Angel City Pit Bulls - Educate

Pet Safety Tips for July 4th

jenny — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:13:18 +0000

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 2:13pm

Tags:

Independence Day

4th of July

LAAS

Adopt

Foster

We humans love to celebrate Independence Day with BBQ's, fireworks, and fun - but our canine friends are not as fond of the loud noises and hullabaloo. We want you to enjoy yourself while also keeping your pets safe and comfortable. Read here for some tips on pet safety for your July 4th festivities.

License and Microchip Your Pet

We highly suggest pets be up to date on their registration and microchip. If you have moved recently or changed your phone number don’t forget to update this information. Also some companies will allow you to put a secondary phone number on your account, which we recommend. The more information listed the better the chance you will be reconnected with your lost pet.

Please ensure that your dog is wearing his or her dog tag with your contact information, as well as his or her license tag. Many dogs do get loose on the 4th of July due to fear from the loud noises and commotion, and having these tracking devices can be a saving grace for your family.

You can contact any of the L.A. Animal Services Shelters and schedule an appointment to have your pet microchipped. The cost is $25 per animal.

Keep Pets Indoors

To ensure your pets are safe and sound, keep them inside and make sure if you do take them out for a break that you supervise them carefully. If you are going out, keep your pets crated or in an enclosed bedroom so they are secure. Even if you decide to hang at home, your pets may still be affected by loud noise levels, so be aware of open windows, as startled dogs may look for an escape route.

Create a Pleasant Environment

Whether you are at home with your pets, or out at a BBQ, you should create a familiar and calm environment for them. Surround them with their favorite toys and other familiar objects. We recommend filling a Kong with frozen peanut butter or giving them a yummy bone to keep them focused and occupied; the chewing can also help relieve stress. We also suggest playing some soft, soothing music at a low volume. There is even music specifically designed for keeping dogs calm, which you can find out more about by visiting throughadogsear.com. White noise, such as a sound machine or a fan is also great for blocking out loud sounds.

Another tool for reducing anxiety is the Thundershirt - a great way to keep dogs calm. You may also consider speaking with your vet about obtaining some prescription medicine for dogs with heightened anxiety levels.

Keep Your Pets Away From Fireworks

Not only are fireworks fear-inducing to most dogs and cats, but they can also cause harm to pets if contact is made. In order to avoid any injuries, burns or possible ingestion we suggest keeping your pets away altogether.

Adopt a Homeless Pet

Shelters are beginning to make space for lost dogs and cats brought in over the 4th of July holiday. Because our shelters have a limited amount of space to take in animals, they need to create space for the dogs they anticipate receiving.

In order to help decrease the number of euthanized animals over the July 4th holiday please consider adopting from your local shelter. If adoption is not an option, but you still want to make a difference in an animal's life, ask your local shelter about fostering.

Please view our current dogs available for adoption if you are interested, and contact adopt@angelcitypits.org if you’d like to adopt.

Please contact foster@angelcitypits.org if you’d like to become a foster parent for a dog in need.

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"Shelter Me"

Eve — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:05:13 +0000

Monday, June 18, 2012 - 10:05am

Tags:

Shelter Me

PBS

Katherine Heigl

"Shelter Me" is a family-friendly, documentary style film that highlights three different, heartwarming tales about shelter dogs and the ways in which they are positively impacting our community. Presented by Halo for Pets, a company co-owned by Ellen DeGeneres, "Shelter Me" is the first episode of what is intended to become a regular series on public television.

This first edition shows how shelter pets are helping our returning war veterans cope with PTSD. The filmmakers venture inside a women’s prison, where inmates train shelter dogs to become service animals for people with disabilities. They also follow the journey of two stray dogs in Los Angeles, from the day they are picked up off of the streets and brought to the shelter until the day they become a beloved family pet.

The goals of the film and its makers are to cast an encouraging, supportive light onto our animal shelters as well as their occupants - increasing traffic to those shelters as well as successful adoptions. "Shelter Me" is about redemption, hope, helping others and making a difference.

Shelter Me Preview

For anyone who missed the premiere last Thursday - do not fret, you will have a chance to watch on your local PBS station! Below is the viewing schedule for Southern California:

Huntington Beach / Los Angeles - PBS SoCaL
Tuesday, June 19 at 7 pm

San Bernardino - KVCR
Tuesday, June 19 at 9:30 pm

We are very excited at the opportunity for this to become a regular series, as we foresee the large number of people this message will reach and impact in a constructive, meaningful way. We are also extremely grateful for the positive representation and commentary about pit bulls in particular. A big "high five" from all of us at Angel City Pit Bulls to the film's creators!

We hope you enjoy the film as much as we have!

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April Showers Bring May Flowers

Eve — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:18:28 +0000

Wednesday, May 9, 2012 - 9:18am

Tags:

Spring Flowers

Spring is in swing! This is always a festive time of year, no matter where you live. Temperatures are climbing, days are getting longer, and all across the country, flowers are beginning to rise from their winter’s rest and bloom for us all to enjoy. We humans always try to remind ourselves to “stop and smell the roses” – our four legged companions, however, need no reminder. For dogs, there is nothing more interesting than partaking of all that spring has to offer. Every colorful bloom is one that is worthy of diligent inspection!

With Mother's Day just around the corner, there will be all sorts of beautiful bouquets showing up in homes. To keep our dogs safe during this season, be aware of plants and flowers that are not “dog friendly”. Some plants can be mild irritants, while others can be poisonous and even deadly if ingested. Common poisonous plants that are blooming this time of year - and are popular in many arrangements put together for moms - include lilies, tulips, azaleas, amaryllis, daffodils and chrysanthemums. Some common houseplants – like many species of ivy and pothos – can be potentially harmful as well.

Your dog will not recognize which plants are toxic and which are not; it is up to us to be careful about what botanicals are within their reach! Your local veterinarian will have information about what native plants are potentially dangerous in your area. There are also great resources - such as this one from the ASPCA - that provide comprehensive information about dangerous plants and flowers:

List of Dangerous Plants and Flowers

The ASPCA maintains a 24-hour hotline for poisoning emergencies – that number is 888-426-4435. Keep that number handy should you ever need!

Spring is a wonderful time of year, for all of us to venture out and enjoy the outdoors. Knowing which plants to avoid will ensure you and your pets can safely enjoy all the beauty nature has to offer!

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DIY: Tug Rope Toy Edition

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:34:20 +0000

Monday, May 7, 2012 - 8:34am

Tags:

DIY

Tug Rope Toy

Dog toys are essential in my doggy household. My two dogs love their toys! However, over time the money spent on toys adds up and by the end of a few months and several beat up and worn down toys, my bank account really takes a hit. I began looking for an alternative for more affordable toy options.

I’ve started making my own toys! Now, I’m not going to say that this idea was completely my own. I read a post from a fellow pit bull blogger Love and a Six Foot Leash, and the author made her own tug toy out of a fleece blanket purchased from the Goodwill. This was a perfect idea. However, there were no “How To” instructions. All that was mentioned was the blanket and a sewing machine (which I don’t have). Since then I’ve tried several different methods and went through a few blankets but I’ve finally figured out a simple way to make a tug toy (that my dogs LOVE) without having to use any thread or needles.

Here are the steps I took in fashioning my own version of the fleece blanket tug toy. No sewing machine or kit required. The only thing you need is a fleece blanket and some scissors.

Take the fleece blanket and cut into 1 ½ - 2 inch strips. (Depending on the size of your blanket this is the most tedious step. But just keep cutting, it gets easier I promise.)
Next gather all your strips at one end and tie a knot. Leave about 6 inches of fabric on the loose end.
Take strips and divide into three sections. Braid each section until you end up with three braided sections.
Continue to braid the three braids into one large one. (Make sure you keep the braids as tight as possible. It allows for the toy to be more durable.)
Finish by tying another large knot at the end.

…and there you have it! Your very own tug toy. And it only costs you a couple of bucks.

A few tips: The thickness and length can be changed depending on the amount of strips you can get - more strips make for a thicker weaved toy. Also, this particular toy is the full length of the blanket, one blanket can always be cut in half (especially if it is an extra large one). Sometimes you might be able to get two toys out of one blanket!

I’ve found that most discount stores carry fleece blankets for $2-$3. As much as I would love to always purchase them from the local Goodwill they don’t always have fleece blankets or very attractive colors to choose from.

Try this easy DIY project! Let us know how it goes and if you did anything different to make it just right for your dog. And if you make your own toys, please share your method with us!

Alyss
Assistant Foster Coordinator

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Fostering Saves Lives - And Tax Dollars, Too!

Eve — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:40:16 +0000

Friday, April 13, 2012 - 7:40am

Tags:

Foster Friday

Taxes

Fostering a homeless animal is by far one of the most noble – and rewarding – experiences we humans can have. You are taking on the important task of providing a safe haven while an animal transitions from a undesirable situation into a forever home. This is the most important work of any animal rescue organization, and pinnacle to that group’s ability to address an animal’s needs – tending to their health and healing their hearts. Without a doubt, it is fostering that truly saves animals' lives. Did you know that this important work, and many of the expenses incurred along the way … are tax deductible? Good news – they are!

Thanks to a very important court case back in 2011, Van Dusen versus Commissioner of the IRS, foster families are entitled to deduct certain expenses when they file their income taxes. In this landmark ruling, Oakland family law attorney and cat rescuer, Jan Van Dusen, claimed over $12,000 in deductions on her tax return for the work she was doing for a local non-profit, “Fix Our Ferals”. Despite her minimal experience in tax law, she prevailed – paving the way for foster and rescue volunteers to get a much-needed break for the many out of pocket expenses they inevitably incur through their lifesaving work.

We at Angel City Pit Bulls cover the primary expenses for each of our loyal foster families; those include medical expenses, training, food and supplies. There are inevitable other expenses that are incurred along the way, however – and while those expenses may be minor, they can add up over time. Foster families are the most treasured asset of any rescue organization; we at Angel City Pit Bulls want to make sure our foster families are taken care of in every way possible!

Want to benefit from these deductions? There are a few important things you’ll need to know:

Must work with a non-profit! These deductions apply only if you work with a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization – like Angel City Pit Bulls. If you are volunteering with an organization that does not have this designation, your expenses will not be eligible for a tax break. And unfortunately – if you are an independent rescuer working on your own, and do not have a non-profit registration with the IRS - you are not eligible to deduct these expenses. In order to save tax dollars while continuing to help animals, consider teaming up with a non-profit organization; doing so will afford you the ability to deduct these expenses. You can verify the charitable status of any organization you are interested in working with on the IRS website – click here for an example: Angel City Pit Bulls IRS Charitable Status
Keep diligent records! This includes anything related to the care of a foster animal in your home – from big-ticket items such as food and treats, to smaller things like cleaning supplies. You also can deduct expenses related to transportation – such as gas, tires, and even routine maintenance! Click here to read about the various deductions you are entitled to during your service as a volunteer. For expenses greater than $250, be sure to obtain a letter from your organization signifying that the expenses for your volunteer service were not reimbursed.
Talk to your CPA. It is always a good idea to review tax planning strategies with a professional CPA. While monetary donations to charitable organizations are fairly straightforward, deducting expenses are often more complex. Tax laws are notorious for changing every single year, and the best person to guide you and make sure you maximize your tax benefits will be a tax professional who keeps up to date with current legislation.

There is no price tag that can be placed upon the value of a foster family, and the important role they play in the business of saving lives. And while volunteering in animal welfare may not be the most lucrative endeavor, we hope that these tips and ideas will help to empower our foster families and volunteers to get a well-deserved break on their taxes. Maybe they will even inspire more families to get involved! If you would like to learn more about how to become a foster family for Angel City Pit Bulls, you can find all the information on how to apply and who to contact on our fostering page. We are always in need of foster homes; apply today, and you will reap benefits untold!

Best of luck to everyone at the close of this year’s tax season. All of us at Angel City Pit Bulls – as well as the IRS – salute you!

Eve-Marie
Director of Fundraising

P.S. If you are looking for that last-minute tax deduction before you file on Monday – we appreciate you thinking of us! All donations made to Angel City Pit Bulls are tax-deductible; why give your dollars to the IRS, if you can give them to pit bulls instead, right? Just visit our donations page - thank you for your support!

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Rattlesnake Season

jenny — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:27:18 +0000

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 6:27am

Tags:

Rattlesnake

For those of us who live in the Western United States, "Rattlesnake Season" is officially upon us! For Southern Californians, these snakes like the heat as much as we do; chances are if you are out on hiking trails, you will come across one at some point. With warmer temperatures and the coming of spring, the time is now to take extra precautions to protect yourself as well as your four‐legged companions.

Here in Southern California, the most common rattlesnake is the Western Diamondback. It is a large snake that is easily excitable and tends to hold its ground when threatened; it is highly defensive and will strike if provoked. Western Diamondback rattlesnakes are active year round, although their activity peaks during spring and summer, with most bites occurring between the months of April and October - the time when snakes, humans and dogs are all the most active outdoors. Rattlesnake venom contains hemotoxic elements that destroy blood cells and skin tissue, and cause severe localized swelling and internal bleeding. Although the amount of venom injected is proportional to the size of the snake, immature snakes may contain more neurotoxic elements, making them very dangerous.

Are rattlesnake bites common? According to the California Poison Control Center, approximately 800 people are bitten each year; it is estimated that number is significantly higher in dogs. Humans are much more capable of surviving a rattlesnake bite than our four legged friends, due to their size in proportion to the volume of venom received. Fortunately, approximately 20-30% of bites are “dry” in which no venom is injected. Regardless, when a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, it is critical to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Veterinary treatment for a rattlesnake bite involves preventing and controlling shock and blood clotting problems, neutralizing venom and preventing secondary infections. Intensive treatment includes IV fluids, careful observation, blood transfusions when needed, antibiotics, and administration of Antivenin injections. The challenge with Antivenin is that not only is it expensive, it is in limited supply; not all veterinarians carry this drug on a regular basis. Additionally, it must be administered very quickly after a bite to maximize its effectiveness. There is also a rattlesnake vaccine available for dogs; given in an initial dose of two injections, 30 days apart, followed by an annual booster. The vaccine does not replace the need for prompt veterinary treatment but may reduce the amount of Antivenin required. We encourage families to talk to your veterinarian to learn about the different kinds of treatment, their availability, and their recommendations about preventative measures. If you carry pet insurance, there is a good chance your policy will cover these treatments as well.

What is the best defense during Rattlesnake Season? Being prepared! We caution everyone to be on the lookout for these slithery inhabitants whenever you are out on the trails, and avoid hiking in late afternoon hours when they are the most active. Be careful to avoid letting Fluffy or Fido get too gregarious in their inspection of brush and leaves along trail borders. Stay on trails, keep your dog on a leash, and use a walking stick to rustle brush and leaves to alert snakes of your presence. Lastly, have a plan in place should you ever run into trouble. Most veterinarians keep regular hours during the week, but will have an 24 hour emergency facility that they refer patients to for incidents that occur beyond their operating schedule ‐ be sure your plan includes what to do if you were in need of seeking care at a time when your regular veterinarian is not available. Having a plan in place should a bite ever occur will make all the difference for you and your families!

On behalf of all of us at Angel City Pit Bulls, be careful out there ... thank you for looking out both for yourselves, and for all of our furry friends in these coming warm months!

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Why Do You Want A Dog?

jenny — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:10:57 +0000

Monday, March 5, 2012 - 10:10am

Tags:

Adopt

Educate

Celebrate

So you’re thinking about adopting a dog. Fantastic! Adopting a homeless dog may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. However, whether this is your first dog or your tenth, there are a number of things you’ll need to consider before you even make your first trip to the shelter or adoption event to find your new best friend. Our shelters and local rescue groups are sadly overrun with dogs who have repeatedly been adopted and returned because they “weren’t the right dog for the household,” and each time a dog is bounced into a new home or environment, it affects his or her psyche. Our hope is to help these dogs avoid as much emotional trauma as possible. Many of these dogs have been through enough already!

First and foremost, are you able to answer the following question?

“Why do I want a dog?”

In 2011, 39% of US households owned at least one dog. Everyone has different reasons for getting a dog. Knowing the answer to this question will help you locate the right dog for you and your family, and could prevent a lot of heartache down the line. For some, there are extremely practical reasons: for guidance or therapy, security, or even search and rescue work. Perhaps you live on a farm and need a dog to herd your sheep or cattle. Most of us urban and suburban dwellers are simply looking for some form of companionship - maybe an exercise buddy, or, on the other end of the spectrum, someone who will sit on the couch and watch TV with you. Or, you might be considering a dog as a companion to your first dog.

I asked a few friends why they decided to bring a dog into their lives, and here are some of the responses:

“I have a dog because I love animals and going for long walks."

“When my husband occasionally has to leave for work before dawn, it makes me feel safer to have dogs for protection - in addition to the unconditional love they give!”

“I wanted both an incentive and a partner to hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. And wanted to feel safe when I lived alone. And I wanted someone to make a Facebook fan page about.”

“...after a lifetime of wanting a dog, I finally adopted Pete, my very first, after moving to Los Angeles. We had only 6 wonderful years together, but now I have Max to keep me company. Dogs really live in the moment, and mine have helped me to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.”

Personally, I adopted my first dog because I had always lived with dogs while growing up. I can only remember one month when my family was without a dog and it was the most miserable time in our home - too quiet and empty. Additionally, and though I didn’t realize it until much later in life, my four years in college (without a dog) were four of the most difficult years in my life - emotionally, anyway. I was depressed and antisocial. I had no confidence in myself and battled eating disorders the whole way. As soon as I adopted my dog, life started to get better. My reason for adopting a dog was simply that I didn’t know how to live without a dog.

Whatever your reason, be sure you aren’t expecting your dog to replace human companionship. That is an expectation your new pup won’t be able to live up to, and it will cause a lot of stress for both of you. Also beware if you find that your answer is “to replace my last dog.” Remember that each dog is an individual. Get to the root of why you really want a dog - as well as why you wanted your last dog, too, and begin your search there.

Homework: Go out and ask your friends and family members why they decided to get a dog. Ask specific questions: Why did they choose the breed or breed mix they chose? Is there anything they would do differently?

Peggy
Devoted Volunteer
General Manager & Owner of Fetch Pet Care, Hollywood Hills

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Why I Volunteer

jenny — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:59:40 +0000

Monday, February 27, 2012 - 11:59am

Tags:

Volunteer

Foster

I’m fairly new to the world of pit bulls. I rescued my first pit bulls about 2 years ago when I came into the care of a litter of 10 very young pups. I had no idea when I jumped at the opportunity to help them that I would be forever sucked in by the charming, devoted, goofy, loving and special personalities that make pit bulls so amazing (I mean really, I didn’t stand a chance!).

After bottle feedings, sleepless nights, constant phone calls to my veterinarian, and struggling to find homes for the puppies, I was dumbfounded by how difficult it proved to be to find good homes for a bunch of adorable puppies. They were just puppies. Why didn’t anyone want them? I was literally giving away puppies! I just asked their prospective parents for a few things: feed them, walk them, and most importantly, love them. It was just that simple.

(Two of them somehow snuck their way into MY home, which is a completely different story. Dozer and Theresa are featured in the photo above.)

I did find homes for the rest of them eventually, but it bothered me why it was so hard. A quick Google search showed clearly the issues of the “pit bull”. I felt compelled to learn more. The struggles I faced finding homes for all those cute puppies weren’t because there was something really wrong with them; the trouble that I faced was the misconception that so many people have about pit bulls. Those puppies were just a few of the countless wonderful dogs with the name "pit bull" attached to them that are found abused, neglected, feared, forgotten and left behind throughout our city shelters here in Los Angeles.

There had to be something I could do. And then I found Angel City Pit Bulls.

Not only did I find a group of people who are just as passionate as I am, who would do just about anything to help some dogs in need, but I found an entire greater community who cared about the same issues and changes that I was seeking.

As a newbie to the world of rescue it can be daunting to hear all the horrible stories that some of these animals have gone through. At first it felt like there was no end to a HUGE problem that is so far out of my reach. How could little ole me possibly make a difference? As an animal lover I went through a range of emotions that at first broke my heart, enraged me to no end, then had me questioning humanity, broke my heart again, and finally made me realize that there are places and organizations like Angel City Pit Bulls where I could stop watching and listening to the misconceptions and problems and do something about it. I started to volunteer my time not only to learn more about my own newly adopted pit bulls, but to learn about the issues that I wanted to change.

When I tell people that on my free time I volunteer for a pit bull advocacy group there are a list of questions that I usually face (mostly surrounding money) – “why, yes I give up parts of my days and don’t get paid a penny”, “No, I’m not always donating money”, “I just hang out with some dogs all day”, and “no, they don’t always ask me to give them money.”And at the end of all the questions about giving up time I could be getting paid there is always the number one thing that everyone can’t seem to understand - “why do you do it?!”

I volunteer because I love dogs, pit bulls and animals. I volunteer because I think that the dogs who find themselves in shelters deserve a second chance (and a third, and a fourth). I volunteer because I honestly believe that it will make a difference to the seemingly endless problem we have of overcrowding in our city shelters. I volunteer because I want to learn and be able to educate others on the reasons why we should care so much about the welfare and health of all our pets.

I’ve found that by volunteering, little ole me can make a huge difference in this big world of animal welfare.

My role may be small but it’s important. There are many ways beyond donating money that help bring light to the dim view of pit bulls; gifting an afternoon of a nice walk with a new doggy friend, providing a foster home, giving a ride to a training class, or simply sharing an “Adopt Me” video with your Facebook friends, to name a few…

Every little bit counts and every little bit is needed for these amazing dogs who at the end of the day just ask to be fed, walked, and loved. It really is that simple.

Alyss
Assistant Foster Coordinator
Devoted Volunteer

To find out about volunteer opportunities with Angel City Pit Bulls, please visit our Volunteer Page

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Dogs And Delivery People

jenny — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 9:57am

Tags:

Mailmen

Training

Dogs and Mailmen (or UPS guys, FedEx gals, or any delivery person for that matter...) For many people, picturing their dog and a delivery person at the front door instantly conjures up images of a traditional cartoon dog chasing the letter carrier down the street. Thankfully, most real-life dogs don’t actually chase delivery people nearly as often as they do in cartoons, but people are still often left asking, “Why do dogs hate mailmen?” Whereas I was always asking, “Why are my adult dogs tearing apart my mail? My REALLY important mail?!”

Then the other day I had a revelation. I was checking out at the vet with my 3-legged Elderbull, The Captain Man, when the UPS delivery person came right up to the counter to drop off a package. To my amazement, Captain did not flinch. Now, if we had been at home, he would have sprinted to the front door (3 legs and all) and barked like a crazy banshee. I said out loud in disbelief, “Wow, Cap. You’re so much nicer to UPS here then you are at home.” One of the Vet technicians overheard me and said something quite enlightening that I can’t help but share. She explained that when your dog is at home, he acts as the guardian to your house. His house. In his mind, it is often his job to protect you, your family, and your home.

So, when someone comes to the front door, he barks to alert you. Next, the person deposits the package or mail, turns around, and walks away from the house. In a dog’s mind, he made the person turn and walk away. Do you see the connection? The dog, who originally started out barking simply because someone was approaching, is now under the impression that his courageous barking scared the mysterious stranger away! He doesn’t realize that the person would be leaving regardless to continue to the next stop on the delivery route. So, every time someone comes to the door, delivers a package and leaves, he thinks: job well done! It often has nothing to do with the actual person, his or her uniform, delivery truck, etc.

Of course, humans don’t have to sit idly by and allow this pattern to develop into full on mayhem, as I did for 11 years. If your dog is beginning to take issue with your mailman, you can work with your dog on some basic obedience to correct the barking. It can also be very helpful to bring your pet outside on a leash to meet and socialize with the mail carrier before things get to a dangerous level. If it has gotten out of control, I recommend consulting a professional trainer. Of course, you can also do what I did after losing one too many important letters (photo of said debacle included above), which was to install an exterior mailbox, instead of using a mail slot through the front door. Ahhh, relief for all!

Tracy
Alumni Coordinator
Proud Mom of Captain & Molly (featured above)

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25 Years Of Discrimination In Ohio Comes To An End

jenny — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:54:58 +0000

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 10:54am

Tags:

Ohio

Legislation

Here at Angel City Pit Bulls, our mission is to “Educate, Advocate, and Celebrate” all things pit bull. Today, we celebrate a very important legislative victory in our nation, thanks to the tireless efforts of many advocates and educators on behalf of pit bulls.

This morning, Governor Kasich of the State of Ohio signed HB-14 into law. No small accomplishment - this important legislative milestone comes after a 25 year period of opposition from canine experts and pit bull lovers. It was in 1987 when Ohio fist declared pit bulls as 'dangerous' in the eyes of the law, and prior to today, Ohio was the only state in our nation that maintains state wide legislation targeting the breed. Ohio was largely viewed as a significant stronghold in breed specific legislation; with this victory, the global stage will be forced to regard the merits of those efforts and this historic decision’s meaning and importance.

By a 67-30 margin, The Ohio House of Representatives voted to remove what has since been termed “The Ohio Pit Bull Ban”. Even after the vote, however, this bill was still subject to possible veto – but as of this morning, those fears are laid to rest. The law has been signed, ensuring a complete victory!

Pit bulls in Ohio will no longer be discriminated against purely on the basis of their breed. Twenty-five long years of profiling pit bulls has come to an end! Time to CELEBRATE!

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