Should Michael Vick be allowed to own another dog?

Georgia is one of the dogs rescued from the Michael Vick fighting ring, and she now resides at Best Friends Animal Santuary in Utah.

The fact that this is even being called into question completely appalls me – when I saw this article, I could hardly believe that any person who calls themselves a dog advocate would root for Michael Vick owning another dog in his lifetime, let alone a rep of a humane society.

Then, reading the quotes from Vick infuriated me even more – “I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process. I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love, and my passion for animals.”

I do believe that people can change, to an extent. But I don’t think they can become entirely different people – I don’t think any person can go from guiltlessly electrocuting, hanging, beating, killing, neglecting, and fighting dogs, to having a “love and passion” for animals, genuinely caring for dogs and having them curled up beside them on the couch as their loyal companions. Plus, I think it’s ridiculous to say that it would “aid in his rehabilitation” – if he’s really so desperate to show that he’s willing to help animals and thinks that being around dogs the key to him totally reforming, why not look into volunteering at a shelter? But to place a dog under Vick’s care and ownership ever again would be completely absurd.

Not to mention the opening line of the article: “Michael Vick says he has a hard time explaining to his little girls why they can’t have a dog.” I literally laughed out loud – oh yeah, Michael Vick, you’re having a hard time? My heart goes out to you buddy. Definitely, you should be able to get a dog to save yourself that awkward conversation with your daughter.

I think it is fantastic that Vick has been touring to schools across the country, educating children about how awful dogfighting is, and I really think that it’s great to reform and try to do some good after being convicted of something so horrendous. But to grant Michael Vick the rights to have ownership of another dog, would be wrong on so many levels. Aside from the fact that there’s always a major inkling that Vick would not be a good owner to a dog based on his history, it would also be a step in the wrong direction for animal rights. PETA’s Lisa Lange sums it up best.

The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant is a great story about the Vick dogs' tale of rescue and redemption.

“Just as convicted pedophiles aren’t allowed free access to children, anyone who is responsible for hanging, electrocuting, or shooting dogs and who causes them to suffer in other unimaginable ways should never again be allowed access to dogs,” Lisa Lange, vice president of the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, told the AJC. “All things considered, it is a very small price to pay, especially compared to the suffering endured by the dogs who were abused and killed in the Bad Newz Kennels.”

The bottom line is that no one who loves dogs would have EVER done anything close to what Vick did. I wholeheartedly believe that he does not deserve the unconditional love of a dog. The fact that he is now trying to prop himself up as a passionate animal lover is ridiculous to say the least, but letting Vick have another dog would also be a huge slap in the face to the many dogs that suffered and died under his fighting ring leadership. Other reasons aside, Vick should not be allowed to ever own another dog as a simple honour to the dogs he killed and/or made suffer. It is the very least he can do.

– Post by Kristen

Another Reason BSL Doesn’t Work: Protest for Ginger

There are a multitude of reasons Breed Specific Legislation doesn’t work, and they have all been proven time and time again (dog bites don’t go down, any dog can be a risk if not socialized properly, the law punishes actual responsible owners, etc and so forth), but one of the most concerning things  is the way that BSL takes away the rights of citizens simply because of the way their dog looks.   If an animal control officer deems a dog to be a pitbull, it’s up to the owner to prove other wise. Reverse onus, aka, you’re doomed. That’s not the Ontario I want to live in. It’s really scary that no matter what the situation really is, if a pitbull is involved, it will get the blame. And in the Draconian province of Ontario, that blame often translates into a march down death row.

So that brings me to the Ginger case, a situation which breaks my heart. For Ginger, and for the countless other pitbull type dogs that have suffered the same fate.

The story is this: Ginger was out for a walk with her owner’s mother, she was muzzled in accordance to the law (because she is a mixed breed dog, who may have some pit in her). They ran into Buddy and his owner. Buddy is a collie mix who was walking off leash. Buddy attacked Ginger,  tore off Ginger’s muzzle, and a fight ensued. Ginger received permanent damage under one eye. Buddy’s owner got bit while trying to break apart the dogs. (She didn’t require a visit to the hospital or anything).  Animal control was called, the muzzle was taken as evidence, but it was conveniently lost before the court date.  Ginger was seized and impounded for 3 1/2 years, before being released to her owner last year (after Clayton Ruby took on the case–fight the power Clayton!!).  Now, all of a sudden, a decision has been made by the highest court in Canada, that Ginger should be killed.

Now, just a quick sidenote. If you own a pitbull type dog in Ontario, and it bites for any reason (we’re talking puppy bites, accidental bites, defensive bites, etc) that dog is immediately set to die. It doesn’t matter the circumstance. Say a burglar broke into your house, and your pitbull type dog bit the burglar. Guess who has more rights? The creep who was breaking into your house. Huh? And in Ginger’s case, she was attacked by an offleash dog. Her owner had a muzzle on her in compliance with the law, and yet somehow, Ginger is the dog that is being put to death because of the situation. The other dog’s owner got a fine of $25. How does that make any sense? And,  dog fights happen all the time, it’s what dogs do. It doesn’t mean one dog or another in inherently aggressive.

And the kicker? Ginger is not necessarily a pitbull, she is a dog of mixed breed lineage. However, since it’s impossible to prove what her genetic makeup actually is, she is deemed to be a pitbull solely based on how she looks.  Innocent until proven guilty? Not in Ontario and not with BSL.

Ginger is a dog that passed her canine good citizen test in August. She had been in “jail” for three years, and she passed that test with flying colours.

This is an excerpt from the court case which decided recently that Ginger was to be put to death:

I recognize this decision will be difficult for Mr. Huggins, and the result perhaps
incomprehensible to him. Like pet owners generally, he is undoubtedly very fond of
Ginger and sees her as the friendly dog and docile pet his mother portrayed at trial. The legislature has decided, however – as it is entitled to do – that pit bulls are inherently dangerous animals that pose a risk to public safety by their very presence in public places. The language of s. 4(8) is clear and unambiguous about what is to happen when a pit bull contravenes its provisions, and must be given effect.
“R.A. Blair J.A.”
“I agree D. O’Connor A.C.J.O.”
“I agree Janet Simmons J.A.”

Garbage.

We, as dog lovers,  need to do everything we can to continue to fight this law, because it’s not acceptable. It’s cruel, it’s unethical, and it’s scary as hell.  Don’t believe the media fear mongering, and don’t support this ridiculous law.  It’s getting completely out of hand. The other day, an owner in Ontario took his dog’s muzzle off to allow his dog to have a drink of water, and the dog was seized and put on death row.  I have no words.

Protests for Ginger are being held all around Canada this weekend. Toronto, November 12th, 2pm at Queen’s Park. Montreal, Saturday, November 13th at 2pm at Parc Jeanne-Mance  at the corner of Mont-Royal and Park Avenue. Ottawa, November 12, 2pm at 1795 Kilborn Avenue. Calgary, November 12th, 12pm at Olympic Plaza. Fight it.

I love pitbulls, because I love dogs.  And anybody who loves dogs, and really, anybody who believes in true justice,  should be unbelievably outraged at this law.

Pitbull links:

Pitbull Positive Show
Stop K9 Profiling

-Post by Megan