Dog’s best friend: Woman carries wounded pit bull down mountain

[baldguy]

No one knows exactly how long the 2-year-old pit bull had been left to die alone in the Arizona mountains.

A photo taken by Andi Davis, the hiker who found him, shows the dog half standing, half collapsed, his head pressing against a rock.

Davis had walked about a half mile uphill last Friday, October 18, along a deserted trail in Phoenix when she found the black and white dog, suffering from bullet wounds, said Arizona Humane Society spokeswoman Bretta Nelson in an e-mail.

Woman Carries Injured Dog Down MountainShe hesitated for a moment before approaching the pit bull, Nelson said. But when he lifted his head as she reached for her water bottle, Davis put her apprehension aside, gave him a drink and then lifted the 47-pound dog into her arms, Nelson said. Then, she began walking.



more:
http://wtkr.com/2013/10/24/dogs-best-friend-woman-carries-wounded-pit-bull-down-mountain/

Shot by Pit Bull haters; saved compassionate dog lovers.

[polichick]

1. So heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time! Thanks! k&r

[newfie11]

2. What a wonderful woman

And there's a place in hell for who ever did this.

[seabeyond]

3. how the hell do you know it was a pitbull hater that shot him? could have been an asshole owner.

[baldguy]

4. And the difference is....?

[seabeyond]

6. you and everyone else knows "the difference is". i was all for the op and what the woman did.

it was humane. it was beyond admirable. massive respect and appreciation for her as a compassionate human being. and instead of making a comment about her, i read your bogus accusation for the sake of your agenda.

[baldguy]

13. The difference between a Pit Bull hater and an asshole is that there is no difference.

Assholes don't need an excuse to abuse and torture animals. And any asshole is allowed to get a dog these days.

OTOH, it takes an exceptional human being to offer love, compassion & most of all help to a breed of dogs that assholes can only view as targets.

[Gravitycollapse]

19. The difference is someone shot the dog because they wanted to shoot a dog.

Not because they hate pit bulls. That's the difference. If you cannot see that, you're not looking very hard.

[flvegan]

39. Back that up.

[BlueCaliDem]

55. I second that motion! Hear! Hear! eom

[LiberalElite]

21. and the "agenda" is? nt

[seabeyond]

23. agenda is not a nasty word. his agenda from what i have seen over time is bringing awareness to

pitbull abuse, education on pitbulls, ect...

agenda is not a bad thing

i feel, to suggest this is some pitbull hater without absolutely any info to confirm that allegation is wrong. i pointed it out.

it is not a tough one.

this was an excellent op. he takes away from it making up an accusation that has no basis. it was not needed to make his point.

actually, thinking a little further. he needed to direct his anger to pit bull haters to highlight the agenda. otherwise the piece is merely about a woman that went beyond in kindness.

[LiberalElite]

27. ok

[PBass]

18. The difference is...

The difference between an "asshole owner" and a "Pitbull hater" is that a pitbull hater would never own a pitbull in the first place.

Get the chip off your shoulder, and you'll be able to persuade more people. That's your goal, right? I assume it's not to browbeat them.

[baldguy]

22. Pit Bull haters don't own Pit Bulls?

The fact is that A) dog fighting exists, and B) neglect, abuse & torture of dogs is integral to dog fighting. Sort of makes your point rather pointless.

[Tigress DEM]

43. There are bad Pit bull owners who put their dogs in fights and if they don't win enough...

Bad owners will get rid of their dogs that aren't vicious enough.

Those type of owners breed dogs to fight to the death and are the reason Pitt bulls have such a bad rep.

They were originally bred to help farmers fight of Alpha predators, especially bears. Taught to not back down no matter what in defense of their family or in dog terms, their pack.

My son had a pitt bull that actually did intervene between him and a bear. They all lived. My son left a huge string of fish he's spent all day catching for the bear to munch on, but the dog gave him the time to do that and get into the car and the dog happily ran off the bear then came back to the car to go home.

[BlueCaliDem]

56. What a wonderful story! I'm so happy your son is all right, thanks, in part, to his loyal friend.

If ever I were in a situation as your son's, the dog I would want beside me is a "pit bull".

But I wasn't always that way. I was one of those humans who had a bad opinion of pit bulls - up until I've read up on the breed and have met countless Amstaffs and APBTs in person.

They are exceptionally beautiful animals with an insatiable need to please people no matter what, and fearless in protection of their beloved pack if they feel it's under threat.

The only APBTs I've ever met that showed aggressive tendencies are from owners who don't know their own dog, the breed, and who treat them with disrespect and callousness. Any dog would become aggressive at such hands!

Just last Saturday, as I was at PetCo with my daughter to buy some yogurt treats for her lop-ear rabbit. The store was holding a free inoculation day, and understandably, there was a long line from the back of the store to the front!

Every dog breed you can imagine was there, but just one dog caught my eye - a beautiful 80lb blue Amstaff! It wasn't his size or extraordinary color that attracted my immediate attention. It was how friendly and happy he was compared to the other dogs there! I walked up to him and offered my hand for him to sniff, and with happily lolling tongue, he made the shopping cart move (they got a shopping cart for him to sit in) as he wagged his tail and couldn't wait to give me a doggie kiss! He was so sweet!

[MsPithy]

34. Dude! We all know that this dog was shot by an owner

who discovered that the dog was not aggressive enough for the required penis extension of the owner. They are the true pit bull haters.

Do not confuse that with average people who are wary of the breed.

[wryter2000]

79. Absolutely

The guy next door to me keeps his pit bull in conditions that are probably good enough to maintain it but nowhere near a loving environment. It's penned in a small run with a doghouse. It appears well-nourished enough, but it has bite marks on its body. The other day, I leaned over with my garden hose to pour water in its bowl.

He may be using that dog as a fighter, so I'm scared spitless to put my hand anywhere that it can reach it. I don't want to call animal control and start a disagreement with someone who would treat his pet like that. I will if I have to, though.

[MsPithy]

84. You are in a tough spot.

I wish I knew what to tell you. In lots of communities, laws against animal cruelty are nauseatingly lax. I guess I would find out what the law in your town actually says. If the law requires clean drinking water at all times, and you are filling his water, I would document with photos every time the dog is without clean water.

If the dog continues to have injuries, I would photograph that, too. Not getting medical treatment is definitely a cruelty problem. In short, if you see something about how the dog is cared for that bothers you, document it somehow.

Does your town have an animal welfare society? Not the local government animal control, a volunteer society. They might be able to give you some ideas, they should eventually approach the neighbor, if they think it will help, keeping you anonymous.

Good luck to you. Watching an animal suffer, even if it is "just" loneliness, is the very definition of heartbreaking.

[wryter2000]

93. Thanks

Good suggestions. I'll keep watch on him and take action if necessary.

[Snake Plissken]

14. Or just a George Zimmerman-esque douchebag with a gun who thinks

any person or any animal who doesn't do exactly what he says when he says it needs to die.

[Thucydides]

65. Confusing statement to say the least....

Yes I can see the similarities in the GZ/TM case and how nicely it fits in here. Flame war much?

[Cleita]

5. People's cruelty to innocent animals never fails to

make me sad.

[BlueCaliDem]

53. It breaks my heart every single time to see and read articles like this.

It's beyond my comprehension how some humans can be so cold and cruel toward animals. I guess it's the taught position that animals are somehow on some lower rung of the ladder of life and people can do whatever they want to them.

Heartbreaking.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Some people!

Some people!

[LisaLynne]

9. Yeah, the range of what humans are capable of is just ...

astounding.

So glad the doggie is doing well!

[ReRe]

8. K&R

You're a champ too, baldguy, for sharing this with us... Thanks!

That is one precious lucky pup and one lucky family.

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. great story!!

[Momgonepostal]

12. Look at that huge doggy smile on his face!

That lady is a tough cookie. I don't think I could have walked that far carrying a big, injured dog.

[LisaLynne]

15. The whole family is just gorgeous with those wonderful smiles! :) nt

[Curmudgeoness]

16. OMG, how disgusting how the dog was left there.

The people who shot him couldn't just kill him, they had to leave him to suffer. But it is apparent that it is a good thing they didn't kill him. He looks so damned happy.

Andi is incredible!

[Gravitycollapse]

17. There is no evidence that the dog was shot by people who hate Pit Bulls.

[baldguy]

24. Yeah, right. People shoot their loved ones & leave them to suffer & die all the time.

Well, some people do. We usually call them murderous nutcases & lock them up.

But, since this was just a dog, the perpetrator will only get a slap on the wrist.

[Gravitycollapse]

25. I don't think you understand the linguistic difference between "pit bull" and "dog" in this context.

The people who shot the dog probably did so because they hate dogs. Not because they specifically hate pit bulls. Although without an investigation, I guess we'll never really know for sure.

Some of us are more keen than you've anticipated and you've somehow managed to turn a really great story into yet another shit throwing contest. Congratulations.

[flvegan]

41. Back your post up, too.

I'm intrigued.

[baldguy]

47. You seem to be under the false assumption that Pit Bulls are some other kind of animal.

Dog lovers understand that Pit Bulls are dogs. Pit Bull haters think they are something else - which causes problems like depicted in the article from the OP.

[OwnedByCats]

86. We have no way of knowing if this was a hater of pit bulls

or just this specific dog, or dogs in general. However, there are such people out there that would shoot a pit bull on sight (or what they think is a pit bull), just because it's a pit bull or just looks like one. Happens all the time. They think they are serving some kind of wonderful public service by doing this.

Regardless of who did this and why it was done, anyone who hurts any animal like this, hell would be too nice a place for these assholes, in my not so humble opinion. Same goes for child abusers.

This one was lucky to be found by a caring person, it is great to hear stories like this. I don't think they meant to throw shit around to be combative but some of us automatically think it was *probably* a pit hater because of their reputation, which is by and large undeserved. When you see enough people assuming all pit bulls are carbon copies of one another, it's not hard to come to the possible conclusion that it could have been all based on discrimination.

[woo me with science]

20. She has a friend for life.

[liberal_at_heart]

26. what a wonderful outcome and what a beautiful dog.

[Dash87]

28. More like scumbag dog fighters, I bet.

I say that because it's a pitbull mix, and someone clearly could care less about him. Furthermore, it was someone too stupid and careless to kill the dog.

[Iggo]

77. Dog-fighters: the very worst of the dog-lovers.

[Orrex]

29. Maybe it was a journalist, thinking that they were shooting a mountain lion

After all, your whole schtick is that people mislabel everything as pit bulls.

How can you be so sure that the shooter knew that they were aiming at a pit bull?

How can you even know that this is a pit bull?

[Nine]

50. Without DNA testing, there's no way to be sure. Or so I've been told.

Heck, that could be a beagle.


The problem with your post, baldguy, comes when it is seen within the context of your other previous posts. "Pit bull haters" to you can mean the people who breed and own the dog for fighting. It can also mean the people who are wary of the breed, believe it to be more dangerous than some other breeds, and perhaps support legislation to address that. You use the same terminology to describe illegal dog fighters as you do those who might support breed-specific legislation. That's what those of here object to. You took a nice story and used it to vilify people who disagree with you on other matters.

[nomorenomore08]

110. I don't expect a guy to be very cordial to those who would take away and kill his beloved pet...

[Nine]

112. Neither do I. Let me know if you run across anyone here who has ever advocated that. (nt)

[nomorenomore08]

121. What do you think "breed-specific legislation" entails? A stern warning?

[Nine]

122. One example of BSL is a requirement to keep specific breeds behind a certain type of fence.

Another example could be no importation of certain breeds of dog, like huge fighting dogs from other countries. Basically any regulation that is limited to certain breeds is BSL. And the reasons for limiting to specific breeds is generally pragmatic. It would be silly to require all dogs, even a toy poodle, to be kept behind a 6-foot fence. Keeping such a law focused on a few breeds just makes more sense.

[OneGrassRoot]

30. Stupid question: Does anyone ever investigate these crimes against animals?

I mean, if it had been a human being shot, left for dead, an investigation would take place with a forensic investigation and such.

If stricter legislation were passed regarding animal cruelty, I can envision a whole new sector of employment involving law enforcement re: animal welfare.

I hope I live to see the day when all living creatures are treated humanely.

Probably won't.

[darkangel218]

33. +1 million

[Flatulo]

38. Massachusetts has a very strong MSPCA presence. There are several full-time officers with powers

of arrest. I know this because some years ago I reported a neighbor who was in the habit of kicking (very hard) his dog. I called the authorities and there were two officers there the same day. They cited the owner and took the poor pooch for adoption.

[OneGrassRoot]

49. Does Massachusetts have stronger laws re: animal cruelty than most?

I wonder if your state could be a model for others.

I know many states have officers with powers of arrest whenever a case of abuse is reported.

But we see animals abandoned, abused, left for dead as in the case of the OP....I haven't heard of investigations taking place to find the perpetrators and to hold them accountable.

That's a campaign/effort/battle I could get behind 100%...to strengthen the laws and get trained personnel on board to investigate and bring these criminals to justice.

[niyad]

75. from the article:

. . .



Nelson said it’s unlikely any investigation will be conducted to find the person who injured Elijah since there isn’t a clear timetable and no witnesses have come forward.

. .

[OneGrassRoot]

91. Right...

But if it were a person, they'd investigate with forensics and other measures.

Hi, niyad.

[niyad]

92. sad commentary, isn't it? good morning, ogr!! hope your day is a great one.

[roody]

31. Lucky doggie!

[pitbullgirl1965]

32. I get more upset about animal abuse then anything.

Poor baby. I hope the resident pit bull haters don't show up. Their attitude fuels the hate for these dogs.

[Flatulo]

36. I'm not a fan of the breed, but I'm of the 'no such thing as a bad dog - just bad humans' mindset.

I know a few pits that are just sweet big sissies. But Labs are my first love.

[pitbullgirl1965]

69. I agree with you and add I *do* believe bad breeding in ANY breed can cause issues.

I think traits in the parents can be passed down to their offspring, both in humans and animals. Nature Nurture or both? I say both.

[Nine]

52. See post #50.

The lumping together has already begun, I see. If I support a law that says, for example, pit bulls must be kept inside a yard with a 6-foot fence, I'm apparently as bad as someone who takes a pitbull up a mountain, shoots it, and leaves it there, wounded, to die slowly. Gotcha. I guess I'm as bad as Hitler too.

[pitbullgirl1965]

68. Do you blame me for being defensive? And why just pitbulls?

Get off the cross please too. Where did I Godwin anyone here.

[Nine]

70. when you mentioned "resident pit bull haters"

...which is the same terminology used in the OP's dichotomy:

"Shot by Pit Bull haters; saved compassionate dog lovers."

Do you honestly think anyone on DU is capable of shooting an animal and leaving it to die in this manner? I object to the same phrase being used for the person who did this and for people on DU who are simply wary of pit bulls. And I would suggest that if the person who did this was indeed a dog fighter who was getting rid of an inferior fighter, such a person would be highly unlikely to support any restrictions on the breeding, owning, etc. of these dogs. Still, I would never lump a person like that in with you or baldguy, who may oppose such legislation but for different (though, in my opinion, misguided) reasons.

[pitbullgirl1965]

72. Shot by Pit Bull haters; saved compassionate dog lovers."

Maybe they did hate pit bulls, or just animals in general. I've seen comments that skate close to saying "kill 'em all" on here. They aren't just wary, they flat out hate them. After providing them with links to Cornell (whom I work for as a Vet. Tech), I finally blocked said users.

They're acting like Teabaggers: no matter how much their arguments are debunked by real experts, they brushed it off.

That type of knee jerk blind hatred *is* contributing to anti pit bull, and dog even attitudes.

[Orrex]

89. Could you provide a citation?

Maybe they did hate pit bulls, or just animals in general. I've seen comments that skate close to saying "kill 'em all" on here.

What does that mean, exactly? And can you provide any links in support of that claim?
I'd like to read some of those, especially since people who argue for laws favoring the safe handling of these animals are attacked as stupid, ignorant, genocidal bigots.

If, indeed, some are calling for extermination, then it should be a simple matter to link to those posts.

Or, as a particularly aggressive pit bull fan likes to demand "you need to back that up."

[pitbullgirl1965]

96. Read through this

I'd like to read some of those, especially since people who argue for laws favoring the safe handling of these animals are attacked as stupid, ignorant, genocidal bigots.

Gee funny, when I SAID my dog isn't used to children, so I crate him when and if children are at my house, I was accused of having a dangerous dog, instead of being a responsible dog owner.

Or, as a particularly aggressive pit bull fan likes to demand "you need to back that up."

Speaking of backing up: I had linked studies from Cornell university (and whom I work for as a vet. tech) debunking the pit bull myths, only to be ignored or brushed off. Because one of the top Vet. Schools and its' attendant experts in the world couldn't possibly know more then DU members!!

Your language is hostile and tells me no matter what I say here you'll brush it off.





http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3749841

[Orrex]

100. Hostile? How so?

Granted, I don't like being called a stupid, ignorant, genocidal bigot, but if that makes me hostile, then so be it. You didn't call me those things, but fans of pit bulls often trot out exactly that language.

Which part of that 164-post thread did you have in mind? I see those same old accusations of cluelessness, stupidity, ignorance and closed-mindedness, along with the typical demands to "back that up," but those are coming from fans of pit bulls, as usual. I don't see anyone calling for the extermination of the breed, as you suggest.

You yourself make several sensible points here, and in fact I've often called for tighter restrictions (and stricter punishments) for owners of pit bulls. For that matter, any dog owner should be accountable for their dog's behavior. In my view, if the dog attacks someone, the owner should face the same consequences as if he or she (rather than the dog) had attacked the person.

Your language is hostile and tells me no matter what I say here you'll brush it off.

Of course, that's an effort to preempt discussion; you declare outright that I'm hostile simply because I ask for citation, thereby absolving you of any responsibility to reply in support of your own claims. It's similar to the trick of calling someone "defensive" in an attempt to distract from the actual discussion and instead to make it about whether or not the person is defensive.

My tone isn't hostile at all, and my multiple citations above shouldn't be taken to imply hostility.

It's also just like your reply HERE in which you gave yourself a rhetorical get-out-of-jail-free-card by insisting that you aren't "trying to start a flame war" in response to my quite reasonable observation HERE.

Well, since I haven't "brushed it off," I look forward to your response.

[pitbullgirl1965]

101. Hostile because you're defensive the start

Granted, I don't like being called a stupid, ignorant, genocidal bigot, but if that makes me hostile, then so be it.

Or, as a particularly aggressive pit bull fan likes to demand "you need to back that up."

I can't answer for the people who called you that, I do understand it though. There were some ignorant people on there, including someone I put on Ignore, AND including the OP who threw up a link and ran.

A link that was debunked I may add, run by a woman with a personal ax to grind against pit bulls with no objective, scientific background to back her theories up.

Just let me poke around ok? that goes for Nine too.

[OwnedByCats]

87. Pitbullgirl is right

There are people on this board who support BSL and want them all destroyed, even though the majority of those dogs never hurt anybody. Some people are nasty, I even saw a person who rides their bike everywhere show their disdain for auto drivers by hoping those lazy people who drive cars die of heart attacks because they dare to complain about how some cyclists conduct themselves in busy traffic.

While I think the majority of people here are not at all like that, there is a minority of really nasty individuals.

[Nine]

90. Are you equating BSL with "want them all destroyed"?

Because that's not what BSL means. Or did you meant there is a subset of BSL supporters who also support mass extermination of pit bulls? Because I haven't seen any of that myself.

[pitbullgirl1965]

97. Dogs have been destroyed because of BSL

One of the worst pictures I saw was stacks of dead pit bulls after Denver enacted their BSL. I've giving up arguing with BSL cheerleaders. I've quit citing Cornell University Vet College opinions and studies, and my own experience working for them as a Vet.Tech AND working with Veterinary community because DU members know more then one of the worlds top Veterinary Colleges.
Teaching people to be responsible pet owners, more spay/neutering, working with youth to teach them alternatives to dog fighting for status, giving people with no way to make money except for drug dealing/dog fighting a way out, in other words a holistic global approach to get at the root of eradicating animal and child abuse.

FWIW, the ASPCA was also the first to speak out child abuse and gave birth to one of the worlds first child protective agency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/health/15abus.html?_r=0

http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/mary-ellen-wilson.html

[Nine]

99. BSL does not mean killing dogs.

Dogs are killed in every county in America, whether or not those places have BSL. They're killed because there are too many dogs in this country and not enough homes for them.

My objection on this thread was to the equating of the person who shot a dog and left it to die a slow death, with DU members who don't accept that pit bulls are no more dangerous than beagles or any other type of dog. The blanket term "pit bull haters" has been applied to both groups in an attempt to lump them together. You apparently think this is fair and appropriate and are making arguments to justify it. I think that is a very sad commentary.

[baldguy]

108. BSLs mean dogs are indiscriminatly killed.

Their purpose is to enact genocide against a particular breed of dog, with no regard to the behavior or actions of individuals - either dogs or humans.

[Nine]

113. Incorrect. But this isn't even about BSL.

You show the same hostility to those who never even mention BSL but merely don't share your rosy view of pit bulls as "nanny dogs." Here is a thread that Seabeyond, for example, said she was all ready to get behind and then you had to put your own divisive spin on it.

[baldguy]

123. This subthread is about BSLs. It's a topic you introduced.

Interesting that when you're proven wrong you want to set the topic aside.

Pit Bull haters - criminal dog fighters, abusers & people that want to ban them - are all of a type.

[Nine]

124. Incorrect.

I did not initiate a tangent about the merits or flaws of BSL. My point had to do with this vilification of anyone who disagrees with you on any aspect of pit bulls. The only BSL I mentioned before others brought it up had to do with fences, and my point was how absurd and dishonest it is to equate someone who wants to require fenced-in yards with someone who takes a dog up a mountain, shoots it, and leaves it there to die by calling them both "pit bull haters" (along with people who haven't even mentioned policy but merely disagree with you about the nature of pit bulls).

[OwnedByCats]

103. Sorry, but BSL led to Denver going door to door

seizing pit bulls and putting them to sleep, even though these dogs never bit, attacked or killed anyone. That is what BSL usually leads to which prompts me to say this:

I don't know if ALL people who support BSL support the culling of ALL pit bulls, but if someone gets behind BSL, they have to know that could happen because it has happened. What I can say is most people I have seen who support BSL, hate pit bulls and want them all gone. I'm not trying to lump everyone, it's just in my experience that is a popular feeling amongst BSL supporters. What I have noticed is that anyone who truly has nothing against pit bulls do not advocate for BSL. It seems an oxymoron to me that someone likes/loves pit bulls, but support BSL at the same time. That's like saying you believe in rights for women but want to take their right to choose away. Makes no sense to me.

If people don't want the killing of pit bulls just because they are pit bulls, but is supportive of BSL, they better know what they are really advocating for and abandon that ship mighty quick.

[Nine]

106. So you agree that "pit bull haters" is an appropriate term for anyone wary of pit bulls.

And you also think it is appropriate to link such people with the type of person who would take a dog up a mountain, shoot it, and leave it to die.

Going off on a tangent about BSL is irrelevant. I objected to the smear used in this thread and the painting of people on the opposite side of (general) you as evil. All I'm hearing in defense is that the tactic is justified because people who don't think pit bulls are as safe as any other dog actually ARE evil. Thanks for showing what we're dealing with.

[OwnedByCats]

114. Being wary is not hateful

People should be wary of any dog they don't know. I'm not talking about cautious individuals. I'm talking about people who, like some on this board, claim they hate them. They believe ALL pit bulls are vicious from birth. People say these things to me. Just look up past pit bull threads, you'll see them. I have already stated that it's not a one fits all here. I said SOME are haters. I'm just going by what some have admitted to feeling, and some is hatred.

If you shoot a dog and leave it for dead, I have a hard time believing there is no hate involved. Does that mean all haters will do that? Of course not. We were talking about this individual, who we don't know, all we have to go by is they had a gun and left the dog to suffer and die. Sorry, but that does not paint a very good picture of that individual.

[Nine]

119. The person who shot this dog was almost certainly its owner.

This is acknowledged by even the pro-pit bull people on this thread. The dog was probably, as someone suggested, used for fighting and had outlived its usefulness. A person who fights dogs would be strongly opposed to regulation of dog ownership and breeding.

I am one of those people who believe that not all dogs are created equally aggressive, that some dogs are more likely to bite because of their psychological makeup, and that some dogs are more likely to do serious damage when they bite because of their physical makeup. I believe dog ownership and breeding needs to be better regulated, and I am not opposed to the concept of some of those regulations being "breed-specific." Because of this stance, I would be labelled a "pit bull hater" by many on your side.

When baldguy suggested that the shooting of the dog in the story was done by a "pit bull hater" while the rescue was done by a pit bull lover, I feel that was a deliberate attempt to associate people who share my stance with the type of person who committed this heinous act - a person who, more than likely, would take the exact opposite stance on dog regulation than someone like me would take. When you take those who disagree with you and start trying to lump them in with people who shoot dogs, I think it's time to do some serious soul searching.

[Orrex]

107. Citation?

Last edited Mon Oct 28, 2013, 10:47 AM - Edit history (1)

BSL led to Denver going door to door seizing pit bulls and putting them to sleep, even though these dogs never bit, attacked or killed anyone.

How many dogs were seized, over what period of time, and under what circumstances? I tried googling it, but the first 50 or 80 hits were for "call to action" websites that threw around such terms as "doggy genocide" and "Deja Hitler." I would be interested to read about this legislation and its impact from a more objective source, if it's available.

I don't know if ALL people who support BSL support the culling of ALL pit bulls

Really? Do you truly not know? You are, in fact, suggesting that all who support breed specific legislation do in fact support the culling of all pit bulls. That's a preposterous appeal to emotionalism with little basis in reality.

but if someone gets behind BSL, they have to know that could happen because it has happened.

You're asserting "the culling of ALL pit bulls" "could happen because it has happened." All pit bulls have been culled? Really? Surely you realize that this is a false statement and another appeal to emotion?

[baldguy]

109. Denver's Pit Bull Ban has resulted in the execution of over 3,497 dogs.

This is the kind of evil that you support:

(Warning: graphic)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/denver-pit-bull-ban-distu_n_313171.html

[Orrex]

111. Your reputation for calm, thoughtful discourse precedes you

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2013, 08:21 AM - Edit history (2)

[div class="excpert"]This is the kind of evil that you support:
Well, no. That kind of foolish hyperbole would be like someone else observing--with equal justification--that you support the mauling of children by pit bulls. It's baseless, but it packs an emotional punch for uncritical readers. Who is your intended audience, exactly?

You seem not to accept the possibility of a pit bull restriction that doesn't endorse the Denver model. Why not? A reasonable restriction might take this form:

1. All domestically owned pit bulls must be spayed/neutered, with a possible exception for licensed breeders
2. All pit bulls must be registered and licensed, with an annual fee due at the time of license renewal
3. There should be some limit on the number of pit bulls that one person can own at one time
4. Future pit bull ownership is forbidden, but existing pit bulls are permitted to live out their natural lives
5. Any pit bull that attacks a person without justification will be seized and rehomed or euthanized as appropriate. Further:
[font color="white"]_____[/font]a. the owner will be barred from future pit bull ownership
[font color="white"]_____[/font]b. the owner will be required to pay higher renewal of licenses for other pit bulls
[font color="white"]_____[/font]c. the owner will be held liable as he or she had inflicted the attack him or herself

That's the result of just a few minutes' thought, and it places the responsibility entirely upon the dog owners, just like you have argued many times over. None of those requires the outright destruction of all pit bulls, as you seem desperate to believe is the ultimate agenda.

Also, does Westword offer a source for that estimated figure of 3,497? I confess that I might have missed it in those two lengthy articles and dozens of comments. I ask because it would be useful to know the circumstances of these 2.5 weekly euthanizations. Had these dogs attacked people? Attacked other pets? Were they strays? Were multiple dogs seized in some cases, thereby skewing the numbers higher? The details are important, and I'm sure that you must have them somewhere, because I can't believe you would commit the intellectual dishonest act of citing a statistic without understanding its origin.

Anyway, 2.5 dogs per week is indeed a big number, and I know how much you enjoy playing the numbers, like when you trot out statistics to show that most pit bulls manage not to kill anyone. By the same token, this dog-friendly site estimates 1.5 million dogs euthanized annually nationwide. So of the almost 29,000 dogs euthanized weekly, just 2.5 are your beloved Denver pit bulls. Do you wail and gnash your teeth about this national anti-dog campaign, or do you only howl on behalf of your beloved breed in one city?

Hey, while we're at it, exactly what do you consider to be a pit bull? Your love ordering everyone else to "spot the pit bull," but I don't believe you've every specifically identified one yourself. Please, enlighten us!

[OwnedByCats]

115. Not all

BSL leads to the cull, but it sure did in Denver. It can be a slippery slope.

Also BSL like the one you stated, while it may not be out to cull them right now, it does promote that they all be left to live out their lives, but you're not allowed another after they die. First they say only licensed breeders may be given possible exception to breed, yet they say future pit bull ownership is forbidden. So the ones left to breed, where are they meant to go? Outside of that city I guess, right?

I don't have a problem with some things these laws dictate - but any legislation that can lead to culling or requiring the pit bulls die out are not ones I can get behind. We do have issues to contend with, I'm just saying those laws to kill an entire breed (whether that is now or just letting them die out as a breed) is not the answer.

[Orrex]

120. A slippery slope is a fallacy

Any argument based on it is likewise a fallacy.

Also BSL like the one you stated, while it may not be out to cull them right now, it does promote that they all be left to live out their lives, but you're not allowed another after they die. First they say only licensed breeders may be given possible exception to breed, yet they say future pit bull ownership is forbidden. So the ones left to breed, where are they meant to go? Outside of that city I guess, right?

Well, they were suggestions, and I stated outright that they were the result of just a few minutes' thought. As such, they are open to revision, and in any case I didn't say that we'd need to enact all of them.

And if a city does ban future pit bull ownership, then you're correct; licensed breeders would have to sell their pit bulls outside of the city.

I'm just saying those laws to kill an entire breed (whether that is now or just letting them die out as a breed) is not the answer.

Here again we have the charge of genocide, which is baseless emotionalism. I'm not allowed to breed lions inside of city limits; does that mean that the law is genocidal? No. It means that certain controls have been enacted to restrict breeding and ownership of these animals. Don't invoke genocide simply because someone thinks it's a good idea not to let a guy on the tenth floor of a high rise own twelve pit bulls.

[OwnedByCats]

116. baldguy

answered you on the number. In Denver they seized dogs.

I don't know where you get that I said ALL support culls, I said some do and I've talked to plenty who do. Some support culls, some support letting them die out. Unfortunately many of them have not been afraid to tell me they wish the breed was gone. Others are less committal on how they really feel, I don't know what their solutions are as they are rarely at liberty to tell me that. So I NEVER said ALL.

And when I said the culling of ALL pit bulls as a result of BSL, I mean in the CITY that enforces it such as Denver did - at least ALL the ones they could find. I didn't mean ALL in the entire country or else we wouldn't be having this conversation. Read what I said and stop reaching. I did not say ALL pit bulls have been culled. Good grief. I was mainly referring to Denver.

[Orrex]

118. If you were referring specifically to Denver, you should have stated it outright

Instead, you made big, sweeping statements about "all who support BSL" and "all pit bulls" being seized. Don't blame the reader for reading what you wrote; instead, you should write what you mean.

[Flatulo]

35. Jesus. Anyone who'd shoot an innocent dog has some serious mental

problems. I hope they can track down who did this.

And bless the rescuer. She'll have a friend for life.

[DBoon]

37. I gave my pitbull a great big hug after reading this

That woman is a saint

[ScreamingMeemie]

45. And your pitbull probably looked up at you with that ridiculously huge goofy grin

that pitbulls have...the thing that made me fall in love with them.

At the rodeo last year there was a pitbull rescue crew in the parking lot. They had a pickup truck with 5 dogs in the back and a free kisses sign. Those 5 dogs had the goofiest grins on their faces.

[azurnoir]

51. +1 same here

K&R

[ScreamingMeemie]

40. I keep clicking on this thread just to see that happy puppy smile.

[BrotherIvan]

44. Me too!

What a lucky dog and and a lucky family! Such a beautiful story. Animal abusers need to be dealt with because chances are 100% they treat all sentient beings like shit too.

[flvegan]

42. Hat tip to the rescuers, well done.

I've questioned idiots here in this thread so I'll be banned. Such is DU.

Suffering fools gladly isn't something I do, and will probably be the end of me here. Congrats!

[cui bono]

46. Man, this really made me cry. Bullet wounds and left suffering.

What assholes humans can be.

I've got my neighbor's sweet rescue pit bull with me for the weekend. Gonna snuggle with him a bit extra tonight. She doesn't let him on her bed but I do.

[Sophiegirl]

58. Good grief!!!

YOU and grandparents...spoiling the kids. I guess that qualifies as unrepentant love, doncha know.



I have a friend who has a rescued pitbull (Sasha). She is the sweetest, goofy dog I think I've ever known. In fact, many people have told my friend that if anything ever happened to her, they would be thrilled to have Sasha. Morbid kind of thought, though. I think the wait-list is well over 20 people and probably growing. I'm #6 on the list.

[cui bono]

67. Heh. I'm actually in my neighbor's will to get Cooper if anything happens to her.

We wanted to be certain nothing bad happened to him. She got him from the shelter a few years ago and he had really bad skin issues, missing a lot of hair on his back. Today people comment on how nice is coat is.

He's my surrogate dog. I had two pitties and they're both gone now and just haven't been in a place where I felt I was ready to get another dog or two. I took in a cat who I noticed was living in my yard for a few months and she's perfect for me right now. And then when I'm between jobs I bring Cooper over for the day and also get him whenever my neighbor is out of town. It's perfect for now.

Here he is making himself at home last night:

[niyad]

74. oh my, that is one very happy, very comfortable pitty--people looking at me strangely for the

laughter.

[secondvariety]

78. My sweet Lealue

slept like that. She passed last month but the 14 years we had together were priceless. I don't know if I can bear ever getting another dog, but if I do it'll be another pit mix.

[cui bono]

83. Aw... I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose them.

My last two were like kids to me and now when I think of them it just brings me such joy.

So hang in there, once you pass through the hurt you'll still get to enjoy your time with them through wonderful memories.

[xchrom]

48. du rec.

[BlueCaliDem]

54. The first pic broke my heart. The second revived it and restored my faith in humankind.

I can't bring myself to understand how anyone can harm an innocent animal, especially an APBT (which it looks like because of the smaller head and more streamlined body) who, as the second pic shows, is extremely forgiving and loving in nature. This family should get an award for their love and devotion! They are my heroes!

The negative reporting on this dog breed has got to stop. Now, people are starting to believe the hype full cloth, and either consciously or subconsciously, believe that ALL Amstaffs and APBTs are "fair game" to abuse whenever they please.

The beauty of the Bull Terrier breed is that they have an incredible ability to bounce back and fall in love with their caretakers no matter how horrific the abuse has been to them. This American dog breed is one of the most beautiful of all dog breeds and should be treated with the respect and love they so rightfully deserve.

Thank you for sharing, baldguy.

[magical thyme]

57. bless these people a million times over...

what a beautiful doggie..

[Schema Thing]

59. and then he pooped a baby's sock

and some kind of breadstick.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

61. and isn't that what every well loved doggie should be doing?

That woman is a hero!!

Gotta snuggle my Shrimpy now (who woke me on a Saturday at 7am to go peepeepoopoo. And then made me come out to get her in the freezing cold because--A LEAF A LEAF!!! OMG! IT'S A LEAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[progressoid]

60. Pit bull?

Maybe half pit.

[LittleBlue]

62. Pit bull hater? That dog could have attacked its owner for all we know

We have no clue who shot this dog or why.

[OwnedByCats]

88. Has not attacked anyone since he's been with good people

even when he was most hurt and probably frightened, prime time for a dog to lash out. Funny how that works, huh? ...

[baldguy]

95. Well, it hasn't killed anyone so it can't be a Pit Bull.

Funny how hatred & ignorance usually go hand-in-hand.

[OwnedByCats]

102. You're right

Ignorance is definitely the root of hate, especially in this case.

[niyad]

63. DARN that dust in my eyes!! thank you for sharing this with us--what a beautiful family--all of

them.

Lady of the Beasts, please deal with the person or persons who did this terrible thing to one of Your beings.

[pecwae]

64. I would kiss you, Andi,

if you weren't so far away! May all life's joys be yours forever. I cherish those who cherish the innocent.

[Thucydides]

66. Right on, never doubt a mothers instincts!

[Gormy Cuss]

71. "Pit bull" or not, I'd be far more afraid of the jerk who left a half dead animal in the desert.

The poor dog looked defeated and ready to die in that first shot. I'm not a dog fan and probably wouldn't have been able to carry him down the trail but I sure as hell would have tried.

[OwnedByCats]

104. +1

Me and you both!

[life long demo]

73. The world is filled with dog haters sad to say

To some haters it wouldn't matter if it was a Lab, a Beagle or a Pit bull, a 2 wk old puppy or a 15 yo dog.

[magical thyme]

81. I met a beautiful bluetick hound that had been found shot and left to die

Happily, he was found, rescued, healed and adopted by a wonderful man. You can still see the scar on his outside.

[Iggo]

76. Hooray @ Andi.

As for the OP commentary....eh, well.

[Kolesar]

80. My neighbor shot my cat with a shotgun

When my cat was old, we had her xrayed for some other condition. The xray showed tiny pellets in her flesh. I always wondered why she had developed a twitch.

There were disgusting gun owners in my neighborhood. One of my classmates was shot dead at age sixteen under odd circumstances.

[liberalmuse]

82. I love this woman.

Yet another person who gives humans a good name. I'm wary of pitbulls, too, but once you get over that, you find they are some of the sweetest dogs you've ever encountered. She did a wonderful thing, and the world is better for it.

[Aldo Leopold]

85. .

That picture when she found him...god damn, what is wrong with us as a species?

[whatchamacallit]

94. How do you know it's a pit bull?

Oh right, it's not a story about someone being ripped to shreds.

[Beringia]

98. Humane Society of United States often offers rewards to people for information on the abusers

I sent the article info to the media contact at HSUS.


http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/10/reward-offered-beating-pit-bull-ohio-101413.html


October 14, 2013

Reward Offered for Beating of Pit Bull in Columbus, Ohio

Capital Area Humane Society

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for beating a male pit bull.

The Case: A male pit bull was found in the Tamarack Circle area of Columbus suffering from what appeared to be multiple blows to the head, resulting in severe lacerations and multiple skull fractures. He was transferred to the Capital Area Humane Society late Tuesday afternoon after being taken in by Franklin County Animal Care and Control.

[Mr Dixon]

105. SAD

IMO the breed gets a bad wrap, I have my 1st pit bull and she is a dream, funny, playful and loyal. The there is the clown down the street from me who has his puppy pit bull dragging weights up and down the street to tough him up I just SMH. The dogs are not the problem people are the problem. Great story, I applaud this woman‘s actions we need more people like this.

[pnwmom]

117. No, the dog was shot by a creep with a gun.

That's all we know.