This is a good topic for discussing and one I've always been compassionate about but not so outspoken over. One reason for this is it can be used as fuel by those who feel that sporting or working/hunting dogs is a form of cruelty, I mean after all one is illegal. And whether or not I personally agree with the law doesn't change the fact that enough folks believe it is cruel enough to take away a humans freedom and destroy their lives over it.

This discussion can be a slippery slope or gray area for me because I struggle with where do I or we draw the line? I'm a firm believer that I should mind my own business and not worry myself with my neighbors or friends affairs and I expect the same in return. So long as it is within certain parameters of the law (there's the slope), I couldn't sit back and knowingly ignore if my neighbor was abusing their child, but if they chose to partake in other activities I'd just mind my own so long as it doesn't hurt anyone or affect me.

I talked to a well known dog woman once who strongly felt that it is absolutely none of anyone's business what one chooses to do with their animal even it they tied that animal to a tree and let it starve to death. I was pretty astounded when she said that one reason being this lady took top care of her animals. I'm sorry but that belief system is a bit to extreme for me to support, I love these dogs and nothing justifies doing that for me.

Then there is the comparison to serial killers and other crimes against humanity that even amongst ourselves we are guilty of making. Sad thing is it can be true in some instances, there have been so many unsavory characters in these dogs and I don't believe for one second there is a direct correlation in all instances. Some folks are just shitty human beings who happen to like dogs. Also I don't necessarily think it has gotten any worse these days as there has always been those who just care for the gamble with no regard for the life of their charge.

I do think with so much social networking that opinions have and are becoming imprinted on folks and people are more likely nowadays to be a little more conscientious. Young dogmen have unlimited access to places like this to seek out the correct way to care for bulldogs. But I'm also not to naive to realize what was said here previously about how lazy and disconnected from the real world some can be.

I/we have always tried to surround ourselves with like minded individuals but there is always the acceptance one must weigh out when dealing with dog folks. We can't all agree and we can't all be right in our line of thinking or actions. I can't bring myself to sell dogs because of the struggle with this as I feel it puts me into that category I don't agree with. So I continue to starve while my dogs think I'm rich lol But its a choice I have been ok with but one I think is silly at the same time.

Hopefully more will chime in on this subject. I do want to pose a question....I think most here enjoy the history if these dogs and want nothing more than to preserve that. How do we justify a combat dog to someone who deems it cruelty?


S_B