Yesterday we blogged about our lazy weekend. Today we want to show you what our cousins (the Pit Bull mix and the Bassett Hound) did. They went to this beautiful area called the Cleveland Metroparks. It surrounds the cities of Cleveland like a green necklace (it’s really neat and beautiful). There is hiking, biking, creek-walking, dog-walking (or running), swimming and all kinds of other grrr-eat activities to do there.

Here are some pictures of our cousins Henry and Tux in the water.

Creekwalking Dogs!

Tux with a Big Stick

The Bassett Hound Swims

We are a little jealous of all the fun they had creek-walking, swimming and chewing and chasing sticks in the water. Our parents promised us we can go this weekend though so we are really looking forward to it!

Do you have a favorite swimming spot? Share it with us!

Benson and Gibson

I wrote a post last week about a guy, a school counselor, who was arrested for breeding and holding fighting dogs (Pit Bulls) in Ohio.

I briefly touched on a point: pit bulls get a bad rapp. I think this bad reputation stems from two distinct concepts.

First: the “danger factor” of any dog is created by the dog’s owner, history and upbringing. If a dog, any dog, is abused or neglected, he learns to fend for himself. He will become overprotective of his property, his food, his toys (if given any), etc. He will become mean because he’s afraid. It’s amazing what an abusive environment does to a dog-any dog.  Ultimately the irresponsible owner is the catalyst for any attack the dog may make.

Second: the media decides which stories about “bully dogs” to publish. They liked to talk about viscous pit bulls long before the Michael Vick dogfighting ring was unearthed. It’s easy for people who don’t know the pit bull dog breed to carry the commom misperception that the pits are mean, hence. There are so many stories on the evening news about children or women or small dogs getting attacked by pit bulls. The news shows pictures of these mean pit bulls and complements the dramatic scenes with serious tones of voice. They are setting a stage.

The news doesn’t show stories about German Shepherds or Chow Chows attacking people. These breeds have been known to be prone to violence by nature but the media doesn’t frame them as such because the public is already so entangled in the sensationalism of “viscous” pit bulls. Sensationalism sells.

The media has somewhat turned a corner recently. They are now more focused on reporting dogfighting rings and the people who partake in the violent blood sport. This is the new sensationalism.

The Best Friends Animal Society recently ran an article on its website about the facts and fiction related to the pit bull dog breed. They said,

Singling out any breed is akin to racial profiling of people, and its just as misleading and plain wrong. There are good and bad people in all creeds, colors and backgrounds. Same goes for dogs — of all kinds. But few people know enough about dogs to make the right distinctions, and can be easily persuaded that all dogs of a certain breed or type are bad.”

(To read the full article from Best Friends, click here.) Best Friends knows first-hand the worst of circumstances. They have 22 of Michael Vicik’s pit bulls. Most have turned into sweet-natured, loving dogs. A few are still hesitant to accept people. One will be shelter-bound for life because he was exposed to so much violence and abuse that it’s not possible for him to be adopted. But they are all getting a chance to have a good life now. They are all getting a chance to avoid the bad rap.

Talk to responsible pit bull owners and you will get stories of love, acceptance and unique personalities.

Our family has a pit bull. He follows you around because he can’t wait to sit on your lap, literally, when you plant yourself on the couch. He wants to be loved and he wants to give love. He follows you to the back door because he can’t wait to go outside and have you throw his ball. He greets neighbors with a friendly bark and a wagging tail. He has friends in the neighborhood. (See more sweet pit bull pictures like the one above.)

I think its so unfair that pit bulls are classified as viscous in so many states (a whole separate post coming soon on that note), when really it’s the irresponsible owner who is usually behind any viscous dog.

What do you think about pit bulls? I encourage your comments and feedback.

             11 pit bulls are safe and sound after being rescued in Preble County, Ohio last weekend. The pit bulls were taken from the backyard of a guy who is a drug and alcohol counselor for the county Health Department by day, and animal abuser by night apparently.

Amazing that a guy who tries to help humans can be such a viscous person in his spare time.
The dogs had scarring and injuries but they will not be put down. Some of them came into the County Resource Center vomiting blood and foaming at the mouth, the poor things.

The owner is being investigated and so is the scope of the dogfighting operation since the owner of the property is also a breeder. The name of his kennel says it all if you ask me — Drive or Die Kennel. His website boasts of premier breeding lines and shows pictures of the animals chained to concrete floors.

The Ohio Director of the U.S. Humane Society, Dean Vickers, said the county is a hot area for dogfighting and that he wants to present a solid case to a grand jury. No charges have been filed but it is expected that federal dogfighting charges will be filed before the end of the month.

Ohio is a state that classifies American Pit Bull Terriers as viscous dogs. Owners are required to leash and contain their dogs at all times. I am so glad the state carries a federal penalty for pit dogfighting - which in my opinion classifies the human as viscous - but don’t understand why the breed is considered dangerous.

The danger a dog poses is dictated by its upbringing I think. Anyone can raise any breed to be viscous. If you wanted to make a German Shepherd viscous, then raise him to be mean.  The media doesn’t help either. There are tons of dog attacks across the country on a daily basis but the media only report the pit attacks.

Pit bulls are widely known for their sweet demeanors. We have one in the family and he is sweet as sugar. He loves to play, he is a huge cuddler, and he loves the kitten of the family. There is no way he is a viscous dog yet he has to be on a leash in his own backyard (which he never is by the way).

When will Ohio get with it and repeal the law already? Numerous campaigns have emerged to advocate for just that, namely the Stop the Pit Bull Ban petition, online here. 

As for rallying against pit dogfighting? Well the 11 pit bulls mentioned in this article were saved because of an anonymous tip to the state attorney general’s anti-dogfighting hotline, so people are very aware of the terrible circumstances that surround dogfighting. And the Ohio Valley Dog Owners, Inc. has formed a task force to draft new legislation to help control it, legislation which targets owners mostly.

See more sweet pit bull pictures like the one above…and tell me what you think about state laws that classify pit bulls as viscous dogs.