Pit Bull Awareness Day

Today is Pit Bull Awareness Day. On all of the previous years, I have been at a flyball tournament for this particular day. This year, the flyball tournament was last weekend (and I had to miss it due to work). But, that meant I was free to participate in a Pit Bull Awareness event for the first time.

Koira was giving some good pittie kisses

I ended up heading to Portland for the Coast to Coast Bully Walk put on by the Portland Pit Bull Project. I set up Koira with the new GoPro harness I made for her yesterday (which I'll share with you later). I was hoping for some good pictures, since it was raining too hard for me to have my camera out.

Unfortunately we seem to be having some technical problems with the camera. I'm wondering if I messed up some settings somehow, because I would hope that being outside at noon would be enough light to take clear pictures from the speed of a walking dog, even when cloudy. Apparently not.

This is the best picture we got of London, the two legged pit bull, during the walk.

In any case, we had a lot of fun doing the Bully Walk. There were pups of all sizes there, from littler than Koira all the way up to 100+ pounds. A number of people asked what was happening, which was a great opportunity to spread the word about Pit Bull Awareness Day and a great time for our dogs to be breed ambassadors.

A couple of bystanders who were interested in the goings-on

There was also a costume contest after the walk was over. Unfortunately it started to rain pretty hard, so people were already taking off. Koira had her first chance to wear the AWESOME costume I made for her this year. She came in second place in the contest, and won a nice warm coat.

It wasn't a huge deal, but it was a lot of fun. I hope similar events around the country and around the world will help people see pit bulls for what they are: just another breed of dog, and a wonderful companion to share your home and your life with.

All I have to say is Yay Ohio!

For those of you who haven't heard, Ohio's governor has signed HB 14 into law. This will end the state wide breed ban and overhaul the dangerous dog laws of the state. With the new laws directed towards a dog's behavior rather than looks, this law should not only be much more effective in controlling dangerous dogs in the state, but is a huge win for those who have spent so much time fighting BSL.

Ohio has been a model of a BSL state for so long that their change in the state wide laws will hopefully have a greater effect not just in their state, but country wide. Those areas who have been thinking of enacting BSL may now think again with Ohio admitting it does not work. It may even have a positive effect in helping areas with current BSL in repealing their current laws and instead enacting laws which define dangerous dogs based on actions and behavior, rather than breed and physical appearance.

As awesome as this is, it is important to note that the law does not require counties and cities within Ohio to change their dangerous dog laws. Many counties and cities have breed bans in effect, so please continue to research carefully before taking your dog of ANY breed into this area.

Flyball and BSL

A team in my region posted today on the region's Facebook page that they will not be hosting their anticipated 2012 tournament this year. Since I love going to tournaments, this is kind of sad news. But, I fully support the reason for their decision: They have not been able to find an affordable facility in a location without BSL* (breed specific legislation).

This decision means a lot to me. I, for one, would not have been attending the tournament if it was held there, regardless of if the city applied an "exception" for those dogs participating in the tournament (as would be required by NAFA for sanctioning of the event). If you have been following my blog, you will remember my post from a while back when we traveled to a tournament outside of Auburn, WA, which also has (to a much lesser degree) BSL.

It hurts a lot when dog events are scheduled for places with BSL, even more so than when the random strangers act suddenly terrified of my dog only after hearing her breed. Somehow, I expect the dog community to know what BSL is and to support the owners of those banned and restricted breeds**. Hosting dog tournaments or events in places with BSL in place is like giving the city or county the message that the dog owning community is okay with this decision. When the club hosting the event doesn't even let participants, many of whom are not from the area, know about the BSL in place, it feels a lot like a slap in the face to those of us owning the breeds affected; it sends the message that they don't care about our dogs.

Unfortunately, something seems to get lost in translation sometimes. Clubs who host events in BSL locations get told that their event will be boycotted by those who own banned breed. The clubs, instead of listening to the very valid fears these dog owners have for the well being of their beloved companions, react instead as if the boycott is a personal attack on them.

Many people who own banned or restricted breeds, including me, have had our fears of the breed bans laughed at or brushed off by other dog lovers as over reactions. And let me tell you, it hurts. We aren't trying to be difficult, or to upset your club, or ruin your day. We are trying to protect our family. And when dog clubs ignore the effect BSL can have on any dog and does have on those of us who own banned breeds and choose to host in BSL affected locations, it feels like an abandonment by those who should be fighting by our sides.

When it comes right on down to the base of the matter, dog clubs and dog related organizations, including any and all sporting and conformation groups, should be at the head of the line to object to BSL. Having those self same organizations give passive support to BSL by hosting and attending events in BSL locations is like a slap in the face. As a fellow flyball participant and banned-breed owner so elloquently stated it, if anyone should know better and make a statement, it is them (referring to dog clubs of any kind).

So, I really want to say thank you to JCJ for making the decision to not support a BSL town by hosting your tournament there. We all look forward to your tournaments and plan to attend as soon as a suitable facility can be located. The statement that we would not attend a tournament in Enumclaw is in no way meant to be a slight against your team. Instead, it is an expression of our fears for the safety of our canine family members. We hope that you understand where these fears come from and join us in the fight against BSL.

*BSL includes any legislation which specifically applies only to dogs meeting specific breed outlines or physical characteristics, while not applying to those dogs who do not conform to those breed profiles. This includes but is not limited to outright bans, requiring muzzles or additional restraint, requiring owners to carry insurance, or mandatory spay/neuter laws.

**Banned breeds do not just include so-called pit bulls. Breeds affected by BSL include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman Pincher, Shar Pei, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Great Dane, Irish Wolf Hound, Scottish Deer Hound, Mastiff, Boerboel, American Bull Dog, Akita, Chow Chow, English Mastiff, Tosa Inu, Presa Canario, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, and Bull Terrier. Additionally, BSL affects dogs over certain weight limits (such as 100 lbs), regardless of breed, and can affect any dog deemed to have the features of any of the affected breeds, regardless of the dog in question's actual heritage.

Pit Bull Awareness Day

October 22nd is National Pit Bull Awareness Day. I will be spending it in Auburn, WA, a town with Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). Or rather, right outside of town at the facility hosting the flyball tournament. And yes, something strikes me as just wrong about that. Then again, BSL strikes me as just plain wrong anyway.

*Every breed pictured in this post could be restricted or banned under BSL, along with many other breeds and dogs not pictured.

In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Day, I figured a post would be in order about traveling with your dog to areas with BSL. No matter what breed you own, these guidelines should be followed, because in the end, the actual breed of your dog doesn't matter, it is the breed your dog is accused of being (and I have had a Coton de Tulear accused of being a Rottweiler, in seriousness). And, the United States is not the only country with BSL in place by any means.

Tip Number One
Know your route, and check any planed stops and destinations for BSL. Most of the time, these laws can be found on city or county websites under the Animal Control portion. In addition, there are some great websites out there listing all cities and counties with BSL (so far, no states have enacted state-wide bans). Some of these websites to check are StopBSL, Understand-a-bull, and DogsBite.Org.

Tip Number Two
It is important to not only know if BSL is in place, but the specific laws. Some places outright ban certain breeds (generally these breeds will include, but not be limited to: American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinches, German Shepherds, Akitas, Huskies, and mixes there-of, but often will include other breeds or size or weight restrictions). Genereally dogs accused of being a banned breed in these areas can be seized by the police or Animal Control outright, and owners have to fight to get their dog back.

Other places will have restrictions places on certain breeds, including limiting them to being walked by adults only (18+), walked only on a 4 or 6 foot leash, muzzled in public, or additional restrictions. Generally, breeds included in BSL in these areas are not at risk of being seized by authorities (unless the dog is running loose or exhibits aggression), but the owner could receive a ticket or citation for violating the breed specific laws.

Because of these two major differences in basic BSL, it is important to know the laws of the places you will be passing through or stopping in. Some areas are so bad that if you get pulled over with a banned breed (or what someone decides to call a banned breed) in the car, the dog can be seized (Denver is famous for strictly enforced BSL), where as other areas only care if you are a resident or your dog is actively threatening a person or animal's safety.

Tip Number Three
Be prepared to change your plans if you discover BSL along your route. As stated above, some areas are so bad that you could risk losing your dog (and some dogs seized are "accidentally" put down or "lost"). If you must travel to one of these areas, plan on boarding your dog with a friend, family member, or professional boarding kennel, or having a pet sitter watch your pets at home. Sure, it may not be legal for them to seize and destroy your dog, but once it happens, no number of lawsuits in the world will get your dog back for you.

Tip Number Four
When traveling with any dog, of any breed, it is important to always keep your dog on a leash and under control. No matter how good your dog's recall is, don't let them off leash at a freeway rest stop or in a public park. Even the best-trained dog can get spooked and run off. Additionally, many places (Auburn, WA included) will not bother you about your dog's breed unless the dog/owner is breaking a law already, such as leash laws. Consider your leash to be insurance. You may know your dog wouldn't run over and bite someone, or act aggressive, but if you dog is on leash 100% of the time on your trip, you can prove that your dog did not have the chance to do so if someone accuses you.

Tip Number Five
Avoid areas with BSL whenever possible. If you know you cannot drive around a certain town, be prepared to leave your dog at home under good care. However, there are times when you have to bring your dog along, and driving around is just not an option. In that case, call the police department and Animal Control in the county and city where you will be and talk to them. Ask if dogs can be seized from an owner and what they expect you to do with your banned breed while in the area.

I plan on avoiding Auburn as much as possible, but will have to drive into city limits along the outskirts of town to get to the tournament site. I called the city police (as it is a city specific ordinance). They reassured me that their laws only apply to residents owning those breeds and that as long as my dog is in my car or on leash she is not at risk of being seized. I then had them email that statement to me, to print out and carry in the car. Though I don't plan on being in town, something unforeseen might happen where I need to be there (like my car breaking down, etc). I also talked to fellow flyballers and some agility people as well who have breeds covered in the Auburn ban, and not one of them has every had an issue of any kind.

Breed Specific Legislation

As you may have noticed, if you read my blog, I do not support Breed Specific Legislation. I don't recall that I have mentioned it specifically on my blog in the past though.

Koira, my beloved little girl, is a dog who would easily be labeled a "pit bull type" by most people. I will not argue with this label. I will, however, object strongly if told that what my dog looks like makes her inherently dangerous to people and all living things.

Apparently in the dog world, there is a story going around about a dog in Ireland named Lennox who, due to BSL in Great Britain, has been taken from his family, held for 11 months without them being allowed to visit him, and is now slated to be destroyed. Lennox has no history of aggressive behavior*. This is all, apparently, happening because he appears to be a "pit bull type" dog.

*I don't know this dog, these people, or all the details of this story. I am simply relating what I have read about this story, which may be lacking in some relevant facts. What I object to is the classification of a dog as aggressive based solely on its appearance, which I cannot say for sure is or is not the case here. 

Wow, you mean he has four paws and a tail? Seriously, people, any dog, any time, can be labeled as one of the "bad breeds" or a mix there of. You may not own a pit bull, so don't care about BSL. It doesn't affect your breed. Well, thats what pit bull owners said 30 years ago when it was German Shepherds and Rottweilers that had the bad reputation. And, when, 10, 20, 30 years down the road your breed is added to the list of dangerous dogs (or, doG forbid, cities, counties, states, and countries start banning all dogs, no matter the breed) you will wish you stepped up earlier to say something.

BSL doesn't work. Period. Stricter penalties for dogs who show aggression, regardless of breed or appearance, and stricter penalties for those people who misuse and abuse dogs, are the only two ways to reduce the risk dogs pose to society.

But really, you are about 1000 times more likely to die of a car crash, heart disease, or cancer than a dog attack. For that matter, you are 5x more likely to be killed by a strike of lightening than by a dog attack.

In any case, should you feel the need to speak out, here is what you can do:

1. A petition is being signed in hopes of overturning Lennox's death sentence. You can find a link to it, and other details of this particular case at http://frugaldougaldog.blogspot.com/2011/03/save-lennox.html.

2. Keep an eye on your own local, county, city, and state legislature. Bills come up regularly that will restrict dog ownership, and many of them deal with BSL. Make sure your representatives know where you stand on this issue.

3. Make sure your dog is providing a great example of a well balanced, safe dog. Take your well socialized, balanced, friendly dog with you to dog friendly events and locations, to help show the public how friendly, calm, and nice dogs can be.