Pit Bull “Rescue” Raided in Ohio
Inexperienced and irresponsible pit bull rescues are becoming a disturbing trend.
It is so incredibly important that you VERIFY the reputation of anyone claiming to be a Pit Bull "rescue" BEFORE you give them any dog, and I’m not just talking about relying on the word of others.
For a pit bull in need of a new home, a desperate owner is a recipe for disaster. Often, owners giving up their dog call rescue after rescue, looking for someone – anyone – that will take in their pit bull without euthanizing it. Unfortunately, desperation often leads to a decision that is not always in the best interest of the dog.
As we saw during Hurricane Katrina, even the ASPCA and HSUS let desperation cloud their judgment, when they sent over 50 Katrina pit bulls to a so-called "sanctuary" in Arkansas called EDNAH, which turned out to be run by a hoarder who was later prosecuted for animal cruelty.
I see too many people (even fellow rescuers) that just blindly forward emails about pit bulls in need to anyone and everyone, without care or responsibility for who actually ends up with the dog. As long as they hear later that the dog is saved, they feel that they have "helped" that dog. When in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
If someone emails or calls you about a pit bull in need, don’t just forward on the responsibility to someone else. Take a few minutes to educate the owner or shelter on how to ask the right questions and verify references, fore giving their dog to someone claiming to be a pit bull "rescue". A few examples:
- Call and verify the rescue’s vet records.
- Call the rescue’s local animal control or police dept. to check if they have had any issues or complaints against them.
- Ask what the rescue’s pit bull placement policies and procedures are.
- And most importantly, visit the property BEFORE giving them a dog, to check out the conditions of their current dogs and their living arrangements.
- Due diligence is an absolute must when you are screening anyone claiming to be a pit bull rescue!
Of course the ultimate responsibility lies in the hands of the owner who is looking for a rescue to take in their pit bull, or the shelter who is looking for a reputable rescue with room to take in a pit bull they can’t or won’t place themselves. But it is up to those of us in the rescue community, to educate the public (and even other rescues and shelters) about choosing what is best for these dogs.
Right about now you’re probably thinking, "You’re absolutely right!", or you may be thinking, "Where these dogs end up is not my responsibility, I’m just forwarding emails and trying to help out"
If your mindset goes towards the latter, consider this: How do you think the Ohio woman in the story below ended up with a lot of her pit bulls? Probably thanks to referrals via email, from someone who forwarded the living crap out of sad, pit-bull-in-need stories. Maybe she was even recommended by other rescuers who may have heard that she had a good reputation, but didn’t bother to confirm anything first-hand.
Unfortunately, inexperienced and irresponsible pit bull "rescues" like the one in the story below, exist all over. They may start out with good intentions, but quickly become overwhelmed with dogs, once the word gets out that they take in pit bulls. And the dogs end up paying the price. Quality of life should be the most important thing for a dog in rescue. But good intentions don’t automatically equal responsibility and humane treatment.
The woman in the story below obviously had problems saying "no" to taking in more pit bulls than she had the time or room for. Her excuse? "I just have too big of a heart".
Hmmm… obviously her heart wasn’t big enough to take many of her pit bulls to the vet or keep others properly fed. Open wounds, untreated mange, malnourished dogs, several dead pit bulls found on the property? This is not simply the result of too big of a heart. Heaven help the dogs left in this woman’s "care".
And for those newbies out there thinking how "cool" it would be to start a pit bull rescue. Take note! If you are inexperienced, and really want to help out pit bulls in need - then volunteer with a reputable, well-established pit bull rescue first, and learn all you can. Don’t just blindly form your own pit bull rescue group, and jump head-first into the fray. You won’t be doing yourself, the dogs, or the reputation of the breed any favors.
Two different versions of the story are below, and ugh…a video link at the bottom. These poor dogs.
DEAD PIT BULLS FOUND
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP (Ohio) — More than 50 pit bulls, at least four of which were dead, were found on a Route 46 farm Friday after Ashtabula County Humane Society agents were tipped off on the situation.
To read the rest of the story, go to http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_244023503.html
PIT BULL RESCUE RAIDED
ASHTABULA — An Ashtabula nursing student who claims to run a pit bull rescue operation is in need of rescue herself. Authorities say one woman’s passion for the breed grew out of control.
To read the rest of the story, go to http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=73737&provider=gnews
Video can be viewed here: http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=42303&bw=
Copyright 2007, WonderBull.com and Diana McKay. All rights reserved. This article may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add comment September 20th, 2007