Columbia, MO ~ FREE Spay/Neuter Vouchers Available from Animal Control

COLUMBIA- Columbia/Boone County Animal Control officers are offering the gift of responsible pet ownership this holiday season. Beginning immediately, FREE spay/neuter vouchers are available to all Boone County residents.

The vouchers, which can be used to spay or neuter both dogs and cats, can be picked up anytime Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, 1005 West Worley in Columbia. No appointment is needed. Recipients must present a photo ID and proof of Boone County residency (i.e. driver’s license, utility bill, voter ID card, etc.) After a voucher is obtained, the pet owner should call the Central Missouri Humane Society to schedule the spay/neuter procedure.

There are no income restrictions for the vouchers and more than one voucher per household is allowed. Vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis. They must be picked up before December 30, 2010, but the spay/neuter procedure does NOT need to be completed before the end of 2010.

For more information, please contact Animal Control at 573.449.1888.

Rescue Chocolate, Calendars, and NEW iPhone 4 cases!

Brand new to our CafePress store: iPhone 4 cases!

Perfect for holiday gifts (or yourself)! Bring style and protection to your Apple iPhone 4.

www.cafepress.com/pbrcstore

Here's a sweet deal! Dear PBRC Friends, Don't forget that your Rescue Chocolate purchases throughout the month of November will directly benefit Pit Bull Rescue Central. Rescue Chocolate is 'the sweetest way to save a life' because the company donates all of its profits to animal rescue organizations like ours. Get online now (www.RescueChocolate.com) and order some for your Thanksgiving feast, for your holiday gift-giving, and for your own private indulgences! You win (because the chocolate is yummy!), and the bullies win too!

PBRC 2011 Calendars on Sale Now!

You've got choices to make this year! This year PBRC is presenting two beautiful full-color, saddle stitched, 12-month calendars featuring rescued pit bulls!

PBRC offers their special addition 2011 People's Choice Pit Bull Calendar features your photos, your votes and your winners!

Along with that PBRC is offering their traditional 2011 Happy Endings Calendar featuring rescued pit bulls in their adoptive homes.

Another Happy Ending from the Missouri 500

In July 2009 a little black and white pit bull was rescued with hundreds of other pit bulls from their lives as fighting dogs. Already pregnant Vanilla as the shelter named her gave birth to 6 roly-poly puppies in a temporary shelter set up to house what became known as the Missouri 500.

In November 2009, after five long months in the temporary shelter, Vanilla started a new life with a new name. Vanilla became Sophie the day she came to my house for fostering until her forever home could be found.

Having never stepped foot inside a home before, Sophie had a lot to learn and a lot of fears to overcome. Veterinarians have recently realized that animals can exhibit many of the same symptoms that people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder do and Sophie had many of these same symptoms, the intense, constant anxiety, the hyper-vigilance to her surroundings and fear/panic resulting from loud or unexpected noises. It was several days before she could walk out of her crate voluntarily and many weeks before she could leave the room where her crate was located. The television was another novel experience that required four months of gentle persuasion before Sophie could tolerate the sounds and movements we take for granted.

Month after month of her progress was an emotional roller coaster with wonderful highs as I watched her conquer yet another new experience and horrible lows as a sudden change caused her to backslide into panic mode again. Through it all, Sophie showed the typical, wonderful pit bull personality. As long as she felt safe, she was a happy little clown, learning what toys are for and what cuddling with people is all about. Even at her most panic stricken she never once offered any aggression toward me and learned quickly that people could be a source of safety and comfort rather than fear and pain. She greeted everyone that walked in the door as if they were long lost friends.

In November 2010, just a few days short of one year, Sophie began her last and greatest adventure yet. Sophie was adopted by a wonderful family into her forever home. Nicole, Jose and 8-year-old Noah are Sophie’s new best friends and family. Because it took so long for Sophie to adjust to life inside a house, I feared she would suffer a set back when she went to her new home, but this resilient little pit bull proved me wrong as she walked into her new home and set about happily investigating every room and making herself comfortable on the furniture. She never missed a beat even when I left her to her new life. I will certainly miss my little girl, but I am so very happy that she will get to spend the rest of her life with a family that loves her and will spoil her like the little pittie princess she deserves to be.

Congratulations to Sophie and her new family and I wish you all the best for many years to come.

~ Amanda Clase

From our friends at Atlanta Underdog Initiative and Friends to the Forlorn

Want to see the work Atlanta Underdog Initiative and Friends to the Forlorn does? Look at the videos below. This is taking to the streets and getting the word out. We weren't sure what to call it, but "Tails in the Hood" was rather catchy. Two Atlanta area rescues teamed up to reach the pit bull owners who need the education the most, and they started on the Southside of Atlanta.

On Saturday morning Jason and I assisted the Humane Society of the United States, Lifeline Animal Project and the Coalition to Unchain Dogs at a free rabies clinic and food give away for the general public in the English Avenue neighborhood of Atlanta. We provided the public with free rabies vaccines, free Halo dog and cat food and spay/ neuter assistance. It was nice to see all of the dogs and at least one cat (there may have been more cats, but I only saw the one) getting their shots. Some people even agreed to get their dogs fixed. Of course we saw a lot of pit bulls since they seem to be the dog of choice in lower income areas.

Before Jason arrived at the free rabies clinic he had picked up a large food donation in Morrow, GA. We used some of that food to do our neighborhood outreach on Saturday afternoon.

We delivered a new crate and some Halo dog food to a 17 year old boy who came to the Atlanta Bully Rally weekend before last. Jason and I were trying to educate this young man on proper and responsible pit bull ownership. He was given a pregnant female pit bull a few weeks ago. Though I wish we could talk him into getting a spay/abort, we have to gain his trust first so we don't alienate him. Besides, she's too far along for a spay/abort at this point. We also taught him how to care for his dogs and how to crate train them. We need to gain his trust so we can make sure the pups from his pregnant female end up in safe homes. We are trying really hard to get him to fix his dogs, but it takes time.

This is the work we will be doing, and here are two short videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKxGAe-ydIs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6-VryYcs1k

If you're in Atlanta and you want to help with this effort let us know! We welcome all the help we can get. You only need to have a passion for dogs, the ability to not judge someone and be able to keep a level head no matter the circumstances.

This work isn't easy, but we have to gain the trust of the people who need the education and build a relationship with them in order to help them become better pet owners. It's the best way to start to improve our communities, one dog at a time. Even if you're not in Atlanta you can model a program like this in your own area! All it takes is the desire to make a difference.

Rescue Chocolate ~ All November!

Hey PBRC supporters, here’s a sweet deal!

For the month of November 2010, you can help funnel donations to us by buying and eating chocolate! The Rescue Chocolate company, which donates all of its profits to various animal rescue organizations, has named PBRC as its November 2010 beneficiary.

The more you buy (and eat, and give as gifts), the more you will be increasing the company’s donation to us. So go online now (www.RescueChocolate.com) and figure out which of the yummy flavors you’d like to order next month.

You can choose from Peanut Butter Pit Bull (our favorite), Pick Me! Pepper, Fosterrific Peppermint, Mission Feral Fig, Wild At Heart, and Bow Wow Bon Bons.

We think you’ll like what you see, because everything is vegan, kosher/parve, handcrafted by artisan chocolatiers using traditional Belgian techniques, and packaged in eco-friendly materials.

A sweet deal? We think so! So plan to eat more chocolate, and save more bullies….!

It's Time to Vote! PBRC's 5th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest!

PBRC's 5th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest!

The canines in costume are all lined up and ready for your votes! Which costume is your favorite? Visit the Halloween Hound Gallery to view all the photographs and place your vote.

Click on the arrow to start the slideshow, then send an email to pbrccontest@gmail.com that identifies the corresponding number of your favorite photograph.

Voting begins at 12:00 am (EST) on Thursday, October 28. Be sure to wait until midnight: Votes will not be valid until the clock strikes midnight.

Votes will be accepted until 9pm (EST) Saturday, October 30. Only 1 vote per person/email address.

The three photos with the most votes will be announced and posted on Halloween, Sunday, October 31.

Prize winners will be contacted by email.

Thank you for your participation!

Halloween Safety Tips from the ASPCA

No Scaredy Cats This Halloween: Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you

PBRC's 5th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest!

According to legend, if the flame of a candle turns blue on Halloween night, a ghost is near. But in the weeks before Halloween, if a room suddenly flashes white, that means a pit bull is looking adorable in a Halloween costume and its owner has broken out the camera!

So what will your pit bull be for Halloween? A rock star? A politician? Another animal or insect? A ghost or goblin? A household appliance? Be sure to snap a photo and send it to us.

PBRC invites you to submit photos to our 5th Annual Howl-o-ween Photo Contest.

Please submit your photos no later than 11:59 pm EST on October 27, 2010.

Voting begins October 28, 2010.

We will announce the winners on October 31, 2010.

Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners on Halloween!

Submission rules:

• Submit only one photo per dog only.
• Include your name, your dog's name and your e-mail address.
• Contest is limited to photos of pit bull dogs.
• Send your photos to pbrccontest@gmail.com

Voting begins once all pictures submitted on time are uploaded to the Halloween Hound Gallery.

Need inspiration?
Click here to see the 2009 contest winners and contestants!

National "I Own a Pit Bull" Day!

PBRC Invites and Encourages You to Go Public on National "I Own a Pit Bull" Day!

October 23, 2010

National "I Own a Pit Bull" Day is a day to use the power of words and social media to declare ownership of pit bulls to acquaintances and strangers with the intent to promote pit bull ownership as something that is done by average, everyday, and extraordinary people.

So on October 23, 2010, let's make National Pit Bull Awareness Day a day where we stand up as proud and responsible pit bull owners.

Why Go Public As a Pit Bull Owner?

Even though it has been proven over and over again that Breed Specific Legislation doesn't work, local governments still attempt to introduce it into their communities.

• Journalists rarely report on a dog attack unless the animal was identified as "pit bull"
• Shelters are overpopulated with pit bulls.
• Let's dispel the myths and stereotypes and show our community that we are conscientious pit bull owners and not who the media paints us to be.

Use your Facebook status. On October 23, create a status update that lets everyone know that you own a pit bull, along with another detail about yourself, be it mundane, marvelous, miraculous, or mediocre. Some ideas:

• I own a pit bull and I love country music.
• I own a pit bull and I am allergic to peanuts.
• I own a pit bull and I have two mortgages.
• I own a pit bull and I vote Green Party.
• I own a pit bull and I am a cancer survivor.
• I own a pit bull and I need coffee to get going in the morning.

Distribute "I own a pitbull..." business cards. Using the status from above, fill in these easy-to-print business cards, click here to download PDF, and distribute them to the people who might not know that you are a proud owner. Give one to your coworkers, gas station attendant, grocery store clerk, yoga instructor, bank teller, hairdresser, English teacher, doctor, taxi driver, subway seatmate, or anyone else.

Have fun!

PRE-ORDER YOUR 2011 CALENDARS NOW!

You’ve got choices to make this year! This year PBRC is presenting two beautiful full-color, saddle stitched, 12-month calendars featuring rescued pit bulls!

PBRC offers their special addition 2011 People's Choice Pit Bull Calendar features your photos, your votes and your winners!

Along with that PBRC is offering their traditional 2011 Happy Endings Calendar featuring rescued pit bulls in their adoptive homes.

For the month of October PBRC will be taking pre-orders. The 2011 calendars will officially go on sale in November.

Reserve your calendar now!

Proceeds from calendar sales go directly to PBRC.

PBRC Fundraising
fundraising@pbrc.net

Thank You for Making PoppyMart a Success!

The volunteers of Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC) would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you who participated in PBRC's 7th Annual PoppyMart! This year's auction raised an awe-inspiring $12,000!

Please be patient with us as we sort through and process of the 563 donated items. We do have a first round of paid-for items going out the end of this week and we hope to have all items paid for via paypal shipped by the end of next week.

If, you are paying by personal check or money order, your item(s) will ship once the check or money order has cleared. If you choose to pay by personal check or money order, you must send us an e-mail HERE ( ebaypoppy@gmail.com ) to let us know that the payment is on its way.

All of the funds raised will go directly towards helping needy pit bulls and pit bull mixes throughout the US and Canada. PBRC receives no government funding, and is staffed solely by volunteers. Our support comes directly from you, and it goes directly to the dogs.

Again, thank you for helping us help the dogs.

Pit Bull Rescue Central
Fundraising Committee

Bull Breed Awareness & Adoption Day

Saturday October 2, 2010
PBRC will have a booth here!
Click image to enlarge.

PoppyMart 2010 is almost over! Don’t miss your chance to bid!

You only have until September 19 at approximately midnight PDT to bid. Dog stuff, people stuff, gifts, jewelry and collectibles. There is something for every taste and wallet.

Please visit our sponsor page to support our generous donors. PoppyMart would not be possible without the many retail vendors, volunteers, and friends who donated to PBRC's auction.

Before you bid, we ask that you review our Auction Guidelines page.

To register for the auction and for instructions – Register Here! (Note: Everyone bidding needs to register with eBay.) If you are already registered with eBay, all you need to do is start bidding!

Click the link to go directly to PoppyMart!

Feel free to contact us at fundraising@pbrc.net with any questions!

~The Volunteers of PBRC

P.S. PLEASE cross post this message!

Free pit bull spay/neuter, Daytona Beach, FL

The Halifax Humane Society is offering free pit bull spay-and-neuter clinics on Sept. 17 and 24. Additional dates will be announced for October and November.

Call June at 386-274-4703, ext. 319, for program details and to schedule your appointment.

Funded through proceeds from state sales of spay/neuter license plates.

http://www.halifaxhumanesociety.org/index.cfm

PoppyMart 2010 is Here! Let the bidding begin!

PBRC's on-line auction, Poppy Mart 2010 is finally here. Through September 17, you can bid on 550 exciting items for auction! Dog stuff, people stuff, gifts, jewelry and collectibles. There is something for every taste and wallet.

Please visit our sponsor page to support our generous donors. PoppyMart would not be possible without the many retail vendors, volunteers, and friends who donated to PBRC's auction.

Starting at 12:01AM PDT, on September 13th, 2010, Pit Bull Rescue Central, Inc. (PBRC), a 501(c)3 organization, will be holding its seventh annual on-line auction. We are once again using eBay as our venue.

All proceeds from Poppy Mart will go directly to PBRC's Fund -which finances Pit Bull Spay/Neuter; assists with medical procedures beyond the financial reach of rescuers, caretakers, owners and shelters; and supports the website that enables us to list dogs for adoption and provide educational resources. PBRC is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers.

Before you bid, we ask that you review our Auction Guidelines page.

To register for the auction and for instructions – Register Here! (Note: Everyone bidding needs to register with eBay.) If you are already registered with eBay, all you need to do is start bidding!

Click the link to go directly to PoppyMart!

Please note that the auction ends at 11am, September 19th – PDT.

Feel free to contact us at fundraising@pbrc.net with any questions!

~The Volunteers of PBRC P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message!

Poppymart is Days Away!

It's that time of year again…PBRC's online auction is coming soon. Starting September 13th, we'll be listing hundreds of amazing items to raise money for Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC).

You'll find toys, treats and accessories for your dog; toys, treats, and accessories for you; original artwork and custom products; and more. Thanks to the generosity of many vendors, volunteers, and friends, there's something for everyone, so get your ebay account ready!

All proceeds from Poppy Mart benefit Pit Bull Rescue Central's important work, including financial aid to help rescuers and owners with medical procedures they could not otherwise afford; spay/neuter assistance; dog listings and adoption application pre-screening for dogs in need of good homes; and educational resources for all ages.

PBRC is staffed entirely by a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to promote responsible pit bull ownership and restore the positive image of pit bulls.

Register now so you're ready to bid early and often. All bidders need to register with ebay, so if you don’t already have an account, www.ebay.com. You will be sent a link directly to our store once the auction begins.

If you have any questions, please contact us at fundraising@pbrc.net

The Poppy Mart Team

P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message

Pit Bulls & Parolees: Season 2

Season Premieres Saturday, October 30 at 10 PM

Two hundred pit bulls; six convicted felons on parole; and 10 dusty acres in the middle of nowhere. What’s the common factor? It’s the crossroad for a chance at redemption, rehabilitation and rebirth for both man and man’s best friend.

And, at the center of it all is one fiery, extraordinary woman — Tia Maria Torres — who devotes her days and nights to giving the underdogs of the canine and human worlds a second chance.

PIT BULLS & PAROLEES televises fiery drama and both serious and light moments where felons and ill-reputed dogs come together to rescue one another from their dim pasts to bring new meaning to life. Each week, Tia, one of the country’s most renowned pit bull trainers and the founder of the Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest pit bull rescue facility in the world, works against all odds to save pit bulls from dangerous and abusive situations and help repaint their reputation. In doing this, Tia pairs pit pulls with parolees in the belief that these delinquent canine-and-man teams can redeem themselves and strip one another of their ominous pasts.

Now in its second season, Tia and her cadre of parolees face a new set of challenges including pit bulls rescued from a dog fighting ring, the pending trial of Tia’s husband, A.J., and the return of one parolee who went back to jail during season one.

One thing that hasn’t changed is Villabolos’ core mission — to rescue pit bulls from dangerous and abusive situations and find them new, loving and lasting homes.

Pit bull Uno gives blood to help other dogs

This pit is a lifesaver.

Rachel Redd from Hobbs Animal Clinic poses with Uno, a
7-year-old pit bull who donates blood to help save the
lives of dogs.

LEVI HILL
NEWS-SUN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010

Most of the time pit bulls make news for maulings and killings, but 7-year-old Uno isn’t a life-taker. He’s a life saver.

Uno donates his blood to save the lives of other pets in need of blood transfusions. Not unlike humans, dogs have different blood types and like the O-negative blood- type in humans, Uno has a universal blood type that can be used with all other dogs.

Dogs have antigens in their blood that can reach negatively in other dogs. Dogs like Uno have antigens that are less likely to cause a reaction, making them, for lack of a better term, universal donors.

“He has given to a Yorkie, a Border Collie mix and a German shepherd,” said Uno’s owner, Amanda Green of Hobbs. “I think its is kind of funny that these tiny dogs are getting blood from a Pit bull.”

Uno is no light-weight. At 80 pounds his friendly greeting when meeting someone new is enough to knock a person down, but Uno is a gentle giant. He isn’t just a blood donor, he is a certified therapy dog that vis- its the sick and elderly in hospitals and nursing homes.

The blood donor aspect of Uno’s life came while Green was working at Hobbs Animal Clinic and a patient dog was in need of a blood transfusion. Veterinarian Don Newman tested Uno and discovered he was a universal donor.

“It is nice to know too that your dog is giving back to the community,” Green said.

The process of a dog or cat donating blood is similar to a person doing it, but it can be much tougher because the animal has to be calm enough to sit still with a needle in their neck for up to 40 minutes.

Uno not only has the universal blood, but seldom requires sedation, which is not recommended by vets, when giving blood. So recently, when a local dog needed blood, Uno came to the rescue.

Veterinarian Rachel Redd at Hobbs Animal Clinic handled the procedure.

“This dog was significantly low on blood,” she said. “She is doing well as far as I know. She had a lot more energy and was eating well and didn’t appear to have any reactions to the transfusion.”

Redd had several cats as a veterinary students that donated blood and in larger cities with animal hospitals in need of blood regularly, it can pay to have your pet be a donor.

“Both my cats were blood donors and they got free food every month, free blood work and vaccines,” Redd said.

Local veterinarians don’t have the resources to offer those perks, but Redd said Hobbs Animal Clinic offers credits to pet owners who have donor dogs.

Blood transfusions can be costly, as much as $5,000 in some cases, because blood supplies are often limited in rural areas due of a lack of donors and because donated blood cannot be stored for long periods of time.

A donor dog typically needs to be a larger animal, heavier than 70 pounds, because weightier dogs can spare more blood in situations where it is needed for an anemic animal, Redd said. Pets are never asked to donate more than half a liter of blood in a two-three month period.

Dog owners looking to give back by having their pet become a donor should schedule an appointment with their veterinarian and let them know they want to have their pet’s blood tested to see if they are a viable candidate.

“They have to have a good physical exam,” Redd said. “They should be negative for heartworm and other diseases that are bacterial and bloodborn.”

The pet should also be calm and able to remain so during the process of extracting blood, Redd added.

Vote now!

Hours left... Last chance to vote on the

PBRC People's Choice Pit Bull Calendar!

Soldier's unwelcome pit bull not an uncommon story

August 30, 2010 5:00 AM
LANCE BENZEL
THE GAZETTE
Axel the puppy is a lot of things to his owner, Spc. Joshua Brown.

The 10-week-old Labrador mix is a source of comfort and companionship, a needed boost after a draining year in Iraq, and a potential guardian for Brown’s wife when the soldier leaves on a new deployment next year.

Unfortunately for the Browns, Axel is also half pit bull, and that’s enough to make him unwanted at Grand View Apartments in Colorado Springs, where managers have told the pair to get rid of the dog or move.

“He’s part of the family now. I’d rather move,” said Spc. Brown, who has lived in the complex in the 2500 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue since 2008.

The brewing standoff over the treasured family pet may be unique in its particulars, but it’s hardly an old story in Colorado Springs, where lovers of so-called “aggressive breeds” come into frequent conflict with landlords.

Although the city has no ordinances that prohibit pit bulls or other controversial dogs, many large apartment complexes ban them, citing the safety of other residents and concerns about liability.

And soldiers appear to be in a harder spot than many dog lovers.

In 2008, Fort Carson adopted an Army-wide ban on certain dogs including pit bulls and added several more breeds in the process, making the post is more restrictive than required.

Fort Carson’s dog ban includes Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Akita Inus, Doberman Pinschers, chows, Mastiffs and wolf hybrids, said Lynn Rivera of Balfour Beatty Communities, which manages the 3,060 houses on post. Only dogs registered before the ban took effect are permitted.

“They either have the choice to not have the pet or not move into housing, because we do not allow them,” Rivera said.

Families found in violation of the ban are generally given a week to find a new home for the pet or give notice they will leave post, she said.

Finding a suitable home off the post can be a challenge.

Laura Russmann, executive director of the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado, said privately enforced dog bans became a hot topic in 2009 as 4th Infantry Division soldiers moved here in large numbers from Fort Hood, Tex.

Russmann’s advice, then and now: Forget apartment complexes and find a single-family house for rent with plenty of space between neighbors.

“Because of the liability, most large professionally run apartment complexes will not allow aggressive breeds,” Russmann said.

Pet bans are a leading factor cited by dog owners who give their animals up at the county shelter, said Stacey Candella, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.

Pit bulls, with their enduring notoriety, are among the most abandoned breed, she said.

Housing the controversial dogs is enough of a challenge that the Humane Society requires a signed form from landlords before it allows anyone to adopt pit bulls, and workers perform site inspections to ensure the dogs will be properly cared for, Candella said.

Brown, 22, of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, has no interest in giving up his dog, putting him at odds with the terms of his lease at Grand View Apartments, which spells out the restrictions on aggressive breeds.

Brown said he inquired at the management office before getting the dog from an Army buddy in June and was told that it shouldn’t be a problem. A manager at Grand View disputed his version, saying that Brown had the dog for six weeks before the leasing office learned about it.

Once Brown returns from training in Pinon Canon in southeastern Colorado Springs in early September, he said intends to focus on finding new lodging, even if it means paying to terminate his lease.

Relatives worry about the prospect of Brown losing the pet.

The soldier’s mother, Janet Brown, said Axel has done more than the Army or anyone else to comfort her son after a turbulent year in Iraq that ended in the fall of 2009.

Once happy-go-lucky, she said, her son came home moody and anxious. He complained of frequent headaches and hated being around large crowds. What sleep he managed to get was interrupted by nightmares.

Talking to Army psychologists didn’t seem to help, but Axel did.

“He seemed excited for the first time since he got back from Iraq,” Janet Brown said. “Now he’s faced with losing the one thing that had made him happy again.”

Barking up the right tree?

Pit bull service dog owners make progress with City Council Peter Marcus, DDN Staff Writer Thursday, August 26, 2010
SERVICE DOG? — To Glenn Belcher, an Operation Desert Storm veteran, his pit bull, Sky, absolutely is a service dog.

Operation Desert Storm veteran Glenn Belcher suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. His 3-year-old pit bull, Sky, is his only saving grace.

But Denver animal control officials won’t let Belcher keep his pit bull because of a 20-year-old city ban on the breed. Never mind that Sky is considered a service dog, protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Animal Control Director Doug Kelley simply couldn’t approve Sky for use in the city because Sky is of a banned breed, considered by most on City Council to be vicious and a danger to the city.

Help, however, may be coming to disabled Denverites like Belcher. A City Council committee on Tuesday moved forward with a change to the city’s 20-year-old ban on the breed that would allow people with disabilities to own pit bulls that are considered service dogs.

Belcher relies on Sky. He shares his horror stories with his buddy so that he doesn’t have to burden his friends and family with the pain. When Belcher suffers from night terrors, Sky sits on his chest to keep him from panicking out of control. Sometimes Sky wakes Belcher up out of the terrors and eases his trauma with a lick to the face.

“There’s no such thing as a bad dog, but there’s such a thing as bad owners,” explains Belcher. “That’s what happened. This poor breed has just been side-railed into oblivion, and I think it’s time for the public to understand that it’s not the dogs.”

When Belcher was blocked by animal control from having his service pit bill in Denver, he took the case to the Wheat Ridge-based Animal Law Center. Attorneys planned on filing with a federal court for an injunction preventing the city from blocking pit bulls as service dogs. But in March, both Denver and Aurora – which also bans pit bulls — signed a joint stipulation stating that they wouldn’t go after any pit bulls that are considered service dogs.

Attorney Jennifer Edwards isn’t resting quite yet. She has filed a federal lawsuit challenging both Denver’s and Aurora’s pit bull bans, arguing that the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits municipalities from using breed-specific legislation to ban any service dog. Three plaintiffs are named, including Belcher.

The federal law is clear in that it preempts any municipal breed-specific ban in cases where the animal has been designated as a service dog, said Edwards. City attorneys agree.

The Animal Law Center’s lawsuit also challenges Denver’s prohibition against transporting pit bulls through Denver. City Council members heard from city attorneys on Tuesday that they need to update the city’s pit bull ban to lift transport restrictions on pit bull owners who travel through Denver. A state court actually ruled in 2004 that the city had no right to prohibit transport of pit bulls through the city. But in over five years, city officials never updated its law to comply with the court’s order.

“It’s pretty offensive that this has been on the books this way for this long in complete violation of the ADA, in complete violation of our Constitutionally protected rights, and it took a lawsuit from the Animal Law Center to open their eyes,” said Edwards.

The proposed ordinance change passed out of the Health, Safety, Education and Services Committee on Tuesday and is likely to be heard by the full City Council on Sept. 13.

City Council members appeared reluctant to back the ordinance change, but felt their hands were tied by federal law. Councilwoman Carol Boigon, who has a disability herself and says she is a proponent of the Americans with Disabilities Act, said she is concerned that the ordinance change will lead to an abuse of the system and a sort of back door to legalizing pit bulls.

“I’m thinking of all of the drug houses that I have worked on over the last seven years, and a couple of them have people who have become paraplegics in bad drug deals, but were still dealing out of their house, and they had tough dogs,” said Boigon. “Was that a service dog? Well, I don’t know, but those certainly were legitimately handicapped people. I think we’re going to be in a world of hurt down the road on this.”

Animal Control Director Kelley acknowledged that the city has no separate licensing process for service dogs. In other words, anyone can walk in to claim their dog is a service dog, and animal control officers are not allowed to ask specific questions about the person’s disability because of protections afforded under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

City attorneys acknowledged that the only way for animal control officers to prove that a person is legitimately using a service dog would be to follow-up with an investigation. But officials say there simply are no resources to allow for those investigations.

Councilman Doug Linkhart suggested that Kelley and his department develop a separate licensing process for service animals, as well as a test or survey to accompany the application.

But in the meantime, concern — or joy depending on which side of the fence you stand on — is being raised that the ordinance change is leading to a legalization of pit bulls in the City of Denver.

Councilwoman Carla Madison — an opponent of the city’s pit bull ban who is attempting to garner support for a bill that would allow pit bulls if they are specially licensed by the city — said it is ridiculous for the Council to be enacting piecemeal changes to the city’s pit bull ban.

“I just think that this opens kind of a Pandora’s box,” she told her colleagues. “You have to observe the dog. Who’s going to do that observation? We don’t have that many animal control officers, and they have enough to do as it is.”

“Maybe we need to re-look at our pit bull ban and see if there’s some way we can help close that gap … maybe put in place a dangerous dog act, just look at it differently,” Madison continued.

The lawsuit by the Animal Law Center isn’t the only lawsuit Denver is facing. There are at least eight individuals who have or are currently pursuing or considering lawsuits against the city.

The most prominent case is one filed in 2007 by pit bull advocate Sonya Dias. The city is spending thousands of dollars defending itself against the lawsuit.

Dias was forced to sell her home in Denver to save her pit bull Gryffindor. She hopes the continued pressure will lead to a repeal of the ban.

“Any sort of societal change takes time, and thank God we’re moving toward more wiser laws and maybe a little compassion thrown in there as well,” said Dias. “I think it’s going to change, no matter what. What we’re doing, and what the ADA-oriented lawsuit has done is just pushing that to make it happen a little faster.”

PBRC People's Choice Pit Bull Calendar

Please VOTE!

There's just under one week left to get your votes in for PBRC People's Choice Pit Bull Calendar! We need help getting 13 of the BEST photos!

Which lovely model will you have take first place? Will it be Pauline, or perhaps Paris? Maybe one of the underdogs will win? You decide!

Remember, the 13 most popular photos will be shared in this special edition calendar with the top rated photo gracing the cover. Your entry fee and the public votes that follow ($1 each vote) will help PBRC continue to help more dogs find loving, responsible homes via our dog listings and application screening services. It will also help us continue to assist with spay and neuter surgeries and life-saving medical treatments. This calendar is for the people and pit bulls by the people.

Poppy Mart is One Month Away!

It's that time of year again… PBRC's online auction is coming soon.

Starting September 13th, we'll be listing hundreds of amazing items to raise money for Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC). You'll find toys, treats and accessories for your dog; toys, treats, and accessories for you; original artwork and custom products; and more. Thanks to the generosity of many vendors, volunteers, and friends, there's something for everyone, so get your ebay account ready!

All proceeds from Poppy Mart benefit Pit Bull Rescue Central's important work, including financial aid to help rescuers and owners with medical procedures they could not otherwise afford; spay/neuter assistance; dog listings and adoption application pre-screening for dogs in need of good homes; and educational resources for all ages. PBRC is staffed entirely by a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to promote responsible pit bull ownership and restore the positive image of pit bulls.

Register now so you're ready to bid early and often. All bidders need to register with ebay, so if you don’t already have an account, www.ebay.com. You will be sent a link directly to our store once the auction begins.

If you have any questions, please contact us at fundraising@pitbullinfo.net

The Poppy Mart Team

P.S. PBRC is a non-profit organization that relies on donors and supporters to continue our work. If you can’t wait four weeks to support us, you can shop for pit bull gear or make a donation at PBRC.

We need your help to vote in the best pictures for our Special Edition People’s Choice Pit Bull Calendar ending August 31st. For a minimal $5.00 donation you can help the dogs and help us have a great calendar!

PitBullShirt.com and PBRC!

Great summer shirts! Buy a shirt from www.PitBullShirt.com in August, and PBRC will get 10% of all the proceeds! Thanks for your support!

Take a look at their great products. It's not too early for your holiday shopping!

• My Heart Belongs to a Pit Bull
• Rock and Roll Pit Bull Saloon
• Hug a Pit Bull
• Pit Bull Motorcycle Club
• And much more!

Click here:
http://www.tommypopart.com/pitbullshirt.html