Bite Me, Highland Park - FINAL UPDATE

FINAL UPDATE:  Bella and Jackson are heading to their new home in South Dakota this weekend.  Thanks to all of you for your help!

Earlier I said that Trish included a link to how Ohio has lost its fucking mind.  They're trying to ban all pit bulls and if the bill goes into effect, existing bullies will be euthanized.  Don't let them get away with this shit.  Click to sign the petition and get more information.

However, I'm hearing that online petitions don't work nearly as well as individual contact.  Here's the infomation so you can contact the author of House Bill 568:

Representative Tyrone Yates
77 S. High St
11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Email: district33@ohr.state.oh.us
Telephone: (614) 466-1308
Fax : (614) 719-3587

I urge you to let him know what you think of his law. 

If you need enticement, let me throw this out there.  I'm going to do my best to not tour in towns or states that support breed specific legislation. 

Ohio, step up. 

Denver, you're on notice.

* * *

These two dogs are about to lose their homes.

The condensed version is this - a family just moved to a lovely neighborhood in Highland Park, IL.  But apparently it's not so lovely because as soon as the neighbors caught sight of these two beautiful bullies, they began a petition to ban them.  For a couple of different reasons, the new homeowners don't have the ability to fight the town and they're being forced to give up their dogs and they are HEARTSICK.

The owners found a family willing to take Bella, the four year old female, but not Jackson, the two year old male.  They're putting off Bella's takers because they desperately want the dogs to be able to go together.  Yet they're well aware of the statistics that only one out of every SIX HUNDRED pit bulls actually gets placed.  The family promises to drive anywhere in the country to deliver the dogs, too.

If there's anything you can do to help these sweet doggies, please email me at jenwritesbooks(AT)gmail(dot)com and I'll forward your information.  (Yes, you'll get the stupid auto-response but I pretty much read every email the second I get it so I will see your response.)  You can also leave your info in the comments section.

If you can't do anything to help these doggies yet you appreciate that my wanting to stay at home with my own loving pit bull (and Loki, too) is the main reason I pursued a writing career, please consider supporting any of these worthy bully breed rescue organizations.

Midwest Rescue

Pit Bulls Fighting for Their Lives

Bad Rap

Chicago Bully Breed Rescue

Pit Bull Rescue Central

OK, now I've got a book to finish... and some dogs to hug.

(P.S. Highland Park?  You just made my list.)

Comments

[Trish]

Jen, THANK YOU for making this known. But everyone should also know that Ohio is trying to ban ALL PIT BULLS....

the worst is that all owners will have to give them up to be euthanized!!!!! Yes, every pit bull will be put down. Please consider signing this petition. This is horrible.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/hb-568-ohio-pit-bull-ban

[kalisah]

I hate that so much. I understand the family can't afford to take on the town, but have they tried the local news? Sometimes if you get the story out, it can make a difference. Maybe. Hopefully.

[The Modern Gal]

This kills me! I don't know what I would do without my sweet pit Lucy!

[Jenn (with and extra 'n')]

I've emailed to anyone I can think of including a few rescues I work with where I live. I've got 4 doggies and I can't IMAGINE having to do this. I hope they can find a home or fight the butt monkeys that are doing this. Grr.

[Stephanie]

arrrrgggghhh. We have a Weimaraner and get similar comments because when she gets excited/happy her eyes and lips turn a freaky red. "Scary", yeah, she'll lick you to death if you let her. Ignorance sucks.

[Regina]

I am still amazed that people are so stupid! I have nothing but love for the Bullies. Canine racist asshats! I had a Pit Bull and a Pomerian once, any guesses on who bit people? Has anyone alerted the local media to this story? It sounds like something they could run with.

[Lindsay]

If they're truly willing to drive anywhere - Roxie's Fund might be able to help. http://www.roxiesfund.org/index.html

They're in Maryland and specialize in rescuing pits, rotties and other powerful breeds. I've met the woman who runs it and she's very dedicated!

[Denise]

If no one takes the dogs and if the family decides to put up any kind of fight, I will gladly volunteer some of my time to help (I'm an attorney). Please keep us posted!!

[Danielle]

Things like this make me sick! Pits are wonderful dogs with loving personalities- no thanks to a handful of idiots that gave them this bad rep.... so horrible. I feel for their owners.

I have a friend that works for a shelter and is affiliated with a foster agency- Homeward Trails. I have sent her the post and she is already making calls.

thanks, Jen.

[Shawna]

My dh is the same way about pit bull's. It drives me crazy. I know that they can be vicious if they are brought up that way but so can anything, poodles, cheerleaders, terrorists.

Ok, maybe that cheerleader thing is not right, I just knew a couple of vicious ones.

It makes me sick. I too think that these people should speak to a lawyer. If they are willing to drive their dogs anywhere in the country (um, hello expensive gas) then they should have the money for at least a consult with a lawyer. I hope they get to keep their babies and I hope when they do that they walk their dogs around to every house that was on the petition and let the pooches whiz in the yard!

[Mandi424]

Oh man I am so sad for the doggies. People are RETARDED! I mean it's like they are dog raciest! I had a pit that actually looks very similar to the puppy above and it was the sweetest dog ever to EVERYONE! Hey Pit haters...get a life, pits are not bad dogs..it's all in the way they are raised!!!!
I am very angry.....

[Kel]

Aww :( I can't take the dogs. Not because they're pit bulls, but because I don't have the time to take care of them. (See, good person!)

Good luck getting them placed!

[Kellyn]

I sent you an e-mail, but just want to double-time it here and let you know I'll take these dogs! I have two dogs and a cat (and a husband, he also counts as a pet), and can't think of a better addition to our furry family. The e-mail is kahenderso@gmail.com.

And Jen, thanks for this post, seriously. I love that you care this much for such a badly publicized and terribly misunderstood breed. Like Cesar says--there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. And apparently, bad neighbors.

[mmd]

Yeah call Cesar. Or what about that rescue place that is on "Dog Town" on the National Georgraphic channel? It's in Utah.
I hate that Sarah Moose Killer Palin said the "what's the difference between a pit bull and a soccer mom? Lipstick". Wish I could take them. Landlord won't permit it.

[Teri]

Grrrrr! I hate hearing about crap like this. I wish like hell I could take those two sweeties, but can't. I am posting this on my LiveJournal, however, with a link to Jennsylvania and asking all on my friends list to do the same. If you hear anything I will send word back. You're a sweetie for worrying about this and attempting to right this horrible wrong.

[Kari]

This breaks my heart. I mean I can understand a fence being required or something like that, but just giving the dogs the boot like that all together - cruel.

I wonder how a few of those stinky neighbors would feel if they were told they had to leave simply because they're German or something. Then again, I would never move to a place that wouldn't accept my dog. We're a package. What a bunch of asshats.

[Kristin]

I agree with people who are recommending speaking with a lawyer or Cesar Milan. I'm sure there is someone out there who can help. Have the owners gone to the press about this? They may be able to rally more support in the community if more people are aware of what is going on.

My parents have a Rott and everyone gets freaked out at first and then they meet Jackson. The only thing to fear is his nose and kisses - he will sniff and kiss you to death. :)

[Rob]

This is the same kind of asshattery that bans everything from trans fats to assault weapons. Ironically, this has less to do with the city (though they have a history of, shall we say, dealing with popular targets, today pitbulls, ten years ago, Black people) and more to do with the nutbar neighbors. The city is ostensibly doing as it's citizens demand. The people that pay the taxes want something, they deserve to get it, good and hard.

With all that said, here is a link to the municipal code of Highland Park dealing with animals...

http://www.cityhpil.com/pdf/ordinances/chapter090.pdf

today, there's nothing illegal about the dogs. They don't have to fight city hall, they just have to ignore their neighbors until the city comes knocking. According to the public meeting minutes going all the way back through July, no mention has been made of the banning of pitbulls or any other dog breed. Further, throughout the month of Sept. there isn't a meeting scheduled that is set to address this.

I'm against any breed ban, it's a horrible idea proposed for a damnably ignorant reason, but I see only smoke here, no fire.

[Rachel]

This makes me so sad, I had a pit a few years ago and he was 100 pounds of pure sweet love. I hate that pits have such a bad reputation, the only dog that ever bit me was a little yippie ankle biter. If I was allowed to have dogs where I lived I would take both of those angels in a heartbeat.

[Tracie]

Ohhh these 2 dogs are clearly very scary. Ohhhh shaking in my shoes.

psht. My 14 cat is meaner than these 2 dogs (and the worst thing he has done is eat a fly). I would hope that the owners would find some way to keep them. :(

[Erin]

My 12-lb. Silky Terrier is more vicious than my 100+-lb. Lab/Rott mix. He's a big ol' teddy bear.
That said, when our housing on Fort Benning got privatized, they ruled out certain breeds of dogs, including Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, etc. Luckily my Lab/Rott looks like a big fat Lab.
Good luck to the family, Jen, please let us know what happens.

[Anne]

I'm surprised no one has asked this question yet:

Why don't they move?

For one, I wouldn't want to give up my dogs but (two) who in their right mind would want to live near people who are such asshats!

[Quad Mama]

They make me think of Daddy, Cesar Milan's pitbull. Does he (Cesar, not Daddy) have any connections with Pit rescues in your area? I mean, since you're both authors, I figure you talk to him all the time. Seriously, I'd at least check out his website.

[Lissa]

That makes me want to cry. Why are people so ignorant cruel and up in other people's business. F******. It should not be an issue when they have done nothing wrong. I hope people protest.

[Liz C]

I think the problem is that chihuahuas don't usually end up killing people when they are raised wrong and get vicious. We just had another case out this way of a 70-year old woman mauled by two pit bulls.

Most any dog can be raised to be vicious, but pit bulls and a few other breeds were unfortunately bred with the equipment to kill people. I think that's why people react so strongly to them.

I don't know what the right answer is. BSL obviously is way too huge of a generalization.

Maybe people should have to take a common sense and decency test to own a dog. If you're stupid enough to raise your dog to attack and be vicious, you don't get a dog.

Maybe people should have to take that before they have kids, too.

[Kristi Brown]

This comments posting is on the Seattle Times website this morning...so we can all share our thoughs on why we LOVE our pets!

See below:

What are your thoughts on pit bull ownership? Two pit bulls were killed by police Monday morning in SeaTac after the dogs got out of their house and attacked a 71-year-old woman, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reader_feedback/public/display.php?id=827

[the governor of jennsylvania]

Also? If this were me and my snooty neighbors in any way try to bully me (pun intended) about my dogs, I have five words for them:

front lawn bathtub Virgin mary.

[kristin Kaminski]

My female lab would probably kill them :) I don't know how anyone can give up their dog of four and two years! They need to fight this. they'll get community support! I'll donate! seriously I'm with the person who said to contact legal aide or Cesar. I'll send a check today to help them fight this.

[tutugirl1345]

This kind of stuff makes me so angry. They want to band a whole breed instead of considering the individual dog, yet I bet if one of them had a dog that was an "approved breed" but attacked someone, they'd fight tooth and nail to keep the dog. (Speaking from personal experience). If the owners of these bullies can't fight the town, I hope someone else does.

I feel terrible that I can't take them myself, but as much as I travel they'd basically live at the kennel- not fair to any dog.

[Beth]

I found this website and it looks like some places in IL have enacted breed specific legislation (BSL): http://www.4pawssalon.com/bsl.php

Add these places to your list, Jen:

ILLINOIS Beach Park, Buffalo Grove (restricted ROTTWEILERS & PIT BULLS), Cairo, Central City, Chester, Cicero, Dixon, Effingham, Elmwood, Gillespie, Greenville, Johnston City, Lombard, Morrison, Mt. Olive, Mulberry Grove, North Chicago, Northlake, Oden, Peru, Rock Falls, Salem, Sandover, Silvis, Stone Park (has BANNED PIT BULLS), Streater, Westfield (has BANNED DOBERMANS), Wheeling, Wilsonville

[Molly]

May I suggest Legal Aide, or someone willing to do Pro Bono work.

Those dogs should be grandfathered in if they're going to do BSL, or the family needs to start a petition to get the neighbors banned.

Highland Park, IL - you have been NOTED.

[Sheenah]

I want to cry whenever I read about things like this. Pits can be the sweetest dogs when they are raised to be that way. I am one of those people that has a vicious chihuahua, he's far meaner than any big dog I've ever met. It is a shame that people are discriminating due to breed especially when small dogs are generally much meaner.

[Danielle]

I have two dogs, a "hot-dog" dog and a pitbull mix and as scary as he looks he's a baby and loves other animals especially.

People should GET A CLUE before forcing people to give up their pets. These are well raised LOVING pets, not a group of fighting dogs someone abuses.

Highland Park is definately on my list too, what a load of jackassery.

[Ashley]

I don't understand. It doesn't seem fair that they can make you give up your dogs just because of their breed. I would have a real hard time being nice to the neighbors if I were you. So sad.

[Mak]

I hate the reputation that pit bulls have. It's really getting out of hand!! A friend of mine had 3, and one had to be put down and the other 2 given away (this in Duluth, MN) because one of their dogs attacked a neighbor's dog that entered their property. I've seen chihuahuas that are more vicious than pit bulls. So why is everyone so against them?? :(

[karen]

Jen....you are the sweetest girl ever. Thanks for trying to find a home for the cute dogs...PS:Highland Park SUX big time.

[danegrrl]

If this doesn't help them find new homes, you should contact Cesar Millan - he loves pits and I'm sure would get involved to help out!

I will forward this to all the dog lovers I know.

I'm on board with the Highland Park sucks campaign, too.

[Jill]

OMG! I soooooooooo want these poochers! Are they pure bread pit bulls or a mix? I live in OH but totally want another dog - I have Miss Daisy (a bully mix) and she needs a playmate - but I'm not sure I can take on two more - but I would sooooooooo want the dogs to stay together.

This kind of story just makes me so sad - I don't know what I'd do if I had to give up my dog. I'd move.

Highland Park - you SUK big time..

Please send more details on the dogs if you have them. Thanks!

[Sara]

Oh, that is so sad. My friend Brian has two pit bulls and is fostering a third, and they are all such great dogs that I can't imagine anyone petitioning that he get rid of them! He's involved with a local pit bull rescue organization: www.hellobully.com

[Jenny]

Oh god, I WISH. We totally have room for another dog, and our landlord doesn't have anything against pibbles, but unfortunately her insurance company DOES. FRICKINFRACKIN PEOPLE. It's like racial discrimination. Our neighbor has the scariest looking pit/rott mix, he's HUGE, but he's the biggest damn baby I've ever met who only wants to play ball & give kisses. Jen, please let us know when these poor kids find a good home!

[Shelly]

I think the family needs to check more into the laws. Was this in place when they moved in? There are no BSL laws in Illinois. Other towns have tried to pass laws to restrict certain breeds and they have been over turned due to state laws. I think they should seriously talk to a lawyer before they rehome eithor of their dogs.

[Dutchess of Kickball]

I wish I could take them, but with the animals already out numbering the humans, my house just can't hold more. This story makes me so sad.

[Bully Lover]

Ugh! This kind of crap kills me. We have a Pit (and a bulldog) at home, and he is by far the sweetest animal you would ever know. My entire family's opinion of the breed was changed by knowing our dog (he was my husbands before we met). I've sent the link to my husband to see if anyone in his office could possibly take them. His boss' (owned the parents of our Pit) wife has been wanting to get new dogs, but has been waiting till the kids get a little older. They may be interested considering they're not puppies. Thanks for posting!

[the governor of jennsylvania]

Alias Mother - seriously smoochable. If there was anyway I could have worked it out, I'd have taken them first.

[Anna]

This makes me so sad and totally angry! I wish that I could take them because I totally would. Alas, no pets allowed where I live. Please keep us posted on this story. I will keep my fingers crossed tightly in hopes of both babies find a home together.

[Deanna]

Thanks so much for posting this, Jen! I just let the owners know you did this and I'm sure everyone is appreciative of it. Hopefully we can find one good home for both of these dogs!

[Alias Mother]

I've currently got two Pit mixes living in my house (one ours, one a relative's) and this crap makes me lose my frigging mind. Especially because the most dangerous dog I've ever known was a damn Golden Retriever.

If I had room for another two Bullies I would totally take them. Alas...no.

(Man, I totally want to smooch that pink snout.)