Australian officials set today to begin euthanizing pit bulls and other “dangerous” breeds

by Joanne Brokaw

A new Australian law requires all dangerous dog breeds or dogs that share physical characteristics of dangerous breeds, to be registered or risk euthanization.

This story takes place on the other side of the world, but given the “all pit bulls are dangerous” mindset prevelant across America, it’s worth noting here.

Following the death of a 4-year-old Melbourne girl, a new law in Australia could mean the systematic euthanization of dogs that deemed inherently dangerous. According to the VIN News service:

“Beginning Friday, authorities will knock on doors in Victoria [Australia], seizing and euthanizing any American pit bull terrier — or dog that looks like one — that is not registered as a restricted breed with local officials. Owners of lookalikes such as American Staffordshire terriers need a certificate from a veterinarian or pedigree papers from breed registry groups that prove their ancestry. ”

Other dogs required to be registered as dangerous include  perro de presa canario, dogo Argentino (Argentinian fighting dog), Japanese tosa and fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fighting dog).

Featured Shelter Pet: Bubba the pit bull mix

Bubba is a 6-year-old pit bull mix looking for a forever home.

** UPDATE OCTOBER 6: BUBBA FOUND A FOREVER HOME!! **

Bubba (##11423522) is a 70-pound, 6-year-old pit bull mix who was brought to Lollypop Farm because his owner was having personal problems that left him unable to care for him any longer.

Bubba walks well on the leash, loves treats, is friendly and has a great doggie smile. He has lived with dogs and kids before and needs to meet any in the household before he’s adopted. He’d do best with kids over 12. Bubba is eligible for our Seniors-for-Seniors program, which means adopters age 60 and older can take him home free of charge!

If you’d like to meet Bubba, head on out to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd, Fairport NY or visit Lollypop’s website.

And you can check out all of the Featured Shelter Pets on the Bark Around Town blog to see who’s looking for a home!

Why pit bulls have such a bad rap – and why most of it is just hype

Mama Girl is a 5-year-old American pit bull terrier mix looking for a forever home through Pitty Love Rescue.

City Newspaper did a story this week on what they called “pit bull paranoia” and the city of Rochester. In the article, writer Christine Carrie Fien points out that Rochester Animal Services doesn’t adopt out pit bulls and also writes that a local rescue group is considering not adopting pit bulls to city of Rochester residents.

It’s a short article and a topic that definitely needs more discussion, and if you read the comments from readers you can see that the pit bull debate rages on – sometimes despite the facts.

City of Rochester policy, unfortunately, requires that any pit bull that’s surrendered by its owner, or impounded or picked up as a stray and  not reclaimed by its owner, must be euthanized. It can’t be adopted out and it can’t be sent to a rescue organization.

As a volunteer for RAS, I can understand how the pit bull climate in the city led to that policy (translation: many pit bull owners in the city often breed their dogs for aggression and fighting, let them roam streets, don’t have them neutered/spayed, and are otherwise not responsible). But believe me, no one likes having to put down any dog. We have, fortunately, been able to adopt out some great pit bull/mixed breed dogs and puppies, which gives hope that maybe one day the policy will change.

So why do pit bulls have such a bad rap? And how reliable are statistics when deeming any dog “dangerous”?

Local pit bull rescue group fights “dangerous breed” myths

Sandy is just one of the pit bulls looking for a forever home through Rochester's Pitty Love Rescue.

With the release this week of Jim Gorant’s new book, “The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption,” the spotlight is back again on the 49 pit bulls rescued after Vick was charged with animal cruelty for running a dogfighting operation.

In many communities, including Rochester, NY, pit bulls fall into the “dangerous breed” category. Pit bulls impounded and not reclaimed by their owners are euthanized instead of being evaluated for adoption. But as Gorant shows in his book, it is possible to rehabilitate a pit bull.

And the fight to change public perception about pit bulls and other so-called dangerous dog breeds is taking place right here in Rochester, NY, with the responsible pit bull rescue group Pitty Love Rescue.

Featured Shelter Pet: Sandy, the pit bull

Sandy is a 3-year-old pit bull looking for a forever home.

Pitty Love Rescue has a lovely pit bull named Sandy who is looking for a forever home! Sandy is a three-year-old female who came to Rochester from NYC.  She was very pregnant when she got here and gave birth to a litter of pups in July. Jenn at Pitty Love Rescue says:

She was a wonderful Mama to her 10 babies and now its her turn! All too often the Mama’s get overlooked & forgotten about once her babies are ready for adoption. Well we refuse to let that happen to our girl – she deserves the world & more!  She’s certainly been through enough (life on the streets in NYC and having babies!).  Well, we can promise Sandy this will be her last litter ever!

Sandy is a strong girl who will need a savvy owner.  She cannot be in a home with cats.  She is dog-selective, so proper introductions and visits with resident dogs are a must.  Ideally, Sandy will be the queen of her castle as an only dog. She is an absolute sweetheart who loves to be showered with affection from humans.  She would make a superb addition to your family. Sandy will also thrive in obedience class, as she is a very smart and loyal girl. 

You can learn more about Sandy and her babies on the Pitty Love Rescue website.

Featured Shelter Pet: Chex the terrier/pit bull mix

UPDATE: On 8/28 Chex found a forever home! Yay! We’ll hopefully bring you an update once she’s settled into her new home.

Chex, waiting in her cage for someone to take her home!

*** UPDATE: On 8/28 Chex found a forever home! Yay! We’ll hopefully bring you an update once she’s settled into her new home. ***

I stopped down at Rochester Animal services today because I’d heard through the volunteer grapevine that we got in a bunch of dogs this week. They weren’t kidding. I didn’t plan to walk dogs because my back is killing me but I couldn’t help it. The dogs needed to get out. (And let me be clear: the volunteers who walk dogs are incredible. I normally work at the desk, so walking dogs isn’t something I do often. These volunteers make sure every dog is walked and loved, even for just a little while, every day.)

As I was finishing up, I decided at the last minute to stay a little longer and take out Chex, an 8-month old female pit bull/terrier mix. All the other dogs were barking and barking, and she was just standing at her cage door with big, pleading eyes.

Big mistake, because now I’m in love with her.