The Humane Society of the United States on February 23 issued an interim policy recommending all dogs be evaluated as individuals, and is calling a meeting of leading animal welfare organizations concerning dogs victimized by dog fighting.

Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer and president of the Humane Society of the United States, suggested the meeting of major stakeholders in Las Vegas to work through the associated issues. This meeting is in response to concerns expressed by Best Friends Animal Society in December 2008 regarding HSUS policies related to animals confiscated in dog-fighting busts.

Pacelle said the meeting, scheduled for April, will include the participation of national stakeholder organizations that deal with pit bulls. The meeting was in the planning stages before Superior Court Judge Ed Wilson Jr. ruled that 145 pit bulls, including approximately 70 puppies, confiscated from Wildside Kennels in Wilkes County, North Carolina, would be euthanized without evaluation to determine suitability for placement.

The new interim policy announced by the HSUS, pending the outcome of the meeting, recommends that local law enforcement and animal control evaluate such dogs as individuals rather than as a category before any decision is made regarding their future.

“We expect government, corporations, and individuals to constantly re-evaluate how they deal with animal issues,” Pacelle said. “Likewise, we regularly review our own policies and procedures here at HSUS, and we think it is important to talk with professional colleagues in the movement to examine issues related to the disposition of fighting dogs.

“I am pleased to discuss these issues with personnel from Best Friends and other organizations interested in the welfare of pit bulls.”

Julie Castle, director of Community Programs and Services for Best Friends said, “There had been more than enough airing of feelings and outrage that the dogs were not evaluated prior to being summarily euthanized. It was time to hit the reset button on this in order to move things forward in a constructive way. Mr. Pacelle was open and receptive to what we had to say and we are looking forward to our meetings in April.”

Best Friends, through its campaign, “Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dogs,” is looking forward working cooperatively with HSUS, according to Castle.

The campaign is aimed in part at educating the public and the media about pit bulls in order to help save the breed’s reputation. “Our goal is to bring positive change to lives and image of pit bulls,” she said.

Written by Best Friends staff
Photo of Meryl, a Vicktory dog, by Gary Kalpakoff

As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

July 5, 2009 : 6:51 PM ET
posted by: gahgan

Yesterday I overheard someone telling about her families pitbull.I stepped in to talk to that person as she said it will probably be euthanized and so I am concerned about the dogs fate. The dog is "quaranteed to their basement. I am now looking for a refuge for that female pitbull; Some history: they found it as a puppy wandering the streets of milwaukee, wisconsin. the vet says it possibly was leg-chained as it has some type of leg problem as I understood our conversation. The dog is now approximately 2 l/2 years old. It supposedly is aggressive toward other dogs and has inadvertently bitten the owner as she tried to break up the two dogs. PLEASE, IT NEEDS SOMEONE, POSSIBLY DOGTOWN; BEST FRIENDS TO STEP IN IMMEDIATELY. I KNOW THERE MAY BE MANY CASES OF THIS TYPE, HOWEVER, THIS IS ONE THAT IS REACHING OUT TO YOU RIGHT NOW; ONE THAT CAN HAVE A POSITIVE OUTCOME RATHER THAN DEATH. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP!

March 5, 2009 : 9:10 PM ET
posted by: pdwlgw

On Tuesday, July 31, 2007, Wayne Purcell commented in a telephone interview on Michael Vick's dogs. He said "they are some of the most aggressively trained pit bulls in the country."

Does it make sense that the HSUS now says that the Wilkes County dogs were far beyond the Vick dogs? How could they be "far beyond" some of the "most aggressively trained" dogs?

Even if that was possible, was it true of every one of the 147 dogs? Was it true of the 18 puppies that had not been born before the dogs were confiscated from the criminals?

It's insane.

March 5, 2009 : 12:15 PM ET
posted by: LoneStar

I, too, was horrified when I initially read the NC pitbull story. But I think everyone should take a moment to consider more of the facts behind the case. I received a very courteous reply from the Humane Society, which, assuming it is correct, somewhat changes the equation.

According to HSUS, they offered to pay for an outside evaluator to examine the dogs before passing judgement. The county rejected that offer. I believe that rejection in part that stems from the same animals-are-property mentality that allow puppy millers and dogfighters to flourish more commonly in rural areas. Please dont' take this as an insult to North Carolina; East Texas is just as bad.

Further, they claimed that these particular dogs were from incredibly aggressive lines, bred that way deliberately for years. They said they were far beyond the Vick dogs. I can't dispute that because I wasn't there. But I do know genetics are virtually impossible to overcome, as I have a dog with Springer Rage, and there is no cure. It can only be controlled. It has resulted in numerous bites, but this is a 40-pound aging dog. So we manage it.

However, should the same temperament be present in a dog that strong, it would be a disaster.

I agree that pit bulls are unfairly maligned because of a few bad "seeds". I have 2 pit rescues myself and they are gentle souls.

But let's not be too hasty to condemn the Humane Society. They have been instrumental in shutting down puppy mills and dogfighters. We should wait to hear the results of this summit with Best Friends and others, at which time, I trust we can expect to hear the truth from BF.

March 3, 2009 : 12:10 PM ET
posted by: Scottishdreamer

I see I'm not alone in not trusting H$U$ (or PETA or any one of the other "animal welfare" groups) where my beloved Bullies are concerned. Saying that "even one child's death from a pit bull is unacceptable" is completely unrealistic. You can't fix stupid. People who are stupid will put others at risk somehow, and there's no way to legislate the problem. Even one child's death is unacceptable. Makes no matter how it happens, but, in this world, that's the reality. Taking my beloved Molly off the earth won't change that. Stop blaming the dogs.

March 2, 2009 : 10:17 PM ET
posted by: voices4animals.em

hey everyone my name is Emily, There is so much going on with animal cruelty and torchure and I was hoping you guys could help me make a diffrence in animals lives! I made a petition for animal rights and welfare. Every signature counts! it would be so helpful if you could pass this along to your freinds etc. Thank you Here is my petition site: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/8/help-save-animals

Here is my website: www.voices4animals.synthasite.com

March 1, 2009 : 5:20 PM ET
posted by: Jandela

On a more positive note, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona is holding four "Pay Day for Pit Bulls" ... every Wednesday in March. Each Wednesday, 30 Pit Bulls will be spayed/neutered at no cost, and additionally will be PAID $20 for bringing their dog in. This was a program started a couple of years ago, and has been extremely popular. That's 120 dogs who won't be producing puppies. I applaud the HSSA, they're struggling with the same issues as all shelters ... too many animals and not enough month ... but somehow found the resources to make even this small step to make a difference.

February 28, 2009 : 6:37 PM ET
posted by: acramer

When and ONLY when HSUS rewrites its policy to read (and enforce) that all animals, and especially dogs, will be evaluated on an individual basis, rather than a breed or environmental basis will I resume my monthly contributions to it!!

February 28, 2009 : 6:00 PM ET
posted by: kkocher

I totally agree that pit bulls need to be re-evulated. The media certainly adds to the bad publicity they receive. I volunteer at a the Brookhaven Shelter on LI, and, unfortunately, these dogs, although not being euthanized, are not being adopted out because of liability. In order for a family to adopt a pit bill, they have to have children over the age of 16. The kennels are full of affectionate, loyal pit bulls who will never get the chance to have a loving family of their own. If the concern is liability, then any shelter dog has the capability of attacking. If you are adopting a dog, then a form, now matter what breed, should be signed that would absolve the shelter from any responsibility. Otherwise, you wind up sentencing these dogs to life in a cage, because very few have the ability of being adopted.