Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Light a Candle Today

"Sugar"
Painting by Rebecca Collins

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is asking that you light a candle today, May 9th at 7:00pm MST in honor of the lost lives of innocent Pit Bulls that have been killed due to the reinstatement of the Denver Pit Bull Ban.

From their email...

"Since reinstatement of the ban, Denver has killed at least 1,100 dogs believed to be pit bulls or dogs possessing the majority of physical traits of those breeds. Some estimates place the death toll much higher, at least 2000 or more.

The pit bull ban was first passed in 1989 but a state law was passed in 2004 that made breed bans like Denver’s illegal. Denver suspended enforcement of its pit bull ordinance at that time. Denver officials went to court to challenge the new state law. Enforcement of the pit bull ban resumed on May 9, 2005 when a court ruled Denver could enforce its pit bull ban."

Many dogs have been forcefully taken from their families and euthanized because they "look" like Pit Bulls. The media has portrayed Pit Bulls as vicious animals for years when in fact, it is just not true. The problem lies with irresponsible pet owners who don't spay or neuter their dogs, who tether or chain them, train them to fight and abuse or neglect them.

I chose the beautiful portrait above by Rebecca Collins of Art Paw to represent all Pit Bulls today. Her name is Sugar. Sugar is no longer with us...but her spirit reminds us of the beauty, majesty and innocence of the breed.

Please write your local representatives and protest all Breed Specific Bans. This is happening in many communities...not just Denver. Please speak up for and protect dogs like Sugar who can't speak for themselves.


6 comments:

artpaw said...

Linda-
Thanks for choosing Sugar for this very important post on the Denver Pit Bull Ban. The media really needs to refocus their attentions on what it takes to be a responsible animal companion and spend less time beating up a scape goat breed. How about a few 5:00 news stories on Pits that have saved lives, sniffed out bombs and so on .... those stories exist they just end up on the back page.
Rebecca

kate said...

I had no idea there was such a ban in place. That is horrible ...I will check into this here and find out what is happening. Sugar is beautiful!

Shari Beaubien said...

My jaw is on the floor as I read this! I can't believe we could be so backwards as to pass a ban like this! What is wrong with people?!?!? Ignorance?!?! That's no excuse. I will light a candle... Hugs, Shari
P.S. Your portrait of Sugar is beautiful, dear Linda.

Carla Sonheim said...

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I had a part pitbull, Roxy, who was the friendliest, most loving dog EVER. I will definitely do as you suggest (write local representatives about Breed Specific Bans).

Clare said...

Thank you for letting us know about the bans. It's terrible what is happening. One of Moose's good friends is a pit bull and he is a sweetheart, like so many of them are. Sugar is gorgeous.

Jonna said...

I hate when they target a breed because of what people have done to a few. We have had Rottie's in the past and always got a lot of flack about them being such mean dogs. Everyone we've owned was a sweet heart. I've known many Pit Bulls and only one had issues and that was due to the way he was raised. I could go on and on....but I'm sure youall feel the same..what a sad day for Denver.