Humane society to adopt out 'pit bulls'; reversal of long-standing policy could save some county-held dogs

Peggy Brown THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The humane society's John Dinon says the first ‘pit bull' adoptions from the local shelter could occur within weeks. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The Toledo Area Humane Society yesterday reversed its long-standing policy against adopting out "pit bulls" and plans to start offering a few well-behaved "ambassadors" of the controversial dog type.

Peggy Brown, chairman of the humane society's board of directors, said board members voted overwhelmingly at their afternoon meeting to allow some "pit bull" adoptions. Under previous policy, "pit bulls" were either euthanized or transferred to rescue groups if they demonstrated good temperament.

Now "pit bulls" who pass temperament tests and are spayed or neutered can be adopted directly by the public from the society's headquarters at 1920 Indian Wood Circle in Maumee. An adult "pit bull" will go for $200, which is double the standard fee for most mixed-breed dogs because of additional testing and ownership course requirements.

"We didn't think it was right that there was a breed-specific reason to outlaw these dogs," Ms. Brown said. "Just killing animals to prevent problems is not the answer."

The humane society's policy reversal came a day after a Lucas County commissioners vote that in effect reaffirmed the county's own policy against adopting out "pit bulls" from the dog warden's pound.

Pete Gerken, president of the Board of Commissioners, expressed concern during Tuesday's vote about the public safety implications of having more "pit bulls" out in public and noted that "pit bulls" attacked two local youths in just the last week.

In announcing the humane society's decision, Ms. Brown emphasized that the group's open-admission shelter would not adopt out any vicious dogs that would attack. The organization will only offer "pit bulls" that score top marks on an industry-standard temperament test and that get along with cats and small dogs.

Those wishing to adopt them must pass a background check and two home visits by humane society staff to ensure suitable housing. Potential owners also will need to attend owner information sessions about "pit bull"-type dogs, buy a dog license, and fulfill the state's $100,000 liability insurance requirement.

"It's important that only the best of the best be selected," Ms. Brown said.

"We want the dogs to be ambassadors in the community, to show people that this kind of dog can be a very good and successful family pet."

The humane society's decision also opened an opportunity for "pit bulls" in the county's care that typically have been killed.

Lucas County Administrator Peter Ujvagi said there has been a county policy change that now will allow some well-behaved adult "pit bulls" at the pound to be transferred to the humane society. Until yesterday, only "pit bull" puppies were eligible for transfer, and all unclaimed adult "pit bulls" were killed.

But direct "pit bull" adoptions from the county pound remain forbidden.

"They can have two dogs every day as long as Julie has tested the dogs and has determined they have the potential to be adopted," Mr. Ujvagi said of the humane society, which has opened kennel space for two "pit bulls" at a time.

Lucas County Dog Warden Julie Lyle has set aside three "pit bulls" for transfer in anticipation of the humane society's policy change. A brown-and-white "pit bull" named Amos will be among the first to leave for the humane society, officials said.

"Pit bull" is a generic descriptive term for a dog trained to fight and may refer to multiple breeds, including the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, and American pit bull terrier.

Years ago, these dogs were considered popular family pets. Ohio law still allows people to own and adopt "pit bulls" but since 1987 has declared the animals to be inherently vicious.

The humane society's self-imposed ban on adopting out "pit bulls" was largely a response to the Ohio law.

However, the society believes that good ownership is far more important than breed in how a dog turns out, according to Executive Director John Dinon.

"Just because a dog has short hair and a big, blocky head doesn't mean it's a vicious dog," said Mr. Dinon, who anticipates the first "pit bull" adoption in a few weeks.

Ms. Brown declined to give a tally of how the 13 board members voted yesterday, saying the vote to change policy was "pretty close" to unanimous.

County Commissioner Ben Konop, who supports adopting out "pit bulls," praised the humane society's board of directors.

"I commend the Toledo Area Humane Society for its logical, progressive, and compassionate decision today to begin a pilot program that will adopt out temperament-tested, family-friendly dogs classified as 'pit bulls,'•" Mr. Konop said in a statement.

Also praising the decision was Carol Humberger of Jerusalem Township, owner of A Promised Friend LLC dog training center. Her family this winter received a "pit bull" puppy that was rescued from the Lucas County pound as a one-time exception during the days before it allowed puppy transfers.

Mrs. Humberger said the milk- chocolate-brown dog, formerly named Liberty, is exceedingly gentle and well-behaved and gets along with the birds, cats, and horses on her animal sanctuary.

"She has opened the eyes of people who previously feared 'pit bulls,'•" she said. "I don't think they should be treated any differently than any type of breed … It's the person they are with and their basic personality."

Contact JC Reindl at:

jreindl@theblade.com

or 419-724-6065.