"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.
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