MPR Current Events

Please note: The Missouri Pit Bull Newsletter will be discontinued until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Rescue can be a very demanding venture -and it seems we are so busy working with and for the dogs, we simply cannot keep up with the newsletter for the time being. We hope to start it back up again as time allows. Until then, we invite you to talk pit bull by participating in PITMOKS-L.

MPR Happenings

Missouri Pit Bull Rescue would like to express our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered after the wrath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The effects of this unprecedented tragedy on gulf region animals was horrific. Though we are a small organization who cannot provide as much assistance as we would have liked, we did deploy 4 volunteers to New orleans to assist with animals displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita September 21-26. We have documented their journey, and it is viewable here.

In other news, our volunteers have been very busy with homeless pit bulls in the Kansas City area. Because of this, we have decided to create future newsletters bi-monthly instead of monthly. Please keep an eye out for the next newsletter, which will appear in December.

MPR adoptions since August include Donor, our hero blood donor, adorable and comical puppy Dawson, pocket-sized Guinness, who now lives with MPR alum Polly Pocket (and they make the cutest little mini-couple ever!), Patch (a boy who was adopted out several years ago only to be returned when his owner moved to a town with breed-specific legislation), Louisiana, a puppy who's throat was severed when she found herself on deathrow at the local shelter, Iris, another sweet pup who was also on deathrow, berry blue Popsicle, (aka Chavez), handsome Paddy, and Ms. Personality, Cha Cha.

MPR took in several new dogs, including Sugar Pie (and her adorable pups, available for adoption NOW!), Funny Bunny, Satin and her boyfriend, Velcro, Scarlet, who was seized on a cruelty call where she was found with a 27 lb. chain purposely pierced THROUGH her neck, Eclipse, Delight, Pretzel, Dixon (our New Orleans guy), Bayou, and Kelly.

As always, if you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring an adoption event, or have any other suggestions, feel free to send them our way. Just drop us a line at email@mprgroup.net

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Even after Pink was featured in the Kansas City Star, she still hasn't found a home. We can't figure it out -she attends adoption events faithfully, is tons of fun, and has a great temperament. Oh yeah, and she's very unique looking! we can't explain it to our cover girl why she's not getting any leads. Can you?

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Next event coming soon! - Please check the site homepage for more info! Dogtoberfest Blue Springs October 16th  9am-3pm Kick off to the Howladays Smithville Lake October 22nd 9am-3pm Please note that events can be canceled because of weather or scheduling conflicts. For latest information on adoption events, see MPR's EVENTS page.

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• San Francisco, California
  Man convicted of cutting off pit bulls' ears
  Story Link

• Ozark, Alabama
  District attorney: Man used pit bulls for fighting
  Authorities believe many more to be involved
  Story Link

• St. Louis, Missouri
  Police Officer Found at Dogfight
  Northwoods dismisses officer
  Story Link

• Kansas City, Missouri
  Police Uncover Possible Dog Fighting Operation
  Aug12,2005
  KCTV 5 Story Link

It started out as a fire call, but Friday morning, several large dogs were at an animal shelter after Kansas City police broke up a possible dog breeding and fighting operation.

They found the animals when fire crews responded to a call in the 3600 block of Jackson.

They spotted several large dogs tied up in the backyard and treadmills and weights for the dogs, according to authorities.

Police thought the animals were being trained to fight.

There were 21 dogs in all.

The Animal Control director said the homeowner was cited for having more dogs than the city allowed and for not having them licensed.

• Atlanta, Georgia
  Cruelty charges pending; 3 held on drug counts
  By JOHN GHIRARDINI
  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Published on: 07/14/05 
  
  Animal cruelty charges are pending against three men after authorities found dozens of malnourished pit bull dogs at a Norcross residence.
  
  According to authorities, an animal control officer was sent to 6089 Williams Road about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday to check into reports of cruelty to animals.
  
  The officer found 37 pit bulls, many of them undernourished and exhibiting signs of physical cruelty. The dogs ranged from puppies to adults. Several puppies suffered from severe malnutrition.
  
  The animal control officer then called for backup from Gwinnett police, said police spokesman Darren Moloney.
  
  When police arrived at the house, they talked to three men inside and saw an unspecified amount of marijuana, Moloney said.
  
  Police arrested Raymond Barry Washington, 25, on a possession of a controlled substance charge; John Holmes, 21, on two counts of possession of a controlled substance; and Tyrone Laval Drayton, 19, on possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and giving false
  information to police officers, according to Sheriff's Department records.
  
  Drayton also was wanted in South Carolina on unspecified charges, Moloney said.
  
  All three were being held without bond Wednesday at the county jail.
  
  The 37 dogs were taken to the county animal shelter, where they remained Wednesday, said Officer M. Chatham, acting road supervisor for county animal control.
  
  "They're all still here, and they're eating," Chatham said Wednesday afternoon.
  
  The officers also found five shallow graves in the back yard. In one was a decomposed animal inside a black plastic garbage bag.
  
  The remains were identified as a pit bull puppy by a forensic veterinarian called to the scene.
  
  Heavy machinery was brought in to dig up the remaining graves, Moloney said, and remains were found in all of them. Until the animal cruelty charges are brought, the dogs cannot be put up for adoption, Moloney said.

• Chicago, Illinois
  Woman hit, blind dog killed in hit and run
  Rob Johnson

August 15, 2005 — Chicago police are looking for the driver of a car that hit and injured a woman Monday morning and killed the dog she was walking. The whole thing was caught on surveillance tape.

Major accidents investigators are searching for a white car that some witnesses say was carrying four young women who may have been drinking. They are accused of plowing into a woman who was walking dog behind an animal shelter off North Ashland.

The volunteer with the animal shelter Furry Friends Foundation is fortunate to be alive. The dog she was walking was killed.

Shelter surveillance video shows that just after 7:30 Monday morning, 32-year-old shelter volunteer Holly Burd took Brick, a blind rottweiler out for a walk. Within seconds, both were hit by a white car that appeared to swerve to hit them both. After hitting the hood and flipping over the car, Holly looks for Brick, who by then is disoriented. He died moments later.

Holly spoke to ABC7 by phone.

"They killed a wonderful, wonderful dog, and they hurt me and traumatized me. It's just so heartless and evil," Burd said.

Neighbor Dika Doobay heard the crash and came running to help. By then the white car was gone and Holly was understandably shaken.

"I saw the dog walker running onto our yard, kind of dragging the dog, and the dog was limp. And she just stopped and stared and was screaming 'Help me, somebody please help me. I can't believe this. Oh, my God,' " said Dika Doobay, neighbor.

Monday afternoon at the accident scene, splintered wood and debris remained from the incident, which fortunately for Burd just caused her minor injuries.

As for Brick, the cage where he was kept is now empty, and shelter volunteers are saddened to lose a dog to such senseless violence, a dog that only knew abuse until he came to them.

"He was the most loving, trusting really sweet dog. To have a dog die like that, and have a volunteer severely injured, it's horrible," said Catherine Hedges, Furry Friends Foundation.

If you have any information about the white car in the surveillance video, you are asked to call Chicago police major accidents investigations.

• Nashville, Tennessee
  Man Charged With Running Dog-Fighting Ring
  WTVF Story Link

William Derek Saltsman has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty, drug trafficking and drug possession.

Authorities in Allen County, Kentucky raided Saltsman's house after receiving a tip that he had a meth lab inside. When officials entered the home, they found nine Pit Bulls. One of the dogs was dead, and the rest were scarred. They also found videos of dog fights, syringes, surgical staple guns and medical supplies used to heal dogs.

Officials said the dogs appeared malnourished and were covered with injuries consistent with those suffered by dogs used for fighting.

Animal control officers said they believe the dogs had been trained to fight.

"I watch the animal cop things, and you see some of the animals they seize and they bring in that are injured. But there's nothing that prepares you for what you're seeing on this video tape," an Allen County detective said.

Officials said they think Saltsman was part of a dog-fighting ring that included several Kentucky counties. Authorities were looking for other people involved in the operation.

Officials also found cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, and assault weapons when they raided Saltsman's home.

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A letter to Denver, by Brent Toellner:

It is with great sadness that I write to you. I've been sickened reading the recent articles about the city of Denver continuing to enforce its ban on Pit Bulls. It is often puzzling to me how educated people can continue to make horribly uneducated decisions.

The decision to ban Pit Bull-like dogs can only be attributed to lack of information. What exactly is the problem that you're trying to solve?

According to the National Canine Research Foundation, there are approximately 20 deaths due to canine attacks each year -- and that number has stayed relatively unchanged over the past 4 decades. I don't want to minimize the value of human life, but 20 lives a year, in the entire country, is a pretty small problem. To put this in perspective, approximately 43,000 people die each year in automobile accidents, 15,000 due to falls (most on stairs within their own homes), and 4,000 due to drowning (over 1/2 of these instances are in home swimming pools or infants in bath tubs). 11 children die each year by choking on toys. In spite of these staggering numbers, I see very few city councils who are working to outlaw automobiles, toys, bath tubs, in-home swimming pools and 2-story homes.

But, ok, let's say that the ban is in place to save those 20 people each year who die from a dog attack. Between January 2001 - December 2003, there were 60 deaths related to dogs (nationally), only 16 of which were by Pit Bulls. That's a whopping 27%. Meanwhile, 92% of these deaths were done by male dogs, 94% of which were unneutered. Statistically, if saving the lives of these 20 people is that important, let's institute a rule making it illegal to have an unneutered male dog (unless of course for registered breeders) of ANY breed of animal in the city. This would save 4x the lives as a ban on Pit Bulls would save.

In defense of the ban, one of your local City Council members, Carol Boigon, was recently quoted as saying "The problem is when you have a specific breed used for dog fighting and to protect drug premises and they're trained to be rough." (June 17, Christian Science Monitor) But my question is, what is the problem you're trying defend against? The problem still isn't the dog (or the dog breed), it's the drugs. Drug dealers will simply use a different breed of dog to defend their property. In which case, the real problem still hasn't been addressed.

So what exactly is your hope in enforcing this silly law?

Here's one supposed measure of success.

"If you judge the success of the program by the number of pit bulls we're impounding, then we're getting more success," says Denver Animal Control Director Doug Kelley. "If you judge by the number who keep choosing to have pit bulls and break the law, then we're not." (June 17, CSM) So in other words, you've been extremely effective in taking away people's pets, but still very unsuccessful in addressing the real issues at hand. Well done.

The law is silly. If the goal is to save the lives of people at the hands of vicious dogs, then institute a law in favor of mandatory neutering. If the goal is to stop drugs, might I suggest that taking away Pit Bulls will not solve your drug problem. All you're accomplishing is taking away people's pets of a breed of dog that has been unfairly given a bad name due to irresponsible owners, and irresponsible media people. Please do a little research. Get the facts. And figure out what it is, exactly, that you're trying to do with this law. This law, and the enforcement of it, is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars (if you want to save lives, donate the wasted money to the American Cancer Society). on a law that doesn't help anyone.

For more information and real statistics, please refer to:
http://ncrf2004.tripod.com/index.html

• Pit Bull lovers pack Davenport City - BSL update

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• Civil War's Dog Jack saluted after 7 score, 4 years
  Story of Pennsylvania regiment's faithful comrade brings movie crew to Soldiers & Sailors

• After pit bulls save family, some still don't believe breed is good
  Story Link

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If you would like to help a wonderful dog while she/he waits for a forever home, consider fostering a pit bull. They require very responsible foster moms and dads, but they will provide you with hours of laughter and enjoyment. They will also be forever grateful to have had a second chance at a happy life, thanks to you! For more information on foster home requirements, go here.

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Ways To Help MPR
If you love pit bulls and want to make a difference for them you can help MPR in many ways. We hope you can join our team of volunteers and supporters!

Volunteer Support
Donate your time helping MPR by fostering homeless pit bulls, helping care for dogs in boarding, assist with adoption events, printing materials, etc. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out our form HERE.

Financial Support
Donate cash or supplies for saving more pit bulls, assisting with medical expenses and veterinary treatment, boarding costs for dogs without foster homes, food and toys, crates and kennels, adoption events and printed materials, all donations are tax deductible!

*You may donate via PayPal on MPR’s website or checks can be sent to:

Missouri Pit Bull Rescue
PO Box 520043
Independence, MO 64052

Vehicle Donations
Did you know you can help Kansas City pit bulls by donating a vehicle, RV, or boat to MPR? All donations are tax deductible! For more information, go here.

Community Support
Educate your neighbors, friends and family on the plight of pit bulls. Encourage responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter your pets, and contact your local representatives to voice your opinions about BSL in your area. Report abuse, neglect or abandonment of animals to local authorities, including any suspected dog-fighting!

Sponsorship Programs
Our Sponsorship programs offer several different ways you can help each dog. If you are interested sponsoring one of our dogs, please go HERE.

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Thank You!

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MPR Wish List