By Sloane Quealy-Miner
Fight for my rights, I am depenfing on you!
In Russellville, ARKANSAS a pit bull ban was enacted in 2006. The mayor (Raye Turner) at that time and some of the other “smart” folks in the community thought that a ban would solve all the communities issues regarding dogs running wild in their community.
Despite numbers that fail to show a decline in dog bites reported to the city’s Animal Control since its inception, The Animal Control director (Mike Vernon) feels that the ordinance was nevertheless effective, saying that the ban has “done exactly what people wanted it to do.” I guess people wanted the ban to calm hysteria about “pit bulls,” not to improve public safety and reduce dog bites.
“When told that pit bull aggression often has to do with the person who trained the dog this way often not a dog problem, but a people problem. When asked about this theory, Vernon didn’t agree.
“I think it’s the dog,” he said. Later, he reconsidered, adding, “It’s really both. I think the dogs are the powerful breed that instinctively attacks other animals, but it’s the owners who put them in the situations that cause problems.”
ACTION NEEDED: Contact the individuals below and urge them to adopt “dangerous dog” laws that rightly target irresponsible owners and not an entire breed of dog.
See our Talking Points on BSL and educate these people on why BSL does not work.
Contact the mayor and city council: RHorton@rsvlar.org; BLarkin@rsvlar.org; PNorthcut@rsvlar.org; KFreeman@rsvlar.org; MIrwin@rsvlar.org; BEaton@rsvlar.org
Contact the Animal Control director, Mike Vernon: MVernon@rsvlar.org
Also, please copy the author of article Whitney Snipes, government@couriernews.com
Thank you to STOP BSL for the heads up
I tried to stop this and to get support from BSL groups BEFORE this law was passed. I attended City Council meetings and got up and spoke about the facts concerning BSL. I went to lunch with a City Council member and provided alternate verbiage for a vicious dog ban. I find it interesting that 5 years and who knows how many euthanized pit bulls later, a BSL group now seems to be interested in our ordinance. If you know of any way we can get this repealed, please let us know. Luckily, I live on the outskirts of town, so my pit bull was not affected by this cruel legislation.
I am so sorry that you did not get support. Our friend who wrote this letter has offered to help too. See below
Dear Sirs & Madams:
My name is Toni Phillips and I oversee a dog rescue/sanctuary in Colorado, Mariah’s Promise, with my husband, Mike.
Prior to opening ‘Mariah’s Promise’ in 2003, we rescued dogs in rural D/FW area and then in the Branson, MO area (we lived in Forsyth). We’ve been in rescue since 1990 and have had probably thousands of all breeds come through our hearts.
We became specifically involved in the BSL battle when Denver re-enacted their BSL in 2005. Since 2005, we have taken in more than (500) pit bulls from coast to coast, including Arkansas (not because of a ban, but just having so many that need help & homes).
I am writing to encourage your town to consider a ‘dangerous dog’ ordinance to replace the pit bull breed ban. It’s not the dogs, it’s the people – people can make ANY dog mean and ANY dog with TEETH can bite. Even those breeds considered ‘bomb proof’, like Golden Retrievers … there was just an incident in Santa Cruz, CA where a Golden was a three-time bite dog.
With indiscriminate ‘backyard breeders’, there is no loyalty to producing a ‘sound’ dog … it’s about making some quick cash. So therein lies the problem with many breeds considered the ideal family dog – if they are in-bred, they produce cute puppies who become dogs with ‘issues’. If any breed if not socialized … if any breed is not trained in even the basics … if any breed is chained … if any breed is neglected, there can be a problem.
I’ll make “I” statements – in my experience, when we’ve taken abused, neglected, chained pit bulls, they have been the most ‘open’ to being in a positive, loving environment, willing to trust. I would guess 98% of the dogs we’ve taken in have been accepting of other dogs, even same sex, people, children, etc. Many learned to live in our general community of dogs of varying breeds. I used to sleep with SEVEN pit bulls, all but one a female. We had Chihuahua, Min Pin, Dachshund, Poodles, Shih Tsu, Lhasa co-habitate amongst our pit bulls. Of course, supervised, but the small breeds ‘ruled’ the pit bulls!! It was rather comical …
Thank you for your time & consideration. I pray you’ll consider a ‘dangerous dog’ ordinance to replace a breed ban which truly lends to public safety. There are many resources available. Even take a moment to look at our website to find those resources. If I can assist in any way, please feel free to contact me, although there are MANY others far more experienced than we are! We just want to help!
Sincerely!!
Mike & Toni Phillips
Co-Founders, Mariah’s Promise
Toni Phillips Mariah’s Promise Animal Sanctuary http://www.mariahspromise.com 719-687-4568 / When you hear “PIT BULL”, think … Pleasing Intelligent Treasures ~ Beloved Unconditional Love & Loyalty this puts you closer to the truth about these awesome dogs!