Is It Anti Apbt Night

[Skruffy n Flea]

...

*applause*

Shame on them, last night, for buying into the tabloid journalism that is villification of an entire breed.

I strongly hope Bondi Vet is asked to issue a retraction of the basic inaccuracies in its show, but also advised to broadcast an episode that more accurately addresses the concept of deed, not breed.

strong agreement

well done spot!

[Skruffy n Flea]

yup, there were too many head slaps and numerous eye rolls for me last night too watching that show --- typical is what i say about that goose *head shake*

for the person who wanted to know what happened to leroy for him to break his leg, there wasn't any footage and there were no reports as to who saw what happened either --- 'twas all supposition poor lil bugger, so vera vera cute is leroy

Id just like to know how many people thought the lamb was in love with him when he left, Id bet my bottom dollar he had a bottle of milk to make him follow him to the car

yup, and didn't he milk it *pun intended*

sickening really ... just pathetic...

[DerRottweiler]

Hey guys

This is a bit full-on for a first post, I know, but I was so horrified by the inaccuracies in Bondi Vet last night that I decided to write in and complain to Channel 10. I want to see the lies retracted, clarification around the circumstances of the attack on the terrier pup, but also I want to see Bondi Vet do an entire 'deed not breed' episode to make up for the damage this has done to ALL bull breeds in the eyes of the public. (Because let's face it, most folk who aren't bull-breed-fanciers can easily mistake staffies for APBTs, and I've even seen people pointing out the highly distinctive shape of an English bull terrier and telling their kids that was a pitbull. We don't need more lies and fear towards bull breed dogs - common sense needs to prevail!)

I strongly urge you, if you feel as bad as I do, to complain to Channel 10 about this episode. I did it here http://www.freetv.com.au/ - which is where you can lodge online complaints, alternatively go to http://ten.com.au/contact-us.htm for other ways to submit a complaint. This is the letter I sent - I hope it's okay with mods etc that I post the content on here.

If anyone disagrees with anything in my letter or you feel I got something wrong, please do post and let me know. Otherwise, I was literally both /facepalm and /headdesk last night watching the show and choked my drink so bad it came out my nose, when Lisa Chimes started going on about 'lockjaw'.

Sir,

I am writing because I was disturbed, while watching Bondi Vet last night, to see two particular incidents where inaccurate information was given on the programme. I believe this misinformation contravenes the television code of practice under the section concerned with accuracy, fairness and respect for privacy in news and current affairs.

The first instance was an eight month old terrier, called Scruffy, brought in by his owner Maria after being attacked by a dog, which the show stated was a pitbull terrier. The pup was badly injured and his owners were very upset.

What concerns me, however, is what followed on the show with regard to pitbull terriers. First of all, pitbull terriers are difficult to identify, and plenty of the public will mistake staffordshire terriers, terriers registered in Australia as american staffys (arguably not the same as american pitbull terriers), english bull terriers, and any cross breed that looks like a bull terrier, as a pitbull. There is, therefore, no proof that the attacking dog, uncontrolled and aggressive as it was, was actually an American Pitbull Terrier. Indeed, the morning after the attack, Scruffy's owner, Maria, stated she had referred the matter to the council and it was in the hands of the rangers, who had to try and find the man and his dog - so she doesn't know the man, or his dog, and therefore really cannot claim conclusively that the dog that attacked her pup was a pitbull terrier.

Of greater concern was the comment to camera by Dr Lisa Chimes, where she said:

‘The thing about pitbulls, what makes them so dangerous, is that their jaws basically lock, and you cannot open them, and that’s why they’re fighting dogs, and that’s why they’re so dangerous’.

This is simply untrue. Pitbull terriers, and other bull terriers, do not have a locking mechanism in their jaw. Scientific testing has proven that there is no physical design particular to the bull terrier breed which means their jaw closes and cannot be reopened because something clicks into place.

The concept of savage Pitbulls appears again in the same show, in a second incident; a woman brings in a puppy called Snowy that she has adopted from the pound. She wants Dr Chris Browne to run a DNA test on the puppy to make sure it does not have any pitbull terrier genes. DNA testing in dogs is inconclusive at best (unless you are testing and comparing the DNA of two specific dogs, against each other, to see if they are related - all DNA testing can do is identify genetic sequences common to certain breeds - it could prove the pup had common ancestry with a pitbull terrier, but would not conclusively state that the dog had a pitbull parent, for instance).

For starters, I believe it is unethical veterinary medicine for Dr Chris to carry out such an arbitrary test on a puppy. What would happen if the test had shown the pup had a pitbull parent? Would the pup have been put to sleep? Would Dr Chris have put it to sleep right there on his show, for us all to see?

Instead, he reassures the owner that the dog has no pitbull in it, but there follows a very disturbing exchange where he tells her she has nothing to worry about, and she says her son's friends from school can now come over and she won't need to worry about the dog attacking them.

(I cannot transcribe the verbatim exchange, as the link to that part of the show is not working on the channel 10 website).

This is misleading and inccurate information - Dr Chris cannot guarantee that woman that her dog will never hurt her children or their friends simply because it does not have pitbull terrier in it. If the dog is unsocialised, poorly treated or badly trained between now and its adult life, it is just as capable of injuring a child as any bull breed dog.

Dogs are individual. Different breeds have characteristics that it is vital that the public understand. Pitbull terriers are formidible dogs, with high bite pressure in terms of pounds per square inch. The shape and weight of the average adult dog, coupled with this bite pressure and the high tenacity that is bred into terriers of all kinds, means pitbulls should only ever be owned by an owner who respects and can control the tendancies of this breed.

However, the same goes for any large breed dog - German Shepherds, rottweilers, huskies, labradors - all of these dogs are bred to have certain characteristics. It is human beings who shape those characteristics - not all labradors are born guide dogs. Not all rottweilers are born guard dogs. And not all pitbull terriers are born fighting dogs. If they were, there would be no requirement for the savagery of dog fighting training - infliction of pain and cruelty, blooding the dogs, extended training on a treadmill, encouragement of dog-aggression.

In general, I believe the Bondi Vet show from last night was misleading, inaccurate in places, and did great damage to the 'deed, not breed' campaign that is so important to ALL dogs - because while it is vital that potential owners understand the responsibilities of owning a large breed dog, it is also absolutely vital that potential owners are not lulled into a false sense of security with other breeds and assume any dog is a naturally gentle companion, incapable of harm or disobedience, simply because it is a certain breed.

Our pounds and shelters are overflowing with dogs, some pure breed and some not, because owners did not fully appreciate the responsibility and the challenge of socialising, training and generally looking after a cute puppy as it grows into an adult dog. I would hope that shows like Bondi Vet, being a mainstream, prime time show on veterinary medicine, would strive to help educate the general public about dogs.

Shame on them, last night, for buying into the tabloid journalism that is villification of an entire breed.

I strongly hope Bondi Vet is asked to issue a retraction of the basic inaccuracies in its show, but also advised to broadcast an episode that more accurately addresses the concept of deed, not breed.

Yours

[My name - and no I didn't write SpotTheDog]

Excellent!

Very well written with all arguments conveyed in a clear, logical manner.

[Skruffy n Flea]

... I am also extremely disappointed that the vets went along with her and did not discuss the REAL reasons why dogs may become aggressive.

...

ya know, a telly show like this one has such a prime opportunity to dispel the myths about animal behaviours, that to not take such an opportunity is tantamount to a grave injustice to the public at large!

he has it in him the bahluddy goose; did ya hear his comments on the 7pm project about the lion attacking its trainer for example ffs!

how can he go from that to THAT on his own show! credibility BLOWN

[Parkeyre]

I wish more people would see this link

Find the Pitbull

I got it wrong

I've seen others similiar to that one, that one there was the first one i got right.

[Rach...]

I got the find the pitbull on the second go haha =S

[aussielover]

I got the pit bull on 1st go, but try this one, it is bit a harder

find the pitty puppy

[Bundyburger]

I got the pit bull on 1st go, but try this one, it is bit a harder

find the pitty puppy

I got that right not the other one

I missed the episode, I'll watch it tonight but it sounds like an awful episode..

[Loraine]

I was gobsmacked at last night's programme. I thought vets knew better about the deed/breed thing, and the 'lock jaw' myth. Very disappointing.

[nikivds]

I wondered if there was going to be a thread about this episode, I normally miss the show because its on the same night as agility training but last night it was raining so I stayed in and watched, I couldn't believe all the pitt bull slandering on the show and was disgusted just like you guys about the statement that the woman's child would be safe because there was no pit bull in the puppy grrr!

Also I wonder how the dog that attacked scruffy fared having his jaw opened with a screw driver, surely that would have caused some damage? Hopefully the dogs owner is smart enough to check it out and to get his dog under control so this doesn't happen again.

I do have to admit though that leroy was pretty cute and I was amazed at the extent they went to to fix him considering as previously mentioned, most livestock just get shot when they break a limb. I suppose that the show would offer some form of remuneration to those ppl who are starred on the show so maybe Leroy's surgery was funded, otherwise that surgery would have cost thousands of dollars!

Then again the animal farm lady seemed pretty attached to him and I believe her animals are pets rather than livestock so maybe she did pay for it.

Hopefully the general public is smart enough not to listen blindly to everything chris says (although I have my doubts...)

[GeckoTree]

Glad I don't watch the show because my couch would be full of these ---------> What a nong.

Top shelf letter you wrote SpotTheDog

[aussielover]

Well really, you're going to have a hard time opening any large breed dogs mouth if it has just decided to clamp down and not let go (nothing to do with a locking jaw). Personally, I don't have a problem with them using any method available to get the attacking dog off, I think most people would do whatever to protect their own dog.

[HeavyPaws]

Hopefully the general public is smart enough not to listen blindly to everything chris says (although I have my doubts...)

Nope.

My mil called me today and crowed about how she knew I was lying about pitbulls not having locking jaws, because she saw it on TV.

All the while she probably had her staffy on her lap.

[TsarsMum]

LOL this reminds me of the DR harry days. when i was vet nursing all i wanted to do was shake Dr harry and say SHUT UP lol

public believe unfortantly what the media says.

we used to get but dr harry says ........... all the damm time.

[Remarkabull]

Well really, you're going to have a hard time opening any large breed dogs mouth if it has just decided to clamp down and not let go (nothing to do with a locking jaw). Personally, I don't have a problem with them using any method available to get the attacking dog off, I think most people would do whatever to protect their own dog.

Have to say that if it was one of my dogs that was being attacked by another dog then I would do whatever necessary to get the attacking dog off mine. Kicking, punching and if it came down to it I could/would kill it. Having said that I have a DA dog and on the one occasion that she physically attacked and grabbed another dog I layed into her with fists and feet to stop her from killing this dog. If someone hurt her while trying to save thier own dog that to me is completely understandable and acceptable.

[Skruffy n Flea]

Hopefully the general public is smart enough not to listen blindly to everything chris says (although I have my doubts...)

Nope.

My mil called me today and crowed about how she knew I was lying about pitbulls not having locking jaws, because she saw it on TV.

All the while she probably had her staffy on her lap.

damn!

LOL this reminds me of the DR harry days. when i was vet nursing all i wanted to do was shake Dr harry and say SHUT UP lol

public believe unfortantly what the media says.

we used to get but dr harry says ........... all the damm time.

double damn!

srsly, these peeps have a really excellent opportunity of educating the public and look what happens!

[amstaffchick]

I wont watch the show again after the Crap i had to listen to on there last night.

Not a great loss..I rarely watched the show anyway.

[Brennan's Mum]

I have never watched an episode of Bondi Vet. Before the show premiered I was turned off by the media interviews where they would go on about Dr Chris' ''good looks'' and how he is/was ''single'' I thought it was a show about a vet not a show about a bachelor.

I have heard a few of his choice words of ''advice'' including the episode of ''The Circle'' where he brought an Alaskan Malamute pup from PP onto the set .

I heard about his words against APBT via Facebook and had me lmao. Well I would be lmao if he was not serious. This guy is a complete and utter tool. I would love to see him taken off air.

[SpotTheDog]

guys, pardon my newb ignorance, what's PP an acronym for? Is that the name of a particular chain petstore, or something else?

[Parkeyre]

guys, pardon my newb ignorance, what's PP an acronym for? Is that the name of a particular chain petstore, or something else?

see bold.