Letter to the Editor: Beauty and the Pitbull
Dear Editor,
Out of all the physically attractive, cuddly breeds of dogs in the world, why would anyone choose an ugly, un-cuddly dog like a pit-bull? A dog selectively bred for generations to fight other dogs and bears? A dog which empties an off-leash area in record time, makes people shun their owners, and involves a huge liability risk?
In the press recently pit-bulls have now reached Victimhood status. “They are misunderstood, they only need the love of a good person (generally a woman) in order to become rehabilitated and reveal their essential goodness benefiting the individual rehabilitating them, and society in general,” is the essence of the media message.
It seems that a recurring archetype is behind this phenomenon, namely Beauty and The Beast. In Western literature, the Beauty and the Beast archetype is played out in a number of fairy tales: obviously La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast), in Beatrice and Benedict in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, in Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and in Jane and Mr. Rochester in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Each of these heroines represents a marginalized woman, not completely accepted by the society in which she lives, because of some culturally defined handicap, and therefore has no status within her milieu, resulting in diminished marriage potential. Violence is the trait the “beast-men” all have in common. The woman’s status is reversed when she tames the violence in the beast. She, thereby, scores off other women, by demonstrating that her sexual allure is greater than theirs. The “beast man” still strikes fear into everybody else, except the woman who has rehabilitated him. Mr. Darcy’s demeanor curbs the contemptuous behavior, directed towards Elizabeth, by the Bingley sisters, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
The Beauty and the Beast archetype is being expressed by modern victimized women in the new fad of cheerleading for pit-bulls. Like Mr. Darcy, a pit-bull can be used to enhance one’s self-esteem, as a status symbol among women, and to intimidate the rest of society.
Ellen Taft
Ellen Taft is a Capitol Hill Times Advertiser
- The statements and opinions of letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the positions of and opinions of The Capitol Hill Times and its associate companies. To submit a letter, email editor@capitolhilltimes.com with the subject line “Letters.”-
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Lover of Beasts
August 16, 2012 at 1:07 pm
This is the most jaw-droppingly hateful, hate-filled, ignorant piece of crap writing I have read in eons. I feel sorry for you, Ellen Taft. Something awful must have happened to you at some formative time in your life.
Fayclis
August 17, 2012 at 7:26 am
You are so right Lover of Beasts. Some people should never be allowed to carry or use sharp objects. Ellen Taft is ONE of "them". Shame on this newpaper for allowing her to publish such dribble.
Kay
August 16, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Ellen Taft you are an idiot.
BSL News
August 16, 2012 at 1:12 pm
The daft Ellen Taft heads up a group called “Families and Dogs Against Fighting Breeds” in Seattle, Washington. These sharp shooters sole purpose for existing is to push the Seattle City Council to ban certain breeds of dogs that they unjustly consider “fighting breeds” from all city parks. Daft Taft and her lynch mob followers are breedists, the canine equivalent of racists.
FOR THE REAL DOG BITE STATISTICS CLICK BELOW http://bslnews.org/2012/01/24/the-real-dog-bite-s…
Sloane Quealy-Miner http://www.bslnews.org
NoFan
August 16, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Quealy-Miner, why don't you tell people just how biased you are instead? Pits are killing one person every 20 days while you twiddle your thumbs and tell people that pits are nanny dogs. They are mutants of the canine kingdom, that is what they are, mutants. Normal canine behavior bred out of them so they can fight. How dare you continue to spew forth your propaganda while people and their beloved pets are being ripped to pieces by your mutant canine friends?
Catlander
August 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Mutants? Technically, all dogs are mutants, but your use of the term in a derogatory fashion shows your true colors. Your comments make no logical sense, and you are simply being provocative with no apparent rationale. I think that someone that signs a comment with their name and a link with "bsl" in the address is being pretty transparent about their bias.
Allen
September 10, 2012 at 9:34 pm
You speak from emotional ignorance.. 25-35 people are killed every year in dog attacks.. As tragic as this is it is still a rather infrequent occurrence.. 13-15 are from the result of Pit Types.. yet there literally 79 million dogs and 10-15 million Pit types in this country.. Lets keep it in perspective 250 children drown in pools every year, over 300 young black men have been killed on the streets in Chicago thus far this year. Over 300 people die in bath tub accidents every year… over 90 die in the US from lightening strikes.. Again as tragic as fatal dog attacks are they remain infrequent considering the sheer numbers of dogs.. Name calling the animal in emotional tirades offers little to problem.. Education and responsible dog ownership however does..
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Ah yes. Now I know who she is. I've heard whispers of someone trying to get pit bulls banned in Seattles public parks; so this is who is doing it. Even though it's only written words on the internet you can really 'smell' Ms. Tafts' fear. I do feel sorry for her to go through her life believing anything the news says!
Thanks Sloane for shedding some truth on this thread which is sorely lacking in any version of truth save your words and link.
Brad White
August 17, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Get real mr. bsl, with your made up stats.
We see the real stats every day, even two of your own got the life ripped out of them by their own pit bulls in the last couple of days, and one was a fake therapy dog. We all know pit bulls cant be therapy or service dogs, you cant trust them. What excuses will you make for that? I know they are coming, I've seen a few today, which ones will you throw out there? This article is pretty much right on the money. Thank you Ellen Taft
Jon
August 24, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Last time I checked pitt bulls can/are both therapy and service dogs..might want to get your facts straight there mr white.
Brooke
August 21, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for that link.
dsfs
September 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm
In no case does the NCRC report indicate that there "experts" could identify a breed based upon photos or word of mouth from owners, etc. It always requires that the dog be of a known pedigree. Because most pit bulls are not bred by registered breeders, this breed type will ALWAYS an alibi according to the NCRC. The facts show that dogs that look enough like a pit bull to be considered that by those familiar with the dog are more likely to kill. The simple solution? Avoid dogs that look enough like pit bulls to be called that. This whole "can't identify these dogs" argument is a simple way to never admit what is pretty obvious.
dsfs
September 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm
*their
dsfs
September 3, 2012 at 3:57 pm
It should give pit defenders pause that they have to repeat their arguments so often. No other breed needs a full time army of advocates to make sure that people do not believe what they see in person or have reported to them from multiple sources. It is obvious that fighting breeds will be more dangerous based upon the traits instilled in them. And that is what we see over and over again. The NCRC is a propaganda shop with a name that was purposefully to give credibility by misleading. It was originally a single vet tech name Karen Delise. And that write mostly to help pit bulls overcome a supposed bad rap. How is that national, research, canine in general, or a council? The name makes people think it is a think tank sponsored by the gov't or another large entity and is stocked with the top experts in the field. That is simply not the case and any group that would pull this sleight of hand cannot be trusted from the get go. They are not flying under their true flag.
Allen Everett Richards
September 8, 2012 at 11:15 am
Actually Dogsbite.org is doing a terrific job on the other side and the host of the blog and 501 3c Colleen Lynn has absolutely no credentials regarding animal sciences, behavior, training, handling not even grooming.. No Colleen is driven by a pathological revenge to kill every Pit on the Planet .. She is one sick lady.. The CDC, AMVA, HSUS, ASPCA all agree that BSL doesn't work to stop dog fighting, dogs biting, dogs killing, or owner irresponsibility.. it does succeed in wiping entire breeds of animals if that is what you want.. If you are as sick as Colleen is then it might just work for you..BTW no one i know quotes NCRC as the ultimate source although i will say she has more credentials than Colleen (divine lady) Lynn… and is far more civil than the perverts on Craven Desires..
HonestyHelps
September 10, 2012 at 9:45 pm
And what are the credentials of Karen Delise, a failed self published author? How dare you degrade a victim, what kind of person are you to do such a thing? To condemn people who want to help others to not have to endure the pain and suffering? You failed also to do your research on your support group. Look up the background of the head of the AVMA, a defender of the cruelty of puppy mills, condemned for it by the government. The CDC, look up the backgrounds of the biased board that published that report, each one saying they didn't support BSL before the report. HSUS, they know where the money is and they don't hesitate to take stances that put more money in their account for the good works they do. The ASPCA, well, one only has to say the name of Ed Sayers and that takes care of that. Do your research before hopping on bandwagons.
Vicki
August 16, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Hmmm, as one of these women you insist we are – shall we compare successes and achievements? Olympic Torchbearer. Most Dynamic Woman Colorado Springs. Owner of two businesses.
Compared to: Ignorant, Pathetic Woman who obviously needs attention.
I win! Oh, I also feel sorry for you…so that's one thing I also have going for me,…and my dogs!
Jackass.
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Vicki you are truly a gem. If you ever get to Portland Oregon look us up and come have a Bully Walk with us!!!
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Pit-Bull-P…
Our Website: http://www.thepdxpitbullproject.com
You rock girlfriend!
JTH
August 16, 2012 at 1:19 pm
If you don't think pitties are cuddly, you don't know any pitties
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:35 am
They love to cuddle your neck with their jaws,you mean as they kill you.
BansAreNotLegalinTX
August 17, 2012 at 7:31 am
Moron. My Pitbull has lived her whole life without ever the slightest hint of anything other than pure love. The ones that make the news for biting are the smallest fraction of the population. Millions of them live their entire lives unnoticed and without incident.
Rebecca Murrell
August 20, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I have a pure bred pit bull and a pit mix. one thing these 2 dogs have never done. is cuddle with me with their jaws. first off do your research then socialize with these dogs. Yes admitted they do have a bad rep.
In the 70s it was the dobermans
In the 80s it was the german Shepherd
In the 90s it was the rottis
and now the pitties?
no. all these dogs are misunderstood. A friend of mine has a doberman and shes a wimp. My neighbor has german shepherds and they are morre worried about digging in their swimming pool then to attack a flea.
My mom and dad have a rotti that my 8 YEAR OLD SON RIDES LIKE A PONY!!!!
And like i said i have 1 pure bred and 1 pit mix. and they both sleep with my son.
sara boston
August 16, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I won’t stoop to your level and insult you for being highly misinformed, all I will say is this is very poorly written and has no supporting facts in it. Please get your facts straight before you run your gums. I know and work with a lot of wonderful pitbulls who are, wouldn’t you know it, certified therapy dogs. I’m sorry your close mindedness is causing you to lose out of so much love.
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:33 am
Any ghetto pig that is a therapy dog,is just a stunt pit, not a real therapy dog.
sara
August 17, 2012 at 8:22 am
The fact that you are so misinformed would be amusing except that it is dangerous and sad. Pits are very good therapy dogs, they are being used in search and rescue, they work in hospice, they work in police departments, they are WORKING DOGS.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Oh, boy, I guess I better pass the news on to my registered pit bull mix therapy dog. Now she's going to cry.
Catlander
August 16, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Your comparison of championing pit bulls to beauty-and-the-beast literary works is ridiculous and erroneous. If you had wanted to write a piece aligning the two topics perhaps you should have tried "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" as a thesis. It would have been much more apt. But then, it probably wouldn't have fulfilled your not-so-hidden agenda – to malign an entire breed of dog and well as an entire gender. The people – women included – who champion against BSL and broad-stroke generalizations against pit bulls are not "marginalized." Indeed, we are a growing group. Perhaps that's what has caused you to write this ludicrous, ill-written piece of tripe – your fear that your mis-begotten beliefs are slowly and surely being eroded by those of us who fight on the side of rationality, common sense, and compassion. I feel such pity for you. I hope that someday you will see the error of your ways and refocus your energies in a more positive direction. Until then, we who see beauty in all living creatures will be right here, blocking your way with all our might.
Pit Lover
August 16, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Wow! Once I got over being offended, I decided to feel sorry for this author.
"Each of these heroines represents a marginalized woman, not completely accepted by the society in which she lives, because of some culturally defined handicap, and therefore has no status within her milieu, resulting in diminished marriage potential."
I certainly do not feel her generalizations apply to me, so she must be one of the ones she is describing. I think I'll go tell my hubby of 17 years I'm not marriageable, right after I tame my beast.
shocked
August 16, 2012 at 1:27 pm
What an uneducated person to be spewing such nastiness about a breed you obviously know nothing about..and to that I’m referring to two things..one, the compassionate educated woman who isn’t scared of a dog..and two, the pit bull breed. I feel sorry for you. You should read up before you spew negativity about something you obviously have no experience with. Sincerely, a pit bull owner.
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:32 am
All anyone needs to know is these things you call a family pet,kill more people than every other dog put together.
Cindy
August 17, 2012 at 9:15 am
that is NOT true. And the pit bulls who kill are the ones who have been trained to do so. Pit bulls do whatever their owner asks it not their fault sometimes losers own them
shelby
August 16, 2012 at 1:27 pm
This article is disgusting!! YOU are contributing to a horrible media craze that is such nonsense I can’t even believe it. Have you looked at any OTHER information than what you’re FED by the media?! Sure, I agree SOME pit bulls end up doing the wrong thing but guess who it comes from! The LOW-LIFE jerk of an owner that doesn’t deserve to ever own an animal. It all comes down to how they’re raised…… Not bred. And they were originally bred for hearding sheep in England. They’re also known as the nanny dog because of how great they are with kids and watching over them. Get your facts straight before spurting ignorant statements about a WONDERFUL BREED!!! “an ugly un-cuddly breed”??! Have you actually ever left your Kermit shell and socialized with a pittie? I doubt it…. You’re too brain washed to think for yourself! They’re so loyal and loving… All they want is to be loved on. Just like any other breed of dog! I’m so sick of pitties being demoralized. Any breed can be great and any breed can be trained to be aggressive. It’s not just pit bulls!
Nancy
August 16, 2012 at 1:34 pm
YOU are the ugly one, Ellen Taft. What an ignorant, uninformed fool. You really need to educate yourself about people and their love of these dogs before you further embarrass and alienate yourself.
Rebecca
August 16, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Your just an idiot!
Aimee Chagnon
August 16, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Oh my gosh, I can't believe anyone would actually write such ludicrous things, much less being able to find someone willing to print it. This is the most patently ridiculous garbage I have read in a long time. Indeed, it is so bad that I expect it will do far more damage to the position taken by the writer than for those of us "marginalized" people who love and care for these wonderful dogs. And as long as we are discussing social status I am a board-certified Harvard and UCSF trained neurologist, married to an architect. We have 3 rescued pit bulls and will never be without one. If indeed there are those who avoid the company of pit bulls then it's their loss, and certainly will not dictate what I do. I do not pander to fear and ignorance unlike Ms Taft.
Melissa
August 16, 2012 at 1:44 pm
As an licensed architect and educated business woman with two successful businesses right now, I do not have time to respond to the multiple offenses that this article spews. Suffice it to say that I am far from a "marginalized woman", and I champion and advocate for those precious pitties that didn't do anything wrong but have the wrong owner. There will always be a "bad" dog in EVERY breed (one that cannot be rehabilitated), but punish the deed not the breed. And punish the humans that take advantage of the natural pittie instinct to please it's human – no matter the cost.
Nicole
August 16, 2012 at 2:00 pm
This is the most pathetic excuse of an article I have ever had the misfortune of wasting my time reading. I hope you never wonder why you never get a promotion due to your articles with absolutely no substantial facts in it. I also hope you accept your ‘un-maritable’ status due to your pathetic, judgmental selfish atittude. Maybe next time you should try owning a pit bull, or even being around one before you spit useless, hateful ‘theories’ all around. It’s loud- mouthed, sorry-excuses of people like YOU that tarnish these dogs reputation. Perhaps MAYBE you should keep your FAT mouth SHUT the next time you have a STUPID opinion you would like to share.
Mary Degon
August 16, 2012 at 2:07 pm
This is almost laughable! IF I could believe that You didn't believe such illogical, idiotic and demoralizing drivel! Serious? You think that because Some Woman takes the time out of her life to reach out to an animal in need, an animal that may have been abused, neglected and abandoned, a dog who has been shunned by society that means She is Marginalized?
Bah! What Utter CRAP.
I have spent my entire life reaching out to injured neglected animals, OF all Species. I didn't do this to make society approve of me, I didn't do it for the acclaim, and I certainly didn't do it to promote my sexual prowess to the human species! I have little enough opinion of them as it stands. I have seen what the human species is capable of and I can assure you -it's not a very high standard they hold in My eyes!
I have College Degree's, I own a house, I work full time, I volunteer, I also do rescue work, adoption work, rehabilitation work. I do it for the Dogs, I do it for the Animals. I Do NOT do it to Justify my life, I do it because it IS my Life. I do it because NO animal deserves to be forgotten, abandoned & abused. They are innocent victims of Human kinds depravatiy!
Shari
August 16, 2012 at 2:12 pm
What a vile, uneducated, sorry excuse for an article this is. Ellen Taft, you are nowhere good enough to have the privilege of rehabilitating such an awesome soul. Based on your lack of writing talent, there is not much hope for you if you have to result to such idiotic attacks on those of us "women" who have enough common sense and courage to not fear the feared. You are a pathetic excuse for a human and even more so of a woman. I am sadly disappointed that a woman could be so stupid as it is usually the males that launch such asinine attacks as the one you launched with this ignorant article.
MyPitBullisFamily
August 16, 2012 at 2:26 pm
My Pit Bull is Family.com represents thousands of individuals, groups, rescues, and families around the world. We have a collection of thousands of photos of women, men children, and families with their pit bulls. These people have dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, snakes, goats, pigs, and just about any other type of animal you can think of, and they all coexist peacefully with pit bulls. This article is inaccurate and extremely offensive to women and pit bulls. It is appalling that an article like this was allowed to be published. We would like to invite you to our website, http://www.mypitbullisfamily.com, and our facebook page, facebook.com/mypitbullisfamily, to help you better understand the truth about the people who own pit bulls.
Kristin Sletting Key
August 16, 2012 at 3:01 pm
When I first read your article I got angry and then I thought about it for awhile and I ended up feeling very sorry for you. You are a very sad and misinformed person.
I don't feel like a marginalized woman at all. I am happily married I have a 4 year college degree and me and my husband loves our Pit bulls. I have worked with dogs for a long time and I have never found another breed as easy to deal with as the Pit. There is nothing in the world it would rather do than please its people. I have no clue where you got your information from but you didn't get it from a place that deals with the truth.
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Hi Kristin! Great reply. Yes I echo your sentiments.
Toni Phillips
August 16, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Your badly written article of LIES is NOT a kudo to The Capital Hill Times. I hope your editor reads these comments & perhaps will EDIT your future submissions. I am from Seattle, born & raised. I used to 'pride' myself for coming from a multicultural, progressive city who shared the LIVE & LET LIVE thinking. You & your thinking is REGRESSIVE. SHAME ON YOU for penning such garbage. Taking your cues from Colleen Lynn who fabricated dogsbite.org, Miss Taft??? I too come from a corporate background, a business owner who CHOOSES to keep company with MY HUSBAND of 22 yrs & a whole bunch of 'those' dogs. GROW UP & get over yourself!!!
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Toni…come walk with us down in Portland sometime on one of our monthly Bully Walks! Find the info on Facebook at The Portland Pit Bull Parade.
We'd be proud to have you walk with us any time!!!
delightfuldoggies
August 16, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Wow. I can't believe what I just read. Talk about a strange train of thought…somehow pit bulls are a status symbol for marginalized women? Give me a break. Pit bulls, like ANY dog, are a product of their environment and the breeding practices we impose upon them. It is no fault of their own that they have been bred by backyard breeders for fighting, to make money off the blood and deaths of these creatures who, if given the right chance, would be loyal and loving pets. This is one of the most bizarre and ignorant opinion pieces I have ever read. I am just blown away with disbelief that someone could ever really write and believe in such total utter — for lack of a better word — crap.
Stephen Miller
August 16, 2012 at 3:49 pm
RE: Toni Philips,
I truly appreciate your input. To clarify, as a letter to the editor Ms. Taft's piece is not presented as a statement of fact as reported by The Capitol Hill Times, but rather as the personally held opinion of one reader. Newspapers should be places for debate and I hope to have a thought-out opposing argument to run next week.
Jaloney Caldwell
August 16, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I LOVED the article. Just because the international posse of groupies online comes out to bash her doesn't mean everyone feels the same. In Florida Miami Dade yesterday voters responded to the t.v. stars and pitbull activists that scared politicians into putting a proposal to repeal the pitbull ban on the ballot. OVER 60 percent of the voters said KEEP THE BAN. Living in an area that has been MAUL free for 23 years has proven that Breed Specific Legislation Works. Some one will respond with a fake study says BSL doesn't work cause dog bites don't go down.. Blah Blah.. We don't care about mere dog bites. Pitbulls don't bite, THEY MAUL.
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Those people supported keeping the ban because they are still believing the myths, misinformation and propaganda that leads people to believe that most if not all pit bull are inherently dangerous. A dog's breed is NOT what determines how dangerous it is but the human handling the dog does.
Catlander
August 16, 2012 at 8:01 pm
This was a letter to the editor? I can find no reference to that on this page. It may be worthwhile to note that somewhere so that people can be more aware of who's voice they are reading. I thought this person was one of your journalists. I'm glad to discover otherwise.
Catlander
August 16, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Ah – just found the little "letters to the editor" blurb. My bad.
Stephen Miller
August 17, 2012 at 11:32 am
RE: Catlander, I think many people made that mistake. I've tried to make the fact that it's a letter more obvious. Thanks for your input.
Catlander
August 17, 2012 at 3:14 pm
The changes look good and should clarify matters a lot. Thank you!
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 12:58 pm
A personal opinion as I pointed out in my comment that is OBVIOUSLY based on myths, misinformation and propaganda. While it is still Ms. Taft's personal opinion which she is entitled to it's a very sorry opinion because it shows in a very glaring way that Ms. Taft has no interest in learning the truth but would much rather base her personal opinions about things on myths, misinformation and propaganda than on facts. It is my fervent hope that Ms. Taft will take the time to become better informed on an issue before she offers her opinion of it in writing in the future. It really doesn't bode well for her that she's willing to blindly believe whatever the news media and fearful people to base her opinion of issues on.
Jaloney Caldwell
August 16, 2012 at 5:20 pm
GRAND SLAM. My neighbor also a woman is devoted to pits that choke her home.. no room left for her Grandkids.. they play in the DRIVEWAY She says she wants to be a rescue like the lady on t.v. and says one of the pitbulls used medication to curb his aggression but it did not work. She says she has always been attracted to aggressive dogs but doesn't know why. I tell her I don't like pitbulls and in the next sentence she tells me Pitbulls are not aggressive! Incidentally Darla Napora, the pregnant pitbull advocate was killed by her pitbull just a year ago and today in Chicago another pitbull owner, male, was killed by his pitbull. It is interesting that not ony are pitbulls the top killers of humans, but they also put more of their pet owners in CASKETS or behind prison bars than any other breed.
Aimee Chagnon
August 16, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Be careful when referencing the Napora case to those of us who are here in the California Bay Area. The dog was a mastiff mix, and the pit bull in the house was hiding under the table, fully exonerated from the mauling. And anyone who thinks Miami Dade has been maul-free since the pit bull ban doesn't know what's going on there. In all areas where pit bull bans have been put in place including M-D and Denver as two great examples, serious dog bites have not declined. That's why the CDC and AVMA to name just two major groups both agree breed bans are USELESS to reduce such injuries. Before you cite statistics, do some research.
dsfs
September 3, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Not true. Greg Napora, the husband, and Bad Rap stated it was a pit bull.
Andrew
August 16, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Please post links or individual reference points to the pit bull related deaths. I have not heard about these cases and would welcome any hard proof that you can provide.
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 1:02 pm
I sincerely hope that you don't base your opinon of all people who rescue pit bulls, or even dogs, on your neighbor. She sounds a bit unstable emotionally and seems to have her priorities mixed up. Your neighbor DOES NOT reflect the sum total of people who rescue pit bulls and in fact more than likely should not, in her apparent emotional state, be rescuing dogs of any breed.
As I said she does NOT represent the majority of pit bull rescuers. I know several of them my self and find them to be a very dedicated, emotionally stable, caring and intelligent group of people who saw a need and took it upon themselves to make the sacrifices necessary to save the lives of pit bulls.
Krys
August 17, 2012 at 2:48 pm
There are also countless households with too many people-agressive toy breeds running around freely & attacking passerby.
Funnily enough, basic logic tells me that individual examples does not translate to all chihuahuas or shi-tzus being awful, untrainable nuisance animals.
sage2k
August 17, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Pit Bulls are not responsible for the uneducated, and ill-equipped seek to "rescue" them but do all the wrong things. That calls rescue into question and may be well intentioned but misquided. Pit Bull type dogs are not for every one; they need to be owned by educated and responsible owners who will protect them — that includes not cramming a bunch of them together like that — to be honest, it sounds rather like it would be a death trap with any breed of dog. If you ever watched Pit Bulls and Parolees you would know that in Tia Torres' rescue efforts, she knows what she is doing and is responsible in her rescue, her training and her re-homing. Way further apart than apples and oranges.
Incidentally, there are many breeds of dog that get labelled "Pit Bulls" when they are frequently some of the more aggressive and rarer breeds of Guard Dogs, completely unrelated to the people loving pitbull type dogs.
Julie Edwards-Matanga
August 20, 2012 at 2:44 am
Tia Torres? Isn't she wed to a criminal who tried to kill a police officer, who also has ties to racist white power organizations? There is a letter you need to research about her contributing to the deliquency of minors, while she was in CA. He great nurturing turned straight A students into drug users. There were always complaints about her, that's why she had to move her operation. She also had a piece of property in Nevada that burnt down….she had intended that to be a brothel, the profits of which she would use for her pit bull rescue. What a noble "lady". Really, I think of her as more of a BEAST.
Pitty Bull
August 20, 2012 at 7:54 am
That is why she has a TV show and you a a dogsbite.org useless tool – can't block me here sea hag . Maybe people should look at your church of Pit Bulls and see what a demented moron you are .
dsfs
September 3, 2012 at 4:03 pm
And having a TV show means what about a person? All sorts of nefarious folks have had TV shows, it doesn't say anything about your character to have one.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Julie, that's exactly what DBO does–tries to deflect by pointing fingers and running people down in these blogs by calling us mutants and pit nutters, pitophiles, killers, etc. and publishing untrue information. What purpose does that serve in reducing dog bites and attacks? Nothing. Only education of dog owners and enforcement of a blanket dog bite law as to all breeds will reduce attacks.
Allen
September 10, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Well put!
This is the main problem Pits as well as other big strong breeds are not for everybody..
Jean
August 20, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Apparently you, as well as Ellen Taft, have never owned a pit bull. Thats good, because you dont deserve one.
Jaloney Caldwell
August 16, 2012 at 5:31 pm
There is an organization for vcitms of pitbulls and other aggressive dogs that will have an national event and also offers referrals to support groups. Google walk for victims of pitbull attacks
Akebono
August 16, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Thanks for an interesting perspective on the problem. I've long been puzzled by the surreal combination of daily horrific pit bull maulings, and the rabid attacks by the pit promoters against anyone who dares to express the opinion that there is a pit bull problem.
The comments here are a clear demonstration of the intimidation tactics used by the pit promoters. Scary people – perhaps even more dangerous than the dog-killing mutants they promote
Dee
August 17, 2012 at 8:21 am
I've seen this from both sides, it's a vicious cycle. Come on, the above is just the opposite. Let's also talk about the pit bull haters who rabidly attack those who love and care for pitbulls and advocate for them. The article itself is a clear demonstration of the insulting way that people treat people who have the "audacity" to love a dog that they themselves don't see any good in. People have lived with lovable cuddly pitties. (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) Saying that all pitties have no place here on earth based on media hype/scares about pitbulls is ridiculous. If that's the case somebody should wipe us off the face of the earth and fast. We've been killing eachother and our earth for a long time now…..We are human-killing mutants.
Kristin Sletting Key
August 17, 2012 at 8:28 am
Below is my answer to a friend of mine who used to share Ellen Taft's view on Pit Bulls. I take my hat off to her because she actually said she would have to do more serious research before commenting on Pits in the future. How can I possibly say what I do, well I have done a lot of research. I also work for AC.
You would be surprised to see how often a dog attack is blamed on a dog labeled as a Pit Bull, while in reality it is a mutt or a different breed altogether. Even if a picture is attached and it looks like a Pitbull, it could be any number of mixes which produce similar characteristics.
Pit bulls, like other dogs, react to their world and situations based on their breeding and their training. There is no dog or breed of dog that is ultimately "good." Pits, again like other dogs, simply act as their instincts and owners tell them to. Pits were originally bred to fight other dogs in a ring. A fighting dog that is human aggressive does not work because the owners had to make certain they would not turn on them when they went in to stop the fight. Any fighting Pit that showed human aggression would be put down on the spot. You have to imagine a dog, so riled up from fighting and very aggressive, which was able to then turn it off when his human appeared in the pit, that is what the fighting Pit could and would do. When a Pit Bull attacks a person, there are always other factors involved, such as protection of food. ANY dog may bite if provoked.
While it is true that Pit Bulls can cause more damage than other dogs it is also true that a well socialized and well trained Pit Bull will listen and obey better than other dogs. If you need further proof look at all of Michael Vicks dogs. About 49 of the 50 some dogs rescued were rehabilitated several of them are service dogs today.
Not everyone should however own a Pit. If you want a backyard trophy don’t get a Pit bull. If you don’t want to work with your dog again don’t get a Pit bull. A Pit bull needs a lot of structure, training, exercise and lots of attention. The owner needs to be consistent, have time and energy for them.
Some Pits are dog aggressive but that is NOT the same as human aggressive. I would never take my Pit bull to a dog park or any other place where they would meet a lot of unknown dogs. Not because I don’t trust my dogs to behave but because I don’t want to put them in a position to fail. Nor do I let my Pit bulls run around loose. They are outside supervised or inside with us.
Pit Bulls give more kisses than any other type of dog (it's proven!). They love humans and human interactions. They feed off positive attention. These dogs are loving, friendly creatures. And they are the kings of clowning. Pit Bulls are highly trainable but they do need to be trained. Their intelligence, focus, gameness, loyalty and desire to please make them one of the most teachable dogs.
What it ultimately boils down to is this: Consider the fact that there is 4.5 million registered Pit bulls in the US and more than likely the true amount is closer to 9 million. If they were as vicious as people make them out to be there should be a lot more dog bites than there is and a whole lot more fatalities. I am all for a law that targets vicious and dangerous dogs but not based on breed rather based on deed.
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 12:49 pm
I could kiss you!! Seriously. As a pit bull advocate I have recounted these same FACTS about pit bulls at least a hundred times in the last two years. You have approached the issue armed with good verifiable facts based on the personal experience of millions of pit bull owners and people who rescue these dogs.
It is amazing what PERFECT dogs pit bulls can be in the hands of a responsible dog owner such as you appear to be. Thank you so much for calmly and rationally laying the truth about pit bulls out for the many here who are victims of propagandized news reports by the news media and the same old myths and misinformation that has been passed around about pit bulls for the past twenty years (in past years it was Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers – all breeds of dogs I have successfully owned over the years).
Good on ya!!!
If you don't mind I'm going to cut and paste your comment and keep it for future use!
Allen
September 10, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Thank you for a truly educated response to a highly emotional issue . i would argue that the total number of Pit types/mixes may be closer to 10-15 million.. only because the anti-pit advocates like Ellen and Colleen Lynn would want at least that many put down if they had a choice. You are spot on when it comes to the type of owner needed or a pit type/bully breed .. Thanks again this is the kind of discourse we need to help solve the problem of canine overpopulation, abuse and irresponsible ownership…
sara
August 17, 2012 at 8:32 am
Aww sweety. I know a lot of little old ladies who have lots of grandkids and such. Who knit and do their hair. Who cook big dinners for friends etc.. who have pit bulls. I don't think you really know anyone with a pit bull other than the thug on the corner. I am a mom of 4 boys, I have a pit/dane, a chihuahua, and 2 doxi mixes. My pit is the friendliest of the bunch. My doxis will gang up on you at the door and bite you. BTW pits have a lower bite rate than doxis, goldens, and labs. They also rank higher on temperament tests. Do some research.
vegansloveanimals
August 17, 2012 at 11:56 am
Daily horrific pit bull maulings? Um, please do provide your FACTS for that–where are those statistics? Where are those daily articles? Can you prove to me that the dog's reported in ANY of the articles were actually pit bulls? You do understand the media runs on fear, right? Or do you believe pretty much anything you read? I'm guessing that might be the real problem here–seeing as how you seem to take AN OPINIONS PIECE as fact. You are WRONG. My pit bulls proves that, as do the pit bulls of my friends–as do the many links to actually supported FACTS from professionals that I posted. Let's see your facts, my dear! I'm waiting…..waiting….
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Daily? Please provide statistics, dates, times, places, etc.
If you cannot provide FACTS to support your comments please retract your comment about the daily pit bull maulings. I hope you realize that you've based your opinion of these dogs on exactly the kind of statements that you have made which are not ever based on fact but on a knee jerk reaction to an infrequent, but tragic, event.
The comments here by the way DO NOT reflect the sum total of pit bull rescuers, owners or advocates. If you believe that they do reflect the feelings and actions of ALL people who love these dogs then we have no choice than to believe that your comments, based on misinformation and propaganda, reflect that ALL people who are against pit bulls (all of those who fear and hate them) are complete idiots that wouldn't know how to find a fact if it bit them on the butt! I hope you can see the comparison!
Krys
August 17, 2012 at 2:49 pm
I'm sorry, what? In what world does refuting an argument equal "intimidation tactics"? Good god, the hyperbole is astounding.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:19 pm
"Daily horrific pit bull maulings."
Please show me the literature that supports this asinine comment.
I can't speak for everyone, but you are right about one thing when it comes to me… I can be very scary when it comes to my children. Both my human and animal ones.
Boris
August 20, 2012 at 8:16 pm
My killer mutant is sprawled out in my bed next to me right now. She's snoring a little and wagging her tail in her sleep.
Blaming powerful dogs for hurting/killing their owners is like blaming powerful cars and guns for killing dumb people who can't handle them but buy them anyway. Let's just fear and outlaw EVERYTHING that could possibly hurt us if not used (or trained) properly.
Allen
September 10, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Scary is
Dogsbite.org founder Colleen Lynn who runs a 501 3c that spreads misinformation and lies about Pit attacks. Totally ignores and dismisses opinions from respected organizations like the CDC, AMVA, HSUS and ASPCA. Scary is the fact that she like Ellen Taft has absolutely no credentials in Animal Sciences, Behavior, Training, Handling or even Grooming. in fact there little evidence that Colleen ever owned a dog at all. Her background includes Rune Fortune Teller, Sexual Advisor and self Taught Web designer. She like Ellen loves to throw around claims of being threatened without a smidgen of evidence or even the nature of the threats. She is snarky, rude and condescending to anyone who has a contrary opinion. She offers no solution except complete extermination of literally millions of dogs.. she is pathological in her attacks on Pit Rescues and owners.. This is Scary and if you count yourself as a member of the DBO perhaps you need to really think about it..
NoFan
August 16, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Just off the presses, another victim of the pit bull propaganda machine, one of their own. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/dekalb-woman…
Animal control took custody of the five dogs in the home – two pit bulls, two presas and a boxer mix.
A person who puts those dog aggressive breeds together in one home has learned her lesson the hard way. Don't be a pit bull victim, demand action against these vile mutants.
Ep
August 16, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Sounds to me like you’re the ugly, insecure woman who obviously needs some desperatly needed attention. Didn’t get enough as a child??? I’m sorry for you, i will pray for you.
sara
August 16, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I have to say that this is the most ridiculous thing I have read in awhile. Pit bulls are very cuddly and most are very beautiful. No they are not a fluffly little poodle. Thank GOD because I do not like lil fluffy dogs. They tend to be yippy lil biters. I am around a lot of pit bulls where I live. In fact I had one that jumped in my car today–a stray–because I had an open door and because it was raining. I spend the next ten minutes trying to get him off my lap and get his tongue off my face. I have very rarely met a pit bull that was A)mean and B)ugly. I have a dane/pit, a chihuahua, and 2 doxi mixes. The ones you have to worry about when you come in my house are the little guys.
Desiree Golembiewski
August 16, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Sadly misinformed article. And the reason bully breeds are in deep need of rescue is due to the bad owners who fail to spay and neuter. They are the most overbred dog, backyard breeders have left thousands of unwanted dogs and because of the economy ,many sadly losing their homes, beloved bullies have also lost their homes.
Having rescued over 300 dogs myself and placing each and every one into a safe and loving home I have never been bitten by any bully breed, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I have however been bitten by a chihuahua, a lhasa apso and a yorkshire terrier..
I find her opinions ignorant and she is obviously projecting her own issues because of her ignorance. Its unfortunate to utilize this forum in such negative fashion, which would obviously better suited to the education for responsible dog ownership.
As for my marginalized and uneducated life
I graduated dual degrees from Boston University, own a home in Los Angeles, run a small business and still look pretty smoking in a bikini…
Desiree Golembiewski
Founder Vacationsbysea.com
Desiree Golembiewski
August 16, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Sadly misinformed article. And the reason bully breeds are in deep need of rescue is due to the bad owners who fail to spay and neuter. They are the most overbred dog
Kayte
August 16, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Pathetic article. Please educate yourself before blindly spewing hatred. I feel very sorry for those of you who are missing out on the opportunity to meet a “pibble” and fall in love. I can’t imagine myself submitting to such an unfounded and irrational fear simply because the media tells me to. Then again, I am not weak or simple minded as the “author” of this “article” clearly is. http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/find…
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:38 am
Please educate your self… http://cravendesires.blogspot.com
Theresa Easley
August 22, 2012 at 9:49 am
I've heard about craven desires and his misinformation about pit bulls.
ripka54
August 16, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Ellen Taft.. You are the most ignorat person I have ever encounterd. I lived in many countries around the world, you top everybody in ignorance.. Do not write anymore, you need to get some Humanity and education, for yourselft first. you should be ashamed and your mouth should be washed out with soap or something even stronger …Stop while you can.. nobody asked you to own a Pit Bull, but we live in a free Counrty and we should have the choice of choosing the dog we want not the dog someone else things is good for us.. If you would like to dsictate what dog I can have you should moove to another country where sozialism is preveant. I personaly think that you are ugly, not just in your looks also in your personality, now we need to outlaw ugly peolpe, actually not a bad idea, you be the one we start with…..
PerLo68
August 16, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I find it interesting that a few have stated we "pit bull advocates" have used intimidation tactics here. Where actually?? No one has made any threats and from what I can see, have merely stated their opinions, just as those have who oppose the breed. And we "pit bull advocates" are not saying there's no pit bull problem. What we are saying is there is a problem and that problem lies with irresponsible owners, backyard breeders, and those who fail their dogs (and there are multiple ways to do just that, in any breed category). There are thousands of shining examples of bully breeds and their respective guardians everywhere you look; that is also a fact; dogs and their guardians who live without incident day in and day out. What is their response to that? Ignore it, because it just can't be happening? Well like it or not, it is. Placing blame on an entire breed (and their related humans) is just irresponsible and foolish; especially considering the stellar examples we see of educated, powerful, enlightened, dedicated, and compassionate women and men and their bully breeds who live beyond reproach in their homes, their neighborhoods, their communities and in all types of situations (i.e. with children, other animals, et al.) This cannot be ignored. I often wonder, do bully breed opponents do the same profiling with certain races, creeds, cultures and religions affiliations? I shudder to think Good news, though, is many are starting to see the forest AND the trees. Even the ABA is taking a stand on responsible dog guardianship. Check out Best Friends and their piece on The American Bar Association. Another thing that I find interesting, that pit bull opponents don't address, are the bite statistics and fatal attacks from other breeds. And these are not just large dogs and/or bully breeds. Responsible Dog at WordPress reported on a Golden Retriever cross, a Mastiff Rhodesian cross, and a Jack Russell Terrier who all killed children within their own families. The site IWIDK reported on a 2 month old killed by the family's Golden Retriever. There are hundreds more where that came from. What is their response in those types of cases?? The simple fact of the matter is we will never see the end of dog bites and attacks , until we see the end of irresponsible and uneducated dog guardians. Period. And, as I said, like it or not…not every bully breed guardian falls into that category. Start counting them within this piece.
Mjm
August 16, 2012 at 9:36 pm
This woman is a complete fool. She probably only likes tiny, fluffy, yappy dogs…WHICH by the way, are more likely to bite someone. Idiotic.
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:41 am
Better a little bite from a tiny dog any day, that having your bones broken and killed by a land shark
Jan
August 16, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I feel sorry for you. Obviously you haven't bothered to do any research to support your misguided opinion. Those that agree with you have most likely never met or known a pit bull and are only reacting to the stories in the press. If you would look further into this you would find statistics about the occurence of bites in pit bulls and other breeds of dogs. Unfortunaltely only the stories of pit bull bites get written in the paper, rarely do you see stories when other breeds bite or attack. Sad commentary on the press and on you lady.
Kayte
August 16, 2012 at 9:41 pm
On my screen it says this Taft moron is a “Capital Times Advisor”…..
Guest
August 16, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Oh Ellen, I am a *gasp* male, and *gasp again* latino. Been around many breeds of dogs all my life, and adore the pitties. You don't know what your missing out on, but thats your loss not mine.
macmarlen
August 16, 2012 at 9:53 pm
With all the literate, educated, ethical writers in the world willing to actually research their material instead of simply emotionalizing unsubstaniated drivel, why would a newspaper select Ellen Taft to write an article based on . . .? what? some personal vendetta? Pitbulls are the dog historically known as "The Nanny Dog" because of their deep abiding love and protection of children. They have been temperament tested by The Temperament Testing Society of America and rated with scores above Golden Retrievers, similar to Labradors, and FAR above some of the "cuddly" breeds referenced by Ms. Taft (chihuahuas and poodles for example). PItbulls are loyal to a fault – and it has gotten them into the same trouble that German Shepherds, Doberman Pinchers, and Rottweilers have gotten into in the past. When an unscrupulous human encourages socially unacceptable behavior, pitbulls, out of loyalty even to someone as heinous as Michael Vick, will attempt to do what is asked of them. But even the Michael Vick dogs (read THE LOST DOGS Ms. Taft) were mostly rehabilitated. His top fighting Grand Champion, Lucas, is a well-loved greeter at the sanctuary where he has been restricted by the courts. He is one of approximately 48 rehabilitated dogs out of the 52 dogs taken from the Bad Newz Kennels. With few exceptions, the others have been adopted into homes with children and/or are working therapy or service dogs. People like Ms. Taft unfortunately do not understand the reality of dog behavior problems – it is generally the HUMANS who are to blame. Humans who actively encourage inappropriate behavior in their dog. Humans who do not socialize their dog, Humans who chain the dog, abuse the dog, starve the dog, Ms. Taft thinks the world would be a better place without pitbulls. I disagree. I do, however, think that the world would be a better place without Ms. Taft.
Catlander
August 17, 2012 at 4:11 am
FYI – this is actually a "letter to the editor" and not an article written by a journalist. It's hard to know this because the blurb is small and located at the bottom of the article, but it is there. Took me a while to find it, but it made me feel better about the newspaper, at least!
Andrew
August 16, 2012 at 9:53 pm
I just wonder if Mrs. Taft has ever dealt with a or even seen a pit bull that has not been abused or neglected and is with a good owner. They tend to be loving and loyal dogs that put themselves in the way to protect their owners.
Dog Owner. Advocate for Animal Rights. Animal Lover.
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:42 am
you mean like Darla"s dog??
Foster Momma
August 16, 2012 at 9:55 pm
You are a complete and utter idiot this article is ridiculous idiots like you are why countless numbers of pitts and bully breed type dogs are murdered just because of how they look I absolutely hate ignorant people like you
keepwaiting
August 16, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Tired old, rehashed editorial….Ellen Taft is known as the village weirdo here in the Seattle area. Do a search and you'll see more than you wanted to know about her and her rants. If you want your hair to curl, check out stop dogbites.org fb site. They have some real gems! What a strange bird.
keepwaiting
August 16, 2012 at 9:59 pm
http://www.change.org/petitions/www-dogsbite-org-…
Arianne 'Skate Bloomer' Meade
August 16, 2012 at 10:10 pm
You have no idea what you're talking about. It must be hard being so ignorant.
A
Jean Benedetti
August 16, 2012 at 10:20 pm
All I got from reading this article is Ellen Taft not only doesn't like pit bulls, she doesn't think much of women in general. Maybe she needs to get out more and meet some of the people in all walks of life, many of them better educated than she is, who have pit bulls. Or maybe she should visit a nursing home and see the reaction of seniors who have pit bull therapy dogs come in to visit.
Rachel
August 16, 2012 at 10:29 pm
I’m not sure what is more appalling, the content of this article or this woman’s inability to write a basic article.
Akebono
August 16, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Speaking of which – cravendesires.blogspot.com/2012/08/best-friends-rescue-angel-killed-by-her.html
Chantel
August 17, 2012 at 12:13 am
Ms.Taft- I can really only reinforce what most of these posters have already said. You have obviously never met a pitbull or spent time with one. Your narrow minded and judgmental attitude towards both pitbulls and women is disgusting. I have three pitbulls, not because I want to “tame the beast” or because I am a “marginalized woman”. I have them because they are wonderful dogs. I myself am college educated, professionally employed, culturally diverse and certainly not marginalized. My dogs are kind, loving and intelligent- traits which YOU obviously lack. I really don’t get angry about people like yu any more. While it is frustrating to continue to fight these ridiculous stereotypes, mostly I just feel sorry for your willful ignorance.
Darbie
August 17, 2012 at 12:26 am
Wow – the level of ignorance regarding pit bulls on this page is astounding! Surprisingly I'm not angry, (although I should be on behalf of my dog), instead I feel sorry for every single one of you who's never had a slobbery pit bull kiss, or hug, or been greeted by a tail wagging so happily your dog's entire butt shakes. :) How can I feel angry when as I type this: my sweet, friendly, loving pittie is sleeping soundly by my side- keeping me warm and content. I'm sorry some of you, including this author, have no clue. My only hope is that someday you meet a pit bull like my Samuel and you learn how truly wrong you are. Perhaps then you will understand our passion, our need to stand up for this breed, and our determination to see a change. Who knows, maybe you'll even join us in the fight! Like each human, each dog is a unique individual, and doesn't deserve to be judged and discriminated against by people who honestly have no idea what they're talking about.
Julie Edwards-Matanga
August 17, 2012 at 2:16 am
Ms. Taft must have hit a nerve. Had she just came out and written something blatantly WRONG, such as the world is flat, you would have ignored her, but nearly all of the likes of you flung ad hominems and even "breedist" comments…like those words against the "yappy" dogs, as if they could kill. Some of you even revealed that your own little yappy dog was more aggresive and apt to bite…that means you absolutely loose the right to the pit bull advocate's mantra: "It's all how you raise 'em!" FAIL! If this was a temperament test, all of you pit bull angels failed! Good luck with the breed of dog seven times more likely to kill its own owner, It may be true that other breeds of dogs bite, but what counts….is the maiming, dismembering and the mauling. If the only breed of dog that will do for you happens to be a natural dog aggressive pit bull, learn how to use the break stick, get some insurance, and PLEASE make sure your gripper doesn't SOMEHOW get out.
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:44 am
I hope their dog like things do get them.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Pervert.
Not shocking the two of you would agree.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Moron.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Julie. you are welcome to hang out with my dogs anytime. The would love you, regardless of how you think of them. And no, you didn't hit a nerve. We dog lovers are just tired of articles and letters to the editor like Ms. Taft wrote. It's actually humorous if you own a pit bull. As for cuddling, my female sleeps under the covers each night, while my male dog and one or two cats sleep on top of the covers. Still waiting for them to kill me…
Julie Edwards-Matanga
August 17, 2012 at 2:18 am
And Ms. Taft isn't the first to do a sort of anthopology study on you women, there have been other studies…even women can have fragile masculinity issues! You all proved a recent studie's premise that owners of aggressive breeds tend to be aggressive themselves….we need to get pit bulls out of these kinds of mindsets. Pit bulls are very misunderstood, but mostly by their advocates and their owners, who can't seem to build good enough fences to contain them, and when they somehow get out, there is nobody responsible to be found to pay the restitutions. You all need to stop the "Nanny Dog Myth too"… we will pray for your children, may they survive your selfish choices.
DNA can't be loved or trained away. Good luck, "Ladies".
Catlander
August 17, 2012 at 4:20 am
Ms. Taft didn't do a "study" she has posited a hypothesis comparing women who champion the pit bull breed with women in literature who are "marginalized" by their societies and love "beast" men. Then she provided no support for her hypothesis other than her own opinion. And we "all" didn't prove anything about aggressiveness, as most of us replied civilly and expressed more sadness and pity than anger. Disagreeing with someone is not aggression.
Aimee Chagnon
August 17, 2012 at 9:04 am
This is an anthropology study? Neither you nor Ms Taft would know a scientific study if you fell over one. You both seem to share some deep hatred of women, making illogical connections between the gender of pit bull owners and their desire to rescue (there is no female preponderance of pit bull owners). Pit bull advocates do not argue there are fatalities that occur from pit bulls. The National Canine Research Council (who did an actual scientific study) did not deny that. You and other breedist haters continue to allege, without basis, that all such fatalities are denied by pit bull advocates. Not true. What is questioned is the sensationalism of media reports and the well known fact that visual ID of a dog is often very inaccurate. It's the small minded people like yourself and Ms Taft who cannot think for yourselves, who cannot examine facts and believe anything fed to you. In recent months at least 2 Labradors killed children, and Pomeranians and Yorkshire terriers have killed infants. Unfortunately you don't seem aware of those "details". At least 1.5 million pit bull type dogs live in this country, and a few of them do make the news for something negative. The ratio of negative to positive is so far in favor of the positive that it boggles the mind of any objective person why anyone thinks their lives would be safer by banning these dogs.
Julie Edwards-Matanga
August 19, 2012 at 12:05 am
You are kidding, right? The National Canine Research Council is hardly objective, and hardly scientific. It's a pit bull apologist's propaganda machine. If you have the ability to think for yourself, you wouldn't quote such a biased source. Yes, it's true other breeds of dogs bite, attack, and kill…but which type of dog does it the most frequently? Every five days in the U.S. a person loses a limb to a pit bull, and every 14 days in the U.S., a person loses their life to a pit bull. Go ahead and defend them, and advocate for these dogs to be kept as family pets….there is not enough soap to wash all of the blood off your hands. I don't blame pit bulls for being what they are, I blame an advocacy that LIES and spreads mantras like "it's all how you raise em", "All the man biters were culled", "Pit Bulls were nanny dogs". That's what Darla Napora of Rebecca Cary thought too, two pit bull warrior advocate angels who now are dead.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/13073172/Vicious-Dogs-T…
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner…
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=…
http://news.yahoo.com/owners-aggressive-dog-breed…
Matt Cooke
August 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm
The NCRC is a reputable source of information. You can't just call it a propaganda machine and make it so. Then you post links to yahoo. and ones that don't even support your cause.. LOL. Julie the drama queen at it again. Spreading lies and drama, buying junk science, and endangering public safety. Somethings never change.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:35 pm
"Studie's?"
My work here is done.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Speaking of DNA, we might same the same for yours, Julie. Tell me, if you have siblings from the same parents, are you 100% identical in mannerisms, jobs, temperament, looks, energy level, health, etc.? I didn't think so. Same as dogs.
Please share this study that you refer to. Where is it published?
pitssuck
August 17, 2012 at 4:27 am
Dont forget Hybristophilia, These land sharks cant be trusted,Here is another Dalra
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/police-canine-resc…
Theresa Easley
August 22, 2012 at 10:03 am
I'm beginning to think you are just a shit-stirrer. You keep bringing this up to try and make us think all pit bulls are like this. Sorry, but I am not falling for your tactics.
guykozowyk
August 17, 2012 at 5:24 am
My pit is cuddly, dog-friendly, kid friendly and universally loving to all people. My pit before him was the same way. I almost didn't comment because I felt like the opinions of the author were so idiotic it was clear to see. But then when folks like 'Akebono' chimed in, I figured I really should.
Breed specific ignorance is pretty much the equivalent of racism. If you replaced every time the author said 'pit bull' with a derogatory term for a nationality that isn't your own, people would be appalled. Maybe the capitol hill times just wanted something as ignorant as possible to shake things up to get people posting. The opinions seem merit-less and ignorant.
This isn't an intimidation tactic from a "scary, dog-killing mutant promoter" like Akebono suggests. This is just my post to say this is a sad and pathetic expression of a baseless and ignorant view point. Shame on the Capitol Hill Times for letting this filth run. I hope some day, Ms Taft, you take a second to be around one of these amazing animals. Maybe the Times can post your rebuttal/apology for the article..
John Dibernardo
August 17, 2012 at 5:37 am
Really? Does this person know anything about Pit Bulls? Or dogs in general? Her opinion that pit bull rescuers are a bunch of losers that can only raise their self esteem by having vicious dogs is ridiculous! Pittieshave been victimized for their strength and loyalty, something the writer apparently doesn’t understand. This writer should stick with a subject she has a little knowledge with and leave the dogs to those who have a clue!
mrs johnson
August 17, 2012 at 5:41 am
I would just like to say im another woman who is more than a misfit. I own three companies and have been with my husband for 15 years. Im active with my children’s pto, and yes, I have a Pitbull. And she is magnificent! You on the other hand are ignorant and should not be trying to push your wills on others.
Tracy
August 17, 2012 at 5:54 am
Plan and simple… You are a total idiot and although I generally try to educate there is no point here.
RIck
August 17, 2012 at 5:59 am
HOLY FUCK your an ignorant ass! You should not be writing for anyone with your misinformed downright retarded dribble. Somebody take this moron’s pen away.
Ron
August 17, 2012 at 6:11 am
It is sad but not at all surprising that someone like this Taft idiot actually finds work “writing” this uneducated and unreasonably biased garbage. Sensationalism draws attention, and people like her absolutely love to draw attention to themselves. It is quite apparent that this imbecile knows nothing about this wonderful and amazing breed of dog. I’ve worked with and owned many different breeds. I’ve been bitten a few times. By a golden lab, a chihuahua, and a beagle. NOT a pitbull. I love my dog, an APBT with all my heart and trust her with the lives of my children. She is a member of my family. It is your cuddly little “anklebiter” dogs that I need to be concerned about.
Annamarie iebba
August 17, 2012 at 6:13 am
Wow. Don’t judge a whole breed because of how irresponsible owners raised them. I am involved in Pitbull rescues, have 3 of my own and I foster as well. I’ve met hundreds over the past 7 years and have never met a kinder more gentle and loving animal. They are extremely affectionate, and for you to say they are “un-cuddly” especially as you have clearly never been around one, is quite frankly stupid. I hope you don’t judge people the same way, if a person of race commits a horrible crime, does that mean all people of that race are horrible? I had a person tell me an Irish Setter attacked them as a child. Imagine that? I’ve also hear of Labs, and Golden Retrievers attacking as well. Unfortunately that is not “news worthy” so you never hear about it. I invite you to come to my house and meet my “beasts”. They only thing they will do to you is lick you to death.
Golden74
August 17, 2012 at 6:19 am
Why pick on the sweet, goofy pitbull? Since 1975, fatal attacks have been attributed to dogs from at least 30 breeds. Does this mean we should extinguish all dog breeds? There is no place for ignorance in journalism.
kyle Harris
August 17, 2012 at 6:43 am
Fear breeds contempt. Come meet mine. Best breed ever.
Sherry
August 17, 2012 at 6:46 am
Dear Ellen, I found your article interesting. It definitely has me thinking and very concerned. It has given me an entirely new perspective that everyone needs to be aware of… A breed that truly stands apart from all the rest and I am quite surprised, actually, that more people aren’t in fear of the awful gruesome danger they inflict on society. You, my dear Ellen are one of the exact breed I speak of. Your opinions which you are absolutely entitled to are based on nothing factual and the media hype that sells ratings. You are a dangerous individual that breeds ignorance. Your opinion is invalid bc its not educated. I strongly suggest you not not so candidly speak of things you know nothing about. To offer you a step in the right direction are you aware that the German Shepherd has a stronger bite than the Pitbull? The temperament of a Golden Retriever is lower than a Pitbull? The Pitbull is known as the nanny dog bc it’s great with kids? Google the breed, you’ll find many other facts about the breed. Did you know that these dogs are forced to fight by HUMANS??? HUMANS throw these dogs into a pit after being beaten and starved causing them to be living fear. Did you know that a scared dog is more dangerous than an aggressive one bc a scared animal is unpredictable?? Please, please educate yourself before speaking. Humans are the cause of the true destruction and you are contributing to it by speaking your uneducated opinions.
Jennifer Dodge
August 17, 2012 at 6:49 am
That was the most ridiculous piece of rubbish I have ever read. I feel cant believe I just wasted 3 minutes of my life reading that and posting this reply :o(
I ♥ Pit Bulls
Alex D.
August 17, 2012 at 6:55 am
This article is rubbish. Pure, unadulterated rubbish.
Chef David Edelstein M
August 17, 2012 at 7:01 am
Ms. Taft…
Ever wonder why you haven't landed a real job with a real news publication? Though our society has genuinely lowered its standards on verifiable facts in the information we receive from the media… mental diarrhea is still mental diarrhea and easy to spot a mile away. Yes, your column is mental diarrhea and a shotty stab at name dropping from classic literature.
True, anyone who can roughly calculate statistics can see that there is a trend that the garden variety pit bull advocate / adopter is a Caucasian female between the ages of 40 and 55… but that is still highly generalized and not something legislation or sensationalized columns should be based on.
Personally, I am not female and I have 4 Pit Bulls… all rescues. No, my dogs do not define my masculinity nor do I own this breed for status or protection. I own this breed for one reason only: companionship. You, as a slow child, might ask, "Why don't you seek companionship with your peers (aka humans)?" That is also a simple answer: Look around at our culture… it lacks integrity, personal responsibility and accountability, loyalty, honesty, and a billion other descriptive. Dogs, on the other hand, have an abundance of these traits… The Pit Bull Breeds (in my opinion) having the most. Something you are incapable of even fathoming… we have a lot of love and comradery and sense of family in our house.
So yeah, take your fair tale comparisons and shove 'em. You couldn't know less about this breed or the human institution of responsible dog ownership. http://youtu.be/UrxLuKodCEE
Chef David Edelstein
Denver, CO, USA
Julie Edwards-Matanga
August 19, 2012 at 12:11 am
I just forwarded your letter to Animal Control of Denver….they are not legal there you criminal.
Theresa Easley
August 22, 2012 at 10:12 am
Wow, that's something to be proud of.. I feel sorry for you because you are so full of hate that you would try and get someone's dogs killed. Did his dogs ever do anything to you or are you just a hateful, vindictive person?
Welton
August 17, 2012 at 7:10 am
Pitbulls are awesome dogs. By saying they’re not cuddly shows you probably don’t even know what they look like, as many people can’t identify them in a line-up. “Pitbull” is a generic term encompassing several different breeds recognized by the AKC, again showing u don’t know what you’re talking about. They were the most common breed in the US for decades up to the 50s and they were never thought of as bad dogs then. Everyone had them- Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, even petey on the little rascals was a pitbull. Every major animal organization is against breed specific legislation. When you know the facts and have met these dogs, it so funny to hear people like this author and the ridiculous stuff they come up with.
Alex D.
August 17, 2012 at 7:12 am
Some people just hate pitbulls just as some people hate african americans. Breedism/racism. Pretty much the same thing. This writer is a low-life. And to those asking how this got published. Read the line after the end of the article explaining who the author is. The writer is an Capitol Hill Times ADVERTISER. lol
Fayclis
August 17, 2012 at 7:21 am
WOW just how ignorant, biased and discriminating is THIS article. Profiling much? For YOUR information most owners of these kind of dogs ARE woman with families UNLIKE what is printed in the papers so much of the time. Oh how the press LOVE to stereotype. Fear-mongreling sells I guess.
Rachael
August 17, 2012 at 7:26 am
I am not a marginalized woman, I do not feel like I am a victim, I do not lack marriage potential. I do not own my pit bulls for any sort of status. My dogs do not clear out the local dog park, nor do they strike fear in our neighbors. I am highly educated, happily married and enjoy a good cuddle everyday with my two pits.
matthew
August 17, 2012 at 7:30 am
I personally think those small yuppie dogs are ugly. I think my pit is beautiful.just because you don’t like the look doesn’t mean they are ugly, just means your definition of beauty is different than mine. And those they were used in dog fighting and bull baiting they were also bred for extreme loyalty and to be the ultimate family companion as with all breeds. But I guess I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone who is trying to get readers and they know playing on peoples ignorance and fear of what they don’t know will grab peoples
attention. Why don’t you try to write something of value to get readers.
Liz Black Dog
August 17, 2012 at 7:50 am
Wow. Have you ever actually met a pit bull, a pit bull owner, or any dog at all?
0uckEllentaft
August 17, 2012 at 7:56 am
This woman is so out of touch! Seriously, you should be glad i live on the opposite end of the country! You should probably work on getting your head out of your ass real soon! It must be lonely in there. Your so misinformed and sound so pompous i'd love to meet you in person………..You should not be allowed to have an article in any paper, shame on Capitol Hill for allowing this to run!
Janette Hamilton
August 17, 2012 at 7:56 am
Seriously? How on earth are we supposed to take a letter such as this seriously? You are attempting to malign women who keep these dogs as pets by saying they are the type of women who are not accepted by society, women who wish to intimidate? That is the most idiotic statement I have heard in my seven years in the fight against BSL in my home province of Ontario. I DO own one of these dogs, and I am a VERY well respected and accepted member of my community as is my DOG! Why don't you try doing some ACTUAL RESEARCH before writing such out and out drivel and attempting to pass it off as fact? My fellow female pit bull owners are also upstanding members of the community they live in, and responsible citizens. To say that politicians, lawyers, doctors, business owners etc. can be summed up in this statement which I have quoted from the above letter ;
"The Beauty and the Beast archetype is being expressed by modern victimized women in the new fad of cheerleading for pit-bulls. Like Mr. Darcy, a pit-bull can be used to enhance one’s self-esteem, as a status symbol among women, and to intimidate the rest of society."
;is to attempt to say that women in the aforementioned professions who are already held as upstanding members of their community are all victimized women looking for a way to intimidate is completely ridiculous, and anyone with a brain can see you are incapable of rational thought or independent thinking.
braveheart
August 17, 2012 at 7:58 am
Ellen, you are just a very poor loser in the pit bull debate. As more and more people get that breed bans don’t work..you now have to lash out at other women? So happy Massachusetts stopped breed discrimination in our laws. That involved a lot of men by the way… you are just ridiculous in your thinking processes.
Dee
August 17, 2012 at 8:13 am
Well, the best I can say for this is I'm glad it was a short read. To say all pitbulls are ugly, uncuddly and dangerous is like saying all women or all men for that matter …what was it…only care about enhancing one’s self-esteem, or boosting their social status, or intimidating the rest of society. Or that all women, as judged by just your one piece of writing I have read, are judgmental, closeminded and prejudiced…I prefer to read articles where both sides of an issue are discussed fairly and not laced with sarcasm, insults, and personal prejudice (there's that word again), give me something that actually means something, not a personal vendetta someone has against someone/thing. Insults are given but no rational information/statistics, this is just a fluff piece and an awful one at that. Bullying the bully breeds and those who love them…hey that should've been the title of this.
What about cute cuddly poms or collies who have been abused and have the scars to prove it? They are not so cute and cuddly anymore, should they be discarded as a whole too?
Base your facts on a case by case basis, not all pitties are dangerous, scary monsters like the ones we used to imagine under our beds and not all pomeranians, collies, chi's, doxies, etc etc are cuddly lovable dogs.
Ariel
August 17, 2012 at 8:13 am
This… was one of the most hate-filled, ignorant, and STUPID things I've ever read. How people can be this full of hatred is beyond me. It's called "getting over yourself." I seriously hope this "person" never 'breeds' more of these ignorant things. :|
Nunya Bizness
August 17, 2012 at 8:20 am
So, you can combine a bunch of multi-syllabic words together. I don't think this article is well informed or based on fact. It reads much like a 7th grade book report. I would hope those that find them un-cuddly or vicious, to please research dog bite statistics. Pitbulls are not the leader among the dog bite statistics.
For more information on what you can do regarding dog bites, BSL (and how it doesn't work) and more please go to the american humane association. http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal…
DrClarity
August 17, 2012 at 8:33 am
In order for the ludicrous proposal that the "Beauty and the Beast" literary archetype is a solid example of why female pit bull advocates enter into the field, and a reasonable explanation of why thousands of women have pit bulls in their homes, Ms. Taft would have to prove that the majority of the dog-loving public agree with her that pit bulls are "ugly" and "un-cuddly." The foundation of her analysis, being made of air, would never stand up to the scrutiny. However, I'm willing to invite her to use her non-marginalized position as a web-based hate group leader to try and prove her latest diatribe as solid analytical thinking.
Ellen, you are a non-pet owning pet law activist with a particular slant towards hating a type of dog because you are incapable or unwilling to learn more about them than what the media and Colleen Lynn wants you to know. You have no expertise in dog behavior or human behavior and therefore any analysis you can create about their relationship is just that – a creation formed from your own limited experience and opinion. That much is obvious from your first sentence – why would someone choose a pit bull? You don't know because you don't have a pit bull and therefore, all conclusions you make about pit bulls are not only inaccurate, but without impact (as the last 20 years of your ineffective hating has proven).
Keep your fictional comparisons to real life to yourself and face the reality that anti-BSL activists will never give up their right to cuddle their adorable, community-friendly dogs.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 6:49 pm
All true, DrClarity. What is it about these anti-pit bull people who don't know the first things about dogs in general and especially why they bite or attack? As you know, almost every dog organization, veterinarian and behaviorist disagrees with them, but they won't accept that. No, those "people" are in the pockets of dog fighters and breeders.
Bret
August 17, 2012 at 9:41 am
Wow, I love it when people write articles that clearly show how completely closed minded and uninformed one person can actually be and still get something published.
The number one rule of effective social media is do NOT make enemies online.
I can't wait to follow all your blogs and point out your ignorance on each and every one.
I encourage all Pit lovers to do the same.
Warrior
August 17, 2012 at 9:46 am
Ellen Taft is a Capitol Hill Times Advertiser. I'll be 'advertising' Capitol Hill Times for this obtuse article written purely out of ignorance, fear and hate that they apparently support by publishing it. That little 'disclaimer' means nothing when they obviously feel that this ridiculous tripe was worth publishing.
dava
August 17, 2012 at 10:01 am
For those of us who have lost children, neighbors, and beloved pets to pitbull attack, then had to deal with the owners in litigation, there is an element of entitlement many of them have. Not only do they try to attack the victim for provoking the attack but very rarely does the horror and grief their dogs inflicted seem to affect them in any way at all. No apology. No euthanizing the killer even when the victim's family live in eyesight of it. No sincere offer to make amends for the bloody, gruesome, meaty memories the victims and family members will share for the rest of their lives. The often compare pitbull maulings to that of chihuahuas or other normal dog. That comparison is equivalent to comparing the bite of a toddler to that of a bath salt crazed face eater. So, yes, I agree with this reporter that there is a personality trait that would cause a seemingly normal person to defiantly defend a breed of dog that changes so many lives so horribly every single day. pet.attack@yahoo.com for any pitbull or other dangerous dog attack story you want to share with people who care and will stand beside you in your grief and memory. Walk for Victims of Pit Bull and Other Dangerous Dog Attack in Tucson, AZ, October 27th, 2012. Video for Victims of Pit Bull and Other Dangerous Dog Attack on YouTube.
DrClarity
August 17, 2012 at 10:28 am
Anyone who claims to have been victimized by any dog – or have family members that were victimized by any dog – would not refer, in any way, to their devastation as "meaty remains." Generalizing how *every* owner of *every* dog that has ever bitten someone is another convenient way for the uneducated pit bull hater to spread their fear and misgivings about an animal and a relationship they don't understand.
The personality trait that causes a normal person to defiantly defend a breed of dog is called: open-minded. Science has proven, repeatedly, that "pit bulls" are not a breed and that using physical characteristics to determine behavior is not just misleading, but wrong.
There is a personality trait that would cause a seemingly normal person to want to kill innocent dogs and persecute innocent people for the actions of a few, and it's called closed-mindedness.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:44 pm
You've had no such trauma in your life, so like Ellen Taft, you are spewing hate and media biased sludge.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 6:32 pm
You don't see the mother who posted whose child had 39 stitches to her face by a Lab calling for Labs to be annihilated, do you? There are many other victims of dog attacks by other breeds, but for some reason people latch onto the pit bulls as the only dog worthy of such hate. And I agree with DrClarity. Your use of words is offensive. If I had been mauled by a dog, I certainly wouldn't be referring to a "crazed face eater." By using such terms, you are minimizing the tragedy of dog attacks and come across as someone with a vendetta, not someone who really cares about the victims. Just my take on your comments. And I can supply references if you'd like as far as my personality traits since I do defend any dog that is well trained and safe, no matter the breed.
If you can't figure out that there is a correlation between someone whose dog mauls or kills that is not repentant, you don't understand much about humanity. By the way, I would love to join a "Walk for Victims" but as a pit bull type owner, I guess I'm not invited, eh?
Angela Coton
August 17, 2012 at 10:02 am
How many times do we have to scream from the rooftops that this is not a "pit bull problem". 100 years ago pit bulls were our nanny dogs, the dogs families entrusted to care for their children. I am a Physician Assistant with a Masters degree who happens to have a pit bull who is scared of lightening, motorcycles, and power tools. He plays well with other dogs, children, and is petrified of cats. He has been accused of being an amazing cuddler who will vie to have his belly rubbed. As you can see, I am a scary person who is using "intimidation tactics" to promote pits. Ellen, you obviously speak from ignorance, please spend a day volunteering for an organization like Pittie LOve Rescue. Rather than continuing to spread your ignorance of a great breed, stick to flaunting your knowledge of Western literature.
Dogfather
August 17, 2012 at 10:43 am
Amateur journalism at its worst. Ignorant bias, sexism and racism all in one. Good job, Ellen. Nothing more important going on in our Nations Capital so you have to write a hit piece on the Pit Bull, a dog you know absolutely noting about? How pathetic and lonely your own life must be to attack owners of said dog and make generalizations such as these.
suskiru
August 17, 2012 at 10:58 am
I CANNOT BELIEVE YOUR IGNORANCE! PIT BULLS ARE LOVING, SMART AND HAVE A BAD RAP. ONLY A TOTAL FRIGGIN JACKOFF WOULD WRITE AN ARTICLE LIKE THIS! THIS BRILLIANT BREED WAS USED IN WWII BY THE ARMY TO DO MISSIONS TO DANGEROUS FOR THE TROOPS AND THE BREED WAS ALSO USED AS NANNY DOGS FOR SMALL KIDS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LOVING AND LOYAL. I HAVE HAD 5 PITS NOW AND EVERY SINGLE ONE WAS FRIENDLY TO PEOPLE AND DOGS AND WAS TRULY BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT. GO F YOURSELF AND YOUR MAGAZINE!! PEOPLE WITH NARROW MINDS LIKE YOURS ARE THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE PIT BULLS!! I AM POSTING ON RIP OFF ALERT ABOUT YOUR CRAPPY MAGAZINE!!!
vegansloveanimals
August 17, 2012 at 11:48 am
oh my god. What a pile of garbage. There are ZERO facts to back up what this OPINIONS PIECE is rambling on about. Is Breed Specific Legislation (legislation usually enacted to ban pit bulls, rotts, dobermans, German Shepherds, etc) supported by ANY professional organizations? NO, IT IS NOT. Groups against pit bull discrimination include: National Animal Control Assn, American Kennel Club, SPCA, American Veterinary Medical Assn, ETC: http://www.defendingdog.com/id3.html
If people are interested in FACTS over MERE OPINION–There are TONS of resources that refute pretty much EVERY SINGLE THING this idiot said in the opinion piece. Check out: http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites…
Check out: http://www.badrap.org/
The truth is Pit Bulls are extremely sweet dogs. If they are so inherently vicious–can someone please explain why the MAJORITY of pits rescued from HORRID dogfighting operations end up being completely sweet and adoptable dogs? Can someone please explain why so many pit bulls are THERAPY DOGS? They visit elderly folks, sick kids, lay in libraries with children who read to these THERAPY PIT BULLS….Can one of the haters please explain that????? I didn't think so….
chuerta_1
August 17, 2012 at 12:35 pm
I typically do not indulge in name calling. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but in this case I can't help it…Ms. Taft you are indeed an IDIOT! There is no other word/title/label that can describe someone who obviously feels comfortable in writing about things they know absolutely nothing about. I understand this is nothing more than your opinion however even when giving opinions one should base their opinion intelligently based on researching both sides of an issue…well intelligent beings do that.
The pit bull issue is a highly emotional one on both sides. Unfortunately you will get comments from people who simply speak from their emotions in response to this article. These people do not speak for ALL people who choose to have pit bulls or to rescue them.
Laurie
August 17, 2012 at 12:40 pm
My grandmother had a pitbull nanny dog who helped raise my father and his siblings.
I don't own a pitbull but I know that dogs are just dogs…and the current media frenzy against them could quickly turn on your breed next.
Prejudice and ignorance are most often fear-based. Ask the gays, the blacks, or a member of any other population which has been labeled and hated..
jilllindsey
August 17, 2012 at 12:59 pm
A Pit Bull’s Prayer
Spirit in the sky, who watches over all animals: it is my prayer and my request that you grant greater understanding, and acceptance to humans; those who love us, and those who hate us.
That they will know how loyal we are, how brave we are, and how loving we are. Help them to accept us as a breed in whole and not let the few tragedies shine brighter than the many great traits that we have.
And those who would kill me, let them know, I forgive them even though I don’t understand their hatred. And those who would beat me, let them know I still love them, even though it is not the honorable way .
Thank you for all the strong traits that you have given to me and my breed. Help those to know that I stand for courage, strength, loyalty, and bravery, and as my master already knows, let those who would come against my family know that I would surely die defending them.
And just one thing that I would ask: let my master [guardian] know, that if you should call me away, that I will wait patiently at those pearly gates until the one who chose me comes home.
Amen.
Stella Hartman
August 17, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Pit Bull dangerous? Not as dangerous as I will be if you continue to talk out of your ignorantly informed ass!
amber
August 17, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Oh dear little minded taft lady thank you for showing us all how ignorant, biast you are and I would like to congratulate you your new title “hitler of the dog world” hopefully they will make stupidity illegal and uthinize people who have tried to kill off breeds of dogs. If they don’t pass the law before you die god will have a special place for you. Who made you think u have the right to wipe out or even take another life because that’s what you are doing backing and trying to KILL, STOP A HEART FROM BEATING,TAKING A LIFE. You have no facts only media ran gossip that you gossiped to your friends and made a hater club. Well I rescue and save these lifes you try to take and there are more of us than you that I promise. We are many and we will fight for there lives and be their voice. Its truly sad how callous and cold hearted this world is becoming.
Liz
August 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Sounds to me like Ms. Taft is an uptight, uneducated, ignorant, stuck up bitch who needs to get laid instead of trashing on women who love pit bulls. I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous! Get a life.
Dee TG
August 17, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Your extreme ignorance exudes through your ridiculously ill-informed letter to the editor and simpleton approach to the science discipline of psychology.
Certainly you’re aware that everyone chooses what best fits their needs, wants and desires ……. Whether you want a Yorkie and I want a Pit bull, how does that make you more fit and sound than I? The answer, it doesn’t! It simply means we are different and make different choices. You should be ashamed of yourself and the uneducated blanket statements you are making regarding and entire breed of dog, you quite obviously know not a damn thing about. You are like the media, telling only the bad stories to deceitfully sway the minds of the ignorant!!
For every ONE (1) bad story of an irresponsible, neglectful, abusive owner, there are 10,000 wonderful, heart-warming stories of family companions and loving pit bulls in the world.
You are a hateful, scorned, ugly individual with hate in your heart! Just a guess, but I think you need to be psychologically evaluated and treated!
D~
delym
August 17, 2012 at 3:27 pm
This article is dripping with fear, self-hatred, and confusion. Pit bulls are NOT the enemy here. Man is the culprit. Of all creatures on this earth we are the worst! Don't blame pit bulls or any other breed for that matter, blame the lame-ass owners that have given them such a reputation. I have a beautiful pit bull that is the most loving, meek little thing you ever met. Get out of your shell, be open minded and above all DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!
Hali Henson
August 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Seriously? Is this supposed to be a serious letter to the editor?
Try education instead of discrimination, oh and this Fear you strongly possess? Its an ugly trait causing; hate, intolerance, and discrimination.
Pull your head out of the media induced hype and hatred, and get your little fanny into a shelter and meet some of these "ugly, un-cuddly dog". The media message is putting a direct line between pit bull advocates and anti pit bull people. Your media message is filled with uneducated guesses based on the opinions of people who do not know a thing about the breed.
Good luck in becoming a swell person.
Ashlee
August 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm
I PITY YOU!!
YOU KNOW NOTHING!!!
sage2k
August 17, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I cannot think of much that is more beautiful than the genuine, whole-hearted grin of a Pit Bull — a dog I would trust with my children and with my life. There is nothing intimidating about a well bread Pit Bull — they were bred to be human friendly and to be a family dog, regardless of what various monsters have done to breed in more other dog aggressiveness, unless it is a very poor backyard breeding indeed, the dog will be loving and reliable with humans.
I can't stand the shallow, ignorant lack of standards this author displays. She doesn't know what she is talking about and I'm embarrassed to share a gender with her.
Anita Spenard Nelson
August 18, 2012 at 10:34 am
Frankly, I think this drivel was written just to get a response. Boxers were also bred as bear baiters. Are you afraid of them as well? Please educate yourself before you stoop to writing another moronic article in order to create a buzz. Ther is enough predjudice in the world without pandering to the ignorant.
stephanie riggio
August 18, 2012 at 10:55 am
It used to be German Shepherds, then Dobermans, the Rottweilers, now Pits. It is called training. Not “mutant breeds”. Not being defended by the “marginalized”. Dogs who are trained to be agressive or defensive. Period. It just so happens that these dogs are larger so their trainers take advantage of the damage they can do. Small dogs bite more often but inflict less damage. I often find that those who generalize and discriminate against a particular breed of animal tend to carry that discriminatory POV into the human world as well in their own racial profiling. Oh, but that would be me generalizing against an entire group based on the preventable actions of a few who weren’t trained, I mean, taught any better. My bad.
Theresa Maguire
August 18, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I wonder how you would feel about your gentle, well cared for, well loved family pet…after he mauls your child…can you even imagine??? It happens in an INSTANT, often with NO WARNING! It's the nature of the BEAST. It never ceases to amaze me to see pit supporters turn to bullying those who are not fans…yeah, that will win me over.
DrClarity
August 20, 2012 at 5:39 am
If you think ANY dog attacks without warning, you aren't qualified to comment about dogs and therefore cannot sit in judgement. The nature of the beast is tempered by many things including nutrition, training, socialization, health care, etc. And if you think expressing an opinion that is the opposite of another expressed opinion is a form of "bullying," you aren't qualified to comment about human beings, either.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:53 pm
First of all, no small child should be left unsupervised with ANY breed of dog. Secondly, dogs give more warning than humans when they are not happy. It is up to you, the human, to be informed and know how to read an animal if you are going to have one. If you can't do that, so the rest of us a favor and stay far away from animals. You would likely only hurt them.
yankeeterrier
August 20, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I would say that in of the HUNDREDS of bullies I have rescued in the past 35 years, NONE has harmed myself or my family. In fact, a child is at higher risk of being harmed by a family member than a 'Pit Bull'. They most certainly are not the for everyone, but this marginalized woman finds them more attractive than breeds other consider cute and cuddly.
kaycruz12
August 19, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Ok so let me get this straight. I have a pit bull so I am a marginalized woman, not accepted by society, handicapped, and have a diminished marriage potential. If this article wasn't so laughable I would take offense to that. For those of you that don't like pit bulls you are entitled to your opinion and I will not criticize you for that. Please do not criticize me for having a dog that has been a loyal and loving companion to me for 10 years.
Reb
August 20, 2012 at 11:26 am
Pit bulls kill more people year after year than ALL other dog breeds combined. They are ill bred, dangerous animals that should be strictly regulated or better yet, outright banned. I thought the letter by Ellen Taft was amusing and at least partially true. A young woman was just killed by aggressive dogs a few days ago in Georgia.. she was their caretaker and gave them love and attention and in typical pit bull fashion they repaid with what they are best at: a horrific, lethal mauling. Prevent the deed, ban the breed.
Aimee Chagnon
August 20, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Idiocy reigns supreme. It's so intellectually convenient and lazy to blame an entire group for the ills of society. Do you you any actual details of the case in Georgia aside from what mass media fed you? No. Your first statement is entirely inaccurate as is your second. Unfortunately, stupidity such as seen in the above comment is what should be banned outright, but won't be. Unfortunately for the rest of us with 3 digit IQs we will be fouled by your ignorance and pseudo-statistic laden spewing of hatred. How sad for you, and how sad for anyone around you. I can only hope you don't vote.
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Really? Please do show me what you base your comment on. Don't be like Taft. Show us the literature.
yankeeterrier
August 20, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Please link to a qualified study that confirms the statement " Pit bulls kill more people year after year than ALL other dog breeds combined." It is certainly NOT based on truth.
amidnightsoul
August 20, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Yes, that's it….it's the beauty & the beast syndrome. It couldn't possibly be that people who are familiar with the breed understand that the problem is with today's society and the way we view, treat & raise dogs (using the perception the media gives us of certain breeds our ideas of how we should treat each breed). Of course, all those cities where breed specific legislation has failed and has had to be overturned or is in the process of being overturned because it's failed and dog bite stats have continued to go up (with other breeds now at the top of the list) doesn't prove anything, right? And lets conveniently forget about all the males who are champions for pit bulls because that doesn't fit into the beauty & the best stereotype.
Sorry, but this opinion piece is a joke. Way to dumb down a complicated subject for the masses!
ravenescent
August 20, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Horrible lack of writing skills, Ellen Taft. Not only uninformed and ridiculous, but not very well thought out. You should never be allowed to write anything that will be read by the public ever again.
Pit Bulls not cute and cuddly? Pit Bull puppies are the cutest, chubbiest little babies by far and depending on how they are raised, with proper diet, etc., grow to be the most beautiful and cuddly of dogs. My bully is full grown and still squeezes herself into my lap for loving. She has to be touching me and my husband to go to sleep, which means that she is between us in bed, all snuggled to the both of us. As I write this, she is beside me on the sofa with her head in my lap. Not cuddly, my ass. Seems someone has deep insecurities, Ellen Taft. Not feeling particularly attractive so you have to pick yourself up by putting down a dogs appearance? That is hilarious and sad at the same time.
I would argue that it is not my bully who is the beast because the beast in this story is me. When it comes to my children, two or four legged, that is exactly what I can become.
Ellen Taft, please do us all a favor and get informed. Educate yourself. For Gods' sake hire a tutor if you must, but please keep your inane dribbling locked up inside your massively warped head and save the rest of us the headache.
Amy Hammonds
August 20, 2012 at 4:02 pm
This would be a laughable letter if it didnt have the potential to do harm by possibly influencing those who have little knowlage of the pitbull breed. Yes I am a woman, but I am also a dog trainer who has studied dog behavior for years. I am in no way looking to save or "tame" an untameable beast. I champion pitbulls and those dogs who are commonly mistaken for pitbulls because they do get a bad rap in the media and from people who, really to be honest, have not a single clue what they are spouting off about. Some I believe do it simply because they are in love with their own voices. It couldnt be because they are actually interested in educating, because they truly know not what they say. Pitbulls are not for everyone. They are a big dog with big dog needs. They are not a toy poodle to sit on your lap all day or a low energy dog who will be content to do nothing and be a couch potato. They are dogs that need exercise and direction and training. They dont need or want your pity or hate. They simply want to be the best friend they were ORIGINALLY bred to be.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Amen, Amy!
Michelle
August 20, 2012 at 4:42 pm
I have a pit bull because I love her and she is a wonderful companion. I am married so I don’t need to boost my ego in any way. She is smart, goofy, funny and she is not ugly. Out of all the dogs that I have lived with, she is the best. I have never had a dog bond to me as much as Ruby. Just for your information, not every woman wants a yippy dog to carry around in a handbag.
Susan Sergeant
August 20, 2012 at 4:46 pm
What a shame! You try so hard to sound intelligent but you so misinformed about this breed and the women who choose to own them. I feel sorry for you. Volunteer at a shelter and you will find out how loving and cuddly they are. They are loyal and brave – just like the women that own them.
Heather Turnbow
August 20, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Well I guess Charlize Theron is an ugly misinformed because she owns a pit bull along with a lot of other famous people ,…..but then I am a loser owner of 2 pit bulls and am also of a mother of child whom was attacked by a dog (a labrador retriever0only 15 months old and 39 stitches in just her face form that ..she is now 16 and loves our pibbles…if that had been a pit bull who hurt her……all of you morons would be shocked and it would be in the news and media everywhere…funny how when another dogs attacks nobody cares (except the parent like me of course who witnessed it) considering how many kids are harmed and killed per year versus pit bulls by male sexual predators I will gladly have and take my pit bulls
Heather Turnbow
August 20, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I meant to say all you morons would not be shocked and saying I told you so…but never would have happened if it hit the media with an attack by a black lab whom also went on to bite my 83 year old grandma a year later
SonnetCXVI
August 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Revolting. You could not possibly have internalized stereotypical female self-loathing more completely – shooting yourself (and the rest of us) in the foot in your attempt to villainize an entire breed of dog. The woman-hatred is palpable; it stinks.
I won't bother to enumerate all the ways I don't resemble this crayon-drawing. It's just too stupid to validate. What a useless bunch of tripe.
Jean
August 20, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Ellen Taft, you are without a doubt, an IDIOT, and you are a POOR example of a woman. Get a life girl, obviously you need one. You make me SICK.
Proud Pit Owner
August 20, 2012 at 5:11 pm
This uninformed biased woman obviously has never met a 'real' pit bull or it's owner. The BREED is not the problem,the owners are. Can we expect an equally idiotic editorial on that?
Vanessa
August 20, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Wow I didn't know I had all these weak minded woman issues!!! REALLY! Most Pitts are extremely cuddly and if you really knew one that's treated right by someone with the right strong personality you would know this!! You cant love the mean out of anything but you can teach your dog to be loving and cuddly by being strong and in charge and giving affection only when they act right which will be most of the time!!!! If I was taht weak much balled moron she described my pitt would be an unbalanced nut! She is not she is without a doubt the best dog I have ever owned! The cuddly cute chihuahua that my daughter had to bring back to me after she moved. That dog will and has bitten. Just ask her boyfriend.
Keith Talmadge
August 20, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Ellen Taft is Daft.
lilkris505
August 20, 2012 at 5:44 pm
This woman is a fanatic. A quick Google search reveals that quickly. It's a discredit to this publication to print a piece–even an op ed piece–that is so thoroughly baseless and misguided. I'm not sure where this woman got the information about pit owners most often being "marginalized" women such as the characters she compares them to in the article. Not from actually knowing anyone who owns one. I doubt she's ever come in contact with ANY pits, or possibly even dogs for that matter. I also highly doubt many of us who've actually studied literature at all would ever consider referring to Elizabeth Bennett or Beatrice as marginalized or disenfranchised with a cultural handicap. I'd like to know what literary expert told her that. Maybe the same one who taught her about dogs.
GAU
August 20, 2012 at 6:41 pm
With over 25 years working in the Veterinarian field I have yet to be bitten and or attacked as some would say by a pit. I have been bitten by Labs, Goldens, Maltese and numerous other breeds. Not to mention 20 years experience in Canine training.
Enough with the ignorance towards this breed. The owners need to be responsible for proper care and training of there pets, any breed. Not all breeds behave the same and one should know that, Learn about what you are doing and be responsible
Stop the Witch hunt and end the actions of others that cause and promote actions that this beautiful breed is being blamed for.
heartsquare
August 20, 2012 at 6:45 pm
By this persons logic any woman caring for anything other than herself is “marginalized”. I suppose Ms Taft also thinks the same of teachers or mentors that reach out to a troubled child and try to make a difference in that child’s life. What a sad excuse for a human being who is in need of a hobby other than spreading fear. Too bad Ms Taft couldn’t channel her issues to something more constructive such as making sure the true victims of animal abuse (no matter the breed) aren’t marginalized because their abusers aren’t punished AND made to serve their full sentence. Congrats you dolt…thank you for classifying anyone with a heart as an outcast of society…if I am supposed to be like you to avoid this “marginalization” I will stand proudly with my pitbull on the fringes of your warped society.
Laura Prowicz
August 20, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Ellen Taft is a freakin' nut. No idea why anyone would take anything she says seriously. Doh!
Ginger Swanner-Wood
August 20, 2012 at 7:58 pm
It's seemed to me to be a group of whiny uneducated people who are usually far left liberal's that have this exact opinion not only w/ Pitt Bull's. But with ANYTHING contrary to their beliefs. If they don't understand it, or it is not cookie cutter, they have little to no respect for it or anyone. Most people forget these dangerous dog's were OUR countries "Nanny Dog's". Prized family member's in the 20's and 30's often photographed with children. These mauler's were our countries ONLY war-time/military propaganda breed. (Sgt. Stumpy) They were the first breed to be used in a sit-com. (Our Gang/Little Rascal's)
SonnetCXVI
August 20, 2012 at 10:24 pm
You might want to learn how to use an apostrophe and spell 'pit bull' before you start calling other people uneducated. Just sayin'.
I'm about as far left as you can go. I have three pit bull mixes.
ShearBlissChic
August 20, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Wow. I don't know what planet you live on, Ellen. Like many pit lovers I happen to be happily married, successful and well loved by family and friends. I also happen to LOVE pit bulls. And using my love for a pittie is supposed to increase my sexual allure? Seriously?! Now that's just laughable.
Ginger Swanner-Wood
August 20, 2012 at 7:58 pm
It is the current day culture of corruption w/in the urban and rural areas among youth and many that have transformed the Pitt Bull Terrier from Nanny Dog, to daily horrific maulers. It is from ignorant people/owner's that these dog's are turned into mauler's and rabid attacker's. Instead of whining and pissing over these mutant, rabid (really?), mauler's, start with the source. The ignorant back-yard breeder's with no license and probably less business even procreating. Of course theres a problem. I don't know 8-12 people I would trust a dog with from a litter of any breed. It's a daily chore of spending hours with socializing and training.Get mad at the people that breed recklessly. I am just amazed at the small minds that bother to post. Before I commented about a subject, it would be my duty to get all views and facts. This was obviously not done by the author, or those that have chosen to be hate spewers. I have facts and knowledge to base my opinions on.
DONNA DIXON
August 20, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Ellen Taft, how many pit bulls have you gotten to know? You discriminate based on what? I’ve been involved in many rescue groups and have never met a pittie that wasn’t full of love. Talk to the people that have all but one of Vick’s former dogs. They are in families doing wonderfully. Do you remember when German Shepards and Dobbies were considered dangerous. I have known more small dogs that are vicious than pitties.
Cody
August 20, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Obviously you have not read these books or that you clearly misunderstood them. I have no clue as to your appearance but from your shallow bias I can tell that you are ugly as sin where it counts. I pity your loneliness or worse the fact that you are unaware just how alone you are. May those in your life show you patience as you wither and dust away.
cyprisq
August 21, 2012 at 12:45 am
Un-cuddly? Do the words "Nanny Dog" mean anything to you? Obviously not, since you call the world's best babysitter "un-cuddly"…
Mv
August 21, 2012 at 4:55 am
For all the research you put into this piece, you’ve neglected to put in key points just to make your argument Stronger. Pits were also used as babysitters while the men of the house were away at war and at work. They are one of the most loyal, sweet and humble breeds I have ever worked with and owned. Any aggression they may have is triggered by protection of their loved ones. That to me is honorable, not beastly.
WoodyMc
August 21, 2012 at 5:21 am
I have owned multiple dog types (currently have four) several of which have been pit type dogs non of which have ever had an aggression issue. Infact the closest any of my dogs have come to a fight was at a dog park where a lady who obviously never socialized nor had control of her lab attacked my dog she then gave me no help in separating them because my dog scared her. She then took her dog never once apologizing and proceeded further into the park. Ofcourse I received the negative looks even though my dogs had been there for sometimes already with no issue. As I gathered my dogs to leave this ladies dog proceeded to attack four other dogs then suddenly the looks stopped coming my way. The point is any dog is capable of aggression and most of the time when this happens it is a straight link back to the owner as to why.
My dogs (2 pitties, boxer mix, and rat terrier mix) live in harmony with each other my family and the outside world because they are given disaplined boundaries, exercise,and affection as all good dog owners (not just pit owners) need to give to have a well behaved dog.
Katie Francis
August 21, 2012 at 5:33 am
Wow Ellen, you obviously have never spent any quality time with a Pit bull. Pit bulls are beautiful and cuddly. I happen to think that Pits are the best looking dogs. The vast majority of them are great dogs, just like any other type of dog. You should keep your uniformed, silly comments to yourself. FYI so- called Pit bull attacks are actually other breeds 70% of the time. People (I'm sure like you) think that anything that has muscle and short hair is a Pit bull type dog and it's just not true. Sure, thugs might seek to intimidate others by having a Pit at their side, but the rest of the Pit owners just love 'em and aren't trying to intimidate anyone. Why don't you look up some Pit bull pages on facebook and see how normal every day Pit owners are.
Michelle
August 21, 2012 at 6:16 am
To the person that said left liberals hate pit bulls and are uneducated, I am very educated and as liberal as you can get. I love my pit girl. She sleeps right next to me every night.
Ginger Swanner-Wood
August 21, 2012 at 7:36 am
I said neither of what you just accused me of. This is a perfect example of small minds seeing ONLY WHAT THEY WANT. Unwilling to respect someone elses opinion. I never said uneducated. I commented on the small minded opinion that another person had used. And the word hate was also never used. You did not read every word of my post and you jumped to a conclusion without doing so. A perfect example of the 3-4 posts from those who seem to be like yourself. Liberal and too quick to throw an opinion based on facts. I never said liberals hated pitt bulls. And I never said they were uneducated. But it is my opinion that the person speaking of their neighbor
(who seemed to be a possible hoarder if she had so many dog's) was an example of pitt bull owner's and advocates. Also based more on an uneducated opinion than fact. But yeah, perfect example.
ROSE SOLESKY
August 21, 2012 at 7:25 am
I'll wager a guess that most of these comments are from women who hv adopted pit-bulls from the local ASCPA . In other words they are rescued dogs. The ASPCA wants to adopt these dogs and they are not interested in the fact that these loveable dogs are dangerous. All dogs will bite this is a known fact, they are animals first and foremost. When a pit bull attacks, they donot let go, they are capable of killing and statistics prove it. There are other dogs that can cause the same kind of damage but they are used as guard dogs not household pets. The local ASPCA adopts these dogs to people w/o advising the owners their capability. This is done for a reason that has nothing to do with the fate of these dogs nor the danger the owner may be in. The reason is MONEY. Yes, the new owners are predominately women. Men adopt them, for other reasons. Because Women and Men THINK DIFFERENTLY. This not an insult to woman, actually it is a compliment. However, in this case is a method the ASCPA uses to get people to adopt these animals. These animals are DANGEROUS not because they are not sweet animals, simply because they are animals and as animals they can attack for various reason, but when these animals attack they can kill and Statics prove that. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS AND PREVENT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN FROM HARM. This debate has nothing to do with whether you are a woman or man who adopt these animals but the fact is more women adopt these animals because they are nurturers, thats a compliment not a bad thing but in this case it is dangerous not only for them but for the public at large. Let's not forget the lives that hv been lost not to mentioned the people that hv been scared for life. FORGOD'S SAKE PUT ASIDE YOUR FEELINGS AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Do I need to keep posting this? You are so very WRONG! I just got done playing tug-of-war with my male pit mix. Funny, every time I said "drop" he happily dropped the rope or football so I could start the game again. Training, interaction, socialization, hugs and love. That's what makes a solidly tempered dog. You are also very wrong assuming all shelters are not careful of who they adopt dogs to. Mine is very careful. Quit generalizing.
And in response to your earlier post:
Rose, women are probably writing more because according to Ms. Taft "it's generallywomen who love pit bulls" and she references some physchobabble about women wanting to feel strong by owning an aggressive dog because they feel marginalized.
So here's my case: I adopted a shelter puppy from a no-kill shelter 6 years ago. She was 10 weeks old. She was pit bull-lab. I had a trainer come to my house. She became a registered therapy dog through Pet Partners. She was such a good-natured, solidly-tempered, loving dog, I decided to adopt another pit bull type dog from my local humane society. He is close to taking his therapy dog evaluation. Both dogs participate in agility, nose work classes, attend dog daycare, hang out with adults with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, homeless folks, children, senior citizens at rest homes, and accompany me to dog-friendly stores and outdoor restaurants, have many dog friends and live with 3 indoor kitties. Is that enough to "make a case" for you?
I have worked in a law office for more than 30 yrs., I attend church weekly, I do volunteer work, my husband and I give as much as we can to charity, I own my own home, I've been married almost 30 years, I have never declared bankruptcy, I have never sued anyone or been sued, I love my family, I love and care for people I don't know. Is that enough of a case for you?
I represent the majority of pit bull owners.
DrClarity
August 22, 2012 at 7:19 am
If you are getting your "statistics" from dogsbite you might as well just tell us the sky is green. Your claims about local ASPCA's is utterly ridiculous, considering the fact that local ASPCA's are not bound by policies under one umbrella – they are all separate entities with separate policies. And if you are going to say that any shelter organization adopts animals out for the money, you might want to investigate the fact that such organizations receive more money for euthanasia than for adoptions.
You seem to believe that pit bulls are the only type of dogs capable of killing human beings. You are, quite simply, wrong. In 2000 a pomeranian killed a six-week old infant. This year, two infants were killed by a Golden retriever mix and a Husky, respectively. As you say, animals can attack for any reason – and ALL attacks are both preventable and manageable by the people in control of the dog. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS AND PREVENT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN FROM HARM. Education and management are the ONLY things that will have an effect on dog bites and attacks.
My own dogs were adopted, three years apart, from the same local, non-ASPCA affiliated municipal shelter. Both are well-trained (they let go of something when I tell the to let go), social, and community-friendly. They are both pit bull mixes.
For God's sake, put YOUR feelings aside and do the right thing by deepening your research outside of the dogsbite propaganda machine and opening your mind to the idea that you do not have any understanding of dogs, dog behaviors, canine genetics, dog training methods, dog health, or the relationships between dogs and human beings. All you are doing by posting uneducated and unconfirmed facts is furthering an agenda based on hate and fear. Not something of which you should be proud.
Nancy S. Racnelks
August 21, 2012 at 7:41 am
Wow. I guess Forrest Gump was right. Stupid is as stupid does. The level of your idiocy knows no bounds, Ellen Taft.
ROSE SOLESKY
August 21, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Is it just me but has anyone noticed that 90% of the people writing in are women and instead of making a case for the Pit Bull they are maligning the woman who wrote the column for having an opinion of the particular breed of animal that is a Pit Bull. Whether you choose to believe it not Pit Bulls are among the breeds that are causing fatal injuries to human beings and other dogs. Most of them are not defending the Pit Bull they are too busy maligning the messenger. It has too make you wonder about the mentality of the Pit Bull Owner. I think you are doing this because there is no other way for you to act then to attack the victims. There is no defense. How Sad.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Rose, women are probably writing more because according to Ms. Taft "it's generally women who love pit bulls" and she references some physchobabble about women wanting to feel strong by owning an aggressive dog because they feel marginalized.
So here's my case: I adopted a shelter puppy from a no-kill shelter 6 years ago. She was 10 weeks old. She was pit bull-lab. I had a trainer come to my house. She became a registered therapy dog through Pet Partners. She was such a good-natured, solidly-tempered, loving dog, I decided to adopt another pit bull type dog from my local humane society. He is close to taking his therapy dog evaluation. Both dogs participate in agility, nose work classes, attend dog daycare, hang out with adults with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, homeless folks, children, senior citizens at rest homes, and accompany me to dog-friendly stores and outdoor restaurants, have many dog friends and live with 3 indoor kitties. Is that enough to "make a case" for you?
I have worked in a law office for more than 30 yrs., I attend church weekly, I do volunteer work, my husband and I give as much as we can to charity, I own my own home, I've been married almost 30 years, I have never declared bankruptcy, I have never sued anyone or been sued, I love my family, I love and care for people I don't know. Is that enough of a case for you?
I represent the majority of pit bull owners.
SonnetCXVI
August 22, 2012 at 1:08 am
No: most of us are objecting to 'the messenger' maligning US. No one's attacking any victims, and plenty of people have offered up well-supported arguments regarding their personal details and the positive attributes of the breed in question. You've chosen to ignore those; how sad.
Jennifer Brighton
August 21, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Without reading all the comments to know if someone already pointed this out, one way to make a point is for anti-BSL proponents to boycott this newspaper through readership and withholding advertising, although I guess newspapers can print anything they like. Perhaps a counter to this sad, untrue letter to the editor. I am ashamed to say I live in Washington State where Ellen Taft fights her losing battle. Last I recall she was going to have some sort of rally to ban pit bulls, but it was canceled for lack of interest. But hey, Ellen, you are welcome to hug my pitties any time! They love their hugs.
Not Logical
August 22, 2012 at 4:53 am
I am so glad..that the defenders of the piities, who have responded to ET and friends, on this article, have used intelligent, well structured responses to counter her failed, first level phyco-babble. This is one of the most stupid and ill-considered pieces of writing I have come across to date. Not only has ET offended the pittie advocates but women as well, who apparently have no idea why they show compassion toward the most marginalised dog breed in the US.. ET forgot to add, there are more female equestrians compared to males, more female show dog ownership than males, there area more female pet owners than males…do you get the trend. If you had started the article, by stating that females, due to their latent and deep-seated desire to nurture and care for creatures, had adopted the plight for the pitties, you might have had a more reasonable article. Apparently free speech can only be conducted if you don't have an opposing view, to the minority (ET) and anything you say in defense of the pitties is agressive!!! This same group also oppose opening their narrow minded view to the atrocities the pitties suffer, at the hands of inhuman beings. THIS ARTICLE IS NOTHING MORE THAN ANOTHER THEORETICAL/ ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE CONDITION OF THE HIGHLY EMOTIONAL, APPARENTLY NOT VERY LOGICAL, FEMALE (FRAGILE MASCULINITY ISSUES TO BOOT) MIND… ITS OKAY ET AND FRIENDS…YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS TO LIFE SOME THINGS ARE ILLOGICAL, THESE DECISIONS ARE BASED ON COMPASSION!!!!..BUT I'M GUESSING YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD EITHER.. I'm just gonna say it..If you have no experience with the breed, have no understanding of the impact of poor dog ownership…please sit down and stay quiet..Perhaps these same people can work with a rescue group or two and see first hand the time, effort and dedication the rescue groups devote to the plight of the pitties. The dedication of these groups is to counter the ignorance and abuse of pitties, at the hands of those who say 'ITS ONLY A DOG' ITS ONLY A PITTIE, THEY'RE AGGRESSIVE ANYWAY…Wow
Pitties' Momma
August 22, 2012 at 8:28 am
My sympathies to the writer who is obviously marginalized in the grey matter area.
s annunziato
August 22, 2012 at 10:07 am
Regarding paragraph 1, you really do not know what you are talking about. Regarding paragraph 2, there is nothing
g more appealing than a big brawny guy playing with his pittie! Warms my heart every time. Regarding the rest of this letter, what a bunch of over educated fantasy. Is someone working on their thesis paper or a dissertation? Why dont you come back to the real world and spend some time volunteering at your local shelter for a couple months. Then do a rewrite. This one gets an F for fantasy
Leah Dresser
August 22, 2012 at 10:36 am
I hear that a lot – "ugly" Pit Bulls. What exactly is so "ugly" about them? https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/52451…
Is this dog "ugly"? https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/25554…
Or this one?
Honestly, the author of this article probably thinks that Pit Bulls look like this… http://www.ucadogs.com/images/american_bully.jpg
Which isn't surprising, since a google image search for "Pit Bull" shows about a dozen of them, as well as hyenas on a leash ("a pet even more intimidating that a Pit Bull!" The article says…) and the rapper by the same name. It's no wonder that the breeds reputation is in such dire straits – you can't even get a decent idea of what a Pit Bull Terrier looks like by googling it. Those fat, squat, wide-mouthed dog with short-cropped ears that so many people tout as being "Pit Bulls" are American Bullies, a hybrid of Pits, Mastiffs, English Bulldogs, and a myriad of other breeds depending on what bloodline you're looking at. "Pit Bull" isn't even a breed…it's a type, which includes American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers. And I can assure you that my efforts in Pit Bull rescue have nothing to do with my desire to intimidate society or improve my chances at finding a marriage partner. What utter nonsense. But I doubt you would believe me anyway. Do you really feel comfortable marginalizing an entire group of people that way? Don't you think that maybe, just maybe, a woman went to an animal shelter, and found a dog, who just happened to be a Pit Bull, and she loved that dog for it's personality, it's energy, it's playfulness, it's intelligence, it's eagerness to please? Or perhaps it was a stray dog who wandered into her life? Or maybe she grew up with a Pit Bull? Or maybe she researched what breed of dog would be right for her lifestyle, and the Pit Bull breed fit the bill? Why do you assume that every woman who loves Pit Bulls and advocates for them and rescues and rehabilitates less fortunate Pitties is doing it simply to "intimidate society" and better her own image? Would you say the same about a woman who rescued Dobermans, Rottweilers, or other so called "digressive" breeds? Why are you taking a kind and selfless act (animal rescue) and turning it into something selfish and negative?
dsfs
September 5, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Many people dislike pit bulls because they look like an animal designed expressly to hurt other living things. In fact, given their heavy breeding for the fighting ring, that is exactly what they are.
Dee
August 24, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Are you kidding me!!! These dogs are harmless! I grew up with them and they are all I have had as pets, they are the best kids dogs, they make awesome drug detection dogs, and rescue dogs, childrens therapy dogs….get educated all you haters! Try the other end of the leash!
Miss Margo
September 5, 2012 at 9:17 am
Good analysis Ms. Taft. Sorry you're being blasted–you obviously hit a nerve.
dsfs
September 5, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Ellen Taft did not make a universal statement that all women that own pit bulls are like this. However, she might very well have a point about many of them. In fact, the irony is that the general stereotype of the person committed to pit bull rescue is enforced here in the extreme overreaction among many that are posting comments. Many unleashed their comments and seem to be proving Taft correct.
Sharon Savage Yildiz
September 5, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Ellen, good for you to tell the truth and go against the flood of ignorant beast-tamers that are posting most of the hateful comments here.
I'm a former dog behaviorist and current researcher in the sciences. All facts (i.e. not purely the "opinions" of pit nutters) point to pit bulls being extremely dangerous. 65% of dog-related fatalities and 65% of bites that lead to hospitalization are from pit bulls, a breed type that makes up only 3-4% of all dogs in America.
Here's a list of the people that pits have killed in the USA alone: http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/. This does not count that there are likely 50 serious maulings for every fatality, not to mention multiple daily fatalities caused by pits attacking other pets.
It is almost laughable to see the same ignorant pro-pit comments here… if these people were not the ones owning man-killers.
"It's all how you raise them. My pit bull is a wiggle butt. It's my Chihuahua (Jack Russell, Dachshund, etc.) that will tear off your arm if you come in the house."
Ummmm… if it's "all how you raise them," how do you explain your aggressive dog?
Other posters write that "nobody can recognize pit bulls" or that pit bulls don't exist as a breed or breed type. Then explain the thousands of books and hundreds of rescue groups that use the name "pit bull."
"Pit bulls are so maligned by you HATERS!"
Actually, there are more pit bull rescue groups than all other breed rescue groups COMBINED. Pits have plenty of advocates… yet pit "lovers" keep on breeding them to the point where 1 million of the 3 million dogs euthanized annually in America are pits. How's that for "loving pits."
Regarding the assertion that man-biters were culled, there is ZERO evidence of this in the historical record. In fact, known man-biters and child-killers were actively promoted as breeding dogs. See http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2012/01… for citations.
As for the assertion that pits pass the ATTS temperament test at rates higher than Goldens, etc…. the ATTS test was designed to choose dogs that could be trained to attack people. Dogs that react and go into attack mode during the test are actually FAVORED in the ATTS scoring system. Just because it's a "temperament test" does not mean it is testing for safe family dogs–quite the contrary. See http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/search/… for more info.
For all you pit pitiers, normal people are soooo on to your pathetic arguments and excuses. See http://www.scribd.com/doc/53260018/Educate-Now for a graphic.
jim
September 6, 2012 at 6:37 pm
wow, who'd have guessed there were so many dingbats?
Allen
September 10, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Ellen Taft holds no credentials in Animal Sciences, Animal Behavior, Canine Training, Handling, Grooming or any science discipline as far as I know. Yet she has been putting herself out there as some kind of expert on dogs, breeds and canine behavior. Recently she has claimed that her life has been threatened yet she offers no proof and it appears to be a PR stunt. She is a rather unpleasant woman who apparently feels the need for attention. i can't for the life of me understand why she continually receives it.