At Talking Dogs, we're celebrating national Pit Bull Awareness month!
Not technically a dog breed, "Pit Bull" is used in connection with the American Pit Bull Terrier (ABPT), American Staffordshire Terrier (AMSTAFF) and the Staffordshire Terrier (STAFFIE), as well as mixed breed dogs.
Thanks to media coverage, the Pit Bull is probably the most misunderstood dog in our country, perhaps in the world.
Contrary to popular belief, Pit Bulls do not have locking jaws. They are not born to be mean. Pit Bulls do not attack more than any other dog breed. In fact, the American Pit Bull Terrier was the number one family dog in the United States during the first part of the 20th century. There are many organizations and rescues working tirelessly to promote the truth about Pit Bulls. One of my favorites is Pit Bull Rescue Central.
Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC) is a virtual shelter and educational resource for owners, adopters, rescuers and caretakers of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull mixes. PBRC used the internet to aid Pit Bulls in need through education and placement assistance. PBRC is dedicated to improving the reputation of the breed by encouraging responsible placements into responsible homes.
The mission of Pit Bull Rescue Central is to:
Help relieve suffering of and prevent cruelty to dogs identified as pit bulls and mixes.
Help reduce the number of homeless pit bulls and mixes.
Facilitate the rescue and placement of homeless dogs identified primarily as pit bulls into responsible homes.
Participate in fundraising in order to provide caretakers of pit bulls and mixes with the means to seek veterinary treatment, spay/neuter, provide food, shelter or other basic necessities; assist a dog from cruel or inhumane treatment.
When you're looking for any kind of information about Pit Bulls, think of Pit Bull Rescue Central first. You'll find a wealth of educational materials, links to Pit Bull rescues and adoptable dogs, and so much more.
Rescue groups nationwide are working with the Humane Society of Missouri to care for the more than 400 dogs rescued in connection with the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. The dogs were seized in a multi-state raid by federal and state officers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. The fate of the dogs will be decided by the federal courts in forfeiture proceedings separate from the criminal cases. Several rescue groups that have experience with the breeds of animals rescued have offered their help to care for and eventually receive some of the dogs. Groups involved so far in these efforts include Mutts-n-Stuff, based in Missouri; Our Pack, Broken Hearts, Mended Souls; PBRC.net; Whole Rotta Love; and New Hope Pit Bull Rescue. While the groups involved in this situation are working independently, there is talk of forming a Pit Bull Rescue Alliance in a collaborative effort to save more dogs from fighting situations in the future. For now, these groups encourage others to join them in coming forward to take in the placeable dogs from this rescue when they are available.
Groups or individuals interested in receiving some of these animals should immediately contact the Humane Society of Missouri at 314-802-5712.
