YOU PROBABLY SAW THE recent news report of a disturbance at a residence in the Skandia area for what authorities called an “animal on animal bite complaint.”
Apparently once police arrived on the scene the incident escalated into a “domestic/hostage situation.”
The call to police was initiated by a neighbor of the resident in question who claimed one or more of the neighbor’s dogs attacked his donkey. Once they were able to assess the situation, authorities discovered a virtual canine compound, with an “estimated 28 pit bull mix dogs in and around the residence.”
There is no report suggesting this was a training site for a sled dog team. Or some kind of dog petting zoo where families can bring their young ones to frolic with the puppies.
No. This was one guy harboring more than two dozen pit bulls for a reason we may never know.
Just the Facts
Which brings me to my rant about pit bulls. I’ll start by saying… I don’t like them, and I don’t trust them. And I would like to see less of the breed…here, there, and everywhere.
Let me point out… I AM IN NO WAY SUGGESTING ANY DOG CHARACTERIZED AS A PIT BULL, OR PIT BULL MIX, BE EUTHANIZED. I’m suggesting we don’t need pit bulls, and the fact that they are frequently trained to be aggressive and dangerous only brings harm to society. There are many good pit bull owners, unfortunately, people with bad intentions are drawn to pit bulls, often with tragic outcomes.
According to an analysis found at DogsBite.org, the idea that pit bull violence is primarily due to their training is a little misleading. “The pit bull’s genetic traits are not in dispute. While environment plays a role in a pit bull’s behavior, it is genetics that leaves pit bull victims with permanent and disfiguring injuries.”
Information found at dogsvets.com indicates pit bulls are responsible for 65% of all fatal dog attacks. In just the past year, according to Animals 24-7, there were 84 dog attack deaths in the U.S. and Canada… 64 by pit bulls.
The last reported fatality occurred on December 27th, when a 22 year-old Missouri woman was attacked and killed by her own two pit bulls.
Fear Factor
Those statistics validate my fear of pit bulls, to the point where, if my neighbor suddenly came home with a pit bull, I would just as suddenly put up a security fence and purchase a firearm.
Here’s the thing… most of us love dogs, right? After all, they are man’s best friend. In fact, it’s estimated around 56% of American homes have a dog. I see people walking dogs all over town, and the dog park at Tourist Park is always busy.
However, as much as you might want a dog, it doesn’t need to be a pit bull. Okay, I’m sure there are plenty of pit bull owners reading this who will swear their fur buddy is the friendliest, most gentle animal around. And a great protector of their family. I don’t doubt it. The problem is… not all pit bulls are as cuddly as yours, and not all owners are as responsible as you.
Hard to Tell
A pit bull is a great dog, until it isn’t. And who knows which pit bull is friendly, and which is dangerous? That donkey may have wanted to make friends with the dogs he’d seen around the yard. Heck, their tails were wagging, and who doesn’t want to play with a dog? The problem? Instead of a donkey, that could have just as easily been a child.
Michigan state law prevents communities from banning ownership of specific breeds of dogs. So that choice is up to the person responsible for picking the family pet. If enough of us decide we don’t want to risk the threat of bodily harm that might come with a pit bull, eventually they’ll go away.
And I, for one, won’t miss them.
Closing and Opening
Keen observers have noticed the lights are off at Matt’s on Presque, the sandwich shop which moved into the former Jean Kay’s Pasty location… just two years ago. As I would with any business calling it quits, I’m sorry to see them go.
Never fear, the place won’t stay dormant for long. Three guys… Heath Lefke, Mario Gohl, and Scott Maynard, are partnering to revive the location with a new business called Presque Deli.
They all have kitchen experience, some of that with Matt’s on Presque, but this new venture will feature their own favorites. “We’ll be creating a classic deli and eatery,” says Heath, “with soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, house made sides and fun specials that will change regularly.”
New Look and Taste
They’re currently updating the shop with small renovations reflecting their own taste, in food and décor. Watch for the opening sometime early next month, ready to roll, just in time for summer traffic.
Should I say good luck? A convenient location, with easy in and out, and a bunch of new apartments going up just down the street, should make their chance for success entirely dependent on the product. No luck needed.
Slip Sliding Away
Winter sports enthusiasts have to be happy with our early snowfall. Unless we have some kind of epic meltdown, it looks like, after a year off, we’ll have the return of the Noquemanon Ski Marathon later this month. And then of course, the popular U.P. 200 in February.
However, with our abundance of snow, and a little ice to go along with it, driving around the area has become a bit more challenging.
Speed Kills
Here’s my advice for anyone getting behind the wheel when conditions are questionable. SLOW DOWN. We don’t live in a big metro market where destinations are seldom close. It doesn’t take much more than five minutes to drive from one end of Marquette to the other. Slow down and it might take you six, but at least you’ll get there.
Would you rather be late… or the late?