ONE OF LIFE'S great satisfactions
Of course, there is the other side. The same skill and intelligence that have allowed man to breed dogs for specific, helpful purposes also can be used for ill, as the Michael Vick saga has proved. Experts estimate more than 40,000 people in the United States are involved in dogfighting. Wagers can run into tens of thousands of dollars. And training the pit bulls generally used in the fights can be a sophisticated venture: One raid on an Orangeburg, S.C., dogfighting facility yielded treadmills and other equipment that would "rival an Olympic facility" according to law enforcement officials.
The misuse of dogs in this brutal blood sport brings pain, suffering, and death. Sadly, those who love the breed say pit bulls, even those trained to be aggressive toward other animals, are extraordinarily loyal to humans and put up with all manner of abuse. But their love goes unrewarded: Losers are usually killed by their owners. Seized dogs are often deemed unfit for adoption and are euthanized by authorities. Of the 65 dogs taken at the Vick property, 49 are now in federal custody, their fate as yet undetermined. In the man-dog relationship, it's generally the dog that has to pay.
Dogfighting, of course, is one end of the spectrum of animal abuse. Plenty more examples of everyday misuse abound: dogs left on chains, dogs in hot cars, dogs allowed to roam, dogs that are allowed to breed and produce more dogs. The shelters are overrun with unwanted canines, and anyone who lives in the country can tell tales of litters of puppies dumped ignominiously at the end of a farmer's lane. Add to that dogs purchased as family pets and then allowed to live their lives as backyard castoffs, victims of neglect. Man finds many ways to mistreat his Best Friend.
September has been designated Responsible Dog Ownership Month by the American Kennel Club, and all across the country organizations are holding events to help raise awareness of proper dog care. In our area, the Culpeper Parks and Recreation Department and Culpeper Welcome Waggers are participating in an event at the Culpeper Animal Hospital on Sept. 16.
Being a responsible dog owner means spaying or neutering your pet to prevent unwanted litters, socializing him properly, training him, providing good food and veterinary care, and keeping him under control--for example in an appropriately fenced yard or on leash.
Properly cared-for canines are an asset to human society. Nursing-home workers will testify that most elderly patients light up when a four-legged pal walks into the room. Autistic and even emotionally disturbed children can often be reached through an animal buddy. And for the rest of us, stroking a pet reduces blood pressure, lowers stress, and can alleviate depression.
The long, feathered tail of a golden retriever wagging in the sunlight, the goofy grin on the face of a Jack Russell terrier getting a belly rub, the excited leaping of a springer spaniel waiting for a ball to be thrown--these are the images of dogs living their lives as human companions. It's up to us to set the standards--it's up to us to keep dogs out of the pit.