ALL THAT WE CAN, WE WILL
A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Non Profit Animal Rescue Organization
Divide, Colorado
A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Non Profit Animal Rescue Organization
Divide, Colorado
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Copyright © 2008-2009
Mariah's Promise
All Rights Reserved
Website developed and maintained by
Laird Web Service
Mariah's Promise
All Rights Reserved
Website developed and maintained by
Laird Web Service
Use GoodSearch for your internet searching, and you are automatically raising money for Mariah's Promise.
(Click Below)
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The Beloved Pit Bulls
| 1. | they can relocate outside Denver's jurisdiction, or |
| 2. | The ban is lifted, replaced with a 'Dangerous Dog' law and these dogs are allowed to go back to their family homes. |
To date we've taken over 300 dogs from ban areas in CO, TX, MO, KS, and AZ.
The Max Fund received donations from people to help get the dogs out of harm's way. They, in turn, have donated $9,500 to Mariah's Promise for the purchase of Priefert Kennels and dog houses, plus extra to cover the added food expense we expect. While others fight to get the BSL removed, we are working to help the animals.
You can find several of these dogs whose guardians have been forced to re-home their dogs among our adoption pages.
Please understand that we reserve the right to do a background check, home visit and ask for references from anyone interested in adopting these dogs. A special Thank You goes out to those who have opened their hearts and homes to these wonderful dogs!
If you would like to make a donation to assist us in this work, please mail your check to Mariah's Promise, P.O. Box 1017, Divide, CO 80814 and write "pit rescue" in the memo field. Or you may also make a donation using our secure online PayPal account by clicking on the Donate button on the left.
The Max Fund received donations from people to help get the dogs out of harm's way. They, in turn, have donated $9,500 to Mariah's Promise for the purchase of Priefert Kennels and dog houses, plus extra to cover the added food expense we expect. While others fight to get the BSL removed, we are working to help the animals.
You can find several of these dogs whose guardians have been forced to re-home their dogs among our adoption pages.
Please understand that we reserve the right to do a background check, home visit and ask for references from anyone interested in adopting these dogs. A special Thank You goes out to those who have opened their hearts and homes to these wonderful dogs!
If you would like to make a donation to assist us in this work, please mail your check to Mariah's Promise, P.O. Box 1017, Divide, CO 80814 and write "pit rescue" in the memo field. Or you may also make a donation using our secure online PayPal account by clicking on the Donate button on the left.
Below are a sampling of groups who also labor in love for our 'Bully Buds'.
Check these links for more information:
Check these links for more information:
Plus visit our Partners/Links Page to find more links on Pit Bulls as well as links to other organizations working with Mariah's Promise.
Find The Pit Bull
Only one of the pictures below features the real American PitBull Terrier. Take the test to see if you can find it. To find the breed of a dog, click on image. Note that there are no mixes or rescue dogs of unknown background who's breed could be debated in the page. All dogs have been picked in breeder's web sites and should be good representatives of their breed.
When you are done, ask your family and friends to take to test and watch the results. For many people, a Pit Bull is a big headed dog, or a dog with cropped ears. For some it's a brindle dog, or one with a patch on eye, or its a big stocky dog.
Breed misidentification is a scary thing in a time breed specific legislation is growing.... Pit Bull dogs are often blamed for dog attacks that may very well have been caused by an another breed...
When you are done, ask your family and friends to take to test and watch the results. For many people, a Pit Bull is a big headed dog, or a dog with cropped ears. For some it's a brindle dog, or one with a patch on eye, or its a big stocky dog.
Breed misidentification is a scary thing in a time breed specific legislation is growing.... Pit Bull dogs are often blamed for dog attacks that may very well have been caused by an another breed...
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Copyright © 2000 Veronique Chesser
Document may be reproduced as long as
pitbullsontheweb.com is credited.
Adapted from: Find The Pit Bull
Document may be reproduced as long as
pitbullsontheweb.com is credited.
Adapted from: Find The Pit Bull
Real Life Role Models:
A Perfect Gentleman
By Erik Siemers
Tribune Reporter
November 21, 2005
Frankie the therapist meets with the women each day.
They've been homeless and victims of some form of abuse. They seem to find comfort in Frankie.
They can talk to Frankie. He listens to them. His support is unwavering.
In many ways, he's like them.
The women and Frankie are each subject to stereotypes. They've all been through hardships and abuse. They've traveled a long, hard road to where they are now.
It's serious work for therapist Frankie.
~Read Full Story~
A Perfect Gentleman
By Erik Siemers
Tribune Reporter
November 21, 2005
Frankie the therapist meets with the women each day.
They've been homeless and victims of some form of abuse. They seem to find comfort in Frankie.
They can talk to Frankie. He listens to them. His support is unwavering.
In many ways, he's like them.
The women and Frankie are each subject to stereotypes. They've all been through hardships and abuse. They've traveled a long, hard road to where they are now.
It's serious work for therapist Frankie.
~Read Full Story~
In Whose Yard the Dog Sits
Animal lover or not, it would take someone with a heart of stone to read the details of crimes Michael Vick committed against the pit bull dogs in his "care" and not feel sick. While the media talk about how much "time he'll do" and whether or not he'll ever play in the NFL again, there is one vital piece of information missing from the equation. This isn't about Michael Vick, it's about the dogs.
Michael Vick is not the only dog fighter in the United States, not the only man who has made money off the dog's backs while feeding his own warped ego. Not the only one who has tortured and killed innocent dogs on a regular basis.
~Read More~
Animal lover or not, it would take someone with a heart of stone to read the details of crimes Michael Vick committed against the pit bull dogs in his "care" and not feel sick. While the media talk about how much "time he'll do" and whether or not he'll ever play in the NFL again, there is one vital piece of information missing from the equation. This isn't about Michael Vick, it's about the dogs.
Michael Vick is not the only dog fighter in the United States, not the only man who has made money off the dog's backs while feeding his own warped ego. Not the only one who has tortured and killed innocent dogs on a regular basis.
~Read More~
Love Can Build a Bridge
Presentation by Bless the Bullies
Presentation by Bless the Bullies
Walk a Day in Our Shoes
Created by IndyPitCrew.org
Created by IndyPitCrew.org
Every day hundreds and thousands of animals are put to death. Please, Spay & Neuter your Pit Bull. 1 in every 600 Pit Bulls will ever find a home. 1 in 600. www.casadeltoro.org
www.indypitcrew.org
www.indypitcrew.org
Walk a Day in Our Shoes
This is Ginger, a sweet girl who came to Mariah's Promise from a rescue
in Missouri because she was banned.
She was fortunate to be adopted into the home and hearts of Graeme & Sandy.
in Missouri because she was banned.
She was fortunate to be adopted into the home and hearts of Graeme & Sandy.
To learn more about
Denver's Breed Ban, visit www.denverkillsdogs.com
Denver's Breed Ban, visit www.denverkillsdogs.com
So much for vicious! Magic make a great pillow!
More of our beloved Bullies
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• BadRap.org
• Bless The Bullies
• DenverKillsDogs.com
• Justice for Gage
• Pit Bull Lovers
• Pit Bull Rescue Central
• Sunrisefoundationltd.org
• The Bully Beat
• Understand-a-bull
• Bless The Bullies
• DenverKillsDogs.com
• Justice for Gage
• Pit Bull Lovers
• Pit Bull Rescue Central
• Sunrisefoundationltd.org
• The Bully Beat
• Understand-a-bull
A Note from Toni ... since no one asked, here are my thoughts:
"We have seen time and again people's reactions to actually meeting a 'pit bull' face to face. If I had a nickel for everytime someone said to me after meeting some of our bully dogs, I'd be rich!!! 'But they're so nice!! That can't be a pit bull -that's not how I heard they are! Aren't they mean? How do you have so many in the room together? Do they all get along? Wow". And I'm just as amazed as they are because my experience with the bully breeds has always been like meeting a long lost friend - these dogs rarely meet a stranger! I always 'warn' people - look out for their tails and tongues!!!"
"I've read the stories, I've heard other people experience the dark side of a 'pit bull' and knowing what I know, it breaks my heart because that's just not the true nature of these dogs!!! Some have issues with other dogs, but that's because the PEOPLE didn't socialize them, give them good experiences with other animals. Or didn't take them out in society and socialize them with other people or experience life outside the family unit or worse, the backyard.
"Another myth about bully breeds is 'it's all in how they are raised'. For the most part, that's true of ANY breed of dog. However, again my experience has been that these dogs are the most eager and willing to forgive, forget and move on to the good stuff of being loved. It is said of the bully breeds, they are 'moldable'. And that fits them perfectly! These dogs will be whatever you want them to be - remember, they are the dog. Whatever people teach them is what they know. But bear in mind the Vick dogs! Talk about coming from the worst kind of place!! Lord have Mercy! Those dogs were delivered from hell, truly! Check out the BADRAP.org website - they took in several dogs and they are blending in with society very nicely! One is even a certified therapy dog in Los Gatos, CA. Or check out bestfriends.org and their 'diary' of the Vick dogs progress. Of the 48 dogs, there are only a small number who are 'lifers' at Best Friends, or are taking more time to UNlearn the horrible deeds done against them. They're making more progress in shorter time than most people would, coming from such a horrible place!"
"We've experienced that ourselves here at Mariah's Promise. The majority of dogs who came here were young adults up to 6-7 years old. They came from every place imaginable - from loving homes or found wandering the streets or a shelter or a vet who found them injured, having injuries requiring medical attention. Some were 6-8 wks old, found abandoned in a park. Even the dogs who have been betrayed still yearn to trust again! It's their nature to be with people and they are willing to try again. And again."
"I don't even begin to think of myself as a professional anything in rescue. There are some really dynamite people and groups in rescue who really have it going on and are lightyears ahead of me. The only thing I have is experience, and a love for animals, especially dogs, who I believe are the closest we have to truly UNCONDITIONAL LOVE on this earth! Mariah's Promise is NOT a pit bull rescue, we rescue DOGS and last time I checked pit bulls still fall under that category ... they aren't the killing machines the media states. But I will give credit where credit is due and personally, I will always have a pit bull (or TEN)in my life. They are the best dogs, to me. They aren't for everyone, but they sure are for me."
"We have seen time and again people's reactions to actually meeting a 'pit bull' face to face. If I had a nickel for everytime someone said to me after meeting some of our bully dogs, I'd be rich!!! 'But they're so nice!! That can't be a pit bull -that's not how I heard they are! Aren't they mean? How do you have so many in the room together? Do they all get along? Wow". And I'm just as amazed as they are because my experience with the bully breeds has always been like meeting a long lost friend - these dogs rarely meet a stranger! I always 'warn' people - look out for their tails and tongues!!!"
"I've read the stories, I've heard other people experience the dark side of a 'pit bull' and knowing what I know, it breaks my heart because that's just not the true nature of these dogs!!! Some have issues with other dogs, but that's because the PEOPLE didn't socialize them, give them good experiences with other animals. Or didn't take them out in society and socialize them with other people or experience life outside the family unit or worse, the backyard.
"Another myth about bully breeds is 'it's all in how they are raised'. For the most part, that's true of ANY breed of dog. However, again my experience has been that these dogs are the most eager and willing to forgive, forget and move on to the good stuff of being loved. It is said of the bully breeds, they are 'moldable'. And that fits them perfectly! These dogs will be whatever you want them to be - remember, they are the dog. Whatever people teach them is what they know. But bear in mind the Vick dogs! Talk about coming from the worst kind of place!! Lord have Mercy! Those dogs were delivered from hell, truly! Check out the BADRAP.org website - they took in several dogs and they are blending in with society very nicely! One is even a certified therapy dog in Los Gatos, CA. Or check out bestfriends.org and their 'diary' of the Vick dogs progress. Of the 48 dogs, there are only a small number who are 'lifers' at Best Friends, or are taking more time to UNlearn the horrible deeds done against them. They're making more progress in shorter time than most people would, coming from such a horrible place!"
"We've experienced that ourselves here at Mariah's Promise. The majority of dogs who came here were young adults up to 6-7 years old. They came from every place imaginable - from loving homes or found wandering the streets or a shelter or a vet who found them injured, having injuries requiring medical attention. Some were 6-8 wks old, found abandoned in a park. Even the dogs who have been betrayed still yearn to trust again! It's their nature to be with people and they are willing to try again. And again."
"I don't even begin to think of myself as a professional anything in rescue. There are some really dynamite people and groups in rescue who really have it going on and are lightyears ahead of me. The only thing I have is experience, and a love for animals, especially dogs, who I believe are the closest we have to truly UNCONDITIONAL LOVE on this earth! Mariah's Promise is NOT a pit bull rescue, we rescue DOGS and last time I checked pit bulls still fall under that category ... they aren't the killing machines the media states. But I will give credit where credit is due and personally, I will always have a pit bull (or TEN)in my life. They are the best dogs, to me. They aren't for everyone, but they sure are for me."
The Pit Bull Blues
Presented by Nanny Dog
Presented by Nanny Dog
Leo gets a new life
MSNBC.com
June 2008
Leo is a Pit Bull that was rescued out of Michael Vick's fighting camp. Leo is now serving the community by doing therapy work to cancer patients and probationary juvenilles.
~Click HERE to see Leo at work~
MSNBC.com
June 2008
Leo is a Pit Bull that was rescued out of Michael Vick's fighting camp. Leo is now serving the community by doing therapy work to cancer patients and probationary juvenilles.
~Click HERE to see Leo at work~
When you hear "PIT BULL" think ...
"Pleasing Intelligent Treasures ~ Beloved Unconditional Love & Loyalty"
We are very concerned about the Pit Bull Ban (BSL) that was reinstated in Denver City and County on May 9, 2005. The banned breeds are the American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers. In an effort to help the people and dogs in Denver we have opened our rescues to temporarily house pets for the owners until:
"Pleasing Intelligent Treasures ~ Beloved Unconditional Love & Loyalty"
We are very concerned about the Pit Bull Ban (BSL) that was reinstated in Denver City and County on May 9, 2005. The banned breeds are the American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers. In an effort to help the people and dogs in Denver we have opened our rescues to temporarily house pets for the owners until:
Family Dog Takes Bullet to Save Family
By Amy Lester, NEWS 9
News9.com
Posted: Dec 9, 2008 05:00 PM / Updated: Dec 15, 2008 11:42 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A family dog made a lifesaving move when the family needed him most.
The pit bull is more than a friend, even more than a companion and family members said he's the reason they're alive.
The family's hero is their pit bull, D-boy.
Roberta Trawick was sitting on the couch when a man busted in, through the front door.
"He came in, pointed a gun at me and said, ‘Get down on the ground'," Trawick said.
The next thing Roberta knew, D-boy ran in from another room, ready to attack.
~Read Full Story~
By Amy Lester, NEWS 9
News9.com
Posted: Dec 9, 2008 05:00 PM / Updated: Dec 15, 2008 11:42 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A family dog made a lifesaving move when the family needed him most.
The pit bull is more than a friend, even more than a companion and family members said he's the reason they're alive.
The family's hero is their pit bull, D-boy.
Roberta Trawick was sitting on the couch when a man busted in, through the front door.
"He came in, pointed a gun at me and said, ‘Get down on the ground'," Trawick said.
The next thing Roberta knew, D-boy ran in from another room, ready to attack.
~Read Full Story~
Click picture for larger image.
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Pin-Ups for Pit Bulls
By Linda Lombardi, Associated Press
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/12/23/pinups-pit-bulls.html
Dec 23, 2008
Deirdre Franklin thinks it's no accident that her fellow burlesque dancers and pinup models feel a kinship with pit bulls.
"They're people who chose to be on the outside and do it their way, who are used to being the underdog," she says. "They identify with the pit bull -- they want to change the stereotype."
Changing the stereotype is one thing that Franklin -- her stage name is Little Darling -- hopes to do with her calendar, "Pinups for Pitbulls." Her other goal is to beat last year's total of more than $10,000 raised to support pit bull rescue.
Her involvement with bully breed rescue started with one dog that she wasn't able to save, when a woman brought a stray pit bull into an animal shelter where Franklin was a volunteer.
~Watch their video on Discovery Channel~
Check out their website at www.pinupsforpitbulls.com
By Linda Lombardi, Associated Press
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/12/23/pinups-pit-bulls.html
Dec 23, 2008
Deirdre Franklin thinks it's no accident that her fellow burlesque dancers and pinup models feel a kinship with pit bulls.
"They're people who chose to be on the outside and do it their way, who are used to being the underdog," she says. "They identify with the pit bull -- they want to change the stereotype."
Changing the stereotype is one thing that Franklin -- her stage name is Little Darling -- hopes to do with her calendar, "Pinups for Pitbulls." Her other goal is to beat last year's total of more than $10,000 raised to support pit bull rescue.
Her involvement with bully breed rescue started with one dog that she wasn't able to save, when a woman brought a stray pit bull into an animal shelter where Franklin was a volunteer.
~Watch their video on Discovery Channel~
Check out their website at www.pinupsforpitbulls.com
The Unexpected Pit Bull 2009 Calendar
Buy yours today
Buy yours today
Check out their wonderful website too: The Unexpected Pit Bull
Canine cops help police
By Phil Schwarz
ABC News
January 26, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS)
When we think of police canine units, the breed that most commonly comes to mind is the German shepherd.
But rookie canines on the job now are anything but ordinary.
The two newest members of the Cook County Sheriff's K9 unit are unique and are already performing beyond expectations.
A big bloodhound puppy named Melanie helped police rescued a suicidal man from a forest preserve earlier this month.
"The point of starting her on the trail where this individual had come into the woods...she solely hunted out that odor by her abilities," said Jim Pacetti, Cook County K9 Unit.
Melanie found the man in the nick of time. He was semi-conscious and partially submerged in a creek.
The K9 unit consists of a variety of dogs, including bloodhounds and German shepherds, but the most recent member of the force is a very loving, very friendly pit bull.
A pit bull named Elliot Ness is anything but untouchable. Loving and friendly, these traits keep most pit bulls from being good police dogs.
~Read Full Story~
By Phil Schwarz
ABC News
January 26, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS)
When we think of police canine units, the breed that most commonly comes to mind is the German shepherd.
But rookie canines on the job now are anything but ordinary.
The two newest members of the Cook County Sheriff's K9 unit are unique and are already performing beyond expectations.
A big bloodhound puppy named Melanie helped police rescued a suicidal man from a forest preserve earlier this month.
"The point of starting her on the trail where this individual had come into the woods...she solely hunted out that odor by her abilities," said Jim Pacetti, Cook County K9 Unit.
Melanie found the man in the nick of time. He was semi-conscious and partially submerged in a creek.
The K9 unit consists of a variety of dogs, including bloodhounds and German shepherds, but the most recent member of the force is a very loving, very friendly pit bull.
A pit bull named Elliot Ness is anything but untouchable. Loving and friendly, these traits keep most pit bulls from being good police dogs.
~Read Full Story~
Santa Barbara Therapy Dog Survives Fighting Ring
Thursday, March 26, 2009
By Cathy Murillo
Santa Barbara Independent News
The story of Daisy Mae the pit bull is like that of any other survivor?—?she suffered pain, got back on her feet, and is now living a sweeter, more meaningful life because of her experience.
Daisy Mae, formerly part of a dogfighting operation, is now a therapy dog in Santa Barbara making weekly rounds at Cottage Hospital’s pediatric ward and Villa Riviera retirement home. Gentle and affectionate, the three-year-old cuddles with the elderly and frail, and even allows small children to hold her tight when they are undergoing painful medical procedures.
Her miracle of rehabilitation mirrors that of the dogs rescued from the Michael Vick fight farm, where only one dog had to be euthanized for being vicious. Of the remaining 47 Vick canines, most have been placed in homes, many with children, other dogs, and cats.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
By Cathy Murillo
Santa Barbara Independent News
The story of Daisy Mae the pit bull is like that of any other survivor?—?she suffered pain, got back on her feet, and is now living a sweeter, more meaningful life because of her experience.
Daisy Mae, formerly part of a dogfighting operation, is now a therapy dog in Santa Barbara making weekly rounds at Cottage Hospital’s pediatric ward and Villa Riviera retirement home. Gentle and affectionate, the three-year-old cuddles with the elderly and frail, and even allows small children to hold her tight when they are undergoing painful medical procedures.
Her miracle of rehabilitation mirrors that of the dogs rescued from the Michael Vick fight farm, where only one dog had to be euthanized for being vicious. Of the remaining 47 Vick canines, most have been placed in homes, many with children, other dogs, and cats.
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From: Patty Letawsky
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Subject:
To: Wayne Pacelle WPacelle@hsus.org
I'm writing in hopes that you will ask your employees to quit referring to dogs from fighting rings as wanting to kill or being bred to kill, period. Over and over and over again, HSUS employees make general statements to the media that these dogs are killers, yet they always seem to leave out the other half of the sentence, which is that these same dogs, almost without exception, are also incredibly friendly with humans. The unknowing public comes away from these kinds of statements with the information that these dogs are killers.
Some dogs confiscated from dog fighting rings should be euthanized. Some dogs confiscated from dog fighting rings make wonderful pets. This has been proven long before the Vick case ever came to be. No one is saying they all should be adopted to the public . . . only that they all deserve to be evaluated by a behavior expert prior to automatically killing them if an appropriate rescue or adopter is willing to take them.
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/mar/26/sb-therapy-dog-survives-fighting-ring-blood-sport-/
"Goldfarb is not convinced that a true fighting dog can be rehabilitated. He described a dangerous combination -- a dog that wants to kill, and also exhibits the “gameness” that unscrupulous breeders admire. Gameness is a trait by which a dog will continue fighting even though she is injured and exhausted. 'You can’t place a dog like that in a community'.”
________________________________________________
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/mar/26/sb-therapy-dog-survives-fighting-ring-blood-sport-/#comments
My comment in the comments section of the paper is below. We'll see if they keep it or remove it.
Thanks for the great story. I have no doubt it will serve to help educate and dispel many myths.
It is rather frustrating, though, that people like Goldfarb from HSUS continue to make points such that everyone doesn't have the money to put into rehabilitating dogs from fight rings that went into the dogs from the Vick case. This is frustrating because it has been proven to HSUS for many years now that various dogs have come out of these situations that don't even need to be "rehabilitated" from the start. Just like many other dogs confiscated from fighting rings throughout the years, several of the Vick dogs just needed socializing and confidence and exposure to a world they had not known previously. They showed absolutely no aggression from the git-go. Many dogs that came out of pit fighting rings have proven to have wonderful temperaments.
Having said that, I agree with the general statement that all dogs cannot be rehabilitated, but that is not something that is specific to breed and not something that is specific exclusively to when the abuse and neglect comes from being part of a fighting ring. No one is asking for all dogs from fighting rings to be saved. We all just want them to receive a fair evaluation by behavior experts instead of automatically killing them.
After all, if you were the victim of a vicious attack and stabbing and had scars to prove it, would that mean that you were the aggressor and that you are a vicious person? Obviously, it would not.
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Subject:
To: Wayne Pacelle WPacelle@hsus.org
I'm writing in hopes that you will ask your employees to quit referring to dogs from fighting rings as wanting to kill or being bred to kill, period. Over and over and over again, HSUS employees make general statements to the media that these dogs are killers, yet they always seem to leave out the other half of the sentence, which is that these same dogs, almost without exception, are also incredibly friendly with humans. The unknowing public comes away from these kinds of statements with the information that these dogs are killers.
Some dogs confiscated from dog fighting rings should be euthanized. Some dogs confiscated from dog fighting rings make wonderful pets. This has been proven long before the Vick case ever came to be. No one is saying they all should be adopted to the public . . . only that they all deserve to be evaluated by a behavior expert prior to automatically killing them if an appropriate rescue or adopter is willing to take them.
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/mar/26/sb-therapy-dog-survives-fighting-ring-blood-sport-/
"Goldfarb is not convinced that a true fighting dog can be rehabilitated. He described a dangerous combination -- a dog that wants to kill, and also exhibits the “gameness” that unscrupulous breeders admire. Gameness is a trait by which a dog will continue fighting even though she is injured and exhausted. 'You can’t place a dog like that in a community'.”
________________________________________________
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/mar/26/sb-therapy-dog-survives-fighting-ring-blood-sport-/#comments
My comment in the comments section of the paper is below. We'll see if they keep it or remove it.
Thanks for the great story. I have no doubt it will serve to help educate and dispel many myths.
It is rather frustrating, though, that people like Goldfarb from HSUS continue to make points such that everyone doesn't have the money to put into rehabilitating dogs from fight rings that went into the dogs from the Vick case. This is frustrating because it has been proven to HSUS for many years now that various dogs have come out of these situations that don't even need to be "rehabilitated" from the start. Just like many other dogs confiscated from fighting rings throughout the years, several of the Vick dogs just needed socializing and confidence and exposure to a world they had not known previously. They showed absolutely no aggression from the git-go. Many dogs that came out of pit fighting rings have proven to have wonderful temperaments.
Having said that, I agree with the general statement that all dogs cannot be rehabilitated, but that is not something that is specific to breed and not something that is specific exclusively to when the abuse and neglect comes from being part of a fighting ring. No one is asking for all dogs from fighting rings to be saved. We all just want them to receive a fair evaluation by behavior experts instead of automatically killing them.
After all, if you were the victim of a vicious attack and stabbing and had scars to prove it, would that mean that you were the aggressor and that you are a vicious person? Obviously, it would not.
Denver Kills Dogs visits Mariah's Promise
May 2009
This video of Mark & Marie Schoenfeld visiting from Los Angeles, along with Tim & Monika Courtney who live in Evergreen, CO. It was great to meet some of the Founders and supporters of the Denver Kills Dogs campaign. They were AMAZED at what they saw here - dogs playing and all so excited to have visitors!!
May 2009
This video of Mark & Marie Schoenfeld visiting from Los Angeles, along with Tim & Monika Courtney who live in Evergreen, CO. It was great to meet some of the Founders and supporters of the Denver Kills Dogs campaign. They were AMAZED at what they saw here - dogs playing and all so excited to have visitors!!
Untitled from Monika Courtney on Vimeo.
