Stubby in World War I  

Stubby was a stray brown and white ABPT puppy when Private John Conroy picked him up in 1917. He was destined to become the most decorated war dog in U.S. history. The lonely young private was at Yale University for training. When deployment orders came, Conroy smuggled the patchy pup aboard his troop ship bound for France.

Stubby reached the trenches in February 1918 in the midst of a horrific battle. Although the dog was never trained to cope with such nightmarish conditions, he calmly endured a mounting barrage of shelling. Stubby's caretakers were amazed by his cool under fire, and absolutely stunned when he ventured out into no man’s land to seek out and comfort wounded soldiers caught in the crossfire. News of the little dog's heroism and fidelity reached the French village of Domremy, and after the fighting subsided, the women of the town presented him with a hand-sewn chamois coat decorated with Allied flags and his name stitched in gold thread.

Stubby carried messages under fire, stood sentry duty, helped paramedics find the wounded, and gave early warning of deadly gas attacks. When Stubby found and helped capture a German spy who was mapping a layout of the Allied trenches, he was awarded the honorary rank of Sergeant. Seriously wounded by shrapnel, he was sent to the Red Cross hospital for surgery just like any other soldier. Once recovered, the gutsy pit bull returned to his regiment and continued to serve until November 11, 1918, the day the war ended.

Upon his return to the U.S., Stubby was greeted by a wildly cheering American public. Named a life member of the Red Cross and the American Legion, he was awarded many medals including one by General John J. Pershing. Called to the White House several times to meet Presidents Harding and Coolidge, he led more regimental parades than any other dog in history.

Stubby spent his final years with John Conroy the beloved soldier who had rescued him. He died of old age in 1926.

But Stubby was not the first American pit bull terrier to help America's fighting men. 

The 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry claimed that their beloved Civil War mascot-a brown-and-white pit bull named Jack-understood bugle calls and obeyed only the men of his regiment. Severely wounded in battle, he recovered, only to be captured by the South. So loved and honored was Jack, he was exchanged at Belle Isle for a Confederate soldier.

Sallie, the little brindle mascot and comrade of the 11^th Pennsylvania Volunteers, refused to leave the wounded of her regiment during the three-day stand at Gettysburg. Two years later, when Sallie was killed at Hatcher's Run, her "boys" risked their lives under fierce enemy fire to bury her where she fell. Today Sallie is immortalized in bronze at the foot of the 11th Regiment Monument at Gettysburg National Military Park.

The American pit bull terrier was chosen as America's World War I poster dog. Wrapped in the American flag and flanked by the dogs of England, Germany, France and Russia, the pit bull made America's statement to the world. "I'm neutral, but not afraid." It was a fiercely patriotic time and the American pit bull terrier symbolized loyalty, courage and American steadfastness.  He was truly the dog of America.

Known as the Staffordshire Terrier in his native England, the pit bull is descended from the old English bulldogge or butcher's dog, an animal bred down from the Middle Ages to participate in the cruel "sport" of baiting bulls, bears and other animals.

By the close of the 18th Century however, public consciousness rebelled at these appalling displays of cruelty. Early in the 19th Century, Parliament banned animal baiting.

But Englishmen could not do without blood sport. They tried a new tack by forcing their bulldogs to fight other dogs. As time went on, dog fighters sought a lighter, more athletic animal. To this end, the bulldog was often crossed with the English black-and-tan terrier. So, the pit bull is, after all, just a “bull dog” and a “terrier.” Strong, agile and very intelligent, these crossbred dogs were, by nature, extremely loyal to their masters. Fiercely competitive with other dogs in the fighting ring, they were stable and trustworthy with people of all ages. Because it was necessary for handlers to be able to separate dogs in the pit, dogs displaying aggression toward humans were not serviceable and were quickly culled, leaving a breed characterized by human friendliness and stability. “Pit bulls” often lived as family members and their reliability with children earned them the nickname "nursemaid's dog" or "nanny dog". Soon after arrival in the New World, the breed became a common sight in wagon trains and villages. Although some of these animals were still used as fighting dogs, the majority lived with families who treasured their loyalty, staminia, and courage. In addition to protecting farm animals and children from predators, these dogs were often used in rounding up livestock.

Petey, pit bull mascot of "Our Gang", was beloved by children and adults alike. Tales of American pit bull terriers by American writers abound: John Steinbeck wrote about Jigg; James Thurber wrote about Rex; Mark Twain about Andrew Jackson; Sir Walter Scott eulogized his beloved bull and terrier Wasp.

Advertising featuring the pit bull sprang up: Nipper, RCA’S black-and-white pit bull dog, has for generations listened to “His Master’s Voice”; Tige (TIE) sold Buster Brown shoes; a young boy and his pit bull sold Levi's jeans; and even the U.S. Postal Service showcased the breed with a stamp featuring Helen Keller with her pit bull at her feet. Then, in World War II, a US Marine and his American Pit Bull Terrier where once again the defenders of Old Glory. The American pit bull terrier was still the dog of America.  Loyalty, courage, determination, trainability, stability and human friendliness were the hallmarks of the breed.  BUT THOSE WERE BETTER TIMES.

The Pit Bull Today

What happened?

In the 1980’s when the media reported on Dog Fighting, replete with the myths of the locking jaws and the bite of a thousand pounds pressure, they made the dog the villain of the piece, RATHER THAN THE PEOPLE WHO PLACED THE DOGS IN THE PIT AND THOSE WHO WAGERED ON THE OUTCOME.  A MEDIA MONSTER WAS BORN AND HIS NAME WAS….’PITBULL’. That legend made the dog attractive to the street bully, pick-up fighter, drug dealer, and gang member. These delinquents, attracted by that image, exploited the loyalty, courage, and trainability of the breed.  The pit bull now had a new master, and in ever-increasing numbers, he was mis-bred, mis-treated, mis-directed, abused and then cast off…fueling the media fire. These victims and throwaways, not the multitude of pit bulls living harmoniously at home, form the basis of the public perception of the American pit bull terrier, and they are flooding our shelters.

TODAY THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER IS A BREED UNDER SEIGE.  He, along with three other breeds and a legion of look-alikes have been lumped together as a media manufactured, irresponsible, criminal owner fostered, bad dog monster called “PIT BULL”.  NOT A BREED AT ALL, JUST A LABEL BASED LOOSELY ON SIMILARITIES IN APPEARANCE

 

The image of the APBT as a natural human aggressor is attention grabbing, but it is also false and destructive. You will hear about “Pit Bulls” featured in the dog bite statistics, BUT WHAT THOSE WHO REPORT THOSE STATISTICS DON’T TELL YOU IS WHAT THE VERY GROUPS CHARGED WITH GATHERING THE INFORMATION HAVE CONCLUDED.

The June 2001 comprehensive report from the Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human Canine Interactions contained this paragraph. Please, LISTEN CAREFULLY …THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE:

“An often asked question is what breed or breeds of dogs are most dangerous. This inquiry can be prompted by a serious attack by a specific dog, or it may be the result of media driven portrayals of a specific breed as dangerous. Although this is a common concern, singling out 1 or 2 breeds for control can result in a false sense of accomplishment.  Doing so ignores the true scope of the problem and will not result in a responsible approach to protecting a community’s citizens.  DOG BITE STATISTICS ARE NOT REALLY STATISTICS, AND THEY DO NOT GIVE AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF DOGS THAT BITE.” END OF QUOTE.

 

The public, unaware that society’s criminal element has perverted a noble character, brands the APBT the criminal, assigning blame to the victim who is only anxious to please its master, while the responsible moral agent goes free.  Be assured that this criminal element will simply choose another breed, if the pit bull is not available.

Although he may have a propensity to challenge other dogs, the true American pit bull terrier is stable and loves people. Any display of human aggression, whether stemming from intentional mis-breeding or mis-training, is an aberration. Such dogs, even though they are victims and be sure they are victims--, should never be placed. Intra-species aggression, on the other hand, must be taken seriously, but is a management and placement issue.

We must restore the image of the American pit bull terrier.

Several American pit bull terriers now work with U.S. Customs as drug-sniffing and bomb-sniffing dogs. These include Popsicle, who was originally found wounded, bloody, undernourished and near death, in a freezer on a drug dealer's back porch. Now Popsicle makes his mark helping federal agents sniff out the kind of bad guy who had tried to kill him.

On a U.S. Marine Corps base in Okinawa, Japan, a big black pit bull named "John Wayne" follows in Stubby's footsteps. Known throughout the base as Private First Class "Big Duke Six," the 95-pound dog is the 5th Force Reconnaissance Battalion's proud mascot. "Duke” may have his comical moments, but he still stands as a pillar of pride for the battalion." says Gunnery Sergeant James B. Smith, training chief and caretaker for Duke. "He's a very loyal dog." This loyalty is the hallmark of the breed. Strong and sensitive, outgoing but devoted, easily fired up but highly trainable, intelligent and ever alert, the American pit bull terrier has served America and its people long and well.

Hundreds of APBT’s visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools as certified therapy dogs. Many are agility, obedience, and weight-pull champions. The honor of becoming Alaska’s first certified hearing dog fell to RCA, a white American pit bull terrier.

All across America, thousands of “unnewsworthy” pit bulls live harmoniously with responsible owners.

Then there is Kris Crawford, an Animal Farm Foundation matching grant program recipient, and her three search-and-rescue pit bulls.  Say “hello” to Kris, here today with Dakota and Tahoe. Dakota began her life as a bait dog, and Tahoe was found in a dumpster. Today they are members of the California Rescue Dog Association.                                                                                  

You can get acquainted with them at our booth, and at the search and rescue workshop tomorrow.  Not only do they perform search and rescue missions, Kris and her pit bulls offer safety and educational programs for children and adults.  Their work has changed perceptions of the pit bull terrier for those they have rescued, for the reporters who have written about them, and for the multitude of readers of those stories.

As of December of 2001, 82.7% of APBTs passed the American Temperament Test – a slightly higher percentage than that achieved by the golden retriever. Sound dogs, whatever the breed, with responsible owners, make good companions. Today we ask you to protect this dog from cruelty and return him to an honorable position in American society.

How can you help?  Remember,     the dogs you don’t help are going somewhere.  And the owners you don’t advise     will do something. 

 

What can happen?

 

1.                                       The dogs may be inhumanely euthanized by an inferior facility.

2.                                       They may be taken in, but adopted out unspayed or unneutered, without proper evaluation and without high-bar adopter standards.

3.                                       They may be warehoused, with no regard to their needs and no consideration for the quality of their lives, creating a negative image of the breed as well as the shelter that houses them.

4.                                       They may be abandoned by their owners to run loose, unfed, unspayed, unneutered.    They may be locked away without protection, food or water.  They may be tied up and left at the mercy of the elements and man.  They may be beaten, shot, cut or burned alive.

5.                                       They may fall into the hands of criminals, to be tortured, forced to guard or attack, forced to fight, or used for bait.

 

Fad breed and special needs dogs pose a unique challenge for the no-kill community.  The breeds may change, but the problems of overpopulation, irresponsible and abusive owners and breeders will remain.  Pit Bulls when appropriately selected and evaluated, can be responsibly re-homed, and are entitled to the same humane consideration as any other dog. 

 

It seems that no one group or individual can design a policy acceptable to all.  Having said that, the problem is not going to go away.  While the same solution will never be acceptable to everyone, some soul searching may be in order before policies are put into action.  For those who have already initiated a program, it is never a bad thing to examine the system in place to ascertain its short- and long-term effects on the animals.  Ultimately, it’s all about the animals.  And if it’s not, it should be.

 

Whatever your current policies, and however limited your resources, we must all work to reduce the numbers and to restore the dog’s image.  As we work together on this endeavor, however long it takes and however difficult the task may seem, we must nevertheless be uncompromising in our determination to protect these dogs from cruelty and to spare them further suffering. Animal Farm Foundation has some suggestions that will make you a partner in the solution.

 

1.               Begin by making “humble” decisions regarding your abilities and mission.  Examine your policies with an honest assessment of your financial, managerial, and professional capacities.  What can you do yourself?  What must you refer to others?

2.               If you are unable to take pit bulls in or adopt them out, explain your policy without further victimizing the dogs, who are already victims, and without compromising the efforts of your fellow shelters.  If those of us closest to the animals characterize a breed as innately vicious and dangerous, not only do we perpetrate an untruth, we inadvertently create demand for such a dog among those who are the least responsible dog owners.  Also, we make it more difficult for fellow shelters that are working to rehome these dogs.  On the other hand, when we explain our policies in terms of the severe overpopulation, the shortage of responsible homes, the current unavailability of appropriate long-term sanctuary, the shortage of funds, and our concern for the safety of the dogs, rather than furthering a negative image, we have honestly described the problem, and have become part of the solution.

3.                However, “We don’t take pit bulls. We’re full.  We can’t help,” are not useful responses to people who have found a dog, or who have one they can no longer keep, or who are in need of training help. You may well be exposing that dog to the grim realities I just showed you.  Instead, refer those you can’t help to Pit Bull Rescue Central, an extensive nationwide, internet resource, where education meets rescue.  PBRC may help the people who call you find the resources they need in your area. In your packets you will find stickers you can post to remind staff and volunteers to refer callers to http://www.pbrc.net/, when they themselves can’t help.

4.               Even if you don’t have a pit bull adoption program, you can help restore their image and protect them from cruelty. Be a source of accurate public information and positive press.  For example, make the Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention Report available to community leaders, animal control agencies, and local media. Help them understand that breed-specific legislation is not a solution. For further information on this important report, visit the website whose address can be found on your resources sheet. Use Pit Bull Press to find up-to-date positive stories.  Feature a local pit bull hero in your newsletter, publish Animal Farm Foundation’s popular history of the breed, or borrow our historic postcard exhibit.

5.               Even if you don’t have a pit bull adoption program you can be an essential part of the solution by creating or expanding low-cost, free, or incentivized pit bull and pit bull mix spay/neuter programs. I want to commend to you the “We Pay to Spay” Program developed by the Sacramento SPCA.  I want to thank Mike Winters, Suzanne Somers, Terry Klippert and the many volunteers, vets, vet techs, and shelter workers who have made this program such a success.  And especially Lynn Madison for making the details of this program available to us today.  We have reprinted the template of their program, and have included a copy in your packet.  “We Pay to Spay” offers a $20.00 incentive for the spaying or neutering of any pit bull or pit bull mix.  SSPCA is reaching people who would not spay or neuter, or otherwise prevent their dogs from breeding.  Sacramento SPCA has, in the first two years, spayed or neutered 1000 dogs. Consider the multiplier effect and the number of dogs that will never come to a shelter because those 1000 dogs were neutered.  I believe their efforts will count for tens of thousands of “saves,” animals never brought into a life of suffering.  Animals you will never have to pay to shelter. So long as he remains a fad breed, low-cost, free, or incentivized  breed-specific spay/neuter is an essential part of any humane agency’s public service. And I think, after you have looked at the program developed in Sacramento, you will agree that because it is so simple, it can begin on a very small scale, can be implemented with or without an on-site spay-neuter clinic and, thus, is within everyone’s reach. It will reduce the numbers, and restore the dog’s image. In aid of these purposes, beginning in 2003, we will allocate $50,000 each year for awards and grants for innovative, high-performance, reproducible pit bull and pit bull mix spay-neuter programs that reach owners who would not otherwise spay and neuter their dogs, and that are presented in a manner that helps to restore the image of the breed. We expect to post guidelines for these awards and grants on our web site in January 2003. I want to take this opportunity today to announce that we have just made a special award, of $10,000, to the Sacramento SPCA for their “We pay to Spay” program.  I hope many among you will follow their lead and initiate a similar or even more effective program in your facility.

6.               We also believe in and support pit bull adoption programs.  If you do adopt out pit bulls, we hope they will be True Ambassadors and that they will be placed in high-bar homes. Begin a True Ambassador Program in your shelter – one dog at a time.

 

A TRUE AMBASSADOR program chooses its candidates with the help of persons knowledgeable about the virtues and challenges of the breed. Please refer to the advice from Diane Jessup given in our handout. Dr. Amy Marder will be showing you how to create a thorough, useful intake history. A template has been provided for you in your packet.  Dr. Marder will also outline the evaluation process that has made her programs a success.
     
A TRUE AMBASSADOR program insures that the population does not exceed your capacity to house and exercise these dogs for the time it will take to secure responsible homes. 

Housing the APBT, as with any high-energy, active-minded breed, provides a challenge for the sheltering community. A dog with a sound mind and constitution will stay sound, if activities are provided to stimulate his mind, exercise his body, and satisfy his people-loving and needing nature.  A dog that might do very well when home-placed or in foster care, may not do well when kenneled for an extended time. Housing is best in low-stress areas.  Generous inside-outside kennels that also provide some privacy and protection from the other residents are ideal. Resting benches or even just blankets are important for these “creature comfort” dogs. A softly played radio will help, as well. While confined to an inside kennel, activity toys (Kongs, Buster cubes, and Galileo chews) give the dogs something to do. You can even make dinner a mentally stimulating event by putting it inside a Kong.  Check out the Kong Seconds Program in our packet. Attend Corinne Dowling’s presentation this afternoon for excellent long-term kenneling advice. Corinne’s Give-A-Dog-Bone Program is another example of the kind of program Animal Farm Foundation supports.

A TRUE AMBASSADOR program spays/neuters, immunizes, and microchips all dogs.

A TRUE AMBASSADOR program has a staff and volunteer breed education component.

A TRUE AMBASSADOR program provides dogs with human interaction, mental and physical exercise, positive motivational training, and, when appropriate, socialization with a matched dog of the opposite sex.

A TRUE AMBASSADOR program establishes and enforces high-bar adopter criteria. It evaluates the physical home, as well as the entire human and animal family. Animal Farm Foundation discourages placement in homes with other dogs of the same sex and urges careful evaluation of placements in any multiple-animal home. Intra-species aggression, if it appears at all, may not manifest until the dog is mature. Adopters must be comfortable and prepared to deal with both the virtues and the challenges of the breed. We at Animal Farm Foundation want to inspire responsible, knowledgeable, ownership. We have prepared a high-risk adopter handout that is included in your packet.  I urge you to read it and to refer to it as a guideline.  But always keep in mind that there are exceptions, with people and dogs alike.  If we in the sheltering community remain alert to our responsibility to the dog and our potential adopters, we are able to use guidelines effectively as a basis, not a substitute, for good judgment.  Our list is not meant to be all-encompassing; and, though many of these concerns apply to all dogs, we have tried to focus on those most important when screening applicants seeking fad breed “pit bull” dogs.  Remember, these dogs are unlikely to get a second chance. A bad placement may result in further damaging the breed’s reputation, as well as placing the dog in the grim situations we have just seen. 

 

When considering the suitability of an adopter for a fad breed “pit bull,” remember the dogs from our popular history -- Stubby, Sallie, Big Duke Six, Petey, Popsicle, Dakota -- and the breed predispositions that made them who they are.

 

People-loving and needing

Prone to intra-species aggression

Loyal, eager to please

Comical

Steadfast

High energy, athletic, strong

Easily aroused, but are highly trainable

Love/need to have “a job”

(Soft dogs who respond to positive training)

Possibly protective/territorial, but they are not guard                    dogs

“Gameness”

High prey drive

        High play drive

 

Individual dogs may manifest some or none of these traits, and in varying degrees and intensities.  When you consider these predispositions in conjunction with your standard adopter evaluation and application process, you will see how some candidates, while fine adopters for some dogs, may be high-risk adopters for this breed. A first-time owner with the appropriate home site should not be eliminated out of hand, but should be matched with a dog who is lower-energy, lower prey and play drive . . . that is, low on the scale of those traits that may be challenging for an inexperienced owner. We suggest you consider how your candidate “matches up” with these virtues and challenges.  Remember the current climate and prejudice, which comes with “pit bull” ownership, and determine if your candidate will present his dog in a positive light in the community.

 

The following ten musts in pit bull placement will also help eliminate high-risk candidates in favor of high-bar owners.

 

1.               Insist on spay/neuter, and implement early spay/neuter (not a deposit program).

2.               Conduct a home check in light of the demands of the breed and the individual dog.  Be certain there is a safe place for the dog to spend his days and nights, where he can’t get out, and others can’t get in.  Require written landlord approval for renters. Determine if the neighborhood is high-risk.

3.               Verify an adequately fenced yard or evidence of an alternate method of sufficient and safe exercise.

4.               Be certain the adopter is familiar with the breed and demonstrates an understanding of its virtues and challenges . . . and has the resources (time, place, money) to meet them. 

5.               Avoid same-sex placements and multiple-animal households. Require a frank discussion of dog-to-dog aggression and prey drive. Caution against “pit bulls” in dog parks.  Require that the dog be leashed at all times in public places.

6.               Implement a vet check with particular attention to the disposition and condition of the applicant’s previous dogs.

7.               Require puppy obedience class(es). Strongly recommend obedience class(es), as well as continuing work with all dogs.

8.               Conduct a frank discussion of “pit bull” prejudice. The pride is worth the prejudice; but is your applicant prepared to live with the prejudice that may come with “pit bull” ownership: homeowner insurance discrimination; landlord discrimination; community and media misinformation; breed-specific legislation?

9.               Conduct a frank discussion of children and dog safety.  (The AKC Child-safety video features a “Staffie”.  Remember that, contrary to the media image, the “pit bull” was known to generations of Americans as “the nanny dog.”) Will your applicant work with the dog when the new baby comes? Do you feel the applicant will be responsible for the safety of the child(ren) and the dog? Will they provide appropriate supervision and separation? Do they have the resources to meet the needs of all family members?

10.         Give every adopter an information packet. Include our resource list (to be found in your handout), which contains breed information, as well as information on pet-friendly insurance companies and pet-friendly housing. Provide follow-up assistance and referrals.

 

 A TRUE AMBASSADOR program monitors the success of each placement, and uses those successes to promote new adoptions.

        AND FINALLY….

A TRUE AMBASSADOR program gives a dog his day when you cannot give him back his life.

GIVE A DOG HIS DAY

Perhaps part of the reason we all have such difficulty discussing the pit bull "problem" is the fact that we find ourselves up against a "brick wall" when it comes to saving all of the pit bulls that are out there. There are no hard statistics, but it is clear that pit bulls or dogs construed to be pit bulls are bred in backyards, basements, empty buildings throughout the country. They are filling our streets, packing our shelters. Often we have no idea where they come from - only that they keep on coming - victims of dog fighting, drug raids, breed bans, landlord discrimination, media assassination, intentional mis-breeding, and irresponsible ownership.  As we all know, homes which can offer a loving, supportive environment to this high-energy breed are hard to come by and take a long time to locate, while long-term kenneling can be torture for these people-loving dogs.

Because we came into the field of animal rescue committed to saving lives, some facts are hard to face. There are simply not enough acceptable homes for all of the thrown-away pit bulls and pit bull crosses. As animal welfare personnel, our mission is to alleviate suffering to protect from cruelty, to shelter and offer safe haven to all companion animals without prejudice. It is important that we honor that mission, placing true ambassadors of the breed in acceptable homes whenever possible. But there are dogs for whom euthanasia is the only haven from a life of cruelty. When we aren't able to offer a pit bull his life in a new home we can, at least, offer him a small measure of compassion and dignity as he approaches the unavoidable end.

This offering can take many forms. When safe to do so, it can mean taking him for a long walk, holding him in our arms, offering him a toy, an opportunity to play in the sunshine. If safety is a question, it can mean spending some time with him outside his kennel, talking to him, looking into his eyes. Whatever small contribution we can make, we must make to honor his life and soften his death. This is the least we can offer this loyal breed who has served us so well.

The dog inhabits a no-man's land between human and animal. Unlike the cat, the pig, the sheep or the horse, he cannot, if given the opportunity, take up where he left off with Nature. Whether he came from wolves or gods, it appears the faithful dog has always been with us functioning as companion, guardian and helper. Few people recognize the dog for what he is - a precious gift to our species who asks nothing more than to be allowed to accompany us always, to help us, protect us, to share our joys and sorrows. He is our species' soul-mate.

We must never take him for granted. He has asked only to do our bidding and live by our side. The pit bull is our responsibility and must always be included in our circle of compassion.

Remember. The dogs we don’t help are going somewhere.  The owners we don’t advise will do something.  We must reduce their numbers.  We must restore their image.  We must protect them from cruelty.  We must never leave them outside our circle of compassion.

I am pleased to introduce Dr. Amy Marder, who is a veterinarian, an animal behavior consultant, and Director of the behavioral program at the Animal Rescue League of Boston.  She has been instrumental in inspiring, creating and facilitating successful pit bull adoption programs across the country.  When she came from New York ASPCA to Animal Rescue League of Boston, the MSSPCA was the only area shelter adopting out adult pit bull dogs.  ARL did not have an adoption program, and Boston Animal Control euthanized all but puppies. Today, all three agencies have successful pit bull adoption programs, a wonderful example of agencies working together.  Dr. Marder is here today to show you how she implements an intake profile, and how she conducts an evaluation.

 

[Amy’s presentation]

 

                Click here for Intake form

                Click here for Evaluation form

 

 

CLOSING

 

Thank you, Dr. Marder, and everyone who took their time to be here for the American Pit Bull Terrier. 

 

I hope our resource handout package will help you be a part of the solution. Additional packages can be ordered through Animal Farm Foundation.  Finally, over and above the funding I announced earlier for innovative spay-neuter programs, Animal Farm Foundation considers applications for other endeavors that further our mission:  to restore the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier and to protect him from discrimination and cruelty.   

 

The pit bull is the fad breed of today, and presents special challenges to the sheltering community.  The breed may change, but the demands of fad breeds will continue.  Remember. The dogs we don’t help are going somewhere.  The owners we don’t advise will do something.  We must reduce their numbers.  We must restore their image.  We must protect them from cruelty.  We must never leave them outside our circle of compassion.