Sorry, I messed up my response before. Here it goes again:
Of course I would write about it. And yes they should know. It's a less than ideal industry. And I think a lot of journalists who start out with great intentions lose their edge or toughen up. Journalists, especially in bigger communities, deal with a lot of bad things. Some of my professors at school told stories that I hope I never have to deal with. The career can be very hard on marriages (all of my teachers were married and divorced at least once) and on the mind/soul. I think with some people, a life like that makes them lose something.
I think I can tell you one reason that it doesn't make the news. Journalists don't know about it. We get out information from other people. There are so many people upset now about pitts biting... that immediately there will be a press release from groups or the police. Not only organizations are informants. I get calls from people all over the community giving me "tips." Now, when a pit bites people say, "this is ridiculous... something needs to be done... we need to make people more aware about this...I'm going to call the paper."
When a lab bites people say " ... " or "I wonder why he would do that." "My lab was the gentlist dog, something must have happened." And they don't tell anyone or do anything or think much about it.
I don't have anyway of finding these things out. A lot of it is chance. If people don't tell me about it how will I know? I talk to a lot of people and get a lot of information that way. It's amazing how easy it is to find stories but if we don't get on a topic that makes people think of that they won't bring it up.
That's just my persepective. Other reporters might not feel that it has that "if it bleeds, it leads" quality.
And dogs with stronger jaws do more damage, which upsets people more, and therefore gets more coverage.
Hope that answers your question.
If you want to do something to change it then write letters to the editors. Be clear, don't rant, use facts and references and you will be heard.
Of course I would write about it. And yes they should know. It's a less than ideal industry. And I think a lot of journalists who start out with great intentions lose their edge or toughen up. Journalists, especially in bigger communities, deal with a lot of bad things. Some of my professors at school told stories that I hope I never have to deal with. The career can be very hard on marriages (all of my teachers were married and divorced at least once) and on the mind/soul. I think with some people, a life like that makes them lose something.
I think I can tell you one reason that it doesn't make the news. Journalists don't know about it. We get out information from other people. There are so many people upset now about pitts biting... that immediately there will be a press release from groups or the police. Not only organizations are informants. I get calls from people all over the community giving me "tips." Now, when a pit bites people say, "this is ridiculous... something needs to be done... we need to make people more aware about this...I'm going to call the paper."
When a lab bites people say " ... " or "I wonder why he would do that." "My lab was the gentlist dog, something must have happened." And they don't tell anyone or do anything or think much about it.
I don't have anyway of finding these things out. A lot of it is chance. If people don't tell me about it how will I know? I talk to a lot of people and get a lot of information that way. It's amazing how easy it is to find stories but if we don't get on a topic that makes people think of that they won't bring it up.
That's just my persepective. Other reporters might not feel that it has that "if it bleeds, it leads" quality.
And dogs with stronger jaws do more damage, which upsets people more, and therefore gets more coverage.
Hope that answers your question.
If you want to do something to change it then write letters to the editors. Be clear, don't rant, use facts and references and you will be heard.
