Sunday, June 19, 2005

An Appeal to Hear Me Out...

I’ve decided to write something a little differently, that perhaps may make understandably for what my plea is all about and for the people who have a different point of view then mine and why this is so important to me to be heard. I’m just asking for an open mind and to hear me out. If you still disagree, that’s your prerogative. I can’t change minds, but I’m hoping to make you think and give this some consideration.
We can’t judge people based on the few such as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, Paul Bernardo or Karla Homolka, nor can we judge all husbands or wives because of spousal abuse. We can’t distrust people because of pedophiles. These sick individuals are not typical of our society.
We can’t judge race because of terrible events that have occurred in the past. We can’t judge all teenagers, based on acts of violence that some have committed. There will always be some that are an exception to the rule, but do we harden our hearts to all people and look at them all as killers, rapists, and molesters? It would be a very sad and scary world we live in if we couldn’t put our trust in people.
So, I ask you this. Is it right to judge a breed of dog, by a reputation that has be handed down to by man? By a name man has instilled upon it? Can you not see that just like people, fear has led you to believe the worst in certain breeds that are no more deserving than man of judgement? If the breed of these dogs were in fact true, why do honest; loving people have them as part of their families, trusting them with their children and loved ones? I’m not speaking of drug dealers and gangsters. I’m talking about hard working, honest, law abiding citizens. What would they have to gain by keeping a vicious killer? They would have nothing to gain, but plenty at stake.
Do you think perhaps, because you don’t understand something, that it must be true? Have you taken the time to do thorough research, or do you take the word of what you see in the media, just as murderers and gangsters make headlines.
Often the media is misleading or covered up.
Did you know that some of these ‘killers dogs’ have given their lives to save lives? Did you know the Pit bulls have been used as Therapy Dogs because they don’t jump and panic if run over by a wheel chair accidentally? Did you know these dogs make excellent Search and Rescue dogs and matter of fact, did you know some of these dogs were involved in the 9-11 rescues?
But you don’t read about their breed in the paper when they have saved a child from drowning or a woman from a deadly snakebite. You only hear about the attacks and assume it is the whole breed, and so you judge.
If you searched out the net or the libraries, you would be amazed at the loyalty of these dogs that have saved peoples lives. But, do you even bother to look or do you prefer to assume the worst?
And what if by chance you are wrong? How will you feel when this loving, caring breed has finally gone into extinction, because this is what it is gradually happening.
Why are so many good and solid people fighting to have the myths and reputations of these dogs cleared? Why do we take the time? Could it be because we have solid evidence against the myths and reputations?
Did you know the Helen Keller herself had a pit bull as a Therapy dog? Did you know America's first war dog was a Pit bull named Stubby who earned several medals and the rank of sergeant for his service in W.W.I. He received a hero's welcome and was even honoured at the White House. He inspired the U.S. Military K-9 Corps. He also went on to become Georgetown University's mascot?
Do you remember Petey, in Spanky and our Gang? He was a beloved pit bull adored by young and old alike.
Has something changed them during all this time to make them vicious; or is it headlines that often refer to a dog as Pit bull when in fact, it wasn’t.
Right here in my own city, the police came to a home and shot it twice in the legs. Why? For the reason that, it was a Pit bull. What they didn’t know was that the dog was on a chain. In the news it was reported that the chain could reach the door to where the officers were standing, but upon further investigation, the dog couldn’t even get near the door, or close to the officers. The owners of their family pet are so distraught that they are suing the police for the vet bills. I hope they succeed.
I’m not asking you to take my word for it. I’m asking you to broaden your scope and find out fact from fiction, then base your decision on what you have learnt.
Thank you

8 comments:

Guitartists said...

Very well said! Yes, why is it that the media does NOT cover the stories of the good dogs?? Because they would then have to retract many comments made about the breed! :P

People in America always need something to fight against to prove that they are doing something worthwhile. Problem is, when they have nothing better, they chose easy targets and run with it. :(

If they would focus on chaining laws, breeding laws and neglect and fighting laws.... they would accomplish SO much more for everyone involved!!!! If people were TRULY held accountable for animal abuse/neglect and crimes like fighting, fewer and fewer of the WRONG people would own power breeds or any breed for that matter. If better guidelines were to be put into place for breeding, we wouldn't have backyard and bad breeders watering down the breeds and creating dogs with iffy temperments and selling dogs to people who do not have the proper ability to care for them properly. If chaining dogs for life was illegal.... so many dogs would not become junkyard style dogs that eventually lose their minds on the end of a logging chain. Dogs CRAVE human interaction... they are PACK animals! To exclude them by such cold, heartless means is deplorable and only results in a dog that has the same mentality is a man who has been locked in solitary! It is not fair to keep a dog on a chain it's whole life.

People are the real problem.... not the dogs. We are the monsters that occassionally mold these dogs personalities into something cruel and unusual... it is people who ultimately should be punished for the crime.

Guitartists said...

Hey...do you mind if I crosspost this???

Conners said...

I think the bigger problem is lack of knowledge. It makes perfect sense to all of your claims IF, in fact people cared about such things. So many people haven't got a clue what is really going on in the ‘dog’ news, other than the attacks, as they aren't aware of things going on around the world. It's kind of a 'what I don't know won't hurt me' attitude and while they may very well be right, does not dismiss that they have cuddled themselves away, avoidance of a world that needs their help. Many just don't give a damn because it doesn't involve them.
They are probably the same people that watch an attack and rape in progress from the safety of their homes through their window in shear horror, yet don't make that 911 call for help as they assume someone else has. Then they get furious when the police aren't right there as the woman lays bleeding and dying on the street. Then, realizing perhaps the police haven't been called, they struggle should they make the call or not. What if they get asked why didn't they call when this was taking place? Assuming the woman is probably dead by now, they decide to pretend they didn't see the attack. They would say they were sleeping. They heard nothing.
What I'm getting at, people are appalled by the horrible cruelties going on in the world, but they place their responsibility’s on others. When they see it was up to them, they hide their face in the sand and pretend it's not happening.
How much easier is it to blame a dog, without looking for further reasoning behind the fact? That's it in a nutshell. The dog is the problem...get rid of it. But, if they actually looked further, then there wouldn't have been a repeat of the same incidence because they would have stopped it, at the root of the problem, in the first place. If further investigated, they'd likely find abusively, cruel owners that if not stopped, will do the same with another dogs and attacks continue. They are the ones that are dangerous and they use their dogs as weapons. It's no different than a gun is only as dangerous as the hands it’s in.
As you said, get rid of the back yard breeders! Get rid of the puppy mill owners! Put the responsibility of the people that are responsible for ALL the atrocities you mentioned behind bars and only THEN is the actual guilty parties finally off the streets and making them (the streets and citizens) that much safer rather than having an out and out dog war.
One thing I would like to add is that not everything can be blamed on people in general. Our government is supposed to be for the people, but there are politicians and people in higher authority that over rule the people and dictate rather than serve. That’s what is happening in the case here in Ontario. The citizens of Ontario didn’t decide as to whether we wanted or didn’t want Bill 132 in Ontario. The full power was on the MPP’s vote and decision, not ours. Michael Bryant, who brought this bill before parliament, only contacted attack victims. Those apposed to his bill were denied to voice their expertise.
So, while I would like the general public more knowledgeable regarding this issue, for sure…we need our government to support us by listening to our voices rather then giving the province a false sense of security.

Anonymous said...

i hear your plea... as far as your reasoning, its circular.... no one other than pitbull advocates will embrace it. Opponents want facts and numbers, not circular reasoning.... sorry if im alittle short, i havent been to bed yet... out... and btw: u guys are welcome to come visit me anytime you would like.... it's a 2 way street :-)

Conners said...

No. I understand what you're saying and appreciate your comment. That's exactly what I'm trying to find out, is the opposing view, rather than my own.
You've given me omething to think about, which is what Lorna did from the Humane Society. Hard facts make an arguement clearer than showing sweet pictures. But, on the other hand, it also shows them that you can't judge a whole breed (or breeds), as the video points out.
I'm sorry I haven't spent much time at your site. I did email you from there and you have a VAST array of info of all kinds. You're right...I will return.

Conners said...

ROL k...so now you think i've popped a few brain cells with that last comment flex. I was commenting to what i thought was a different post. LOL
I still agree with your comment though dispite the confusion of the posts.

Anonymous said...

im not the opponent :-) but i have had some different experiences than you have, w/ the breed.... just offering some perspective.

Conners said...

Silly...I know that and I wasn't calling YOU the opponent. I'm just saying to get a view of those that have an opposing view than myself. You see, if I could understand their views, it would help me to reach them. It would be like knowing the rules on both sides.
When you only know your own...it's all one sided. And that's why I'm going around in circles hoping that something I say may reach someone. But it would be much easier to know EXACTLY what it is I'm dealing with. See what I mean?!