Placer SPCA offers spay, neuter vouchers for pitbulls
Responsible ownership key to good behavior, experts say
In an effort to encourage responsible pet parenting, a Placer animal shelter is offering free birth control. For the month of November, the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering free spay and neuter surgery vouchers for pitbull and pitbull mix pets. Leilani Vierra, CEO of Placer SPCA, said that the number of bully breed dogs in the Roseville shelter – and shelters nationwide – is “disproportionally higher” than other animals. The shelter asked for a grant to target pitbull and pitbull mix dogs as well as cats but said the grant comes at good time given a recent pitbull attack in Downtown Auburn. “With everyone talking about it in the Auburn community, we wanted to focus on responsible pet ownership,” Vierra said. “For us, as it relates to cats and dogs, that means spaying and neutering all animals.” In September, a 17-year-old Weimar teen was attacked and severely injured by four pitbulls in a parking lot off of Lincoln Way. The attack sparked a debate as to whether a dog’s breed or its owner is to blame for aggressive pet behavior. Vierra and Mike Winters, program manager of Placer County Animal Services, both said they believe pet behavior is based on the kind of care it receives from its owner. He pointed out that pitbulls have a history of being friendly to humans. “I think it’s the people that are essentially the problem,” Winters said. “The pitbull itself has a potential to perhaps be more aggressive toward other dogs in its history, but not toward human beings. “What you’re seeing now are bad characteristics being bred into them.” Vierra said that shelters everywhere are noticing a large amount of pitbull and pitbull mixes in their centers because of the popularity of the breed at this time. She said she’s noticed trends in dog popularity throughout the years. In the 1970s, cocker spaniels filled shelters and later on German shepherds and doberman pinschers were breeds produced in large numbers. While Vierra said the pitbull adoption numbers have not fluctuated too much over recent months, Winters said public perception can be swayed by stories or films. He said when movies like “101 Dalmatians” were in theaters, those kinds of dogs were adopted quickly. With news of the attacks in Downtown, Winters said sometimes it can make it difficult to adopt out well-behaved pitbulls and pitbull mixes. “We screen our animals on their individual behavior and not by breed,” Winters said. “We could have a very nice, very friendly pitbull (to adopt) but that becomes difficult when bite cases involving pitbulls are in the paper.” Vierra added that spaying and neutering a companion animal is only one element of pet ownership. She said pet owners should also immerse their pet in ongoing socialization, exercise, obedience training and microchipping. She added that pet owners should not let their dogs or cats roam free and should make sure they have regular veterinary care and vaccinations. What Vierra and Winters both said is important is for pet owners to thoroughly research the type of dog they want to adopt and consult a behavior specialist about the particular animal they’re interested in taking home. “We evaluate all animals’ behaviors before they are placed up for adoption,” Vierra said. “We want to make sure people are matched with an animal that meets their criteria.” Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.
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Free spay and neuter The Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering free spay and neuter surgery vouchers to pitbull and pitbull mix owners for the month of November. There are reduced-cost vouchers to spay and neuter cats and rabbits. For more information, call Placer SPCA at (916) 782-7722 ext. 201 or apply online at placerspca.org
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Yesterday my wife and a couple of friends were riding their horses in the Folsom Lake trails when they came upon a couple with two dogs, one a great Dane and the other a small mutt, both off the leash. At first it was fine, then the mutt came at the horses barking, this apparently had some effect on the great Dane since he then became aggressive. The ladies told the couple to call back their dogs. The man actually laughed at them and of course told them that the dogs would not bite even though they were displaying aggressive postures. It wasn't until one of the horses turned and kicked at the dogs that anything was done by the owners and it probably was because they feared one of the horses would connect.
Here is another example of people ignoring the law and putting other people at risk. What is the answer? There are not enough Rangers, even on good economic times to patrol the trails, self policing obviously doesn't work so more and more people will either quit using the trails and give them up to these inconsiderate idiots or some day violence will erupt. I think following the law is much easier and for those that will not, at least have the common sense to restrain your dogs when you find others on the trail, whatever mode of transportation they use.
Continued- Neither dog was a Pit Bull or a cross. However the owners seemed to display the same trait as those of Pit Bull owners. The man actually laughed at the ladies and called them "scaredy cats", when the horse kicked, although he missed, he quit smiling and making stupid remarks and contained his dogs.
Please obey the laws or use common sense, preferably both, before someone gets hurt.
Dogs are off leash on the trails all the time, i see them every week, and as noted by several attacks in recent past. Again it comes down to personal responsibility of the dog owners, and parents as well...it seems society has become non responsible or accountable and this "me" attitude, with little regard for anyone else.
Loomisresident, I see this all the time and I'm sick of these irresponsible owners. I don't care WHAT type of dog you have - ANY dog has the potential to be aggressive, especially if there's more than one - NO ONE should EVER have their dog running loose on public trails. It is irresponsible, inconsiderate, and just asking for trouble. I don't want to worry about your sweet, friendly dog attacking me or my (leashed) dog, nor do I want to step in your dog's leftovers.
jacrabbit, you are on to something. The trails near and over "No Hands" has so much dog poop one can hardly visit them without stepping into some. This includes horse manure as well. The trails stink and in some cases are unfit for human use.
So many people believe their dogs need the "freedom to run, to be 'themselves'". There are good reasons for leash laws: protection of other animals; protection of people, especially children; protection of property and the environment. We have an 8 1/2 year old purebred 125# male Akita. We bought him from a reputable breeder who insisted he be 'fixed' if we did not intend to show or breed him, which, of course, we did, as all animals should be neutered unless breeding and showing is planned. We also went through the dog training cycle, which was more for our benefit, perhaps, than the dog's. Reading a couple of dog raising books helped considerably. Our dog is not aggressive but, he can be territorial. He is always in a large fenced yard or, when out and about, on a leash. On trails, on the beach...anywhere. I believe that, like athletes, dogs 'trash talk' each other. Also, when there is more than one dog together, a pack mentality is more than possible. It should be expected. He has been attacked a few times by other dogs, mostly smaller dogs, while on leash. In Mexico he was attacked by a large boxer ("the champion fighting dog of the village") which he flipped and ran him off. All the while on leash! We no longer take him to mexico with us. The point here is that it us, the owners, to take responsibility for our pets and to do right by them, a regarding both health and behavior. Ours is a big dog and just by running by a person, can knock them over.
"However the owners seemed to display the same trait as those of Pit Bull owners." Please don't lump together ALL pit bull owners. I know some great pit bull owners, and no, they aren't toothless hillbillies.They are responsible people who have fenced yards, and walk their dogs on leashes. Maybe we should outlaw Dalmatians, one bit me once. But of course, I didn't alert the media....
Lisa I think she is referring to the owner of the pitbulls who attacked. Dalmations can be very nippy.
just wondering here is there ever any good news regarding dog owners or are we all bad in the eyes of the journal readers?
Will the journal run any stories about people like me who leash & pick up after their 100 lbs+ dogs?
How about a story about how crazy in love we are with our dogs & the absolutley ridiclous spoiling behavior we treat our dogs to? How about a story about "What it really takes to be a responsable dog owner" from puppy through the senior years.
Just tired of the negitivity instead of trying to be proactive with the community to inform people of what it really takes to own a dog. Not everyone was raised on the farm where animal husbendry was just a part of everyday life.
People need to be educated on the actual work it takes to own a dog.
I am a pitbull owner. They are EXTREMELY loving to children, and humans and listen intently...they don't wander off like most dogs given the chance.....she's not food territorial at all...and I can leave a trash bag open with steak...and she won't touch it, because she's been told not to. They listen that well. However...I would NEVER let me dog put in a position to fail. My dog could really careless about other dogs....she just wants to be petted. Period. Will I leave her alone with another dog unsupervised? No. Will I leave her unleashed? No. Because I won't put her in a position to fail. She is extremely unlikely to start a fight with another dog....but of course, if the other dog starts it...I know who's dog will finish it...and then she'll be the "bad guy" for defending herself. I see dog owners all the time at the confluence trails...dogs off leash. It's very worrisome that one of these unleashed dogs could get dog aggressive and their owner has no ability to control them.
On point to the topic....getting your dog fixed is very important. I really doubt there are many unfixed pitbulls around...but I still commend them for offering.
Lisa L. and Auburn ATV. Did you ever wonder WHY people would choose a pitbull? That question gets to the root of the problem. Because there is no good answer. AuburnATV's post had perfect timing in answering the question. If a fight was to start, he says, "I know who's dog will finish it." People are very tired of hearing about the nirvana of owning a pit. That their LOVE is somehow greater than any other dog...hence the choice. Some people (perhaps not all) choose a pit because of Freudian "shortcomings", coupled with the narcissism of the controversy of showing one in public, coupled with the chip on their shoulder. Hearing these assinine views that pitbulls are the greatest thing to happen to modern society is getting very boring. A tired, lame argument that will keep popping up until the breed is gone once and for all. Spaying and neutering is fine for the pitbulls...now when can we start in on the OWNERS?
I think it great that the SPCA is offering free spaying and neuter surgery for pitbull and their mixes. I see too many dogs that are not fixed that end up with the male hormone problems including aggression. This will reduce all the unwanted pits that end up in our shelters - why are they not wanted!!!!
I agree that is is a good thing to have your pets spayed/neutered, and I think it is a very responsible for them to offer it to the public. I also beleive that the reason for all of the "pit" and "pit mixes" being at the shelters is because of breed specific legislation that targets "pits and pit mixes" . People move into an area, or have the laws changed after they already have a "pit "and are not able to move or find a home and that's why these dogs are ending up at the rescues. If the law makers could prosecute the irresponsible owners and not the breed (which does not work) I think it would be safer for everyone, and people could keep their dogs and not have then end up at the shelters.
In response to nickbag: I do not own a "pit" which really isn't a breed of dog, it it usually 4 seperate breeds lumped into 1 catogeory, but I do own an American Bulldog. Yes he is a loving dog, and I am a responsible owner, but he is territorial, and I know this. He is kept in his own yard or on a leash at all times. I am a single working women and I do not own him because of any of my own "short commings". I own him because I enjoy his breed and their characteristics. He keeps me company and when I get home from work it is late, and I am by myself, he gives me added protection. Please don't think that because "we" own "pits" or any other large breed, "we" own them for short commings on our part, we own them because we love them, as you love your own breed of dog.
Ignorant postings about lumping pit bull owners together. Although I agree with leashing your dogs at all times, when I see posts that stereotype breed owners together instead of seeing hem as individuals, some responsible, some not, I fear those people doing the stereotyping may judge other 'classes' of people the same way. Loomisresident and the others posting his same views seem to root their beliefs in the same manner a racist would. It's dangerous ground. There are irresponsible German shepard, border collie, and pug owners. Be careful what you post and start stereotyping. It is fraught with pitfalls.
harley, read my post, slowly this time. The dogs mentioned in my post were a Great Dane and some kind of mutt. When I said that the owners displayed the same attitude as Pit Bull owners it is based on the attitude displayed by those owners in these posts. Read their posts and comments. Their dogs never hurt a fly, they were provoked, they want their dogs to run free. They don't seem too preoccupied with the injuries caused by the four Pit Bulls as they are with making apologies for the breed and themselves. If you consider that lumping together, then so be it, I personally think they lumped themselves.
BTW, one of my daughters lived in our guest house following a divorce, she had a female Pit and also a year old baby. The Pit and the baby were about the same age and became inseparable. Believe me I wasn't happy with the situation but after seeing the bond between the kid and the Pit I somewhat relaxed. The dog was spayed, never displayed any aggression and was just as good a dog as I've ever had or seen. I don't know what she would have done if anyone ever displayed aggression towards the kid but I believe she would have done something.
For the most part it is the owners, specially those that think their dogs are just fine and make excuses when mishaps happen. and yes, by reading these posts it seems that Pit Bull owners do display an attitude.
nicklbag, let me tell you why I CHOSE a pitbull. They had no other home so I adopted them. That is a good answer.
Not everyone should own one and I would strongly suggest that people research this breed before bringing one into your home. Understand and educate yourself on the difference between dog aggression and human aggression, the two have nothing to do with each other. The history of this breed is quite simply that they were bred to fight other dogs. People need to start being responsible owners no matter what breed of dog they own. It is great that this spaying/neutering service is being offered . The shelters are filled with this breed because of the overbreeding of these dogs. People buy these dogs without researching the breed and then they end up in the shelters. Please if you own a pitbull, spay or neuter your dog. Also, if you should own a pitbull that is showing any type of aggression towards humans, please have the dog evaluated and humanely euthanise the dog if necessary. Human aggression is a serious fault in this breed and they normally make lousy guard dogs because that is not what they were bred for.
Nicklbag: One day I plan on owning a pit bull. This is of course when I can 1. Afford 2. Permant space for the animal 3. Financial Security (for when I move my pit will come too) 4. Time to socialize and train my dog.
Why would I get a PIT BULL. 1. Big doppy smile and floppy ears (no cropping here) 2. Affectionate animal 3.Good protector (I'm Femal