Post by michele5611 on Oct 22, 2010 9:06:23 GMT -5
www.examiner.com/animal-welfare-in-washington-dc/misunderstood-breed-takes-center-stage-for-national-pit-bull-awareness-day
While the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a recognized dog breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Cane Corsos, American Mastiffs, and Dogo Argentinos are just some of the other breeds that are frequently labeled as “pit bulls.” Many people aren’t able to recognize the difference between these breeds, so all dogs with a strong jaw and wide forehead are commonly labeled as “dangerous dogs.” To help combat the nationwide discrimination of these “bully breeds,” the fourth annual National Pit Bull Awareness Day is set to take place on October 23, 2010, and dog lovers across the DC Metro area are ready to take part in various festivities.
Started in 2007 by Bless the Bullys in Middle, Tennessee, National Pit Bull Awareness Day events take place around the country to dispel the pit bull terrier myths, discuss the harms of breed discriminatory legislation, help with training, and teach spay/neuter education. For Metro area residents, several groups are taking part in the nationwide celebration by hosting a variety of different events.
On October 23rd from 1PM-4PM, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (LDAR) will host their Pit Bull Awareness Day at Your Dog's Best Friends (2000A Jefferson Davis Hwy. Alexandria, VA). Guests of the event will enjoy a free barbeque (with vegetarian options), dog agility courses, and off-leash play time for all dogs in attendance. This group has an especially strong investment in improving the image of bully breeds, as the dog killed at the Adams Morgan street fair this summer was a pit bull in foster care with LDAR.
“I think pit bulls are so misunderstood for a few reasons,” states LDAR Executive Director Mirah Horowitz. “Because of the publicity surrounding dog-fighting, what the public know about these dogs is that they can be trained to fight. Unfortunately, they don't also realize that these dogs are not inherently bad; they are conditioned and trained to fight.”
At the Washington Humane Society (WHS), shelter staff are celebrating on Saturday by offering a 50% discount on adoption fees for all pit bulls and pit bull mixes in their care. Additionally, adoptive parents will received a free training lesson at the shelter’s Behavior & Learning Center.
“The truth is that most pit bulls are friendly, outgoing dogs,” explains said WHS President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine. “They are great family pets. I can say that with confidence because I am a Pit mom. My dog, Lyla, has been a wonderful addition to my family, and I hope this day will inspire more people to adopt pit bulls. Like any other shelter dog, they need homes, too."
On Sunday, Bully Paws Animal Rescue (who rescue pit bulls and pit bull mixes exclusively) will host their own picnic at Occoquan Regional Park (9751 Ox Rd. Lorton, VA 22079) from 11AM until 4PM. Onsite attendees can enjoy a BBQ picnic, raffle, merchandise for sale, a doggy Halloween costume contest, and "adopt-a-bull" dogs from the rescue’s program.
Also on Saturday, the Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) is hosting an educational open house, scheduled to take place at the County Shelter (14645 Rothgeb Drive Rockville, MD 20850) from 12PM until 3PM. The shelter will feature educational handouts about responsible pit bull ownership, as well as extra volunteers and dog handlers to provide information on each dog and assist with family visits. Professional behaviorists and trainers will be available onsite to answer questions and offer advice.
“We feel this is important because so many pits bulls end up in shelters, all because of the lack of information and support available to owners, potential adopters, landlords and communities as a whole,” states Kricket McCarthy, MCHS Canine Crusaders Coordinator.
Regardless of the attendance at each of the events, all parties involved concur that any awareness for pit bulls will translate into a more positive outlook on all bully breeds. With an increase in understanding, the hope is that the unfair bias (such as Breed Specific Legislation) will diminish and pit bulls will have the same chance as other breeds to end up in a permanent, loving home. “Our goal is to go beyond adoptions...to help create and support long and loving relationships,” explains McCarthy. “People need the resources for continued success and a lifetime of wagginess
While the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a recognized dog breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Cane Corsos, American Mastiffs, and Dogo Argentinos are just some of the other breeds that are frequently labeled as “pit bulls.” Many people aren’t able to recognize the difference between these breeds, so all dogs with a strong jaw and wide forehead are commonly labeled as “dangerous dogs.” To help combat the nationwide discrimination of these “bully breeds,” the fourth annual National Pit Bull Awareness Day is set to take place on October 23, 2010, and dog lovers across the DC Metro area are ready to take part in various festivities.
Started in 2007 by Bless the Bullys in Middle, Tennessee, National Pit Bull Awareness Day events take place around the country to dispel the pit bull terrier myths, discuss the harms of breed discriminatory legislation, help with training, and teach spay/neuter education. For Metro area residents, several groups are taking part in the nationwide celebration by hosting a variety of different events.
On October 23rd from 1PM-4PM, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (LDAR) will host their Pit Bull Awareness Day at Your Dog's Best Friends (2000A Jefferson Davis Hwy. Alexandria, VA). Guests of the event will enjoy a free barbeque (with vegetarian options), dog agility courses, and off-leash play time for all dogs in attendance. This group has an especially strong investment in improving the image of bully breeds, as the dog killed at the Adams Morgan street fair this summer was a pit bull in foster care with LDAR.
“I think pit bulls are so misunderstood for a few reasons,” states LDAR Executive Director Mirah Horowitz. “Because of the publicity surrounding dog-fighting, what the public know about these dogs is that they can be trained to fight. Unfortunately, they don't also realize that these dogs are not inherently bad; they are conditioned and trained to fight.”
At the Washington Humane Society (WHS), shelter staff are celebrating on Saturday by offering a 50% discount on adoption fees for all pit bulls and pit bull mixes in their care. Additionally, adoptive parents will received a free training lesson at the shelter’s Behavior & Learning Center.
“The truth is that most pit bulls are friendly, outgoing dogs,” explains said WHS President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine. “They are great family pets. I can say that with confidence because I am a Pit mom. My dog, Lyla, has been a wonderful addition to my family, and I hope this day will inspire more people to adopt pit bulls. Like any other shelter dog, they need homes, too."
On Sunday, Bully Paws Animal Rescue (who rescue pit bulls and pit bull mixes exclusively) will host their own picnic at Occoquan Regional Park (9751 Ox Rd. Lorton, VA 22079) from 11AM until 4PM. Onsite attendees can enjoy a BBQ picnic, raffle, merchandise for sale, a doggy Halloween costume contest, and "adopt-a-bull" dogs from the rescue’s program.
Also on Saturday, the Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) is hosting an educational open house, scheduled to take place at the County Shelter (14645 Rothgeb Drive Rockville, MD 20850) from 12PM until 3PM. The shelter will feature educational handouts about responsible pit bull ownership, as well as extra volunteers and dog handlers to provide information on each dog and assist with family visits. Professional behaviorists and trainers will be available onsite to answer questions and offer advice.
“We feel this is important because so many pits bulls end up in shelters, all because of the lack of information and support available to owners, potential adopters, landlords and communities as a whole,” states Kricket McCarthy, MCHS Canine Crusaders Coordinator.
Regardless of the attendance at each of the events, all parties involved concur that any awareness for pit bulls will translate into a more positive outlook on all bully breeds. With an increase in understanding, the hope is that the unfair bias (such as Breed Specific Legislation) will diminish and pit bulls will have the same chance as other breeds to end up in a permanent, loving home. “Our goal is to go beyond adoptions...to help create and support long and loving relationships,” explains McCarthy. “People need the resources for continued success and a lifetime of wagginess