Would you let a pit bull approach your children at play? Most parents wouldn’t, and that is exactly why area pit bull lovers converged on the Bow Tie Marquis Theater for a sold-out screening of "Beyond the Myth," a new film directed and produced by Libby R. Sherrill.
The screening of the documentary film about pit bulls and breed discrimination was co-sponsored by Bully Breed Rescue of New Canaan, and the Meriden Humane Society, a no-kill rescue operation, which currently has 12 docile, temperament approved, rescued pit bulls awaiting good homes.
According to Humane Society staff, pit bulls have been getting a bad rap from the media which has caused a generalized fear of the breed.
“When a dog acts out, it’s usually not a bad dog. It’s not a bad breed. It’s a bad owner or trainer, ” said Kaitlynn Perez. Most movie goers seemed to agree.
Many were buying tee shirts and tank tops from Bully Breed Rescue imprinted with “Get rid of stupid people, not dogs.”
“I love pit bulls. I have a ‘blue nose,’” said Trumbull’s Lisa Kleemichen as she flipped open her phone to show a dozen photos of her "baby.” She comes from a pit bull family. Her aunt has two, her cousin one. She grew up with the breed.
“People need to treat all animals as strangers,” said her sister, Kimberly, who also lives with the dog. “You wouldn’t go up to a stranger and throw yourself at him.”
Lori Schmid drove all the way from Windsor Locks to see the movie. She has three pit bulls. “And I’d take a dozen more, if I had the room,” she said. Her dogs were all rescued from abusive situations.
According to her, the pit bull is the American family dog. “The World War I Navy mascot was a pit bull,” she said, “and so was the dog inside Buster Brown shoes.”
Celebrity of the evening was Cherry, one of 53 pit bulls (among 70 dogs) rescued from the now defunct Bad Newz Kennels in 2007. It’s believed that he was used as a “bait dog” in the illegal dog-fighting operation on the property of Michael Vick, then a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.
The subsequent case against Vick and his kennels drew widespread attention to animal abuse and dog fighting. Eventually Vick and three other principals in the operation were convicted of federal offense conspiracy charges and imprisoned.
The bad publicity his abused, fight-to-the-death dogs were given, stuck with the breed in the minds of the public, according to pit bull supporters. Fear replaced sympathy, although many of the dogs suffered from severe physical and emotional trauma.
“You really need to read the book The Lost Dogs,” said Schmid. “It’s all about the Bad Newz Kennels. I can’t get through 20 pages without crying.”
According to his current owners known only as Paul and Melissa, Cherry, only a young pit bull when rescued, was so terrified and shut down when he arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, that he could not walk on a leash and had to be carried everywhere. He could not connect with people.
Now- almost three years later - he’s a happy dog in a good home. He loves his people, going to doggie day care and enjoying life with another rescued pit bull dog, Madison, and three adopted cat friends.
Nine-year-old Jillian Mather of Trumbull has a neighbor with a pit bull called Bruiser.
“I would love a pit bull,” she said after petting Cherry and Madison. Her mother Denise chuckled. “She would love anything with four legs and fur,” she said with pride.
According to a news release from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the nation's first criminal dog-fighting DNA database has been established by the ASPCA, the Humane Society of Missouri and the Louisiana SPCA.
It will be maintained at the University of California, Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Known as the Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the database is designed to help the criminal justice system investigate and prosecute dog fighting cases and address the growing problem of dog fighting, using 21st century technology.
There are no statistics on the number of illegal dog-fighting operations on-going in the United States, but pit bulls continue to be rescued from abusive situations. According to one angry pit bull owner, Michael Vick is out of prison and apparently working with the Humane Society of the United States to stop dog fighting. For more information on his role visit http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/qa/vick_faq.html.
For more information on pit bulls ready for adoption call the Meriden Humane Society at 203-238-3650 or Bully Breed Rescue 203-219-2749. Both accept donations.
Carol Hudak
7:59 am on Thursday, June 30, 2011
I know a pitbull to watch out for, he'll lick you to death!! Pits get a bad rap. Such wonderful dogs. People blame an animal when the 'training' is at fault; we also blame kids when bad parenting is at fault.
WRZ
12:03 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011
We need to start holding the people adopting out dangerous dogs
to questionable people accountable too, instead of just the owners.
When a dangerous dog attacks, the owner and the adopter should
both be sued and/or punished. It's easy to be a pit bull advocate when there
are never any consequences because the police and reporters are not
asking the right questions.
People adopting out dogs should also be licensed and they should lose
their license when their poor judgment causes someone elses' misery
Bill Z ......
devilsadvacat at gmail.com .......
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dogpark-National-News/
Lisa Ashley
8:36 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Michael Vick is a poor excuse for a human being. He has never paid his almost $100k restitution which was supposed to go to the dogs. This puts him in violation of his parole...still a felon. Wayne Pacelle of HSUS is no better. He has never woned a pet! He has stated publically he knows nothing about the human/animal bond! This is "work"? Sounds like prostitution at the expense of innocent animals to me!
Pitbulls a re very smart and loyal pets. They are excellent with children and used to be "nanny dogs." They were once the American dog moscot and were owned by Presidents and many families. They were once revered. The POS named Vick did alot to damage that. We are discriminating against ABUSED dogs. It is people who made these dogs fight for their lives and we are discriminating against the innocent dogs. Humanity is a disgrace! Dogs are so much better than people. My pit is by my side and I'll never leave her or she/me.
smrtrthnu
8:38 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Bill, Im sorry to report that you are very much uneducated on the subject of 'dangerous dogs', and 'the people adopting out dangerous dogs'. Perhaps if you'd watch the film, you'd know that nearly 90% of 'dangerous dog attacks' are committed by unaltered male dogs, which are NEVER adopted out by reputable organizations. I could go into more detail and stats, but see no point in this case. Id venture a guess you have little to no experience on this topic, and likely, just enjoy expressing the aforementioned 'devilsadvacat' trouble making. Please come to the table with a more informed perspective and background before you attempt to slander several reputable non-profit organizations.
Lisa Ashley
8:46 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Bill Z: most "pitbull" attacks are committed by dogs OTHER than pitbulls!
http://www.kspitbullrescue.com/legislation4.html
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/MistakenIdentity/WrongId.htm
Patch: you should have listed the date/time of the movie. I do not see it as showing
Peggy
10:21 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Lisa, The movie has already been shown. It was June 23rd. It should be coming out on CD in the fall. It was a very informative documentary film and a must see by all anti pit bull people.
WRZ
12:25 pm on Friday, July 1, 2011
Again dimwits
We need to start holding the people adopting out dangerous dogs
to questionable people and under questionable circumstances
accountable too.
When a dangerous dog mauls, a novice owner (ORR their child)
with 3 pitbulls in an apartment, then reporters and police need
to START asking questions about the adopter and why the family
was approved to adopt these dogs to begin with. People adopting
dogs are supposed to be experts and we need to start holding
them to MUCH higher standards. And when a chihuahua
mauls someone close to death we need to also hold those adopters
accountable. (As if that is ever going to happen.)
The next time I read a news story abouit a serious dog attack
that mentions the adopting agency or how the dog was secured
will be the first time and that needs to change.
It's easy to be a pit bull advocate when there are never any
consequences because the police and reporters are enabling
these reckless and incompetent adopters.
The reason almost all of Michael Vicks' dogs were approved for
adoption is because the people evaluating these dogs were not
taking assuming any risk, regardless of what these dogs did
later in their life.
People adopting out dogs need to be licensed and they should lose
their license when their poor judgment causes someone elses' misery
Bill Z ......
devilsadvacat at gmail.com .......
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dogpark-National-News/
Carol Hudak
2:40 pm on Friday, July 1, 2011
Here's a hint, WMZ. You won't win anyone to your side by calling everyone who disagrees with you 'dimwits.'
You may be making a valid point, however, I didn't bother reading past your opening statement, 'Again dimwits.' That was enough for me.
Name calling is not a way to get anyone to listen to your point of view.
Carol Banner
9:11 am on Saturday, July 2, 2011
To readers who have been asking for more info on the movie, here is the website for the documentary on Pit Bulls "Beyond the Myth. www.beyondthemythmovie.com
HonestyHelps
12:32 pm on Saturday, July 2, 2011
When the facts are that pit bulls are committing 2/3s of the fatalities and it is rising every year, these pit apologists need to be hiding their heads. Those defending the indefensible show no regard for human life, putting the life of a dog above the life of a child. We're not talking bites here, we're talking closed casket funerals. Prevent the Deed by Regulating the Breed and Save Lives.
Peggy
1:55 pm on Saturday, July 2, 2011
Well Honesty-------I see you listen to all the media hype. I'd advise you too see the film "Beyond the Myth"
Lisa Ashley
11:33 am on Sunday, July 17, 2011
Honesty your figures are 100% WRONG? where did you see that made up number?