased the time they interacted. <br />
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This is how things are today, two years after the day she tried to kill my cat.Here she is asked to ignore the cat:<br />
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The same excercises were done with Jack who also try his best to get a hold of small animals. It is a year and one month that he has been here and it is about 2 months since he is allowed to be near the cat.<br />
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There are 4 dogs in this room and the cat is on the bed. Each one of them, except the little one, has prey drive and can't be trusted with any other small animal outside my house. If I leave the room the cat is not safe any more. I am very aware of it. One dog alone might not hurt the cat but with 3 of them it takes very little to get over excited, especially if the cat decides to move fast. <br />
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All this been said there is no guarantee that the dogs will never try to do something. Tigger will get any cat outside of the house, even mine. If my cat runs in the yard she will get it. Prey drive is something that cannot be eliminated on a dog. The rules only apply in my house and they are the result of months of work. I do not expect the dogs to "learn" not to be aggressive towards small animals but I do want them to follow some rules in my own house. Some dogs will never be able to be in the same room with a cat but I believe that many can get to that point, with the resident cat at least. forgetting that the way they behave inside the house is not going to affect their instincts. Outside the house it is fair game. <br />
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There is always a chance of accidents and someone can get hurt. My husband spent 4 days on IV and morphine for an infected cat bite. He had the cat in his arms and made the mistake to let him see Tigger, as he was walking outside. The cat remembered that same dog and bit my husband, trying to run for his life. <br />
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</em>This is my experience and the way I approach foster dogs with high prey drive. It works for me, so far, granted I am willing to be patient and careful. It might not be the same with the next dog and there might be a serious accident. I am not telling anyone that it will work for you, but it is worth to give it a try at least. Mistakes can and will happen, to everyone. They teach us what we probably did not know how to manage. Sometime it is just bad luck so we have to be sure that we are ready to deal with things before we get ourselves and our own animals in trouble. And time, lots of time. <br />
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<a href="http://www.pitbullforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34479">http://www.pitbullforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34479<br />
</a>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-24112251220083392382011-06-02T10:04:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:04:10.964-07:00Heartguard Plus Lawsuit: Fired for Protecting Dogs or Disgruntled Employee?Findlaw <a href="http://blogs.findlaw.com/in_house/2011/06/heartgard-plus-cover-up-whistleblower-fired-for-protecting-dogs.html" TARGET="_BLANK">published an article </a>today detailing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Heartguard Plus that alleges the company fired her after she discovered "the company had intentionally utilized improper data analysis methods to ward off an FDA investigation."<br />
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She's not just any former employee, though. She's Dr. Kari Blaho-Owens, the former Global Head of Pharmacovigilance, which means she oversaw the collection and analysis of adverse reactions to drugs the company manufactured. Her lawsuit alleges that she discovered Heartguard Plus is not 100% effective, despite the company's claims otherwise, and that she was instructed to destroy documents that were relevant evidence in a class action lawsuit against the company.<br />
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Of course, her allegations are just that -- allegations. However, there are a few shady facts staining the company's reputation, including two FDA warning letters (one in 2007, <a href="http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2007/ucm076423.htm" TARGET="_BLANK">available here</a>). You can also read the earlier <a href="http://freepdfhosting.com/bef8e85b35.pdf" TARGET="_BLANK">class action lawsuit against the company here</a>.<br />
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Another <a href="http://www.pharmalot.com/" TARGET="_BLANK">article</a> (scroll down) tells that when one dog contracted heartworm disease after being on Heartguard Plus, the company paid for the dog's treatment after investigating and finding that the owner's compliance with giving the preventative to her dog was substantial.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-31205490601199281182011-05-30T08:27:00.000-07:002011-05-30T15:34:52.089-07:00When a Cane Corso Becomes a Pit Bull: Tragedy in New YorkThe New York Daily News reported on Saturday May 28th about the tragic death of a Brooklyn boy mauled to death by the family's Pit Bull. On Sunday, it changed the headline and story, complete with a photo, to identify the dog as a Cane Corso. The headline, which originally read, "Brooklyn boy mauled to death inside his apartment by 'violent' pit bull, chaotic scene follows" was changed to, "Brooklyn boy mauled to death inside his apartment by 'violent' mastiff, chaotic scene follows." (We note the url still includes 'pit bull').<br />
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The original first sentence of the story read, "A 4-year-old boy died after he was savagely mauled by a pit bull inside his Brooklyn apartment Friday night, cops and witnesses said."<br />
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The revised first sentence now reads, "A 4-year-old boy left alone for a minute by his mother was killed when a family dog savagely mauled him as his two terrified brothers watched helplessly, cops and witnesses said." Not until the seventh paragraph does the story identify the dog as a Cane Corso.<br />
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This reporting demonstrates not only that the media is quick to report a dog mauling as being perpetrated by a Pit Bull, but that news organizations will report differently on the same story based solely on the breed of dog involved. If the reporter believes the dog to be a Pit Bull, Pit Bull is in the headline and the first sentence. If the dog is not a Pit Bull, the reporter won't mention the breed until several paragraphs into the story.<br />
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Unfortunately, knowing what breed was involved here doesn't help the boy, who has lost his life. Nor does this story demonstrate that Cane Corsos are inherently dangerous dogs. What this story demonstrates is that any breed of dog, in the wrong hands, can be dangerous. There is no doubt this dog demonstrated dangerous propensities before this incident, and the family chose to keep the dog in the home with several young children.<br />
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I would like to make a point here about a correlation the sensationalized news story seems to erroneously make. The story reports the "killer dog" reportedly killed the family's rabbit earlier, presumably as evidence that such an act proves a dog to be dangerous to people. Educated dog people know that not to be an accurate assumption. Dogs are prey-driven animals, as are cats (who frequently kill birds and rodents when left to roam). Each dog has different levels of prey drive, but many dogs chase cats, squirrels, rabbits and other small animals, and this instinct to chase and catch/kill small animals does not indicate a dog is a danger to humans. <br />
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Certainly a dog CAN be be both aggressive to small animals and to humans, or it can be aggressive to people and not animals, or vice versa. And it is true that SOME dogs may view small children crawling on the ground as prey. Some dogs, not all. Many dogs love kids of all ages at first sight and recognize them to be youngsters of the human variety. Other dogs are more unsure, some are downright frightened of young children and others view them as a potential toys or prey. At any rate, that particular behavior would have been obvious before the mauling if the parents were paying attention and, regardless, it is never a good idea to leave any dog, especially a large one, alone with children (but even small dogs have caused death and serious injuries to young children). <br />
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Whenever stories like this make the news, the factors are almost always the same and include a young child left unsupervised with a dog capable of causing him or her serious harm. Often, the family is uneducated about dog ownership and, more often than not, outright irresponsible about owning such dogs. Large dogs are popular as "guard dogs," and those who seek out guard dogs are usually looking for dogs that WILL bite someone (presumably to protect the family's home). <br />
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But dog owners should be aware that dogs with a low bite threshold (meaning it takes very little to make them bite a stranger) are also much more likely to bite harm a member of the family.<br />
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We don't really know much about what happened other than what the story reports (and this particular news agency hasn't given me much confidence about its dedication to accuracy. However, we do know another child has lost his life because of poor parental supervision. <br />
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No doubt, the Cane Corso enthusiasts are disheartened by this story. Is the Cane Corso the next breed to be misused and misbred by irresponsible people wanting a tough, aggressive guard dog? Let's hope not. Too many good dogs and great breeds have been devastated by these dangerous humans.<br />
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[<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/05/28/2011-05-28_brooklyn_boy_savagely_mauled_to_death_by_pit_bull_inside_his_apartment_.html">Link to the story</a>]chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-63107689477551799302011-05-19T09:49:00.000-07:002011-05-19T09:49:52.140-07:00Dog Safety Tips for National Dog Bite Prevention WeekMay 15-21 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and in its honor, I'm giving away free tidbits of information to help you and your family interact safely with dogs. <br />
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<b>Don't approach a strange dog</b> unless you're willing to get bitten. When you see a loose dog on the street, you may feel the need to round the dog up and try to find its owner. Good for you! Just realize there are RISKS involved in doing so. The dog may be disoriented, frightened, and much more likely to bite in defense than it would had you encountered it at the park playing happily with its owner. <br />
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Obviously, not all strange dogs are going to bite. Many are perfectly happy to meet new people. Some will even happily jump into your car in glee at the prospect of going somewhere fun and exciting. But if you do try to play the hero to some lost canine soul, be careful about it. Try to entice the dog to come up to you rather than cornering it (though I did once corner a little dog running in traffic and snatched her up; I did so knowing full well that if I got bit, it would be my own darn fault). <br />
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Be mindful of the dog's body language. A fearful dog is much more likely to bite, and fear can manifest in different ways. Ears back, unusual panting, head bowed, shying away, cowering, hackles raised--these are potential signs a dog is anxious or fearful. Use caution!<br />
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<a href="http://info.drsophiayin.com/Default.aspx?app=LeadgenDownload&shortpath=docs%2fDogFearPostureposter.pdf">Dr. Sophia Yin has a free poster for download on fearful dog body language.</a><br />
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<b>Don't tolerate rude or challenging behavior from your dog.</b> Your dog growls if you or your child goes near his bowl, so you learn to leave him alone. Well, guess what. Some day, your dog will have a snack, a toy, or something of value and you won't have your eyes on your child and the dog at all times. Child strays near dog. Child gets bitten. It might be your child or the neighbors or even an adult such as an unwary pet sitter. <br />
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Yielding to bad behavior encourages it. The dog growls. You back away. The dog's guarding behavior is reinforced so when someone doesn't properly heed the warning, the dog's only recourse is to yield or bite. <br />
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Please don't take this to mean you should storm right up to a dog that's growling to defend its food or toy. If you start with a puppy, make a habit of playing the "trade" game so the dog gets used to you and members of your family trading awesome goodies for whatever he or she has and then giving the original item right back. So, if the dog's eating, stroll casually up and drop in some fresh, warm chicken. If the dog has a toy, show him some steak and let him take it as you take the toy, then give the toy right back.<br />
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You can do this same technique with an older dog, and it works nine out of ten times. For that one time, you will need to seek professional help to work on the problem, but in no case should you ignore the behavior or yield to the dog's bad manners.<br />
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<b>Supervise all children around dogs,</b> both for the sake of the children and the dog. Kids often hurt dogs, and dogs can easily hurt children. Do both a favor and make sure each is safe from the other. If you can't supervise, contain one is a secure, safe area away from the other (be aware most child protective agencies will likely frown on you crating a child, though most children seem to think they make the best play pens).chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-67695767915529965902011-04-24T07:15:00.000-07:002011-04-24T07:35:22.903-07:00Ohio, Here We Come!I'm traveling to Ohio with Savvy, my Pit Bull service dog, for two screenings of the documentary <i>Beyond the Myth</i>, produced by Libby Sherrill. The getting here was tough. It involved a four hour flight from Sacramento to Atlanta--hich I learned on the flight over is the "busiest airport in the world." Oh, lucky me! To think I could've gone my entire life without discovering--much less experiencing--that.<br />
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Savvy's flight over was more miserable than my own. I got a coach class seat. Savvy, on the other hand, got to spend the four hours stuffed under a small seat, with me constantly readjusting him to avoid carts and feet crushing his toes or tail. <br />
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When the coast was clear, I'd let him stretch just a bit (but he couldn't block the aisle).<br />
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A pleasant surprise on the flight ended up being the passengers in the first class row in front of mine. Savvy was situated under a gentlemen's seat, and the man glanced back and down at Savvy, smiled, and asked, "Pit Bull or mix?" I said, "He's a purebred" to which the passenger asked, "Amstaff?"<br />
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Few people call a dog an Amstaff unless they know something about the breed, so with a pleasant nod, I said, "Yes," and he proceeds to whip out his cell phone and show me a photo of his two. I asked if he shows them (because of the "Amstaff" remark and the fact that the two dogs looked more like the show type). He said he used to, but it got to be too much.<br />
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A woman's voice next to him asks, "Is that Dawn?"<br />
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Huh? I wondered if suddenly I got famous and no one told me! She peeks around and says, "It is you! We have Clyde and Zsu Zsu!" <br />
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Oh my goodness! Now it all comes back to me, and I recognize both of them. I know them, they've been to my house. What a small world! So, I got to spend some time chatting with fellow Amstaff lovers!<br />
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We had a changeover flight in Atlanta, as I mentioned, which would take us to Louisville, Kentucky, our final destination for the night. I would've had an hour and a half to take Savvy outside the airport for a potty break, but since our flight was delayed a bit in Sacramento, I had less than an hour to get all the way across the airport, outside, and then back through security and across the airport again. I tried. I made it outside only to find a concrete jungle without a spot of dirt or grass anywhere. <br />
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I let Savvy mark up one of the huge planters that were out of the way and rushed back inside (hoping "number 2" wasn't on the horizon anytime soon for my canine companion). At least Atlanta has a train that gets you from one end of the airport to another, but it's not what I would call dog friendly. The only warning you get before the train takes off at light speed is a "warning, train is about to start." We humans get either a seat or a pole to hang onto. Savvy only had the leash and collar attaching him to me as he was propelled toward the opposite end of the carriage at warp speed. <br />
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Neither he nor I had eaten anything all day. By the time we got to our Louisville connection at 8:35 p.m. Atlanta time, I was starving, and I knew he was, too. I grabbed a Chevy's to go wrap from the vendor who was conveniently situated five feet from my gate (the plane had already boarded). I rushed on board and got Savvy situated and out of the way (since there was an empty space between me and the other passenger in this row, he got to stretch out a bit more). <br />
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I scarfed down my wrap at record speeds, offering Savvy a few morsels of the chicken and tortilla. The passenger in the other seat was a dog lover, so she was delighted to share the row with Savvy.<br />
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We finally landed in Louisville. Savvy was just happy to finally be outside again!<br />
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Libby and friends picked us up, and we made the drive to her friend's house where we'd get to crate and rotate dogs. I got to see Joey, a dog Libby originally adopted from us a little over a year ago when he was only about 4 or 5 months old. My how he's grown! His tan and white face finally filled out, and he looks like quite the handsome man. Then there's Fern, Libby's first rescued Pit Bull, and Sarah, the Labradoodle (owned by Gina, the host). Tanner, not seen, is Gina's Lab mix. <br />
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Poor Savvy got a potty break and then ended up stuffed in a crate to decompress and be kept separate from the other dogs (I was in no condition to do dog-dog introductions at that point).<br />
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We got up the next morning and made the three and a half hour drive (oy!) to Columbus, Ohio for the screening at Ohio State University. We stopped in Cincinnatti on the way and got something to drink at Panera while taking advantage of their wi fi network. The entire state of Ohio declared Pit Bulls to be "vicious dogs," and Cincinnati has its own anti Pit Bull law, but even though the law doesn't say it, service dogs must be exempted under federal law. So, I took Savvy inside Panera with me -- the place was packed, and we got quite a few admiring and curious looks! Although, to be honest, I still felt like a fugitive who should be in hiding, and part of me kept an eye out for police and animal control officers as I mentally prepared to pull out my lawyer sword.<br />
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Fortunately, House Bill 14 is working its way through the state legislature. If passed, it would remove the term "pit bull" from the Ohio Revised Code's definition of vicious dog. Visit the <a href="http://www.ohiocoalitionofdogadvocates.com/House_Bill_14.html" target="_BLANK">Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates</a> for more information.<br />
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We arrived in Columbus just in time to get our merchandise table set up. Savvy got a brief potty break. Libby, Savvy, and I were all starving. We'd only had 8 people buy advance tickets, so Libby was a bit concerned about what turnout we'd get, but the theater filled up nicely and seating became scarce. <br />
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Savvy and I were seated in the back row, by the door, so as folks came in, they stopped to pet Savvy. A few realized his service dog vest meant, "Please don't pet me," but for that night, I let him go up and say hi and unwind a bit. He enjoyed all the attention. In fact, when one guy offered Savvy a piece of popcorn, Savvy was more interested in licking him then taking the popcorn (though he scarfed it down as soon as the nice man left!)<br />
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I found the movie just as powerful this time around as I had the first time I'd seen it. Afterward, we engaged the audience in a one-hour question and answer session. Molly of <a href="http://bk9.org.ohio-state.edu/" TARGET="_blank">Buckeyes for Canines </a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Babes-For-Bullies-Columbus-OH/201715593192945" TARGET="_blank">Babes for Bullies</a> was on stage with Libby and me to answer questions. <br />
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Some of the questions were, "Should we call our dogs Pit Bulls when asked?" and "How have things changed since 1996? (when Chako started)?"<br />
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In answer to the first question, Libby said it's really up to each individual. I gave my perspective and talked about how Denver went through its animal control database to round up Pit Bulls when the ban first went into effect. So, when licensing my dog or having his/her records at the vet, my dog is a terrier mix -- which is actually true since Pit Bulls are mixes of terrier and bulldog. Folks who get their dogs from rescues or shelters really have no idea what the dog might be, so it's best not to try to label the dog and just state its breed is unknown. <br />
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One very astute woman raised the point that that may scew the statistics when legislatures say there are few Pit Bulls in comparison to the number of Pit Bull bites (meaning Pit Bulls seem more likely to bite). In fact, the percentage of dog owners who actually license their dog is pretty small in comparison to the number of dog owners. Further, the number of folks who will label their dog as a "terrier mix" when it's a purebred APBT or AST are even smaller, so statistically, the percentage won't be scewed enough to make any kind of difference in that argument. Finally, since just about every shelter says their kennels are filled primarily with Pit Bulls and mixes (and have a tendency to slap the Pit Bull label anything that looks remotely like a Pit Bull--if you have just the right lighting and squint--it's easy enough to get the shelter to produce its intake records and show that Pit Bulls and mixes make up--according to the shelter--a large percentage of the community population). <br />
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As to the second question, that was a longer answer, but basically, the media coverage of Pit Bulls has intensified, the dogs have become even more popular--especially with irresponsible owners--and of course social media has (as one woman pointed out) has changed the landscape even more proufoundly. <br />
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Afterward we signed posters, Savvy got to loosen up a bit and walk around the closed theater. We munched on some left over pizza that they'd put up for sale in the lobby (about the only real food we'd had all day), and even Savvy got to enjoy a few morsels of pizza. Then, we packed up and made the three and a half hour drive back to Louisville. <br />
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The gals from Babes for Bullies and Buckeyes for Canines with me (above) and Libby (below) (and, of course, Savvy).<br />
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Now, I'm off for another three and a half hour drive to Knoxville, TN. Next weekend, it's back to Cincinnati, then home to Sacramento! I'll need a vacation from this trip!chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-81971493271887572072011-02-06T12:18:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:23:56.818-08:00Beware of Irresponsible Dog OwnersNews10 reports that, on Friday night, a Pit Bull belonging to a young man attacked his girlfriend's toddler and then attacked the mother when she tried to intervene. The mother got herself and her son locked into a bathroom, away from the dog. <br />
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The most important part of this story is that the toddler, while seriously injured, will make a full recovery, but of course he may bear some psychological scars from the attack. <br />
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Let's take a look at the factors involved in this attack. First, the child was left alone, unsupervised, with a dog. Secondly, the dog was not neutered (apparent in a photo of the dog displayed by News10). Of course, intact dogs do not, by merely being unneutered, present a danger to people. However, people who are not showing or working to obtain titles on their dogs and who nevertheless leave their dogs intact generally are not the most responsible dog owners. Of course, a dog might have a specific health issue that makes it dangerous to place the dog under general anesthesia, but it's a rare dog that cannot be put under for surgery.<br />
<br />
The owner of the dog, who did not want to be identified, allegedly stated the dog showed no prior signs of aggression. Unfortunately, owners of dogs that end up causing serious injury almost always claim their dogs never showed any prior signs. Who wants to admit, when facing potentially serious criminal and civil liability, that their dog did show prior signs of aggression, and they ignored those signs or, heaven forbid, encouraged them? Of course, we don't know what happened in this particular situation. We don't know much about the dog or the dog owner, since the dog owner has not been identified.<br />
Since Will Frampton, the reporter in this case, came to interview Chako volunteers, we did have a chance to find out a bit more about the incident. Frankly, no one is truly clear about what happened. The reporter told us a few things that we wish we could publish (let's just say he smelled something specific in the house when he visited it to report on the incident), but many facts are "unverified" at this time. <br />
<br />
The only facts that seem clear are (1) the child was left alone unsupervised with the dog, and (2) the dog was not neutered. We don't know where the boyfriend was (since she was visiting his home with her child and apparently had to get the dog off the boy herself and then lock herself in the bathroom). Firefighters had to come to rescue her. <br />
<br />
So, where was the boyfriend? Why did he keep an intact dog? Was he showing the dog? Working it toward obedience titles? Had he even attended obedience classes with the dog? How well socialized was the dog, and where did he get the dog? We can be pretty sure, since the dog was intact, that he did not get the dog from a shelter or rescue that screens their dogs. Shelters and rescues in the Sacramento region (and throughout most of California) almost always spay and neuter dogs before sending them off to their new homes. <br />
<br />
<div>So, let's drill down a bit deeper on the set of facts here:</div><ol><li>Child left alone unsupervised with a dog</li>
<li>Dog likely is not being shown or worked toward obtaining titles, yet is unneutered. (Why?)</li>
<li>Dog not adopted from a shelter or rescue that neuters them before placing them</li>
<li>Dog <strong><u>highly</u> </strong>likely to be a product of indiscriminate back yard breeding (was not bred by someone who obtains show and/or working titles on the dog, performs full health testing -- including hips, thyroid, cardiac, and ataxia--and breeds only the dogs that have demonstrated the best temperament).</li>
</ol>And, of course, this person just had to own a Pit Bull. We love Pit Bulls. Of course, we do. We're a Pit Bull rescue. We love them so much, we really wish these woefully irresponsible owners would just never be allowed to own a dog of any breed, period, until they fully wised up on the harm they cause, not just to the human victims of their irresponsibility, but to the canine victims, as well. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Related Content:</em></strong><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://blog.chako.org/2010/07/lets-talk-about-public-safety-and-dogs.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Top 15 fatal or serious dog attacks in recent U.S. history that were<br />
not caused by Pit Bulls and not heavily reported in the media </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_story.aspx?storyid=107779&catid=14" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pit Bull saves woman and child from abductor</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/24466747/detail.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pit Bulls save Chihuahua mix from Coyote</span></a></li>
</ul>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-48639256621880256752010-11-30T10:13:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:13:38.647-08:00Chako's Pit Bull Service Dog Training Program Gets AirtimeWe have officially launched our <a href="http://www.chako.org/servicedogs.html" target="_BLANK">Pit Bull service dog training program</a>. We take rescued Pit Bulls and train and place them as service dogs to assist persons with disabilities. News 10 visited our pilot service dog trainee, Junior, to see him in action and learn more about this innovative program. <br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="412" id="flashObj" width="486"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=692457644001&playerID=35146384001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAACC1lKhk~,ZvV6UsgbjjbyRIyjCwZ1LlCJagPsiGNo&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=692457644001&playerID=35146384001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAACC1lKhk~,ZvV6UsgbjjbyRIyjCwZ1LlCJagPsiGNo&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-2598842335050286532010-11-25T21:00:00.000-08:002010-11-25T21:01:42.432-08:00U.S. Military Bans Its Own Hero DogMany have heard of the heroic search and rescue dogs that helped find survivors in the aftermath of the September 11th World Trade Center attack, or the War Dogs in Afghanistan and Iraq that have saved the lives of American soldiers. Few, however, have heard about America's first and most decorated War Dog -- Sergeant Stubby. Apparently, even the U.S. military has forgotten about him, because all across the United States, military bases are banning Stubby's kind.<br />
<div></div>Born sometime around 1916, Sergeant Stubby was a little Bull and Terrier dog (or, Pit Bull, as we call them today). He served with the 102nd Infantry in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles. Stubby learned to warn his fellow soldiers of impending toxic gas attacks and incoming artillery. His captured a German spy by the seat of his pants. When he returned to the U.S., he was invited to the White House and honored as a hero.<br />
<div></div>Stubby received the following honors and awards for his heroism:<br />
<ul><li>3 Service Stripes</li>
<li>Yankee Division YD Patch</li>
<li>French Medal Battle of Verdun</li>
<li>1st Annual American Legion Convention Medal</li>
<li>New Haven World War I Veterans Medal</li>
<li>Republic of France Grande War Medal</li>
<li>St Mihiel Campaign Medal</li>
<li>Wound stripe, replaced with Purple Heart when introduced in 1932</li>
<li>Chateau Thierry Campaign Medal</li>
<li>6th Annual American Legion Convention</li>
<li>Humane Education Society Gold Medal</li>
</ul><div>None of this matters to the U.S. military. Instead of honoring the heritage of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the many lives Stubby saved (who knows, maybe some soldiers today would not be alive if Stubby hadn't saved their great grandfathers), military leaders have decided to embark on a full offensive against any and all American Pit Bull Terriers.</div><div></div>In the most recent example, Camp Pendleton has banned the breed. Duke is a gorgeous blue Pit Bull that lives on the marine base with his favorite soldier. According to pleas all over Facebook, Camp Pendleton authorities have given Duke's owner an ultimatum: Get rid of Duke, or he may be confiscated and killed.<br />
<div></div>The reason for the ultimatum has nothing to do with Duke's personality or behavior. The reason is because he is an American Pit Bull Terrier.<br />
<div></div>And apparently, <i>American</i> Pit Bull Terriers don't belong on <em>American</em> military bases. Perhaps they prefer the <i>German</i> shepherds or the <i>Belgian</i> Malinois. (Don't worry, I have nothing against those awesome breeds!)<br />
<div></div>We are sorry, Sergeant Stubby, that our military leaders today have forgotten your bravery and service to this country. We know it's not very patriotic of them to ban a breed that shares part of our nation's name. It's woefully sad that the very breed that inspired the formation of the K9 military corp has now become a victim of the very nation it has served for so many years.<br />
<br />
R.I.P. Sergeant Stubby. If you can.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BXdxLgDL5ks/TO89q-d_a_I/AAAAAAAAACo/RsUHnAC2tSU/s1600/stubby.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BXdxLgDL5ks/TO89q-d_a_I/AAAAAAAAACo/RsUHnAC2tSU/s320/stubby.bmp" width="231" /></a></div><div></div>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-37028692960761381572010-11-02T14:27:00.000-07:002010-11-02T14:27:22.713-07:00Open Letter to the United Kennel ClubDear United Kennel Club:<br />
<br />
Since 1898 you have been serving the purebred dog community. Your charter dog was the American Pit Bull Terrier. Our respective organizations both love the breed, but we propose to you that it's time to do what's right for the breed and change its name to American Bull Terrier.<br />
<br />
I've personally shown UKC American Pit Bull Terriers with my family since the 80s. I grew up around UKC show and weight pull events. I love the breed. The breed name American Pit Bull Terriers fills me with pride.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the breed's name is a small part of its downfall. We recognize the name is not the <i>cause</i> of the problems the breed faces. Names don't cause owners to act irresponsibly or communities to implement bans, but the name does not do the breed justice in today's world.<br />
<br />
Yes, we know these dogs have, as part of their history, been used for bull-baiting and dog fighting, among other things. We know changing the name is not going to end dog fighting or breed specific laws. <br />
<br />
However, the best name for the breed is and, frankly, always has been American Bull Terrier. It's a name that is straight to the point. These are bull and terrier dogs -- derived from overseas cousins and developed on the early American frontier.<br />
<br />
Changing the official breed name will have a great deal of positive effects. For one, every breed specific ordinance that refers to the UKC standard for the American Pit Bull Terrier will have to be, at the very least, rewritten. If the UKC doesn't have an American Pit Bull Terrier standard, than the law becomes vague and ambiguous and likely unenforceable as written.<br />
<br />
Additionally, we send the message that dogfighting is not the end-all and be-all of this breed. In fact, dogfighting is a cruel and ridiculous "sport" that we should do our best to banish. Humans don't need to fight dogs to prove gameness or worth. There are many other avenues for demonstrating a dog's drive, stamina, endurance, and no-quit attitude. <br />
<br />
Chako Pit Bull Rescue has been working with Pit Bulls directly for about 15 years. Our founder has owned, handled, trained and loved Pit Bulls for over 30 years. We love the breed. We know you do, too. We know a rose by any other name will smell just as sweet, and a breed by any other name will be just as wonderful. Changing the name to American Bull Terrier can only do good. At most, its effect will be neutral. At best, it will start a positive upswing for this breed by removing the fighting reference from the breed name and, in one sweep, shaking the validity of breed-specific ordinances across the United States.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-39334146704867108122010-10-27T14:23:00.000-07:002010-10-27T14:24:18.357-07:00Pit Bull Service Dogs Get Noticed!Two Pit Bull service dogs made the November issue of <em>California Employer Update</em>, a publication of the <a href="http://www.calchamber.com" target="_blank">California Chamber of Commerce</a>. Chako fans will likely find the two dogs very familiar -- one is our very own ambassadog Savvy. The second dog is named Idge and belongs to a Chako volunteer. <br />
<br />
The article discusses the issue of animals in the workplace -- from pets to service dogs that assist persons with disabilities. In particular, the article notes that any breed of dog may be a service dog pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. To highlight that point, the article includes a photo of two Pit Bull/Amstaff service dogs laying calmly side by side during a public outing. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BXdxLgDL5ks/TMiSxJWohvI/AAAAAAAAACk/1Sr1qNEbSHI/s1600/ceu_pets_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BXdxLgDL5ks/TMiSxJWohvI/AAAAAAAAACk/1Sr1qNEbSHI/s400/ceu_pets_photo.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3x9sOVj5uyVZjY3ZTU4NGMtNGI3MC00YmQ3LTkwMjYtODBjNjhhYzk0MGJm&hl=en&authkey=CP6X5bUD" target="_blank">Download the entire article as a PDF</a>. Reprinted with permission from the November 2010 issue of <i>California Employer Update</i>, published by the California Chamber of Commerce.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-28502482754438241722010-10-11T08:20:00.000-07:002010-10-12T13:50:48.460-07:00Leaving LucyWell, we're packing up on our last day in Santa Clarita. Saturday, we drove from Sacramento to Agua Dulce with three dogs and three people to drop Lucy off at Villalobos. Roland, one of volunteers, was with us with his Villalobos rescue dog, Dulce. He wanted Tia to see her since it's been years since he adopted her from Villalobos. <br />
<br />
The trip was smooth and seemed shorter than I thought it would. Lucy got a little ancy in the crate toward the end of the trip, so we made a final stop to let her potty and stretch her legs. Of course, when three Pit Bulls pile out of an SUV that has big orange "Chako Pit Bull Rescue" magnets on each side, people notice. A number of people stopped to pet the dogs, and one couple in particular loved little Lucy. <br />
<br />
After that last stop, we made the final leg of the trip to Agua Dulce. Tia's directions were perfect, so we found it with no problem. We delivered some donations that a shelter volunteer up here had asked us to pack (those took up the very last bit of room in the car). Tia met Lucy, and I gave her the whole spiel on Lucy's history again, with some more details about what I've observed of her temperament since she's been in my custody. Tia graciously let me go back to the kennels so I could see for myself what accommodations little Miss Lucy would have, at least during the transition to their new place. <br />
<br />
Then, we took a few photos (since dog folks are notoriously camera-happy about anything and everything they do with their dogs), and left. I have to admit I got a little teary-eyed on the way from Agua Dulce to Santa Clarita. I really wish I had a spot for Lucy myself, but all of our foster homes are full. I know Lucy is safe, and that's a lot better than being euthanized.<br />
<br />
We checked into the very dog friendly La Quinta Inn in Santa Clarita. Our plan was to spend the next day in Santa Monica to take the dogs to the beach. Well, Santa Monica is not, apparently, a very dog friendly town. Not only do none of the patio restaurants we encountered allow dogs on the patio (except for the dive stands), but none of the beaches allow dogs...at least none that we could find. So, we ended up having to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway until we could find a place that was a little less crowded and didn't have any life guard towers. <br />
<br />
Finally! We found a little place near a Vons and Chevron and took the dogs to the beach. We put them on long lines and let them chase the tennis ball. Vinnie got rolled in the waves a few times--butt over head--but had a blast trying to catch the tennis ball in the rolling waves. All three of the humans got pretty soaked, too, and Roland's phone might not ever recover. <br />
<br />
The dogs pooped out when we got back to the hotel. I don't think they stirred all night, though Vinnie didn't feel very well. He probably swallowed too much salt water or maybe got a touch of vertigo, but he's much better this morning. <br />
<br />
Now, we're off--cleaning up the hotel room, packing up, and heading down for the continental breakfast. I've got tons of video to work through and edit when I get home, and then I'll be posting Lucy's trip to Villalobos on our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/chakodogs">YOUTUBE channel</a>. So, stay tuned!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I've uploaded a few seconds of the dogs' beach fun (yes, we dog folks reallly are camera-crazy). A little girl walked up to Roland and Dulce on the beach and said Dulce (who is mostly white with a few black spots along her fur), looked like a Dalmatian. Roland kind of nodded and said, "Yes, she does look a little like a Dalmation" to which the little girl replied, "You know, Dalmations are not good with children." <br />
<br />
Roland got such a kick out of that statement, I don't think he mustered a reply. Fortunately, for the little girl, Dulce is not a Dalmation. She's a Pit Bull, and Pit Bulls by and large are very good with children. Dulce and Vinnie in particular are true to their Pit Bull heritage in that aspect. <br />
<br />
Vinnie gained a fan, too. A father from Iran and his little girl watched us play with the dogs. The father asked what kind of dogs they are, and we told him they're "Pit Bulls." He commented that Pit Bulls are dangerous, and we did a bit of polite educating. He watched us a short while, and then asked if his little girl could throw the ball for Vinnie. Of course, we agreed, and Vinnie made two new friends that day on the beach.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxJYXhf3wWnfzp7OuspzAv3TmA4Ljng4icLj-R6WPArWoHi3LCh2JAVKwuBZ1ZlXs2ndGMF0KCxRa3mjOKfg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-59023867733372467542010-10-07T16:36:00.000-07:002011-05-15T13:01:42.570-07:00The Two Pieces of Equipment Every Dog Owner Should HaveI'm often asked what's the best collar and leash to buy for a Pit Bull. Every dog is different, so there is no one "best" collar for every dog, but there is one collar and leash style that every dog owner should possess. <br />
<br />
<strong>Martingale Collar</strong><br />
<br />
A strong, quality martingale collar is an essential piece of equipment for just about every dog owner. A martingale collar is a collar with a chain or fabric/leather loop that constricts a little so that the dog cannot back out of the collar. (See: Wikipedia for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martingale_(collar)" target="_blank">martingale photo and full description</a>). This collar is wonderfullly functional when used by itself for dogs that walk well on leash or as a back up to a training collar, training harness, or head halter. When fitted properly, the martingale should just barely slip over the dog's head, which will prevent the dog from being able to back out of the collar because the collar will tighten when tension is applied to the leash. The collar does not, however, choke the dog in the same way as a traditional slip collar. Martingales, like most collars, should not be left on unsupervised dogs. <br />
<br />
<strong>European Training Leash</strong><br />
<br />
This lead has a clasp on each end (rather than on only one end, as with most traditional leashes). It also has one or more stationary or floating D rings along the length. Alternative names for this leash are police leash and six-way leash. (<a href="http://www.fordogtrainers.com/leatherdogleashmultifunctional-l1-13mm.aspx" target="_blank">See an example of a European training leash online</a>). This is the must-have piece of equipment for every dog owner. It is a versatile and secure leash that will allow you to attach one end to a primary collar or harness and the other end to a backup collar. You can also loop it around your body for a hands-free set-up or even use it as a temporary tether when out and about with your dog.<br />
<br />
We talk about these pieces of equipment and others in our Pit Bull Owner's Guide, a short E-Book that covers a broad range of topics, from equipment to homeowners' insurance and beware of dog signs. Order it online. <a href="http://www.chako.org/pitbullownerguide.html">Your purchase helps us to continue our work </a>!chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-30419591899960749852010-09-29T16:31:00.000-07:002010-09-29T20:04:00.322-07:00Lucy, the Dog That Would be Dead Today If......Chako had not pulled her from the Sacramento Shelter. Lucy was one of our Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training candidates at the Sacramento shelter. During her time in the shelter, she went from being a sick, lethargic dog to a happy, wiggly, healthier dog. As her health improved and days passed without anyone adopting her, she began to exhibit aggression toward other dogs. She'd bark and lunge at them as she passed kennels. She would even bark at dogs that were on leash elsewhere. <br />
<br />
But she was and is a total sweetheart with people. Because of her developing dog reactivity, the shelter staff pulled her out of the adoption area and put her into the "isolation ward." She was slated to be euthanized. The shelter emailed us, but it pained us to tell them we were completely full. We couldn't take in another dog. <br />
<br />
We put out several calls for help. In a last ditch effort, I contacted Tia Maria with Villalobos. I know she's full, but it never hurts to ask. Tia agreed to take Lucy, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bLsUhlsmP4" target="_blank">so Rachele and I went to the shelter and bailed Lucy out of doggie jail</a>. <br />
<br />
While Lucy waits for her transport to Tia, she's staying with me. She's borrowing Savvy's comfy indoor-outdoor run (he hardly uses it, so he doesn't seem to mind as long as she doesn't start decorated his bachelor pad with girlie stuff). So far, she has been a perfect little angel.<br />
<br />
She hasn't snarked at a dog since she's gotten here. In fact, she seems to want to play and even had a very <a href="http://www.youtube.com/chakodogs#p/u/6/OPDr78V39HE" target="_blank">nice on leash introduction to Savvy</a>. At one point, she was nose-to-nose with the cat and gave the equivalent of a doggie shrug as she sniffed briefly and then moved on. She doesn't "do her business" inside the kennel (she does it in the appropriate outdoor area). She walks well on leash. She comes when called. She sits. She stays. That CGC training really paid off! She even laid down quietly inside for some crate time. She doesn't chew up her bedding. She doesn't tip over her water bowl. She doesn't try to climb out of the kennel.<br />
<br />
About the only thing she does, occasionally, is whine and bark when she sees one of us outside and tries desperately to <em>make</em> us let her out of the kennel (which I do about three times a day for play/walks). Poor gal. We'd love her to find a home where she doesn't have to spend most of her time in a kennel, but alas, this is the only temporary spot we have for her while she waits for her transport to Tia (and her spay, which is tomorrow). <br />
<br />
Lucy wouldn't be alive right now if we hadn't been able to get her out of there. It amazes me that such a wonderful dog almost didn't get a second chance at life.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-34208245438296286702010-09-20T09:29:00.000-07:002010-09-20T13:05:31.569-07:00The Forgotten DogsThere's been lots of celebration about the Vick dogs finding homes and happy endings. Such joyous stories help to warm my heart, but there's a much greater sadness that wells inside me for the many other dogs who aren't finding happy endings. There are no news camera for Lucy, Pickles, Coconut, Charlotte, or Sharky. There very likely won't be a happy ending for dogs like Lucy -- a tiny Pit Bull "Terrier" gal (maybe a mix) with bat-like ears and the face of a gremlin. She's a total love bug with people--submissive, eager to please, and affectionate. <br />
<br />
However, she's a terrier, and true to her terrier heritage, she's a little hot head around other dogs. So, she's scheduled to be euthanized--humanely of course--because of course the shelter cannot adopt out a dog that is dog aggressive. They don't have the resources to put individual attention into dogs and to screen homes and take the time to find an experienced, responsible home who will be Lucy's perfect match.<br />
<br />
And, of course, Chako, like many other rescues, is full. We do NOT euthanize dogs (unless they pose a danger to people, and since we are so picky about that when we take in dogs--knock on wood--we haven't had to euthanize a dog for over 12 years). So, that means, when we are full, we stay full until we can find one of our dogs (like <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16510575" target="_blank">Pickles</a>), a new home. If I did continue to take in dogs beyond Chako's capacity, I'd end up on the news as one of those "hoarder" ladies who really had "good intentions."<br />
<br />
Lucy only has until the end of the day, today. Then, her hope of a happy ending vanishes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BXdxLgDL5ks/TJeLHsVNGsI/AAAAAAAAACc/ApljtVETpo8/s1600/lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BXdxLgDL5ks/TJeLHsVNGsI/AAAAAAAAACc/ApljtVETpo8/s320/lucy.jpg" /></a></div>She's not the only dog out there in need of a happy ending, but if you have space in your life for a dog reactive little gremlin who loves belly rubs, let us know today, as soon as you possibly can. And if you don't have room in your life for a dog like Lucy, then we urge you to consider Pickles, or Charlotte, or Coconut, or any other Pit Bull who hasn't had the benefit of news cameras to help them find their happy endings. Hopefully, the forgotten dogs in shelters and rescue will be someone's adoring companion soon.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-80866602837836985962010-09-17T10:13:00.000-07:002010-09-17T18:17:47.094-07:00Responsible Breeding - Is there such a thing?Chako Pit Bull Rescue does not oppose RESPONSIBLE breeding. We believe that, although there are a lot of rescue dogs in need of homes, we understand some people have specific desires to show dogs and be involved in the show community. Some people want proven "working line" dogs (recognizing that that's no guarantee a puppy from such a line will be working quality). We also recognize that responsible, thoughful, and purposeful breeding is the only way to preserve purebred dogs with consistent breed temperament and structure. <br />
<br />
Of course, we're not saying that purebred dogs are any better than mixed breed dogs. But we recognize there are people who are true breed fanciers and want to preserve the ideal of their beloved breeds. However, we feel it important to let people know that we believe responsible breeders only breed dogs that meet the following criteria:<br />
<ul><li>Have obtained a working, obedience, or show title;</li>
<li>Are structurally sound and mostly conform to the breed standard (recognizing no dog conforms 100% to the ideal breed standard);</li>
<li>Have passed all relevant health tests (hips, elbows, thyroid, cardiac and any breed specific genetic tests); and</li>
<li>Perhaps most importantly, have demonstrated the proper breed temperament</li>
</ul>Responsible breeders must ALWAYS take back dogs that do not work out in their homes -- and that includes the breeders on both sides (sire and dam). Breeding a pup is a lifelong commitment to that pup. So, technically, a dog should NEVER end up in a shelter since all dogs are the result of breeders, at some point (either that dog or a prior generation was produced by a breeder). Breeders should NOT breed a litter unless they have suitable, responsible homes lined up in advance of the planned breeding.<br />
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Responsible breeders breed limited litters. They do not churn out litter after litter after litter. Those that do are called "puppy mills."<br />
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Responsible breeders avoid inbreeding close relatives and only engage in line breeding or outcrossing after much research and consideration.<br />
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Every breeder should ask the question -- WHY am I breeding? The answer should be "To better the breed" not "I need extra cash." In fact, if you breed responsibly, you will never make a living off breeding. Most responsible breeders breed not only to better the breed, but because they also want to take a puppy themselves from the planned breeding. That's different than the pet owner that wants a reproduction of "fluffy." Responsible breeders know that breeding will never yield you an exact reproduction of either parent.<br />
Remember that when you breed, you are deliberately bringing several lives into the world. Your duty to those lives continues until each of those lives end. That's a 10-17 year commitment, generally (times however many puppies you have produced).chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-41660076390891632762010-09-16T11:09:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:09:45.408-07:00Going Beyond the MythSeptember 25th is the premiere of Beyond the Myth, a documentary about Pit Bulls and Breed Specific Legislation. It will show at The Guild Theater in Sacramento. Doors open at 6:30 and the film starts at 7:00 (and <a href="http://www.chako.org/beyondthemyth.html">tickets are available in advance</a>). <br />
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I've had the pleasure of meeting Libby. She flew out to California to interview me in person way back in September of 2007 (I'm pretty sure it was 2007, but it might have been 2008). I took her to an AKC dog show and we toured San Francisco, interviewing various people about the effects of San Francisco's anti-Pit Bull ordinance. We knew we were kindred souls when, on the drive back from the show in the bay area (with my Amstaff, Savvy, in tow), Libby asked me if I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer (hey, we didn't <i>always</i> talk about dogs). <br />
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Heck, yeah! Gosh, I used to love watching that show. Libby said one of her favorite episodes was the musical. Well, wouldn't you know it, I happened to have the musical available to listen to in the car. So we did. And our inner geeks were released, to Savvy's dismay. (I don't think he's much of a Buffy fan, but it's hard to tell since he's perfected his nonchalance act so well).<br />
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Anyway, it's been three years (I think), and now finally the film is complete, and we get to see it on the big screen one night only in Sacramento. Don't miss it. I'm sure going to be there!chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-57560866442154885842010-08-20T14:20:00.000-07:002010-08-20T14:39:30.707-07:00Unleashed Dog Incident in East Sacramento<div align="left"><span>I am a Chako volunteer and owner of a pet sitting business. Of course,volunteering with Chako has made me ultra aware of being a responsible dog owner and the signs to look for when an owner is less than responsible.<br /><br />While walking one of my doggie clients yesterday, we approached a corner house where a dog was laying out front with children playing in a tree house. The dog noticed our approach and lifted his head, stretched and laid back down. He gave no indication that he felt like moving anytime soon.<br /><br />Before crossing the street, I yelled out to the kids to ask if their dog was tied up (I couldn't tell from the distance we were at).<br /><br />One of the little girls called for her mother, who apparently was across the street, out of my line of vision.<br /><br />The mother walked over and grabbed the dog's collar. After I had visual confirmation that the dog was contained, I walked by with my dog. At no point did the other dog bark, growl, or show any signs of distress that we were walking by.<br /><br />We passed the house and were about halfway down the block when I heard paws pounding pavement and tags clanging together. I whipped my head around to see the dog was running at full speed, directly for the dog that I was walking.<br /><br />Without hesitating, I jumped in front of my dog and reached for my Spray Shield (Spray Shield is a citronella-based animal deterrant) and sprayed the oncoming dog in the face from a distance of about 10 feet, while yelling "get back" in a firm voice. He slowed down with a confused look on his face for maybe a second and then continued toward us, but from the side this time which I reacted to by stepping forward and spraying him again,<br />this time covering his eyes with the white foam. His hesitation was long enough for the owner to finally come up behind him, grab him and walk off.<br /><br />The owner said nothing to me.<br /><br />This incident took place in Sacramento's famed Fabulous 40's neighborhood - not exactly the place where one would expect to find irresponsible owners. Just goes to show you that money can't buy common sense, I suppose.<br /><br />Thankfully, I was prepared and had practiced this exact scenario in my head a million times before (and yes, I've practiced physically reaching for my equipment as well). I leave the safety off my Spray Shield and shake it before every walk. I was quite shaken up after the incident. I have no idea what the dog's intentions were and I wasn't about to give him a chance to show me.<br /><br />Neither I nor the dog I was walking deserved to be put in this situation. Not everyone is as prepared or experienced with this kind of thing as I am; what if it had been a child or elderly person walking a dog passed this house? Would they have been able to protect their dog as quickly as easily? And if a fight had ocurred, would they have the knowledge, strength, or equipment to break it up?<br /><br />Please, please, please - leash your dogs! And if you must have them out in an unfenced area with you, tether them securely. The Spray Shield worked like a charm this time, but I shouldn't have had to use it in the first place.<br /><br />I think it's important to note that at no time did I feel personally threatened by this dog; the drives for aggression directed towards humans and those directed toward other dogs are unrelated, separate drives. It's very possible that because this dog does not show any ill-will towards his humans that his owner is under the mistaken impression that her dog is not a threat. Maybe she thinks that a dog that is great with humans could not possibly kill another dog. I'll reiterate that I do not know what he would have done had he been allowed to reach my dog, but clearly this owner needs to wake up to the possiblities of what could have happened. She should also consider that if her beloved family pet kills or seriously injures someone else's family pet that her dog may lose his life as well. Dog aggression, regardless of breed, can be properly managed in many instances but it should never be ignored.<br /></span><br />~Rachele is the volunteer Social Media Coordinator for <a href="http://www.chako.org/">Chako</a> and owner of <a href="http://www.pawsitiveattentionpetservices/">Pawsitive Attention Pet Services</a>.</div>Rachelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00147837963052837240noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-58660355789995934432010-08-06T13:48:00.000-07:002010-08-06T13:48:16.888-07:00$400,000 Insurance Claim from Daschund BiteI was on the phone earlier with an insurance agent looking at a new policy. The agent owns a Pit Bull and specializes in offering coverage to breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Pit Bulls that other companies often blacklist, so the topic of dog breeds and insurance coverage naturally came up.<br />
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The agent said he's got policies for over 500 Pit Bull owners, but so far only one claim -- and it's the result of a Daschund's bite. Apparently, the dog ripped off the woman's lip. The dog had a bacterial infection in its mouth that transferred to the woman, so she ended up having serious health issues above and beyond the initial horrific injury.<br />
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The claim is now up to about $400,000. At least in this particular insurance agent's case, the Pit Bulls and Rottweilers have proven to be less of a liability than the Daschund.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624081456486559152.post-19054964346051365582010-08-04T20:32:00.000-07:002010-08-04T20:39:50.814-07:00Labrador and Cattle Dog Maul Three-Year Old in AlabamaI'm back on the press again. Take <a href="http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/dogs-bite-toddler-more-than-50-times" target="_blank">this story </a>from Fox News. Madisyn Shelton is a three year old girl in Alabama. She was attacked by her neighbor's dogs and bitten more than 50 times.<br />
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The news article never mentions the breed of the dogs involved. One has to watch the video to see footage of the dogs in custody. It's only then that the viewer sees a Labrador Retriever and a Cattle Dog. Breed isn't mentioned in the headline. Breed isn't mentioned in the story.<br />
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Fortunately, Alabama has an ordinance that allows it to adequately target dangerous dogs, so the dogs will likely be euthanized. Hopefully, Madisyn Shelton makes a full recovery.<br />
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And while we're on the subject of dangerous dogs and breed, <a href="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/24466747/detail.html" target="_blank">Coyotes attacked a Chihuaha in Littleton, Colorado</a>, which is just outside of Denver. Denver, of course, has a ban on Pit Bulls. Fortunately, the little Chihuahua didn't live in Denver, else he wouldn't have had Pit Bull neighbors to come to his rescue. Yes, that's right. Buster, the Chihuahua, was saved by his neighbor's Pit Bulls. They ran the Coyota off and then stayed with the Chihuahua to protect him. <br />
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"They were circling him and sitting by him. Making sure he was all right," Buster's owner said.chakohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03265529172702658025noreply@blogger.com0