I have been mopping up the mess of irresponsible humans for years. Some want to blame breeders, some blame individual owners... some even blame animal humane orgs. The reality is this if a dog is already on the ground, the canine needs to be cared for. Regardless of the origin. The real need is to find an objective means of lowering the numbers of animals in need.
Humans will always breed canines, fact... absorb it. Owners will always fail, fact... We can all sit and shake our fists in contempt, argue on facebook, even bring about civil unrest in our communities. Reality is people can legally breed canines with little to no qualifications , same goes for owning an animal. For the most part we are free as individuals to create our own standard. Canines were domesticated 30,000-75,000 years ago depending what history you read. in the last 150 years, of the 450 recognized breeds, 75% were created.
My organization Detroit Bully Corps specializes in Bully Breeds, it wasn't always that way. From 2003-2008 I specifically worked with American Pit Bull Terriers. It was after the trend of multiple breeds being mislabeled that we branched out into other Bully Breeds. After settling in with my first APBT Amber in 2003 I began feverishly gathering & retaining info on the APBT origin & history. I talked with many breeders, read many articles, studied the registries... I even corresponded with Lou Colby throughout the years. I studied the countries of origin, the purpose of the breed & strains from different area's of those countries. I studied form, function, DNA, evolution & breeding practices. Instead of implementing my own lack of knowledge , I absorbed all I could from the pioneers. I learned about the APBT from such pioneers as John Colby, George Armitage, Howard Heinzl, Maurice Carver, Floyd Boudreaux... Names that define the heritage of the breed.
I always share this story... I lived in rural Texas in 2005 I met an elderly gentleman, I would always see different APBT's in the back of his truck. Always rangy, 35-40 range... His dog's were always spirited, but always human friendly & eager to be engaged, handled... I accompanied him back to his home one day... I could hear the dogs, but couldn't see them. He came from behind a fence with a small 35lb female.. she was scarred, springy... In the yard was two small children, two small dogs & some chickens... The elderly gentleman unclasped the leash... I got tense, until the canine "Midnight" went into wiggle butt mode, licking the kids, ignored the dogs & the chickens & plopped on the ground to take in some sun. Midnight was a Grand Champion. So here was an APBT that had been bred & groomed as a match dog. She could have cared less about anything but the children, she never even came to greet me. I would see the gentleman as always in town... what I learned that day is the myth that these canines were indiscriminate killers was false.
I have read many stories on matches of the old days, recent matches as well... I have researched the "Keep" on these canines being prepped for a match. I have studied the "Cajun Rules".. I have absorbed the good, the bad & the hard truth about the APBT. I will never truly understand why a human would match 2 beautiful specimens against one another, or risk destroying a canine they invested so much time in. I do not have that mechanism in me-
What I have found in me is a distinct desire to liberate this breed known as the American Pit Bull Terrier from it's many obstacles. Humans created this beautiful, strong, intelligent & spirited breed... I am grateful for that. I am ashamed of the percentage of humans that shamelessly strive to destroy this breed. Whether you institute BSL, Match dogs, irresponsibly own, or breed indiscriminately. You are destroying a breed that was forged over 100 years ago... I have no illusions of saving the world, or even creating a big change. What I do is wake up on a daily basis & make the lives of the canines in my home better in some way. I am always striving to educate myself & those who freely seek to learn.
It is important that we educate ourselves as owners, as citizens... that knowing the breeds is important. Studying the slightest differences, history. It's not ok to say " It's just a dog, what's the big deal"... If you fight dogs, your days are numbered. If you own an APBT, make sure your canine is a reliable advocate. Don't trust your own standard... get training, constantly evolve as a handler/owner... our beloved breed depends on a distinct brand of leadership.
Sincerely,
W J Bellottie
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