5 ‘Bully’ Dog Myths Debunked

Samantha, selected from Animal Planet Pleas, read the whole article there!

February 6, 2012

5:05 pm

By Sarah Grace McCandless, Animal Planet

Where were you when you heard your first bully breed urban legend? We’ve all come across at least one: A story about a bully that “just snapped” and attacked a person or another dog without warning. Often, these stories come complete with colorful descriptions of bully breeds’ supernatural strength, locking jaws, or inability to feel pain. Many times, the tale has come to you by way of a “friend of a friend” or a “friend’s neighbor who saw it happen to someone a while back.” Almost always, the dog at fault is described as a “pit bull,” with no additional details as to its specific breed or background.

These may seem like innocent rumors to pass around, but over the years, they’ve led many people to avoid adopting bully breeds. In some cases, those myths and assumptions about the dogs’ supposedly aggressive natures have even led to regional bans on bully breed ownership.

But according to groups like the ASPCA and Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC), bully breeds — including the American pit bull terrier, the bullmastiff and the American Staffordshire terrier, among other breeds — can make for great family pets when they’re properly trained and socialized. And there’s plenty of research to back that up. So before you buy into the scary stereotypes, read on to learn the truth behind five common bully breed myths.

Myth #5: Bully breeds are naturally aggressive and mean.

With Breed Specific Legislation banning bully breed ownership in certain areas, it’s easy to understand why people assume anecdotal evidence about the dogs’ aggressive tendencies is true. But the facts tell a different story. According to the American Humane Association, on tests conducted in 2009 by the American Temperament Test Society, bullies scored better than several breeds that are rarely associated with aggression, including beagles and collies.

Additionally, research conducted in 2000 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that no specific breed of dog is inherently vicious. And National Canine Research Council director Karen Delise says that, in most cases, any dog that has a tendency to attack is responding at least in part to owners who have either neglected the pup or failed to give it proper socialization and training.

The spire of St. Joseph Church in Detroit Cate... — Image via Wikipedia

Ace is DEAD (in Detroit)

By Andrea, on November 10th, 2011 | For the Love of the Dog

Bruce King, General Manager, Environmental Health Service for the City of Detroit, that oversees Detroit Animal Control, issued a statement today to the press. They went ahead and killed Ace.

The injunction issued by the Wayne County Court was not received by Detroit Animal Control or the City of Detroit. At the end of business today, the dog referred to as Ace was euthanized following expiration of the four day holding period and departmental policy.

We are not insensitive to the overwhelming appeal from citizens for an alternative approach. We are, indeed, heartened by these appeals. However, if we grant this one exception, we are simply not set up for what will undoubtedly lead to overwhelming appeals in similar cases.

This situation regarding the dog retrieved from the Ace Hardware store has now started to impact the safety of the residents of the city of Detroit. Urgent calls for help from elderly citizens, school principals, postal supervisors and the police are going unanswered because our Detroit Animal Control dispatch line is overwhelmed with calls from outside of the city, state and even the country.

The City of Detroit protects the right of each citizen to own up to four dogs regardless of breed and many, many Detroiters choose to own one or more pit bulls with our blessing. DAC returns many pit bull dogs to owners every year. There are several communities in Southeastern Michigan who not only refuse to return pit bull dogs to owners but go beyond that and ban ownership of these dogs entirely.

Detroit Animal Control is operating under policies and procedures enacted to control the stray animal population and prevent injury to persons; especially children and the elderly. DAC is acting in accordance with the Stray Holding Law facilitated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture that mandates quarantining stray animals for 4 days; while ensuring they are provided care. Further, DAC does not adopt out or release pit bulls or pit bull mixes and will not release any dog (regardless of breed) unless proof of ownership can be established through a dog license or supporting documentation such as prior veterinary records.

There have been a number of people who have claimed ownership of the dog that have failed to provide adequate proof, including identifying the dog in the kennel, or having the dog recognize or respond to the individuals’ calls.

We are proud of the dedication of Detroit Animal Control Manager, Harry Ward and his officers for risking their lives every day protecting residents of this city. Attacking their character and integrity is disingenuous, disconcerting and disappointing. We receive calls every year from hundreds of citizens who are appreciative for the work they do.

Bruce King
General Manager, Environmental Health Services
Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion

Well, his contempt for saving Ace is clear in his statement. And I would like to remind this POS that his story of not receiving court orders is full of shit. If the television stations and other news media knew about it, thousands on Facebook knew about it, then he did. Not only do we have his contempt of citizens of Detroit, animal lovers, and his own City Council (Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh advocated for Ace’s release), we have his blatant Contempt of Court. Hopefully Bruce King’s buns will be served up on a platter to the Judge.

Andrea wrote words I don´t dare to write here

~~Bruce King, General Manager, Environmental Health Services~~ …

Picture from his Twitter Account.

Storm’s thataway, Detroit.

God help you.