[Purple]

By Mary Esparra

The following is Part One of a two-part story that developed out of a question that I had been wondering during my years writing this column: Are pit bulls to be loved, or feared?

Pit bulls – either you love them or you fear them. The name alone invokes fear in even the most professed animal lover. This animal lover.

Lovers of this breed have tried to win me over. “They are loving, loyal dogs.” “It’s not the breed, it’s the owner.” Yada, yada, yada.

But then what about all the reports? Are they really the most dangerous breed? Can they be trusted?

When I met Dakota last week at the Goshen Humane Society, I was scared. This 3-year-old brindle pit had that big, square head holding that infamous jaw. When shelter manager Elijah Howe and I approached the dog kennels, as usual, barking erupted from every corner – all except Dakota’s.

She quietly and slowly exited her cage. Howe clasped a leash to her collar, for my benefit. She is so obedient, he said, she is usually walked without one.

I hesitantly walked alongside this “monster.” Once outside, she just stood there looking around. She didn’t care if I was there or not.

Maybe her history would put me at ease. Not so much.

Dakota was surrendered by her owner about six months ago because he had had enough of her ear “infections.” The veterinarian concluded her double ear hematomas (blood and fluid-filled), now healed, were caused by fighting. This was not winning me over.
Due to her fighting days, Dakota is not good with about half of the dogs she meets.

“She got into it with a shepherd three times her size,” said Howe. Again, not winning me over here.

Howe and Dakota have become best buddies. He often takes her away from the shelter for exercise and a change of scenery. Winding up back at the shelter one sleepless night, he and Dakota escaped the grounds for a few hours for some evening air.

It saddens Howe that Dakota hasn’t been adopted. If he had a bigger home, he would adopt her himself.

I slowly approached Dakota, my open hand asking for a chance (not to be mauled). Gentle and submissive, she lowered her head in approval. I petted her soft, pretty brindle-striped fur.

“She’s very submissive to people,” he said. “She loves people.”

I am shocked when he tells me children volunteers walk Dakota, with him by their side. He demonstrates Dakota’s compliance with humans by picking her up, his arms under her belly. She doesn’t flinch.

“I gave her vaccinations, no movement,” he said. “Kids have poked at her, no movement.”

Then my heart dropped. He opened her jaw and stuck his hand in her mouth. No aggression, just a goofy smile. My fear started to melt.
“I’m almost at a point of trying to find something to push her buttons, to show aggression, but there’s none,” he said.

Except for other dogs, that is. But how often have I listed pets in Pets of the Week saying, “no other dogs, not good with cats, must be only pet?” OK, so this one needs a home without other dogs. It happens with all breeds.

“She’s like the perfect dog,” said Howe. “If you want a dog in your house for protection or companionship, she’s the one.”

There have been a few potential adopters, but the pit reputation stops them.

“People have an idea in their head,” said Howe. “People fall in love with her, but then they fall in love with a Lab. If it’s a choice between the two, they’re going to adopt the Lab.”

I spent an hour with Dakota that day. She was calm, obedient and didn’t show any signs of aggression.

I decided to ask other shelter folk how they felt about pit bulls, which will be featured in this column next week. That was when I started to believe Dakota wasn’t a fluke pit.

Back at the shelter, this placid pit waits for a home of her own.
“Dakota was a big hit at the Great American Weekend,” said Howe. “She seems to gaining a pretty big fan base. This is one of the most loyal, submissive dogs I’ve ever seen in any shelter.”

To adopt Dakota, call the Goshen Humane Society, 294-3984 or visit them at 44 Police Drive, Goshen. Dakota needs a home without other dogs with plenty of room to run. She has no known issues with cats. There is a 48-hour waiting period when adopting dogs at the shelter.

Read next week’s Shelter Tails for expert opinions about pit bulls and an update on Dakota’s future.


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[Purple]

By Mary Esparra
July 20, 2007

For the Times Herald-Record
Last week, I wrote about Dakota, a 3-year-old brindle pit bull awaiting adoption at the Goshen Humane Society. My interest in the breed sparked a two-part column that I hope will open your eyes, as it did mine, to the other side of the rumors and to the sweet and gentle side to this dog.



What do our experts say?
A call-out to shelters and rescues on this topic resulted in a flood of responses. Here is a sampling of opinions on this misunderstood breed:

"I've never owned a pit bull, but the majority that come into the clinic are sweet, friendly and great with other animals and kids. Unfortunately, it's always the not-so-nice ones that make news, and we've seen our share of those, too."

— Colleen Roche, office manager,

West Point Vet Clinic

"Normal pit bulls are true clowns and great family pets. Some do not like other animals, like any other breed of dog. They are the most abused dog in this nation, due to their use as fighting machines for profit. Our shelter has adopted numerous pit bulls and pit bull mixes. One is the hostess of a bed-and-breakfast in New Jersey. Boomer, an abandoned, humongous-mouthed brute, was one of our true ambassadors for his breed who took part in a pet parade in full costume surrounded by five other dogs."

— Suzyn Barron, president

Warwick Valley Humane Society

"Do not blame the breed, blame the deed. No dog is born mean; it's how you raise them. In the last three weeks, I've had bite reports on a Jack Russell, Shih Tzu and a Lab. Shepherds and small dogs, they're the most prone in my bite reports. It's not the dominant breed (that bite). You're more apt to get bit by the small, yappy dog."

— Theresa Dougherty, manager

Blooming Grove Humane Society

"One of my best volunteers adopted the greatest pit from us. All was fine until three months down the line. Dallas became very destructive and then aggressive. The owner became fearful of his dog. The story does not have a good ending.

"Dogs are dogs. When a poodle or a cocker bites, it's a bite. When a pit bull bites, it's a rip, it's a tear. The difference being, when they go off, they go off — you're talking major damage.

"Unfortunately, the majority of people wanting to adopt these dogs do not meet our criteria."

— Linda Maresca, manager,

Humane Society of Middletown

"I've been bitten many times, but never by a pit bull or any of the bull breeds. Their natural traits — loyalty, love of their human family and protectiveness — are exploited by nefarious characters, with the intent of transforming the dog into an overly protective and loyal fighter. But a dog that has not been mistreated or exploited will make a wonderful family pet."

— Christine Martin, manager,

Oasis Animal Sanctuary



What's the poop on pits' real temperament?
According to Pit Bull Rescue Central, the pit bull is not an official breed. It is a common term used to describe a certain type of dog. There are three breeds that can be easily confused. The correct designations are: American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and Staffordshire bull terrier.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that although fatal attacks on humans appear to be a breed-specific problem (pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers), other breeds may bite and cause fatalities at higher rates. However, they do indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in about a third of human dog bite-related fatalities from 1981-92, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported from 1993-96.

"If they identified them (the breed) correctly," disputes Cydney Cross, president and co-founder of Out of the Pits pit bull rescue in Albany. "Any statistics are only valid if the dog is identified correctly by both people working on legislation and breed statistics."

Cross believes breed misidentification significantly adds to the bad pit reputation. Fewer than 50 percent of the dogs seeking refuge in her rescue are actually pit bulls. She also claims many reporting agencies only report incidents with pits and not any other breeds, also distorting the stats.

Out of the Pits dogs are subjected to strict and rigorous temperament testing by the American Temperament Test Society. The ATTS is a national nonprofit for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.

ATTS' Web site (www.atts.org) lists the pass/fail stats on numerous breeds. The American pit bull terrier passed its tests 84.1 percent of the time, while the American Staffordshire terrier passed 83.9 percent of the time. Many breeds scored below these two, including border collies, Chihuahuas, collies, dachshunds, Dalmatians, golden retrievers, Jack Russells and miniature poodles.

The test, which includes distractions such as loud noises and a simulated human predator attack, aims to accelerate stress levels on the dog and their recovery rate.

In operation for 12 years, Out of the Pits has tested every one of their (age 2 and older) dogs in the last six years. Their success rate?

"Ours is 100 percent, we've never had one that has not passed."

Impressive for an organization that has placed about 1,000 pits to date.

"We want to have people know the true nature of the pit bull," Cross said. "For a dog that is up for adoption, having already gotten its respected ATTS title makes the dog more desirable for adoption. It proves the soundness of the individual dog and ultimately of the breed."



So, who's really doing all the biting?
The Humane Society of the United States reports that the breeds most commonly involved in both bite injuries and fatalities changes from year to year and from one area of the country to another, depending on the popularity of the breed. Factors other than genetics play some part in determining whether a dog will bite: whether the animal is spayed or neutered, properly socialized, supervised, humanely trained and safely confined.



What's the verdict?
The way I see it, it comes down to some nature, mostly nurture. When adopting any dog, you must choose one that is right for your family. If it is a large, strong-breed dog, it is imperative to educate yourself on the breed and properly train, socialize and love him.

I probably would never adopt a pit bull, mostly because I'm partial to other breeds. I have, however, learned not to fear or pre-judge them.



Considering adoption?
Qualifications for adopting a pit bull from a local shelter vary but may include: restricting adoptions of pits to homes without any children (for safety reasons when walking such a strong breed) or only with children over a certain age; criminal background checks; stable background; adults over a certain age; having a fenced-in yard; agreeing to always fence or leash the dog; experienced owner who understands the breed; interaction with the dog in a gentle, loving way.

Pits on the Web

www.pbrc.net

www.badrap.org

www.outofthepits.org

www.pitbullsontheweb.com



Dakota update:
Three-year-old Dakota, a brindle pit bull featured in last week's Shelter Tails, might be close to getting a home. About 12 interested adopters called the shelter after reading her story, and applications have been taken on three of them.

"I can be selective at this point as to who she goes with," said shelter manager Elijah Howe. "I know she's going to find a good home."

Amy Richardson, a freelance writer living in Sullivan County, contributed to this report.


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[buddysmom]

Thanks for sharing! It is refreshing to read an article on the pit bull that is so fair and well researched!