Pit bull pups set for trip south

Let's pray everything goes smoothly for these six pups and they find the wonderful forever homes they deserve.

We still wait as patently as is humanly possible for the long awaited court verdict from our court battle back in mid May. All costs of rescues are volunteer basic. When you add the gas price costs, foods, toys, leashed, collars, muzzles, stop overs and fosters. There is much involved in planning routes, especially with frightened, malnurished, abused dogs. Many dogs are unaware that there is a better fate waiting for them with either a temporary foster or a good loving home.

These costs along with legal costs are all volunteer. Some are done by donations, being active in the welfare of the dogs and fund raisers and co-ordinating events. Many help by buying products that go toward our Legal Battle and for all those that have helped out we counldn't thank you enough.

We were hoping to see more of a turn out in Toronto for the Candle light vigil to show your support. With so many bullie owners in Toronto alone, the event should have showed the government how this law has murdered so many innocent dogs and the way of life that bullies and owners have been effected by this ban and against BSL. Still, it is always the same people coming to these events, many that don't even own bullies or even dogs. Our rights have been taken from us and BSL is still spreading. We need YOU to show your support. We had people drive in from far regions in Ontario, yet many from Toronto didn't come. They complain that the law is unfair, but complaining is only words and we need action to show the media and parliment that we are all in this together, especially a one year vigil.

Please help in any way you can to help stop BSL and do it for the dogs.

In the Huntsville Forester comes this article.

Pit bull pups set for trip south
by Laura MacLean, Wednesday, September 6, 2006

There’s a happy ending for the six pit bull puppies who were assessed on Wednesday to determine if their temperaments were suitable to ship them out of the province or if they would have to be euthanized.

“It went very well,” stated Barb Mooney, the Town’s animal control bylaw enforcement officer. “We are trying to get homes for all six of the pups.”

The pit bull puppies, three male and three female, were seized in early April by bylaw officers after they received a tip that a man was trying to hand them out for free at the Brendale Square.

The current ban on pit bulls makes it illegal to breed or bring the dogs into the province. Dogs already in Ontario are allowed to stay as long as they are sterilized, leashed and muzzled in public.

Kristy Robbins from Bullies in Need (BIN) in Indianapolis, Indiana, visited the Huntsville Animal Shelter on Wednesday to conduct an assessment that lasted just over 40 minutes.

The assessment required testing the dogs on their startle factor, which included popping open an umbrella when they were least expecting it, as well as dropping bowls on the ground to see their reactions to loud noise.

“The dogs were startled for about three to five seconds and then they went on doing whatever they were doing,” explained Mooney. “One of the males started barking really loud. So he had a failing grade for that. But he did pass overall.”

Robbins attempted to hand-feed the pups to see if they would respond aggressively or more passively. Mooney said they were reluctant to take the food from a stranger’s hand but were more apt to take food and treats from animal shelter staff, whom they are familiar with.

“The pups know the staff and are more comfortable taking food from their hands,”
said Mooney. “Kristy asked the staff to work on that and to maybe use cheese, hotdogs or kibbles. The pups also don’t know how to walk up stairs because they are let out on a flat from their pens. So if they [staff] have time, they’ll work on that with them, too.”

Robbins consistently handled the pups to test their reactions to being handled by a stranger.

“When they were touched on the head, they kind of shied away, so we need to teach them that nothing will hurt them,” Mooney said. “It was very positive. I was surprised that they were so well behaved. Kristy was very impressed with how the shelter was run and that the dogs had such good temperaments.”

BIN and Albany Rescue are working together to find homes for the six puppies, which will likely relocate them to the United States. If all goes well, arrangements should be finalized within the next two weeks.

“They are trying to get them permanent homes or foster homes,” said Mooney. “But Kristy did say that the three males must be neutered or they can’t take them.”

The animal shelter does not have enough funds to cover the costs of neutering the three males. Anyone who wishes to make a financial donation to help with the costs can visit the Huntsville Animal Shelter at 19 Bickley Country Drive. Donations can also be sent by mail to 19 Bickley Country Drive, Huntsville, Ontario, P1H 1Y4.