What on earth is going on at the Roanoke Times? They have published yet another nasty and misleadingly inaccurate opinion piece urging people to hate and fear all pit bulls and continuing the pattern of an earlier and equally irrational opinion piece in the Roanoke paper suggesting that all “rescue dogs” are pit bulls. Accompanying the piece was an irresponsibly inflammatory photo of a muzzled pit bull looking for all the world like Hannibal Lector.
This most recent op/ed piece is by Nancy Harrison, who is an American Kennel Club judge (of course she is) and who shows pure bred dogs (of course she does). It takes the position that pit bulls have been exclusively and intentionally bred for fighting and are genetically obliged to “attack and kill.” The op/ed makes reference to a piece I wrote earlier which explains the reasonable and humane truth about pit bull type dogs but the link to what I wrote is faulty and does not take you to what I wrote. It is difficult to imagine that this is an honest error on the Times part since the paper is clearly promoting her fear-mongering viewpoint by repeatedly publishing these dangerously wacky pieces. Or, maybe, the Roanoke Times has just discovered how many hits it gets to its website when it keeps on poking this topic.
Ms. Harrison focuses in the piece the Roanoke Times published on the breeding issues and would have us believe that all pit bull type dogs are the progeny of dogs bred for fighting and therefore they are all killers at heart because of their genetics. This reminds me of Donald Trump’s statement that all Mexican immigrants are rapists. Both reflect the nasty and unreasonable bigotry of racism that does not give people or animals credit for being individuals. And both are intended to promote the personal interests of the person making the statement by playing to the most base of human motives.
Large groups of individuals do not all share the same traits. It is unreasonable to believe that every one of any group behaves in the same way. Having headed a humane organization for 18 years that has saved the lives of thousands of pit bull type dogs (along with tens of thousands of rescue dogs in general), I believe I have a great deal more direct experience with these dogs than does Ms. Harrison from her AKC perch. I know from direct contact that there are many gentle and loving pit bull type dogs (it is not a breed) who will make wonderful family pets if given the chance. Ms. Harrison’s bigotry would deny them that chance and, if shared by the rest of our society, would result in innocent dogs being killed.
She also seems to be totally ignorant of the law. She says that “dogfighting is technically illegal, but rarely prosecuted.”
“Technically” illegal? What does that mean? Animal fighting in Virginia is a felony and is aggressively investigated and prosecuted across our state. She ends her piece with this bizarre statement: “Laws need to be changed. How about seizing the property of any person found to have a dogfight on his or her property? How about charging any person who attends a dogfight with aiding and abetting a felony? How about prosecuting people who are not rich and famous?” Laws do not need to be changed for any of those things to occur.
I would know that since I have spent more hours than I could count in the halls and meeting rooms of the General Assembly working for the strengthening of our animal fighting statute which we achieved a couple of years ago. As a result, each of the things she claims should become the law in fact are the law. These things have been the law since 2008. Ms. Harrison was not a part of that effort and her suggestion that what she really wants is a change in the laws is disingenuous. She does not even know what the law is.
So, what is all this about – this series of opinion pieces that are meant to inspire fear of pit bull type dogs and that seek to blur the lines by using the generalized term “rescue dogs” to refer to them? It is most assuredly not about a concern for our laws. It is intended to instill fear in the general public about the nature of dogs in animal shelters so that they will be hesitant about going to a shelter to adopt their next pet. Why do that? Quite simple. Folks like Ms. Harrison want to protect the economic self interests of breeders who are becoming increasingly fearful of the growing public understanding that the best source for wonderful pets is your local animal shelter, and that, when you adopt a pet, you not only gain a great new companion but you also save lives. If they can make you think that all pit bulls are scary and mean and that all rescue dogs are pit bulls then they can prevent you from adopting a shelter dog and thereby push you toward a breeder or a pet store.
Don’t fall for it. Bigotry is always wrong. There are great dogs of all types in shelters. They need you so much. When you adopt a dog, whether from the Richmond SPCA or any other reputable shelter, you help a wonderful animal who has done nothing wrong but be homeless to have a happy life in a home with love and care. You open up a space for us to go out and save another dog in need. It fills your heart and your home with love.
Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
I am so angry after reading this, I can't believe that this newspaper would do this again. Where do they find people with these ideas?? Years ago Pit Bull type dogs were called the "Nanny Dog" because they took care of and watched out for the children not because they attacked and ate them. Any dog can have bad qualities, big or small, but usually these bad qualities are a human's fault not the dog's. Yes there are some good breeders but they are few and far between. You can find any breed or size of dog you want if you do your homework and check out animal shelters or rescue organizations. Show dogs are usually treated as things to own and breed to make more show dogs and when they are no longer show dogs they are sold or worse. People who truly love dogs don't care whether the dog is perfect or not, we just want a dog who will love us. I don't need a show judge to tell me my dog is perfect, I know he is!
Posted by: Linda Maroney | July 15, 2015 at 07:57 PM
I am shocked and appalled at the Roanoke Times for publishing this without doing thier homework to make sure it is factual... any good journalist always does thier homework to make sure what they print is factual... but apparently the Roanoke Times does not believe in this... they are looking to make head lines and sensualize the articles just to get readers.
Roanoke Times please start looking into what you print and make sure it is factual... I have had many a dog and I am around Rescue dogs quite frequently and yes they are pitbulls and I have yet to meet one that has tried to attack me or my two rescue dogs.... stop this nonsense!! and find something else to get readers!
Posted by: Karen Tate | July 16, 2015 at 08:12 AM
I say we boycott The Roanoke Times!!! Their bigotry is evident on many topics....especially Pitt Bulls....Which I might add is very unfounded....People are who you should fear not the Pitties...and sadly this could prevent potential adopters from saving an animal just because of an unfounded newspaper article and a woman that has no idea what she is talking about...I hope they are happy!
Posted by: Tanya Morgan | July 16, 2015 at 10:06 AM
Robin, Our group - The Franklin County Humane Society/Planned Pethood Clinic and Adoption Center have pulled our ads from the Roanoke Times over their latest attack on rescue dogs and pit bulls in particular. Someone on their editorial board definitely has an anti pit bull bias. The photo and headline were over the top.
Posted by: Donna Essig | July 16, 2015 at 10:45 AM
I do rescue dog transport and over nights for many different rescue groups throughout the East coast. When I see the dogs listed I quickly look for any "pits" that might be on the list and if I see one that dog is the first one I ask to have as a passenger. They are always my co-pilot and sit quietly tethered in the front seat with me. I also ask for the "pits" to be my house quests on over nights. I have had many in my car and at my house and I have NEVER had an issue with any of them. They seem to be aware that they have been saved and are so full of love. There are many photos in my picture album of these wonderful dogs sitting in my lap and giving me lots of hugs and doggie kisses. People should never judge a book by its cover and should never attempt to alienate people against a breed they obviously know nothing about.
Posted by: Pat Small | July 16, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Everyone should band together and buy a full page ad in the Times that features pictures of "pit bulls" as the loving family pets they are.
Posted by: Jo Ann Abell | July 16, 2015 at 04:30 PM
I cannot understand this bigotry against the Pitt Bull breed! It is clearly how the dog is trained and treated! Hateful, cruel, heartless people should be punished to the full extent of the law for dog fighting! What in the world is going on with this newspaper? I do not believe that any breed is inherently bad! Boycott the Roanoke Times!!!
Hearts of these people who mistreat these dogs are evil, they are the ones not to be trusted! Please continue to rescue these poor, homeless, precious animals! God bless!
Posted by: Betty Puckett | July 16, 2015 at 06:21 PM
I am the owner of three, yes three, pitbull type rescues. A dog is a dog and doesn't know it's a "pitbull" any more than the neighbors "prize winning poodle" knows it's a poodle.
My first pittie, was locked in the trunk of a car with three siblings, and a bag of dog food for two weeks. Two of them survived. My baby had been neglected, beaten and mistreated. His two front legs had both been broken. Even with all of this done to him, by someone who I would consider to be less that human for mistreating a animal this way..he is the warmest, most loving, loyal dog. He is great with children. He is good with other dogs.
I would encourage this paper to do their research and get to know the "type" they write about.. Stereotyping is just wrong. There are so many wonderful, loving dogs waiting to be adopted and loved..and to live in return for being "rescued" ..
Posted by: Kara Pennino Mills | July 17, 2015 at 02:00 PM