I keep ready all a lot fo negative comments on other forums about BF taking these dogs in. I mean really! People have no idea what these animals went thought! The physical and the EMOTIONAL! They need EXTRA help because some demons who look like humans TORTURED and ABUSED these animals!!! Look up dog fighting and see the pictures!!! BF created a whole section for these dogs that no one wanted to deal with  and gave them hope! BF keep doing what you do  for these animals and I will support you and stand up for you no matter what!

Please kiss and love these sweet animals for me!!!

It's wonderful that these Ohio folks are helping out with the Vick pit bulls.

I hope that when they get back home, they will work to overturn their state's horrendous anti-pit bull laws, and to convince the many pit bull haters that staff their Animal Control to learn the truth.

It sounds like Tug would like agility work!  How are the dogs aclimating to the agility park?  Tug is one handsome guy....

Dianaj

These posts haven't questioned that the dogs deserve help.   Just what motivated BF to make these 22 pits "the chosen" and the 44 pits they brought from Utah became "the almost forgotten".   That is the question.   Was it media hype and potential donations. read more at:  www.animalliberationfront.com/.../BestFriendsrant.htm

apparently negative writers have oodles of free time.  funny, in doing animal rescue i find i have very little time to re-post elaborate rants everywhere.  but i'm kooky like that.  i do find it funny though, b/c there's a running contest to donate for every negative comment or rant.  plus it rallie supporters who know better.  so really, they're just helping BF in the end - gotta love the irony!

With $30,000,000.00+ in contributions and $30,000,000.00+ in fixed assests Best Friends has done very well financially.    But are they spending the money for the best interest of the animals, or the organization?

(This was a response to the previous blog entry. Sorry for the repeat here, but the same article has been brought up in this string.)

Best Friends bloggers don’t normally comment on responses to posts. But some of the facts in some of the comments in this string are seriously out of place.

Regarding the 44 pit bulls referred to in some comments. The first inaccurate fact: they were not from Kane County but from a neighboring county, Washington County. Not that the location makes a huge difference, but for sake of accuracy it’s worth mentioning.

The biggest fact out of place, however, is the notion of Best Friends accepting and then abandoning the dogs. Many of the posts, quoting an article that prompted them, refer to Best Friends accepting these dogs and then dumping them onto somebody else to deal with. This is simply not true. The sheriff from Washington County called Best Friends asking for help to assess and possibly help transport the dogs, in the event that homes could be found for the dogs. Best Friends never accepted the dogs in the first place, and was never asked to by the sheriff.

Dewey Animal Clinic volunteered to take the dogs, and Best Friends offered to help by providing the trainer assessment asked for, as well as the transportation to Las Vegas.

Dewey Animal Clinic was successful in finding homes/placement for many of the dogs. However, they are a boarding facility and felt they eventually needed to regain the space taken up by the pit bulls. With 17 dogs remaining, they set themselves a deadline for placement, after which they felt they needed to euthanize the dogs.

At that point, Best Friends stepped in again to try to help with this situation.

We sent trainers down to reassess the dogs at the Dewey clinic, we took pictures to help promote the animals, and then invited professional trainers from the Best Friends Training Partners Program to participate. The day before the euthanization deadline, four of the 17 dogs were taken in by our training partners. And Best Friends offered to take the final 13 back to the sanctuary for long-term care. We also took on the responsibility for any of the other dogs being cared for by our training partners and who could not find a permanent home.

I hope this clears up any confusion, and here’s an equal hope that the two-year-old, completely inaccurate article in question doesn’t pop up again. (Hey, we can dream, right?)

On to the question of why Best Friends accepted 22 dogs from the Michael Vick case when we turn down requests for pit bulls every day? A fair question. For one thing, Best Friends receives nearly 2,000 requests a month from people asking if they can send animals to Best Friends.

So why did we choose to accept the Vicktory dogs when we turn down pit bull requests every day, Best Friends executive director Paul Berry has this to say:

“There was a lot of talk from other national organizations about killing the dogs. That seemed entirely wrong to us. These dogs were the ultimate victims of a horrible crime that had become a national outrage. We could not possibly go along with the idea that they would simply be held as evidence until the court proceedings were over, and then be summarily killed. What kind of message does that send to local humane groups and rescue organizations all over the country who are doing all they can to save the lives of thousands of other dogs in similar circumstances? We needed to make it absolutely clear that there are real options, real alternatives, for the victims of these terrible crimes.”

By working with these dogs and showing what can be done to facilitate their healing, we can demonstrate that there are always options to killing, and that killing animals is simply not the answer. (That’s part of the purpose of this blog: to follow the progress of the dogs and, in due course, pass on everything we learn about best practices in their care and healing.)

Another final clarification. Questions have been raised regarding the financial aspect of the court settlement. Best Friends estimates the average cost of lifetime care for a dog to be $40,000, but the cost of caring for the Vicktory dogs will probably be more. Because the Vicktory dogs need to live individually (most of the dogs at Best Friends live in group settings), they will require additional facilities. They’ll also need a higher ratio of caregiver time per dog.

The settlement awarded to Best Friends was $388,775, or less than $18,000 per dog.

EmilyS-

Do you know where I can find information about Ohio's pit bull laws? I cannot find anything online for the state (only for County). Also, can you tell me why you call their Animal Control officers pit bull haters? Do you know of some bad situations or something? I would love to know and know many other people who would also love to know (I live in Ohio). Perhaps we can set something in motion.

Thanks!

EmilyS-

understand-a-bull.com/BSL/AlertPages/Ohio.

There isn't a date on it but it refers to bill189 along with State Reps. to contact. It also refers to the Animal Control wardens attempting to keep the BSL in place.

THANK YOU davidd for finally, I hope, putting this to rest.  So, the last 17 dogs WERE provided for, and were not euthanized, am I right?  I too wish BF could take in every animal in need, though I know that is impossible.  Better yet, that we lived in a world where there is no need for sanctuaries....at least we can all put our energies toward that day, instead of trying to defame one of our most effective leaders in the movement.  Thank you, Best Friends ( I say that about 12,000 times  a year).

Sorry, that last post was for ThoughtsFurPaws not EmilyS.

Thank you for your input Davidd, but it still doesn't answer the question of why.   BF was fighting for the Vick dogs from the very beginning, yet they brought 44 pit bulls from Utah to Las Vegas and walked away.   Both groups of dogs were in desperate situations, facing euthanisia.   The Utah dogs probably had a better chance at placement because they were not trained to fight.   The Vick dogs have been housed, cared for and loved, as it should be.   The 44 Utah dogs were placed through the efforts of other groups and finally BF did step in.    BF knew the dogs situation and possible future.   Why weren't they involved from the beginning?   The only reasons I can justify are space available, manpower and funds.   I read the Kanab property is 33,000 acres, certainly big enough to house them.   I believe I read there were over 400employees that year, and over 1000 dedicated volunteers.   Guidestar also shows a profit of $6,908,685.00 for 2005.   So was it media hype and the donations that were sure to follow that made the Vick dogs more important then the 44 Utah Pits?

Thank you hdbulldog

Kim and Bill your guys just ROCK.  Kim you look beautiful BTW....

Now I know why you havent responded to my emails  :o)    

Thanks for doing such wonderful work with these pitties.   they look so happy now.

Best Friends does it again, keep up the great things you dooooooooo

Trisha

Thank you, davidd, for clearing up this whole mess about the 44 pit bulls. I hope this shuts up the people who are maligning BF, people who obviously don't have all the facts, & who want to spread horrible lies for some unknown reason. I know that if it were possible, BF would take every neglected, abused & abandoned pet, but even they have to have limits. By what you have said, it sounds like BF did a lot more then what they were given credit for. They did NOT abandon those dogs. Where do these people get this crap from?

ThoughtsFurPaws:  

google "Tom Skeldon" for information about Ohio's premiere ACO pit bull hater.  

For info on their laws,:

www.understand-a-bull.com/.../ohio.htm

www.canineadvocatesofohio.org/ORC_955.htm

http://www.ovdo.org/index.html

www.aspca.org/.../ohio-end-state-laws-discrimination.html

KathyKat..................If you are so worried about what Best Friends does

With $30,000,000.00+ in contributions and $30,000,000.00+ in fixed assests, WHY don't you visit the place and look at the 33,000 arces???   I do not mean this a rude fashion,

I have read that no one makes over $88,000 there and only a few even make over $50,000. Most people make about $25-$30K.  I don't believe any one is there for the money.  So the money is not going there.

 First I want to say how happy I am about the progress of the Vicktory dogs and the wonderful job that Best Friends is doing to get the word out that just because a dog is trained to fight doesnt mean that he/she is a killing machine that MUST be killed.  

 To all the people out there who wonder what everyone is talking about concerning Ohio's laws let me tell you this place is hell to any APBT.  I live in Canton, OH and it seems as though everyone is either a dog fighter or a pit bull hater.  I own 2 wonderful APBT's.  They are sooo great.  Neither would hurt a fly however I am not allowed to take them for walks without a muzzle or I will be charged with a first degree misdemeaner.  That's a possible 6 monthes in the county jail, a huge fine and my dogs could be taken from me and euthanized.  Our county alone kills 30 or so pits a month.  They put it in the paper, can you believe that?  Our dog wardens hunt down APBT owners like we're some kind of criminals and when they find you they dont leave you alone.  I couldn't tell you how many times I've recieved phone calls from scared owners who were being harrased be the wardens.  They use scare tactics to try to convince owners that the best thing to do is to surrender their "monsters" to them before they hurt someone.  We are required to keep a $100,000.00 liability insurance policy on each pit we own or we are in violation of the law.  It costs about $100.00  a month.  Who can afford that?  Dog fighters and drug dealers that's who.  Who are these laws protecting? If you call the warden with a concern for a dog who is suffering they almost never show up, but if you call about a pit bull they come at once. Our county Humane Society is no better.  They don't take pits at all.

 There are some wonderful people around here who work so hard to try and change things but they can't do it alone.  If you live in Ohio and want to help PLEASE make your voice heard.  Lives are being lost by the hundreds and we cant let it go on any more.

Response to KathyKat: David said EXACTLY why. Maybe you didn't thoroughly read his response - that can happen, we're all human & can mis-read things or miss something that's right in front of us. So, please go back & read his response - carefully - & if you still don't see what the rest of us saw, you might want to make an appointment with your local optometrist.

Best Friends was asked to help transport & evaluate the dogs, not take them in. When it was clear that the caregivers of those dogs would be unable to find homes for them all, they stepped in again & either found caregivers or took the dogs back for permanent sanctuary.

Either way, it's far better than what PETA or HSUS would have done...

This is for KathyKat.

Did you actually read Davidd's post from 2/27/08 11:29 AM? If you did, you would have learned that BF did not walk away, turn its back, or abandoned the 44 pits. The sheriff of WA County asked BF to assess the pits and transport them if necessary. The Dewey Animal Clinic volunteered to take the pits. Even though Davidd doesn't mention this, by Dewey Animal Clinic taking the pits BF was able to address more of the 2,000+ requests its receives every month to aid other animals.

Even w/ the pits in the care of the Dewey Animal Clinic, BF did not turn their backs on them. Rather, BF stayed in contact w/ Dewey Animal Clinic and, when Dewey was unable to place the remaining 17 dogs, and was no longer willing to keep them, BF stepped forward and offered to take the remaining 13 (4 of the 17 went w/ training partners of BF). So, you tell me how this is turning BF back on the pits and abandoning them?

You say the Vick dogs were more important to BF because of the media hype and extra donations that are sure to follow them. Perhaps there is some truth to that, but you tell me what is wrong with that? BF needs donations to operate. The more donations they receive, the more animals they can help. Also, the extra publicity helps get BF name and mission out there. The more people who hear about BF and the work they do, the more new members BF will get, and more members means more money to help more animals. I can only image what you reaction would have been if BF did not take the Vick dogs.

Terryreno is right. If you are so worried about how BF is spending its money, then you should pay them a visit and find out. The bottom line is, regardless of how many acres it has, or how many employees and many volunteers there are BF can only take in so many animals. They cannot save every animal out there. It’s just impossible.

Kim, thank you to you and your husband as well as all the other volunteers and BF employees that are changing the lives of these dogs. Big hugs and kisses to Tug!

My hope is that BF can prove to the rest of the country that they need to calm down about pit bulls and stop making hasty laws against them. This is vitally important.

Does it seem unfair to other pits who are in need? Well, yes, it does in some ways. I too initially questioned the issue of taking on the Vick dogs, the purpose behind it, etc. I've also seen the conversations on other forums about the motive for taking the Vicktory dogs being more about gaining attention and donations. I've also seen the conversations about the other pit bulls in LV that have been questioned.

Bottom line, if BF can prove to the rest of the country if not the world that pit bulls can be rehabilitated it will benefit so many other dogs in the future. Their work with these dogs will give other rescues and shelters permission to try to save and adopt pit bulls rather than automatically euthanizing them because they are a pit bull.

I know BF has to be careful and they cannot take every animal, no shelter can but what they do is a role model for other shelters to help them improve and to help make the animlas lives better.

People have to look at the big picture here.

I had NO IDEA the APBTs in Ohio are looked upon so threateningly. (not sure thats a word). I intend to write a blog post about this.

Thank you all for providing the information and opinions you have. Please email me at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com with more stories and information so I can be sure to cover everything in my post. Our family owns a APBT mix and he is sweet as sugar. And, surprisingly enough, I have had similar experiences with lack of support from the supposedly perfect Humane Society here in northern Ohio. (I live in Cleveland).

KathyKat - you just aren't going to get the reaction you want from people who visit this forum.  Why?  I would summize that most accept life isn't perfect, that not all animals can be saved, that everything looks better in hindsight, and somebody has to make a decision and stand by it  no matter how much or little support it might bring.  I read once that two dog-trainers will only agree on one thing (the other trainer is doing it all wrong).  

Results and humane methodology are what matters.  The Vick dogs are a catalyst of human attention because of the star status of the owner.  However, it is because they were accomplished fighters it provides a rare opportunity.  If BF can rehab them or learn plenty in the effort to do so - AND is willing to share this knowledge, well, then you have a much bigger picture don't you?  Did anyone else see the opportunity there or were they too busy focussing on the negative, fear-inducing messages saturating the public at large?  We fear the dogs so kill what we fear?!

I submit that BF has fantastic resources which encourage people like me who are new, or growing in the animal rescue movement.  All you bring to this forum is negativity and very bad energy.  Agree to differ and put your energy to better use.  If you cannot concentrate on the positives - the negative will slowly eat and consume you. Unless you thrive on being a divisive professional critic - in which case I pity you.  Try and discover more balance in your life.

KathyKat-If you're truly concerned with the number of dogs BF takes in, I think it would be delightful if you would start a fundraiser to raise money for more buildings and other expenses. Yes, they do have the land, but they need the facilities to house them. When you start this effort and post it on BF website, I promise to be one of the first to donate.

I've always been told that it's easier to play the game sitting on the bleachers than it is to actually be involved in the game. So maybe that's where the issue is with you, you need to get into the game and get involved instead of standing on the sidelines. Please don't take this as an insult, as it's not intended as one. I know personally when I get fired up on a subject, the best thing for me is to become involved. Think about it, I'll have my pen ready!

Because folks do not want to take responsibility and get involved to help the animals, they can sit around and murph all day about what Best Friends does and does not do.   Does anyone know how much time and money Best Friends spends trying to help others with emergencies and situations involving animals?  The number that just want Best Friends to show up at their door and take care of the problem for them is astounding.  The number that want to murph all day about what Best Friends does with donations is unreal.  Why?  No clue.  78% of donations go directly to help the animals at Best Friends.  You do not think having a high caliber of directors and staff make a difference?  Think again.  Thank God the number of folks that believe in the work of Best Friends and are actively making a difference for animals far outweigh the negative whiners in this world.  Blessings to all.......

Because folks do not want to take responsibility and get involved to help the animals, they can sit around and murph all day about what Best Friends does and does not do.   Does anyone know how much time and money Best Friends spends trying to help others with emergencies and situations involving animals?  The number that just want Best Friends to show up at their door and take care of the problem for them is astounding.  The number that want to murph all day about what Best Friends does with donations is unreal.  Why?  No clue.  78% of donations go directly to help the animals at Best Friends.  You do not think having a high caliber of directors and staff make a difference?  Think again.  Thank God the number of folks that believe in the work of Best Friends and are actively making a difference for animals far outweigh the negative whiners in this world.  Blessings to all.......

Thank you AGAIN Best Friends.  You continue to do the right thing and make SMART decisions.

People mention "publicity" like it's a bad thing.  As if publicity doesn't help further the mission and the good work that Best Frieds DOES... not talk about, not just write about, not just wish or dream about. Fundraising is GOOD.  I can't think of many organizations I would rather see handling the large amounts of money that Best Friends brings in.  I hope Best Friends remains successful and brings in more and more money because I trust them to use it wisely. I trust the organization that is Best Friends and I support their (our) mission.   No organization if perfect, just like no person is.

That's okay, I'm not looking for perfection.  

I do appreciate the INTEGRITY and SINCERITY of Best Friends, as well as all the actual hard work.

To the good people/supporters of Best Friends, I think you're wasting your time responding to the posts by KathyKat.  If Davidd's informative reply was not good enough, it's because that poster is not interested in the facts presented, but only in putting their own spin on the story for the purpose of discrediting Best Friends.  

That is their agenda, not real information.

I used to work at an animal hospital that treated and boarded pit bulls. I think we handled something like 25 pits a month. I worked there for 5 years and the only pit I ever had any problems with was a 9 month old puppy whose owner never worked with him (he got a bit excited and grabbed my forearm) so he did not know that biting was wrong but he did not break skin just left a couple of small bruises.  I will work any day with a pit over most small breeds.

The only reason pits, rotties, and dobies have such bad reps is because of People making them dangerous.  If you look at the records of what breed bites the most you will find that these "dangerous breed" are in the bottom 10%.  However when they do bite it does a lot of damage.

A shetland pony is more apt to bite or kick than a shire or any of the other big horse breeds but if one of the big boys kick or bite you...but we don't put that in the head lines.

Best Friends what you are doing on a daily basis for animals is wonderful, what you are doing for the Vicktory dogs qualifies you for sainthood in my not so humble opinion.

A simple question...is there a photo of the cart you plan to use for this beautiful

boy? We have a big boy at the shelter where I volunteer who could use some

fun pulling and I'd like to try a cart with him as well. He needs a job to relieve his

stress. He also loves car rides.

What a great story!   I live in Akron Ohio, and my best friend and I are coming to volunteer at DogTown next month!   Hope we get a chance to meet these wonderful people and pooches!