Dangerous Dogs

by John Flores

Last night I was informed that NBC was doing a segment on their 11 o’clock news called, “Dangerous Dogs”. Of course, I had to watch it because I just knew it was going to be about “pit bulls” in some way, shape or form. While it was a segment about the city of Los Angeles not doing their job in keeping strays off the street, it was clearly targeting “pit bulls” as “dangerous dogs”. The first time I watched it I was extremely irritated at the term “lock jaw” being used and I felt they there were only targeting the pitties as the only “dangerous dogs” roaming the street.

However, I decided to watch it a 2^nd time and I think they should have named the segment, “Stupid People”. Owning a dog is a pretty big responsibility. Owning a “pit bull” is even bigger than that.  Everyone is quick to blame the dog or blame animal control but the main problem is us! The reason NBC showed the pitties as the only dangerous dogs in the segment is the same reason that there are mostly pitties in the pounds. I know this because I’m at the pound all the time.

Pit bulls are the most over bred dog in this country so why wouldn’t they be the dog you see mostly as a stray? This is not about animal control not doing their job and this is not about pit bulls being “dangerous”. This is about being a responsible owner. Yes, Penny and Elvis are trained to be off leash but you’ll never see me letting them roam wherever they want whenever they want. And I don’t know how many times I’ve said this in a blog but FIX YOUR DOGS!! That’s the reason there are so many strays roaming the streets. The more unwanted litters there are out there, the more stray dogs roam the streets…you see where I’m going with this?

Dogs can’t spay or neuter themselves. Animal rescuers know full well they’ll never be able to save every dog but if we spend more time educating and less time blame shifting maybe…just maybe, we can get somewhere. How do you explain to a person that’s been attacked by a “pit bull” or had their dog killed by one that the dog isn’t dangerous? Pit bulls are very loving dogs. There’s no doubt about that. I know because I own 2 and have fostered many others. But they are powerful and like any animal, you must respect them. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s much easier to prevent than correct and it is much easier to point the finger than it is to own up to your responsibility. I mean, how hard is it to leash your dog in public, get them fixed and keep them on your property when you’re not home? If you can’t at least do that, should you really own any dog? And it’s because of people who can’t do that are the reasons why my dogs can’t even pant without someone thinking they’re going to “snap”.

Advocating is hard…educating is even harder but this is the path I’ve chosen and I don’t plan on stopping. Last night NBC made the “pit bull” out to be a “dangerous dog”. A dog is only as dangerous as the person handling them. If you own a “pit bull” you automatically assume the responsibility of not only being an advocate for the breed but I expect you to be responsible for you actions as well as your pets’. You can’t take credit as being a great owner when your dog does well and then blame your dog when they do badly. It doesn’t work that way. Thank you, NBC, for reminding me again of how we are failing, “man’s best friend”.

At the beginning of the year, I decided I needed a mission statement. That mission statement is simple…it’s to educate, advocate, and NEVER discriminate. Because today it’s the pit bull but tomorrow it could be your dog. So for all you pittie owners out there, part of advocating is being responsible. Being the voice for the voiceless means educating the people…and what better way to start than to lead by example.

John Flores

Recommended Posts

Through No Fault of Their Own Part V

September 12, 2017

A Letter To The Men of Pawsitive Change at Corcoran State Prison

September 06, 2017

No Fault of Their Own Part IV

August 22, 2017