Pit Bull Blog

A warm snap was a welcome relief from the January blasts! With temperatures in the 50’s, and no hint of snow or rain in the forecast for the next few days, I knew I had the break I was waiting for.

As I pounded the streets of historical Salem, Massachusetts, handmade flyers stuck under my arm, and determination stuck in my head, I began wondering if me, yeah, just me, just one person, could actually make a difference? I guess I was feeling like an “army of one”, alone with my thoughts, but hoping I’d catch up with the troops sooner or later!…. So, on I walked. I hit every windshield, light pole, and garbage can I could find. I stopped people on the street, some with dogs, and some without. I just wanted to know how they felt about Breed Specific Legislation. I was surprised many didn’t even know what it was…

Then I drove into a few neighboring cities, and started all over again…

So, what prompted all this?????

Well, when I read that B.S.L. was knocking on my back door, I KNEW it was WAAAY too close at this point, and I needed to do something!

It was Salem, MA.’s turn, “A proposed pit bull ban”…. Wonderful!!!!!…sigh…. I thought of ALL the hours I’ve sat in this very chair, writing to legislators around the world, from one country to the next, and now, Big Brother has trespassed, right in the next city!

Whoa! Too close for my taste! So, on went the anti B.S.L. armor, and into the cities I marched.

Our Massachusetts APBT Club’s secretary, Holly and I wrote and started a petition on -line, and had a hard copy of one at our club site for members to sign, if they were in the neighborhood or didn’t have acess to a computer. The link got posted around the world. It was put on several club sites, and sent to various organizations. I asked people to write to our congress men and legislators.. We were lucky! The word got out. The troops were lining up.

Holly and I decided we’d speak on behalf of the club, and we’d represent our breed, as owners, in a respectable manner. We wrote speeches and had each other critique them, as we both wanted everything to go right! Well, it seems we were not alone in our thinking! The stairs, hallways, and the councilor’s chambers were all lined with people! It was standing room only. People came from neighboring states to attend. People looked determined. They looked ready. A nervous excitement filled the air! Then quiet fell over the crowd, as the meeting began…

One by one, the councilors gave reasons why they felt Breed Specific Legislation was not the answer! “Blame the owner, not the dog”, was the clear message that night. It seems the only one in favor of the ban was the councilor-at large, who initiated it, and one citizen. ALL the rest were attending to defend the rights of themselves, and that of their dogs. Some veterinarians and techs spoke. Some organizations, and even Salem’s own A.C.O.! All, voiced their opposition.

Next, the microphone was open to anyone. Holly went up, and then I did. Then, one by one, politely, and respectfully, people from the crowd all went up, before 11 councilors, and spoke on behalf of their dogs, yes, their, “pit bulls”, and wondered why some legislators would want to see EVERY one punished, based on the actions of a few?

When the meeting came to a close, it was obvious, even before the voting began, that we had all “bewitched” the room that Wednesday night, on February 8th, 2,006. The “proposed” ban, was cast away! By a vote of 10-1, the idea of implementing any “pit bull ban” was defeated.

The story was covered by Fox News that evening. A story followed in the next days paper. The councilors said they got letters, e-mails, and information sent to them from around the world. They had a stack of letters, and much reading to do, as several clubs, groups, and organizations sent them info on B.S.L. and its alternatives.

So, I welcomed the warm snap, that February first morning. Although I wondered about it that day, and many times prior, I realized on the night of 2/8 06,=the “B.S.L. victory”, that yes, though I am only one, like a pebble that gets thrown into the water, and the effects of the ripple stretch far, that even as one, all my efforts could stretch far as well. By reaching out, great strength was summoned and then, received.

So, that’s my story! Another bewitching tale that happened in historical Salem, Massachusetts. Happily, justice prevailed, and all, well, almost all, went home happy!

Thank you all, who attended. Collectively, it was a room filled with a diverse crowd of people, of all ages. But it was the common thread=our love of this breed that brought us all together. It was a room full of people who cared enough to be there as an ambassador for the “pit bull”. A room full of people who, clearly, love their dogs. It was a room filled with common sense.

Thank you to all the members of the Massachusetts APBT Club. Thanks to the ADOA, and the American Dog Federation, for speaking and attending. Thanks, Holly, for coming down all the way from Maine. You’re a great secretary!

Thanks to everyone in that room, that evening, for your wonderful spirit. And if ever you’re feeling alone, wondering if your one voice makes a difference,
…it does!
The voice of one, can be heard by many.
Everything starts with one.
And there’s definitly, strength in numbers!
WooooHoooo! One for the “home team”!!!!

Sue M. Diecidue