First Do No Harm
By dog worshiper Richard Belzer
For countless years dogs have been bred and nurtured to trust humans. They are by far the best friend of the human race -- they have protected us, worked for us, performed miraculous feats of courage: saving lives, rescuing people and pets, from flattened buildings (after Hurricane Katrina, and other disasters) when humans gave up because of the seeming impossibility of people surviving such daunting destruction...
And yet the dogs did not give up! If any animal is capable of unconditional love it is surely the canine: they are forgiving, caring, life-affirming creatures who humble us and teach us to be more human and compassionate. Also, let us never forget: specially-trained dogs help
physically and mentally handicapped individuals have a much better lifestyle. Plus, when dogs visit hospitals they bring a healing presence to all those they come in contact with in ways humans cannot!
Dog owners and dog lovers recognize and respect the bond that has evolved over the centuries.
To take these divine animals and make them fight each other and kill them in the most heinous and torturous fashion if they are not "tough enough" is unquestionably horrific, vile and degrading behavior. People were reflexively and rightfully sickened, incredulous, heartbroken and beyond shocked. How could anyone so viciously betray this ancient trust that dogs have shown us? What does this tell us about who we are and what we can do to protect our most dear companion?: Raise consciousness about the thousands (yes thousands) of organized dog fights that go in America). Law enforcement and legislators have to be made more aware of these grotesque goings on!
Also of key importance is how to treat our pet dogs that we are so devoted to. Most owners do their best in caring for their dogs. But unfortunately there are some wildly popular training techniques that are misguided and harmful.
An alarming and important press release (that was depressingly ignored by the press and others) issued by the American Humane Association. (Founded in 1877, it is the oldest national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals the association develops policies, legislation, training curricula and training programs to protect children and from abuse, neglect and exploitation.) The release expresses dismay over the "numerous inhumane training techniques" advocated by Cesar Millan on "Dog Whisperer."
Instances of cruel and dangerous treatment -- promoted by Millan as acceptable training methods -- were documented by the American Humane Association, including one in which a dog was partially asphyxiated in an episode. In this instance the dog was pinned to the ground by its neck after first being "hung" by a collar incrementally tightened by Millan. Millan's goal -- of subduing a fractious animal -- was accomplished by partially cutting off the blood supply to its brain.
The AHA has requested that National Geographic stop airing the program immediately and issue a statement explaining that the tactics featured on the program are inhumane, and it encourages National Geographic to begin developing programming that sets a positive example by featuring proper humane animal training. In its letter, AHA said: "we believe that achieving the goal of improving the way people interact with their pets would be far more successful and beneficial for the National Geographic channel if it ceased sending the contradictory message that violent treatment of animals is acceptable."
"As a forerunner in the movement towards dog training, we find the excessively rough handling of animals on the show and inhumane training methods to be potentially harmful for the animals and the people on the show," said Bill Torgerson, DVM, MBA, who is vice president of Animal Protection Services for American Humane. "It also does a disservice to all the program's viewers by espousing an inaccurate message about what constitutes effective training and appropriate treatment of animals."
Torgerson noted that the safety of a woman and her German Shepherd were jeopardized in one episode by the use of a shock collar, which forced the tormented dog to redirect its aggression at its owner, biting her arm.
"Furthermore, the television audience was never told that Mr. Millan was attempting to modify the dog's behavior by causing pain with the shock collar."
The fact that the "Dog Whisperer" has been nominated for an Emmy should give serious pause to all those in the business who are about to vote for the awards. Dog owners and dog lovers would be disturbingly misled if Mr. Millan and his program are honored in such a high-profile way.
There are other highly effective and humane methods for training our beloved companions. Please take note and let others know.
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Although I am no fan of shock collars, in the episode in question the owners were already using it with their dog to prevent it from eating the cat. Cesar did not introduce it, he was working with what they were using. And although I am no fan of under ground fences, all the people who use them do so because of the shock collar aspect of the training (the dog gets close to the wire and gets a shock through a collar).
The idea of them is a slight shock through the collar when the dog does something wrong, and I've been told when they are done correctly is no different of a correction than a snap of a lead.
I use a prong collar on my 180lb Newfoundland dog. Anyone who thinks that is inhumane has never been drug on their back (when the prong was on) for over thirty feet because you were standing on gravel when your dog saw a cat.
I love the Cesar Millan show. Ninety percent of what he teaches is training for humans and exercise for dogs. In his "red zone" cases, he has to go a bit farther, but only until the dog backs down and understands that Cesar is alpha. Cesar does not need to use shock collars, geeze I have only seen him force an "alpha roll" once (something that was widely taught only ten years ago)- usually he holds the dog until it presents its stomach - as is done when dogs interact with each other. The most frightening thing he does is hold onto dogs while they are having temper tantrums, or melt downs trying to bite him the entire time. Which is better, to let a dog learn that you back away when it bites thus teaching it to bite, or teaching them to be calm submissive?
Anyone who has problems with what they see Cesar do with alpha red zone dogs has not yet owned that alpha dog that pushes you to the limits when you thought you knew everything.
Long time dog owners understand.
Newfyrcat,
Yes,exactl
Excellent post, Mr. Belzer!!
Here in your old career haunts of Baltimore Mr. Belzer, we are told we ...ahem...
I do not like cruelty to animals, and I feel that most dogs who attack humans have been abused, other than those possibly defending their territory. Thus, it is usually the owner's fault if a dog harms a person, and he should be held responsible.
That being said, dogs are not all "friends" of humanity. Some few injure or kill people. Such dogs should be killed. In rural areas, dogs that attack others' animals are usually destroyed. And, millions are destroyed because there aren't enough homes for them.
Fighting dogs, such as Vick raised, are by nature and nurture vicious animals unfit for normal residency in human communities. I have no problem with him killing ones he didn't want. I do have a problem with dog fighting, with raising dogs to be vicious, and cruelty to animals including killing them with unnecessary suffering.
That is what I hold Vick guilty of--extreme cruelty to dogs, a crime not far removed from child abuse in my opinion.
Obviously charon has no problem with Vick drowning and hanging dogs. These dogs were trained to be vicious; it was not their nature. It's unfortunate that the pit bull has been the victim of those who seek their masculinity in the viciousness of these dogs they train to behave that way. What low-lifes. What weak men they really are.
My understanding is that pit bulls are not by dna any more aggressive than an average dog. Regardless it is disturbing that we would condone creating animals to suffer for our amusement. Really is arrogant to assume that right.
Charon, I'm just curious, do you likewise feel that most humans that attack have been abused? Just an observation.
I think that it is true to some extent, but I also believe there are genes that are prone to causing that effect also.
But lets not confuse dogfighting with fishing and having a few beers, and all the other crappola philosophy spewed out here lately.
My Golden Retriever and my 13 y/o daughter spent this morning at a hospital for severely ill seniors. This is not an experience full of joy. It is heartbreaking and frightening. But it is exactly the right place for my dog. He is the most sensitive, compassionate, loyal creature you could ever meet. He asks for nothing. With my daughter, I see that she GETS more than she GIVES when she takes him to the these facilities. For the DOG, he is not looking for anything. He just wants to be near any and all people, and he never gets his feelings hurt. It is amazing to be graced with a creature like this in our family. How anyone could defend the cruel and horrific acts of people who use dogs for brutal sports is beyond me.
I am so offended by the comments of Jamie Foxx, dismissing America's not understanding that this a part of black culture. That is disgusting!!!!!!!
Is dogfighting any more heinous than Rudy's wife operating on LIVE dogs and then killing them just to sell medical equipment? Vick's off to jail and she's a potential first lady?
Only in America, where hunting defenseless animals with the latest and greatest firepower and tech, and then mounting them and displaying them with pride, is considered a RIGHT, but two dogs fighting - now that's crazy.
I, personally, find both to be equally heinous.
I'm against hunting and I'm against breeding and training dogs to kill each other just for the hell of it.
There are more than enough hobbies in this world to keep people's minds occupied without having to shed the blood of animals.
Richard, I flagged you as "I'm a fan of Richard Belzer" and asked to be notified when you next post. I am very pleased with this post because those who defend Vick (or Millan) scare me for our country. Indeed, who are we and how do we want to appear to others in the world are very good questions.
I would like to add cats to those beloved creatures who depend on our kindness for their welfare. Any cat lover will tell you that when you lavish love on most cats, they will give you back that love threefold. Cats aren't dogs but they are just as dependent on us. There is terrible cruelty to cats out there and very little is done about it. Any domesticated animal deserves our protection.
lakat, you said it better than anyone could. I, too, love cats very much (as well as dogs), and feel they need the same protection and care good people give to their pets -- regardless of what types of pets those are.
Someone asked me if I posted here as "lakat," because they felt what you wrote were my comments. Alas, I'm not nearly as eloquent as you. Thank you for the feline emphasis, in something that is deeply felt by animal lovers all across the world.
Historically, cats have been terribly mistreated, and yet they have been highly beneficial to us humans. We have a symbiotic relationship with them. Just think of the lives which could have been saved during the various plagues if the cat population had not been massacred periodically. And yes, they are lovers just as much as dogs.
Good on you, Mr. Belzer, for speaking up. There are so many good, humane ways to train a pet that Millan's techniques, while they may be flashy, are neither necessary nor desired. Thank you for saying so.
Once again Mr. B. Will you marry me?... and once again you will ignore me.
Sigh.
Great post. I wish you would write more, I am always motivated, moved, and enlightened a little when I read your posts.
You have heart, something lacking so much today... at least in public.
thanks again for all you do.
Hi Richard,
What Vic did was unforgivable.
I received a black lab pup, who was six months old, from an individual I worked with.
At the time I didn't know that a Lab would be a hellraiser until about their second year.
When I got her home she was in heat and the male dogs in the neighborhood were trying to dig underneath my fence to get to her. Of course, Maggie helped them by digging from the inside of the fence. I'm not sure she knew what she was doing. Anyway, I had her spayed.
There's a rental house behind mine and a young couple moved in with two rotweillers.
One Saturday I hear Maggie yelp as if she was in severe pain. I ran out to find those two rotweillers tryng to drag Maggie underneath the fence.
The female rotweiller had Maggie's snout in her jaws and the male Rotweiller was trying to grab Maggie's leg.
At that moment I thought of getting my shotgun and killing both of the rots. I understood at that time if I went to get the shotgun by the time I got back Maggie would be dead.
Instead, I picked up a piece of pipe I had in the backyard and smacked the rot that had Maggie by the snout full force in the head. The rot let go of Maggie.
There had never been any problem with these rotweillers and Maggie. They had always played together since the rots moved in.
On the day that that incident happened something snapped in the rots minds. They saw Maggie as a foe and was determined to kill her.
1) Prosecute people that use dogs for fighting.
2) Prosecute people that have dogs deemed dangerous.
3) Ban dogs that are deemed dangerous.
Troubled Texan
agreed
distinctions need to be made.
one may own a housecat, but not a tiger, even though both are feline.
one may own a pekingese (as do I), but not a wolf or coyote, even though they are canine.
certain breeds of canines were bred for companionship, herding, hunting, or pulling sleds. others were bred for fighting and killing. those latter should not be legally acceptable "pets", as that it is NOT in their nature to be fully domesticated, any more than a wolf.
(please spare me the stories about the exceptionally friendly wolf-pet and Rotweiler. There are many, many more stories about vicious attacks on other dogs, animals, adults, and children)
more than half of the dogs euthanised in America each year (1.5 million) are Pit Bulls.
These dogs are not meant for homes, and they are severely mistreated and used and abused then tossed away like garbage.
... Ah, but rwe2late, if one is especially skilled one can have three cats and a great dane/german shepard mix live in peace and harmony (occasional commandeering of kibbles aside) - like I do..! ;) ...
TroubledTexan and rwe2late: If I get another dog, I wanted a Chow, but unfortunately, that is another "dangerous breed" on a list of five to be banned in a bill by some fool state senator here in Minnesota. I don't know what his plans were about mixed breeds. But of all the breeds (and mixed), I wonder if the people who support this fool realize how many perfectly innocent dogs will have to be put down? I'm for judging each dog on a case by case basis, and only summarily putting to sleep this one other breed: Human politicians who believe in an overbearing big government that firmly controls every aspect of our lives.
I totally agree. Aggressive breeds should be regulated. Humans have done a disservice to those animals by breeding them for an aggressive temperament.
I live in the city and go nuts when I see some idiot with a Rot or Pitbull not on a leash. I've yelled at their owners who don't seem to give a rats ass about anything except owning a 'macho' dog.
It's why I carry pepper spray when I walk my dogs. And I've had to use it on more than one occasion.
Use it on whom? The dog or owner? It can be argued that it is the owner who refuses to leash their dog is deserving of a pepper facial.
Agree with your thoughts on dogs bred, and I add trained, to be aggressive.
You're right about not seeing a dog on a leash, especially Rots or PitBulls. Come to think of it, if it's not a puppy and not on a leash, it's sort of firghtening. I told some woman last week to keep her dog on a leash and she just laughed. Maybe those who walk their dogs unleased need to be on a leash.
A pit bull "trainer" lived two houses away from me. Not a day went by that at least one of those dogs dug its way out and was running loose. So every time we left the house I had to go out and do a "pitbull check" to make sure it was safe to bring my kids out. Had many conversations with the dog warden, who would continually warn me to stay away from this "crazy" woman who owned these dogs. I have been trapped with my kids in my car by two of them, awoke to the sounds one of them tearing the guts out of a stray outside my window. Was told by the police that they understood that it was an "emotional" issue and that I should calm down. No, it is a safety issue i said while holding my one year old out to them. How could I possibly stop one of them from attacking me, my kids or my own dog? Well she was cited(big deal)but eventually moved away. There was no piece of land bought for these poor dogs to be tortured on, this is the reality of this practice: alot of them are turned loose to starve and attack when their "usefullness" is over.
I've posted this before.... "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers, 1897-1935 ..
Excellent.
If there is a heaven, the dogs are in the penthouse.
VIP - very important pups
"My goal in life is to be the person my dog thinks I am." Don't remember who said it, but it's a worthy goal.
Thanks for the quote. I always say that about my pets, the dogs of yesterday and the cats of today.
I would need to know how killing my dog would save anyone's life, in this case, a stranger's in Africa.
Maybe if I killed both of my dogs, Mars won't attack.
Maybe if I attack the questioner, my dogs get to live, the African kid goes about his day, and Mars leaves us alone.
huh?
I like it!
For a truly insightful taste into the biology of morality, I urge anyone who is interested to listen to a podcast of the WNYC show, Radiolab, about morality. Just do a search on iTunes for Radiolab and find the episode titled, "Moralty."
It's great. Really.
Family pets are "family."
And, yes, dogs are very special and worthy of the
title, "Man's Best Friend."
Thank you for this informative article. Woof!
I would like to see Michael Vick banned from the NFL forever AND get life in prison for his crimes. Some example to our kids he's setting.
The dog whisper is just a TV entertainer. I've seen the show and it's all "staged". You never see the dogs he couldn't handle.
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