The Pit Bull Terrier breed is possibly the most neglected and abused breed alive. Some types of these dogs may act out against humans, but only because of this unfair treatment and the pit bulls are not to blame, it is irresponsible owners. If we want to erase the negative image the American Pit Bull Terrier has it is our responsibility as responsible Pit Bull dog owners and citizens to decrease the level of mistreatment that the breed faces by people who are irresponsible and carless.
Neglect is a result in owners being unable to take care of their Pit Bulls caused by financial or physical difficulties and just plain ignorance. In some cases the owner just doesn't care about the suffering the animal faces. When dealing with neglect the first step to take is figuring out the situation and working with the animal's owner to change the situation where their pit bull is no longer being neglected. By assisting the owner in caring for the dog if they physically need it or just educating owners about proper care and community expectations.
If these methods don't work you should make a report to your local humane society or authorities.
Abuse differs from neglect in that it is a "conscious effort to cause harm." In the form of causing harm directly to the pit bull or by entering the dog into a fight or any other harmful situation. Studies have proved the negative psychological impact that abuse have in humans. Disregard for animal welfare is often linked to other crimes like domestic violence, assault, violent sexual deviance, murder, rape and more. If we don't enforce the law on perpetrators it will contribute to the negative image that many in our society have of the American Pit Bull Terrier. If youare aware of pit bull abuse it is your responsibility to report it to the legal authorities and get them to take action. Many complaints concerning pit bulls are overlooked, which lead to news laws, like the Breed Specific Legislation to be developed, that take away rights to ownership of this amazing breed.
There are also many alternative to enforcing the Breed Specific Legislation which are: *Stronger enforcement of already existing dangerous dog laws. If they are not in place, lobby for protection from untrained and unsupervised dogs of any breed or mix. This effort protects all citizens as any dog can bite and be a nuisance when there is a irresponsible owner involved. People that deliberately train a dog to act aggressively towards people or other animals, or to use dogs in the commission of a felony or misdemeanor should face additional penalties.
* Encourage local animal rescue agencies to provide responsible dog ownership seminars and canine safety education. The American Kennel Club also has a free education program.
* Protect the rights of all citizens with nuisance ordinances such as anti-barking, pooper scooper regulations and leash laws. http://www.pbrc.net/breedspecific.html
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2 comments:
I realize that the purpose of your blog is regarding pit bulls specifically, but I would encourage anyone who sees neglect or abuse in ANY animal - dog, cat, rabbit, etc., - to report it to your local animal control or the police department if necessary. For the record I think breed specific legislation is a sham, a joke foisted upon us by people in power because they're ignorant about the breed. 30 years ago the breed du jour were German Shepards, then Doberman's, now it's the pit bulls turn. It's all cyclical; this hate for the breed will pass someday, and when it does we can all be thankful.
I love all dogs pit bulls included. It infuriates and saddens me to hear about and see animal neglect!
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