“pit bull” dogs - Animal Farm Foundation

Transcription

MARYLAND “PIT BULL” DOG 101
MAY 2012
WEBSITE: www.animalfarmfoundation.org
EMAIL: kwolf@animalfarmfoundation.org
OUTLINE:
(1) WHAT IS A “PIT BULL” DOG
(2) MYTHS, MESSAGING & LANGUAGE
(3) ADOPTIONS & MARKETING
(4) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
(5) HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
www.animalfarmfoundation.org
PART ONE:
WHAT IS A “PIT BULL” DOG?
In the 1980s, when Animal Farm Foundation began,
we focused on the American Pit Bull Terrier breed.
Photo: Elliott Erwitt
Mission:
“To restore the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier
and protect him from discrimination and cruelty.”
Over time the group of dogs called “pit bulls”
expanded, and “pit bull” was no longer shorthand for
the American Pit Bull Terrier breed only.
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
Bullmastiff
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Argentine Dogo
Bull Terrier
Cane Corso
Ca de Bou
Boerboel
Neapolitan Mastiff
Mastiff
American Bulldog
Black Mouth Cur
Presa Canario
Dogue de Bordeaux
American Bully
The term “pit bull” also expanded to include
a diverse group of mixed-breed mutts…
…based on appearance,
NOT behavior
In 2011, Animal Farm Foundation changed its mission
to include the entire group of “pit bull” dogs
being discriminated against.
(including, but not limited to, the American Pit Bull Terrier breed)
Current mission:
“To secure equal treatment & opportunity for
‘pit bull’ dogs.”
WHAT IS THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF “PIT BULL”?
Here are a few examples:
OMAHA, NEBRASKA: “Pit bull shall be defined as any dog
that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire
Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Presa
Canario, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, or any dog
displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of
these breeds.”
MANTECA, CALIFORNIA:
“Any dog that is a Bull
Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier,
American Pit Bull Terrier,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
American
Staffordshire
Terrier, or any other dog
displaying the physical traits
of any one or more of the
above breeds.”
MAQUOKETA, IOWA: “Pit bull
terrier dogs, or mixed pit bull
terrier dogs, or any dog which
has the appearance and
characteristics of being a pit bull
terrier.”
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: “The breed of dog registered
and described by the UKC and the ADBA as the
American Pit Bull Terrier, also known as the pit bull terrier,
and any crossbreed of the American Pit Bull Terrier; but
does not include the breeds known as the American
Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the
English Bulldog, the Bull Terrier, or the Bulldog, all of
which are recognized by the AKC.”
MILLVILLE, NEW JERSEY: “An
American Pit Bull Terrier,
American Staffordshire Terrier,
Bull Terrier, or St. Francis Terrier,
or any mixed breed with at least
50% of any combination of
aforesaid named breeds.”
ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA: “A vicious or dangerous
animal means…any dog that is of a breed which is bred
as a fighting or attack dog, or such dog that has been
especially trained as an attack, guard, or fighting dog.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA: “Testimony by a
veterinarian,
zoologist,
animal
behaviorist, or animal control officer
that a particular dog exhibits
distinguishing physical characteristics
of a pit bull shall establish a rebuttable
presumption that the dog is a pit bull.”
It varies from place to place!
WHAT IS THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION
OF “PIT BULL” IN MARYLAND?
COURT’S DESCRIPTION:
“pit bull”
“pit bull mix”
“cross-bred pit bull mix”
Source: www.animalfarmfoundation.org/files/Maryland-Court_Tracey-v-Solesky.pdf
“PIT BULL” IS A LABEL, NOT A BREED
"Pit bull" is not a breed or
breed mix, but an ever
expanding group that
includes whatever an
animal control officer,
shelter worker, dog trainer,
politician, dog owner,
police officer or newspaper
says it is.”
Source: http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/pages/about-us
WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE SAY?
“It is my professional opinion that this group of
dogs [pit bulls] must be the most genetically
diverse dog ‘breed’ on the planet. I’m not sure
what a “pit bull characteristic” is because the term
pit bull does not refer to any specific breed of dog.”
- Kristopher Irizarry, PhD, Geneticist*
“The term ‘Pit-bull’ does not refer to a single or
recognized breed of dog, but rather to a
genetically diverse group of [dogs].”**
* Source: http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/Irizarry%20viewpoint.pdf
** Source: http://www.wisdompanel.com/why_test_your_dog/faqs/
VISUAL BREED ID IS UNRELIABLE
Researchers found
that breed labels
for shelter dogs
were wrong
at least 75%
of the time.
Source: http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/Voith%20poster.pdf
See also: http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/Voith%20AVMA.pdf
WHY IS VISUAL BREED ID UNRELIABLE?
According to DNA tests, all of these dogs are between 12.5% and 24% Golden Retriever
(1) A very small % of DNA determines ENTIRE physical appearance
Includes: height, weight, shape, color, snout, head shape, fur, ears, tail, markings, etc
(2) DNA does not always manifest externally
Maybe these dogs digest food like Golden Retrievers!
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT SHELTERS?
“53% of our dogs
are pit bulls.”
“80% of our dogs
are pit bulls.”
“27% of our dogs are
pit bulls”
ABOUT 75% OF ALL SHELTER DOGS
ARE MIXED-BREEDS
Source: http://www.petpopulation.org/index.htm
THE REALITY?
“When I started here years ago,
we called mixed-breed dogs mutts.
Now we just call them all pit bulls.”
IF YOU REMEMBER ONE THING….
Appearance alone
can NOT predict:
(1)Breed mix
(2)Behavior
PART TWO:
MYTHS, MESSAGING
& LANGUAGE
MYTHS & LEGENDS
(NOT based in science!)
Such claims are based on false and unscientific beliefs that “pit bull” dogs are
different – and deviant – from all other dogs, and therefore must be
regulated differently than all other dogs.
Source: Tracey v Solesky
LANGUAGE FROM
SOLESKY RULING
What’s making “pit bull” dogs
seem different and deviant?
“uniquely vicious attacks”
LANGUAGE FROM
DOG ADVOCATES
“pit bulls are different than all other dogs”
“more likely to inflict severe damage”
“they are not for everyone”
“unpredictable”
“require special experience”
“refuse to terminate an attack”
“bred as attack animals”
“unique health hazard”
“insensitivity to pain”
“bred for fighting”
“can be great pets when in the right hands”
“it’s all in how they are raised”
“will do anything to please their owners
“the most abused dogs on the planet”
“all pit bulls were bred for fighting”
“greater propensity to bite humans”
“shelters are flooded with unwanted pit bulls”
“bite to kill without signal”
“too many irresponsible pit bull owners”
“propensities not normally found in dogs”
“never trust a pit bull not to fight”
We MUST speak accurately about “pit bull” dogs!
PR 101:
When responding to false remarks about
“pit bull” dogs, do not repeat the
negative language in your response.
“I did not cheat on my wife,” said Senator Jones.
(Audience associates “Senator Jones” with “cheats on wife”)
REDIRECT THE CONVERSATION!
Instead of saying:
“Pit bulls are not inherently dangerous, they are great dogs!”
(Audience associates “pit bulls” with “inherently dangerous”)
Respond with:
“Millions of ‘pit bull’ dogs live peacefully as family pets.”
(Audience associates “pit bull dogs” with “family pets”)
PR 102:
When it comes to hecklers
or sensational reporting,
please…do not feed the trolls!
 Let the negative story, Facebook post,
comment thread, etc., fade away;
don’t fuel the fire!
 If/when a response is appropriate, stick
to fact-based, non-emotional statements.
 Great resource for factual info:
www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
WHO WANTS SAFE COMMUNITIES?
GENERAL PUBLIC
“PIT BULL”
DOG
OWNERS
The general public
AND the
overwhelming
majority of “pit bull”
dog owners SHARE
the same priority:
safe communities!
A very small minority of
RECKLESS DOG OWNERS
(of any breed/mix)
disregard public safety laws
RESPONSIBLE “PIT BULL” DOG
OWNERS ARE NOT THE EXCEPTION;
THEY ARE THE RULE
A VERY SMALL GROUP
of reckless dog owners
(of any breed/mix)
threaten public safety
WE ARE THE MAJORITY:
LET’S TAKE BACK THE MIC!
VIDEO
There are millions of everyday people who share their hearts & homes with “pit bull” dogs.
Link to video: https://vimeo.com/37605097
PART THREE:
ADOPTIONS & MARKETING
“THE PETFINDER PREDICAMENT”
Use this section to highlight the
individual dog’s pet qualities.
Provide as many details as
possible, so adopters can envision
what you’re describing.
Unless the dog’s breed or breed
mix is known (guesses based on
visual breed identifications don’t
count!), add this statement to the
end:
“The Petfinder.com system requires that we choose a predominant breed or breed
mix for our dogs. Visual breed identification in dogs is unreliable, so for most of the
dogs we are only guessing at predominant breed or breed mix. We get to know
each dog as an individual and do our best to describe each dog based on
personality, not breed label.”
WHEN “SPECIAL” ISN’T SPECIAL….
Different = Deviant
Separate = Scary
What is sufficient for the other dogs in your care
is sufficient for the “pit bull” dogs, too.
Examples of policies/procedures that should NOT be based on breed or breed label(s):
kennel/shelter layout
adoption contracts
screening procedures
volunteer training
blanket restrictions
fencing requirements
experience needed
dog evaluations
mandatory training
BLANKET RULES:
THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF
• When blanket rules or restrictions apply to all “pit bull” dogs
(e.g., “pit bulls can never go to dog parks”), people tune us
out….they think we’re “crying wolf” and they stop listening!
• Instead, provide information and guidelines for individual dogs
based on observations and direct experiences with that individual
dog.
RECRUIT NEW CUSTOMERS
MARYLAND HOMEOWNERS
BALTIMORE CITY HOMEOWNERS
13%
87%
46%
54%
SOURCE: www.nmhc.org
PAST ADOPTERS MAKE
GREAT MARKETERS!
• Adopters LOVE telling everyone about their new pet dog!
• Give each adopter a stack of your shelter’s/rescue’s business
cards to pass out during these conversations.
• Word-of-mouth referrals are the easiest way to reach a new
pool of adopters – and it requires very little work on your end!
REACH BEYOND ‘TEAM PIT BULL’ TO ‘TEAM DOG’
VIDEO
Market “pit bull” dogs to everyone looking to adopt a dog, not just to existing “pit
bull” dog fans. Use this video to encourage all-breed rescues to take “pit bull” dogs.
SADNESS REPELS!
 Highlight the potential of the humancanine bond (e.g., “You had a bad day, I fix
it.”)
 Showcase pet qualities, not past human
failures (e.g., “You wake, I play.”)
HAPPINESS SELLS!
 Speak to the “customer” and make the
adoption experience positive & welcoming
Source: http://philanthropy.com/blogs/prospecting/shift-away-from-negative-ads-increases-giving-to-animal-shelter/30178
USE PICTURES TO DISPEL MYTHS &
EVOKE POSITIVE EMOTIONS
Messages:
failure, damaged, alone,
sad, unwanted, do not
approach, not a family pet,
shelters are depressing
Messages:
family dogs, pets, these
dogs are friends, baby
swing in the
background, loved
Messages:
gentle, human-canine
bond, companions,
together, come closer,
pet me, friendly
INCLUDE PEOPLE IN ADOPTION PHOTOS
People & dogs interacting is a celebration of the human-canine bond….the reason why people acquire pets!
Even a hand or a foot
makes a difference!
USE COSTUMES TO HELP DOGS STAND OUT
Colorful & silly props are useful for adoption photos and offsite adoption events…they make great icebreakers!
DOES YOUR MARKETING REFLECT &
CELEBRATE THE DOGS YOU’RE ADOPTING?
Messages: mixed-breed dogs
are inferior, shelter dogs are
inferior, “pit bull” dogs are
inferior, the dogs we have for
adoption are inferior
Messages: “pit bull” dogs are pets, “pit bull” dogs are
as diverse as the people who own them, our shelter stands behind
our efforts to adopt out “pit bull” dogs, ask us about our pet “pit
bull” dogs, we love our shelter dogs so much we chose them as pets
for ourselves
Other Marketing to Consider: website photos, brochures, merchandise, “pets of the week,” newsletters
PROMOTE YOUR SHELTER/RESCUE AS AN
ADOPTION OPTION IN THE COMMUNITY
Ask take-out/delivery stores to
include a flyer with each order.
Ask a donor to fund coasters with your
logo and website, and give them to local bars &
restaurants (e.g., www.shindigz.com,
www.branders.com).
Go low-tech: post adoption flyers on
community bulletin boards. Always carry a
stash to post when you find them!
Find out where community events
Advertise on Craigslist to redirect customers to are happening, and bring your dogs
you; remember, everyone goes through your
– less planning on your end,
same screening process in the end.
guaranteed audience!
COFFEE SHOPS
POST OFFICES
LIBRARIES
GROCERY STORES
GYMS
CHURCHES
Ask local newspapers to
donate unsold ad space to
your shelter/rescue.
REC CENTERS
HAIR SALONS
VETERINARIAN OFFICES
GET SOCIAL: GROUP WALKS
VIDEO
Group walks are a fun, easy, and effective way to promote “pit bull” dogs to your
community. Also a nice way to feature dogs available for adoption.
TIP: Don’t forgot the props/flyers/business cards!
Link to video: https://vimeo.com/42511404. See also: https://vimeo.com/42510887
and https://vimeo.com/42511639.
PART FOUR:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
“As one of the few practitioners willing to volunteer their time to vaccinate
pit bulls in neighborhood parks and rec centers throughout Baltimore City
on a quarterly basis, I can attest to the loving care, concern and
adoration that is exhibited by pet parents of these "bully breeds."
“…they didn't want to subject their pets or themselves to sideline glances
and furtive behaviors from wary staff in a veterinary hospital. They often
tell a story about being made to feel "less than" because they own
a pit bull that was injured or un-neutered.”
Source: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-05-07/news/bs-ed-dogs-20120507_1_pit-bulls-bully-breeds-dangerous-dogs
EMPOWER & SUPPORT DOG OWNERS:
COMPASSION, NOT COMPULSION
Education and compassion are far more
successful than mandatory spay/neuter in
getting owners to alter their pets.
IS YOUR OUTREACH:
 Affordable
•
•
Free or low-cost?
Hidden fees?
 Accessible
•
•
•
•
Effective advertising?
Is transportation needed?
Language/literacy?
Waiting lists?
 Non-Judgmental
•
•
•
•
Collars and equipment?
Training techniques?
Appearance or dress?
Past vet care?
Source: http://animalfarmfoundation.org/files/SN_Partnerships_-_SN_Triangle_NEW.pdf
GETTING STARTED: HOW-TO GUIDES
HSUS Pets for Life:
Animal Farm Foundation:
http://www.animalsheltering.org/how-wehttp://animalfarmfoundation.org/files/Community
help/work-for-change/pets-for-life/pets-for-life_Pet_Days.pdf
toolkit.html
SEE IT IN ACTION!
Casa Del Toro/HSUS Pets for Life:
BAD RAP/Well Pet/PetSmart Charities:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_CGQJmDFgc
http://badrap-blog.blogspot.com/2012/05/anotherspayneuter-event-another.html
KEEP LISTS OF INSURANCE & RENTAL
OPTIONS THAT DO NOT DISCRIMINATE
Examples of Non-Discriminating
Tips for renters with “pit bull” dogs
Insurance Companies:
(courtesy of BAD RAP):
http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/fil http://www.badrap.org/renting-your-dog
es/HomeInsurance_AFF09_color.pdf
PART FIVE:
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
ANIMAL FARM FOUNDATION
•
•
•
•
•
•
Information & Resources
Grants & Awards
Free Promotional Materials
Educational Support
Dog Behavior Information
Internships
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/animalfarmfoundation
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/animalfarmfoundation/videos
OTHER RESOURCES:
National Canine Research Council
www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
• Human-Canine Bond
• Expert Commentary
• Dog Legislation Research
• DBRF & Dog Bite Investigation & Research
• Responsible Pet Ownership Community Models
• Breeds & Behavior Information
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NationalCanineResearchCouncil
Blog: http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/blog
VIDEO
For more information, please visit:
WEBSITE: www.animalfarmfoundation.org
EMAIL: kwolf@animalfarmfoundation.org

“pit bull” dogs - Animal Farm Foundation

Transcription

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