Monday, April 30, 2007

Owners thing press gives pit bulls a bad yap

It's obvious Kerry Dougherty wrote this article for her own purpose of reactions and I'm sure she'll get them as she mocks responsible owners and their dogs.

She writes about how Pit bull are dogs of choice as fighters and you never hear of Poodle rings. While this part may be true, it has nothing to do with responsible owners raising their dogs. Even responsible owners are appauled by dog fighting rings and only want them as loyal family pets.

So Ms. Dougherty, my question to you is why do you want to unleash a storm rather than writing an article that doesn't sent you tons of angry emails and write about something of importance? I am not impressed by your article and the way you try to get responses. It sound like very unprofessinal journalism to me.

Owners think press gives pit bulls a bad yap
The Virginian-Pilot © April 28, 2007

What do you say we unleash a storm today?

Time to talk pit bulls.

Every time I write about this, ah, feisty breed of dog - it's been about a year now since my last column on them - I'm quickly reminded that the only thing more aggressive than a pit bull is a pit bull owner. They love their dogs.

Almost as much as they love shooting indignant e-mails my way.

These sweet animals are misunderstood, they insist. Gentle as kittens. Why, a baby could play with my pit bull, they write.

Pit bulls are the whipping dogs of the press, they whine. Just let one high-spirited pit bull maul a toddler and it's headline news. When toy poodles go on a rampage, no one writes a word.

Several e-mailers have told me they wished a pit bull would gnaw off my head.

Pit bull lovers blame vicious dogs on bad owners, bad breeders and bad press.

They must say this, because if the public begins to believe all pit bulls are unpredictable and potentially dangerous, the breed will be banned.

So when pit bulls make the front of the local section of my paper, I feel compelled to say something.

In Friday's Pilot, we learned that deputies in Surry County came upon what appears to be a dog fighting farm.

The fact that 54 pit bull "type" dogs were removed from property owned by football star Michael Vick makes it all the more interesting.

Vick doesn't live on the land, we're told.

I don't blame him. I wouldn't go near the place.

This may surprise pit bull fans, but I feel sorry for fighting dogs.

Dog fighting is a savage blood sport. Animal cruelty at its worst. No need for the gory details, but the life of a fighting dog is unpleasant and short.

It's also lucrative. Owners breed fighting dogs for their tenacity and ability to withstand pain. The qualities that make a dog a fierce fighter also make it a menace to society.

When these temperamental misfits find their way into the community's canine gene pool, they can create all manner of mayhem.

This raid originated, as many do, with a drug investigation. Earlier this week, in separate drug busts, cops in Kentucky and Mississippi came upon a total of more than 70 fighting pit bulls.

In Surry, authorities were looking for dope when they discovered dozens of chained dogs. Some were scarred, some were tethered to car axles. Others were in concrete pens surrounded by tall fences.

Police say they recovered various dog fighting aids, including treadmills, scales, supplements and meds to treat wounds.

Dog fighting is a felony in Virginia, which means the people close to whatever was going on in Surry will no doubt be hiring legal pit bulls to defend them, should charges be pressed.

All this news makes you wonder. If this breed is as gentle as any other, why is it that pit bulls and pit bull mixes are the fighting dog of choice?

Someone please tell us why there are no French Poodle fighting farms.

Here comes the mail.

Reach Kerry at (757) 446-2306 or at kerry.dougherty@cox.net.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll tell you why they are the "fighting dog of choice" it's because people like you Kerry keep putting it into impressionable "must be macho" minds that that's all they're good for. The simple fact remains that no matter how many times you are confronted with the truth - you refuse to see it. But you know, I guess that's what happens to some one in your position... If you were to actually learn the truth you might stop writing this articles, and then what would they pay you for? I guess every one has to make their living - it's just too bad that you have to stoop to the same level as all those dog fighters. Truly, I feel sorry for you, it has to be hard living your life with blinders, a bridle and a saddle on. Ahh the burden of being nothing but a mindless work horse.

Conners said...

Well said Sharon. I hope you clicked on her link and let her have it just as others are...and as she expects. To think they pay her for this dribble, so she has to cause a stir. Second thought...
don't bother. It's what she wants.

Anonymous said...

I know it's what she wants... That's why I didn't click on it, just another mindless attention whore (pardon my language). Part of me laughs over people like this, but the majority knows that she is part of the problem because people take her seriously.

Conners said...

I was debating whether to add this one to my blog as I knew she was seeking responses and me posting it could add fuel to the fire, but I figure people have to make their own judgement call on that one.
If I'm not mistaken, isn't she the same one that I posted another of her articles and then emailed her a nasty letter and she was so insulted and saying she wasn't saying that and blaw blaw blaw? Sounds like the same type of writing.
I did see quite a few responses from people, but from what I saw was more educational facts rather than heart rendering, 'Hey that's my dog you're talking about!', which is what I think she was counting on.
I had to really hold back from responding, but I didn't. I figure I can do that here rather than give her the satisfaction.
How are you doing anyway? Long time no hear. I'll have to get an email out to you once I'm feeling better. VIRUS and dying. LOL

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I think she's the same person... I'm glad that there weren't too many, what's the word she uses? "Indignant" responses... If we stop giving her what she wants - she might eventually slip quietly back into whatever obscure hate mongering place she came from. Thumbs up to her for taking parts of humanity back a few rungs on the latter of human equality, and open mindedness.

I'm doing well, just got my tax return back.. Feeling pretty giddy about that, it's a nice little pick me up. This will set our house buying plans forward by a year or so.
Sorry to hear about your virus.. Hope you feel better soon :)

Conners said...

ROFL Her whining replies back to Gail and I were pathetic. She was trying to say she was FOR the Pit bulls. If that's the case, her help is NOT needed!
Columns like hers are the ones brainwashing the general public that don't know a bullie breed personally and believe this is all they really are. She's sending them validation messages.
WAHOO! A house would be perfect. Then you can finally get a bullie of your own. :))))