2006 Pit-falls of assumption
Pit bull issue needs to be looked at from all sides

Saturday, November 18, 2006
Gene Fox
The Examiner

Cleary, the girl couldn't hold her licker. Not long after we were introduced she threw herself at me, first planting wet kisses on my neck then stretching upward toward my lips. I could feel the euphoric effect building in my heart as she continued. It swept over me. First, infatuation, then complete surrender to her adoration. It was complete, unadulterated - well, puppy love. I admit it. Afterward, I worried - even fussed - about how I would tell Carol about this new girl. I knew my wife of nearly 40 years would turn stone cold when I fessed up to my earlier amorous encounter. And later that evening, she predictably responded with a hard, silent stare as I told her about Stella. Finally, Carol spoke. "You told me if you ever started talking about getting another puppy, to hit you upside the head with a 2-by-4," she scolded. "I'm going to the garage to get the board now!" "STELLA STELLA!" I bellowed out in my best Brando imitation. Although my main canine love, Rainier, is very much alive and well - oh my, I had fallen head over dew claws for this little, love machine name Stella. And I just knew this puppy and the English setter would absolutely drool over one another. Of course, the best part was that Stella was up for adoption to the right family -- and what better family than the Foxes?

Gene Fox/special to The Examiner It's hard to imagine that a rescue dog such as this could have such a bad rap, but, in reality, be such a sweetheart. Her name is Stella. For more information on Stella and other available dogs for adoption, go to www.mabbr.org . Pitfalls of Assumption: Part 2

Currently Stella is the foster dogchild of Michelle and Brent, a remarkable couple who several years ago discovered that the myth of the AmStaff breed -- sometimes known as the American Pit Bull Terrier -- is just that: a myth. Like so many, they too had been influenced by the angry dialogue of the last decade about the pit bull breed. I don't think anyone would dispute that there's been a lot of hysteria exploding from both sides of this issue. And, unfortunately, the result has not only been some hardened attitudes but some misdirected legislation all over the country.

But more on that later, I want to tell this story slowly and thoughtfully. The first thing you should know is that I am in a unique position. I have three perspectives when it comes to this contentious topic of dangerous dogs and vicious attacks. As a result, I believe it should give me a bit of more credibility. I hope you agree.

First, I love dogs and have been around them all my life. From mutts to purebreds, I consider them heavensent. Secondly, I am a quasi-member of the big bad media. Believe me, both sides of all issues blame the media for being biased against their side. We media types wear an invisible sign on our backside: "Kick Me, I'm Media." Third, I am the parent of a son who was badly mauled by a dog when he was young. Travis, who was simply walking home from grade school, still bears the scars of having much of his lower lip ripped off and then put back by a plastic surgeon. Believe me, I get it -- all of it. And, of course, I've been seeing all the recent exchanges in the pages of The Examiner. Frankly, it sickens me. Even so, I really had no intention of jumping into the swamp.

That is not to say I didn't read the arguments, and consider their merits. I have, but, frankly, I know and trust my own realities of dogs and their relationship with people. As an avid outdoorsman, dogs play a very big part in my life. In fact, any bird hunter will universally tell you it's not so much the wing shooting as it is the dog work in the field. And being in a duck blind is not nearly as satisfying unless there's a chocolate, black, yellow or golden sitting close by.I will not necessarily be trying to change anyone's attitudes in the coming weeks with this story. I simply want to tell you how it has serendipitously and unexpectedly unfolded for me. Afterward, let it sink in and go back to your world.

It began a month or so ago when I was asked to be part of a dog task force, that included representatives on both sides of the argument and who came from all areas of the Kansas City metro and even beyond. These people were impressive with their data and real-life experiences. It got me to thinking, and the more I poked around in the days after the meeting, the more I got sucked in to the subject. Admittedly, now I'm fully engaged -- which leads me back to my recent introduction to Stella.

In putting together a feature for my regular Outdoor Outlook segment for the Fox 4 Morning News, I've talked to lots of sources. They have included vets, city council people, the AKC (American Kennel Club), the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), police, dog handlers/trainers, dog lovers, those who are not so much in love with dogs, doctors, media types, authors, mailmen and Michelle and Brent. Michelle and Brent, by the way, not only have Stella temporarily, but two amazingly affectionate pit bulls of their own, Grommit and Sweep P.

Originally, I figured I could sort it all out in one column and one TV package. I can't. Just like I haven't yet convinced Carol that Stella would make a great addition to our family. We're going to have to give all of this another week. Are pit bulls more inherently dangerous? What breed of dog - say in Lee's Summit - bites the most by percentage? What about mandatory neutering? Do breed specific bans work? Why is Olathe's solution being hailed, perhaps, as the model? What are the five easy steps to dog bite prevention? Will Carol's heart melt if she meets Stella?

Next week, you'll read my translation from the many voices who have spoken to me about this thorny issue of dogs and man. Think of it as, "Marley, Rainier, Stella, Carol and Me."

Gene Fox, a media specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, is a longtime area journalist and an avid outdoorsman. Reach Gene Fox at gene.fox@mdc.mo.gov .

READ PART 2

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