Court Certified Canine Expert Joins Fight Against Ontario Pit Bull Ban
 

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Media*Release
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For immediate release
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November 2, 2004.
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COURT CERTIFIED CANINE EXPERT JOINS FIGHT AGAINST ONTARIO PIT BULL BAN
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Kerwood, Ontario, Canada -*
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Dr. C. W. Meisterfeld, the first canine psychoanalyst to be certified as an expert witness by the US Judicial System, has joined Ontario's Advocates for the Underdog Anti Pit Bull Ban Coalition. Since 1963, Meisterfeld's training philosophy has saved the lives of thousands of problem dogs including aggressive biters, animal killers and dogs with "rage syndrome," a documented but little understood phenomenon.
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Meisterfeld says, "We're entering the Dark Ages as far as dog ownership is concerned," elaborating that North America is ignoring reasonable, common sense solutions to dog problems in favor of band-aid, quick-fixes that fail to address the real problem -- poorly reared, trained and socialized dogs of all breeds. "Through lack of socialization, dog abuse in the name of discipline and basic ignorance of canine behavior, people often turn wonderful puppies into aggressive maniacs," he says.
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The author of four books about canine-human relationships and dog training, Meisterfeld points to perhaps the most dramatic*book he's written, "Jelly Bean vs. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." As the book's subtitle states, that one was written for the safety of children and the welfare of dogs, two concerns that need not be in opposition to one another.*The book recounts in detail the story of Jelly Bean, a pet Springer Spaniel, destined to be euthanized due to uncontrolled and seemingly inexplicable aggression. Using his philosophy of mutual respect and "train without pain," Dr. Meisterfeld*transformed the animal into the*affectionate and intelligent pet he was born to be.
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Even more dramatic is*Dr. Meisterfeld's video documentary, "The Unique Nature of Man's*Best Friend: Rehabilitated Pit*Bulls." The video destroys the myth that pit bulls are highly dangerous animals and that they can't be trusted, especially with children. Using pit bulls trained as fighting dogs, rescued from a local humane society, Meisterfeld*documents the animals' "re-programming"*into non-aggressive pets, pets able to interact safely with children and even unfamiliar animals. According to Meisterfeld, this alone proves that pit bulls are not genetically born dangerous; if danger was a matter of genetics, these animals could not have been "cured."
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"Genetically, it's been challenged and proven in Superior Court in Alabama that it's untrue that any breed, including the pit bull, is born dangerous," Meisterfeld says.*That historic court ruling, handed down on*August 30, 2002, put an end to breed specific legislation when it was*challenged in that state. Meisterfeld urges legislators, animal workers of all types and dog owners to "get out of the box" as far as dogs in our society are concerned. He says that dog problems are caused by irresponsible ownership which includes "alpha dominant training," lack of proper socialization, improper management, inhumane treatment and even abusive "care."
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The solution, he says, is to change our ways of thinking and reacting, including developing an understanding of why dog bites from all breeds and crosses are on the rise. Blaming the breeds we think are the "worst" is not the answer. In the 20-year span ending with 2003, of the 23 fatal dog attacks in Canada only one was committed by a pit bull type dog. In fact, pit bulls and similar breeds typically rank low in bite statistics. Breeds usually perceived as more "people friendly," such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Shepherds and ****er Spaniels, usually rank much higher, near the top.
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Dr. Meisterfeld is an internationally renowned speaker and dog behaviorist, having consulted and worked with kennel clubs, elementary and high schools, colleges and universities, parent-teacher associations, veterinarian associations, humane societies and animal controls, as well as the U.S. Postal Service and various public utility companies, where employees face dealing with strange dogs on a daily basis. He has done extensive work in New Zealand and now lends his expertise to Ontario, hoping to circumvent this province's proposed pit bull ban.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
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Vivian Singer-Ferris
Executive Director, Kerwood Wolf Education Centre Inc.
Advocates For The Underdog Anti Pit Bull Ban Coalition Member
519-247-1118
[email]Vivian@kerwoodwolf.com[/email]
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Dr. C. W. Meisterfeld
Meisterfeld & Associates
Petaluma, California Office
707-763-0056