All Too Often and It’s Disappointing Indeed

Last weekend I attended one of the largest ADBA point shows I have ever attended; huge classes were made up of incredibly conditioned specimens of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Every long lean muscle, cut, defined and popping; true athletes through and through. Since my dog wasn’t in tip-top shape many of my conversations were about how these participants got their pits into such extraordinary form? So discussion began about slat mills verses carpet mills verses electric treadmills; which builds muscle, which burns fat, which tones. Flirt pole and spring pole usage was discussed; which of these a particular dog prefers to work and for how long? Drag weight conditioning routines surfaced; some using deadweight, some using drag sleds or carts. How much weight verses drag distance? What combination of each works best for which results? Road work, hand walking….. nothing better than that some will say. Also, you always need a scale, you must record accurate weight along with your conditioning program, you will want to replicate that perfect combination when you hit on it. And, of course any pit bull owner is going to share what their pit loves to work on the most….because pits love to work! And, most importantly these are pampered pooches. These people will themselves go without before their dogs are in need of anything. We are not talking dog fighters. We are talking dog fanciers!

Beyond the muscular discussions, one exhibitor to another is always going to inquire about how the next achieved such a magnificent coat! How do they manage to maintain multiple dogs in their homes without the unforeseen ruckus? First and foremost any responsible owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier will own a break-stick or parting-stick and know how to properly use it. I am afraid the general public (non-pit bull people) will never understand it is instinct indeed for these dogs to want to fight other dogs; no training is required or necessary. Two family dogs may get along together very well for an extended period of time and it is most often something small such as a kibble on the floor, a lizard in the grass or something totally insignificant to us that will trigger this instinct. Quite simply this just comes with owning this breed.

So, no matter how responsible you feel you are, your pit is certain to pick up a nick or scrape while playing, because these are bulldogs and they play hard, or by sparring when the opportunity presents itself because these are pit bulls and it comes natural to them. But the nicks and scrapes can be concealed as show exhibitor discussions continue. A black magic marker on a black dog, shoe polish or your color choice of chalk concealer, or visit your local tack store to see what equine exhibitors use. There are a variety of tricks to the “show” trade. Check out your supermarket hair products aisle for hair sheen…look for the pink spray can. Nothing makes a coat look smoother and shinier than this. Let you imagination run wild!

It always feels good to be at a dog show because other show exhibitors love their pits just as much as I do. They will pamper them, they will exercise them, they will feed the best possible food their budgets allow, they will do without themselves to provide for their dogs or financially prepare for a road trip. Canadians will travel to Florida and Floridians will travel to Utah. Those from Utah will travel to Texas and Texans will not blink an eye to drive to New Jersey! No distance is too far if you have the ability to be away from work and money in your pocket to cover gas and hotels. Heck, hotels are not a requirement when camping is available! At each and every location there is family that understands the trials and tribulations of owning this breed, the daily scrutiny one endures, a family who supports and encourages each other thru the loses in the show ring, and a family that celebrates each others’ wins, and a family that understands every indulgence I offer my pit bulls.

So where does the ‘all too often and disappointment’ come in? It was when I overheard a hosting club member say they wouldn’t be back at this show site next year; not with the current site management, but especially because of what had recently happened here. Anyone who knows me knows I had to ask what had happened. She turned and pointed….”that building right over there is where they had all the Wildside Kennels dogs…had a SWAT team and everything surrounding the building….laid all the dogs out right down this road (pointing up and down a loooonnnngggg paved driveway) after they had been killed……” This was Wildside Kennel country. The show ring was full of the most magnificent specimens of the APBT that I had ever seen. The courts will determine based on evidence, if there actually is any, if Wildside Kennels is guilty as charged.
But the foundation kennel dogs have already been wiped out. My stomach churned and my head started spinning.

Once I got back home I started perusing the message boards looking for posts made by some of my new found show friends. Quickly, I ran across a video of news footage from Alabama. Police Bust “Alleged” Dog Fighting Ring. “Police busted an alleged dog fighting operation, and more than 20 dogs were rescued. (Rescued??? WTF????) One man is in custody in connection to the raid, but he has not been charged.” Here are a few more quotes from the video….“officers even seized a treadmill!” (OMG) ”these dogs are put on treadmills for hours at a time.” (not!) “these dogs obviously were being fought, we could not put them around other dogs, or they will fight each other,” (this is called genetics bonehead!) “treadmills that is evidence of dog fighting,” “devices to enhance bite,” blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…. I personally own every piece of conditioning equipment shown on video footage of the bust. I’m sure the media chose the dog with the worst injury to film for the news and that dog had a small cut on his nose. I’ve had worse with two of my conformation show males sparring thru the kennel fence! How about we just ruin another life and kill another 20 dogs! My stomach churns once again…..

You know, I have no idea if this guy is guilty or innocent, but all too often we, owners of the American Pit Bull Terrier deal with these situations. You own multiple pit bulls, you own tread mills or slat mills, you own a break stick, or have built a spring pole in your yard and own a drag sled. These things are not only show conditioning equipment but play-toys for the average American Pit Bull Terrier! But all across this country there are “intent laws.” Someone who knows absolutely nothing about this breed has the authority to determine what your intent is when owning all of the absolute essential items mentioned above, when in actuality these things help to make you a responsible pit bull owner! And, heaven forbid if you use tethering with a chain as a form of containment for your pit bull. All of these things combined will land you UNDER the jail until you have hocked your last personal possession, mortgaged your home several times over, emptied out your bank account and scraped together all the money you can find from under your mattress in an effort to obtain a decent attorney to combat this lunacy that has turned your life upside down!! And, the most bizarre thing of all is most often there isn’t any evidence to convict! But, the mission is accomplished. The dogs are dead. Kennel by kennel, dog by dog, the original American Pit Bull Terrier is being annihilated. GENOCIDE in its truest form.

In closing I’m going to borrow a couple of statements from the message board…(authors I hope you do not mind) I couldn’t have said this any better.

“The problem with this whole scenario is what they do right off the bat…..
1) They invade your privacy based on assumptions.
2) They take your dog/dogs.
3) They remove personal property based on flimsy assumptions.
4) It puts the burden on the citizen to prove himself/herself innocent.
5) Most of the time it can create a financial hardship…if you can’t afford to fight you lose no matter what.
6) These public reports forever damage the victims standing in the community.
7) It creates cash flow for the organizations that perpetuate the “raids” which in turn means more “raids.”
8) It is this Vicious Circle…NOT a Vicious Pit Bull…that is to blame.

“Rule number one, never believe anything that comes from the media. There is no rule number two.”

This happens all too often and it’s disappointing indeed!