Community Chat

[Say Nay]

Whenever the issue of breed banning comes up Merritt Clifton, author of The Clifton Report published by Animal People, is frequently cited by supporters (often in VP) as the expert in dog attacks, specifically attacks by pit bulls.

Seems Clifton has been outted as a dangerous "quack" who fabricated his status as a scholarly expert.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-anthony-cooper/merritt-clifton-pit-bulls_b_5866176.html

[scotttie]

Mom that was a fantastic artricle. I hope everyone here looks at it. I read the entire thing.

As a lover of all dog breeds, including the various with the "pit bull" appellation, I was really interested to read this.

[tansy]

Jon Stewart had a woman on last night named Tina Torres (pit bulls and parolees). Excellent segment that gave me a different view on this breed.

[Lila Belle]

That's a great show, tansy. You need to watch if you don't already.

[tansy]

On 9/25/2014 Lila Belle said:

That's a great show, tansy. You need to watch if you don't already.

That was the first I'd heard of her or the show and I will look for it. I'll admit pit bulls I've encountered have scared me.

[chumlee_]

Pit bulls were originally 'nanny' dogs to care for and protect young children. It is some owners that ruined their reputation. Pits raised normally are sweet babies!

[scotttie]

On 9/25/2014 chumlee_ said: Pit bulls were originally 'nanny' dogs to care for and protect young children. It is some owners that ruined their reputation. Pits raised normally are sweet babies!

Yes they are!

All large and or powerful dogs need to be brought up properly.

[Say Nay]

Thanks scottie. I also hope everyone has a look at it. That doesn't mean everyone has to agree on the content but it certainly brings up an interesting point. Almost singlehandedly this man was able to spread hatred simply because he claimed to have expertise and he fed people's fears. Amazing he was able to transform himself into a highly educated expert without having to support it with documentation.

I'll have to watch Pit Bulls and Parolees. Thanks for mentioning it.

[PIT-HAG Melissa]

On 9/25/2014 scotttie said:

On 9/25/2014 chumlee_ said: Pit bulls were originally 'nanny' dogs to care for and protect young children. It is some owners that ruined their reputation. Pits raised normally are sweet babies!

Yes they are!

All large and or powerful dogs need to be brought up properly.

WOW! Thank you for showing me this, Scottie!! THIS drives me crazy...

I am going to copy and share...

[Sushismom]

The problem with things like this is there will still be people who believe it. Look how many still believe in the connection between childhood vaccines and autism. Or that flu shots cause Alzheimer's.