I NEED HELP!!!! PLEASE ANY ADVICE
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| Thu, 03-10-2005 - 12:21pm |
Okay... Hi everyone my name is Victoria I live in Southeast Georgia... Anyways me and my fiance bought a dog about a year ago. We have papers on him and everything. He is like family because we dont have any children. So he is like our son. Well in Georgia they are trying to pass a law about pitbulls (Gir is an American Pitbull Terrior) but the reason they are doin gthis is because to many people are fighting them. Me and my fiance do not fight our dog and I am very against it. But they are trying to pass a law that the dog has to be inclosed, chained up, muzzled, and out of the public eye. They also want all pitbulls to be neutered. I think this is very cruel. I wanted to breed Gir because he is a beautiful dog and I would love to raise some of his puppies. I don't really have the money to get Gir neutered anyway. Why are they doing this to these poor dogs? It is not the dog's idea to go out and fight it is the person who owns the dog. It is really how you raise them. Gir would not and has not hurt a fly. He is probably one of the biggest, sweetiest dogs I have ever met. I am so sure of this that I am not scared when my 2 year old nephew gets down on the floor and plays with him. But the reason I am writing is does anyone know what I can do to either stop the law from being passed. Or if I can't then do you know how I would go about getting him neutered if I have to. I really dont want to because I think it is so cruel. Please if anyone has any suggestions PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
~*Victoria*~

I would call the SPCA or PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals). I can understand about keeping any dog chained up or fenced in. But muzzled? If the dog doesn't have a history of being vicious, then it shouldn't be an issue. And I really don't understand the neutering.
Good luck!
There is a similar thing happening in Canada in one of the provinces there. No new pitbulls will be allowed, all of them must be spayed or neutered, and must be muzzled in public. I think it's pretty unfortunate. My sister had a pitbull mix and she was the sweetest dog I've ever seen.
Neutering is actually not a very expensive procedure. If it were a female dog, it would be more invasive and cost more. I'd call the SPCA or be on the lookout for those mobile units that go around and spay/neuter for a reduced fee.
There is a place in North Georgia that provides low-cost spay/neuter services. They're a great vet clinic. They were the only ones who could ever handle my dog who would get downright vicious during vet exams. He's just a tiny 10"/14lb dog, and sweet as can be...but when he went to the vet, he became absolutely horrible to control...sometimes it took three of us to hold him in order to get shots or check on other health problems (two to hold his body, and one to hold his head from spinning around and biting)--he looked and acted like a rabid dog when it came to the vet, and they handled him with love and smiles and were very understanding.
You say you're in Southeast GA, so are you near Savannah? If so, the drive to this vet clinic (Pet Vet, Inc) would be about 6 hours (5 hours to Atlanta, and one hour further North). Their website is: http://www.projectspayneuter.com/html/prices.html
I'm not sure how much your little angel weighs, but the price list from their website,for Dogs, lists these as the following costs for neutering:
Less then 25#: $50
25#-75#: $60
75#-100#: $70
over 100#: call for quote
These prices are pretty good, really. I had my dog neutered at another vet (one that eventually told me to send my dog to a "behavioralist" in Athens because my dog didn't like getting shots...), and although he was only about 11 pounds at that time, the bill came to over $225.00. So these prices are actually very good.
I wish you luck with the fight. When I heard about it on the news, I initially thought it was 'all' dog breeds, and I jumped up from my couch and said, "No way!! I have to put a muzzle on my baby to take him for a WALK!?", so I can imagine what you're feeling right now.
Is your baby an inside or outside dog? If inside, just be sure to keep your doors locked when you leave, and don't keep the muzzle on him. When going out for walks or playing in the yard or park, find a muzzle that will easily enable him to drink and eat and most importantly breathe and pant. And silly or not, when it 'is' put on him, try to do your best to smile and praise him and tell him how handsome he looks. Really play it up so that he learns that the muzzle isn't a punishment and just enhances his appearance. I got that advice from my neighbor (who works in a vet clinic) when I had to put an E-collar on my dog (one of those big plastic collars that dogs wear to keep them from scratching and biting themselves when they've got dry skin or allergies). She told me to really praise him and tell him he was handsome, and I thought my neighbor was nuts to be honest. I mean, it was just a plastic collar. LOL! So I put the e-collar on my dog without the praise she had suggested, and he moped around the house...head hanging...looking pouty. So I took her advice and sat him down and praised the dickins out of him...told him how great he looked and how special he was, and how I just loved his special collar. And to this day, whenever he sees me with that e-collar in my hand, he lays flat and still on the floor with his little tail wagging up a storm...waiting for me to put his "special collar" on him so he can be "Momma's handsome little boy". LOL! :-D
Pat
I get so angry wwhen this happens. My DH and I show and own boxers (which are also great dogs) and there has been alot of talk of these bills on the boxer message boards. SOme things that you can do- contact your representative. Let them know what you told us. Another thing to contact a pitbull show club around you or even the American Stafford which is also sometimes lumped in with the pit bulls. I am sure that there is some lobbying against this because the boxer people are hating it since you never know what dog will come next (boxers, dobermans, Rottweillers- which are all gret dogs!)
I know that a similar billed past in New Mexico. I hope that you can help - KATIE
Hello
Neutered dogs are less likely to be agressive to people and other dogs(not that your dog is). Not to mention the thousands of unwanted animals that get euthanized every year because there are not enough homes. Please get your dog neutered! If you can't afford to neuter your dog now how do you expect to afford to buy a female and raise the puppies?
I have no idea other than writing your Representative?
However, you might be able to get more information on what you are looking for by posting this on the Dogs board
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ptdogs
You are welcome to continue posting on dealing with the emotional issues of getting out of debt on this board though. :)
Becky
CL of 4th, 5th & 6th grade Scoliosis
Wonderful reply!! I wish more people had your knowledge (common sense?)
Victoria, you posted this same scenario on the Pet Debate board. I'm uncertain as to what it is you are wanting. You were given suggestions on how to proceed with contacting the proper "powers-that-be." You were also informed of the many negative -
On Saturday, I got called into work because a coworker's 5 yo neice was attacked by a dog. (It just happened to be a pitbull but that's not my point) The dog was sitting on the floor and she got down and pet it (it was not eating and it was always friendly with kids.) The dog suddenly attacked and bite a large part of her cheek and lip off with her uncle sitting right there on the couch. He had to hit the dog numerous times to get it off of her. And yes, the dog will be put to sleep.
I love dogs too and grew up with chow chows (which are supposed to be mean but my mom's are so sweet and never did any harm), but I just want to remind everyone these ARE animals and we must be careful especially with our children. Eventhough I believe my mom's dogs wouldn't hurt a fly- you can bet I am still right there with my 3 yo every time he pets the dogs or any other dogs.
I agree with the last few posts that raising puppies would cost more than to neuter one dog. I don't think it is cruel. It is better than having pets running around that no one can take care of. The shelter in my area is so full of dropoffs and needs more funding to take care of them all.
~Nicki