There has been one group, more than any other, that has been subjected to racial profiling by the media. Despite the fact that there are millions of these beings on city streets, whenever one goes wrong, journalists rush in to condemn the entire race. It's not only unfair, it's just plain wrong.
I am talking, of course of those dogs commonly known as pit bulls -- American Staffordshires, Staffordshire Bulls, crosses, etc. -- and the breed specific legislation enacted last year geared to make these dogs extinct.
There are many pitbull-type dogs in my life -- George and Freddy, Jack and Havoc, to name a few -- and all of them are sweet-tempered, well-behaved dogs loved to pieces by their responsible owners. I have such confidence in the breed that my little girl Syd, an American Eskimo, walks every afternoon with three of them -- and, in fact, she's out with them now.
Pits make great therapy dogs, tireless working dogs -- and can be heroes. But their vicious reputation -- media created, in my view -- makes them desirable ''accessories'' for the wrong people. The most common inner city dog, they are often the result of backyard breeders and kept in environments where they get inadequate care, nutrition and/or exercise. No matter what the dog, a bad situation would likely be the outcome.
This video expresses my feeling about the law. Get out your handkerchiefs and watch.
Today, a constitutional challenge to this cruel, unfair and stupid law has kicked off in the courts. Led by some friends of mine and argued by Clayton Ruby, it is being blogged by the ironically named Steve Barker.
I saw a news report on the trial at noon on Newsworld and it was dispassionate.
But I highly doubt that the case will get a fair shake in the MSM which always broadcast pitbull bites but rarely report on attacks by other breeds -- and believe me, there are plenty.
For example, last year, while waiting for Syd at the downtown Veterinarian Emergency Clinic, I saw a bloody pit, minus an ear, led in. It had been attacked by a Portuguese Water Spaniel. The pit never fought back.
I hope that the pit owners fight like crazy.
And, if the media don't play this right, I plan to bite the offenders.
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