Any chance you could take out the part about the treadmills and springpoles? I have one and am waiting on the other to be shipped to me. Those paraphernalia laws are downright scary, because they target anything from breaking sticks to collars. I just hate the idea of innocent people being targetted because they exercise their dogs, and that kind of misinformation can be pervasive. Even though you did qualify it afterwards, I would still take it out. It also weakens the strength of what you wrote by saying "well this may indicate dog fighting, or it may not."
Not trying to be overly critical. Hope it doesn't sound like that.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Let's see:
--I own multiple APBTs
--My dogs wear 1 1/2 to 2 inch collars
--They are on chains when more than 2 dogs are out in the yard
--We have a springpole & flirtpole
--We have treadmills (1 slat mill & 1 electric human mill that the dogs also use)
--I've got 4 break sticks
--I've got dogs with scars......from hog hunting & from a few tiffs b/n dogs before they were separated
--I've got 3 dogs with cropped ears
--I've got pedigrees on all my registered dogs & 3 are even framed
--I own many many books about the breed from new books that deal with the general basics of doggy ownership to books like "100 Years of Fighting Breeds", etc.
--As a vet tech & dog owner & horse owner, I do have Penicillan, Dexamethasone, furazone, Hydrogen Peroxide, Nolvasan, syringes with & w/out needles, & even 2 staple guns.
The scary part is that due to people pushing that these items are "proof" that someone is fighting dogs, I could very well be targeted & I am in no way a dog fighter. In fact, I'm a responsible pet owner who uses adequate sized & quality strength collars on my dogs & keep them properly confined (be it in their kennels inside, loose inside, or outside on chains/tie-outs within a fenced yard) at all times. I enjoy various types of exercise with my dogs & utilize a spring pole, flirt, pole, treadmill, weight pull harness & carts, etc. to keep them stimulated, entertained, & happy. I have break sticks in the event of an emergency if 2 dogs get into a fight as this is the quicket & safest way to break them apart. Seeing as some of my dogs are hunting dogs, they have scars....plain & simple. I had 1 dog's ears cropped (which was botched) & acquired 2 dogs that already had their ears done. I have peds because I enjoy knowing their background/history just like anyone with any other breed does. I have so many books because I enjoy reading & love educating myself about the APBT breed. As a certified/registered vet tech, I am qualified to use these medicines & tools to tend to any of my animals when they are injured or ill. I do NOT neglect to bring them to the clinic with me to see a vet, but after a consultation/diagnosis from the vet, I bring my animals home & treat them here. If someone has a problem with that, so be it.
According to many sites with lists like this, I should be reported to the local animal control by my neighbors & then prosecuted as a "dog fighter." And this thoroughly pisses me off. It seems some people are just so **** trigger happy, that they don't mind offering up hundreds of innocent APBT or "pit bull" owners in the hopes they get 1 guilty one. Shame shame.