Addressing a Crisis (Reply)

(Picture Above: "Boomer" -- Young, loving Brindle Pit on Euth list a month ago. Rescued by NYCA volunteers, Christy and Zak. Fostered and going to loving, adoptive home this upcoming weekend. One of the lucky ones.)

Gilmannyc Writes: Well said, Patty.
I hope that a lot of people see your blog, especially your pit comments above.

Reply: If anyone know Pitbulls, it's you, Rachel.

I remember when you fostered Ali......

Ali was a light colored Pit mix who came into the shelter with multiple old wounds and scars on her, particularly around her head and legs (usually signs of a dog who has been used and abused in fighting).

She was on the shelter Euth list as soon as the 3 day "stray" holding period was up.

Just another throw-a-way pit.

I met Ali at the shelter and felt a certain sympathy for her plight. She seemed a very sweet, gentle and loving dog who did not deserve to die.

I didn't know if we could find anyone to foster, Ali, but somehow we were lucky to find you.

Ali turned out to be the wonderful dog we speculated she could be -- though, not surprisingly, she was unpredictable around other dogs.

I know you had your work cut out for you, Rachel, trying to keep Ali away from other dogs on busy Manhattan streets.

It took a strong hand and disciplined mind to keep this "train" so to speak, from running off the track.

But, somehow you did it.

And though it seemed at times we would never find the appropriate adopter for Ali, we finally did.

And with patience and training, Ali now lives peacefully and happily with another dog today.

You helped bring Ali through the difficult transition from once being an abused and condemned pit mix in the pound, to being a dog who is loved and in turn, loves the world around her.

Now, the truth is that most Pits dumped in city shelters have NOT been past "fighting dogs," like Ali. Those who cruelly abuse and torture these animals typically kill the losing dogs themselves (such as Michael Vick and his cohorts did) by hangings, electrocution or beatings. To turn the dogs into shelters would be evidence to their crimes.

Most of the Pitbulls widing up in shelters have been family pets, (obtained as small puppies, often from neighbors or friends) who, when turning about a year old, present special exercise and strength challenges to their owners. Though there are many means these days to deal with strong and high energy dogs (such as training, special leashes, doggie day care, dog runs, etc.) these things cost money. Those lacking the means or will to deal with their adolescent Pit's energy and training needs, typically drop the dogs off to the shelters.

Many (if not most) of the dogs being euthanized in our NYC shelters are under two years of age. Most are friendly, healthy Pitbulls.

As said yesterday, the situation is complex and difficult to solve.

There is no easy, "one size fits all solution." --We cannot rescue or adopt our way out of the mess.

It is not just a matter of getting people to the shelters to adopt all these abandoned and mostly young, Pitbulls. It's a matter of addressing the number of these animals coming in and the reasons why they do.

Education in the schools is particularly important. Teaching the young to respect and empathize with animals is critical. Heavy promotion of spay/neuter and why we have to do it is also something that could be taught in the schools.

Laws need to be strengthened and enforced, particularly regarding animal cruelty and dog fighting.

The "Michael Vicks" of our world need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and go to jail a long, long time. The days of "looking the other way" or just rounding up the roosters and dogs abused in fighting and killing them in AC or Humane Law Enforcement facilities, while letting their tormentors go free does NOTHING to solve or even address the problems. The abusers simply obtain and abuse more animals.

People in the lower income areas of our city need to have better and easier access to dog runs, reasonably priced veterinary and grooming care and information regarding proper and humane animal care.

And most of all, we need full service animal shelters in every borough -- especially, the Bronx, but also Queens. Both of these large boroughs currently lack full service animal shelters in New York City.

And if all of these measures still fail to being the Pitbull crisis under humane and responsible control, then laws need to be considered and passed, that would mandate the spay/neuter of this breed.

When people fail to act responsibly and ethically on their own, the government needs to finally step in with laws and humane enforcement of those laws. -- PCA

******

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This entry has 1 comments: (Add your own)

#1 Comment from gilmannyc@...
3/13/08 1:36 PM | Permalink

Thanks for the compliments Patty. Though I definately had some impatience in me, which I will forever feel guilty about. I learned some valuable lessons and I consider fostering to be the best thing that I have ever done. Once you do things for others, there is no greater feeling and knowing.

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Addressing a Crisis (Reply)