A win for the Pit Bulls!

Ohio Lawmakers have finally come to their senses! Today, Governor John Kasich signed H.B. 14 into effect!

This means that Ohio, which previously had a statewide vicious dog label on all 'Pit Bulls' , no longer will discriminate against the Pit Bull type dogs based solely on appearance! Each dog will have the opportunity to be judged as an individual! What a win for the pitties!

My Pit Bull, Holly taking a nap with 'her kitty' Izze Belle.

Great Job to the Ohio Government! As a Pit Bull owner, I am proud to see you moving in the right direction! Now, it's time to step up and put a law into effect banning individual local governments within Ohio from enacting these ridiculous laws. 

Not only has this law been ineffective at preventing the dreaded 'dog attacks' but it has certainly been a cause of countless deaths of innocent dogs solely because they are labeled before given the chance to prove their own individuality. 

Myself and one of the Pit Bull labeled pups available for adoption with
Austin Pets Alive just after the Bastrop Fires happened earlier this year.

The changes that were put in place today with the signing of this new law not only takes away the label to pit bulls but more correctly shifts the blame of incidents to the owners and to truly dangerous dogs vs. targeting family pets. It will also allow the Animal Control employees to spend their time focusing on the important cases where truly dangerous dogs may be involved.

Unfortunately, this does not mean that all discrimination is gone within the state, as many local governments still have laws that discriminate against particular breeds. However, this is a positive step forward and it will make change possible within all of Ohio! 

Not only have Breed Discriminatory Laws proven unsuccessful in every area where they have been implemented, but they cost millions in taxpayer dollars every year! The former vicious dog law in Ohio is estimated to cost around 17 million dollars each year in taxpayer money.

As a celebration for Pit Bull lovers everywhere, I will be offering all Pit Bull Themed necklaces (minus those that are reserved for charitable organizations) at only $5 this week! Show your pittie pride with a Pit Bull themed Necklace designed by The Pet Studio!

Stephanie Conrad

The Pet Studio | Owner | Artist
www.petstudioart.com

Follow The Pet Studio on Facebook!

 

"Justin's Law" Could Kill My Dog

Preface: Some people are trying hard to implement a Breed Ban in Texas, which would, if enforced, cost Texas taxpayers approximately $31 MILLION and more importantly, kill, punish or banish every loving Pit Bull pet in the state. In 2011 " Justin's Law " could be passed and our dogs could die.

Dear Serenia Clinton, 
Cc:
Every other politician or person supporting BSL and Justin's Law.

Cynthia Stevens Kent (lawyer)

Chuck Hopson (Texas State Representative)
Senator Kevin Eltife (Texas State Senate, District 1)

First and Foremost, I would like to send my condolences to you and your family. The loss of your son, Justin, after a dog attack (in 2009) is a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to you during the difficult recovery of your loss and I do hope that you find peace within yourself and your family for Justin.

As a mother, I feel the hurt and the pain of your great loss.

However, my children differ from yours in the fact that they have four legs and their words are a series of woofs and expressions. Just as your son was attacked, my pit bull mix Holly is being attacked…. by you… by your lawyers… and by the politicians who are so poorly educated about Pit Bulls and dogs in general.

 My daughter, Holly; Pit bull mix and myself sharing a nuzzle.

Much like children, every dog is the product of his or her environment. A pit bull puppy is not born with a hidden agenda to kill, nor is the breed pre-dispositioned to become aggressive.

You and your lawyer are making claims that all Pit Bulls are vicious dogs when the real issue here is the loss of your son. 

Killing my daughter, one of the loves of my life, who happens to be a Pit Bull mix will NOT bring Justin back. The Breed Ban will NOT make the pain of losing your child go away and it will certainly NOT be justice for Justin.

The tears you have cried for Justin will be joined by the tears of the thousands of dog owners who are losing their loving pets. Pets who have brought smiles to their parents faces, much like, I assume, Justin brought smiles to your face. Pets who have cuddled up next to their parents and fallen asleep in their laps, much like, again I assume, Justin did in your lap.

Banning a breed will not solve the problem caused by the two dogs that Justin came in contact with. Education for the public on responsible pet ownership, however, will solve this issue and potentially save lives. Education on key issues, such as spaying and neutering, proper socialization, proper housing for animals, and proper supervision.

Killing innocent dogs is certainly not the answer. Killing my daughter will not make this right for you or Justin.

  

Stephanie Conrad, Pit Bull Owner

The Pet Studio

www.petstudioart.com


Follow The Pet Studio on Facebook!

________________________

Interesting Pit Bull Facts:

- The American Temperament Test Society, who grades dogs of all breeds based on their behavior (focusing on avoidance, aggression, friendliness, etc) passed Pit Bulls and those dogs labeled as Pit Bulls with great marks!

The Pit Bull Breed passed with an 86% (772 dogs were tested)
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier passed with an 89% (115 dogs tested)

In comparison with other "friendly" labeled breeds:

The Beagle Breed passed with an 80% (71 dogs tested)
The Standard Poodle passed with an 86% (243 dogs tested)
English Springer Spaniel passed with an 84% (146 dogs tested)

The Golden Retriever passed with an 84% (746 dogs tested)

Chihuahua passed with a 71% (38 dogs tested)

-Pit Bulls have been popular family pets since the 1800s. Famous historical figures like Helen Keller, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain and John Steinbeck all owned Pit Bulls. A current celebrity, Rachel Ray owns a Pit Bull and Petey, the loved pup from The Little Rascals was a Pit Bull!

- Sargent Stubby, a Pit Bull who served in World War 1 is a decorated Pit Bull, awarded nearly a dozen medals as well as a Purple Heart for his loyalty and bravery.

- The University of Texas's first mascot was a Pit Bull, named Pig.

- Pit Bulls are commonly mislabeled. Dogs such as American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bull Terriers, and even boxers can all be labeled as "Pit Bulls." The only true way to identify a breed is by doing a DNA test, which can be very expensive. 

Sources:

This letter is a response to the proposed Pit Bull Ban in Texas. You can read " Justin's Law " here: http://tylerpaper.com/pdf/pitbull-proposal.pdf

Pit Bull and Temperment Testing Stats can be found on the ATTS website: http://www.atts.org/

Love-A-Bull, Pit Bull Advocacy Group Website: http://www.love-a-bull.org

B.S.L. is complete B.S.

(Does this Pit Bull look dangerous???)

With election day coming quickly, do you really know where your politicians stand? With many issues on the news and in most areas of the media, there is one topic that effect hundreds of people in your area, Breed Specific Legislation. This particular topic is not hitting the news as often as unemployment, but this law could mean hundreds of homes losing a beloved (and harmless) family member.

What is BSL?

-Breed Specific Legislation bans or restricts certain types of dog based on their appearance because they are perceived as 'dangerous'. A breed ban usually requires that all dogs of that breed appearance be removed from the area where BSL has been implemented. Breed Restrictions may require owners to do some or more of the following: muzzle the dog in public, spay/neuter the dog (which everyone should consider anyway for health and population purposes), purchase insurance of a certain amount for the dog, place signs on the outside of residence where the dog lives.

Problems with BSL:

-BSL has been proven ineffective in reducing the number of dog bites in the areas where enacted. 

• The Netherlands (Ban on “pit bulls” since 1993)—Dog bites continued to rise after a breed ban was enacted. The ban was repealed in 2008.
• United Kingdom (Ban on four types of dogs since 1997)—Dog bites increased by 50% between 1997 and 2007, and a number of fatalities involved non-banned breeds.
• Denver, CO (Ban on “pit bulls” since 1989)—“Between 1995 and 2006, Denver had almost six times as many dog-related hospitalizations compared to Boulder, even though Denver’s population is less than twice that of Boulder.” Boulder does not have BSL.
• Prince George’s Co., MD (Ban on “pit bulls” since 1996)—A task force found that “the public safety benefit is unmeasurable."

-BSL is expensive to implement and enforce.

-BSL requires identification of a dogs breed, which is extremely difficult. 

-BSL is opposed by many professional animal organizations, such as American Dog Owners Association, American Humane, American Kennel Club, and many many others, this is because people who know animals know that Pit Bulls and Bully breed dogs are good dogs!!

-BSL punishes innocent dogs!

Educate Yourself!  -- www.stopbsl.com --

-Stephanie Conrad, Owner: The Pet Studio

www.petstudioart.com

Sources:

www.stopbsl.com

www.love-a-bull.org