BIG_DADDY
05-20-2005, 01:10 PM
On celebrity justice in just a few minutes on the West coast and 3:30PM on 36/6-/KSCC out there.
http://celebrityjustice.warnerbros.com/news/0505/19c.html
Actress Fights to Save Pit Bulls
May 19, 2005
In response to a series of fatal dog attacks, the City of Denver, Colorado, is now going after the animals, specifically Pit Bulls, but actress Linda Blair says Denver has got it all wrong.
When dogs attack, Blair says they unfairly bear the brunt of the blame. "It is not the breed, it is the deed, the deed of the owner," she told us. "Irresponsible ownership is the worst problem that we have in America for any dog or pet owner, and they're the ones we need to go after."
She added, "Because of fear in society, people sometimes create bad laws."
Linda introduced us to Max, a 1-year-old Pit Bull rescued by her World Heart Foundation. He's a member of a breed Linda says has been misunderstood for years. "I know the dog as cuddling, loving, humorous, the greatest companion," she told. "They are, some say, the closest to a human's emotions."
Denver officials would disagree. On May 9th, animal control officers began to enforce a citywide ban on Pit Bull ownership in Denver. According to Linda, "They're going door to door, and they are saying, ‘We are here to confiscate and euthanize your dog."
The ban allows officers to put a Pit Bull to sleep if its owner has previously committed Pit Bull violations. Otherwise, officers will give the owner a chance to relocate the dog. But in any case, man and best friend must part ways.
The ban is being enforced after a bitter battle between the City of Denver and the State of Colorado. Last year, the state determined that breed-specific bans were unconstitutional. Denver sued the state and won the right to enforce its Pit Bull ban.
"These are their companions," Linda insisted to us. "They feel that every Pit Bull is going to hurt you, and it's not. They were never, ever bred to be human aggressive."
Howie Rodriguez of California K9 is one of the nation's most respected animal trainers. He believes the answer is education. "Dogs don't bite for no reason," he insisted. "They bite for a reason. They are provoked."
And Rodriguez is not alone in his opinion. Tia Torres Cardello runs California's Villalobos Pit Bull rescue, the largest of its kind in the country. "We've been working with these dogs for 15 years," she said. "Myself, including my children and my employees, have never been bitten by a Pit Bull."
"Simply put, what's going on in Denver is a form of prejudice," Rodriguez said. "It's a form of genocide. It's unconstitutional. It needs to stop."
And Denver Pit Bull owners like Ben Wilson, agree. "We don't want Buddy to get euthanized," Wilson insisted to us. "Our city is not going to be any safer because of the breed ban. We need to target the owners of these dogs that make them mean."
"Go after the criminals," Linda begged. "Please leave the good Samaritans alone who have registered their dog."
Visit these websites to learn more about the Pit Bull ban and how you can help save dogs:
• American Canine Foundation and Education: http://acf2004.tripod.com/index.html
• Linda Blair's Animal Outreach: www.lindablairworldheart.com
• California K9 Academy: www.californiak9.com
• Villalobos Rescue Center: www.vrcpitbull.com
http://celebrityjustice.warnerbros.com/news/0505/19c.html
Actress Fights to Save Pit Bulls
May 19, 2005
In response to a series of fatal dog attacks, the City of Denver, Colorado, is now going after the animals, specifically Pit Bulls, but actress Linda Blair says Denver has got it all wrong.
When dogs attack, Blair says they unfairly bear the brunt of the blame. "It is not the breed, it is the deed, the deed of the owner," she told us. "Irresponsible ownership is the worst problem that we have in America for any dog or pet owner, and they're the ones we need to go after."
She added, "Because of fear in society, people sometimes create bad laws."
Linda introduced us to Max, a 1-year-old Pit Bull rescued by her World Heart Foundation. He's a member of a breed Linda says has been misunderstood for years. "I know the dog as cuddling, loving, humorous, the greatest companion," she told. "They are, some say, the closest to a human's emotions."
Denver officials would disagree. On May 9th, animal control officers began to enforce a citywide ban on Pit Bull ownership in Denver. According to Linda, "They're going door to door, and they are saying, ‘We are here to confiscate and euthanize your dog."
The ban allows officers to put a Pit Bull to sleep if its owner has previously committed Pit Bull violations. Otherwise, officers will give the owner a chance to relocate the dog. But in any case, man and best friend must part ways.
The ban is being enforced after a bitter battle between the City of Denver and the State of Colorado. Last year, the state determined that breed-specific bans were unconstitutional. Denver sued the state and won the right to enforce its Pit Bull ban.
"These are their companions," Linda insisted to us. "They feel that every Pit Bull is going to hurt you, and it's not. They were never, ever bred to be human aggressive."
Howie Rodriguez of California K9 is one of the nation's most respected animal trainers. He believes the answer is education. "Dogs don't bite for no reason," he insisted. "They bite for a reason. They are provoked."
And Rodriguez is not alone in his opinion. Tia Torres Cardello runs California's Villalobos Pit Bull rescue, the largest of its kind in the country. "We've been working with these dogs for 15 years," she said. "Myself, including my children and my employees, have never been bitten by a Pit Bull."
"Simply put, what's going on in Denver is a form of prejudice," Rodriguez said. "It's a form of genocide. It's unconstitutional. It needs to stop."
And Denver Pit Bull owners like Ben Wilson, agree. "We don't want Buddy to get euthanized," Wilson insisted to us. "Our city is not going to be any safer because of the breed ban. We need to target the owners of these dogs that make them mean."
"Go after the criminals," Linda begged. "Please leave the good Samaritans alone who have registered their dog."
Visit these websites to learn more about the Pit Bull ban and how you can help save dogs:
• American Canine Foundation and Education: http://acf2004.tripod.com/index.html
• Linda Blair's Animal Outreach: www.lindablairworldheart.com
• California K9 Academy: www.californiak9.com
• Villalobos Rescue Center: www.vrcpitbull.com