Why Pit Bull Prejudice Is 'An Injustice' - In this Film, Documentary Maker, Jeff Theman, Looks at the People and the Animals Who Are Affected by that Cruelty, Including Himself

Documentary maker Jeff Theman thinks it's downright un-American to deem a dog dangerous due to nothing more than the way it looks -- which is what happens in jurisdictions across the country that ban pit bulls and dogs that merely look like them.

These "breed specific laws," as they're called, are "an injustice to the dogs who never did anything wrong and usually resulted in death, and the people suffered hardships as well when they are forced to turn over a family member or risk further penalties," Theman says. "They are disguised as a way to enhance community safety, but fail miserably at that task too. How cruel does one have to be to think these laws are actually helpful to any community?"

In his film "Guilty 'Til Proven Innocent," Theman looks at the people and the animals who are affected by that cruelty, including himself.

                                                                Jeff Theman with his dog Preston


Lakewood, the Ohio town where Theman used to live, enacted a pit bull ban in 2008. Faced with the choice between his pits and his home, Theman chose his three dogs. They, in turn, inspired his documentary.

The Huffington Post: What are you hoping viewers get out of "Guilty 'Til Proven Innocent"?

Jeff Theman: I mainly wanted to provide credible information to those unaware about the issue, and inspire them to be the change in their area. I just wanted to dissect the issue and seek the truth, no matter what the end result would be.

I believe we completed that task, and I am incredibly proud to say we represented the issue truthfully, which is probably the reason we have received the support from the national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society. They use our film to send as a tool to legislators around the country who are proposing to implement or repeal breed discriminatory laws.

We have also been contacted by a few other [lawmakers] around the country when they were looking to repeal their laws, so we are indeed getting the response we hoped for. And the satisfaction of it feels pretty good.

The general response has exceeded all our expectations, and we hope this is just the beginning. We have had people email, message us, post on our Facebook page, all the different emotions they felt while we took them on this journey.

Your film features a whole bunch of people whose dogs were seized, or almost seized, in jurisdictions that ban pit bulls. The dogs were given genetic testing -- and were mostly found not to be pit bulls at all. What lessons can we learn from this?

Yes, I think the most blatantly obvious thing about Lakewood and this film is all the dogs shown that were deemed to be pit bulls all have come back with little to no American Staffordshire terrier, or any other breed under the umbrella term "pit bull."

So what does that tell us about the shoddy enforcement of the law? There were only a handful of dogs where the people were able to get their due process. All the others they basically scared enough, where the owner complied and either re-homed the dog outside the city or moved.

To me, the title means the dogs and their owners were automatically guilty, which is of course goes against what our country is supposed stand for -- so it's our job to inform and prove innocence. The effect of these laws is felt on both sides -- the dog and the owner. It became clear early on one of the primary motivating factors for breed specific legislation was to target social and racial classes of people legally. The dogs were used as a tool and excuse of sorts to harass individuals in mostly the urban settings.

One of the politicians in the film says that he'd support a pit bull ban even if it stopped just one child from being bitten. What did you think of that statement? And why not just ban all dogs, then?

I think that statement made by former Ohio senator Neal Zimmers was completely offensive to the men, women and children who were bitten by other breeds. It shows a lack of compassion for those individuals suffering what is a traumatic life altering experience.

Banning all dogs wouldn't even be an option simply because America loves dogs! But, I will add, there are some policies in place that make it extremely difficult to have a dog, especially housing and insurance restrictions. It's not breed specific legislation, but it is often the same outcome: tearing families apart.

You yourself are featured in the film, along with some of your family members both human and canine. The humans can speak for themselves. Tell me all about the canines!

I now live with three dogs, all who came from shelter environments. Preston is the inspiration to the film, and I adopted him on October 4, 2008, from a rescue, after I left Lakewood because of the ban. He was pulled from a shelter in the Akron, Ohio, area. Some of his past is unknown, but he was saved during a drug bust where the owners allegedly used him for fighting. I could go on and on about him, he is my soulmate, but I've written about him a lot and his story can be found on the website.

One thing I will say that will help everybody understand why I say he is my soulmate is because, he was going to be killed on July 28, 2006. My birthday is July 28. His new life started on my birthday.

I decided to foster my girl, Era, on June 30, 2011. I named her Era because it was going to be a new Era in her life, I just didn't know at the time that it was going to be with me. The plan was to foster her for a couple weeks and then she would go on a transport bus off to somewhere in New England. Preston and her were best buds from the moment they met each other, so I couldn't lose her and decided to officially adopt her after a few weeks. She's a pretty girl and she knows it, let me tell you. I nicknamed her Violent Love because she has a knack for hurting me all in the name of kisses.

Fergie was also a Cleveland city kennel dog. In August of 2012, I decided I could do more for rescue, as most of my work was in advocacy, and open my home to foster another dog.

Fergie was very ill, she was diagnosed heartworm positive, among other more treatable ailments. She was scared, and it showed. I had to seclude her from my other two dogs for two months while she was in treatment. Any stimulation could kill her, so she was only allowed out for bathroom breaks and short term couch cuddling.

When it came time to introduce her with my other dogs, it went extremely well. It helped that they all had time to adjust, and it was done slowly. I really wanted to find her a new home, but everybody was begging me to keep her, including my own mother, who was against the idea of me having a third dog in the house since I am single and it is a lot of work when you pile it on top of the other commitments I have.

Needless to say, I gave it one year, and said if she did not find a home by then, I will keep her. I am no longer allowed to foster dogs.

Late start to my morning, making breakfast for me and the kids. Meanwhile, this is happening right now on the couch... I'm definitely glad my dogs all get along, but this is ridiculous!

I understand that you've come up with a bucket list for your dogs. How is it going so far?

I came up with a bucket list for Preston mainly. One night a few weeks ago, it became painfully obvious that he is getting old. I was on the couch with the girls, and Preston attempted to jump up too. He missed and fell to the ground. When he got back up we just looked at each other and he let out a little sigh.

I helped him up and thought about some of the others who started bucket lists for their dogs. But the thing that is possibly different with mine is, he is not diagnosed with any terminal illnesses -- yet, at least -- and I didn't want to wait until that moments does happen. It was my way to keep myself in check, so I don't go days without appreciating all that he brings me.

The following day we went and spent some alone time together visiting some of the local famous landmarks within Cleveland that I always wanted to go to, but just never had time. I was able to share those moments with him, which was extremely important to me.

I had wanted to mark off the second item on my list, which was to bring him to a GTPI function, and we had our second screening in Cleveland coming up, but the building we had doesn't allow pets unless they [are] service animals, and I didn't want to take advantage of a law meant to help people out of my own selfishness. Maybe one day we will be able to cross that one off, but not now.

The next item I have is we are planning a road trip to Michigan for an animal conference I am going to. All the details haven't been worked out for that yet, but I am fairly confident we will be able to pull that one off.

I'm constantly adding to the list, and we hope to cross off more in the near future. I just want to make sure I never forget the importance of him -- and my girls, for that matter -- and it is easy to just go on with life and it not hit until something tragic happens.

Do you think things are getting better for pit bulls lately?

Oh, it is day and night better for pit bull dogs. They have definitely become the trendy dog to adopt. Celebrities are shown with them, they are featured in positive news articles nearly every day, are in print ads intended to sell household name products. The comparison isn't even close to what it once was. We still have a little ways to go, and that goes for all dogs, but we have come so far as a society to finally get it.

As far as around the county, we are noticing a progressive movement where cities are repealing these laws at a much faster pace than they are being adopted. This tells me we are turning the corner about how we view the dogs -- and their owners.

If there is one thing I wish people understood about dogs we call pit bulls it's that they are just dogs. Breed simply doesn't matter.




This interview has been slightly edited for length and clarity.


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Salt Lake City, Utah - Furious Man Confronts Police After Learning They Killed His Dog

Residents in Salt Lake City, Utah are up in arms after a local police officer shot and killed a man’s beloved pet dog last month while responding to a missing child report.

Authorities found the displaced toddler unharmed and sleeping inside its home around 30 minutes after they entered the yard of Sean Kendall on June 18 and killed his 110-pound Weimaraner, “Geist.”

The incident has since managed to garner the attention of animal lovers in and out of Salt Lake City after Kendall published on the web a cell phone video he recorded as he accosted the police outside his home moments after learning what had happened.

"About 15 minutes ago, I got a phone call from Utah Animal Control, calling to tell me that an officer had shot and killed my dog," Kendall says in the beginning of the clip. "He was inside my backyard in a fenced-off area. What was the cause for the officer to shoot and kill my dog?"

The footage next shows Kendall arriving at his resident in the city’s Sugar House neighborhood and furiously questioning the cops.

"What was the probable cause to trespass on private property and shoot my dog?" an outraged Kendall asks on camera.

“We entered the yard looking for a lost child,” Sgt. Joseph Cyr responds, according to Fox13Now. An officer on the scene “was threatened by the dog and shot the dog,” Cyr added. “That’s as simple as it gets.”

“So I get to bury my dog because an officer couldn’t back up and close the fucking gate,” the irate owner replies.

So far, police have only said that the dog approached the officer in an “aggressive manner,” prompting the cop to open fire.

The video has since managed to go viral, and viewers who have become outraged by the Salt Lake City Police Department’s behavior have certainly spoken up. The chief of the SLCPD has since been prompted to comment publically on the matter, a large protest was held outside of police headquarters over the weekend and even the city council has asked for an investigation.

“It’s overwhelming, the support of the community,” Kendall said at the protest on Saturday attended by hundreds, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Speaking to a local Fox News affiliate, the dog owner said he believes the officer responsible for the shooting should be disciplined justly. That law enforcement official has since been identified as detective Brett Olsen

“I believe this officer made a terrible judgment call,” Kendall told the station. “In my profession, if I make a terrible judgment I’m fired. “

“He was kind of all I had,” Kendall told Fox13 of his dog. “To me, he wasn’t just some animal. He was my best friend. He was kind of like a child. I went through raising him, training him.”

At a news conference on Friday, Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said he believes the officer was in the right.

"It is our responsibility that we do all we can to bring a safe resolution to the circumstances we encounter. This is a seasoned officer who has tremendous experience and has, in fact, been under fire and performed very well," Burbank said of Olsen. "I cannot in my mind imagine an officer coming forward and saying we didn't do all we could to find a missing child."

“In this particular circumstance, evidence shows that the dog was extremely close, in fact, within feet of the officer,” Burbank said. “After 23 years in law enforcement, I haven’t seen this type of public outcry when certain human beings have lost their lives,” Burbank said.

That outcry, Burbank added, has materialized in the form of complaints that he says the police department has received without end since last week.

“I absolutely demand that every single one of my officers treat the public with the respect and dignity they deserve. My officer, and officers, deserve no less,” Chief Burbank said.

Members of SLC’s city council have since written to Chief Burbank calling for a review of departmental procedures and an independent review of the shooting.

On facebook: Justice for Geist
https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforGeist

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Woman Establishes Fund in Dog's Name to Pay for Health Care for Successor Companion Animals at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center

Paulette Carter, on the staff at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center, brought her dog, Lincoln, to work for years to be a companion to the residents of Levindale. Sitting with her at left, Elaine Mintzes, is establishing a fund in his name to pay for health care for successor companion animals at Levindale. (Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun / June 18, 2014)

About 100 people gathered for a ceremony at the Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore last week, but it wasn't to honor a person. Instead, they paid tribute to a dog in a way that will help pets in the future.

The story starts with Elaine Mintzes, a longtime city volunteer and philanthropist who was a patient at Levindale in 2012 after suffering injuries in a fire. She remembers having a dog when she was 7; her parents gave the dog to neighbors because she didn't have the initiative to care for it. That was 81 years ago. Since then, Mintzes had no special affinity for pets, until a white poodle leapt into her room at Levindale and sparked a friendship.

"When he wandered into my room that first day, he wasn't terribly interested in me," she remembers. By contrast, Mintzes found herself drawn to the little dog, named Lincoln.

"I thought he might come back if I got some treats for him," Mintzes says.

Lincoln, it turned out, belonged to Levindale employee Paulette Carter, who took the pooch to work every day for more than 13 years.

Mintzes got some dog treats and gave one to Lincoln the next day.

"After that," she says, "he flew by other rooms and came directly to my room. He ultimately learned where I kept the treats, and then learned to open the closet door and get one for himself if I didn't do it quickly enough."

Mintzes and Lincoln bonded for more than a year. When Mintzes went home to her condo, Carter started taking her dog to visit. Mintzes was so insistent about it that she persuaded three doctors to write letters to the managers of her no-dogs-allowed building so Lincoln could come in.

"Lincoln was more responsible for my recovery than the medications Levindale gave me," Mintzes says. And Carter says Mintzes and Lincoln formed a special bond.

"He used to love seeing her," she remembers. "I used to call her 'grandma,' and I'd ask Lincoln if he wanted to go see Grandma. He'd wag his little tail!"

Helene King, media relations coordinator at Levindale, says Lincoln was part of the center's Eden Alternative program, under which several cats live on the property and employees can bring their pets to work to visit with patients. The resident animals are cared for by staff, and that care — including spaying or neutering and food — is paid for by the center. Until recently, that was a bit of a burden. That is, until Mintzes got wind of the situation.

Lincoln died two years ago after a long volunteer career at Levindale, and Mintzes says he was so instrumental in her recovery that she wanted to ensure other patients had the benefit of pets in the center. To do so, she established the Alvin and Elaine Mintzes Fund for the Care of Levindale Animals, with a personal donation to ensure that future Levindale pets get the care they need and can continue living at and visiting the facility.

"For some reason, Lincoln really touched her heart," King says.

Last week, Mintzes hosted a plaque-hanging ceremony at the facility to formalize her fund; the plaque reads, "In loving honor of Paulette Carter and in dear remembrance of poodle Lincoln Carter."

"It was the sweetest thing," says King. "Mrs. Mintzes catered the event and had cookies that looked like poodles. It was a lovely day."

Mintzes says she hopes others will donate to her fund to ensure pets will continue getting and giving great care at Levindale.

"Lincoln knew every nook and corner of the Levindale campus," says Mintzes. "He could have been a tour guide." She says his visits three or four times a week were what motivated her to keep moving through her recovery.

"I haven't gotten over it," she says of the dog's death in 2013. "I grieved more for him than I did for members of my family. Lincoln gave me unconditional love, and he didn't talk back. He was a perfect gentleman. When he opened his bedroom eyes, I became putty in his paws."

Levindale patients benefit from companionship of dogs and cats.

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Five Years Ago Today, Julie Conway Brought Her Tremendous Fund Raising Skills, Her Smarts and Dedication, and Most of All Her Big Heart to Washington Humane Society!

From: Lisa LaFontaine, CEO & President at Washington Humane Society:

On June 29th, 2009, the landscape for animals in the District - and beyond - was transformed. What happened? Julie Conway brought her tremendous fund raising skills, her smarts and dedication, and most of all her big heart to Washington Humane Society.

There have been a lot of good times and tough rides during those years, but in the process, thousands of animals were saved and found new homes, the communities within and outside our walls became better places, and a bunch of boats, some obvious and some in hidden corners, were lifted.

Thanks from all of us for five great years - can't wait to see the greatness just around the bend!

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The 2-Year-Old Blue Pit Bull That I Saved, Now Needs to Be Picked Up By A Rescue - If You Are a Rescue, Would You Be Willing to Take Fancy?

I want to first thank you for being loyal followers of The Pet Tree House. As you know my blog covers all areas from pet care to pet adoptions.

As my readers, I am asking for your help. On June, 13th, my husband and I saved the life of a 2-year-old Blue Pit Bull, and now she is ready to be picked up by a rescue so they she can go into fostering, or possibly get adopted.

Pit Bulls are illegal in Prince George's County. This is why she has to go to a rescue first, then put up for adoption. They can not adopt her out directly from the shelter.

I have been in constant contact with the Animal Shelter, and Fancy is progressing very well.

While they are looking for a rescue, I am trying to do my part in helping to get a rescue to pick her up. I have contact several rescues, but most are full and can not take her.

Staff at the animal shelter says, that she is a "tail-wagging sweetheart!"

If you are a rescue, or know of one that may be interested in taking Fancy, please share her story.

The shelter constantly sends me updated pictures her. You can see her pictures below.

Details: 
Name: Fancy
ID #A407542
Sex: Female
Breed: Blue Pit Bull
Age: 2-years-old
Spayed: Yes

Location:
Prince George's County Animal Management
3750 Brown Station Rd
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
(301) 780-7201

                                                                      Take a look at Fancy Now!

Please share Fancy. Thank you, from The Pet Tree House.

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Coolridge Animal Hospital - Your Pet's Health is Our Top Priority!

At Coolridge Animal Hospital it is our commitment to provide the highest quality medicine,and exceed your client service expectations. If at anytime we don't exceed your expectations please contact our Practice Manager Stephanie to discuss your concerns.

Our Bi-annual Wellness exams are designed as an important preventative measure to ensure your pets live a healthy happy life for many years to come.

Your Pet's Health is Our Top Priority

When you bring your pet in for the twice-yearly comprehensive checkup, he or she will receive a nose-to-tail exam. This entails an examination of all your pet's major body systems to help ensure that they are working normally. Because your pet can't tell you what's wrong, your veterinarian relies on regular examinations, as well as your observations, to determine his or her overall pet health.

Skin & Coat

Your veterinarian will begin the physical part of the pet checkup by examining your pet's skin and coat. This is important because the skin and coat are indicators of your pet's overall health.

Nose & Mouth

Your veterinarian will examine your pet's nose for any abnormal appearance or discharge, before examining the inside of your pet's mouth to look at dental health and check for abnormal masses or swelling. This helps to detect any signs of periodontal disease, since dental health is an important contributor to pet health.

Heart & Lungs

Your veterinarian will use a stethoscope to listen to your pet's heart and lungs to check for heart murmurs and abnormal lung sounds. If your pet is due for any routine vaccinations or laboratory work, your veterinarian will take care of these needs during the pet checkup. Older pets may also have blood tests to check their kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Eyes & Ears

When examining your pet's eyes, your veterinarian will check for discharge, redness, irregular or abnormal response to light and examine the optic nerve in the back of the eye. He or she will examine the ear flap, deep ear canals and ear drums for any abnormal smells, redness, the presence of infection, parasites such as ear mites, growths or tumors.

Legs & Joints

Your veterinarian will manipulate and feel your pet's legs, joints, abdomen and anal sacs to check for any unusual reactions, such as the appearance of pain or abnormal lumps. If a stool sample is available, your veterinarian will also perform tests to check for parasites. This process is an important part of dog and cat health.

Coolridge Animal Hospital
6801 Old Branch Avenue
Camp Springs, Maryland  20784
(301) 449-1610
Email: coolridgeah@gmail.com
Website: http://www.coolridgeah.com

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Washington, DC - Washington Humane Society - Thank You to Delucchi Plus for Designing and Donating Our Bold and Colorful New Signs!

A TREMENDOUS thank you to Delucchi Plus for designing and donating fantastic new signs for our New York Avenue Adoption Center! These bold and colorful signs, which were installed today, will certainly help adopters find their new furry friend.

Come by and check them out and meet your new family member at WHS! See everyone looking for their forever home online at www.washhumane.org/adopt.

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I Saved a 2-Year-Old Blue Pit Bull - Can You Help Me Find Her a Forever Home?

I want to first thank you for being loyal followers of The Pet Tree House. As you know my blog covers all areas from pet care to pet adoptions.

As my readers, I am asking for your help. My husband and I saved the life of a 2-year-old Blue Pit Bull, and now she needs a forever home.

Here is our story:

On Friday, June 13, 2014, I was sitting in my home watching a movie. I don't know why but for some reason I got up and looked out of the front door. It was close to 4:00 p.m., and the sun is always hot on the front of my home that time of day. I never go out my front door unless I am going somewhere. I am usually in the backyard playing with my little rescue, Jonas, a Yorkie/Shih-Tzu mix.

As I stepped out onto my front porch, I saw something moving slowly on the grassy area of the apartment complex adjacent to my home. I didn't know it was a dog a first because she was couched so low to the ground. When I realized it was a dog, I ran in the house and called the Prince George's County Animal Shelter, and got my husband.

When we got outside, she had crawled into the street. We kept our distance but were close enough to see that she looked to have rash on her skin, and her belly was very red. We knew not to approach and injured animal.

My husband immediately started directing traffic entering the complex around her. She stared directly in my face, she had the saddest eyes. I comforted her, telling her that someone was coming. Then she laid her head down on the ground…my heart fell, I felt so helpless. I said a prayer asking God to please let this baby hang on until help got here, I just kept talking to her.

It was a very hot day, and we had a hard rain the day before. I told my husband that she probably was out in the rain, the day before.

Within a half an hour, I saw a white van approaching that I recognized as being the Prince George's County Animal Rescue Van. I began waving, as she pulled up. I retreated to my front porch to allow her to do her job, which she did very well. As she opened the door to the van, I heard her say, "oh, you're going to stand for me, good dog?" She had no problem getting her into the van. I thanked her for coming. As she drove away, I looked up and said thank you God.

The next day, I called the animal shelter to check on her and found out that she was doing okay, but hadn't seen the vet yet. I asked what would happen to her now, and was told that she would need to be placed with a rescue before adoption.

Hi, my name is Fancy, and I am looking for a forever home. If you have room in your in heart and in your home for me, please contact the Prince George's County Animal Shelter.

We can not adopt her because we live in Prince George's County Maryland, and it is illegal to own pit bulls here. I suspect someone was hiding her.

I called back today to check on her and found out that the staff has named her "Fancy", she possibly has mange, and is responding very well to treatment. She will be evaluated in 7 days, and then will need to be picked up by a rescue before she can be adopted.

I was able go to the shelter's website to get this picture of her. I could not believe how good she looked. She was looking really bad when I saw her lying in the street.

I have a special connection to Fancy, and I am asking you to please share her to help get her a loving forever home.

If you are interested in adopting her, you will need to check with the shelter to get the information for the rescue.

Location:
Prince George's County Animal Management
3750 Brown Station Rd
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
(301) 780-7201 (The adoption center does not open until 12:00 p.m.)

Name: Fancy
ID #A407542
Age: 2
Breed: Female Pit Bull Mix
Color: Blue

I will keep you updated on Fancy, and of course, let you know when she is adopted!

Thank you for sharing!

Please Share Fancy!

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