Lots of news and a New Challenge for Jen Swanson

     There's a lot happening in the animal world around Baltimore these days. First, a big thank-you to Save 90's newest personal contributor, Mel Mintz. You'll find a full list of Save 90 advertisers and personal contributors below the text of this post.
     If you would like to buy an ad for your business or make a personal donation, please contact me. All proceeds are donated to area rescue organizations and shelters, the names of which are also listed below.

Animals Available for Adoption
Here are just a few of the animals available for adoption at Baltimore area shelters. There are many, many more.  If you're looking for a new furry companion, please adopt.

Daphne-available at the Baltimore Humane Society

Mr. Crabcake-available at the Baltimore County

Animal Shelter

Brandy-available at BARCS

Mya-Available at the MD SPCA

Some short news items:

• A first for BAWA

     As you may know, there's a local organization known as the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (BAWA) and its full members include the MD SPCA, BARCS, and the Baltimore Humane Society. (Representatives for The Baltimore County Animal Shelter attend BAWA meetings and are working toward fulfilling requirements to become a full member of BAWA) For the very first time, through September of this year (figures are not yet out for October), BAWA's members are maintaining an annual 80% live release rate.
      Prior to reaching this new mark, the shelter's annual live release percentage had been hovering in the 70's.
     Moving into the 80% range is huge, especially since BAWA members were able to maintain this number through the summer months when intake numbers are always high.
     What a great accomplishment.

• Little Dogs. Big Success Story.

     BARCS is accustomed to coping with difficult situations, but an intake of 53 chihuahuas in one day is not your average challenge.
     When Baltimore City Animal Control officers were alerted to a troubled home breeding operation, they went to her home, found 53 chihuahuas, and took them to BARCS.
     This story got big news coverage, and as soon as the dogs were available for adoption, there was a line of hopeful adopters out the door at BARCS. Within 30 minutes all of the adult dogs were adopted, except for five that were nursing mothers.
     The moms and their puppies went to foster homes. BARCS Director Jen Brause says the foster families have fallen in love with them, and she expects that by the time the puppies are old enough for adoption, the fosters and extended family and friends will adopt all of them permanently.
     Well done.

• Baltimore County's TNR clinics a success

     Baltimore County's pilot Trap Neuter, Return program is coming along nicely.
Community Cats of MD (CCMD) is now operating out of the county's new East Side Spay/Neuter facility in Dundalk. In its first clinic in September, CCMD reported that it spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped 67 community cats (46 of them from Baltimore County).
    CCMD is beyond thrilled with its new space. Among other plusses, Peg Nemoff of CCMD says, "...we can now help caretakers by doing post surgery recovery for them. THIS IS A HUGE PLUS FOR OUR PROGRAM.  Recovery space was always problematic at the BARCS site.  The City didn't have space for us to do recovery. As it was, we were infringing on Animal Control's space and on BARCS...as we housed cats in their shared garage from Saturday noon until Sunday night for each monthly clinic. The County space we have been given is a dream come true."
     Real kudos to Baltimore County for partnering with CCMD and giving it this great new home.

• CAPA for MD

     You may remember the effort during the last General Assembly session to pass a
Companion Animal Protection Act (CAPA), which would set uniform standards for shelters in the state of MD. The bill did not pass, but efforts are underway to craft a bill that can pass in the coming legislative session.
     A number of people recently participated in a discussion on the bill during a work session of the House Environment and Transportation Committee.
     Some shelter directors, including representatives from BARCS, the Humane Society of
Harford County, Montgomery County's Animal Services Division, and Talbot Humane all favor the concept of uniform standards but also expressed concerns about the bill.
  Among the criticisms is a concern that the bill is actually too complicated and detailed and would be better and more effective if it laid out broad requirements rather than so many specifics.
     In addition, some worry that the requirements could require shelters to spend money that they don't have.
     Another criticism is based on enforcement of the bill's provisions, and who would carry it out.
     Expect to hear more bout this when the General Assembly session gets underway in January.

• LOTS of festivals!

      Dogs and owners were out in force at this year's Baltimore Humane Society Dogfest and BARCS's BARCStoberfest. 

    I was lucky enough to judge the costume contest at BARCStoberfest. Here were a couple of winning highlights:

Ninja Warriors 

Ghost Busters

Too much, right?

Now on to the main subject of this post:

A New Challenge for Jen Swanson
    Most of us have come to know Jen Swanson as the Executive Director of the
Baltimore Humane Society. Jen recently took a new job as Executive Director of the
Humane Society of Harford County.
     Save 90 recently visited with Jen to learn more about the Harford County shelter and about the vision she has for its future.
     Jen explained that, while Harford County is more rural than Baltimore County, there are similarities between the shelters in these two jurisdictions. For one, Harford County's shelter is also open admission, although, unlike Baltimore County, it is run as a non-profit. Each takes in about the same number of animals (about 4500) per year. And like Baltimore County, a new shelter facility is under construction.
     Check out this short video interview with Jen to learn more.

     Jen expects to move into the new shelter building right before Christmas. Then work will begin on demolition of old buildings and construction of the parking lot. It's hoped that all will be completed by mid-February.
     The total cost of the new facility is $7.5 million, and the Harford County government is paying for $6 million dollars of the cost. The shelter is working on fund-raising the rest.
     Jen is excited to move into the new building, and, in addition to growing her volunteer program and making other improvements, she looks forward to being able to offer training classes for the public.
     It's a fresh new beginning for Jen and the county's animals.

Here's a complete list of Save 90 advertisers (Save 90 hopes you'll support them):
Chesapeake Contracting
Needles and Threads of Ruxton
Bare Necessities
Edie Brown Associates
The Mark Building Company
Studio of Makeup
BJS Insurance
Parsonizing Dry Cleaners
Graul's Market
Zibazz Hair Studio
Linens and Lingerie
Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection
Nationwide Nissan
The Jewelry Lady
The Big Screen Store and The Sofa Store
Barre at the Quarry
The Lichter Group
The Little Shoebox
Window Consultants, Inc.
Matava Shoes
Gourmet Again
Four Corners Travel
Charles Levine Caterers
Len Stoler Auto Group
Eddie's of Roland Park on North Charles Street
Studio 111
Great Finds and Designs
Stone Mill Bakery
The Manor Shopping Center Merchants Association
The Silberstein Insurance Group: Employee Benefits Consultants
The Suburban House Restaurant
Zibazz Day Spa and Makeup Art
Steven Caplan, Esq.
Anne George (Bark Busters)
Greetings and Readings
Mary Jane Buettner, Author
About Faces
Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital
Cavalier Realty
Octavia Boutique
Andy's Animals
The Red Garter
Alexruz Photography
Robyn Geller Productions
Costas Inn
Joey Chiu Greenspring Inn

Mel Mintz is the newest individual contributor to Save 90. Here's a complete list of those who have made donations:

Jim and Bonnie Hunter

Marty Sitnick

Elmo Barranco

Eric Brennan

Amy Elias

Sheldon and Jamie Caplis

Kathleen and Jim McGee

Mo Shinnawi
Mel Mintz

All money raised through ads and donations is donated to shelters and rescues. 
Here's the list of rescues that have each received a $750 Save 90 donation:

Animal Allies Rescue Foundation

Adopt a Homeless Animal

Feline Rescue Association

Tara's House

Bella's Bully Buddies

Homeward Trails

Recycled Love

BARCS

Baltimore Humane Society

Rescue Well

Seniors for Seniors

Baltimore Bully Crew

So far, Save 90 has raised $9131.00.
Please help me reach the $10,000 mark by making a contribution. Contact me at debstone01@comcast.net to learn more.

     

   

Meet Byron Logan, the SPCA's New Executive Director

    Let 's start this post with a big thank you to Save 90's newest advertiser:

Joey Chiu Greenspring Inn.

You'll find complete lists of Save 90 advertisers and personal contributors, as well as a thank you from Baltimore Bully Crew, (the latest rescue organization to receive a $750 check from Save 90) below the text of this post.

Animals for Adoption

     Here are some of the animals available for adoption at the shelters in our area:

                                        Rocko-available at Baltimore County Animal Shelter

Lucy-available at the Baltimore Humane Society

 

Dinah-available at the MD SPCA

Candy-available at BARCS

There are, of course, many more animals at all four shelters, all of which need loving homes. If you want a new pet, please adopt.

Low-cost Rabies Vaccination clinics  

Commission Business

     As you may know, the Baltimore County Animal Oversight Committee has begun its work. 

     In the August 25th meeting, Commission members presented their findings from a visit to the Baltimore County Animal Shelter, and two members presented information about the new animal shelter which is under construction on Manor Rd.  

     Here's a link to a virtual tour of the new shelter: 

 https://youtu.be/bN4GgFtcFhE

     Shelter construction is moving along. The completion date for Phase One of the project is 

October 14th. Phase One is the completion of the new building but does not include the demolition of the old buildings or the completion of the new parking lot. It's expected to take four weeks to move into the new facility after it's turned over to the county by the contractor.

     At the last meeting, it was decided that Commission subcommittees will look into three issues:

• Baltimore County's policies for Administrative Hold animals (animals held at the shelter involved in cases of animal abuse or aggression 
• The contract rescue organizations must sign to partner with the shelter
• What kinds of programs should our new animal shelter offer?

     Commission meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month and are open to the public, so feel free to attend. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept.15th at 6:30 PM in the 

Wilson Room of the Towson library. 

New Partnership with Community Cats of Maryland (CCMD) and opening of East Side Spay/Neuter Facility

     This is pretty stupendous news. The county has announced a partnership with CCMD to carry out Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) in the county's pilot TNR program. CCMD will now run all of its TNR clinic operations out of Baltimore County's new East Side Spay/Neuter facility which has opened in Dundalk at 7702 Dunmanway. 

     According to CCMD's Peg Nemoff, the first clinic will take place this month and will run on a once a month schedule. Clinics are set up to provide assistance to caretakers/trappers in the order that they sign up for clinic spaces and with consideration as how to much personal assistance they need from CCMD volunteers for trapping and support. 

     If you are a caretaker of a colony of community cats, you can sign up for clinic spaces by using this link:

http://www.communitycatsmd.org/clinicrequestform.html

      TNR is considered the only humane way to address the problem of the hundreds of millions of stray and feral cats that roam the streets of the United States. It involves trapping cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them and then returning them to the place where they were found.

     When 90-100% of cats in a given colony are spayed or neutered, that effectively stops reproduction and stabilizes the colony's numbers.

     If you would like more information about TNR, here's a link to a Save 90 video about a grant-funded Baltimore City TNR project run out of BARCS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6wzXge74s4

     CCMD is a great choice to lead the county's TNR efforts as it has extensive experience in TNR. It has been running TNR clinics in Baltimore City since 2004, first under the auspices of the Maryland Feline Society, and then as CCMD when it was incorporated. Since then it has altered well over 3 thousand cats.

    

     The opening of the new East Side Spay/Neuter facility itself is great news as it now gives residents in that part of the county more convenient access to Baltimore County's low-cost spay/neuter services. The county also plans to open a Spay/Neuter facility on the west side. Its exact location has not yet been determined.

Pets into the Community

     Yes, it's become a regular occurrence. The Baltimore County Animal Shelter is participating in many off-site adoption events. This weekend the shelter will have a booth at the Reisterstown Festival. Here's the post that appeared on the shelter's Facebook page about it:

"In order to increase pet adoptions and provide pet education to the public, our new volunteer coordinator registered Baltimore County Animal Servicesfor a bunch of upcoming adoption events. We told Rescue Well that we were planning on going to The Reisterstown Festival. Next thing you know, Rescue Well called to say that one of their generous donors, Michael Mandis - Alliance Mortgage Funding sponsored a booth for BCAS at the festival! 

Thank you so much Rescue Well. Your compassion and dedication to pets and people astounds us on a daily basis! Michael Mandis – we are humbled by your generosity and extend our gratitude to you! Your contribution will allow BCAS to place many animals is new homes! 

Please come visit some of our adoptable pets at the Reisterstown Festival this weekend! This free festival is packed with fun activities and entertainment for people of all ages! For more information about The Reisterstown Festival visit http://reisterstownfest.com/"

Recently the shelter also had a booth at the MD State Fair. Kudos to the shelter for its continued involvement in these events. 

   

An Interesting Idea

     rrobserver.com reports on an interesting development at New Mexico's Rio Rancho Animal Control Shelter. The shelter has changed its policy on owner-reclaimed animals. Where it used to charge $125 to reclaim a pet, a new policy has cut the reclaim fees in half for most people.

     The net result through the first 6 months of 2015 was a 39% increase in animals returned to owners.  

     While the city now has less income from reclaim fees, it also has fewer expenses from having to take care of those animals. In all, says Rio Rancho Police Captain Paul Rogers, it appears to be "a wash in the end". 

     And, the best news of all: with more reclaims, there's been a 5% decrease in the number of animals euthanized at the shelter. 

Now on to the main subject of today's post: Meet Byron Logan, the SPCA's New 

Executive Director

     He's warm and engaging and has a vision for the MD SPCA. Byron Logan has been hired as the organization's new Executive Director, replacing Aileen Gabbey who spent nearly two decades with the MD SPCA. 

     Byron has a broad vision of the animal community in the Baltimore area. He does not see the work of each shelter or rescue separately, or as one piece of a puzzle. He only sees the puzzle as a completed whole, with all shelters and rescue groups in our area working together for the good of our community's animals. 

     Meet Byron Logan in this video interview.

     Save 90 wishes Byron Logan the best of luck in his new job!

Now, for the latest Save 90 advertiser:

Joey Chiu Greenspring Inn

     

Here's a complete list of Save 90 advertisers (Save 90 hopes you'll support them):
Chesapeake Contracting
Needles and Threads of Ruxton
Bare Necessities
Edie Brown Associates
The Mark Building Company
Studio of Makeup
BJS Insurance
Parsonizing Dry Cleaners
Graul's Market
Zibazz Hair Studio
Linens and Lingerie
Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection
Nationwide Nissan
The Jewelry Lady
The Big Screen Store and The Sofa Store
Barre at the Quarry
The Lichter Group
The Little Shoebox
Window Consultants, Inc.
Matava Shoes
Gourmet Again
Four Corners Travel
Charles Levine Caterers
Len Stoler Auto Group
Eddie's of Roland Park on North Charles Street
Studio 111
Great Finds and Designs
Stone Mill Bakery
The Manor Shopping Center Merchants Association
The Silberstein Insurance Group: Employee Benefits Consultants
The Suburban House Restaurant
Zibazz Day Spa and Makeup Art
Steven Caplan, Esq.
Anne George (Bark Busters)
Greetings and Readings
Mary Jane Buettner, Author
About Faces
Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital
Cavalier Realty
Octavia Boutique
Andy's Animals
The Red Garter
Alexruz Photography
Robyn Geller Productions
Costas Inn
Joey Chiu Greenspring Inn

Individual Contributors to Save 90:

Jim and Bonnie Hunter

Marty Sitnick

Elmo Barranco

Eric Brennan

Amy Elias

Sheldon and Jamie Caplis

Kathleen and Jim McGee

Mo Shinnawi

All money raised through ads and donations is donated to shelters and rescues. Here's a very cute thank you message from Baltimore Bully Crew, the latest recipient of a check from 
Save 90.

Recipients of Save 90 (Each has received a check for $750):

Animal Allies Rescue Foundation

Adopt a Homeless Animal

Feline Rescue Association

Tara's House

Bella's Bully Buddies

Homeward Trails

Recycled Love

BARCS

Baltimore Humane Society

Rescue Well

Seniors for Seniors

Baltimore Bully Crew

Total money raised so far: $9041.00

If you or someone you know would like to donate to or advertise on this blog, please contact me at debstone01@comcast.net 

Thank you!

THE LATEST-It's always something!

     Let's start with a big thank you to Save 90's newest advertiser:

Costas Inn

     

     Save 90 has a new personal contributor as well. Thank you so much to Mo Shinnawi.

Below the text of this post, you'll find full lists of Save 90 advertisers and personal contributors, as well as organizations supported by these ads and donations, and the total amount of money raised so far. All money raised is donated to rescue groups and shelters.

ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION

     Here are some of the animals available for adoption at shelters in our area:

Moxie-available at the MD SPCA

Croissant-available at BARCS

Wave-available at the Baltimore Humane Society

Breezy 1-Available at the Baltimore County Animal Shelter

     There are, of course, many more wonderful animals available at all the shelters in our area. If you're looking for a new pet, please adopt.

SHORT NEWS ITEMS:

• The Commission Gets Rolling

      It took several months, but all County Council members have made their appointments to the Animal Services Oversight Commission and they, along with those appointed by the County Executive, have now begun work. I'm honored to have been named Commission Chair.

     Here's a list of the 7 Commission members appointed by the County Council:

Darla Feeheley appointed by District 1 Councilman Tom Quirk

Deborah Stone appointed byDistrict 2 Councilwoman Vicki Almond

Dr. Jean Townsend, D.V.M. appointed by District 3 Councilman Wade Kach

Dr. Bruce Brown, D.V.M. appointed by District 4 Councilman Julian Jones

Joy Freedman appointed by District 5 Councilman David Marks

Janice Vincent appointed by District 6 Councilwoman Cathy Bevins

Roy Plummer appointed by District 7 Councilman Todd Crandell

Here are the 4 County Executive Appointments:

Leslie Kaminsky

Kevin Reed

James P. O'Neill

Dr. Jocelyn Spiga, D.V.M.

     In its first meeting, the Commission made plans to have one group of Commission members visit the Baltimore County Animal Shelter, and a second group of members will get information on plans for the new Baltimore County Animal Shelter which is under construction.

        All meetings of the Commission are open to the public. The next meeting is scheduled for August 25th at 6:30 P.M. at the Towson branch of the Public Library. After that, the meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 P.M.

• The Howard County Animal Welfare Society

    The last Save 90 post included a report of complaints about the privately-run

Howard County Animal Welfare Society. Save 90 learned that Howard County Animal Control is conducting an investigation into that organization, and the investigation will be discussed at a future meeting of the Howard County Animal Matters Hearing Board.

     Howard County Animal Control Administrator Deborah Baracco tells Save 90 that this issue will likely be discussed at the board's September meeting. Save 90 will follow up.

• Dogs, Cats, Other

      There has been a new addition to the Baltimore County Animal Shelter (BCAS) webpage. Until recently, the page listed only dogs and cats needing homes. But the shelter gets other animals in addition to dogs and cats. The web page is now featuring them too.

     Including these other available pets in addition to dogs and cat is another sign of progress at BCAS.

• New MD SPCA Director

 From a press release issued by the MD SPCA:

"After an extensive nationwide search, the Maryland SPCA Board of Directors announces the selection of a new executive director. Byron Logan, who was the director of corporate and national outreach at North Shore Animal League America, will officially take the helm of the MD SPCA on   August 24, 2015. Former Executive Director Aileen Gabbey left the position she held for close to 20 years in July to relocate to Georgia with her family."
Congratulations to Byron Logan! Save 90 looks forward to interviewing him in the future.

                                    New MD SPCA Dir. Byron Logan with his dog, Madison

Now the main focus of this post: Show your Soft Side

     What do Orioles Manager Buck Showalter, Motley Crue's Tommy Lee, and

MMA fighter John Rallo have in common? They're all "Softies"...tough guys who are ambassadors for "Show Your Soft Side", a public service campaign developed to combat animal abuse in Baltimore.    

     Show Your Soft Side is the brain child of Advertising Creative Director Sande Riesett who wanted to reach Baltimore's youth, because many cases of animal abuse in the city are perpetrated by juveniles. Her idea: use tough-looking athletes and musicians as "Softies", the faces of the

Soft Side campaign.

     Riesett needed help, so she proposed her concept to Animal Welfare Institute Board Member Caroline Griffin and 98 Rock Promotions Director Lori Smyth. They loved it, and all three got to work, launching Show Your Soft Side in 2011. Since then, they, along with Baltimore photographer Leo Lubow, have made the "Softies" a real phenomenon through billboards and posters, as well as on the web.

     Soft Side billboards like the one above can be seen in Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. The Show Your Soft Side Facebook page reaches around the world. It has been "liked" by 40 thousand people.

     There are now about 100 "Softies", each of whom has been photographed with animals, many their own pets. Their photographs appear along with the slogan, "Only a Punk Would Hurt a Cat or Dog."

     Ravens Defensive Tackle Brandon Williams, is the newest Softie. His posters went online last week.

     Says Caroline Griffin, "When Sande had the idea of creating Soft Side, she thought, kids are not going to listen to us as middle-aged women. We need people who are good role models who will have an impact on these kids. And who do the kids look up to? It really is athletes."

     Riesett says the whole idea came to her while watching her husband with their rescued cat, saying, "He was a scholarship football player. He's a runner. He's a pretty tough guy. And, yet, when he's around our cat, his whole tone changes and he becomes a big mush ball. So, I wondered, if he had this whole different side when he was with animals, would other guys have the same thing?"

    The answer is a resounding YES. Each Softie poster is a testament to the bond that exists between people (yes, even tough guys) and their pets. And the example Softies set for the young people who idolize them is unmistakeable: Compassion is a strength, not a weakness.

    Riesett is especially proud that many Softies have been so motivated by their involvement in the campaign, they've joined the Animal Welfare movement.

     "Unlike a lot of campaigns that feature celebrities," she says, "these guys don't just come in, take a picture and leave. They get actively involved, and many of them now sit on shelter boards, have fostered or adopted more animals, have become spokespeople in Annapolis and D.C., and I think that is one of the best things we have done."

     It's difficult to know whether the campaign has a direct impact on the number of animal abuse cases in Baltimore. But it unquestionably brings attention to the crime of animal cruelty, recruits new voices into the fight against abuse, and, at the very least, sends a message to young people that the men and women they idolize would never hurt a cat or dog.

     Here's a short Save 90 video about the powerful campaign that is Show Your Soft Side.

     Show Your Soft Side is more than just a poster, billboard, and online campaign. It's also a fund-raising operation. Its biggest annual event benefits the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). It's called "Pawject Runway", and includes what it calls "the hippest fashion show in town", with Softies walking the runway with shelter animals from BARCS. This year's event was the third annual Pawject Runway, and the 3-year fund-raising total has topped $200,000. Incredible.

     Show Your Soft Side is proof that caring, motivated people really can make this world a better place for animals.

Message to Save 90's readers:

It's always challenging to find companies willing to support this blog. Please ask the companies and restaurants, etc. with which you do business if they would be willing to buy an ad on 

Save 90. 

Please inform them that all money raised goes to rescue groups and animal shelters. If you or someone you know would like to buy an ad or make a donation, contact me at debstone01@comcast.net. Thank you!

Once again, thank you to our latest advertiser, Costas Inn. 

Here's a complete list of Save 90 advertisers (Save 90 hopes you'll support them):

Chesapeake Contracting

Needles and Threads of Ruxton

Bare Necessities

Edie Brown Associates

The Mark Building Company

Studio of Makeup

BJS Insurance

Parsonizing Dry Cleaners

Graul's Market

Zibazz Hair Studio

Linens and Lingerie

Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection

Nationwide Nissan

The Jewelry Lady

The Big Screen Store and The Sofa Store

Barre at the Quarry

The Lichter Group

The Little Shoebox

Window Consultants, Inc.

Matava Shoes

Gourmet Again

Four Corners Travel

Charles Levine Caterers

Len Stoler Auto Group

Eddie's of Roland Park on North Charles Street

Studio 111

Great Finds and Designs

Stone Mill Bakery

The Manor Shopping Center Merchants Association

The Silberstein Insurance Group: Employee Benefits Consultants

The Suburban House Restaurant

Zibazz Day Spa and Makeup Art

Steven Caplan, Esq.

Anne George (Bark Busters)

Greetings and Readings

Mary Jane Buettner, Author

About Faces

Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital

Cavalier Realty

Octavia Boutique

Andy's Animals

The Red Garter

Alexruz Photography

Robyn Geller Productions

Costas Inn

Individual Contributors to Save 90:

Jim and Bonnie Hunter

Marty Sitnick

Elmo Barranco

Eric Brennan

Amy Elias

Sheldon and Jamie Caplis

Kathleen and Jim McGee

Mo Shinnawi

Recipients of Save 90 (Each has received a check for $750):

Animal Allies Rescue Foundation

Adopt a Homeless Animal

Feline Rescue Association

Tara's House

Bella's Bully Buddies

Homeward Trails

Recycled Love

BARCS

Baltimore Humane Society

Rescue Well

Seniors for Seniors

Total funds raised so far: $8640.00

   

RESCUE WELL-A rescue for rescues. And more.

     Lets start with a big thank you to Save 90's newest advertiser: Robyn Geller Productions.  Robyn wasn't able to make a video so we'll make do with her business card!

     

Something New
     Save 90 is always interested in new ways to help animals. So, when I saw an article online that included photos of animals available for adoption, I thought, "What a great idea!"
     So, now, each Save 90 blog post will have photos of pets available in our area. Here are the featured pets for this post:

                              Mooberta-available at BARCS
 Link to the BARCS site: http://baltimoreanimalshelter.org/adopt

                             

        China-available at the Baltimore County Animal Shelter
          Visit Baltimore County Animal Services on Facebook:
      https://www.facebook.com/BaltCoAnimalServices?fref=ts

                                 

                          Seville-available at the MD SPCA    
                           Link to the MD SPCA's website: 
                          http://www.mdspca.org/adopt/pets/      

           Norman-available at the Baltimore Humane Society
                     Link to the Humane Society's website:
               https://bmorehumane.org/adopt/steps-pricing/ 

     Obviously, there are many more wonderful animals at all our local shelters. If you're looking for a new pet, please adopt. 

Commission underway
     It's been a long time coming (over 5 months), but the 
Baltimore County Animal Services Oversight Commission is about to hold its first meeting. The Commission, established by the Baltimore County Council, is charged with looking into the Baltimore County Animal Shelter and making recommendations for improvements in its operations. 
     Save 90 believes the Commission should not have an 
"us vs. them" mentality. Those running the shelter want to save as many lives as possible. The Commission's research and recommendations should facilitate their efforts.
     The meetings are open to the public, but the public is only allowed to observe, not participate.
     The first meeting will be held July 21st at 6 P.M. (tonight as of this post) at the Towson library branch at 320 York Rd. 
     Save 90 encourages anyone interested to attend.

Changes at the Baltimore Humane Society
     The Baltimore Humane Society is accepting applications for a new Executive Director. Jen Swanson has left that position to be the new Executive Director of the Harford County Humane Society. Save 90 wishes her the best.

Howard County Animal Welfare Society
     There have been increasing complaints about conditions at the Howard County Animal Welfare Society, a private, non-profit shelter that's not affiliated with the county government-run Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center. 
     Save 90 is looking into these charges, and has learned that Howard County Animal Control is conducting an investigation. This subject will be on the agenda at a future public meeting of the Howard County Animal Matters Hearing Board. 
Apologies: I previously wrote that this issue would be discussed at tonight's meeting of the Animal Matters Hearing Board. This was inaccurate. The date that will happen has not been set, but the meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. 
     Here are some questions Save 90 posed to a spokeswoman for the Howard County Police Dept. (which runs Howard County Animal Control), and the spokeswoman's answers.
Q: Has the Animal Welfare facility been notified that it needs to provide medical care to particular animals? 
A: Yes. These details are part of the ongoing investigation.
Q: I would like to get a copy (through email if possible) of the citations that are outstanding. Do they specify the changes necessary and a time frame under which changes must be made? 
A: These documents are not yet available while the investigation is ongoing.
Q: Which state and federal bodies have been notified of Animal Control’s citations and investigation? Have they gotten involved or do they only get involved if the facility’s problems reach a particular level of seriousness? 
A: Animal Control is working with partner agencies to address possible issues related to animal care, licensing and finances. The specific details are not available at this time while the investigation is open, but we encourage you to come to the Animal Matters Hearing Board meeting when this case is addressed. 
     Save 90 will be following up.

Now onto the main subject of this post
Rescue Well-A Rescue for Rescues. And More
     How do you save thousands of animals a year? That's the task facing the Baltimore County Animal Shelter as well as other open admission shelters like BARCS in Baltimore City. Animals pour through the door in an endless stream, day after day after day.
With a limited number of cages, a finite amount of money, and never enough adopters, some animals must be euthanized to make room for more.
     Shelters that want to save as many lives as possible must be creative. And they need to make use of resources offered by rescue groups that pull dogs and cats for foster and adoption, as well as other organizations that can provide resources. One of the organizations that helps shelters in our area is called Rescue Well. 
     A woman named Christine Sandberg, who is Vice President of a rescue group called ReLove Animals, founded Rescue Well in 2011 under the ReLove umbrella. Rescue Well's initial mission was to help BARCS with post-adoption support.
     But seeing more need, Christine began expanding the group's mission, establishing partnerships with other shelters and even agencies like the Veterans Administration. 
     Here are some of the other tasks that Rescue Well has taken on: 

• Pet Placement

Rescue Well volunteers comb Craig's list ads, yard sale sites, etc. where people offer animals for sale or for free, and offer to work with these pet owners to find safe homes for their animals. 

• Coordination with Baltimore City Animal Control

Sandberg visits Baltimore neighborhoods with many at-risk animals...ones that are not spayed/neutered, are left chained or tethered outside, are malnourished or mistreated, or are likely to end up in area shelters. When she finds problems, she offers pet owners advice on how to comply with animal regulations. When pet owners refuse to cooperate, Rescue Well reaches out to Animal Control to step in. 

• Free Spay/Neuter

Rescue Well is offering free spay/neuter surgeries for some pets through a MD Dept. of Agriculture grant. 

• Less Expensive Pet Food

The group offers dog and cat owners pet food bought in bulk. 

• Hotline     

Rescue Well has a hotline for those needing help, or those who want to anonymously report pets in distress. 
     
     It's impressive to see Christine and Rescue Well in action. I hope you'll take a peek in this short video (just over 2 minutes).

                                                             

     In the last several months, the Baltimore County Animal Shelter (BCAS) has begun collaborating with Rescue Well. Here are some of the things Rescue Well has been doing for BCAS: 
1. Temporary boarding or fostering for pets with rescue pending
2. Transport 
3. Surrender intervention-when residents contact the shelter, they are referred to Rescue Well. In an effort to keep those pets in their homes Christine says, "We give them advice on things like crate training, walking techniques, potty training tips, and, when appropriate, refer them to the list of trainers recommended by the shelter. Sometimes we make house calls if the issue merits it, say, if they need a larger crate or different food to try."
4. Post-adoption assistance (when adopters contact the shelter because they're having issues with adopted pets).
5. Supplies/owner support (i.e. food, cat litter) for residents who indicate they need assistance, and we also connect them to area pantries for long-term assistance.

     When asked how Rescue Well is handling this extra work load, Sandberg says the organization has added more people, including Jamie Rodriguez who has been assigned as the group's manager for BCAS.
     Here's part of a recent post from the BCAS Facebook page about a cooperative effort with Rescue Well:
     "Baltimore County Animal Services sent out a rescue plea for some moms and their baby kittens, who were too young to adopt. The wonderful King Street Cats rescue agreed to take two moms, their babies, and two other kittens. 
     King Street was not able to accept the cats & kittens until the end of the week. So, shelter staff sent Jamie DeRita-Rodriguez from Rescue Well... an email asking if they had a temporary foster. ... Jamie responded promptly to say they had a temporary foster and Christine Sandberg from Rescue Well would pick them up and transport them later that day...
We are so thankful to everyone that helped!" 
     This kind of life-saving assistance makes an enormous difference and, clearly, the folks at BCAS, are thrilled to have it.
     Sandberg is determined to continue Rescue Well's growth.   She says,"We're going to keep innovating and...attacking the causes of animal abuse and surrenders, and I believe we'll keep going until we no longer need to."
     Animal activists are happy to see BCAS building relationships with rescues and other groups like Rescue Well. 
     The more the shelter integrates itself into the network of resources offered by area groups, the more animals it can save and place in forever homes.  
     And that's what it's all about.
     By the way, if you would like to contact the Rescue Well hotline, the number is 410-456-1392.

     Once again, thank you to Save 90's newest advertiser, 
Robyn Geller Productions.



Message to Save 90's readers:
It's always challenging to find companies willing to support this blog. Please ask the companies and restaurants, etc. with which you do business if they would be willing to buy an ad on 
Save 90. 
Please inform them that all money raised goes to rescue groups and animal shelters. If you or someone you know would like to buy an ad or make a donation, contact me at debstone01@comcast.net. Thank you!

Here's a complete list of Save 90 advertisers (Save 90 hopes you'll support them):

Chesapeake Contracting

Needles and Threads of Ruxton

Bare Necessities

Edie Brown Associates

The Mark Building Company

Studio of Makeup

BJS Insurance

Parsonizing Dry Cleaners

Graul's Market

Zibazz Hair Studio

Linens and Lingerie

Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection

Nationwide Nissan

The Jewelry Lady

The Big Screen Store and The Sofa Store

Barre at the Quarry

The Lichter Group

The Little Shoebox

Window Consultants, Inc.

Matava Shoes

Gourmet Again

Four Corners Travel

Charles Levine Caterers

Len Stoler Auto Group

Eddie's of Roland Park on North Charles Street

Studio 111

Great Finds and Designs

Stone Mill Bakery

The Manor Shopping Center Merchants Association

The Silberstein Insurance Group: Employee Benefits Consultants 

The Suburban House Restaurant

Zibazz Day Spa and Makeup Art

Steven Caplan, Esq.

Anne George (Bark Busters)

Greetings and Readings

Mary Jane Buettner, Author

About Faces

Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital

Cavalier Realty
Octavia Boutique
Andy's Animals
The Red Garter

Alexruz Photography 
Robyn Geller Productions

Individual Contributors to Save 90:

Jim and Bonnie Hunter

Marty Sitnick

Elmo Barranco

Eric Brennan
Amy Elias
Sheldon and Jamie Caplis
Kathleen and Jim McGee

Recipients of Save 90 (Each has received a check for $750):

Animal Allies Rescue Foundation

Adopt a Homeless Animal

Feline Rescue Association

Tara's House

Bella's Bully Buddies

Homeward Trails

Recycled Love

BARCS

Baltimore Humane Society

Rescue Well
Seniors for Seniors 

Total funds raised so far: $8566.00

     
   

Pit Bulls-What's Real.What's Not.

      Before we get started, I want to say thank you to the latest Save 90 advertisers:

The Red Garter 

and

Alexruz Photography 

     In addition, Save 90 thanks new personal contributors for their generosity:

Amy Elias 

Sheldon and Jamie Caplis 

and

Kathleen and Jim McGee

     All money raised through ads and contributions is donated to rescue organizations and shelters. 

     You'll find the latest ads below the text of this post, along with a complete list of Save 90 advertisers and contributors. There is also a thank you message from the latest animal rescue group to receive a donation from Save 90, "Seniors for Seniors", and a list of all the organizations that have received a $750 Save 90 contribution. 

Now on to the latest news:

Success and Then Some! Baltimore 500 Update

     Woo Hoo! The Baltimore 500 needs to be renamed the Baltimore 805.

     You may have read in the last Save 90 post that the 

Baltimore County Animal Shelter (BCAS) participated in the Baltimore 500, along with members of the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance (the MD SPCA, BARCS, and the Baltimore Humane Society). The aim of the Baltimore 500 was to find homes for 500 cats, by offering free adoptions during the month of June. 

     We're in the middle of kitten season, and the shelters are full of litters needing homes. So, it's a particularly important time to increase adoptions.

     The number of adopted cats hit 805 for all four shelters. The BCAS total is 150. Truly wonderful. 

    The Baltimore County Animal Shelter's participation in these efforts is another indication of positive change.

But Wait. There's More. 

     As Baltimore County prepares to conduct a pilot Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program for free-roaming cats, it is suspending its practice of giving citations to those who redeem TNR'd cats at BCAS. 

     Here's what this is about. Some of the cats in our community have already been TNR'd by animal advocates (even though the county has not approved of the practice). Sometimes these TNR'd cats are among those picked up by Baltimore County Animal Control and taken to the shelter. 

     Animal advocates often redeem these cats at the shelter and take them back to the areas where they were found (which is the principle behind TNR).

     Until recently, these people faced fines and citations every time they redeemed one of these cats. But Baltimore County is changing its policy. 

     Take a look at the following, written by a local animal advocate who has redeemed 19 cats since the fall of 2014:

     "Today, I received notification that ALL my pending citations were withdrawn and my newest one was reduced to a warning."

     This is wonderful news and shows commitment to the concept of TNR as the county prepares to begin its TNR pilot.

     To learn more about TNR, here's a link to a Save 90 video about the Community Cat Project in Baltimore City. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6wzXge74s4

And more.

    Baltimore County has filled the two new shelter positions of volunteer coordinator and foster coordinator, and both staff members are on the job. The county says once they are settled in their new positions, they will be introduced to the public.

Reduced Shelter Fees

     Baltimore County has announced new reduced fees for adoption, micro-chipping and spay/neuter procedures with further reduced fees for U.S veterans. In addition, there are further reduced adoption fees during the July 4th holiday from July 1st-5th. This makes these important services more accessible to low-income residents. 

Here are the new lowered fees with comparisons to the previous costs:

                            New Fee:      New US Veteran Fee   July 1-5              FormerFee

Spay/Neuter                      Dogs $20        Dogs $20                                                    Dogs $65

(includes micro-                 Cats $20           Cats $20                                                    Cats $50

chipping, 

first distemper and

rabies shots, deworming 

and county license)

Adoption                            Dogs $50         Dogs $25                          $25                     Dogs $65 

                                            Cats $40           Cats $20                           $20                     Cats $50

Micro-Chip                       $10                    $10                                                                $25

Baltimore Humane Society-What a Great Idea!

     This spring, the Baltimore Humane Society started taking shelter animals to visit dementia patients at Stella Maris. This is great for the patients and for the dogs who get time out of the shelter as well as socialization. 

Applause to Bmore Humane!

    

Now on to the heart of this post:

Pit Bulls-What's Real. What's Not.

     "Pit Bulls"...say these words, then sit back and listen to the polarized debate that erupts. 
     Some will describe these animals as the terrorists of the dog world...inherently vicious, not to be trusted. Others believe that Pits have been unfairly demonized (and abused) because of the failings and criminal behavior of some owners, and that the vast majority of these dogs are victims of misconceptions perpetuated by the media. 
     Regardless of your point of view, one thing's for sure: our shelters are full of Pit Bull-like dogs (so-called bully breeds) that need homes. 
     In a recent check of the Baltimore County Animal Shelter's list of available dogs, 27 out of 32 were listed as Pit Bull Terriers.     
      This is not just a local problem. The ASPCA looked at 45 shelters in 2014 and found that bully breeds ranked number one in intake as well as euthanasia. 
    So, these animals get hit from all sides. Their numbers are high. Their ongoing demonization makes it more difficult for shelters and rescues to find homes for them. It's a perfect storm that leads to high euthanasia. 
     If you care about animals, this is a tragedy and must be addressed. Where do we begin?

Let's start with full disclosure
     Despite all my work with the animal community, I admit I've been affected by the many stories I've seen and heard about Pit Bull aggression. I'm nervous when I meet a new Pit Bull unless he or she is outgoing and obviously friendly. I know how strong Pit Bulls are, and I don't want to be a bite victim. 

     That said, my step-daughter adopted a Pit Bull that was truly a gentle soul...well-behaved, sweet, and friendly. And I've met many other Pit Bulls that are the same. 

     I'm confused. Is my apprehension of these dogs justified or not? Surely I'm not the only one who wants to know the truth. So, let's discuss what's real and what's not. 

What is a Pit Bull?
     There is, in fact, no AKC recognized Pit Bull breed. Rather, the term, "Pit Bull" describes a number of dog breeds. Those commonly referred to as Pit Bulls are American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and 
English Bull Terriers. 
    But other breeds are often misidentified as Pits...like Mastiffs








American Bulldogs







Boxers







and Plott Hounds
 
     



     People make mistakes about the breed because we have come to think any short-haired dog with a square head and jaw is a Pit Bull. Shelter employees often make the same mistake when they identify the dogs in their care. According to the National Canine Research Council, DNA identification of breeds has shown that labeling of mixed-breed dogs in shelters is extremely unreliable. 
     So, if you adopt a dog that's labeled a Pit Bull, what you actually get is a mystery. It could be one of many breeds that are Pit Bulls or not, or it could be a combination.
     These traits (square head and jaw) are also frequently used to determine the breed of animals involved in cases of bites and maulings. Surely many of these aggressive dogs are mislabeled as well. 
     And when a vicious dog is mistakenly identified as a 
Pit Bull, it unfairly adds to the narrative that Pit Bulls are dangerous.   

     See if you can correctly identify which dog is a Pit Bull in the test at this link: http://www.pickthepit.com/      
     

 History    
     According to the ASPCA, Pit Bulls are descendants of the original English bull-baiting dog—a dog bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. This form of sport was outlawed in Britain in the 1800's. 
    That's when people began breeding bull-baiting dogs with terriers to make a more agile animal, and began fighting the dogs against one another. 
     Once the dogs made their way into the U.S., they were not just used for fighting but also for herding, and protecting livestock and families. 
     The ASPCA says, "Pit Bulls...not used for fighting were considered ideal family pets—affectionate, loyal and gentle with children." 
     In fact,  Pit Bulls were so beloved, they were known as "America's dog" and were represented throughout popular culture during the first half of the 20th Century. 
     For example, they were featured on U.S. recruiting posters during World War I. 

Pit Bulls were on the WWI battlefield too. One named 
Sergeant Stubby was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry, participated in 17 battles, saved his regiment from mustard gas attacks, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants. He was even awarded a gold medal by General John J. Pershing. 

Pit Bulls appeared on television and in advertising. One played Petey in the TV show, "Our Gang". 

A Pit Bull was featured in ads for Buster Brown Shoes and RCA Victor

     

       
    









      











And Pit Bulls even graced the cover of Life Magazine. Three times.

     


     
     Many famous people had Pit Bulls as pets including two
Presidents (Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt), as well as 
Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, Fred Astaire, and Humphrey Bogart.
     After WWII, the Pit Bull's popularity began to decline, as other breeds came into favor, but the dogs maintained a good reputation until the 1980's. That's when stories of the dangerous fighting dog became common in the media. 
     Many think the negative publicity actually added to Pit Bulls' woes as their tough reputation made them popular among gang members and other criminals. As a result, people increasingly associated these dogs with the worst element of society. 
     But despite all of that, tests conducted by the 
American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) show the vast majority of American Pit Bull Terriers are, in fact, good dogs. The ATTS tests for a dog’s ability to interact with humans, human situations, and the environment. 
     In 2013, the Society tested 870 American Pit Bull Terriers. 86.8% passed the test. 
     That's better than many other breeds including Collies (80.3%), Beagles (80%), even Golden Retrievers (85.2%)! 
Surprised? 

     
But wait-isn't fighting part of the Pit Bull's genetic makeup?
     Yes and no. First of all, you have to remember many of the dogs we identify as Pit Bulls are mixes...they have two or probably more different breeds in their lineage. Their genetics have strayed from purebred genetics. 
     And there's great disparity even among dogs of the same pure breed. 
     According to the ASPCA, "...tremendous behavioral variation exists among individuals of the same breed or breed type...behavior develops through a complex interaction between environment and genetics."
     So, in addition to variations within breeds, a dog's environment and socialization play an enormous role in its behavior. There are many periods during a dog's development that greatly affect its behavior. 
     According to Baltimore Animal Trainer and Behavior Counselor Marty Sitnick, "An animal's socialization is particularly important in the first 16 weeks of life. Animals exposed to all kinds of things during that time, including different people, other animals, even noisy things like vacuum cleaners will likely be well-adjusted, happy, and loving, and unlikely to act aggressively out of fear."
     An absence of socialization and training during each critical phase can result in all kinds of negative behavior, including aggression. And because many Pit Bulls are mistreated at the hands of dog fighters and other criminals, clearly they're not getting the kind of socialization and love and training that a cherished family pet would receive.  
     But if you believe Pit Bulls are naturally aggressive toward humans, consider this: Sitnick says even animals chosen for fighting must be gentle toward humans. Otherwise, there would be too much of a risk for the people handling them.
     Think about it. It makes sense.
     An article written by Karen Delise called 
"The Pit Bull Placebo 
The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression", published by the National Canine Research Council, elaborates on this point.
     Here's an excerpt:
     "Even if we were to believe the claims of dog fighters about the extraordinary ability of the Pit bull, one cannot conclude that this translates into aggressiveness or dangerousness towards humans... Throughout history most types of dogs were bred for specialized aggression or behaviors towards specific prey (Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Rat Terrier, Foxhound, etc.). A dog encouraged, either by artificial selection and/or by training to excel in hunting, fighting or killing other animals, has never been considered a precursor or basis for aggression towards humans."
     The Delise article is very thorough. Here's a link:
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/publications/230603563_Pit%20Bull%20Placebo.pdf

Dog Fighting and Pit Bulls 
     Dog fighting is a federal offense in the United States but takes place in communities all over the country. It's a tragedy for the animals. They not only face injury and death through fighting, but are often starved and otherwise abused to encourage aggressive behavior. 

     This blood sport really came front and center in 2007, when football quarterback Michael Vick faced charges for an interstate dog fighting ring run on his Virginia property.
     Articles about the case included horror stories of dogs that didn't perform well in the ring and, as a result, were shot, hosed down and electrocuted, even hanged. Vick and his partner reportedly killed one dog by slamming it to the ground repeatedly until its neck was broken. 
       Vick pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and served 21 months in prison. But then there was the dilemma over what to do with the dogs found on his property. 

     Many insisted they should be put down because of their obvious violent nature and killer instincts. But animal organizations maintained there was still hope for them. And in fact, there was. 
     Reports say only two of the dogs were euthanized, one for behavior and the other for injuries. Forty-seven went to sanctuaries to be rehabilitated. They became known as the "Vicktory" dogs. Some remain at sanctuaries today while others were successfully adopted and became loving members of their adopting families. 
     Two even received therapy dog certification, and accompanied their owners to visit hospital and nursing home patients, as well as kids in school!
     As horrible as the Michael Vick case was, it had a silver lining. Because the Vicktory dogs were such success stories, many animals seized in subsequent dog fighting cases have also been allowed to survive. Many have gone on to lead happy lives as beloved pets. 
     If animals forced to fight can recover from their mistreatment and go on to have wonderful outcomes, any thinking person would have to pause before condemning all Pit Bulls as vicious. 
    
Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)
     Yet breed discrimination is widespread in many countries and jurisdictions in the U.S. Some places outlaw Pit Bulls entirely through something known as Breed-Specific Legislation or 
Breed-Specific Laws (BSL).
     Here in Maryland, Prince Georges County legally prohibits 
Pit Bull ownership.
     Surely this was done with good intention in an effort to protect public safety. But a host of agencies and groups say this effort is misguided. Among those opposed to Breed Specific Legislation are The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Bar Association, the American Humane Association, 
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the ASPCA. 
     Why? The CDC says there is no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill. 
     The AVMA says, "In contrast to what has been reported in the news media, the data CANNOT be used to infer any breed-specific risk for dog bite fatalities."
     The ASPCA blames BSL for a host of "negative consequences". Among them, 

• owners of outlawed dogs go into hiding to prevent detection, avoiding licensing and even proper veterinary care, creating implications for the dogs and public safety. 
• Good owners and dogs are punished under BSL.
• BSL compromises rather than enhances public safety when limited animal control resources are used to regulate or ban a certain breed of dog, and the focus is shifted away from routine, effective enforcement of animal laws like licensing laws, leashing laws, and laws that require owners to control their dogs, regardless of breed.  

The Solesky Ruling
     In 2012, a 10-year-old boy, Dominic Solesky, was viciously attacked and severely injured by a dog reportedly identified by its owner as a Pit Bull. Dominic's father, Anthony Solesky, sued the dog owner's landlord. 
     This ultimately led to a ruling by Maryland's highest court, the MD Court of Appeals, which deemed Pit Bulls "inherently dangerous".
     The Court also ruled that landlords and owners of 
Pit Bulls could be held liable in an attack, even if there was no evidence that they knew the dog was dangerous. 
     As a result of the ruling, anyone who wanted to sue needed only to prove that owners and landlords knew the dog was a Pit Bull. This would make them financially responsible for injuries.
     After the Solesky ruling, Amy Wiedefeld, a board member of a Pit Bull rescue and rehabilitation group called "Baltimore Bully Crew", says her organization "began to receive an obscene number of requests for... help." These calls came from Pit Bull owners who could not find housing or whose landlords told them they had to move out if they didn't get rid of their dog.  

     In 2014, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed a bill passed by the MD General Assembly that negated the Solesky ruling, by replacing it with breed-neutral legislation. The law now holds all dog owners liable for their dogs, regardless of breed... and landlords and other third parties no longer face strict liability.  
      But all those housing problems have not gone away. Many landlords maintain their rental restrictions. That's partly because most insurance companies won't grant policies to landlords if their renters have Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Akitas, Dobermans, and some other breeds. 
     Amy Wiedefeld continues to advocate for renters and work to educate landlords and insurers. She insists the issue isn't about 
Pit Bulls, but rather about responsible pet ownership. If an owner's dog is up to date on shots, has no bite history, and is spayed or neutered, she argues, they should be allowed to rent. 
     The spay/neuter component is extremely important. According to the ASPCA, more than 70% of all dog bite cases involve un-neutered male dogs, and 97% of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks in 2006 were not spayed/neutered.
     No one wants reckless owners and dangerous dogs in their community. But Wiedefeld believes every dog and owner should be considered on their specific merits and that a blanket ban is unfair and unreasonable.

Myths
     There is widespread belief that Pit Bulls have locking jaws. This is a myth. No type of dog has been found to have a mechanism that enables them to “lock” their top and bottom jaws together.     
     Their jaws are also not the strongest in the dog world. According to NationalGeographic.com, their jaws exert 235 pounds per square inch. That's lower than the average for all dogs which is 320 pounds per square inch. 

Media Distortion
     Media stories about Pit Bulls play a huge role in public perception of the dogs. 
     Unfortunately, a sensational story draws more readers and listeners than a boring one. 
     After all, which of these headlines would grab your interest: 
 “Family Pit Bull Mauls Tot to Death” versus

“Abused Chained Dog Kills Toddler”
     That's an example of media manipulation included in 
"The Pit Bull Placebo" by Karen Delise. Here's another excerpt:

     "Not only are there different types of biased reporting, but the media has been relentless in pursuing all things “Pit bull.” Despite claims to the contrary, there is no question the media vastly over-reports Pit bull attacks as compared to other breed attacks.
- In September 2003, a young boy was killed by a Husky-type dog in Alaska. The incident was covered briefly in only two Alaskan newspapers.
- In December 2003, an elderly woman was killed by a “pack of Pit bulls” in Florida. (None of these dogs were actually Pit bulls—four were identified by animal control as Lab mixes and two were Pit bull mixes.) This story was covered in over 200 major U.S. newspapers and television stations, and was reported in newspapers in Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Canada.
- In 2004, a man was killed by his large mixed breed dog in California. The briefest mention of this attack (less than 50 words) could be found only in the local newspaper.
- A month later, a child was killed by a Pit bull in Michigan and this story ran in over 100 national and international newspapers."
     
      Here's another story involving media distortion mentioned in 
"The Pit Bull Placebo":
“Grandmother mauled to death by family’s Pit bulls” (Newsday, December 10, 2002) One article claimed that one Pit bull was “covered in blood.” This same Pit bull in another
article “appeared to have blood” on him (the him was actually a female dog). One neighbor claimed, “the dogs were vicious, they barked a lot and looked vicious.” Another neighbor claimed they were nice dogs...
The daughter, the owner of the dogs, could not believe they would have killed her elderly mother. She hired an independent forensic pathologist from the renowned Henry Lee Forensic Institute to review and re-evaluate the findings of the initial autopsy report. Only then was it discovered that the woman had died from a cardiac arrhythmia, and the few bite wounds on her body were non-lethal and post mortem. Her death was attributed to natural causes and it was determined the dogs did not participate or contribute to her death. There was a dangerous dog hearing which resulted in both dogs being released back to the daughter.
No retraction or correction was ever printed about this “Pit bull attack.” This incident remains permanently archived in the newspapers and on the Internet as a “Pit bull-related fatality.”
     
     It is true...some Pit Bulls may be aggressive. But so are many other dogs. The media just doesn't tell you about them because those other breeds don't have the Pit Bull's reputation, and, as a result, those stories just aren't that "sexy".  

The Role of Humans in Dog Aggression
     Owning a dog is a great responsibility but not all dog owners act responsibly. That irresponsible behavior is often to blame for terrible outcomes. 

• Many fail to spay and neuter their dogs. 

Most people think the only reason to spay or neuter their dog is to stop animal overpopulation, but in fact, this also plays an important role in aggressive behavior. As I mentioned earlier, the ASPCA says more than 70% of dog bite cases involve un-neutered male dogs, and 97% of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks in 2006 were not spayed/neutered.
By the way, the Pit Bull that attacked the Dominic Solesky was male and was not neutered.

•      People leave dogs chained outside. 

The Humane Society of the United States says an otherwise friendly and happy dog, when kept continually chained and isolated, often becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and aggressive.
And the ASPCA says a chained or tethered dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite than a dog that is not chained or tethered. 

•      People mistreat their dogs. 

The ASPCA says 84% of dogs involved in fatal attacks in 2006 were maintained by reckless owners. They were abused or neglected, not humanely controlled or contained, or allowed to interact with children unsupervised. 
     Should we blame the dogs in these cases or their irresponsible owners?

Where does this leave us? Are Pit Bulls dangerous or not?
    Here's what seems to be the only sensible response to that question: there is no blanket answer. Every dog must be evaluated as an individual. There are aggressive dogs of every breed, and some of them are Pit Bulls. 
    Should you be cautious when meeting a new Pit Bull? Yes. You should be cautious when meeting any dog.
     But if you take the approach that each dog should be judged as an individual, you will find there are a huge number of very gentle, loving, wonderful Pit Bull-type dogs.
    Unfortunately, as long as Pit Bulls are favored by dog fighters and criminals and are abused to create aggressive results; as long as people fail to have their dogs spayed/neutered; as long as owners neglect and abuse their dogs; as long as people use their dogs for guarding and keep them chained or tethered outdoors; as long as the media continues to report stories of Pit Bull bites but say virtually nothing about the hundreds of thousands of other bites each year; the Pit Bull's bad reputation will be difficult to break.
     Save 90 hopes this post can contribute to setting the record straight. Please share it. 
     And if you want to see some of the amazing Pit Bulls in our area, check out the three vignettes in this short video (less than 
2 1/2 minutes).  
     If a picture is worth a thousand words, video must be good for a million. 

Here are the latest Save 90 ads from 
The Red Garter 
and 
Alexruz Photography

Here's a thank you message from Marcy George, the Director of Seniors for Seniors Cat Rescue which is the latest recipient of a Save 90 $750 donation

The complete list of Save 90 advertisers ( Save 90 hopes you'll support them):

Chesapeake Contracting

Needles and Threads of Ruxton

Bare Necessities

Edie Brown Associates

The Mark Building Company

Studio of Makeup

BJS Insurance

Parsonizing Dry Cleaners

Graul's Market

Zibazz Hair Studio

Linens and Lingerie

Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection

Nationwide Nissan

The Jewelry Lady

The Big Screen Store and The Sofa Store

Barre at the Quarry

The Lichter Group

The Little Shoebox

Window Consultants, Inc.

Matava Shoes

Gourmet Again

Four Corners Travel

Charles Levine Caterers

Len Stoler Auto Group

Eddie's of Roland Park on North Charles Street

Studio 111

Great Finds and Designs

Stone Mill Bakery

The Manor Shopping Center Merchants Association

The Silberstein Insurance Group: Employee Benefits Consultants 

The Suburban House Restaurant

Zibazz Day Spa and Makeup Art

Steven Caplan, Esq.

Anne George (Bark Busters)

Greetings and Readings

Mary Jane Buettner, Author

About Faces

Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital

Cavalier Realty
Octavia Boutique
Andy's Animals
The Red Garter

Alexruz Photography 


Individual Contributors to Save 90:

Jim and Bonnie Hunter

Marty Sitnick

Elmo Barranco

Eric Brennan
Amy Elias
Sheldon and Jamie Caplis
Kathleen and Jim McGee

Recipients of Save 90:

Animal Allies Rescue Foundation

Adopt a Homeless Animal

Feline Rescue Association

Tara's House

Bella's Bully Buddies

Homeward Trails

Recycled Love

BARCS

Baltimore Humane Society

Rescue Well
Seniors for Seniors 
Total funds raised so far: $8566.00

If you know of a business that would like to buy an ad or an individual who would like to donate to Save 90, please ask them to email me at debstone01@comcast.net

Thank you!