Tuesday, May 22, 2012
By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer
AUGUSTA -- American pit bull terriers have a bad rap. A session Saturday at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society aims to take some of the bite out of what organizers say is the undeserved reputation.
An American pit bull terrier at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta. Experts on the breed will attend an event this weekend called “Pit Bull 101” at the shelter to discuss responsible ownership of the pet.
Staff photo by Andy Molloy
Organizers hope the "Pit Bull 101" seminar will help lead to better lives -- and good homes -- for pit bull-type dogs such as Beowoof, a big friendly fellow who greets visitors to the Augusta shelter with a wagging tail and wet kisses.
The seminar will be conducted by SOME Pit, a small group of southern Maine pit bull advocates working to improve the lives of the dogs through education, adoption assistance, training and events.
The goal of the workshop, Kennebec Valley Humane Society Executive Director Hillary Roberts said, is to help educate people about pit bull-type dogs, encourage responsible dog ownership and help break down some of the barriers and myths about pit bulls.
"We hope people will come and take the time to learn about a misunderstood breed," Roberts said.
Roberts said pit bulls, according to the American Temperment Test Society, score above average in temperment tests, which are meant to help determine a dog's adoptability.
Beowoof and other pit bull types of dogs make up a disproportionate share of the dog population at the Augusta shelter, as in many other shelters. Roberts said often 25 to 30 percent of dogs at the shelter are pit bulls or pit bull mixes.
And the dogs can be hard to adopt out.
"We have struggled to adopt them out, because of perceptions and fears," she said. "Because of some of the myths and negative community perceptions, we make sure we go the extra mile with pit bulls, with temperment testing. Adopting out healthy, happy, sweet pit bulls into the community that are safe and good ambassadors for their breed is the best way you break down barriers."
SOME Pit was started in 2008 by dog trainers and evaluators Adam Ricci and Jessica Dolce. The organization's website states they believe "responsible dog ownership is one of the keys to changing the public's opinion about pit bulls. It is our wish that the public, through exposure to well behaved pit bull ambassadors, will begin to see the truth about these amazing dogs."
Roberts said pit bull-type dogs tend to be highly intelligent, highly trainable, eager to please and determined.
She said those traits are likely reasons the breed has been favored by people who train their dogs to fight.
But Roberts also noted the breed is known for being friendly and wanting to be around people and can make excellent family pets.
Roberts said three pit bulls rescued from a suspected dogfighting ring in Ohio last October and taken in at the shelter in Augusta have all been adopted out and are flourishing in their new homes.
Pit Bull 101 is Saturday, from 11 a.m. to noon, at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society on Pet Haven Lane, which is off Western Avenue.
Keith Edwards -- 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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