Trainer working to give pit bulls a better image at Bloomingdale shelter

Sadly, his story is far from unique. One only has to go as far as the neighborhood animal shelter to see pit bulls in dire need of a home.

The Bloomingdale Regional Animal Shelter (BASS) is now predominately the temporary refuge of pit bulls, and it is an investment the shelter can hardly afford to make, said Ellen Ribitzki, corresponding secretary for BASS. Based on the history of this breed, these hard-to-place dogs could spend a year at the municipal shelter.

"The problem is they stay too long and we cannot afford to keep the space tied up for a year," said Ribitzki.

And if that is the case, Ribitzki said, BASS could be faced with the heart-wrenching decision of whether or not to euthanize its resident pit bulls. This last-resort action has been reserved for sick or aggressive dogs in the past, but Ribitzki said the shelter must face reality: These pits are taking up space that could go to more adoptable canines.

The seven pit bulls now at the Brandt Lane shelter were either dumped off at the shelter or surrendered there because their owners came upon hard times, such as foreclosures or incarceration, and had to leave their pets behind, said Ribitzki.

The problem with pit bulls

Just the name "pit bull" can turn off adoptive families.

"Part of it is definitely public perception," Ribitzki said. Incidents of attacks on humans drive big headlines in the media when a pit bull is involved, feeding the reputation that this is one aggressive breed. A bad reputation is strike one against this breed.

Often the pit bulls that make it to the shelter have a sweet disposition but it takes careful screening to place them with the right family because they tend to be muscular, which could be a test of strength for some owners. In addition, some have a strong instinct to chase things, and may not be compatible other pets.

With these drawbacks, unless a shelter has other types of dogs to entice families to come in, Ribitzki said, pits are likely to find themselves waiting even longer for their "forever home."

To break up the mix of available canines, BASS will bring in popular breeds from high-kill shelters in southern states. Yet with the challenge of placing seven pits, the shelter realized something more was needed.

For the past three weeks, Jaimee Wenzel, a certified trainer, has been working with BASS to make the shelter's pit bulls more adoptable.

She's stepped up their obedience training to the point where most can walk on a leash, and even learning not to bark in excitement when folks visit the shelter. They're also coming to understand how to get along with their cage neighbors, and sometimes these dogs with sad pasts are learning how to play for the first time.

Featured Dog~Posey, Berkeley's Pocket Size Pitbull!

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