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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 16, 2009 13:30:44 GMT -5
I totally agree the Pit Bull community at large has got to step up; there IS too much talk and not enough walk out there right now! Also, no cohesiveness.
I do doubt that *just anyone* will be in the position to take in bust dogs in the future. As proven in the past, a select few have placed themselves in the position of 'representing' the APBT rescue community at large and even pushing out other groups willing to help; there is a monopoly on these high-profile bust dogs, despite rhetoric that says otherwise. So not only does the APBT community need to get itself positioned to help more of these dogs as a whole when we are offered them, certain orgs need to reliquish the limelight and be willing to play nice with others who are also willing to help.
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Post by maryellen on Apr 16, 2009 14:28:43 GMT -5
show me one rescue that has the available foster homes to take in bust dogs.. every rescue is overflowing with not enough foster homes or space anywhere.. where would they put any number of fight dogs ?? i personally think while it is good that the dogs wont be euthed automatically,the bad part is where the hell are they going to put them all?? adoptions are down to with the economy, so where will these dogs go if all foster homes are already over full?
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Post by emilys on Apr 16, 2009 18:46:20 GMT -5
show me one rescue that has the available foster homes to take in bust dogs.. every rescue is overflowing with not enough foster homes or space anywhere.. where would they put any number of fight dogs ?? i personally think while it is good that the dogs wont be euthed automatically,the bad part is where the hell are they going to put them all?? adoptions are down to with the economy, so where will these dogs go if all foster homes are already over full? oh of course the reality is that few will be adopted. But at least the newspapers won't be beating the HSUS drum about how irredeemably aggressive they are. Rather than beating each other up, maybe we should all be targetting HSUS to redeem itself by, you know, helping dogs LIVE, not die. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 17, 2009 7:48:44 GMT -5
Does it get anymore vague than this? As far as I can tell, YES, HSUS and Rep Bender ARE involved in BSL in Indianapolis, and are NOT stepping in with a firmly anti-breed specific language tone.
My initial email:
I'm interested in hearing from the horse's mouth regarding alleged involvement of HSUS in the writing of a breed specific bill proposed by City Council Mike Speedy in Indiana. Since blogs all over the 'net are stating as fact that HSUS Rep. Desiree Bender is involved in writing this bill, I was hoping to get some clarity, as it is my understanding HSUS is anti-BSL. If you could clarify the involvement of HSUS and/or Rep Bender in this matter, I would appreciate it.
HSUS Response:
Mary,
Thank you for the email. I genuinely appreciate the fact that you’ve chosen to reach out to us before jumping to any conclusions.
As the largest animal protection organization in the country, with over 11 million members and supporters, 176,000 of whom are Indiana residents, we at The Humane Society of the United States are proud of our long record on effective advocacy for animals.
The HSUS opposes legislation aimed at eradicating dogs based solely on their breed. Unfortunately, approximately 20 other cities in the United States are considering full bans on pit bulls and the need for a dialogue about this issue is critical. The HSUS has always remained open to suggestions on how to best protect pit bulls and other at-risk dogs because they have truly been victims over the years of dogfighters and others who have exploited their strength and loyalty.
It has been both our belief and experience that legislative efforts are most effective in protecting animals when they are collaborative in nature and curry the support of local agencies and organizations. This is of particular importance when it falls to local agencies to implement proposed ordinances. Simply put, we cannot find workable solutions unless the community and city agencies come together to find the best solutions for their own community.
That said, a consensus among Indianapolis animal control and humane societies for at-risk dogs has not been reached. Clearly, the success of any ordinance is dependent upon it being consistently and fairly enforced. For this reason, it is our firm belief the local individuals and groups who are daily on the front-lines of these issues play a crucial role in the formation and implementation of any ordinance
It is our recommendation that the key partners in the community be identified and a work group formed to address this issue. If deemed appropriate by the involved parties, we will do our best to participate. It is our hope to see all animal welfare groups in Indianapolis working together to better the lives of animals in Indiana’s capitol and any way we can assist with this effort we would be more than happy to help.
Adam Goldfarb
Director, Pets at Risk Program
Companion Animals
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
301-258-3065
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Post by maryellen on Apr 17, 2009 7:54:25 GMT -5
ha that reply is a dance around reply...
while it would be great to give fight bust dogs a home, where will they go? its hard enough finding responsible homes for the dogs in shelters now. i just hope that this doesnt open up another whole can of worms when rescues cant take all the next bust dogs because there is no space and the media then blames the rescues for not having any room, and not the HSUS..
i personally cant take any more dogs in, i have 3 DA dogs and a husband who has no clue what he is doing, so to take in another dog wouldnt work out. most people have 2.2 dogs already, some have more. hopefully all the rescues will have spaces for the next set of bust dogs to get into foster homes, instead of sitting in a kennel at a shelter
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 17, 2009 8:06:51 GMT -5
The 'average' person or rescue isn't going to be allowed any of these bust dogs anyway - the groups that took the Vick dogs for instance needed to be 501's plus carry $1 million liability insurance. With HSUS involved the cases will be in the media, and when there is a spotlight shining, you bet the red tape will be flowing.
Since not many APBT rescue groups were reached out to for participation in the summit or to be part of the Working Group , I'm guessing the pool of resources will be relatively shallow when it comes down to who actually takes these dogs in when a bust occurs. HSUS isn't going to spare any money or actually house any of these dogs.
Barring all the above, the point of fighting for bust dogs has always been to fight for fairness for members of the breed, to fight the prejudice and ignorance and the lies told by groups like HSUS. There will NEVER be enough resources to save all these dogs - whether we are talking about the average APBT in the local shelter, or big name fight bust dogs. But bust dogs should get a fair shake just like any other dog pulled in from an abuse bust case. They shouldn't die because someone thinks they don't even deserve a chance at fair evaluation.
Big name fight bust cases also allow the Pit Bull community as a whole to talk to a wider audience about issues affecting Pit Bulls and helping win more support and sympathy for the breed. Look at all the *amazing* press Leo got. Don't you think some people looked at Leo and re-evaluated everything they 'knew' about APBTs?
Fight bust/gamebred dogs have always held a special place in my heart. There is something really sad about dogs bred to do the breed's original purpose only to end up being shunned and destroyed, even by people who supposedly 'care' about APBTs in general.
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Post by maryellen on Apr 17, 2009 10:10:32 GMT -5
oh i agree 200% with you on that.. i just wish that the requirements were easier for other reputable groups to be involved.. i also agree all dogs deserve a chance, i just hope that the media wont turn it around if they cant find enough rescues to take the dogs and then blame the rescues, when the HSUS has their high requirements for rescues which would knock some of them right out of the ballpark to help, and then blame the rescues for not helping..
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 17, 2009 10:12:31 GMT -5
oh i agree 200% with you on that.. i just wish that the requirements were easier for other reputable groups to be involved.. i also agree all dogs deserve a chance, i just hope that the media wont turn it around if they cant find enough rescues to take the dogs and then blame the rescues, when the HSUS has their high requirements for rescues which would knock some of them right out of the ballpark to help, and then blame the rescues for not helping.. Totally hear ya on that. |
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Post by emilys on Apr 17, 2009 10:57:18 GMT -5
Look there's only ONE answer to the question: do you support BSL?
Yes. or No.
HSUS (and others) try to make the case that as long as a breed isn't outright banned, the law isn't BSL.
WRONG
Negotiating over a bill to prevent it from banning our breed is EXACTLY what got California its "mandatory msn only for pit bulls" law, enabled by numerous AR groups as well as Bad Rap
HSUS' reply to Mary makes it clear that they WILL support BSL (restrictions of some kind on pit bulls) which they will defend under the guise of "protecting the most abused dog". THIS IS EXACTLY WHY PETA KILLS 99% OF THE DOGS THEY TAKE IN, and why PETA wants to eliminate pit bulls.
Who ever said HSUS was different from PETA?
Me for one.. but I was WRONG. They are the same.
The "make nicey nicey" folks, who object to "gossip" (i.e. truth) being spread are also WRONG.
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Post by OurPack on Apr 18, 2009 14:26:41 GMT -5
I totally agree on the BSL thing. You either have breed specific laws our you don't. There's no real gray area.
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I look forward to learning much here