Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Advoca'ng*for* Pit*Bull*Terriers*
*A6orney*Fred*Kray,*Pit$Bulle)n$Legal$ News,*presen'ng*the*Wallace*Award* to*Lori*Weise,*Downtown*Dog*Rescue*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 1 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Ledy%VanKavage,%Esq.% Sr.*Legisla've*A6orney* Past*Chair*of*American*Bar* Associa'on’s*TIPS’*Animal* Law*Commi6ee* [email protected]*
Karma*at*Fight*Bust*Bunker*before*adop'on** * (photo*by*Lynn*Terry)* *
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 2 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Join%Voices%for%No%More%Homeless%Pets% * % *
capwiz.com/besJriends*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 3 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
*“Pit*bull*terriers*have* been*trained*to*be* successful*therapy*dogs* with*developmentally* disabled*children.”* Jonny*Jus'ce,*a*former*Vick*dog,*is*now*a* model*for*a*Gund*stuffed*toy.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 4 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
“Pit*bull*terriers*are*extremely* intelligent,*making*it*possible*for* them*to*serve*in*law*enforcement* and*drug*interdic'on,*as*therapy* dogs,*as*search*and*rescue*dogs,* and*in*the*military.”*
Sniffer*dogs*for*IEDs*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 5 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 6 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Paradigm%shi?%
Thomas*Kuhn*argued*that*scien'fic*advancement* is*not*evolu'onary,*but*rather*is*a*“series*of* peaceful*interludes*punctuated*by*intellectually* violent*revolu'ons,”*and*in*those*revolu'ons* “one*conceptual*world*view*is*replaced*by* another.”** *
The%simple%truth%is% that%breed%is%NOT%% a%factor%in%bites.%
Photo*by*Lynn*Terry*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 7 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
AVMA%Task%Force%Report%
JAVMA:*June*1,*2001*
“Sta's'cs*on*fatali'es*and*injuries* caused*by*dogs*cannot*be*responsibly* used*to*document*the*‘dangerousness’* of*a*par'cular*breed*…”*(p.*1736)* *
ABA%House%of%Delegates%ResoluKon%100N2012%
RESOLVED,*That*the*American*Bar* Associa'on*urges*all*state,*territorial,*and* local*legisla've*bodies*and*governmental* agencies*to*adopt*comprehensive*breede neutral*dangerous*dog/reckless*owner* laws*that*ensure*due*process*protec'ons** for*owners,*encourage*responsible*pet* ownership*and*focus*on*the*behavior** of*both*dog*owners*and*dogs,*and*to* repeal*any*breedediscriminatory*or** breedespecific*provisions.* % *
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 8 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
No%organizaKon%is%credible%without%facts.%
*Studies*done*in*countries*with*breedediscriminatory*laws,*such*as*the* United*Kingdom,*Spain*and*Germany,*found*that*these*laws*didn’t* reduce*the*number*of*dog*bites*or*improve*public*safety.** *Based*on*these*studies,*and*concerns*about*due*process*and*property* rights*infringement,%the%American%Bar%AssociaKon,%the%NaKonal% Animal%Control%AssociaKon,%and%the%American%Veterinary%Medical% AssociaKon%don’t%support%breed%discriminaKon.*They*support*laws* that*go*ager*the*real*problem:*the*behavior*of*the*individual*dog*and* the*behavior*of*the*reckless*owner.**
BreedNdiscriminatory%law%fiscal%impact% %
guerrillaeconomics.net/besJriends*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 9 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
28*CFR*Part*35*
* *U.S.%Dept%of%JusKce,%% Civil%Rights%Division%
*Dept.*does*not*believe*it*is* either*appropriate*or*consistent* with*the*ADA*to*defer*to*local* laws*that*prohibit*certain*breeds* of*dogs*based*on*local*concerns* that*these*breeds*may*have*a* history*of*unprovoked* aggression*or*a6acks.* * * *
Trends%
Trend*is*to*prohibit*breed* discrimina'on:* • 17*U.S.*states*now*prohibit*it** • The*White*House*came*out* against*breed*discrimina'on*on* its**“We*the*People”*website*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 10 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Ohio%repealed%its%breedNdiscriminatory%law* February%21,%2012%
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 11 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
There*is*nothing* “specific”*about* breedespecific* legisla'on*
Pit Bull Rescue Central Find*the*Pit*Bull* www.pbrc.net
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 12 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Pit Bull Rescue Central Find*the*Pit*Bull* www.pbrc.net
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Doberman Catahoula Leopard Dog Viszla Patterdale Terrier Rottweiler Pinscher
Dogue de Bordeaux English Bulldog Olde English Bulldogge Bull Terrier Cane Corso Black Mouth Cur
Boxer American Bulldog American Pit Bull Terrier Bullmastiff Fila Brasileiro Tosa Inu
Greater Swiss Dogo Argentino Mountain Dog Ca De Bou Boerboel Thai Ridgeback Jack Russell Terrier
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 13 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Doggie%DNA%%
Shelter%Medicine:%% A%Comparison%of%Visual%% and%DNA%IdenKficaKon%% of%Breeds%of%Dogs% Victoria$L.$Voith,$DVM,$PhD,$ DACVB,$College$of$Veterinary$ Medicine,$Western$University$of$ Health$Sciences$
In%87.5%%of%the%adopted% dogs,%breeds%were% idenKfied%by%DNA%analyses% that%were%not%proposed%by% the%adopKon%agencies.%
Whippet* * Dalma'on* * Boxer*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 14 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
** No%gene'c*trait*of*American*Staffordshire*terrier** or*Staffordshire*bull*terrier*
Pit%bull%terrier%mixes*
Intermediate*amount*of* American*Staffordshire*terrier* or*Staffordshire*bull*terrier*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 15 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Programs%
Communica'on*is*everything!*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 16 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
* The*best*defense*is*a*good*offense*
• Blogs* • Le6ers*to*the*editor* • Public*editor* • Radio*talk*shows* • Facebook* • MySpace* • Second*Life* • Wikipedia* • Twi6er* • Change.org*
*
Calls*ma6er*
* February%13,%2010* * New%ordinance%allows%pit%bulls,%bans%'vicious%pets'* $ By$Ramelle$Bintz$ [email protected]** * • Pit*bulls*will*not*be*banned*in*Sturgeon*Bay.* • The*Community,*Protec'on*and*Services*Commi6ee* voted*unanimously*Thursday*to*remove*language*that* would*ban*a*specific*breed*of*dog*from*a*proposed* animal*regula'on*ordinance.* • The*new*14epage*ordinance*is*being*rewri6en*to* replace*a*halfepage*ordinance*currently*on*the*books.*At* the*Feb.*2*Common*Council*mee'ng,*Alderman*James* Abeyta,*a*member*of*the*commi6ee,*objected*to*the* outright*ban*of*pit*bulls*and*asked*that*the*ordinance* be*returned*to*the*commi6ee*to*review.* • Since*then,*aldermen*have*been*bombarded*with* opinions.*Alderman*Ron*Vander'e,*who*spoke*ager*the* commi6ee*vote,%said%he%received%more%calls%on%this% issue%in%one%week%than%he%had%regarding%the%proposed% Walmart%Supercenter.%
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 17 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
History of Language Research Project with
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 18 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
The%most%important%finding%
Securing*community*safety* through*comprehensive*dog* laws*isn’t*an*emo'onal*issue*…* So%don’t%make%it%one% *
Incorporate%safety%
• Pet*owners*will*always*priori'ze*the** safety*of*humans*over*the*sympathy** of*dogs.* • Voters*agree*that*the*BEST*laws*focus** on*behavior*—*both*owners’*behavior** and*dogs’*behavior.* • They*agree*that*SAFE*pit*bull*terriers*shouldn’t*be*singled*out* at*the*expense*of*other*dogs*with*a*worse*rap*sheet.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 19 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Reckless%or%negligent%owners%
*The*general*public*wants* to*see*reckless*or* negligent*owners*held* accountable.* * *Bad*owners*lead*to** bad*dogs*and*that*puts* everyone*at*risk.*
The%general%public%wants%free%communiKes%
This%is%America:% Property%rights%maaer.%
“If*I*follow*all*the*right*rules,*I*should* be*able*to*own*whatever*dog*I*want.”** –*Bal'more*par'cipant**
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 20 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Winning*the*policy*debate:*Be*posi've*
*Building*winning*language:*Start* with*priori'es*that*align*with*theirs.* Examples:* • Everyone*wants*to*see*communi'es* protected*from*dangerous*dogs* regardless*of*breed.* • Safe*communi'es*benefit*everyone.*
The*stark*reality*for*pit*bull*terriers** should*only*follow*posi've*statements.* *When*addressing*the* general*public,*we*can* follow*posi've*statements* with*the*reality*facing*pit* bull*terriers*who*are*abused* or*unfairly*judged*…************* but%we%can’t%start%with%it.** *
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 21 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Property%rights%
*Strongest%aaack%on%the% court’s%decision:% %“This&is&America.&Every& American&who&follows&the& safety&rules&as&a&responsible& dog&owner&should&be& allowed&to&own&whatever& breed&of&dog&he&or&she& chooses.&It’s&that&simple.&And& as&it&stands&according&to&the& court’s&decision,&the&law& violates&basic&property& rights.”%
People%DO%like%the%idea%of%sterilizaKon%%
• If*intended*to*keep* people*and*other*pets* safe*(sterilize* dangerous*dogs)*
• Associate*responsible* pet*ownership*and* steriliza'on*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 22 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Talk*about*behavior,*not*appearance.* • Don’t*imply*that*the*rest* of*the*world*is*racist*with* regard*to*dogs.* • When*we*say*“behavior,”* the*word*“appearance”* should*NOT*follow.*
Call*it*breed%discriminaKon.*It’s*sani'zed.%
*If*we*call*it*anything*at*all,*say*it*late*% in*the*messaging.* * *Use*it*only*to*bolster*the*argument* that*the*best*laws*are*SAFETYe FOCUSED*and*that*the*best*laws* respond*to*the*behavior*of*both* dog*owners*and*dogs.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 23 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Improving%their%image%
Call*them*pit*bull%terriers.%
• “Terrier”*rose*to*the*top* • Drop*the*“type”**
Strongest*selling*point:*therapy*dogs*
Image*and*descrip'on*sogens*the*reputa'on.** Use*when*possible*and*appropriate.* *
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 24 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Talking*about*other* “dangerous”*dogs*in* history*doesn’t%work.%
Behavioral%studies%are%credible%
• Cite*the*American*Temperament* Test*Society’s*ranking*of*pit*bull* terriers:*be6er*than*golden* retrievers*or*border*collies.** • The*comparison*to*a*welleknown* breed*—*one*not*associated*with* violence*—*by*a*reputable* organiza'on*will*play*more* effec'vely.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 25 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Anecdotal%references%have%mixed%results.%
• Not*intergenera'onal,*so*use* Li6le*Rascals,*but*scale*back**** • Use*with*older*folks*only*
lv*
It’s*about*property*rights*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 26 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Americans%want%free%communiKes%
This*is*America.*Every* American*who*follows*the* safety*rules*as*a*responsible* dog*owner*should*be*allowed* to*own*whatever*breed*of* dog*he*or*she*chooses.* It’s*that*simple.**
Best%reasons%to%oppose%% breed%discriminaKon% 1. It*violates*basic*property*rights.* 2. It*focuses*on*the*wrong*thing.* 3. It’s*arbitrary.* 4. It’s*expensive.* 5. It’s*ineffec've.* 6. It’s*not*prac'cal.*
lv*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 27 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Give*them*a*loving*home*and*caring*owners,*and*pit*bull*terriers*can* be*man’s*best*friend.*There’s*a*reason*they*used*to*be*“America’s*dog.”*
Images%that%work%% * 1.*Piqes*with*kiqes*
% Everyone*loved*seeing*two*family* pets*pal*around*—*especially*ones* that*tradi'onally*don’t*get*along.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 28 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
lv*
Images%that%work%% * 2.%Terriers*with*toddlers*or*young*children*
% The*dog*is*at*rest*…*and*the*child* is*old*enough*to*move*away*if* the*dog*becomes*unpredictable.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 29 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Images%that%work%% * 3.*Service*dogs*
% “I$had$no$idea$they$do$that.$ But$I’d$like$to$see$more$of$it.”** –*Bal'more*par'cipant*
Images%that%work%% % * Uniformed*or*local*sports*figures*
Images*from*Show*Your*Sog*Side*campaign*on*Facebook*
lv*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 30 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Images%that%work%% *
Loving*owners*
Show%Your%So?%Side%campaign%
Images%that%only%sort%of%work%* *
% Middle%of%the%pack% * %
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 31 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Images%that%don’t%work%% * Dogs%with%babies%
The*child*looks*too*young*to* protect*himself/herself*...*and* the*fact*that*the*parent*trusts* the*dog*is*outweighed*by*the* discomfort*with*the*baby’s* perceived*vulnerability.*
Images%that%don’t%work*
Boaom%3:%Dogs*with*teeth*showing*% %
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 32 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Images%that%don’t%work*
Boaom%3:%Dogs*with*things*in*their*mouth*resembling*limbs*
lv*
Images%that%don’t%work%% *
Boaom%3:%% And,*of*course,** sex*doesn’t*sell%
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 33 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Images%that%work%*
Increase%adoptability%% * Women*handlers** with*gray*hair* –*Lisa$Gunter,$Breed$Stereotype$ Effects$of$Handler’s$Appearance$ (Maddie’s$Fund$website)$
*“We*shall*not*fail*or*falter;* we*shall*not*weaken*or*'re.* Neither*the*sudden*shock*of* ba6le*nor*the*longedrawn* trials*of*vigilance*and* exer'on*will*wear*us*down.* Give*us*the*tools*and*we*will* finish*the*job.”** – Sir$Winston$Churchill,$$ radio$speech,$1941* *
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 34 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
Together,*we*can*Save*Them*All* *
Thoughts?%
Thank&you!&
lv*
Free*screening*
Guilty&‘Til&Proven&Innocent% A*documentary*about*the*impact*of*breed* discrimina'on*on*pets*and*the*ba6le*taking* place*in*ci'es*across*the*na'on* * %% See*the*film*and*meet*the*director,* Jeff*Theman,*on*Saturday*night,*8:00* to*9:30*pm,*River*Terrace*2.*
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 35 Advocating for Pit Bull Terriers: The Surprising Truths Revealed by the Latest Research – Ledy VanKavage
JOY%of%the%% Mo%500:%% Available%for% adopKon%at%the% Sanctuary%
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No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 10-13, 2013 36