Pitbull/mix Information Taskforce (PIT)

This entry is longer than usual, but we received an email that exemplifies the mindset shelter volunteers at WAIF must maintain to survive. We want to respectfully reply. We owe it to Monica and to the next dogs that will be killed.

We honor WAIF shelter volunteers for trying to extend love and care to the pitbulls and pit/mixes who are doomed to die. These volunteers cling to the belief WAIF puts out that no one wants these dogs, that no one wants to foster these dogs, and that all the dogs have some inherent flaw that makes their mass euthanasia "humane."

We have not heard from WAIF's staff or board related to the pitbull issue or our appeal. The shelter manager has asked to be removed from the weekly email notification list. We understand that the Executive Director has resigned. So we appreciate that one volunteer -- Chris Cook -- took time to write. Our replies are embedded:

"Please forgive my lack of a greeting, I am having trouble identifying the organizers of this blog by name as they are not easily identified on your web pages....

The chairman of the Taskforce, is clearly identified in our email address: "Bob Baker" <pitinfotaskforce@yahoo.com>. Whenever anyone emails, we reply personally. Our email address is on every blog entry.

I have received 3 of your weekly emails now and have the following observations. Right or wrong, you are obviously more concerned with bashing WAIF than fixing this problem.

We are "bashing" the fact that innocent, adoptable dogs are being needlessly killed.

The comments you post are almost exclusively anonymous. This not only raises suspicion that they may be taken out of context or made up, it indicates to the reader that the speaker is just ranting on and unwilling to identify themselves and defend their position. I would encourage all those that participate in your blog to sign there comments with there email address so a dialogue can begin that may improve the fate of pitbulls on Whidbey Island..

We ran this volunteer's name with permission. We withhold names unless we are given permission. Trust us, a "dialogue" has begun. Some readers are afraid of being banned from WAIF if their names appear here.

This blog is monitored to focus on issues related to Whidbey Island pitbulls, pit/mixes, and alleged pit/mixes. We address WAIF only as it relates to the organization's approach to the pitbull issue.

We hear plenty of other WAIF-related stories, but this is NOT the forum for mentioning WAIF except as it relates to policies and procedures (or lack thereof) that affect pitbulls, pitbull/mixes, and alleged pitbull/mixes -- WAIF's most vulnerable residents.

We do not publish any of our readers' email addresses to protect them from spammers, dogfighters or "fight dog" breeders. If we are threatened by these lowlifes, we will contact law enforcement.

There is absolutely nothing stopping you from opening your own shelter or rescue group. If you think you can provide a better result for Pit Bull mixes on Whidbey Island then do it. Past WAIF volunteers have taken this route and are running very successful rescue groups. Perhaps a pit bull public education and spay and neuter program?

This is the saddest part. It is amazing how many people have to leave WAIF to start "very successful rescue groups." Since we have only lived here a few years, we did not understand that this is WAIF's history. We thought our willingness to go the extra mile for WAIF's "purgatory pits" would be appreciated. We tried to work within WAIF.

PIT Taskforce Chair Bob Baker served voluntarily as an interim executive director at WAIF for four months. Thousands of volunteer hours, personal dollars, and heart-breaking efforts later, we realized that WAIF is content to be an animal control facility doing the bidding of Oak Harbor politicians and island animal control agents.

Bob's other volunteer job as WAIF's Pitbull Committee chair ended when Town Hall meetings were proposed. The committee was immediately disbanded by the board.

I understand that you are upset that you were not able to adopt Smiley; however, you were probably not allowed to adopt Smiley because a thoughtful process was undertaken to determine that your home would not be a suitable home for Smiley, by caring shelter staff.

We know WAIF has caring shelter staff. But define "thoughtful process." What WAIF lacks is a professional, competent, and consistent process for fostering or adopting special needs animals such as pitbulls, pit/mixes, and alleged pit/mixes.

We were denied the opportunity to fill out an application, to have a home visit, or to build whatever enclosure WAIF felt was appropriate for Smiley. The decision was based on hearsay (the shelter manager's decision said we owned livestock, which we don't, for example. Where did that thoughtful conclusion come from?)

If we were the only ones summarily denied the right to adopt these dogs, that would be one thing. But this is reflective of a pattern -- no interviews, no applications, broken appointments, no home visits, improper dog introductions -- our previous blog entries address these issues. WAIF mostly pretends to adhere to Pit Bull Rescue Central's excellent guidelines. WAIF must conduct itself with absolute professionalism or even more innocent, adoptable dogs will waste away, go crazy, and be "humanely" killed, while those directly responsible shed tears and insist there are no other options.

On that note -- Who temperament tests the dogs? Bonafide temperament testing is supposed to meet certain specific criteria (visit the American Temperament Test Society, Inc.). Smiley's supposed "temperament test," which Dr. Baker viewed on a grainy video, amounted to dog baiting.

As for Smiley's so-called "jumping problem," it could be the result of his long-term confinement. Long-term confinement causes good dogs to develop bad habits. Such training issues can be modified. The shelter manager refused our offer to provide a jump halter and training for Smiley if he could come live with us.

Does WAIF have ANY association with qualified trainers to help the dogs become "good canine citizens?" This training is especially important for dogs determined to be pit bulls. It increases adoption rates. Many insurance companies use it as a basis to not increase rates for homeowners. And landlords will rent to owners of "good canine citizens." At least TRY to help these dogs.

I have been a WAIF volunteer for six years and have had several occasions to disagree with Shelter management decisions. I have taken those opportunities to voice my objections, sometimes loudly and emotionally. Although, my opinions did not always change WAIF staff decisions, I do believe my opinions were heard and, when possible, acted on.

Good for you. We weren't so lucky. Nor, it appears, is Smiley...

The problem is the reputation of the breed. I was recently in the Oak Harbor shelter and noticed an adoption hold sign on Charlie's kennel although I was happty to see this cute little cocker spaniel adopted, I couldn't help but notice that four pitbull mixes were passed up for Charlie.

Please carefully review our blog entry on Breed Specific Legislation. Who is going to adopt a dog that has been practically banned based solely on its appearance? It is tragic that these dogs are confined to a shelter in Oak Harbor -- a city that has one of the most archaic forms of animal control on the books.

If you live in Oak Harbor, why in the world would you adopt a dog that is practically banned there, knowing you would be subjected to all manner of "legal" harassment? What is WAIF doing to address BSL? (insert sounds of silence...crickets...) Lots of responsible people love these dogs, and both dogs and their people are being discriminated against based on just exactly what? Go after the bad guys! Leave the good owners and good dogs alone!

Concerned citizens are starting to lobby and sue places like Oak Harbor for this ridiculous and ineffective form of animal control (next week's blog will address growing legal issues. It will explore how BSL is setting WAIF and Oak Harbor up for a mess of trouble. For starters, can Oak Harbor establish with certainty that BSL has lowered the rate of dog bites/attacks? How do law enforcement, animal control, and WAIF identify a pit bull? What constitutes the "wrongful-death" of an innocent, adoptable dog?)

There is a good Seattle-based group working on this issue called Families Against Breed Bans. Join. Help us save good dogs in bad situations. Let us know if you'd like to attend a local FABB meeting. Members of FABB include volunteers at Seattle-area shelters who fear BSL is coming or who want to fight it. They don't want to be part of senseless, wholesale slaughter.

These dogs are victimized by stupid human actions or inactions -- backyard breeders, dogfighters, unenlightened politicians, cynical animal control entities, males with machismo issues, uninvolved animal shelters -- result? The dogs are made the villains.

If they are such bad, undesirable dogs, why do all the pitbulls and mixes on WAIF's own website have devoted sponsors? How awful it must it feel the day a sponsor's dog vanishes off the website because WAIF arbitrarily killed it.

Create a rescue group, prove that you are acting in the best interest of the dogs and start to find them homes.

We regret we wasted so much time trying to do this through WAIF. Smiley could have a home by now. Or possibly been kept by his original owners if they'd gotten some real assistance. Even Monica could still be alive. It's past time WAIF acted "in the best interest of the dogs" and started finding them homes in an organized, competent way.

Bob Baker and Barbara Moran
Co-chairs (PIT)