If you think dogfighting is no longer a problem because Michael Vick is is prison, think again.
I stopped by a Delaware shelter this week, and saw a woman literally drag in a female pit bull mix who had just given birth. The dog was so scared -- her tail was down and between her legs, she was shivering and she lowered her body close to the floor to try to stop from going forward.
The dog was so malnourished that her ribs clearly could be seen through her white hair and skin.
Still, when approached by a welcoming staffer at the shelter, the dog wagged her tail. It is clear evidence of the unconditional love that exists inside these wonderful creatures.
The woman bringing in the dog said the dog was her son's. The staffer asked about the puppies, and the mom said she would bring those in next. The staffer said the dog would have to go to the SPCA because of the apparent abuse.
Unsaid in all of this is that the puppies likely were conceived to be raised for dogfighting. Likely, the ones that didn't "measure up" would end up at the shelter. The others likely would be raised to fight - for sport and for money.
Michael Vick might be in prison, but dogfighting continues in Delaware and across this country. It will take courageous people standing up by alerting the authorities. Dogs like the one dragged into a Delaware shelter deserve the chance to wag their tails for owners who truly respect their right to live.
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3 comments:
"If you think dogfighting is no longer a problem because Michael Vick is is prison, think again."
Why would anyone think that? People were fighting dogs long before Michael Vick's parents were born.
Jill sometimes you try a little too hard with the bleeding heart stuff and the pit bull negativity.
First allow me to say, I don't own pit bulls and I have no sympathy to those who raise and abuse dogs for fighting. But let's look at some facts here. A dog just gave birth. Female dogs are often in poor condition after giving birth because they are putting out so much energy to produce milk for the pups. That could mean ribs showing. Perhaps the owner didn't realize a female with pups has different nutritional requirements, and that was why the dog was in poor condition? What other signs of malnutrition did the dog have? Was it dehydrated, were it's gums pale? Were its hips and spine visible?
A dog with ribs showing doesn't necessarily mean that it's malnourished. People are so used to seeing obese dogs that they just figure that is healthy. To me a fat lab that should weigh 60-70lbs and is tipping the scales at double that is being abused just as much as a dog that isn't being fed enough. Look at a greyhound in peak condition. Look at a healthy Great Dane or Whippet. They all can show ribs and can be in peak condition. If police German Shepherd didn't have so much hair, you'd see ribs on them too. The police Malinois you can usually see a lot of ribs on. Most dogs that work or compete in sports are showing ribs. They are athletes. And yes, even a healthy pit bull will have ribs showing.
When I take my dog to the vet, her tail is between her legs and she is resisting me. Does this mean she is abused? Absolutely not. It's not a great place for them to go- the smells, sounds and sights are very stressful. Shelters and the SPCA are pretty similar places in that regard. Maybe this dog was just stressing out and you took it as an abused dog.
You have NO idea whether those pups would be raised for fighting, so why even put that in there? It's pure speculation. Maybe it was true, but maybe it wasn't. Maybe it was just an accidental litter like so many other people have and the stress of having a bunch of pups in the house was too much for them. A litter of pups is messy and takes a lot of work.
Instead of always pontificating on the pit bull people, why not do some research in to the back yard breeders and puppy mills, whose output is what is filling shelters. These are the people who breed for money and nothing else, who don't care for their dogs, do no health testing, and who breed designer mutts like the doodle and puggle dogs just to make a quick buck.
I actually own a breed that has it's ribs showing almost all the time. In fact, when my Pharaoh Hound is in coursing condition, you can even see his vascularity through his coat and striations in his muscles. Malnourished? I think not. The majority of malnourishment in this country is obesity. Ever seen a 200+ lb Labrador retriever? I have. Ever seen a 60 or 70 lb. Beagle? I have. A 40lb. Pug? Yup.
Dogfighting is a serious problem, and will always be an issue as long as there are dogs and men who own them. Sad observation, but very true.
We don't know what the reason for the birth of those puppies was. Whatever it was, rest assured that the outcome has been changed.
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