Thursday, September 25, 2008

Best quote o' the day

Thanks to a blog reader (hat tips, anon) for sending a link this morning about a raid in Alabama. The news is sad, the story is perennial, but the compassion shown by the authorities is encouraging, and we have to hope, a sign of a new trend in animal law investigations.
I was asked the other day......what would you say to somebody who says well they're just dogs. I'd say to somebody who says they're just dogs - that's probably somebody who would say they're just kids or they're just seniors. We can not allow the defenseless among us to be abused and hurt and caged and chained as we see here. - Attorney General Troy King



It was reported that Montgomery Humane Society will be evaluating the animals and making them available for adoption. That news seems a little premature since of course the dog owners have a right to due process, however interested readers might want to send donations to MHS for the extra burden of housing and placing the dogs, along with a hardy 'thank you' for taking them in.

While the news is calling this a dogfighting operation, we have to point out that old scars and chaining should never be misconstrued as fight evidence. The authorities will have to produce more substantial evidence in order to justify felony dog fighting charges (if that's what they're going for). In the meantime, it appears that the lack of water and food gave them enough cause to remove the animals. Kudos to them.

9 comments:

2beemo said...

Wow, such a great quote... perceptions ARE changing! It was refreshing to hear no negative connotations in the newscaster's voice. So often there is negative emphasis put on "pit bulls". Mr. King & the reporter got it right -- these animals are just "dogs".... Dogs that deserve better and deserve the chance to be evaluated, adopted & move on to a much better life. Much gratitude to MHS & AG King!

Anonymous said...

Finally, maybe all of the smiling bulls are changing minds, and helping their brothers and sisters be seen for what they are, which is not a monster, but a dog that deserves love, vet care, food and water. They don't ask much of us, so who are we to ask so much of them?

Great comment by the way...

Amanda said...

WOW, amazing quote, so well put. And all the better to listen to him say it with those pups behind him. ;)

THANKS for bringing stuff like this to our attention; I check you blog as much for your own program's news as for general pittie-related news around the country. I'm never disappointed. =)

Anonymous said...

I almost fell off my chair when that one came through the google alerts.
My heart rate has settled down almost to normal.
They`re usually bad news for the dogs.
They don`t usually contain good news or great quotes unless it`s a follow up story on the dogs abused by Vick.
If it`s dog fighting I hope they throw the book at them and if it`s another form of abuse(no water/food) I also hope they throw the book at them.
Penalties have to be more severe than whatever the gain is from fighting these poor dogs.
I sure hope this is a sign of things to come and I hope people voluntarily stop breeding these pups until EVERY Pit Bull puppy and adult is in a home where they`re loved.
I`ve already sent a thanks and a small donation.
Every little bit will help them and encourage them to just give these dogs a chance.

Thoughts said...

So glad these dogs are being taken care of now. And thats a great quote.

Anonymous said...

Mr. King is my hero today. Similar story here in Pittsburgh - fourteen dogs (five nursing puppies) found in an abandoned home with dog fighting equipment. Hopefully these dogs will be given the same chance as the Vick dogs and the dogs in the news story - to be evaluated and adopted.

Spiderama said...

Kudos to Attorney General Troy King in speaking out for the silent victims of abuse. And a big high five to MHS for giving these dogs a chance to be evaluated and hopefully on to better homes.

*"Uh what? Oh OK I'll tell them". My little buddy Frodo here (one of the shyer Vick dogs) wants me to remind people the importance of supporting shelters that hold cruelty case dogs. Many dogs just like Frodo can spend months upon months with out any type of kennel enrichment while waiting for their original abusers to stand trial. One might even consider this a form of continued neglect. I mean one has to wonder if not for the lack of kennel enrichment, dogs like the Frodo Man might have gone on to run for President! ;)
~Bullymomma~

Anonymous said...

Here are some more dogs that are being given a 2nd chance.
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/killed_972087___article.html/abuse_owners.html

[quote]Deweese said, "You're talking about the abuse of a living creature and we intend to prosecute these people to the fullest extent of the law."[/quote]

15 have already been put down but 15 have been sent to rescue in Nashville and Knoxville.
Good to see some more attitudes are changing.

Anonymous said...

This is GREAT!!! I live in FL and work with rescue org's and we have had an overwhelming number of Pitt's come in because Dade County in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale has banded Pitt's- HATE THE DEAD NOT THE BREED! We have puppies, ones that have been rehabilitated; to seniors and they are GREAT, loving dogs. Please contact me at faithlovehopeorl@yahoo.com if you can adapt or foster. These poor dogs are being put down because we can not adapt/foster them out quick enough! This has become a fight for their innocence.