program on banning pits and rotts in N.J.

[suzanne611]

There was a local program I believe emanating from South Jersey on pitbull and rottweiler bans. It was in the form of a forum, with a lawyer proposing destroying all pitbulls and rotties. A woman who works in rescue was trying to point out that it is owners not dogs. Fortunately most of the callers were against this. I tuned in late and was unable to call. However this is the first public forum I have heard of in N.J. I was hoping that Diane Heller watched this program and could enlighten us on this problem rearing it's ugly head inN.J.

[HANNAPOOH]

As a South Jersey Rottie owner I'd like to know any other info on this if anyone has heard the who what when and where's.

Have you hugged your Rottie today???!!!

[Katarina]

Haven't heard too much about the South Jersey thing going on, however I do know for a fact there are about 7-10 municipalities/towns that do not allow rotties/pits. One I believe is Highland Park located just outside of New Brunswick. Another one is just before you cross over the George Washington Bridge (can't recall the name of the town). I saw a list not long ago and was very surprised to see THAT many towns listed. It may not be a high percentage when you are talking about all the cities/towns in NJ, however, it does set a good precedent. If anyone has info, let people know.

[This message has been edited by Katarina (edited October 02, 2000).]

[suzanne611]

Hannapoo, I posted the first topic. I was channel surfing and picked up the program on Comcast Channel 8. I came in at the end of the program. It was a moderator forum format. The guy who said this stuff was an attorney who believed all pitbulls should be destroyed but I noticed that he pulled rotts in on the discussion. The guy reminded me of every lawyer joke I've ever heard.

[suzanne611]

By the way Hannapooh, this program originated in Bridgeton, which I think is down your way. Suzanne

[HANNAPOOH]

Thanks Suzanne, Bridgeton is realatively close to us, maybe some of our politicans would know something. As with everywhere people around here take great pride in their Rotties and the select few improperly raised ones give ignorant people the wrong impression. We tried to go camping in Maryland last year with our Rottie "Hanna" and our poodle "Peaches" and every where we went had a "No Rottwelier,Pitbull, or Doberman Rule" I have been overwhelmed by the descrimination we have received because we have a Rott. She's the biggest licky lap dog we have ever had.

[Karyn]

I have a rottie and german shephard (and a 13" beagle) I live in south Jersey, Haddon Heights - Your posting has really gotten my attention. I had no idea this was going on so close to me. I would not ever want to surrender my rottie because some idiot politician is looking for votes. It would be like surrendering all my knives because murders were committed with knives. Tell me where to go to fight this!! Karyn

[suzanne611]

Welcome Karyn, I live in Moorestwn. I just happened upon this program. om Comcast Channel 8. I was hoping one of the more senior members would respond, i have no idea how to find out the status of breed bans in N.J. I think it may vary fom town to town.

[Michele Baxter]

I came accross this thread reading through and thought I would give you a little FYI--we recently fought a restriction on the number of dogs you are allowed to own within our city (in KY)! Yikes! That is scary. The interesting thing was the fact that the councilman who brought up this motion kept stating that his neighbors owned 5 rottweilers. I have a feeling it isn't the last we've heard from him. He's up for reelection this Nov however. Our kennel club went to the meeting and spoke about the owner responsibility issue--not the # of dogs someone owns. We also made sure everyone in his district knew about his anti-dog stands. He has tried to sponsor several dog related issues. Luckily, this motion was defeated. My advice to you guys and to all rottweiler or dog owners in general--is to acquaint yourself with your local city council office. We are lucky enough to have a dog lover friend who works there to keep us aprised of any dog related motions being discussed/voted on. See if you can't make a connection with someone there in the office. Anyone can speak and give an opinion at these meetings. Your local breed and kennel clubs would also contribute I'm sure if you alerted them about an upcoming issue. I hope it doesn't happen to any of you guys but it is an all too real possibility in this day.

[suzanne611]

I am sad to report that a child was attacked by four pitbulls in Maple Shade N.J. The Mayor of that town has publicly stated that he had no problem banning the breed. My vet is in that town, I don't think we have heard the last of this.

[Augustus`s mom]

I`m so sorry a child had to suffer. I do hope the owner is in jail and the child will recover.

------------------

[Willy]

I would like to say I called the show and was on the air tonight in support of our Rotties. I really can't understand how they can be serious about the banning of Rotties. They need to understand that the owner's are 100% responsible for these cases that get negative publicity. I know the gentleman from the Penna SPCA and he is solely in support of pit bull bans not Rottweiler.

[klf1214]

This may be rather old news, but please follow the link to an article recommending the extermination of all pit bulls. The article appeared on 10/11; with responses on 10/13.
http://www.bergen.com/index/allee.htm

[Sheri/Chonna]

When I read that idiotic column by Mr. Rod Allee regarding making the pit bull extinct and making such a great contribution to his generation by doing such, I was furious. My answer to him was as follows:

From: Sheri
To: allee@bergen.com
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 11:08 PM
Subject: "Another" Pit Bull Defense Letter


Mr. Allee:

My family and I take great offense to your article written about the "pit bull". My 9 year old daughter, my 16 year old daughter, and myself are definitely not sadistic idiots - yet we proudly own an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). Oh, but maye there's a difference since we did not purposely SET OUT to acquire a "pit bull". We simply brought home a five month old red-nosed, green-eyed puppy that had been abandoned in the back of a construction yard. In the eight months that Sammy has been with us, he has proven without a doubt to be the smartest, most eager to please pet we have ever had the pleasure of being around.


And "what earthly good" is Sammy? Well, aside from providing endless hours of family fun and joy, snuggling with us when we are cold, listening to my girls when they have problems they simply can't discuss with anyone else, licking away the tears when they are upset about something, and generally being our "best friend" as family pets are intended to do, I feel Sammy has provided an enormous amount of good.........
-- he won the hearts of all the Cocker Spaniel people, the Schnauzer people, etc. in his obedience class and was voted Class Favorite;
-- he delights old and young alike on his nightly walks around the neighborhood with his big smiles and his always wagging tail;
-- he makes everyone who encounters him feel so special because he is SO SO SO happy to see them;
-- AND most of the folks listed above were very surprised to learn that Sammy was
the dreaded "pit bull" -- the one they THOUGHT they hated.

Blind Hate, Mr. Allee, is a very dangerous and evil thing. Therefore, I believe Sammy's greatest "earthly good" is that at least the people that have been lucky enough to be around him and/or others like him will know how to recognize your article for the GARBAGE that it is.


APBT's, Staffordshire Terriers, and other "pit bull" type dogs can be and usually are very dog aggressive, due to generations of being bred to fight by those humans you claim have more rights than animals. If those humans were given more than a slap on the wrist for this type of animal cruelty or ANY type of animal cruelty, if those humans were given anywhere CLOSE to the severity of the punishment they deserve for animal abuse, then most of the problems we are having with "vicious dogs" would be extinct --- NOT the dogs themselves! Mr. Allee, had you done ANY research at all on this breed (or couple of breeds) that you think should be extinct, you would have found that although they are prone to dog aggression (through no fault of their own), they are one of the LEAST human aggressive animals. Despite their strength and agility, they make LOUSY watch dogs because they LOVE people. While these dogs have been bred for generations to fight other dogs, any human aggression was dealt with immediately by death. Human aggression was not tolerated.

There was another man who felt similar to you -- he wanted to wipe out, make extinct, a group that he was not particularly fond of. I believe he felt, like you, that it would be for the betterment of HIS generation, that it would be quite an accomplishment. His name was Adolf Hitler.

Blind Prejudice is a dangerous and evil thing, Mr. Allee, whether it be towards a religious group, a race, a sexual preference, or a breed of dog.


And attached was the top picture only in this group of Sammy photos:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...682&p=30623237

There were quite a few good letters written to this idiot. Hope some of them GOT THROUGH!!
Encouraging prejudice is not something a journalist of any sort should be a part of.

-- Sheri

[Rottiesmile]

Hi! everyone. This is my first post, but after reading that obnoxious article of Mr. Allee's I needed to vent a little. I just cannot believe the audacity of some people!!


Dear Mr Allee,

My husband has just written and now I will have the pleasure of
writing you in response to your article about the your hopeful
extinction of the Pit Bull breed. I myself grew up with two members of
another so-called "vicious breed"... the Rottweiler. I am also a
volunteer at my local Humane Society where I have seen and had the
chance to handle representatives of all breeds. I can tell you from
personal experience that it is the OWNER, not the individual dog or
breed of dog that is the cause of dog attacks.
Many owners fail to properly research the breed of dog they are
purchasing and do not commit themselves to proper handling or care of
the animal. Through the usage of abuse or improper training methods,
these animals turn vicious in self-defense and fear, not soley because
of genetics.
Sir, I have walked, and hugged, and had the great pleasure of being
accompanied by Pit Bulls and Rottweilers on many occassions and they are
extremely affectionate and sensitive animals. They have such wonderful
personalities that make you smile and laugh at their very jovile antics.
I think you should visit a Pitt Bull Rescue in your area and talk to
people who work with and love these dogs.Maybe you could work up the
courage to hug one...and maybe, just maybe you could love one.
I challenge your policy of taxation until extinction, I pose to you
and lawmakers that a Stupid and Irresponsible Owner Law should be
established, not punishing the individual dog or the breed as a whole,
but owners who have no business owning such wonderful dogs. Put the dogs
in rescue groups who know how to rehibilitate them and love and respect
them.
I am very sorry that children die from dog attacks, but once again,
society is trying to fix only the symptom and not the reason of the
problem. Remeber this Mr. Allee, "There are no bad dogs, only bad
owners." Maybe taxation to the extinction of stupid and irresponsible
people would be more to the point, but then again, humans are too vane
to accept that they are not all-powerful and maybe, just maybe wrong.

Sincerely,
M.T.