A report containing flawed data about dog bites was recently published by Dr. John Bini of San Antonio’s University Hospital. Sadly, this seems to have been unnoticed since it was published. His bogus “study” is exactly the kind of negative propaganda that damages the reputation of pit bull type dogs and hurts the responsible owners who work hard everyday to combat mass-distributed misinformation like his.

Click on the widget above to read the overview on the study and our position or go to the petition website here.

Ledy VanKavage just published this article on May 16, 2011 Love-A-Bull Challenges University Hospital for Delving into Animal Control Policy.

We originally posted this information during the regular session of the 82nd Texas Legislature. However, lawmakers have some unfinished business and are now in special session. Lawmaking is a full-time job with year-round planning, so it’s to our benefit to CALL or WRITE now in anticipation for the future (even though some of these bills may not be addressed this time around).

Here’s how to find your legislators: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

OPPOSE

OPPOSE HB 1919: ALLOWS ANYONE TO KILL ANY DOG WITHOUT PENALTY
(Lydia sent out a detailed email as well.)
http://www.thln.org/index.cfm?pageID=6B6BB9C4-3048-C277-11173D65AE8B1D30

SUPPORT

SUPPORT HB 1102: STRONGER PUNISHMENT FOR PET THEFT
http://www.thln.org/index.cfm?pageID=CB0D9571-3048-C277-118AFACB4F964AFE

SUPPORT HB 3450: COMPANION ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT (BANNING GASSING AND “CONVENIENCE KILLING” AND REQUIRING TRANSPARENCY IN SHELTERS)
http://s312584456.initial-website.com/legislation/texas-capa

SUPPORT HB 323 (AND SB 279): PROTECTS FAMILY PETS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES
http://www.thln.org/index.cfm?pageID=F41EB87B-3048-C277-11605FE493991CB0

SUPPORT HB 1451: REGULATES LARGE-SCALE BREEDERS
http://www.thln.org/index.cfm?pageID=6B6BB9C4-3048-C277-11173D65AE8B1D30

Learn more about Rescue Ink’s hit Nat Geo show here and check out their cool website here!  For sponsorship opportunities, download Love-A-Bull Sponsorship Package contact info@love-a-bull.org for more information.  We are also accepting registration for vendors and donations for our silent auction.

(Note:  This proposal does not necessarily “fit” the established recommendation categories, so we have chosen to present it with Recommendation #1 “Increase Live Outcomes” because of the public awareness component, but if there is a desire to concentrate on this issue as a separate item, we are open to that.  It is Love-A-Bull’s intent to bring forth a “starter proposal” as follows, for the purpose of initiating the discussion of pit bulls and pit bull mixes in the shelter system.)

In order to achieve a 90% live outcomes goal, it is important to address the challenging issue of re-homing pit bulls and pit bull mixes that currently constitute approximately a third (or more) of the shelter population.  These dogs suffer from a lower adoption rate (and higher euthanasia rate), because of several reasons:

• Stigma/negative stereotype attached to breed label
• Over-breeding/population (sheer numbers in the community)
• Behaviors that are mis-identified (kennel frustration = aggression)
• Lack of awareness of community resources for adopters (training, support network, information, etc.)
• No breed-specific rescue in Austin
• Lack of housing options for potential adopters

Other contributing factors:

• Tendency to label any dog with large head, stocky or muscular body as “pit bull,” regardless of other characteristics which may more closely align to other breeds
• No behaviorist/trainer on staff at TLAC to correctly identify behavioral or temperament issues
• No organized, consistent effort to counter media stories with accurate information

Proposed action items for TLAC:

• Launch concentrated PR campaign to increase awareness and spread positive image of pit bulls (television, radio, newspaper, social networking, adoption sites, shelter presence, community events, etc.):
• Create cute, informative “personal ads” that focus on dogs’ attributes, placed on kennels
• Feature on every kennel the free training info and support that Love-A-Bull offers      to adopters
• Change terminology to “pittie” or other similar moniker to soften breed stigma
• Display and incorporate visual examples of pits in home environments, doing therapy work, participating in agility, playing with other dogs, children, etc. in as many places as possible
• Use breed ambassadors as role models in public events, media stories, etc.
• Partner with Love-A-Bull to provide campaign support, resources and assistance to potential and new adopters as well as community at large
• Strive for more pits to be pulled for off-site adoptions and fostering
• Meet with Apartment Managers Association and other local rental management agencies to discuss lifting breed-specific housing restrictions

Timeframe:  Starting immediately, or as soon as practicable

Measurable: 
TLAC:  Track interest in pits through adoption applications, track numbers of adopted pits, and implement short survey of adoption applicants
Love-A-Bull:  Track those members joining Love-A-Bull via TLAC (or APA) adoption

Austin Pets Alive has also created a proposal, which can be viewed here: http://www.austinpetsalive.org/APA-Proposal-Adoption-Program.pdf

The Animal Advisory Commission and staff of Town Lake Animal Center are working together with the community to discuss ways to achieve this goal. The timeline includes weekly public meetings on various topics designed to generated a comprehensive set of recommendations to be presented to City Council in March.

The meetings started Monday November 30, and run for the next 9 weeks or so. Please see schedule and info below, and feel free to attend any or all. You do not have to speak at the meeting. The meetings take place at 6:30 pm at the Austin Energy Building at 721 Barton Springs Road.

Love-A-Bull has expressed interest to the AAC and staff in being an integral partner in finding solutions to the issues involving pit bulls.

The AAC encourages all interested people/organizations to comment, make suggestions, or submit proposals on any of the AAC recommendations to make Austin a no kill city. That can be done one of these three ways:

• The first 10 persons to sign up to provide suggestions or comments will have 3 minutes.
• The first 10 individuals/organizations to sign up to present a proposal will have 6 minutes.
• Written responses may also be submitted 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Should you choose to present a proposal, it should address the following…

• Which AAC recommendation are you going to discuss?
• Brief description of your proposal or solution.
• What resources and/or expertise can you contribute to the solution that you are proposing?
• What is your expected measurable impact and timeline?

Here is the schedule

Nov 30th: AAC Recommendation III: Structural Changes to Enhance Lifesaving

• Revise mission of animal services

Dec 7th: AAC Recommendation I: Increase Live Outcomes

• Offsite adoptions

Dec 14th: AAC Recommendation I: Increase Live Outcomes

• Increased capacity for adoption make-ready, behavioral
• Empty kennel usage
• Davenport building use after shelter move
• Increased public awareness.

Dec 21st: AAC Recommendation I: Increase Live Outcomes

• Large scale foster program

Dec 28th: AAC Recommendation II: Decrease Shelter Intake

• Reduce euthanasia of owned animals
• Increased return to owners
• Increased owner awareness of possible euthanasia
• Increased owner safety net services

Jan 4th: AAC Recommendation II: Decrease Shelter Intake

• Reduce feral cat euthanasia
• Increased feral cat spay/neuter, increased community care, and increased re-release rates

Jan 11th: AAC Recommendation II: Decrease Shelter Intake

• High volume, free and low cost spay/neuter
• Increased services available to the community

Jan 18th: AAC Recommendation III: Structural Changes to Enhance Lifesaving

• Public involvement and candor
• Increased public relations on all aspects of sheltering

Jan 25th: AAC Recommendation III: Structural Changes to Enhance Lifesaving

• Explore outsourcing possibilities
• Increased community involvement to reduce costs and increase lifesaving

Feb 1st: Finalize draft of implementation plan.

In compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, all agendas will be posted through the City Clerk’s office.