"Fighting Dog" Breed Ban Article

[Lisi]

He got an earful from me, plus a copy of the letter I wrote earlier in the year.

Another moron who shouldn't be in control of a keyboard or pen (IMHO).

Lisi

[ June 28, 2001: Message edited by: Cosmo ]

[German Vanegas]

From experience I can attest to the fact that some of the toughest guard dogs I have seen in my life are mixed-breeds or mutts! I have also seen mutts in protection rings performing with outstanding results! There are some mutts doing schutzhund too! And you can even find some mutts doing police patrol! So, if the question is "Can mixed-breeds bite?", the answer is a categorical "Yes!!! They can and they do!". So what's the logic to ban certain chosen breeds, when most dogs, whether be purebred or mixed-breed, have the potential to bite?! It makes no sense whatsover!!!

So the "million dollar" question is: What kind of dogs bite?

Well, let me assure you this: MOST dog breeds have the potential to bite! Including "cute" toy dogs, terriers, sport dogs, herding dogs, utility dogs, etc. And is not too redundant to mention once again that mutts and mongrels can bite and they do quite often (as I already explained above).

What kind of breeds can cause more damage?

Usually, due to the sheer power and size of the larger breeds, large dogs may cause more severe damage than smaller dogs... obviuosly!

Who are responsible for a dog's unjustified bite?

That's easy! Irresponsible people in the form of unethical breeders and careless dog owners!!!!!.

Therefore, who should be penalized for unjustified dog bites?

Dhaaaa! One more time: Irresponsible people!!!! That's who!!!!

OK, what about those so-called "fighting breeds"?

Well, that is open to different interpretations, although Emil Guillermo has a narrow-mind of his own and already classified a few breeds at will, based on his plain ignorance, of course! However, if we were to follow the dumb-minded proposal of that imbecile, then a ban on so-called fighting breeds could included: Boxers, Shar-Peis, Akitas, Tosas, Neapolitan Mastiffs, Old English Mastiffs, American Pitbull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Dogue De Burdeaux, Dogo Argentinos, Canary Prey Dogs, Caucasian Otcharkas, Tibetan Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Old English Bulldoguees, Cane Corsos, etc., etc. Can you visualize that?...

Can you people visualize your freedom to own a dog breed arbitrarily banned by our Government?!?! Better wake-up! It is happening! Be aware dog owners! This threat cannot be taken lightly. It is going on right here in the land of the few rights left! Yet many people seem to live in denial! :(

Consequently, all I can kindly say is that Emil Guillermo is a typical misinformed self-proclaimed "news reporter", who preys on sensationalism and exploits the hunger for "yellow journalism" (some people loooove "Jerry Springer" too, you know). And I am being as kind and polite as I can be!

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: German Vanegas ]

[ June 28, 2001: Message edited by: Cosmo ]

[KRISSIE]

I just wrote him a letter too.

originally posted by poohbearsmom:

Who do we write to next??? I'm on a roll....

I'd say we're ready for t.v., I was thinking the Montel williams show (hee..hee.).
Hey why not??? :D :D :D ;) ;)

[RSQRottweiler]

Funny that Emil mentioned the real source of the problem over and over. . .freakin' irresponsible dog owners. . .it was right in front of his face, and he still believes the solution is to eliminate the breed.

Audrey

[ June 28, 2001: Message edited by: Cosmo ]

[Wild Thing]

Hi all! I'm a new one at this, but I'll give it a try. You know the 'web' and everything. I read all your notes about this guy and his article on so called fighting breeds what a dumb*ss. I really makes me unhappy to see crap like that written for anybody to read. The average person has know idea what great dogs these breeds can be. I know as I have owned several of the breeds he has mentioned and own two rotties now.(they are by far my favorite)

[2rotties2luv]

Originally posted by German Vanegas:
<STRONG>

Be aware dog owners! This threat cannot be taken lightly. It is going on right here in the land of the few rights left! Yet many people seem to live in denial! :(

</STRONG>

German, what can we do ???

It seems as though writing letters to folks such as Guillermo is an exercise in futility - their minds are already made up in a negative direction.

I know that each and every one of us with our well trained, well socialized, well mannered rotties is an "ambassador" for the breed, and as such, we have the opportunity to educate those around us. But the number of people we can reach seems so small in comparison to the number who may read and be influenced by a negative newspaper article such as the one written by Guillermo. :( :(

I always felt that each of us should strive to own and train the best possible examples of the breed - but with more and more negative publicity, it seems like being a good example is not enough.

What more should we be doing ?? What more CAN we do ??

[AimeeMB]

I also sent a letter....



I came across your article on a Rottweiler Forum bulletin board and was wondering who made you the authority on deciding which breeds are "fighting" breeds? If you had any sense at all you would clearly know that the Rottweiler breed is a "Working" breed.

It amazes me how people can immediately pass judgement on an entire breed by only a few incidents. Have you ever heard the term, "Prosecute the deed, not the breed"? Where was all the publicity when I was bitten by a "non - fighting" dog? I was in second grade and had NUMEROUS stitches in order to put my nose back together. Should we ban that breed of dog?(For the record, it was a white, fluffy dog that weighed about 10 pounds) Obviously it is a fighting dog, it attacked me. Where was the press for that?

The point of this is a dog can be a lethal weapon if in the wrong hands. The owners of the dogs in question are the ones to blame...not the animals.

Sincerely,

Aimee

[Goose's Guardian]

I have corresponded with this guy a couple times and the last one I thanked him for responding "because I am sure you're getting many comments." This was his response:

"Actually I'm not getting many comments. What's wrong with all the dog owners? Are they not passionate about this subject?"

I think he's just trying to bother me, but let's inundate this guy!!!!

[KRISSIE]

What is this guy Emil talking about, I'm sure he has gotten a ton of responses from people defending their breed, we all wrote letters & I even included my e-mail address & I have heard no reponse from him, I think he is full of s**t, he just doesn't want to deal with us so he is justifing his article by saying , we are not passionate about our love for this breed, what bulls**t is he trying to pull.......
That makes me mad , now I'm gonna write that son of a b*t*h another letter.

[New2Rotties]

Goose's Guardian, he is obviously trying to get a rise out of you. If he hasn't had any responses why would he feel the need to change the web address? Too Funny!!!! :D

I wrote this swell fellow a letter also. This is what it said:

"Emil,

I am sincerely interested in how exactly you believe that Banning a Breed or Breeds is going to solve the fatal attack problem. I don't know how criminals in your area work, but the ones in mine don't pay particularly close attention to the law. I am also very interested in what you believe constitutes a "Fighting Dog" and the research that you did to come up with that analogy.

It would seem that you want to punish me because of someonelse's mistakes. I am the proud owner of one of your "Fighting Breeds" and am curious how many dogs from each of these breeds that you recognized in your article have you actually met. I am a very responsible owner. My dog is always up to date on his vaccinations, always on lead when outside of his yard, never outside unattended, goes to weekly dog obedience classes and is continually socialized with new people and things and yet you tell me that because someone else is an irresponsible owner, I should not be allowed to breed him, which at this point I have no intentions of, but frankly, I don't believe that should be your or our governments decision. I am not saying that my dog would never bite of course that is something you just don't know. Fact is dogs bite, however, I, as an owner, am not willing to give him any opportunity to do so.

Breed Banning is much like the criminal rehabilitation system in this country. Although, in ideal situations or utopian societies it would work wonderfully, we do not live in an utopian society and if we did we certainly wouldn't need to Ban breeds. The only thing that banning breeds would accomplish would be that the people who truly love the breed and aim to better the breed would be punished and the criminals or irresponsible owners would continue to breed.

It is a pretty sad situation when someone is injured by a dog, however, when these sad events happen, you can alway attribute it to something the owner has or hasn't done.

Please keep your mind open and pursue other ideas on how to punish irresponsible owners rather than attempting to punish those of us who are truly responsible owners. I sincerely anticipate your response.

Kylie"

I will share his responses with you all as well. :)

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by New2Rotties:
<STRONG>Goose's Guardian, he is obviously trying to get a rise out of you. If he hasn't had any responses why would he feel the need to change the web address? Too Funny!!!! :D

</STRONG>

That's right!

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by 2rotties2luv:
<STRONG>

German, what can we do ???

What more should we be doing ?? What more CAN we do ??</STRONG>

Be proactive. Call and/or write state legislators and let them know your views in a professional, courteous, and intelligent manner. Join Dog Onwers Association of America DOA, this organization strongly opposes senseless dog legislation. Also, the American Kennel Club AKC is seriously involved in fighting back this type of preposterous dog laws. Take the time to educate every person you can, every day. Non stop. Don't let others take decisions for you, make yourself be heard ;)

[codglvr]

I also wrote him a very long letter, to which his only comment was that he was unable to associate the banning of specific breeds and the negative impact of sensationalism (I gave examples of how journalistic sensationalism has negatively affected society and society's views in reference to other issues such as racism) on good dog owners. I also managed to criticize journalists such as himself in a polite way. :D Maybe we should all inundate his newspaper with editorials about his lack of ability to look out of the box, and see the breeds for what they are, wonderful!

[redmoss]

Firstly, I must confess that I do not own a rott but my dad has one, originally an unclaimed stray, that I requested he foster so she could overcome her case of kennel cough before being taken to a local shelter for adoption. He kept her because he fell in love with her, as does most everyone who meets her because she is a splendid dog.

My parents have moved away and I think I miss the dogs, Mini the rottweiler and Allie the rescued Argentine dogo, more.

Personally, I have pit bulls and have been deeply embroiled in a rather fruitless debate with people who believe the media's portrayal of rottweilers and pit bulls as vicious dogs on enhttp://pub45.ezboard.com/fwrkoforumsfrm4

I happened to take a look at this site to see if there was additional ammuntion that I could use.

After reading Emil's editorial, I e-mailed him but the more I think about it, the more I realize that no credence should be given to this man because not only is his ignorance obvious, his wife is a member of a group with a rather hidden agenda to eradicate the ownership of pets and he is truly an abysmal writer.

I am truly amazed that this man's occupation is writing because practically everything that I've read here is a thousand times better written. Maybe he has to sensationalize and mislead for impact because his writing is pathetic.

Come to think of it, my dogs can probably turn out a better article.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by redmoss:
<STRONG>...After reading Emil's editorial, I e-mailed him but the more I think about it, the more I realize that no credence should be given to this man because not only is his ignorance obvious, his wife is a member of a group with a rather hidden agenda to eradicate the ownership of pets and he is truly an abysmal writer...</STRONG>

You can say that again!