AGDT 1.1 - Tributes - Nov 1987

Don Maloney
It is with true sadness that I write of the passing of this man.

I met Don in 1966 when I moved from San Antonio, TX, to Oklahoma City, OK. I was told by Maurice Carver, when I left San Antonio, to look up Don about the dog business.

Mr. Carver said, "He'll (Don) bet you an ant can pull a bale of hay, or he'll bet you it can't."

That's about the way it was.

Don and I became friends immediately and stayed that way until his death. Our families were sort of raised together.

He was a family man, a true sportsman, and above all a true and tried many times dog man.

Through the years we did it all. I went all over the country with this Man, with a dog or two at a time, and win or lose we always had a good time. One time we left a dog in our opponent's front yard, went on to town some 35 miles away to spend the night, and had the match the next morning.

Don started with Earl Tudor. He told me at Earl's house that Earl wouldn't even have asked him in, except he had a Golden Gloves jacket in his back seat and a super pretty blonde with him (Claudia Maloney, Don's wife). Don personally destroyed the Dibo Dog, Tudor's Spike and Tudor's Jeff, at Earl's request, as they were in bad shape because of their age.

Don was run out of Oklahoma City over the dogs, and they were trying him in Mustang, Oklahoma at the time of his death. He was looking for another place to move if they had succeeded.

He had his flying jenny right by his house and this is where he worked his dogs. His attitude was, "I'm not violating any laws, so it's none of your business." This part never caused him any trouble.

Don was Business Agent for the Pipe Fitters and Plumbers Union, covering most of Oklahoma. He did a great job there and will be greatly missed by his Union Brothers.

He will be missed by the dog folks in general, as there were very few people in our game that did not know him or had heard of him. There are lots of people that have already said to me that they sure do miss Ole Don.

My thoughts go to his family: Claudia, Earl Dean (named after Earl Tudor), Donna, Mike, and four beautiful grandchildren.

Dog people attending his funeral, in addition to myself and Doris, included: Steve and Kathy Davis, Danny Burton, Mike Hendricks, Mike Kelly, Steve Moxley, Randy Fox, and he dear ole friend, Waymon Davis.

Here's to you, Don!

     Bobby Smith

-----

Billy Stevens
Billy was a friend of mine and I miss him a lot.

I introduced him to the dog world, as we know it, in 1979. He was in it with all enthusiasm until his untimely death aboard a tractor while mowing grass in 1984.

Billy made quite an impression on me in those five years, as a dog man and a man in general.

He was born, raised, and buried in north Texas near Whitesboro.

He left some beautiful children, his mother, and a brother.

Still a friend, Billy.

-----

Roland Fontenont
Roland was 56 years of age when he passed away February 7, 1987.

Born in Mamou, Louisiana, he passed away at Lake Charles, Louisiana.

He was a good dog man, though sometimes his private life took precedence.

Still, he worked in and around the dogs and dog people most of his adult life.

A long time ago he was in the Combine of Earl Tudor, Jimmy Wimberley, Speedy Rider and Evelyn Strait.

He handled Tudor's Spike, a great 43-pounder.

AGDT 1.1 - Random Notes - Nov 1987

A November 3rd Texas referendum on legalized pari-mutual betting has drawn comments from noted author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.

Ziglar, a resident of Dallas and member of Texans Who Care, was quoted by the Dallas Morning News (September 21, 1987) as follows: "They're trained (greyhounds) to run down rabbits. And if a dog isn't a killer type, they put it in a cage with a little rabbit and don't feed the dog until he kills that little rabbit. It's sacrificing live bunnies to create killers."

In another section in the article Ziglar is quoted again stating, "Dog racing ranks behind pit bull and cockfighting."

Proponents of pari-mutual dog racing in Texas have noted the increasing popularity and economic growth of greyhound racing and hotly contest the allegations of cruelty in training.

Supporters of pari-mutual racing include former Houston Oiler Head Coach Bum Phillips, who has taped ads for the pro-referendum campaign.

-----

Our Canadian friend, Tattoo, spent several days in the hospital following a vehicle accident.

Our best wished for a speedy and complete recovery.

-----

Just at press time, Brad Ervin, President of the Arkansas American Pit Bull Terrier Club, reported that a Little Rock police officer had shot and seriously injured a Pit Bull Terrier.

The dog was a show dog.

The AAPBTC has schedules a talk show appearance on Channel 16 in Little Rock to protest what they feel was unnecessary action on the part of the department.

We'll update you on the results.

AGDT 1.1 - Thumbs Up Thumbs Down - Nov 1987

THUMBS UP: To the American Pit Bull Terrier Clubs, owners, supporters, etc., who organized in opposition to a specific Pit Bull ban attempt by Councilman John Dunagan in Farmers Branch, TX. Scores of supporters and some articulate defenders helped turn the council toward a "dangerous animal" ordinance, which is a much more realistic approach to dealing with vicious animals. We support any measures aimed at dealing fairly with threats to public safety.

THUMBS DOWN: To Farmers Branch Councilman John Dunagan for not showing up for the main public hearing on the Pit Bull ban ordinance he proposed.

THUMBS DOWN: To Mike Smith of Miller County, Arkansas for allowing writer Dana Fisher almost two years of "insider insights" into "The Business of Pit Bull Fighting". While, Fisher in our opinion did a solid journalistic job, Smith's purpose of countering "sensationalized and misleading" accounts was ill served by the extensive feature in the Arkansas Magazine supplement to the Arkansas Democrat.

THUMBS UP: To Jerry Stuckey and all those who supported Midwest City For Bull Dogs and their successful challenge to the breed-specific city ordinance banning Pit Bull Terriers in Midwest City, OK.

THUMBS UP: To Brad Ervin, President of the Arkansas American Pit Bull Terrier club, for his comments to Judy Gallman of the Arkansas Democrat. "The purpose of it (fun show) is to try to change the public view of the pit bull," Ervin said. "The public sees them as vicious 'man-eaters' unfit for society. We're here to say they are fit for society."

THUMBS DOWN: To Arkansas media for giving scant attention to a German Shepherd attack that killed a small child in Arkansas during the same time period that Pit Bulls were top news. In this incident the German Shepherd was a family dog that attacked and killed a three-year-old boy with no apparent provocation. For some reason the fatal German Shepherd attack was not big news.

AGDT 1.1 - Times' Classifieds - Nov 1987

FOR SALE: Jackets, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Caps, Belt Buckles, and more. American Pit Bull Terrier artwork, plus your name, handle, location, whatever you want. Priced Right. Give me a call and let's get something started. Bobby Smith at ((number removed)).

WANTED: Old 50's and 60's Rhythm and Blues Records. Write: ((address removed))

FOR SALE: Vitamins, Vet Supplies...I've got them. Anything you need! Competitively priced and shipped direct to you. Call Bobby Smith at ((number removed)).

FOR SALE: 1975 Pontiac Grandville Convertible. 49,000 actual miles. Mint condition. $4200 firm. Call ((number removed))

GET YOUR MESSAGED OUT WITH A TIMES CLASSIFIED...$10 for classified/$20 for Photo classified.

AGDT 1.1 - What Are We Doing? - Nov 1987

During the past twenty-five years, American society legalized abortion, reinstituted capital punishment, increased its nuclear arsenal, promoted professional boxing into a multi-multi-million dollar sports industry...and made dogfighting a felony.

AGDT 1.1 - Quote Of-The-Month - Nov 1987

Our Quote of the month comes from Vice President George Bush.

When Senator James Exom of Nebraska urged Bush to support reduced funding for Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) the Vice President sent the Senator what Newsweek called "a jocular note of defiance".

The Vice President reportedly wrote the Senator:

"I'm the pit bull of SDI, you Ivy League wimp."

     Newsweek, October 19, 1987

AGDT 1.1 - Pit Bulls As Pets - Yes or No? by Fredric Maffie - Nov 1987

According to one estimate at least, there are over a million pit bull dogs in this country, presumably most of them being kept either as pets or as guard dogs.

Now that seems to me one hefty statistic - a million pit bull dogs. Too damn hefty, considering that every time I turn around I'm hearing about one of them on the news.

Now I'm a man of the world. I've been around. I've listened to Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey - I've lived! I've heard all the most common opinions, both pro and con, about keep pit bull dogs as pets, and a few uncommon ones as well.

But there are tragedies occurring, you see. Terrible tragedies involving the deaths of young children, children like yours and mine, little guys who can no more defend themselves against the attacks of an aggressive cocker spaniel, nevermind a raging pit bull.

Blame the Owner
Here my stance is the usual one belonging to a pit bull owner and defender - and if you don't know it, I'll sum it up for you: Blame the owner, not the dog!

But there are such terrible things occurring. And with each incident, we pit bull owners are perhaps spared for a time. Our own anger spares us - anger over the disgusting hype, the wholesale and often near-cannibalistic relishment that the media no longer even tries to hide. But later, when our anger has subsided and we have no choice but to focus in on some real tragedy that has occurred, the real tragedy that is and will remain long after a scavenging media has had its field day - then what has happened is enough to wound clear through to the heart of every pit bull owner who is competent, feeling, and intelligent in his relationship to the pit bull dog.

And it is at this point where it seems to me there are several and perhaps a good deal more questions to be asked and answered.

Certain things to be got at!

Oprah, Phil, they would lay it all out for us - the problem and all the vast diversity of opinion as to how to solve it - encapsulated in their respective one-hour time slots. Impressively, considering the time limitation and certain physical limitations on the speed at which any given human being is capable of speaking, Oprah came out smelling like a rose, her show almost rising to the level of petty bickering, mostly between her guests and the audience. Alas, Phil's performance fell just short of tacky.

Talk Show Solutions
Some of the guests, one of our elected officials in particular, showed themselves utterly lacking a sense of the ridiculous - wanting to outlaw all pit bulls and their look-alikes (they haven't yet quite figured out what a "real" pit bull is), banish them forever.

One neat trick for discovering just how ridiculous someone else's bright idea really is, is to remove that idea from the realm of the "possibly legislatable" and to plop it down in the realm of the purely personal, one man on the street meeting another man on the street - and then testing the idea right there on the spot.

The law says that I am responsible for the actions of my dog. It is a good law, and perhaps the only thing wrong with it is that it ought to be made stricter, be more strictly enforced.

Testing that law in the personal realm:

I am walking my dog without a lead. So is Tom across the street, except his dog is leashed, as it should be. My dog tears across the street, jumps on Tom's dog, and sets the unwilling pooch to yowling.

Now if a gun were to magically materialize in Tom's hand and if in one fell swoop he were to send my dog straight to perdition - I really can't see as I'd have much gripe! Tom was saving his dog from mine - my dog which had no business whatsoever standing there, unabashed, with Tom's dog in its mouth! I am contrite. I was wrong, responsible for what happened. Instinctively, I know it.

So the law is a good one. It passes the test of a genuine and personal interaction between men.

Now to give the same test to that other view, the one still in the works, the one presently in the "possible legislatable" realm:

Again I am walking my dog down the street, this time leashed. And now, sans his dog, here comes Tom in a huff. He puts his hand on my dog's leash and makes this declaration:

"I take it as my right to make a citizen's arrest of your dog!"

To which declaration my own right and proper response might go something like this:

"Take your hand off my leash or I'll make you part of the sidewalk!"

I did nothing wrong, you see. Nor my dog. And being totally innocent of any wrongdoing, my sense of justice is positively outraged at the prospect of so unjust and bullying a view actually being written into law.

So the new laws some are proposing do not pass the test of a one-on-one, genuinely human personal interactions. Those proposing such laws lack a sense of the ridiculous. Those who would enforce them would have to put their sense of fair play on hold - gestapo-like - almost as dangerous, every bit as ridiculous.

And so we've dealt easily enough with the view generally belonging to those who don't - and wouldn't under any circumstances - keep a pit bull in the house. To this extent we've agreed with them: a yes to stiffer penalties for irresponsible dog owners of all breeds. But where they start frothing at the mouth (non-pit bull owners, not the dogs) and pounding the podium for the extermination of a whole breed of dogs, we hope we've made them see the fine figure they cut - that particular stiff-legged style of marching having achieved a certain fashionableness in the early 40s, but being more than just a little ridiculous in this present place and time.

And Phil, Oprah, had a full helping of the pro-bulldog view available as well, an audience with a generous smattering of pit bull owners and defenders - appropriately cleaning house!

Summarily, the undesirables who definitely should not own pit bulls were checked off the list. Generally, this list consists of--criminals, immature macho types, unscrupulous breeders, dog fighters and from that list we are able to deduce all the wrong reasons for owning a pit bull dog.

Oprah, Phil, you did your best to lay it all out for us. We've heard the would-be legislators who would outlaw all pit bull dogs, and we've answered them. And we've heard them from the pit bull fanciers themselves, heard how they bring the blame right straight home to where it belongs--right on the backs of those criminal types and other assorted and irresponsible dolts who own pit bulls for all the wrong reasons.

And then, just when it seemed we had fixed the blame right where it belonged--on the clods, the criminals, the irresponsible dolts--somewhere out of nowhere comes the voice of some woman in real distress on the phone with Oprah, telling of how her pit bull dog, raised lovingly as a pet and never having shown any signs whatsoever of aggression against people--one day, right under the eyes of the babysitter, killed some young child!

It was not the woman's own child that was killed, rather a child belonging to her best friend, but a child nevertheless. And then the haltingly tearful voice of that woman, choking back tears, made permanent in our memory, returning again and again to haunt us.

What Defense?
How defend the pit bull dog after that? That woman's dog was raised with love - never mistreated, never fought, never allowed to run loose. The dog had always shown itself to be safe and dependable...until!

How defend the pit bull now? This time no falling back on our favorite argument - placing the blame on all those mindlessly irresponsible dolts who would own pit bulls for all the wrong reasons.

Oh, how well we know - how sure we are that we know - all the wrong reasons for keeping a pit bull dog for our own. But still and all, the voice of that woman returning again and again in our thoughts. And we know that there are certain things that we have somehow missed - those certain things that we have not yet got at.

Perhaps it's just that we're so damned busy harping on all the wrong reasons for owning a pit bull, that we have fallen into a smug, sure silence as regards all the right reasons for keeping one!

So sure and smug, so many pit bull owners who believe they know so perfectly well all the right and wrong reasons for owning the breed. Loudly and proudly they proclaim their preferences for a dog that was bred for one particular and specific purpose - fighting - and then they turn right around and just as loudly proclaim that to own the dog for that purpose is the wrongest of reasons for having him.

Let us all drive to work in our Stradivariuses - and heap scorn upon the old violin maker for having suggested that we bow our transportation rather than ride piggyback on it!

Now the point I'm making here has nothing whatsoever to do with whether dogfighting is or is not a right reason for keeping a pit bull dog. My point is that, originally, to fight was the primary if not the sole reason for the very early development of the pit bull dog. And yet that one thing that distinguishes him from all other breeds of dogs is the one thing that so many of these pit bull owner/defenders refuse to give full and careful consideration to, would offhandedly and without a second thought simply pooh pooh out of existence.

Quite rightfully, these folks point out to us all the finer qualities belonging to the breed - his intelligence, loyalty, protectiveness, etc. - qualities belonging in varying degrees to all breeds of dogs, including the Heinz's 57 varieties.

And so the question arises: why do these fanciers choose the pit bull dog in the first place - all these good folks so utterly and unswervingly against dogfighting - when any number of other breeds would fill the bill just as well or better? How is it that so great a number of these steadfast pit bull owners/defenders so often and quite deliberately fail to acknowledge fully that one singularly distinguishing attribute that is the very essence of the pit bull dog - that he is a fighter!

In short, why is it that so many pit bull fanciers so proudly and so smugly, so readily, ride so heavily upon the pit bull's back - and yet turn a deaf ear to his music?

For, make no mistake of it, that is exactly what they are doing when they hold forth this popularly held view:

The pit bull, raised properly, is no different from any other kind of dog. A loving environment produces a gentle, loving dog - a hateful environment, a dangerous animal. The true nature of the pit bull is heroic, yes, but only a loving hand can bring forth with 100% dependability the love in his heart. A pit bull, like any other breed of dog, is purely a reflection of his environment.

All of which prettiness is in actuality a seriously dangerous half truth...which you hear from the butcher, the baker - and since I don't know any candlestick makers, I'll mention that you hear it from a good many veterinarians as well.

Pits as Pets
As near as I can tell, it is a view that has its origins in our Christian-Judeo upbringing, our democratic way of life that says, given a bit of luck and American sunshine, anyone can become president (and hence, any dog a poopsy-doodle). So stems the pit bull fancier's sometimes less than totally objective eagerness to champion the underdog. And if besides being woefully misunderstood, he is a truly heroic underdog as well, so much the better.

Love Conquer All?
Unfortunately, in the case of the pit bull, the democratic view and all its insistence upon social equality among canines is only half the tune, a melody with half the notes missing. However appropriate it might be elsewhere, you can't tack some marmy-smarmy, love-conquer-all philosophy onto the pit bull dog and then expect the image reflected back at you to be more real than the mirror itself. It simply doesn't work that way. You can make a Christian out of a Hun, but you can't make a pit bull dog into a poodle. It's all just silly anthropomorphism. The pit bull has his own inborn Word to answer to, and you can't put yours over on him.

In a word, the pit bull, always and ever after, is himself. A good part of him always was and always will remain unknown to us, a mystery. But he is a powerful and formidable animal, planted four square - that we do know! And the moment you start looking at him and seeing only the pure reflected light of the everlastingly sweet and ever-loving you, then you have made a dangerous mistake. And it can be a fatal one!

And further, whatever the antidogfighting pit bull fanciers out there might think of the dogfighter, it's nevertheless quite likely that the dogfighter's understanding of the pit bull dog is going to be truer than theirs. For where it comes to the fighting dog - which is exactly what the pit bull is - the dogfighter as likely as not knows all the notes, not just every other one. And where so many pit-bull-as-pet fanciers hear only the loving, lilting strains of the pit bull's sweetly fluting upper register, and then the clarion call of the heroic in him - the dogfighter hears the tympani as well, the rolling thunder in his soul - and then that blinding flash of lightning when the cymbals crash.

And when that particular symphony is going full tilt, the pit bull fancier had damn well better know what he's about!

And now, just when it would seem this staunch pit bull owner/defender has deserted the camp entirely, we come back around to our original question: ought the pit bull ever be kept as a pet? - ought he even be allowed to be kept as a pet?

Well, I haven't deserted the camp. I believe the pit bull makes a wonderful pet. Only...he's not for everyone. There are far too many pit bull dogs around - and far too many pit bull owners, the majority of which, I fear, haven't even the "horrid" dogfighter's understanding of just how much dog they have at the ends of their leads.

The pit bull makes a fine, spirited companion for, say, a single man. And by a single man I definitely do not mean the sort who sees in the pit bull none other than a fellow thug! The single man I'm speaking about is one who has reached the age of maturity, isn't a fool, and sees in the pit bull something other than some proving ground for all his most cherished "politicorligio" beliefs - in short, someone who feels a genuine and forthright kinship with the breed, and yet allows the pit bull his "otherness".

And, as first-time pit bull owner, it helps to be someone who learns fast.

My first pit bull of some 20 years ago decided one day to go out for a little stroll on his own...while I was away at work. His path of least resistance, unfortunately, was through the front window. The closed front window! Single at the time and living in a small one-window house, fast learner as I was - I boarded up that window with two-by-fours. Now wasn't I the clever one?

A Different Animal
Not hardly. Pit bull number one, Aries, tore away the two-by-fours, went through the newly replaced window glass, and had his stroll anyway.

And this is an eight-month-old puppy!

Well, by then I really had learned something. That pit bull was like no dog I had ever known. And having been close with a good many pit bull dogs - and having learned a good many more lessons from them over the years - I'll have my say about what I think of them as pets.

Pits As Pets? Do We Really Know The Music?
Pit bulls, like dogs of any other breed, are individuals. And with the pit bull especially, it is everything to be able to judge the individual beforehand as to his suitability for being kept as a family pet. This you cannot do when you got out and purchase a pup. Taking your pup home to your family by this usual method is taking potluck - and if you truly know and respect the breed, you are a fool for taking potluck where your family is concerned.

As a breeder of these dogs, I have over the years had close interaction with over 150 of them - and I would consider perhaps only one in 20 of them suitable candidates for family pets. And among these candidates, few as they are, they are females all.

Preferred
The numbers I give are a conservative estimate, but best to err on the side of safety.

Why females? I find them to be more intelligent and far more sensitive and responsible to what their owners require of them.

Curiously enough, the males of this breed, moreso than the males of most other breeds, seem to be the most popular as pets. Probably that's because those qualities that we seek in the pit bull, his strength and heroism, are qualities we most often think as being male. However, when considering the male pit bull for a pet, it should be noted that it is his very maleness - that fairly constant drive to sow the wild oat, that sense of competitiveness with other males - that puts the "edge" on him and makes him so all-fired and ready to go.

At any rate, and whatever the reasons, be warned - where incidents have occurred, the overwhelming majority of pit bulls involved have been males!

No, I haven't deserted the camp at all. To the contrary, I highly recommend the keeping of pit bull dogs as pets - but only to those who have educated themselves to the point where they can come to a fully competent decision on the matter...and still want one! And in recommending the pit bull's pet-worthiness in the manner in which I have, I can only pray that my most heartfelt wish will be fulfilled - that my recommendation will result in the ranks in the would-be pit bull fanciers being considerably thinned out!

Years ago, back in the good old days when there were few pit bull dogs in circulation, the dogs and their owners came together by a natural process. In a very real sense, the pit bull chose the man as much as the other way around. And pit bull incidents such as we have nowadays were all but unheard of.

Today, however, while it is certainly still possible for the process of "natural selection" to go on, more often it is the influence of the media that joins man and pit bull dog in the rocky sort of relationship they enjoy today.

Playing it to the hilt, the media first tended to portray the pit bull as unwilling victim in the dogfighting game - and so didn't we all just hug him unto ourselves for the underdog that he was! Everybody and their Aunt Lizzie wanted a pit bull for their own.

Well, with so many newly democratized and duly reformed ex-pugs running around, some of them were bound to get into trouble. And so, almost before you could say "pit bull mania" the press had done a complete about face where the pit bull was concerned and set about making a "vicious animal" out of him - and inadvertently succeeded in popularizing him even further.

And so, no long his own dog, the pit bull had to make yet another transformation, from ex-pug in sheep's clothing to drug and crack dealer's best pal.

"Oh, for a marijuana patch to guard!"

And so it continues, pit bull as mobster and moll, a bloodlusting dispenser of death even, diabolical.

While, in stubborn and yet oh-so-sweetly gentle reaction against "those who own poor woefully misunderstood pit bulls for all the wrong reasons" - daddy runs for the camera and calls for wifey to go fetch baby.

Click. And there, made permanent in celluloid, the image of pit bull gazing into camera - but not quite himself somehow, less proud, somewhat dismayed by it all, brow furrowed...but yet alert, as if he were listening for something - and little baby bunting sitting upon his back looking darling.

So many pit bull dogs.

And knowing the dogs as I do, how many of them, I wonder, are strangers in their owners' home. Oh, the puppy is easily enough known. He yaps, he romps, plays tug of war with kiddie, and licks the cat. And then the young dog gaining in maturity, well enough behaved, obedience trained even - proof of the pudding of what the right sort of upbringing hath wrought.

But then I wonder, as time goes on and the young dog approaches maturity, really coming into his own. I wonder about that particular moment when the pit bull grows still and silent, that pause in his soul, and all that he is and ever whispers down through the ages to him, as it has, in varying degrees of intensity, from time immemorial.

That sudden stillness in his soul, is is a momentous pause, silently heralding the pit bull's coming of age. Is is his moment. And if, at that precise instant he should turn and look at his man or his mistress, searching for a light of recognition in his or her eyes, would he find it? Would the dog's owner recognize it, understand it, acknowledge it, deal with it? Or would he or she merely pooh pooh it out of existence, an unacceptable hitch in the desired pattern?

Imagine. A million pit bull dogs. A sheer million of 'em! Each and every one of them in some way looking to us.

And how many of us really know the music?

AGDT 1.1 - The "System" Screws Up! - Nov 1987

Individual freedom is too precious to trust to "the system". As Henry Steele Commager wrote, "First, we should remember the absolutely fundamental principle that liberties are inalienable. They are not something conferred on men by a gracious government; they are something inherent in men as men. There cannot be a question how much liberty government may permit, but only and always how far society may impose limits on the exercise of its own liberties for the common good."

Occasionally we receive a forceful reminder of how precious personal freedom is, how far an intrusion has already been made, and what happens when the system screws up.

Innocent
Janlori Goldman in the article "Taking a Byte Out of Privacy" (Playboy, November 1987) reports the events in the life of Terry Dean Rogan.

According to the article, Rogan lost his wallet while visiting Detroit, Michigan. The wallet was apparently picked up by an individual who traveled the country under Rogan's name.

The problem was that the individual with the wallet and ID's apparently committed two murders and several robberies.

Though Rogan, when the problem was discovered, reportedly requested that the public records be corrected, they were not.

In an unbelievable series of events Rogan was arrested and jailed five times because computer checks would show him wanted in Los Angeles for murder and robbery.

On one occasion he reportedly spent five days in jail before a fingerprint check by authorities confirmed that he was not the man wanted in L.A.

A routine traffic check put Rogan behind bars for days. (Moral: Make sure your turn signal works and that you don't lose your wallet!)

Wrong Eviction
In an incident reported in USA TODAY, October 7, 1987, it wasn't the government but a Miami mortgage company that screwed up. According to the victim, however, the police helped it along.

According to USA TODAY the mortgage company sent an eviction team to the wrong house, and though the owner told them it was the wrong house they broke windows and threw antiques and other household belongings into the street.

"They laughed at me," the owner was quoted as she pleaded with the eviction team to stop.

Then the police stepped in.

A police officer "told me to shut up or he'd put me in jail," she said.

(Moral of this incident: Make sure your house payments are current...and that all of your neighbors are current with their payments...and that everyone who has the same last name as yours is current with their payments...and that everyone who has the same last name as your wife's maiden name is current with their payments...and that everyone who has the same last name as your ex-wife's maiden name is current with their payments...and that...and that...and that...and don't forget that...)

Don't forget that individual freedom is very precious.

Regulation
USA TODAY, October 8, 1987, reported that a jury of his peers has acquitted David Jackson of the charges against him.

With what dastardly crime had Jackson been charged? Breaking in line at the Great America Amusement Park.

Potential sentence: six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Jackson was the first, and surely the last, to be charged with violating the city ordinance in Santa Clara, California.

Perhaps the best statement to come from the entire incident was that of the jury foreman, who declared, "I don't know why we are wasting our time and the taxpayers' money prosecuting this kind of garbage!"

Animal-Control Injures Child
The Dallas Times Herald carried the unbelievable story (September 21, 1987) about a seven-year old Lewisville, Texas boy who was injured when he was hit by a bullet fired by an animal-control officer attempting to kill a vicious dog.

According to the newspaper account, the animal-control officer, fired one shot at the dog. The dog then turned and charged the officer, who fired several more pistol shots, finally killing the dog.

One of the shots grazed the shoulder of the seven-year-old boy!

(We know who controls the animals! But who controls the animal-control!)

Dogs Buried Alive
Another animal-control officer made the paper, this one in a June 25th story in the Dallas Morning News.

According to the article by Greg Hansard, seventeen dogs were shot and buried, some still alive, at the city dump in Canton, Texas.

Canton, apparently, has one of these First-Monday trade days. The dogs not sold at a "dog alley" sale ("Dog Alley" provides space for sellers to offer animals for sale) are picked up by the city for disposal.

According to the bulldozer operator, the animal-control officer and an assistant, took the dogs to the dump in a wire basket and shot them through the basket. The basket was then placed in the bulldozer blade and buried.

The bulldozer operator told the Morning News, "One or two dogs were still crying when I covered them up. I didn't look any more than I had to, because I don't enjoy the job I do, but someone has to do it."

The animal-control officer, when questioned about the incident, was quoted as stating, "We elimnate so many dogs each month I don't remember one particular time from the other...We shoot them, sometimes we knock them in the head. If you're going to kill them, one way is as good as another."

Need we say more?

AGDT 1.1 - Times' Line... - Nov 1987

What About?
Q: I have been using Spotton for parasite control with my dogs. It has worked well. Now I hear that because it is so strong that it may damage my dog's health. Is Spotton safe for use?

A: According to the vets we checked with the key ingredient in the parasite control you are after is Fenthion. Haver's Pro-Spot 10, which is designed for smaller animals, is a 5.6% Fenthion. Spotton, which is designed for large animals such as cattle, is a 20% Fenthion. Officially, a vet is going to recommend a product such as Pro-Spot rather than a product such as Spotton for use on dogs because it has a lower Fenthion percentage and is designed specifically for smaller animals. However, one vet we checked with, who works extensively with personally owned sporting dogs, uses Spotton, but in carefully controlled amounts. That vet recommended .7 (seven/tenths) cc per ten pounds of body weight. Recommended use is 2.8 cc's on a forty-pound dog. The vet cautioned against using any larger Spotton amount than 3 cc's on any dog, even those in the 60-pound range. If you decide to use a Fenthion product such as Spotton, this vet recommended usage once every two weeks. The vet also cautioned that Spotton would give your dog trouble in the hot summertime. During warm weather application should be made first thing in the morning, not in the middle of the day or even late evening. In some regions those late evening temperatures continue to be quite warm.

AGDT 1.1 - Why Me? by Indian Sonny - Nov 1987

Changing Values
In these days of changing values almost everything that was once considered sacred has lost its value. No longer are traditional values such as respect for parents, acceptance of responsibility for elderly family members, commitment to country, and admiration for courage, held in the same esteem.

Children have been allowed to assume the authoritative role over parents and grow up without benefit of "traditional family values". Incredibly, courts have recently given children the "right to sue" parents.

Is it any wonder parents are placed in rest homes at the first sign of dependence "to be with others of similar age and interests"?

The sense of family love and acceptance of responsibility toward one another are characteristics which once separated humans from animals.

If children had been taught and forced to respect traditional values instead of being allowed to find themselves in some drug culture or pagan religion, perhaps abortion clinics wouldn't be operating on an ever increasing scale.

Now that man has more time on his hands than in any period in history, having freed himself of the responsibility of traditional values, how is he putting it to use? In many odd ways I assure you. However, I'll confine my observations to animals.

Unnatural Affection
Everyone needs a feeling of self-worth and peer recognition, well-founded or otherwise. Unfortunately, many misdirected people have band together and channeled their energies into the most inane causes - substituting traditional human values with an "unnatural" affection towards animals,

A society that approves of those who bequeath their estates to animals, while millions of people suffer from hunger and starvation, would do well to "re-examine its values".

Truly, such acts demonstrate a disdain for humanity. Gone are the traditional attitudes towards animals.

I enjoy, respect and appreciate my dog. He's my pal and is entitled to good care. However, he is not equal to nor does he have the same rights as my family.

There are among us groups who profess to deplore violence and believe animals have the same "inalienable rights" as humans.

Pro-Animal Groups
These "caring" groups overtake research laboratories, destroy hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment, threaten dedicated research scientists, and retard research that could save or improve human life.

These groups are determined to illegally superimpose their distorted views upon society and science.

Sheltering under the guise of crusaders, these "militant minorities" are being allowed to disproportionately influence our society and its legislators. Instead of receiving media condemnation, these groups are being regarded as "caring" people.

These are not caring people, as they would have us believe, but rather violent, misdirected people with a distorted sense of values and priorities.

Humane Society
There is yet another group which professes "love and concern" for animals. This group takes great delight in referring to itself as a "non-profit human society".

This is a privately owned business that provides its leaders with a very handsome lifestyle and much personal prestige on the wings of unearned money solicited from a misinformed public.

Within this group are many sub-groups, all saving or protecting some animal from being treated like an animal. Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of these people live in cities and have little or no day-to-day contact with animals other than house pets.

Among their expressed goals are:

Abolish rodeos! (Unless the animals can ride the cowboys.)

Abolish horse racing! (The poor horses are whipped to make them run faster.)

Abolish greyhound racing! (Greyhounds are trained and conditioned to run by chasing rabbits. The Society considers this cruel. In addition, the hounds should not be required to chase a mechanical rabbit around a track, despite the fact that "they live to run and run to live".)

The same society is against everything which requires an animal to earn its keep (unless they can do it by lying on a sofa).

As illogical and misdirected as the leaders of this society are, don't be surprised to see yet another segment rise up with yet another cause - "Save the Unborn - Boycott Eggs!"

However, of all innocent victims of these powerful groups, the most maligned and "endangered breed" is the American Pit Bull Terrier.

The alleged purpose of this society is to protect and save animals: everything from whales to goldfish; elephants to mosquitoes; everything except the Pit Bull.

The attitude of this politically influential society toward the Pit Bull defies logic, bellies their alleged purpose, and can only be described as "organized genocide of an innocent breed". Which brings us to the question, WHY ME?

Pit Bull Character
The Pit Bull was bred and developed as a companion and gladiator.

Unfortunately, the word gladiator, which simply means one who will fight to defend, has a sinister connotation attached to it by bleeding hearts who mentally live in the "Land of Oz".

All surviving animals have fought to defend themselves! However, this admirable quality has been developed in well-bred Pit Bulls to a greater degree than in any other man-loving animal.

As recently as twelve years ago, the Pit Bull was a relatively unknown breed. However, about this time, so called "non-profit humane leaders" were desirous of raising even more money to fill their greedy pockets. What better means to accomplish this self-serving goal than to misinform a concerned public.

Just as "scoundrels" in other money raising schemes have duped a trusting public, these humane leaders swindled many well-meaning people on the pretext of preventing horrible cruelties to animals.

Media Myths
They created horror stories depicting the Pit Bull as an instrument of death, guilty of horrible atrocities against other animals. Every dog or cat that strayed from home suddenly became the victim of a Pit Bull and his depraved owner.

Even pigeons were brought into these fabrications. Pigeon heads were reportedly pulled off and the spurting blood poured over the heads of Pit Bulls, presumably to make them blood-crazed and more vicious.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not could not have sold these ridiculous fables, but humane leaders did a remarkable job of selling these sinister tales to grief stricken pet owners. (If President Reagan could raise money as quickly and abundantly as these exploiters, the National Debt would be a thing of the past.)

The Pit Bull was suddenly in the lime-light. People who had never heard of a Pit Bull were intrigued by these gruesome stories.

Sane people were repelled.

Ill-bred Dogs
Sickos and opportunists were driven and stimulated. Pit Bulls suddenly fell victim to cruel methods of being raised under horrid conditions to enhance the blood-crazed characteristics fabricated by humane leaders. Opportunists began breeding cull-stock to meet the demands of a warped and growing market. Little or no care was taken to select animals with the great traditional qualities of the Pit Bull.

Rather than gameness and character as the primary goal, it became "Big - Bigger - Biggest, Mean - Meaner - Meanest".

As a direct result of the intentional conspiracy against the Pit Bull by Humane leaders, a few ill-bred Pit Bull bit people.

These bite victims should hold liable and lay direct blame for their tragic experience on humane leaders who created this perverted and unprecedented demand for Pit Bulls.

Through contrived, sensationalized media coverage, humane leaders implanted horror stories in the minds of many irresponsible people, who in some cases allowed such attacks to occur.

Out of Character
It is completely out of character for a well-bred Pit Bull to bite without provocation.

This can be readily documented by researching the past 200 years of recorded Pit Bull history. By doing so, it is impossible for unprincipled adversaries to produce any evidence to support their claims against the Pit Bull.

Conversely, some of the Attack Breeds such as Doberman Pinscher, were developed for the purpose of attack people. Each year, thousands of the attack breeds (Dobermans, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, etc.) are trained to attack by professionals and do so on a regular basis without any outcry from human leaders.

In fact, once an attach breed dog has proven its ability and willingness to attack, its value is greatly increased. It is esteemed as a proven protector, and if need be, a killer!

Double Standard
Apparently, an attack by an attack breed earns them acclaim, while detractors employ a double-standard and label the same action by a Pit Bull a "vicious attack".

This is not meant as an indictment of the attack breeds. Organizations, such as military and police agencies, train and rely on attack dogs. In some cases they kill people.

These organizations usually select one of the powerful attack breeds which show a natural inclination to attack.

Although Pit Bulls are stronger pound-for-pound than any other breed, I do not know of any military or police agency that uses Pit Bulls on a regular basis.

The reason: Pit Bulls have a history of being very friendly toward people, a characteristic not considered compatible with attack work.

Admittedly, not all Pit Bulls exhibit the traditional friendly temperament, just as some of the attack breeds will not attack. However, these are the exception and not the rule, and they are considered culls by responsible breeder.

It is commonly known in Pit Bull lore that any dog exhibiting an aggressive attitude toward people was put to sleep - culled. The developing breeders of Pit Bulls traditionally regarded man-biters as curs, meaning they did not possess the most important characteristic for which they were being bred, gameness.

People biting was and is considered a cowardly and unstable characteristic, not to be tolerated.

Further, due to the spirited personality of the Pit Bull, it was not allowed to run loose or kennel with other dogs.

This necessitated a closer relationship between the Pit Bull and its owner. Through selective breeding, a bond has been developed to a depth rarely formed between Man and Animal.

Sadly, because of the exaggerated media coverage, a market exists for culls, which enables opportunists to cash in at the expense of the Pit Bull's reputation.

To illustrate the influence "humane" inspired breeders have had on the breed, let us examine the size and character of today's ill-bred Pit Bulls.

It is a generally accepted theory that the Pit-Bull was produced by cross-matching ten to fifteen Rat Terriers with twenty-five to forty-five pound English Bulldogs, generally resulting in a dog weighing twenty to forty-five pounds. This size held for one hundred, fifty years.

Now check the size of today's ill-bred Pit Bulls, accused of attacking people.

Incredibly, within the short span of twelve years, Pit Bulls are being marketed on the premise that Big is Better. Not infrequently we find dogs weighing upwards of one-hundred-fifty pounds.

What a tragic mutation of a great breed brought about by self-serving prevaricators masquerading as crusaders for animal rights.

There is an old saying, "Liars and cheats go together". Not once in the interest of good journalism has the news media required humane leaders to furnish proof of their inflammatory accusations against Pit Bulls and their owners.

Humane leaders have been allowed to hide behind a mask of deception, soaking up free slanted media coverage, while deliberately exploiting a concerned and misinformed public.

The dilemma of the Pit Bull was brought about, in part, because it is the exact opposite of a liar and cheat. A truly game Pit Bull can be likened to a truly honest man. From his inception he has faithfully and unconditionally demonstrated his willingness to lay down his life in defense of his master.

This kind of honesty and courage perplexes pansies, liars, and self-serving cheats, and defies nature, itself, as the foremost instinct of all animals is survival.

The Pit Bull's fighting ability and gameness have in recent times been used to depict him as a crazed, blood-thirsty killer. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Instead, these attributes exemplify the qualities that made the founding pioneers of this once great country stand out from all other nations, when a handful of game, fighting patriots faced the seemingly invincible British army and prevailed.

How fitting that the Pit Bull's name includes the title American. If the Pit Bull were human with these attributes, he would be heralded as a World Champion. As a true champion is self-assured and not given to unprovoked attacks, so too is the Pit Bull.

Why Me?
The self-serving interests of humane leaders has been responsible for policies and legislation which in many instances prevents any Pit Bull from being adopted should it have the misfortune to be taken to an animal shelter - for any reason. The Pit Bull is condemned to death without having done anything wrong.

WHY ME? Because humane leaders have found an emotionally effective vehicle by which to justify their continual monetary exploitation of a misinformed public. Just as jackals are known to attack and devour defenseless prey, so also have humane leaders moved against the Pit Bull.

In addition, they are actively attempting to legislate the Pit Bull out of existence by exerting pressure on judges and legislators while intentionally supplying them false and undocumented information.

Financial Interests
Humane leaders have rejected the Pit Bull, not for lack of loyalty or devotion to man, but rather to further their own financial interests.

The symbol and integrity of the Pit Bull's character has brought him into sharp contrast with influential foes steeped in unholy compromise and questionable values.

Other beware! If they are successful in this unwholesome attempt, who or what will fall victim to their next money raising scheme?

Organizations which kill millions of animals each year, while claiming to be Humane groups, are as absurd as tyrannical dictators justifying genocide by claiming to be compassionate and concerned with overpopulation.

They would be laughable if the outcome of their actions were not so disastrous.

Stop the Money!
Please, lest the blood of innocent animals haunt you, don't contribute to this lunacy with donations which serve to fuel the opportunists' greed.

Together let's put an end to these shrewd money raisers, raping concerned citizens with lies and distortions, which corrupt our logic and bastardize our most basic value system.

Take the profit out of killing Pit Bulls and watch the emphasis conveniently change to another money producing cause!

AGDT 1.1 - Bobby Smith...On the Line - Nov 1987

Wham Bam, let's go. This magazine is going to be for everyone that enjoys and uses the American Pit Bull Terrier. This dog is good at so many things that you lose count. And for those of us who admire this dog, we want only the best. That's why we are at work with the TIMES.

In the past 35 years I have been all over the southern part of the United States with these dogs and have met so many friends that I have gained through being around these dogs.

Now with the magazine, I am planning on meeting that many more as we travel to different sections to the country, and who knows, maybe the world.

I got a letter recently from my old friend, Ron Goos, of Holland. Ron subscribed to the TIMES and told me he was publishing a magazine in Holland. We agreed to swap stories, photographs, etc., so we will be getting international dog information within the next few issues. Mr. Lee from Taiwan has also agreed to send information to us.

Now, about all the personal bickering and squabbling that you see in some other publications, I feel that most of it is personal and not of real interest or benefit to those beyond the folks that are fussing in print. My recommendations to our editor is that those who want space to argue on personal matters ought to pay ad rates to do it. I believe when folks have to pay to argue they will be more brief and perhaps will decide the bickering is not worth the effort. What do you think?

Field Editor
Anyway, my job with the magazine is to work as Field Editor. I'll be working with dog people across the country to confirm breeding and results to make sure that we feature the best dogs. When we say a dog is a Champion or Grand Champion, or an outstanding dog, we want you to be confident that the dog is truly what we represent it to be.

Our concern is preserving this breed. And that means giving recognition from every area to dogs that are truly top quality.

We'll be covering all type of events and look forward to seeing you.

Now, speaking of dogs, we have had some excellent Grand Champion dogs reported to us in addition to our outstanding cover dog, Jap.

Davis' Shady Lady recently claimed her Grand Championship with a consistent win record at 36 pounds. Her Grand Championship was achieved with victories over Jones in 37 minutes, Lane in 46, Diamond Jim in 55, Pedro in 4, and Smith in 32.

Another quality Grand Champion dog is the Dutch Boy of Octavio's.

In a big showdown between the A-Team and Windy City, the A-Team walked away with five wins including two Grand Championships.

The A-Team's Tornado, one of the best 42 pound bitches in the world, took her fifth win in just over 50.

The Robert T, at 43, took his Grand Championship in a final from the famed Ninja. Ninja stood in line at one-hour, twenty-five and didn't go.

Other A-Team winners included Bandit in 28, Birdie and Vernon's Son.

The Yankee Boys picked up a win in two hours, eighteen minutes with their Rum dog, a Texas bred dog. The Windy City won with Jake over Whitehead.

The Yankee Boys' Mammy Dog showed up for her sixth match, but opposition defaulted. Mammy retires a Grand Champion.

Other recent action:

R. Sample and J.B. Woody with 43 pound males. Fifty-four minutes and nine scratches with Sample taking the win.

B. Thompson and L. Wangler with 49 pound males. Wangler with a buckskin and white takes a victory after eight scratches when Thompson's Climax is counted out.

J. Willie and D. Flowers with 43 pound males. Willie with Oriley is counted out after four scratches making Flowers and Sparky the winners.

Donald and R. Sample with 40 pound females. After 15 scratches Donald's Roxanne takes the count with Sample's Billie Jean taking the win.

Coy and Allen with 42 pound males. A match of one-time winners between Coy's Spike and Allen's Get Back Jack. One scratch each and Spike said it's beer joint time. Get Back Jack win in 27.

Cowboy and R. Moxley with 31 pound males. Cowboy with Timex, a red out of Lane's ole Joe Joe and Cowboy's bitch, and Moxley with a Red and White Crank. At 26 a turn on Timex. At 28 he won't go. The Crank dog takes the win.

L. Meador and Shank Bone with 45 pound males. Meador's Tiny takes the win, his second, in 32.

L. Meador and Lawrence at 46 pounds. Meador's Melon, littermate to Tiny, takes win in 20.

Special thanks to Carl Mims, the Bluesbreaker and Indian Sonny for their support.

Next time On the Line...Bobby Smith.

Editor's Note...
Bobby Smith's involvement with Pit Bulls goes back to the early 1950s. His introduction came through people like Maurice Carver.

Bobby has personally been involved with the people, dogs, and events, that many of us have only heard about. He's for real, and he's our man on the line.

AGDT 1.1 - Joe Bill Woody - Nov 1987

The South Central Dog Association was formed originally under the direction of Joe Bill Woody. Woody, who some term the "Godfather" of weight pulls for Pit Bulls, built the organizations first rail system.

Woody, who gave up direction of the organization, was followed by Perry Reneau, Ed Hinkle, Phil Sylvester, Tiny Crusen and Gary Athans.

Woody, whom we had the pleasure of meeting in Norman, Oklahoma, told the Times that he was planning to enter the Nationals, November 28th. He said he felt he had some competitive dogs and could enter the event and not be embarrassed.

For many it will be good to see Joe Bill Woody back.

AGDT 1.1 - South Central Champions - Nov 1987

The South Central Dog Association Nationals follow a full year of events, including some key state championships.

Recent events included the Louisiana State Championships held September 13th at Duson, Louisiana.

Conformation Judge, Red Dawson, declared Durbin's Maxie "Best Puppy", Boudreaux's T-Bud "Best of Show", and Hayes' Dusty Dawn "Best of Opposite Sex".

In the Louisiana State Championship Weight Pull, Sugar Babe, pulling at 49 lbs., took "Most Weight Pulled" honors with 4,250 lbs. "Most Weight Per Pound" was claimed by Zachry's Lady In Red. This 39 lb. female pulled 3,450 lbs. in 23 seconds for a ratio of 88.46.

Among the males, Rusty's Radar, pulling at 54 lbs., claimed "Most Weight Pulled" with 4,650 lbs. and "Most Weight Per Pound" with a ratio of 86.11.

At the Oklahoma State Championships, September 26th, in Norman, Oklahoma, Conformation Judge, Cheryl Powell, named Briscoe's Gisha Girl "Best Puppy", Briscoe's Twister "Best of Show", and Briscoe's Gisha Girl "Best of Opposite Sex".

In the Championship Female Weight Pull Eddington's Awesome Kantu, pulling at 68 lbs., took "Most Weight Pulled" honors with a 26.179 pull of 5,300 lbs. In an awesome display of her own the Dream Team's Daisy took "Most Weight Per Pound" with a pull of 3,250 lbs. in 34.597 seconds. Pulling at 34 lbs., Daisy pulled a ratio of 95.59 lbs.

In male competition, Bette's Big Head, pulling at 95 lbs., claimed "Most Weight Pulled" with a pull of 5,300 in 19.086 seconds. "Most Weight Per Pound" went to Rusty's Radar who pulled 4,450 lbs. at 55 lbs. for a ratio of 80.91. Time: 23.811.

AGDT 1.1 - Nationals Set for Ft. Worth - Nov 1987

If you have been looking for an excuse to visit the world's largest honky-tonk-night-club, here it is! The South Central Dog Association Nationals are set for November 28th at the Ft. Worth, Texas Stock Yards right next to Billy Bob's.

Between 100 and 150 dogs are expected for the full-day conformation show and weight pull. Registration is scheduled for 8 till 10 a.m., with the show set to begin at 10:30 a.m.

In a special announcement Gary Athans of the South Central Association revealed that, while the conformation show will be restricted to South Central registered dogs, the weight pull will be open to any Pit Bull Terriers.

The object of the Nationals is to bring out the best, so if you have got a weight pulling American Pit Bull Terrier then you can compete in Ft. Worth November 28th.

AGDT 1.1 - Hughey: Get Rid of 'Pit' - Nov 1987

"Don't do something to endanger my dog!"

When Jeff Hughey speaks out about his UKC Major Hughey, he's serious!

The owner of two registered American Pit Bull Terriers and a Carver pup, Jeff is serious about protecting the animals he loves. His actions are generating attention.

In the satellite business for several years, Jeff traveled around the world and was away from home for extended periods. Once he had Major trained, however, he did not worry about his family's safety.

Now out of the satellite business, Jeff has turned his attention to the American Pit Bull Terriers. He has formed a new non-profit Arkansas corporation, the American Bulldog Kennel Club.

"The American Bulldog Kennel Club is a club that is going to educate the public about responsible ownership and responsible breeding," he explained.

The club, according to Jeff, plans to conduct a weight pull and conformation show in Little Rock in December.

After developing a solid state base, the club plans to conduct shows and pulls throughout the country.

The objective of these shows will be to win over public support for the dogs.

"'Pit' is a word that needs to be disposed of," Jeff told the Times during an October 13th interview. "In America in all fifty states it's at least a misdemeanor and in thirty-something states it's a felony."

Jeff has dropped the 'Pit' identification from his organization and is out to create not only a new image for American Pit Bull Terriers but also a new environment.

Jeff is supporting efforts to get a Class A felony dogfighting law passed in his home state of Arkansas.

That attitude has created opposition from some Pit Bull owners. Jeff told the Times he was abandoning the Arkansas American Pit Bull Terrier Club, which he helped incorporate, because some of its members waivered from the club's official opposition to dogfighting.

"Is everybody worried about the dogs, or is everybody worried about dogfighting?" he asked, when questioned concerning his felony stance on combat.

"I've heard guys say," he continued, "If I can't own the dogs for fighting, then I ain't gonna own the dog!"

Jeff's response: "Then get the hell rid of your dog!"

"We either grow with the times or lose them," he contended.

For Jeff Hughey there is no middle ground. He sees the survival of the American Pit Bull Terrier through aggressive positive public relations and strict compliance with the law.

Hughey believes the threat to ownership is serious. Maumelle and Sherwood, Arkansas have already passed ordinances outlawing Pit Bulls. According to Hughey, powerful political forces are planning to attempt the same type law statewide through the Arkansas legislature.

Acknowledging that such laws would probably be found unconstitutional, Jeff fears the results for dogs and owners during the months, possibly years, court appeals could take.

Jeff Hughey is out to cut the ground from under the opposition.

A recent Arkansas American Pit Bull Terrier Club fun show drew 45 registrations, television and newspaper coverage, including full-color photographs, favorable comments, and prominent page placement from both of Little Rock's daily papers.

Jeff has appeared on Little Rock's television stations and is using the publicity to attract new owners to the breed.

Hughey also reported that the club had attracted some business and corporate sponsorship because of the way it was handling itself.

Jeff's goal: "I am out to unite bulldog people!"

Editor's Note...
Some leaders in the Arkansas American Pit Bull Terrier Club report their breaking of relationship with Jeff Hughey came in regards to club control and expenditure of funds.

AGDT 1.1 - Mule Comments Kick Knox - Nov 1987

In the same report the newspaper noted the removal of Charlotte, NC resident Eddie Knox from the honorary board of the Human Society. Knox was reportedly kicked off the board after comparing a fair's high-diving mule act to professional wrestling.

Knox was quoted as stating, "You don't have to agree with it, but there's nothing inhumane about it."

 Apparently the Human Society did not agree.

AGDT 1.1 - Longmont Cancels Pig Wrestling - Nov 1987

USA TODAY reported October 22, 1987 that the Longmont, Colorado Chambers of Commerce, "bowing to indignant protests of animal lovers", canceled the annual pig wrestling contest sponsored in that city.

AGDT 1.1 - Court Decides Against MidWest City Pit Bull Ban - Nov 1987

When the City Council of Midwest City, OK. (200,000 plus population suburb municipality near Oklahoma City) passed an ordinance banning American Pit Bull Terriers, investigator and Pit Bull owner Jerry Stuckey went into action.

Thanks to Stuckey's organization efforts through Midwest City for Bull Dogs, the ordinance, passed by the council August 5th, was brought to court.

The decision, handed down September 24th by Oklahoma City District Court Judge James Blevins, overturned the ban and nullified the Midwest City ordinance.

The seriousness of the Pit Bull paranoia was evidenced in the terms of the ordinance.

It called for all Pit Bull Terriers in Midwest City to be totally restrained, caged, and muzzled when taken out of their cages.

The ordinance forbid any new Pit Bull Terriers from being brought into the city and called for any Pit Bull puppies born in the city to be eliminated or take out of the city within eight weeks after birth.

Each owner was required to carry $50,000 in liability insurance on any Pit Bull in the city.

As Stuckey noted, with insurance companies unwilling to write that kind of  coverage, that element alone would have prevented anyone in Midwest City from owning an American Pit Bull Terrier.

According to Stuckey, Judge Blevins ruled the ordinance in violation of the Constitution's 5th and 14th Amendments and said the council has been caught up in the frenzy of publicity relating to Pit Bull Terriers.

Midwest City has appealed the District Court decision.

AGDT 1.1 - Dallas Editorial No Place for Pit Bulls! - Nov 1987

What is at stake for American Pit Bull Terriers and their owners was clearly presented in a July 15, 1987 editorial in the Dallas Times Herald.

Published under the title, "Pit Bulls: Guns Primed to Fire", the editorial declared the breed totally out of place in today's society. The editorial called for the breed's elimination.

"The owners and trainers of pit bull terriers would have the world believe their canines are just like any other, only a little stronger and more maligned than most," the editorial opened. "They (owners and trainers) argue in defense of these brutes that dogs, per se, don't kill people; poorly trained and unsupervised dogs kill people. The argument is fallacious."

"Pit bull terriers," the editorial continued, "represent a throwback to another era -- an unregulated, uncivilized, wide-open period of American expansion when there was enough room for settlers and their killer animals. But times have changed, and there is no place in civilization for animals whose sole purpose is to kill."

What is the solution to the pit bull terrier situation? The Dallas Times Herald editorial staff has this answer: "Those (pit bull terriers) already in private hands should be severely restricted and not allowed to breed. All others should be banned from American cities."

Following description of a reported pit bull attack in Richardson, Texas, the editorial concluded: "Having a pit bull is more like having a live gun that will shoot to kill or wound at its own discretion, a gun without a holster or safety catch."

"Banning dogs that are trained to be the equivalent of landed sharks on a perpetual blood frenzy is only unfair to those who think they have a right to terrorize their neighbors. Richardson, Farmers Branch and Addison should ban the dogs from their city limits, and Dallas should follow suit."

Rather than banning Pit Bulls, as called for in the editorial, the City Council at Farmers Branch passed a dangerous animal ordinance.

The Farmers Branch Times stated (September 16th), "The ordinance does not address specific breeds, such as pit bulls, but allows animal control officers to seize and hold dangerous animals until a hearing in Municipal Court.

City officials emphasized that animals declared dangerous by officers would not be seized from yards unless officers considered the animals an "imminent danger". They also stated that no dogs would be seized without warrants having been issued.

If an animal were declared "dangerous" following a city court hearing the city could require the following: the owner pay a $25 per-year license fee; the owner carry $100,000 liability insurance with the city named as co-insured; the animal confined in a special "child-proof" enclosure.

The Metrocrest News editorialized September 17th, that, "The ordinance is a heavily modified version of the proposed pit bull ordinance that was sent running with tail between legs July 20 by vocal opposition at a public hearing."

AGDT 1.1 - On the Cover - Nov 1987

What is special about JAP, our cover dog, goes beyond his Grand Championship status and into the special relationship between Jap and his owner, Bud Laird.

When Bud talks about Jap, it's in the same tone that one hears from a father or grandfather talking about their families.

Bud Laird, who suffers from several serious health problems, told one dog man that his prayers to the good Lord were that he would live long enough to see Jap make Grand Champion.

Not only did they make it, we are pleased to note that they made it to the Times as well.

Jap, a thirty-two to thirty-six pound competitor, is now retired following wins over Carr in 22 minutes at 32 pounds, The A-team in 32 minutes at 34 pounds, The Burkett Boys in 28 minutes at 35 pounds, Kelly in 32 minutes at 35 pounds, and Allen & Beene at 36 pounds.

To a top dog and top dog man our salute.

AGDT 1.1 - Do Pit Bulls Have a Place Today? - Nov 1987

What is the place of the American Pit Bull Terrier in today's world?

Editorials, newspaper stories, magazine articles and television newscasts have been filled with comments about American Pit Bull Terriers. Even publications as diverse as Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated have featured stories on this breed.

City, county and state governments have taken up specifically the issue of Pit Bull Terriers.

ANONYMITY IS OVER! Pit Bull owners are the subject of discussion and in some cases government action.

In this environment phrases such as "rights of ownership" and "responsible ownership" have become common.

What are those "rights" and "responsibilities"?

Opinions vary, not only in society in general, but within the community of dog-owners themselves.

In this first issue of the Times we feature several viewpoints. A recent Dallas editorial declared Pit Bulls to have no place in today's world. Dog owner Jeff Hughey of Little Rock, Arkansas, who has incorporated the American Bulldog Kennel Club, sees breed survival in a name change, legal activities and positive public relations. Indian Sonny views the Pit Bull Terrier as a victim of a society that has lost contact with the values that built it.

In other articles the Times features results from the Oklahoma Championships and other events sponsored by the South Central Dog Association. We also preview the Nationals coming up later this month (November).

The use of Spotton for parasite control is discussed in our question/answer section, and our dog profiles include some Grand Champions.

Field Editor Bobby Smith shares his thoughts with us in this, our first issue, of the American Pit Bull Terrier Times.

Preserve The Breed!

AGDT 1.1 - This is the Times - Nov 1987

The American Pit Bull Terrier Times is a publication for owners and supporters of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Our goal is to cover the world of this distinctive dog.

Our work carries us into the history, the present status and future of this breed.

What is important for this publication is presenting information relevant to you, the reader.

Our coverage will often include people and viewpoints with which you will not agree with. Those seeking a publication that only features their particular association or viewpoint will be disappointed.

But this breed is not confined to any single association or registry or type of owner.

Felony laws, intent laws, breed bans, extensive publicity and ownership that has moved beyond a closed fraternity reflect a totally new environment for the animal we admire.

As owners and supporters, we are the ones who must respond.

That is why the Times exists. Our job is to present information and provide a format for the exchange of views, so that we have communication among owners and responsible decisions among the Pit Bull community.