RottnBullies

Problem Fixed

How tragic, :D I'm so sorry for your loss, Run Free Ruby, such a pretty girl

Bruce's Candle Light Vigil Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009 Time: 12:05am - 11:55pm Location: Around the World Join Our Call to "paws" "Paws" for a moment of silence and join us in lighting a candle in honor, support and recognition of our beautiful canine friend, "Bruce", an innocent victim and pawn of Northern Ireland's Breed Specific Legislation law. We can not do many things for Bruce as he still sits - just under 2 years - caged, isolated, and physically neglected at the hands of a government agency. These laws were enacted to decrease harm to its' citizens but is now causing harm to many dogs, including Bruce, and their families. We can not break him free. We can not ease his confusion and sadness of being taken from the only home he has ever known. We can not relieve his suffering, and the pain that he continues to endure, nor can we replace his once-beautiful and healthy tail, now amputated from this government's abuse and neglect. What we can do is pause "paws" for a moment of silence and light our flame in honor of "Bruce", in support of his steadfast-unwavering courage, continuing trust and devotion, and in recognition of his undeniable "spirit", that continues to touch the world. We can "paws" to honor all of our canine friends and their families around the world who have lost their lives to Breed Specific Legislation and Dangerous Dog Act Laws, this criminal - breed genocide law, and vow to make a change, worldwide, one goal, one purpose, uniting us all in solidarity to repeal this law of inhumanity. On Thursday, July 23rd 2009 at dusk in your part of the world, with your beloved pets safe at your side, light a candle and "paws" for this powerful moment of silence in honor, in support, and in recognition for all of us fighting to "Bring Bruce Home" uniting to make a change for "Bruce" and the many lives already lost--so that they did not die in vain. Capture the moment with a digital photograph or video and please send to: [email protected] and/or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10616243761 so that we may record this historical moment in our fight for justice and publish these touching moments for the world to see.

If this particular dog didn't fail the TT, even though It Is only part, It would have been able to live a "normal" life, but because It failed the TT It gets the same restrictions as a restricted breed, that being because It was assessed as being "part of" a restricted breed. That may be the case, but I don't think It Is for the average joe blow whom as I understand It Is not in receipt of this list until the NOI Is issued, and then It's like playing Russian roulette on who they pick! I'm not even going to go into the BA part here , but the TT, well that was utterly disgusting, I'm sure all of my dogs would have failed as well, what kind of dog would have just sat there and smiled?? maybe a stuffed one! And the fact that It can't be challenged after the BA & TT just shows how flawed It all Is, I thought everything In a court of law has the grounds for an appeal Someone really needs to take this further In court, maybe all we need Is a few wins, to get the ball rolling In changing the system, once It's been proven as a total sham, surely there maybe some layers who do pro bono to start of with? Ok I've had my jumpin up n down fit ;)

Awesome, they are doing amazing work! looking forward to watching their video

Great to see a post from someone who has had hands on experience with this breed, thanks for posting that paulni, I hope this will clarify It somewhat not to cast stones on a breed on just by what Is written

Yes I do, have the latest version too, but most times I just fluke It, and wouldn't know where to begin with this task I'll send It through, and you can send It back with some directions when you have time Thanks xx

Was wondering If anyone Is able to help me put a watermark on one of my pics, I do have a watermark program, but It only allows me to put one In horizontally and because of how the pic Is, I think It will need one more on an angle also It needs to be done so as not to take away anything from the pic, I hope that made sense so not sure If maybe just initials would be fine here Is the pic, I can send through the larger file to work on as It will need to be on that one any help much appreciated I should have done this before as It's already been taken of my FB page and being used

Awesome, It's good to see the domino effect happening, even If It Is ever so slowly, It can only be seen as a positive step In the right direction I'm sure more will follow

It's not too late to send e-mails Was just sent an update on what's been going on Saving Bruce

Yet to hear any updates, but did get one reply from e-mails I've sent, so the message Is getting across Thank you for your email to Mr McFarland with regard to the plight of Shannon-Leah Brown and her pet dog Bruce. Mr McFarland sympathizes with Ms Brown. However having made enquiries with colleagues in North Down Borough Council he has been told that the decision lies solely with the Courts and it would prove difficult to interfere with the legal process. However, Mr McFarland will speak to other Assembly Colleagues to see if anything can be done to help Bruce's situation. Kind regards Pamela Pamela Stewart PA/Alan McFarland MLA Northern Ireland Assembly Room 303 Parliament Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX Tel: +44 28 90521861 Fax: +44 28 90521768 email: [email protected]

More e-mails with templates If needed, at the bottom of link, The Pet Owners Parliament Bruce's story Is reaching far and wide across the world,......... still hoping for a happy ending to this story after everything he's been through So please take the time to send them through. It could make all the difference for Bruce Thanks

CROSS POSTING Please voice your opinion, the more the better. Please contact the USPCA, the major animal welfare body in ireland. Contact email is [email protected] Template below or feel free to use your own email. As you can imagine this is a very important area to contact so please crosspost as much as possible and ask everyone you know to contact them. Dear USPCA I am writing to you with regard to a travesty about to occur in Northern Ireland and to beg you to intervene and help save a life. The life in question belongs to Bruce, a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was living happily with his family in Northern Ireland. On September 19th 2007 Bruce was seized by council officials as an alleged "pit bull type" and taken to secluded kennels whilst his owner was taken to court for owning a banned type of dog. While incarcerated in kennels his family were allowed to visit Bruce in October 2007, Bruce had lost weight, muscle and had a cut to his muzzle. Five months later Bruce was allowed a second visit from his family in March 2008, they were shocked with what they found: The wound on Bruce's muzzle was larger and had become infected, he had to have his tail amputated, had open sores, was underweight and looked totally rejected, yet despite the clear pain he was in, is described by experts as being a friendly dog that poses no danger to the public. In a desperate attempt to save Bruce, owner Shannon Brown, supporters and neighbours have created petitions and videos resulting in worldwide support to "Bring Bruce Home". Northern Ireland has not adopted the 1997 Amendment Act as in England, Scotland and Wales, despite being proposed several times, thus meaning any dog deemed to be "pit bull type" cannot be entered onto the Index of Exempted Dogs. If the proposal had been accepted in Northern Ireland, as with the rest of the UK, Bruce would have been home long before now, alive and well registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. Northern Ireland is however currently considering legislative change but this is not likely to be achieved in time to save Bruce. If Bruce lived in Southern Ireland where no breeds are nationally banned he would never have been seized at all. Bruce has been offered a place of safety with a reputable rescue in Southern Ireland where he could legally live out the rest of his life, this offer has been conveyed to the solicitor but has sadly not been accepted by the court. Please help Bruce and intervene to allow Bruce the chance of life by refusing to destroy a happy friendly dog. This is all that is needed. I am sure that you are aware of how emotionally committed good owners are to their pets. Dogs are part of our families as much as children. Please spare Bruce's owner the further trauma of having to see Bruce destroyed so needlessly. Please add your voice to help save Bruce and allow a blameless animal the chance of life. We claim to be a nation of animal lovers, surely now it is time to prove it? I await your response. Yours faithfully This Is just tragic, beyond words D

Breed specific legislation failing globally Breed specific legislation failing globally June 30, 10:24 AM After almost six years of costly enforcement of breed specific legislation, (BSL) Italy has lifted its breed ban and is replacing it with a law that will hold owners accountable for their dogs. In September of 2003, Italy placed into effect laws that banned or restricted 92 breeds including not just controversial breeds such as the Rottweiler and Pit Bull, but breeds such as the Corgi and Border Collie. Italy later dropped the deemed dangerous list to 17 breeds, and just this past April, removed the restrictions all together. In light of the new law, Health Undersecretary, Francesca Martini said "This is a historic day because we have established for the first time the responsibility of the owner or the person who is momentarily in charge of the animal." Dog advocates and experts globally have argued that dogs are individuals and aggression cannot be pinned on specific breeds as a whole. Many share the thought that banning an entire breed is nothing but a costly band-aid fix to quiet the hype caused by the media. Until owners are held responsible for their negligence, incidents will continue to occur even if specific species are eradicated. Possibly following suit to Italy's new reversal on BSL, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has ruled in favor of an appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Denver, Colorado breed ban, which currently restricts owners with American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bulls, American Bull Dogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and dogs that appear to be mixed with the listed breeds. Since the Denver ban was re-enacted in 2005, over 1,000 dogs were subsequently euthanized. In their decision, the Tenth Circuit Court is quoted to say "with its affections for its friends, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, [the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is] a foremost all-purpose dog." In 1988, in Dade County, Florida, a breed ban was enacted. In 2002, it was estimated that over 50,000 of the banned breeds were residing there. In 2001, Baltimore, Maryland spent an estimated $750,000 just to enforce breed specific legislation. Unbeknownst to many tax payers, BSL is very costly. Examples are given using the Economic Impact Calculator. June 9th, 2008, Holland lifts its breed ban against Pit Bulls after discovering that fifteen years of BSL did not decrease the number of dog bite incidents. After euthanizing many puppies that had Pit Bull appearances, they concluded that physical traits did not pre-determine temperament. Ignoring statistics and efficacy of BSL, Canada remains firm on their stance to ban specific breeds. On June 9th, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear the appeal to remove their ban on Pit Bulls. In 45 years, there had only been 1 reported fatality resulting from a "Pit Bull" attack in Canada, out of 47 cases of fatalities involving at least 100 dogs, most of which were sled dogs. The one listed incident was the result of provocation by a drunken roommate. Charlotte currently does not enforce breed specific legislation with the exception that Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes cannot be adopted from the Charlotte Mecklenberg Animal Care and Control, (CMACC) Facility. Members of the rescue community are trying to help present solutions to change the city legislation preventing their adoption, without putting the dogs in danger of being adopted by fighters. In hopes to provide more than a band-aid fix, programs to promote responsible ownership are sprouting throughout the country in an effort to help with breed discrimination caused by negligent owners. For more info: Visit the National Canine Research Council, and Pit Bull Rescue Central BSL, or email Sara at [email protected] Italy Revokes Breed Ban Italy Revokes Breed Ban April 1, 2009 : 1:08 PM Official Claims Law Had No Scientific Foundation When in Rome… Italy will eliminate its list of dangerous dogs—replacing it with a law making owners more responsible for their pet's training and behavior. The new law, effective in April, will eliminate the current list of 17 breeds which are considered potentially dangerous, including Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, bull mastiffs and American bulldogs. Under the current law, owners of blacklisted breeds are required to keep them muzzled in public places and ensure that they pose no danger to others. Failure to respect the law can result in the animal being put down. New Law Puts Responsibility On Owner The new law is built on the foundation that any dog, regardless of breed, can potentially be dangerous and it puts the responsibility—morally and legally—on the owners for a dog's behavior. Says Health Undersecretary Francesca Martini, "This is a historic day because we have established for the first time the responsibility of the owner or the person who is momentarily in charge of the animal." The new law forbids training dogs to be aggressive using sticks and protective body gear, doping, surgery that is not for health purposes and dangerous cross-breeding. The law also makes veterinarians responsible for compiling a register of individual dogs who they believe may be potentially high risk, requiring owners to keep those pets muzzled in public. Martini added that the previous law had no scientific foundation and compared it to a "fig leaf over the larger problem." USA Needs to Follow Suit Despite this, many communities in the United States are currently considering enacting breed bans. Says Ed Fritz, Best Friends' campaign specialist for Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dog, "Italy's decision to end its ban on dog breeds is further evidence that breed discrimination just doesn't work." He adds, "Rather than breed-discriminatory restrictions, communities should mirror Italy's example and put the onus on the owner with good comprehensive dangerous dog/reckless owner laws." Additional Information and Resources • Read the article about the removal of Italy's breed ban. • Join the Stop BDL community for more information on how you can help put an end to breed discrimination. • Learn more about breed bans and dog bite facts at the National Canine Research Council. Photograph by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

I love looking at how people edit their photos, some I like, some I don't, as someone mentioned earlier It's all a matter of personal taste, I like to look at pics as though they're a blank canvas and then the edited ones, as a finished work of art. Liked them all after edited, except for the second last one, no particular reason why either, Nice work on sharing some tips, just wished they would sink Into this brain, It's always seems too complicated ETA: Coz I think I worded it wrong

My girl Is very fit and In peak condition, she's quiet happy and doesn't need more, the more she gets, (she Is a very high prey dog too!) I do however agree with exercising the mind as well, nothing wrong with a combination of both, that Is fit mind and body! He will always need new challenging things for his mind as well, so It's a constant process IMO

I agree, no muzzle, when unattended! Maybe he's not getting enough physical release on his walks, have you tried running him to the point of exhaustion before put back In his crate, he'll be too tired to do anything and maybe just sleep for the 40 mins or so that you take the other two out I do It with Zeiba, and she's a lot more calmer when she's exhausted! It just releases all that energy that Is otherwise built up and then turns to be destructive energy. ETA: I always think a tired dog Is a good dog! lol

Hi joee, You'll get more help by posting In the rite section, either Puppy Problems or Training/Obedience Ask to have this thread moved, as It's not BSL related Cheers

I think you'll find It's been the same people fighting BSL for some time, like anything else, these people have become emotionally drained and somewhat disheartened by It all I'm pretty sure though many are still fighting the good fight, It's just not on here I also think a sticky of FAQ's and their answers Is a good Idea, so that people may look there to find answers they seek, If not then they can start a new thread!

As the saying goes....You're flogging a dead horse with that one! Shame Ignorance Is contagious, then maybe the dog world and everything in It... wouldn't be such a damn mess !!

Well, nothing short of disgusting whichever way I see It, at the end of the day another dog PTS because Of asswipe owners (and to clarify that, there are asswipes In every breed, It's not limited to APBT owners!) I don't care too much about how It's done, but ffs how hard Is It to contain a dog??? and that goes for every god damn breed!! not just the APBT By the way can It be clarified please that this dog was PTS?? Why wasn't a NOI issued for either restricted or dangerous ? These people shouldn't have dogs and they should have been the ones paying the price, NOT the dog What Is going to stop them from getting another and doing It all over again - Not the BSL laws that's for sure!!

Hi all, I was alerted yesterday from a friend who came to visit, on a peculiar black spot In my lil Staffy's eye, she noticed It while she was standing in the sun, It looks just like another pupil a little smaller and situated under her pupil in the Iris area ?? Thought I'd post to see If anyone else has experienced this or may know what It Is, Much appreciated, I have an enormous vet bill from another dog with cancer, so was hoping that It may not be something serious, and I could hold off a vet visit, unless otherwise Thanks again

I totally agree. There will always be challenging aspects on most breeds!, I think It's great that cesar tells It how It Is The more people know about their chosen breed the better equipped they are to handle them. I absolutely adore Daddy :D He Is so precious

HaHa ditto :D

Run free beautiful girl