Dear Editor;
Re: Pit bulls not Pomeranians, Letters to the editor, Burnaby NOW, May 24.
Why is it that people write about that which they know nothing about?
If these same people would only do some research before they put pen to paper. So-called "pit bulls" have no stronger jaws than other dogs of their size, it has been documented on the web if only people would look.
Never in Canadian history has a "pit bull" ever killed a child.
But many other breeds have.
There has only been one fatality from these dogs, and their owner was being attacked by a bat-wielding drunk.
The interesting thing here is, on average, there are about nine serious dog attacks a year. However, there are about 147,000 animal cruelty complaints made every year.
According to stats from the National Canine Research Council showing how high these dogs rate on temperament testing, they tie with golden retrievers.
It is amazing how gullible the public is and how most serious attacks don't make it to mainstream media, except if they can even remotely put the name "pit" in a headline.
Sadly, these dogs are commonly mistaken for the other 23 official breeds and many attacks end up being mistaken identities.
I am amazed, especially in this information age, how so much misinformation still gets published.
I weep for these dogs as they are so abused by man, used by media to sell papers and now being set upon by an misinformed public.
Ignorance and misinformation is flourishing, even in Canada.
Fran Coughlin, Toronto
Neko is so big! We knew her as this clumsy puppy and now she looks so grown up.
Miss Merry, home on her couch right where she belongs!
Oh Nicolas. You are in your glory and we couldn't be happier for you.
Watch out for this girl. Young and sassy, Peanut's new mom will be making sure this girl grows up to be an amazing breed ambassador!
When it comes to pit bulls, Ryan Voutilainen's philosophy is simple: ban the deed, not the breed.
When asked if pit bulls should be banned in Metro Vancouver, the manager of Burnaby's SPCA branch answered "definitely not."
"Any dog that, generally, has bitten somebody has done that because we've failed it in some way, not because of the dog," Voutilainen said.
He also said that if pit bulls are banned, it sends the message that other breeds are completely safe.
"It gives people a false sense of security that their animal would be fine," he said.
Last week, a pit bull attacked an 11-year-old Surrey boy at a school playground.
A neighbour came to his rescue and fought the dog off with a baseball bat.
The boy suffered wounds to his legs, arm and head and required surgery and more than 100 stitches.
Voutilainen, who has worked as an animal cruelty investigator, said dogs that are neglected or abused by their owners are the most dangerous.He often saw dogs tied up in backyards for long periods that showed signs of serious stress, he said.(
"They don't know how to react around other dogs and around people," he added.
"The big thing is education, and educating people that dogs have requirements."
That also means knowing whether your dog needs a muzzle when it's taken out in public, he said.
But Voutilainen said muzzles shouldn't be mandatory for pit bulls.
"I don't think that's necessarily a requirement, either," he said.
He describes pit bulls as "status dogs," often sought after because of their tough, muscular look.
At the shelter, they are treated like any other dog, he said.
blarsen@burnabynow.com
I get to see certain dogs week after week and see them improve. Mr Narone here has been getting daily trips every Saturday out of the Vancouver Animal Shelter to work on his obedience and get some time away from the stressful life at the shelter. He is such an amazing dog; none of us can believe that he hasn't found his forever home yet. Thanks to Caitlyn for coming out and training him this week.
I get to see some of our Alumni, like Rhea, with their new owners and know that we made the best decision possible!
I get to hang out with big dorks like Rock and get bully kisses! They all know me as the cookie lady so they make sure to pay extra special attention to me.
I meet other owners who are just like me and who absolutely adore their pit bull. They are committed to the pit bull breed and want to ensure that their dog is a well-trained ambassador who is out there changing attitudes. Miss Jada here is an amazing dog who clearly adores her owner!
On this particular Saturday. Sam brought a few of the Cabbage Patch Kids to hang out and their foster homes could pick them up from the training. Everyone got their puppy cuddles and our puppies got a lot of great exposure and socialization.
This Saturday was also very special for this cutey-pie. I went and picked Martin up at the crack of dawn (well, 830 sure felt early as I hadn't had my coffee yet!) and he hung out with me all day. His new family came to meet him at the training session and everyone agreed that it was a good match! It is currently a foster-to-adopt situation but we sure are keeping our fingers crossed that Martin makes himself right at home.
So that is my Saturday. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do!
Ciao for now,
Raylee
Training Coordinator
Well, looks like all these pups have found foster homes so now the next step is to get them adopted. Thanks to all of those who have offered to foster one of the veggie munchkins!
Our Booth.
People stopping by to get some Pit Bull lovin'
This boy is currently up for adoption through the Vancouver SPCA. His name is Cane and he is a big loveable, smushable American Bulldog! He spent some time out and about and got alot of attention with his goofball ways.
Alumni Marlo stopping bye to say hello. Him and his brother Sampson were both there as their moms' work at the SPCA. They are both getting so big and are so well-mannered! Kudos to their families for recognizing the importance of bringing a puppy up right.
Oh Ella, how we love thee. Let me count the ways
Well, after working so hard a gal need to keep her strength up somehow. Lollipops seem to do the trick!
Broccoli, Radish and Asparagus.
The girls! Yam, Radish, and Asparagus showing off how cute they are.
And Yam, already learning how to ham it up for the camera.
So if you think you want to open up your house to all the joys and love and chaos that is puppy fostering, please email us at bullybuddies@gmail.com.
This is Tibbs. He is a gentle soul who just spent the last weekend curling up in a foster home and giving the baby kittens a tongue bath. Tibbs would love to spend his days lounging at your side and curled up on your couch. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him while I was doing some work at his foster home and we just hung out on the couch together, snuggling and just generally being happy about our day. He truly is a wonderful dog.
Looks like those kittens weren't the only ones in need of a bath!
