Fergus a/k/a Rudy update

After being adopted over 1 year ago Fergus is loving life with his forever doggy dad. He makes new friends, dog and human, on a weekly basis and on multiple occasions has shown people, who were weary of bully breeds, just how amazingly sweet the breed can be. He has three best friends who are also bully breeds that he regularly plays with. He has learned to catch tennis balls although the returning them part is still in progress. Fergus has also learned all his commands with nothing more than a hand motion. Fergus loves his daily walks especially when he gets to wear his back pack, giving him a job to do. He also enjoys going drives in his dad’s Jeep with the top off and wind blowing through his floppy jowls. He even got to go in the pool this summer where he became a good swimmer even though it was pretty much in order to get out of the pool faster. Fergus has found his very happy forever home and hopes you can help some of his friend’s find one too!



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Daisy Mae Update

Hi Everybody at MABBR,

It’s been a while since I’ve written to you about the Wonderful English Bull Terrier Daisy Mae which you all so graciously allowed me to adopt back in January 2007, so I thought I would give you the update….

Daisy and I are still in Love and she is the bright light in my life! She will be turning 6 years old Sept. 14 and she really is doing great! She weighs right around 50 Lbs. and is in good health overall, but she is starting to show some signs of displaysia or perhaps the start of some arthritus at this point in her life. We regularly get outside daily several times a day to run and chase her basketball which I roll off the roof or just bounce off the patio. She gets plenty of excersize everyday and loves to come inside and lay down panting in front of the cold air vent until she takes a nap. I had to get her away from her beloved cheap squeekies as she was tearing them open after a while and ingesting some of the fibers inside which ultimately made her sick until I finally figured out what she was doing, so only tuff squeekies from then on and only until I feel she can tear them open – then it’s the trash for them. She loves small basketballs and footballs and she actually has a knack for playing soccer. I really want to get a video camera so I can show you all how much fun she has playing ball and to keep the video for myself as I know one day she will be gone. I really hate to think that day will come as I just Love the heck out of this kid! She still has a comical personality and makes me smile and laugh everyday.

Since my last update a couple of years ago, Daisy has been to the vet regularly 2 times a year for shot updates and overall health checks. I did have to bring her in last year for constipation and ended up giving her an enema myself to save costs. It did the trick and she has had no more problems in that regard. My job also disappeared back in May 2009 and I had to relocate us to another home. I chose a home specifically for her needs as well as mine and found a large house with a fully fenced in back yard. We have trees with squirrels which she loves to chase as well as the occasional rabbit. She actually caught one a couple of years ago. She still has that very intense hunter instinct and will often go into hunting mode if I shake my fist like I have something in it. Daisy spends most of the time inside the house with me and has the run of the whole house. I haven’t had to put her in her kennel in over 3 years. She is still pretty skittish though, especially around 4th of July and New Years when everyone is blowing up fireworks, so I just stay home with her and watch a movie or something. I have had a few girlfiriends that Daisy absolutely loved, but – we were never able to live together because Daisy will not accept their dogs. Daisy thinks she is a person and will not get friendly with another dog, so I guess it’s just her and me until the end, which really is okay in the long run.

I am including some pics of Daisy taken just today. She still acts like a puppy when playing, but can’t wait to go to be every night with me. She has the whole top of the bed while I am under the covers and we go to sleep every night just like any normal couple – well, almost. I sing her lullabys that I make up and she is usually snoring within a few minutes. She really is the Love and Light in my life, and I Thank You all from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to adopt her.

Thanks from the both of us!

Always Your Friends,
Mario and Daisy Mae Militello

Pit Bulls Legal Again In SW Kansas’ Seward County

Posted: 9:41 PM Jul 8, 2011

Pit Bulls Legal Again In SW Kansas’ Seward County
Seward County commissioners this week approved a pair of resolutions, one addressing pit bulls and the other a general category of vicious dogs.
Reporter: AP

LIBERAL, Kan. (AP) A southwestern Kansas county has lifted a longstanding ban on pit bulls, but owners will have to check in with the sheriff’s department.

Seward County commissioners this week approved a pair of resolutions, one addressing pit bulls and the other a general category of vicious dogs.

The commission had voted earlier this year to repeal a ban on pit bulls adopted in the early 1990s. The panel considered several modifications this week, including reinstatement of the ban. But some members said outlawing the dogs merely drives owners to keep them out of sight, possibly denying them veterinary care.

The High Plains Daily Leader reports the new rules require owners to register their pit bulls, get them implanted with microchips and put their photos on file with the sheriff’s department.

Seward County reinstates BSL

Seward County, Kansas takes a step back in the wrong direction……

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Bless the Bullys|

I just spoke with the Seward County clerk with respect to last night’s Board of Commissioner’s meeting. Under consideration by the County Commission were the following:

Option A: an ordinance that allows, but regulates the ownership of, pit bulls;
Option B: an ordinance addressing all vicious dogs, regardless of breed; and
Option C: reinstatement of the a total ban of pit bulls.

The Board passed 2 resolutions last night.

After repealing BSL this spring, the Board chose Options A – to allow pit bulls in the county but under strict regulations. In essence, reinstating BSL.

The second resolution passed was Option B, an ordinance that would address all vicious dogs, regardless of breed. Obviously, Option B, which designates any dog as dangerous based on its behavior rather than its breed, would serve the community well on its own. Unfortunately, the Board felt the need to address “pit bulls” individually, thus implying, at least to me, that they have little faith in the ability of their animal control officers to effectively carry out the law.

The resolutions have not been signed and will not become formal until that time. The Chairman is on vacation and, as such, both resolutions will likely be signed next week.

Kellie Pickler Saves a dog over 4th of July Weekend

By: Amy Sciarretto
tasteofcountry.com

Country cutie Kellie Pickler is all heart. While much of the world was BBQing and celebrating America’s independence, the singer and former ‘American Idol’ contestant spent her holiday weekend rescuing a pit bull that was left in pretty bad shape. The dog had a broken pelvis and was bitten by a venomous snake, but Chunk — as Pickler named the chocolate-colored pup — has a happy ending: He is now the latest member of the Pickler family!

Pickler posted this initial tweet on July 3: “A pit bull (at vet) w/broken pelvis & venomous snake bite will be a part of our family if he makes it through the night. Poor lil guy. : (”

She followed it up on July 4, writing this post: “*Update* Pit bull is Okay. On the way to pick him up now PRAYING he gets along w/our other dogs or we’ll have to find him another home. Meet our latest rescue ‘Chunk!’”

Pickler also posted a photo of Chunk, seen above, who looks like a big and lovable boy. Let’s hope he gets along with the other Pickler canines so that she can keep him. At least we know Pickler will place him in a good home if there are any issues, and she might even take to Twitter to help locate a loving family for Chunk if that scenario presents itself.

Jasper, AL Discusses New Animal Control Ordinance

A new animal control ordinance was discussed at the Jasper City Countil meeting in Jasper, Alabama June 2nd. Fortunately, the town did not turn to breed-specific legislation to deal with their animal control issues. One resident pushing for this law found false information on a website and tried to present this misleading information as fact. Here’s what Brent Toellner from KC Dog Blog had to say about this:

Jasper, AL is going to pass a new dangerous dog ordinance — and even though a couple of residents want it to be breed-specific, it won’t be. This is good news of course, as breed-specific laws are not effective — and it’s good that Jasper is following what most cities have done when looking at the subject objectively and not passed BSL. The other part of this story is that the resident pushing for this used dogsbite.org a a source — which then caused them to get all confused about reality and tried to note that 40 states have breed-specific laws. The real number here is 1 — not 40, and 14 states have laws that PROHIBIT breed specific laws. But hey, don’t let reality get in the way of a good opinion.

Read the full story here

Tortured Pit Bulls Found in Dumpster

Two emaciated and mutilated pit bulls were found in a Kansas City, Missouri dumpster near 31st and Campbell on Monday, April 18th, 2011.

The following information was posted on the local NBC affiliate’s website:

By: Sam Hartle

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – A Kansas City woman says she saw a man dump two pit bulls into a dumpster Monday afternoon.

P.J. Ruth says when she went to look into the dumpster behind her office at 31st and Campbell when she found both dogs dead. Ruth says she’s friends with Spay and Neuter Kansas City, who says one of the dogs was beaten with a blunt object. The second dog may have died from a gunshot wound.

Michelle Rivera says Spay and Neuter Kansas City has set up a $1,000 reward leading to the capture of the man who dumped the two dogs into the dumpster.

(Updated: United Animals Nation, a California-based animal welfare agency, has donated $2,500. Earlier, a private donor pledged $3,500, bringing the total reward to $7,500)

Ruth and Rivera are also planning a vigil Thursday at 6 p.m. near the site where the dogs were found.

Roo and Wallace Video Clip

Roo and Wallace made an appearance recently on “It’s me or the dog”. Check out this great video clip, it’s great PR for bully type dogs!

Topeka Approves Animal Ordinance

By Tim Hrenchir – Sep 28, 2010

Topeka’s governing body decided without objection Tuesday evening to make changes to city rules for stray cats and dangerous dogs that supporters described as being groundbreaking and progressive.

Mayor Bill Bunten and eight city council members voted 9-0, with Councilman John Alcala being absent because of back problems, to pass a 39-page ordinance amending rules regarding animal control and animal cruelty to enhance public safety, protect animals and save taxpayer dollars.

The ordinance does away with the city’s breed-specific rules requiring owners to obtain special licenses and to implant microchips in any dogs that have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of any of three types of pit bull dog.

It also allows feral cats to roam free, provided local volunteers have had them vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and an ear cropped for identification. The change was promoted as being a more humane alternative to current practices, which generally result in stray cats being euthanized after being picked up by city animal control officers.

The ordinance was crafted through a team effort involving Councilwoman Karen Hiller, city staff members and a committee of eight citizens who have an interest in animal-related matters. Committee members were among nine people who spoke before the council about the proposal Tuesday, with each expressing support for it.

“This is a groundbreaking ordinance, and it’s going to revolutionize animal welfare in the city of Topeka,” said committee member Mike Bauman, president of the Friends of Hill’s Bark Park organization.

The committee also included University of Kansas law student Katie Bray Barnett, whom Hiller said is nationally recognized as an expert on animal control legislation. Barnett, a graduate of Topeka West High School, said the ordinance before the governing body Tuesday had garnered national attention and was being considered as a potential model ordinance by officials in Ellis, Kan.; Ogden, Utah; Toledo, Ohio; and Douglasville, Ga. Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz said she had been contacted by a Denver City Council member about the ordinance.

Ruth Tessendorf, president of the Topeka Kennel Club, told governing body members Tuesday’s vote was also being watched by a boxer dog group, which was considering holding a show next year at the Kansas Expocentre but wouldn’t be willing to do that if the city kept in place its breed-specific rules for pit bulls.

The passage of Tuesday’s ordinance overturns rules banning the ownership, keeping or harboring of pit bulls that haven’t been licensed with the city and implanted with a microchip. The city had been requiring itself to confine dogs suspects of being pit bulls until any charges against their owners are resolved in Topeka Municipal Court. Assistant city attorney Kyle Smith estimated the passage of Tuesday’s ordinance would save the city $30,000 a year it spends to confine suspected pit bulls at the Helping Hands Humane Society.

The ordinance also changes city cat licensing rules to make it clear that licenses aren’t required for feral cats that show a straight-line cutting of the tip of their left ear to show they have been spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

Smith said the ordinance sanctions a process used successfully in other communities where volunteer groups — not at taxpayer expense — trap feral cats, spay or neuter and vaccinate them, then release them in their original locations after cropping an ear to identify them.

Tuesday’s speakers included Carol Westerdale, founder and director of Save Our Shelter Animals, who said her nonprofit group has operated a trap-neuter-return program for feral cats here since last year and recently received a $10,000 grant from Petco.

The ordinance approved Tuesday also replaces the city’s vicious animals ordinance with a similar but broader “dangerous dogs” ordinance regarding dogs that have shown inappropriate aggressive behavior.

It replaces city rules that allowed for dogs to be tethered outdoors for as long as an hour at a time and as much as three hours a day by allowing dog owners unlimited supervised tethering but reducing unsupervised tethering of dogs to 15 minutes

Ortiz voted in favor of the ordinance Tuesday after she voted against recommending its passage at a Sept. 21 meeting of the council’s public health and safety committee.

Ortiz said Tuesday she hadn’t been willing to support the ordinance at that time because some of her questions about it hadn’t been answered, but she felt comfortable supporting the ordinance after those questions were answered.

The measure approved Tuesday makes no changes to licensing fees for cats and dogs.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at (785) 295-1184 or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.

Special thanks to Katie Bray Barnett of Game Dog Guardian for were dedication and commitment to this ordinance, and to Michelle Davis of Kansas City Dog Advocates, for her support.