Post by Brooke on Jul 29, 2004 22:55:46 GMT -5
Pit bull fans celebrate dog breed's good traits
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
BY ANGELA DOODY
For The Patriot-News
The pit bull is misunderstood by the public, maligned by the media and mistreated by a few unscrupulous people. So said scores of dog owners and professionals who gathered this weekend at Lower Allen Twp. Park for Coming Out of the Pits, a social and educational celebration of what is arguably one of the most vilified canines.
Participants took advantage of competitive dog games, pet psychic readings and dog-friendly vendors, but the message of the day was all business.
"When people hear about an aggressive pit bull, they say, 'Oh, there's an aggressive dog.' But if they hear about a lab or golden retriever biting, they say, 'Oh, [the victim] must have done something wrong,'" said Myrna Milani, a nationally renowned veterinarian, author, animal ethologist and event speaker.
Milani staunchly opposes legislation that targets specific breeds. She advocates owner accountability. She said most people tend to identify any variety of dog with a squashed nose as part of the breed.
The state attorney general's office, the Humane Society and the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance were also present to discuss the more serious side of dog ownership.
Milani said that in the hundreds of dog-bite cases she's tended to in her private practice in New Hampshire, only one involved a pit bull. She said, in general, of the 4.5 million reported cases each year, the media tends to publicize the dog-attack stories more if a pit bull is involved.
"You can't say pit bulls carry a gene for violence," Milani said.
Stereotypes about pit bull owners fuel people's fears about the breed, she said.
Milani said dogs that are aggressive toward humans should not be tolerated. Nevertheless, she said that the majority of dogs learn bad behavior from their owners.
Prevention and training are key to stopping aggressive dogs, Milani said. "If you have a 'Beware of the Dog' sign, you need help," she warns. "I have many clients who rearrange their lives for their dogs and say, 'Oh, he's a good dog if you don't do this.' As soon as you say that, you say the dog is in charge and you're in trouble."
First-time pit bull owners Greg and Linda Keller of Dallastown, who attended the event with their 6-month-old dog, Logan, have experience with pit bull misperceptions.
"You get a favorable reaction with people until you tell them what kind of dog he is," said Linda Keller, who has found Logan to be smart, friendly and great with children. "Any breed can be made to be mean. It's just a shame they used this breed to do it."
www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1090920048237830.xml
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
BY ANGELA DOODY
For The Patriot-News
The pit bull is misunderstood by the public, maligned by the media and mistreated by a few unscrupulous people. So said scores of dog owners and professionals who gathered this weekend at Lower Allen Twp. Park for Coming Out of the Pits, a social and educational celebration of what is arguably one of the most vilified canines.
Participants took advantage of competitive dog games, pet psychic readings and dog-friendly vendors, but the message of the day was all business.
"When people hear about an aggressive pit bull, they say, 'Oh, there's an aggressive dog.' But if they hear about a lab or golden retriever biting, they say, 'Oh, [the victim] must have done something wrong,'" said Myrna Milani, a nationally renowned veterinarian, author, animal ethologist and event speaker.
Milani staunchly opposes legislation that targets specific breeds. She advocates owner accountability. She said most people tend to identify any variety of dog with a squashed nose as part of the breed.
The state attorney general's office, the Humane Society and the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance were also present to discuss the more serious side of dog ownership.
Milani said that in the hundreds of dog-bite cases she's tended to in her private practice in New Hampshire, only one involved a pit bull. She said, in general, of the 4.5 million reported cases each year, the media tends to publicize the dog-attack stories more if a pit bull is involved.
"You can't say pit bulls carry a gene for violence," Milani said.
Stereotypes about pit bull owners fuel people's fears about the breed, she said.
Milani said dogs that are aggressive toward humans should not be tolerated. Nevertheless, she said that the majority of dogs learn bad behavior from their owners.
Prevention and training are key to stopping aggressive dogs, Milani said. "If you have a 'Beware of the Dog' sign, you need help," she warns. "I have many clients who rearrange their lives for their dogs and say, 'Oh, he's a good dog if you don't do this.' As soon as you say that, you say the dog is in charge and you're in trouble."
First-time pit bull owners Greg and Linda Keller of Dallastown, who attended the event with their 6-month-old dog, Logan, have experience with pit bull misperceptions.
"You get a favorable reaction with people until you tell them what kind of dog he is," said Linda Keller, who has found Logan to be smart, friendly and great with children. "Any breed can be made to be mean. It's just a shame they used this breed to do it."
www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1090920048237830.xml