[Purple]

Players defend, aid pit bulls

By: ASHLEY ROSEN

Sean Bailey, a senior from Alpharetta and wide receiver for the Georgia football team, grew up around German shepherds and pit bulls.

His parents bred them, and during his sophomore year of college he got a pit bull and began breeding.

"With all the negative things going on and the other breeders breeding for the wrong reasons I wanted to give something back to the breed," Bailey said.

"As a Georgia football player I think I can use some of that spotlight to shed a positive light on the breed and to educate people about them."

The term "pit bull" describes four different breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Stratfordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier.

"They will say on the news 'another pit bull attack' and it's not even an American Pit Bull Terrier that we breed, but everything negative comes on them," Bailey said.

Donovan Harrell, a junior from Alpharetta and Bailey's friend, also breeds and advocates responsible ownership of pit bulls.

"[People who think they are dangerous] don't know anyone who actually owns a pit bull, and they won't associate with them, and they listen to the news a lot. Or they have lived next to people who were bad owners," he said.

"The pit bull's best attribute, which is their willingness to do their owner's wishes, is often exploited by the owners. They are truly a product of their environment," Bailey said.

Coleman Watson, a senior from Sandy Springs and tight end for the University football team, was Bailey's roommate on campus. He also owns pit bulls.

"Sean and I were roommates at the dorm for two years and we had to move off because we had animals. It was a big sacrifice but it was definitely worth it," Watson said. "When I got my first female pit bull, she provided me with companionship and protection. She was not mean or aggressive toward humans. She was the sweetest dog ever."

Bailey said when reporters come to his home to interview him they are usually afraid of his dogs, but after spending time with them this perception changes.

Bailey said the first time Gil Tyree, sports anchor for CBS 46 News in Atlanta, came to his home to interview him, he was scared to go in the yard with the dogs.

"By the end of the interview, he was down on one knee in his suit petting my dog Diesel, and now he's getting first pick of the puppies next time Diesel has a litter," Bailey said.

He said pit bull owners and breeders have the responsibility to change the public perception of the breed.

"It's very important for us to show all the positives," said Bailey. "So many times I walk them down the street and people don't know what kind of dog it is and they pet it and fall in love … and then I tell them it's an American Pit Bull Terrier."

"It isn't necessarily a breed for everyone. You have to be educated [about the breed]. They were used in the past for fighting. Although people like me and Donovan are trying to breed the aggressiveness out of them, it will take some time. Know your dog's personality. Some of them are able to be around other dogs and some are not," Bailey said.

He said while negative publicity has not affected his business in the aftermath of suspended quarterback Michael Vick's dog-fighting woes because "most of the people coming to us are well-educated [about pit bulls]," it does affect how other people treat pit bull owners.

The players' families have been very supportive of the dogs. Bailey's brother manages the day-to-day workings of the dog breeding facility outside of Atlanta, and his other family members always are ready to help.

"My mom loves my dog. She talks to him like a two-year-old child. She calls him her 'little boy' because she remembers him from when he was small," Watson said.

"They say that people get attached to dogs that have the same type of characteristics as them. I think if I was a dog, I would be a pit bull," Bailey said.

http://media.www.redandblack.com/med...78-page2.shtml