Petition to Free Brindi - She Only Has EIGHT Days Left!

Please sign this petition to free Brindi.

Brindi is set to be euthanized in EIGHT days. 

She had a scuffle with another dog in which they both received minor lacerations. Is it fair that Brindi be euthanized? Hardly. Please sign this petition to save her life. Her owner is broken-hearted and beside herself; she's been fighting for her release for over a year.

More info:http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/

Blame it on the pit bulls

When all else fails, blame it on a pit bull.

This poor toddler had to get 70 stitches on her face because a dog bit her. Mom blamed it on a wandering pit bull. Mmmm hmmm. After further questioning, mom had to admit the truth. The awful truth. That she's a neglectful, lying piece of trash.

Turns out mom wasn't watching as her toddler got too near the family dog's bowl. The dog? An Alaskan Husky. Nope; not a pit bull.

Moral of the story: Any dog can bite. All owners should take responsibility.

What goes around...

There is justice in this world.

A Sioux City councilman pushed and pushed until his BSL was passed. As one reader commented, he gave his constituents a false sense of security in thinking that ONLY Pit Bulls would bite and that all other dogs were safe to be around.

Until his own dog bit a passerby and was labled vicious by the city's Animal Control Officer... Read on, my friends!

Mom! What's that "L" on your forehead?!

"Mom, why's your hand all bandaged up?"
"I don't know what you mean, dear."
"What's that "L" on your forehead?"
"What "L" is that, dear? It's probably just a shadow from the sun, honey."
"No, mom, it's clearly an "L." As in Loser."
"All right, dear. I broke the first rule of interacting with dogs."
"And that is...?"
"Never let your guard down when two strange dogs are near each other."
"English, please, Mom?"
"Okaaaay... I put my hand near an angry dog's mouth, and it became an hors d'oeuvre, okay honey? Happy now? Your mom is an idiot."
"I see. Was it a big, mean pit bull?"
"No, dear, it was actually a small breed. I've never been bitten by a big, mean pit bull. Just those little ones. Always the little ones."
"Stitches, mom?"
"You're enjoying this, aren't you honey?"

LA Times correction - It wasn't a Pit after all!

Earlier this month, the LA Times reported - then corrected - that a family's pit bull bit their toddler. The LA Department of Animal Services later reported that the dog was actually a shepherd mix, not a pit bull. Thank you, LADAS, for clarifying this for us!! (Best wishes for the child's speedy recovery!!)

May 18-24: Dog Bite Prevention Week

No one wants to be bitten by a dog, right?

My mom told me about a little girl, about 6-8 years old, going up to my brother, who's the biggest, mushiest Border Collie in the world. She stuck her face right in his. When he growled in warning (thank goodness he didn't bite) the girl's mom gave my mom a dirty look.

Did I mention that they were at an agility center and the girl's mom was a trainer? A "dog-savvy" trainer? So why didn't she teach this eight-year-old that walking up to a dog, staring at it eye-to-eye, and putting her face the dog's face was a really, really bad thing to do? No! Sit. Stay! Bad girl. Bad.

Here's the thing. When a dog and a child are at eye level, the dog feels threatened. When the child is a stranger, the threat doubles. (When the parent is an idiot and lets the child do whatever it wants then blames the other party... Well, you get the picture.)

Seriously, folks, countless children are bitten by dogs because they aren't taught the correct way to approach a strange dog. Here are some simple tips that both children and adults can benefit from:

• Ask the owner if the dog is friendly. If it is, ask for permission to pet him/her.
• Once you have permission, don't crowd the dog or bend over it. Squat down, DON'T stare at it, and offer a closed fist, palm down. Let it sniff your fist and come to you. It will decide if it wants to make contact; if it doesn't just leave it alone.
• If you do look at the dog, look away quickly. Staring is a dog's way of "daring"another dog.
• Don't go near a dog that's eating, playing with a toy, or chewing a rawhide bone.
• Let sleeping dogs lie. A sleeping dog can startle easily and snap or bite.
• Don't run from a strange dog. Fold your arms and LOOK AWAY! Don't threaten it with a stare.

Lots more tips and information can be found here. Animal Planet is a great resource (and I like to watch the animals on TV!). And here is more info from Best Friends Animal Society. Be safe!