Man Accused Of Feeding Cats To Pit Bulls

Warning: This story may disturb some readers.

A Georgia man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals for capturing neighborhood kittens and cats and feeding them to his pit bulls.

The warrant charges that Tye Hilmo “did give injured live cats and kittens to his pit bull dogs and let the pit bulls kill the already injured cats and kittens. Hilmo would capture and injure neighborhood cats for this purpose.”

Authorities acted after receiving an anonymous tip that Hilmo had been capturing cats for his dogs to kill. The tipster also said Hilmo was preparing his pit bulls for dog fighting. Investigators said they do not have enough evidence to charge Hilmo with dog fighting.

Investigators found the bodies of two kittens near Hilmo’s house. They also found evidence on his cell phone: a picture of one of his pit bulls and a dead kitten, and beneath the picture, a caption that says “Good Dog.”

Aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony, and if convicted, Hilmo can face one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

Hilmo was already in jail on drug, firearm and probation violation charges.


Source:
www.postchronicle.com

Free spay/neuter in Atlanta!

The Atlanta Humane Society will spay or neuter 100 pit bulls or pit mixes free. The shelter received a $5,000 grant from the Holland M. Ware Foundation to do the free surgeries. Owners must call 404-875-6420 for an appointment, available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Dogs must be dropped off at 8:15 a.m. and picked up at 4 p.m. Dogs without proof of a rabies shot also will be given the vaccination free.




http://www.atlantahumane.org/





**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**

Dog returned to dog fighting suspect, per his request!

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, acting on intelligence provided to them by the Humane Society of the United States, arrested Johnson at his Hwy. 98 home on July 3, charging him with eight felony counts of dogfighting, one for each of the dogs seized during the raid and one for the seizure of alleged dog fighting paraphernalia. He was released on a $26,450 bond the following day.

Johnson was reportedly the owner of “Shakedown Kennels .”

At the time of his arrest, law enforcement officers, Humane Society officials and a forensic veterinarian from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reportedly found barrels scattered around Johnson’s backyard, logging chains attached to stakes in the ground near each barrel, along with other evidence. Each dog was attached to a chain by a heavy collar.

The sheriff’s office said in a press release at the time that information regarding Shake Down Kennels was first provided to the HSUS via their tip line earlier in the year. An investigation was launched at that time, but authorities waited to make an arrest until after the new law took effect July 1.

The animal fighting tip line was established as a pro-bono venture by the Atlanta-based security firm, Norred and Associates, in the wake of the Michael Vick case so that Georgia residents can easily report illegal animal fighting to authorities, officials said. The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting.

The new law makes it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting.

If convicted, Johnson could serve up to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both, according to the sheriff’s office.

Madison County’s Animal Control Board voted 3-2 last month to return temporary custody of a male pit bull dog to his owner, a man who was the first person in the state arrested under Georgia’s new felony dogfighting law, which took effect July 1, 2008.

The animal control board released the dog to Johnny Stewart Johnson, 28, of Danielsville, per his request, until his court date, which is tentatively scheduled for next May. The custody of six other dogs seized at the time of his arrest were not under consideration.

In return, Johnson agreed to provide adequate care for the dog and to allow animal control officers to conduct regular visits to his home in order to ensure that adequate care is provided, according to the animal control board minutes.

The decision was made during an animal control hearing on Nov. 12, where members of the animal control board heard testimony from assistant district attorney Jimmy Webb, animal control officer Andy McLendon and Johnson.

“The purpose of the hearing was not to determine innocence or guilt related to dog fighting but whether it was in the dog’s best interest to be held by the state, or returned to the dog owner while the trial was pending,” hearing minutes stated.

The board heard information from Webb regarding the dogfighting arrest; from McLendon, who spoke of his experience with dogs and answered questions from the board; and from Johnson, who maintained that the dog in question, as well as the other dogs, were kept for personal enjoyment and not for fighting.

“A question of whether the animal should be neutered prior to release to the owner was discussed, however the motion/second was unaltered and a vote followed,” according to hearing minutes.

Board members Barbara Freeman, Decator Dunugan and Nina Grass voted to return the dog to Johnson under monitored foster care until his trial. Chairman Greg Bleakley and board secretary Phil Munro voted “no.”

Shakedown Kennels

Man beats his 2 year old pit bull, attacks her with darts and wires her mouth shut

A Central Islip man was charged with animal cruelty after he repeatedly tortured his 2-year-old pit bull, Emma, throwing metal game darts at her, beating her with metal pipes and tying her mouth shut with speaker wire, Suffolk police said.

John Bayliss, 39, of 6 Bayonne Ave., also was charged with third-degree menacing in an unrelated domestic dispute.

According to police and state records, Bayliss has a criminal history that includes convictions for second-degree assault - he served 4 years in prison after assaulting his 18-month-old son in 1997 - weapons possession and criminal trespass.

The boy lives with his mother, police said.  



Officers who investigated a domestic disturbance call Tuesday afternoon said the house Bayliss shares with his girlfriend had been converted into apartments, with unsafe wiring and partitions, Suffolk County police Lt. James Gruenfelder said.

That is also when police learned of the allegations that Bayliss regularly beat one of his two pit bulls, Gruenfelder said.

Police took several items they said Bayliss used to torment Emma over the past year: speaker wire, metal game darts, a foot-long metal flashlight, and two metal pipes about an inch in diameter - one 2 feet long, the other 3 feet long.

"It was a very, very friendly dog, too, believe it or not," Gruenfelder said. "In spite of all of that."

Emma, who is black with a white chest, had scars on several parts of her body. Bayliss' other dog, Lexie, also 2 years old, was not beaten, police said.

Bayliss adopted Emma as a puppy two years ago, Gruenfelder said. Islip Town animal control officers took the dogs for veterinary care. Emma still is receiving treatment, while Lexie is at the Islip animal shelter, Gruenfelder said.

The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals aided in the animal abuse investigation, and the Islip Town fire marshal is investigating the unsafe living conditions, police said.

Bayliss' bail was set at $5,000 and bond at $15,000 at his arraignment Wednesday in First District Court in Central Islip.

He remained at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead last night, the Suffolk sheriff's office said.

For more on this case, please visit pet-abuse.com. 

A Bill to Kill All The Pit Bulls Introduced! Don't let it become a law!

Montana state Rep. Robyn Driscoll, a Democrat who represents the 51^st District, has introduced a bizarre bill calling for the elimination of all "pit bulls" from the state.  If the bill, H.B. 191, becomes law, owners must surrender their pit bull dogs which must then be euthanized within 10 days.


Those who don't give up their dogs to be killed? Well, any peace officer is authorized to obtain a search warrant and come and get the dog.


The cost of paying animal control and other law enforcement officers throughout the state to round up family pets and kill them will be substantial. A task force found that a pit bull ban in Prince George's County, Maryland, just one county, cost $560,000 in one year.


There are exceptions for pit bulls temporarily in the state, passing through, or attending a exhibition, show or competition "sponsored by a dog club, association, or similar organization".  Even for the dog to attend an exhibition, show or competition, the owner must obtain written permission from the county and the sponsor must take steps to "prevent [the pit bull dog] from escaping or injuring the public." The only other exception is for a pit bull wearing a tag indicating it is a registered pit bull, but the registration and tag must have been obtained before the law's effective date.   


Here is a copy of the bill.


The National Canine Research Council reports that between 1965 and 2008, there were 3 fatalities in Montana from dog bites.  Yes, 3 in 43 years.  In 2005 alone,just one year in Montana, 1,400 people died from smoking and 251 in traffic accidents.  (Maybe Driscoll should work to protect Montanans from smoking and second hand cigarette smoke or negligent or drunk drivers; that would at least be something useful.)


The NCRC notes, "All the dogs involved ... were ...not spayed or neutered....All three cases involved unsupervised children left alone in a yard with unfamiliar dogs (2 cases) or the child wandering off and encountering an unfamiliar, chained dog (1 case)."


Significantly, none of the dogs was a pit bull.


The bill, H.B. 191, is now in the House Local Government Committee. Check Animal Law Coalition for updates.  


WHAT YOU CAN DO

Write or call Rep. Robyn Driscoll and urge her to drop this breed ban. Tell her dogs don't bite because of breed and breed bans don't make communities safe from dog bites. Instead, they penalize responsible owners and greatly increase animal control costs.  Send her the very important information found here.  Be polite!!  Being rude hurts our cause!


Robyn Driscoll, (406) 534-4874, rdriscoll@peoplepc.com


Contact the House Local Government Committee by calling Joe Kolman, 406-444-9280
Find Montana legislators and email, fax or call them and urge them to say no to H.B. 191.  Here is the fax number for the House: 406-444-4825

Rapper DMX convicted of animal cruelty-possibly related to dogfighting.

After receiving an anonymous tip about inhumane conditions for dogs on his property, detectives visited the home of rapper, DMX, and then called one of the rapper's lawyers and told him that the conditions for the animals at the property needed to be improved or deputies would take action. The dogs were not being fed or given water.

Authorities returned to the home days later.

The 36-year-old musician and actor, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was not at home during the raid.

Simmons' lawyer, Murray Richman, said Simmons hasn't been in Arizona for at least two months and was "extremely disturbed" to hear the animals weren't being cared for properly.

"We had a caretaker that wasn't taking care, that's what happened," Richman said. "He loves dogs _ he loves these animals. Those dogs are practically his family."

Richman said he hadn't been notified of problems at the property until he learned of the raid Friday. Sheriff's officials said they had contacted another lawyer who works for DMX.

Arpaio said the deputies who served a search warrant at the home Friday seized 12 pit bulls tied up on the property and took them to an old jail that has been converted into an animal shelter.

Deputies found the buried dogs when they dug up the back yard. One had apparently been burned and the cause of death on the others was unknown because the bodies were decomposing.

Deputies also found a variety of firearms, Arpaio said. Authorities sought additional warrants so they could check the guns to determine if they were legal.


Simmons, 37, was arrested in Miami in August after not reporting to multiple court hearings.  He was extradited to Maricopa County in September and was released on Sept. 13 on a $25,000 bond, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.


DMX has reached a plea deal on multiple drug possession, theft and animal cruelty charges.

A Maricopa County Superior Court commissioner has set a sentencing hearing for Jan. 30.

As part of the plea agreement, DMX cannot possess firearms or own any animals, and must attend an animal-offender treatment program. If he violates probation, he could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.



For more information on this case, please visit pet-abuse.com 

Low cost spay/neuter in Arizona Dec. 10 & Dec. 11-Pit Bulls are FREE!

A low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic starts at 8 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Powerhouse Visitor Center, 120 W. Andy Devine Ave.

Spay prices are $75 for dogs and $50 for cats. Neuter prices are $60 for dogs, $40 for cats. Pit bulls and pit bull mixes will be altered at no cost. Vaccinations and microchips also are available at the event, which is hosted by Plateauland Mobile Veterinary Clinic and Help Animals Lives Today.

Call 1-888-241-9731 or (928) 526-5964 for more information or to make an appointment.  Click here for a map and directions.

**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**

Huge dogfighting ring busted in Houston!

In three counties near Houston, Texas some people are now facing felonies due to their involvement in a dog fighting bust. Eight suspects have been arrested and 43 others have been indicted. As many as 100 people attended the fights, some betting as much as $1000.

Acting on an outside tip from a man in another state, undercover investigators attended these fights over a 17 month period. Investigators have seized 187 dogs who await their fate with death. Pit Bulls are killed all the time and especially fighting pit bulls. These dogs are victims. They are taught right and wrong from unethical people. They can be trained to be good dogs again. Read an update on the Vick dogs.

In Texas, anyone who owns or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in dog fighting; or attends as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting-has committed a felony.

Drugs, weapons and stolen property were also found.

Sources: www.chron.com, www.hcnonline.com, www.animallaw.info

Michael Vick in the news again

Premiering on Animal Planet, Sunday, August 24.

Animal Witness
The Michael Vick Case
TV-14 (V), CC
For the first time, we go inside the dogfighting investigation that helped bring down star quarterback Michael Vick and expose the brutal sport that matches Pit Bull terriers in a bloody fight to the death.

Click here to be directed to the Animal Planet TV Schedule

Ban Unfair Insurance Practices Targeting Certain Dog Breeds in Illinois

Insurance companies have been re-evaluating their coverage for homeowners who have dogs such as “pit bulls,” rottweilers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, Akitas and chow chows.

One-third of all liability claims against homeowners are dog-bite-related, and insurers claim dog bites cost them $351.4 million in 2006. Consequently, some insurance companies are declining, terminating or limiting the amount or type of insurance coverage a property owner can have, as well as imposing increased premiums under a homeowner’s insurance policy based on the type or specific breed of dog living at the residence.

Insurance discrimination is another form of breed-specific legislation (BSL). BSL generally refers to legislation, regulations or municipal ordinances that restrict the ownership of certain dog breeds, sometimes designating certain breeds as dangerous or illegal.

However, studies have shown that it is not the breeds themselves that are dangerous, but unfavorable situations that are creating dangerous dogs. Dogs that have attacked or bitten humans generally are:

• Dogs that have been obtained for negative functions such as fighting or guarding.
• Dogs that the owners have failed to humanely care for, control and properly train.
• Dogs that are left unsupervised with children.
• Dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

The consequences of insurance discrimination are wide-ranging. Penalizing certain dog owners not only causes financial challenges for them, but also results in a greater number of dogs surrendered to shelters.

Assembly Bill 1279 would prevent insurance companies from unfairly discriminating against consumers based on the breed of dog at their residences. It stops insurance companies from declining, terminating or limiting the amount or type of insurance coverage a property owner can have if a certain breed lives on the property. The bill also prevents companies from imposing higher premiums under a homeowner’s insurance policy on the basis of the type or specific breed of dog living at the residence.

Please support this important bill along with American Humane by contacting your legislators!

Blue Pit Bull Needs Rescue in Raleigh

URGENT HELP NEEDED!! (this was NOT written by me)

> I desperately need help in getting this dog into rescue. I seized him
> from an address in southeast Raleigh on February 9, 2008. The vet
> assessed his body condition score at being a 1, a walking skeleton.
> He should be a blue Pit-bull, but he has so much hair loss throughout
> his body. He has no body fat, and is losing muscle tone. The vet
> notes says he is a very quiet and sweet dog and he likes being with
> people. He is only about 3 years old.
>
> He has tested a strong positive for heartworms. He has been living on
> a chain in a back yard, and sleeping on the hard ground. He has open
> sores on both wrists, left ankle and his rear end. These are
> basically 'bed sores' from repeatedly sleeping on the hard ground and
> having no body fat to cushion his bones.
>
> I am charging his 'owner' with animal cruelty, and he will be a guest
> of the "Wake County" jail, hopefully sometime this week.
>
> Please help me in getting this wonderful sweet boy into a rescue.
>
> Stephanie P. Williams
> Animal Control Officer
> Raleigh Police Department
> Cell (919)524-0197 / Nextel 150*26*34355
Email slpwilliams@yahoo.com

Chained dog killed by loose pit bulls, owner says

Two loose pit bulls apparently killed a chained chow-breed dog early Monday, and now Jacksonville police are trying to determine their owners.

Ronald Ball, 64, told police one black and one gray pit bull attacked his chow chained in his backyard in the 3000 block of Myra Street off South McDuff Avenue. Police responded about 2:30 a.m. and saw two pit bulls running down a ditch line behind Bell’s property.

The officer then saw them in a nearby front yard, but the owners of the home said they do not have any dogs, according to the Sheriff’s Office report. It’s still possible that the dogs live at that address or are strays, the report said.

Animal Control has been called in.

Ball — who has at least two addresses listed in the incident report, did not include a phone number and is not in the phone book — could not be reached for more details.

Gladstone, Missouri keeps bull terriers on list of dangerous animals

By MIKE RICE

The Kansas City Star

Bull terrier dogs will remain classified as dangerous animals in Gladstone.

For several months, a Gladstone couple — Kirk and Kim Forslund — have raised objections to the city’s inclusion of the breed in its legal definition of pit bulls.

That legal definition was established a year ago when the City Council approved a revised animal control ordinance that classified pit bull breeds as dangerous animals. It also established regulations for new owners of pit bull breeds.

Council members agreed to have city staff review the ordinance last month after Kirk Forslund presented letters from area veterinarians that stated bull terriers are not dangerous.

But on Monday, city staff maintained that bull terriers should not be removed from the dangerous animal classification.

“I’m sure there are some bull terriers that have been socialized and trained,” said City Attorney David Ramsay, “but our animal control officer did not feel there was enough evidence to exclude them from the city’s ordinance.”

The Forslunds, who have spoken at several council meetings, have said they are active members of the Bull Terrier Club of America and Bull Terrier Club of St. Louis.

They have said that the council members who approved the breed-specific ordinance ignored numerous findings that bull terriers are safe.

In a memo to the city, Sgt. Jeff Self, supervisor of the Public Safety Department’s animal control unit, wrote that, through his research, he found that bull terriers were originally bred for bull baiting and ring fighting. And they can be aggressive toward dogs, cats and fleeing animals.

Self added that bull terriers also are included in pit bull ordinances in Liberty and Grandview.

Under the city’s ordinance, pit bull breeds also include Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or a mix or combination of any of those breeds.

Owners of a dangerous dog are required to have a $300,000 homeowner’s liability insurance policy. The ordinance contains a grandfather clause that exempted owners of pit bull breeds that were licensed with the city when the ordinance was passed.

Councilwoman Carol Rudi, who voted against the breed-specific ordinance last year, said Monday that she still does not support such legislation but would stand by the council’s decision not to amend the ordinance.

To reach Mike Rice, call 816-234-5903 or send e-mail to mrice@kcstar.com.

Breeder neglect - 30 dogs beaten and starved Fort Pierce, FL Court case March 4

Fourteen pitbulls belonging to a man accused of animal cruelty will not be euthanized, but instead will be heading to a no-kill animal shelter in Georgia.

"Whether he gets them or not, we don’t want them killed," said defense attorney Juan Torres, who represents Nahume Belvilus, the dogs' owner. Belvilus is charged with 18 counts of unlawful confinement of animals and five counts of cruelty to animals and is expected to go to trial in March or April, Torres said.

Belvilus was arrested in July 2007 after a Fort Pierce officer witnessed him beating three dogs with a broken fishing pole. Belvilus told police he was raising the dogs for sale as part of a business he was running and they were not used for fighting; Torres confirmed Belvilus had a license to run a kennel.

There has been no evidence that the animals were used for fighting. Four of the dogs seized were adopted and 11 have been euthanized by the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, where the animals have been housed.

The 14 remaining pitbulls can't be adopted because they are too aggressive and have attacked employees, according to the Humane Society. Belvilus disputed this during the court hearing, making allegations that the Humane Society wasn't properly taking care of them.

The State Attorney's Office did not take a position on the euthanasia issue. Assistant State Attorney Jason Berger said his office has all the evidence it needs related to the dogs and does not require access to them anymore for the court case.

The dogs will be sent to a shelter run by the Atlanta-based Homeless Pet Foundation, a nonprofit group that operates no-kill animal shelters. The dogs are expected to leave for Georgia by Monday afternoon.

Saving Pit Bulls from HSUS, PETA, and Michael Vick

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and PETA wanted to add the ultimate insult (death) to a life of injury (dog-fighting) for the dog victims of Michael Vick. Despite the recommendations of HSUS and PETA that they be killed, prosecutors allowed the dogs to go to No Kill adoption groups all over the country. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. And these pictures say it all. Where are they now? Click here to view a photo montage. (There is nothing graphic here, the photographs are pure joy.)

Animal Control Kills Dog by Mistake

KANSAS CITY, MO. -- A Lee's Summit dog owner is furious after his pit bull was euthanized by mistake. Animal Control in Kansas City admits the mistake and says it's investigating.

Marlin Hatcher wants an apology, something he says he's yet to receive from Animal Control.

"My dog is dead, not coming home, I can't pet him, can't walk him, can't feed him, he can't wag when I hit the door no more," said Hatcher.

Hatcher kept a lot of pictures of his 6-year-old dog, Ox. He might have been a pit bull. But, Hatcher says Ox was gentle enough to snuggle with his kids.

"My youngest daughter doesn't know yet, afraid to tell her, I don't know what I'm going to tell her that's who she plays with, what do I say?" said Hatcher.

"We're doing an internal investigation to find out what went wrong that led to his unfortunate mishap. It's not something that we ever want to have to tell a pet owner," said Lesly Forsberg, Animal Control Director.

Forsberg says Ox was taken from a kennel at 55th and Norton because he hadn't been altered. That violates city ordinance. But, animal control is supposed to give the owner five days to retrieve his pet and make arrangements to get the dog fixed. Instead, Ox was put to sleep less than two days after he was brought in.

Animal Control says a new employee got his cages mixed up and grabbed the wrong dog.

"I'll use this opportunity to express my deepest apologies to the owner. We never want something to happen to an animal while it's under our care," said Forsberg.

Animal Control has offered to help Marlin Hatcher adopt a new dog. But, Hatcher says what he wants is accountability and the assurance this won't happen again.

Animal Control says their employee who made the mistake could face disciplinary action.
**********
We have a HUGE problem with Animal Control in Kansas City. They are wasting tons of taxpayer money due to the "Pit Bull Ban", going after dogs in yards and taking them out of grandmother's arms while REAL crimes are happening. What about the two dogs found on two separate days with legs cut off? What about people who chain their dogs and they freeze to death?

Wake up Animal Control! There are real crimes going on out there!

The media is irresponsible when reporting on dog attacks of any breed or circumstance.

It seems to me that any dog with the breed name, terrier, such as American Staffordshire Terrier, the media claims it to be a "pit-bull-type" dog and puts it in the headline of the story, to sell a paper.

FYI: According to the AKC, terriers were bred to hunt and kill vermin.

Nobody wants any person or animal to be attacked by a dog. Some dogs attack for no specific reason and the attack seems to just comes out of nowhere. However, what the media and it's irresponsibility fails to do is educate the public. These dog attacks are frequently the result of negligent owners who either train the dog to fight or do not treat them well.

Instead of focusing on how "vicious" and "dangerous" dogs are, the media needs to get to the root of the story. Why do the owners have the dog? Is it chained up outside for most of it's life? Is it ignored and treated poorly? Has it been trained to fight? Has it been to obedience classes? Is it fed on a regular basis? A dog that has everything it needs, is less likely to attack someone or some animal. Most likely, the owners are to blame for the dog's behavior. Dogs are not born, knowing exactly how to act. Owners are supposed to socialize them.

Is the media asking the important questions? Is the owner doing their part to socialize the dog? Is the owner giving their particular breed the care it needs? Some dogs need a lot of exercise compared to others, is the dog getting that exercise or is it filled with pent up energy?

All the media wants to do is tell us how vicious the attack was and other gory details.

Also, the media uses the ignorance of the American public to get people calling for the death of dogs, who are just as much the victim as the person or dog they attacked. I do believe that is a strong statement, but I really think it is true.

If a dog is trained to attack or is treated harshly and it can attack someone. They are doing what they know, so as a result of the behavior of their owner, they are most likely going to be euthanized and the dog won't even know why.

Most Americans think if a dog looks "scary" or "mean", it will attack them. The media wants us to believe the hype, they want us to be scared and buy into the "pit-bull" hysteria. They feel like they are educating us, which they are not, and they sell papers and get people to watch their news.

I searched for some news stories of dog attacks that are NOT pit bulls, a 15 minute search brought me these stories, they are all from the US or Canada. To read the individual stories, just click on them.

The media is not an expert on breed identification, either. It seems that any dog in the news just happens to be a pit bull, according to the media anyway. When we see a picture or video, you can see it might be a pit mix, or a completely separate breed altogether. Such as the case of this recent dog attack in Long Beach, California.

Notice that at the beginning of the video, the news reporter claims this is a Chihuahua, although the owner says it is a Pomeranian. This is who we are trusting to tell us what breed a dog is. Also, in this particular situation, they have an off leash park with nothing but orange cones around it--NOT-- a fence.

Here is the video


I would love to hear your comments and perspectives on this entire article.

Here is a story out of Canada calling for German Shepherds to be banned due to dog attacks.

Another news story involving a German Shepherd planned to be euthanized due to an attack.

In Kentucky, a Jack Russell Terrier killed a 6-week-old infant

Here a Greyhound attacks another dog at a dog park

A girl was attacked by a "pit-bull-type dog", this is misleading because later in the story, the claim it was possibly a Staffordshire terrier or an American bulldog.

This news story doesn't even mention the dog breed, we can be sure of one thing-It was definitely not a Pit-bull type breed. If it were, that would have been the headline.

A Rottweiler attacks his owner.

Support bill that prevents communities from discriminating against any breed of dog in Missouri! No breed specific legislation!

From KC Dog Advocates:
URGENT! A vote may be coming soon! Please contact the members of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Local Government committee and urge them to support SB 886 in its ORIGINAL form! SB 886 prohibits laws that target dogs based on looks alone and will force cities to target only truly dangerous dogs. Phone calls are best! Don't worry about making a speech, all you need to do is call and say, "I support SB 886 in it's original form." Then, follow up with a fax or email with more information if you choose - please include your address. Missouri residents' opinions carry the most weight but BSL effects people traveling to the state as well. Please be courteous, succinct and truthful.

John Griesheimer, 26th, Chair
State Capitol Building
Room 227
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-3678
FAX: (573) 526-2609

Tom Dempsey, 23rd, Vice Chair
State Capitol Building
Room 433
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-1141
FAX: (573) 522-3383
E-Mail: tom.dempsey@senate.mo.gov

Jason Crowell, 27th
State Capitol Building
Room 323
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-2459
FAX: (573) 522-9289

Kevin Engler, 3rd
State Capitol Building
Room 428
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-3455
FAX: (573) 522-9318

Jack Goodman, 29th
State Capitol Building
Room 331A
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-2234
Fax: (573) 526-9808

Carl Vogel, 6th
State Capitol Building
Room 321
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-2076
FAX: (573) 751-2582

Victor Callahan, 11th
State Capitol Building
Room 334
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-3074
FAX: (573) 751-4551

Harry Kennedy, 1st
State Capitol Building
Room 226
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-2126
FAX: (573) 522-2465

Chris Koster, 31st
State Capitol Building
Room 225
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-1430
FAX: (573) 751-9751

Ryan McKenna, 22nd
State Capitol Building
Room 421
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-1492

Wes Shoemyer, 18th
State Capitol Building
Room 434
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-7852















Missouri: SB 886 Regulates the Dog, Not the Breed
Sponsor(s): Senator Jolie Justus
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: Please email our letter to your state senator and members of the Missouri State Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Local Government Committee to express your support for this bill.

Sponsored by Senator Jolie Justus, SB 886 would allow any Missouri village, town or city to adopt regulations to control vicious or dangerous dogs—but importantly, the bill prevents communities from discriminating against any breed of dog.

Dogs are individuals: any dog can bite. Citizens should be protected from vicious and dangerous dogs of all breeds or mixes. Discriminating against certain breeds of dogs fails to protect the public and penalizes responsible dog owners.

Your letter will be sent to:

* Senator John E. Griesheimer
* Senator Jason G. Crowell
* Senator Kevin Engler
* Senator Wes Shoemyer
* Senator Victor Callahan
* Senator Carl M. Vogel
* Senator Michael R. Gibbons
* Senator Jack Goodman
* Senator Ryan Glennon McKenna
* Senator Harry Kennedy
* Senator Luann Ridgeway

To read the full text of the bill click here.

Go to the ASPCA site to send email and letter you can copy and paste to send a snail mail letter.

This is sooo important for us to respond to! This is our chance to end this terrible legislation for our dogs in Missouri!

Please send a snail mail letter. Actual, physical letters sitting on a desk or in a basket can pile up and show the amount of people who care. Emails are erased and even if they "pile up", who would notice? Letters cannot be ignored as much as an email!

The dogs all over the state will thank you!! :)

Pit Bull Thrown From Overpass Euthanized

POSTED: 4:24 pm CST January 18, 2008

ST. LOUIS -- A pit bull terrier that was thrown 30 feet from an overpass has been euthanized after suffering multiple fractures in both front legs, nerve damage and uncontrollable pain.

"It is with heavy hearts that we report that the pit bull cruelly thrown from the Union Boulevard overpass has died," the Humane Society of Missouri said in a statement.

Humane Society veterinarians made the decision Thursday night after consultation and examination, veterinarian Melinda Fleming said.

"This dog was in severe, nearly uncontrollable pain and it was questionable whether he would be able to walk again. That someone would allow a pet to be abused in this way is unthinkable and heartbreaking," she said.

The organization got a call Wednesday evening from a witness who saw the pit bull terrier and a large golden retriever or Akita mix falling from the overpass in north St. Louis. Authorities believe the dogs were thrown.

The group on Thursday offered $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The other dog ran away but may have been seriously injured, the Humane Society said.

The Humane Society's rescues and investigations team, along with city Animal Control and police are looking for the missing dog. So far, they have no confirmed sightings.

Rescue team Director Tim Rickey said the Humane Society will recommend prosecution of a felony to the full extent of the law.

Witnesses were urged to call the Humane Society or police with information.

Pregnant Dog Hung in Philadelphia Schoolyard, Brutally Tortured to Death

WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGES!!

Pregnant pit bull hung and tortured. A horrific sight greeted animal control officers when they investigated after receiving a call regarding a dead dog in an abandoned Philadelphia schoolyard at 27th and Huntingdon. A pregnant pitbull hung, chained to a fence. She had been brutally abused, beaten and tortured to death then her body just left like some kind of macabre exhibit for anyone to see.

The area surrounding the poor dog’s tortured body was covered with debris, rocks and chunks of concrete, many covered in blood, obviously used to torture the defenseless dog to death.

“Just to think someone could throw something at an animal like that and hear it cry out and continue to throw stuff at the dog… it’s heartbreaking,” said Officer Wayne Smith of the PA SPCA.

Imagine the torment, the pain, the suffering that innocent and defenseless creature went through as she was stoned and beaten to death! Imagine the heartlessness and callousness of the sad excuse of a human being or beings who did that to her.

The SPCA released the graphic pictures below in hopes that someone might have some information that would lead to the arrest of the monster(s) who could do something like this. Saddest thing is, even if they ever do find them, this crime, this abominable torture of a defenseless and innocent creature can only be charged as a misdemeanor meaning probably no jail time.

There has been a $1000 reward posted by the SPCA for information leading the arrest of the criminal or criminals in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the SPCA at 215-426-6300.

If you know anything, if you have any information at all, please call! The kind of person or people who could do something like this could possibly do the same to other animals or people, innocent children. No one is safe from such depravity!