What do you see in this picture?
By Gina Spadafori
August 28, 2009
A man enjoying a summer day with his dog? Or a dog-fighter doing strength-training?
The Baltimore Sun photographer saw the former. Readers saw the latter. There’s no way of knowing without more information, but I suspect that for many people, “young black man” plus “bully-type dog” equals “dog-fighter.”
Would the reaction have been different if the dog were a Golden retriever, and the cyclist a young white man? Or a young black man with a golden? Or a bully-type dog with a young white man? I gotta wonder, to be honest.
There’s interesting discussion on the Sun’s “Unleashed” blog, here.
I would raise eyebrows because of the collar on the neck. That thick of a collar is a weighted one. To make full judgment I would prefer to see the ears better. I do see testicles. HOWEVER the harness looks like a custom weight pulling harness.
If it weren’t for the collar I would stick with a man exercising his dog. The collar is my sticking point.
Comment by Cindy — August 28, 2009 @ 11:14 am
I saw this picture when it ran and didn’t pay that much attention to it. I do remember thinking “exercising your dog in high heat and humidity is stupid”. Now that I’m viewing the picture again and the neck weight has been brought to attention, I think that’s probably an even stupider thing to do. My opinion of “potential dog fighting” is now swayed by the reporter’s blog, which includes various criminal activity on the part of the dog owner.
My initial reaction apparently wouldn’t have been different if it was another breed of dog or different race of owner. I probably have a higher-than-average number of friends/students from all walks of life, with pitbulls. Not a breed I want to own, because I’m hooked on hairy retrievers for one thing, but a breed and owner that I respect until proven otherwise.
Comment by Janet Boss — August 28, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Since I live in Southern California, with a high population of pit bulls, and unfortunately a huge underground of fighting pits, I would see a man training his fighting dog.
Here, used treadmills sell very quickly as that is the training tool of choice for many.
Now, that said, I bicycle my dogs, too. But I don’t use neck weights. And my dogs aren’t pitties.
Comment by Liz Palika — August 28, 2009 @ 11:46 am
To be sure, the neck weight raises eyebrows — and obviously suspicions for many people.
But is it fair? And, more importantly, is it helpful?
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 28, 2009 @ 11:52 am
omg, I am so sad at some of these comments.
I see a lot of 2 + 2 = 5
In this case: black man + pit bull + wide collar + neck weights = dogfighter. (and of course cropped ears + testicles = fighting dog!)
Remember you’re only looking/judging based on a photo without knowing anything about the man’s alleged background.
How about: middleaged/middleclass appearing man + neckweights + bikepulling = guy who does weightpull with his dog not being very smart about training?
Comment by EmilyS — August 28, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
It’s so nice to racial profiling is alive and well.
There are a myriad things he could be doing - weight pull training, strength training, you name it - but the immediate assumption is that black dude + pittie = fighting
The level of “OMG help us Peta help us HSUS help us police” hysteria over there is nauseating. All that’s missing is the inevitable ‘locking jaw’ comment.
Comment by FrogDogz — August 28, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
I always have a positive association with anyone on a bike, so I would not automatically think “training a fighting dog.”
Comment by Kim Thornton — August 28, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
My Very First thought upon seeing this pic was, “That is Mean!! Why is this guy making the Dog Pull him? Honesty, I didn’t think Dog Fighting at all, but then again I’m not an expert, nor do I have any experience in that regard. But after reading a few of the comments by other posters, I see the harness, and now know that the poor thing has a Weight Collar on his Neck! This just makes my Heart Ache because for sure this Dog is being abused. Sad!
Comment by Lorna Martin — August 28, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I didn’t know such a thing as canine weight pull existed! Learn something every day.
I did a bunch of searches on Google for pics of weight pulls and weight pull training, and now and then thick collars like that do show up - some weighted, but others not, just very heavy leather. I gather from a couple of discussions I ran into, that they’re intended to encourage the dog to drop his head, throwing weight onto his fore, for a safer and stronger pull. So, it seems to me that’s entirely possible that the chap IS training his dog to pull. Also, if you look, the harness has rings at the back sides, where I’d expect a cart to be hitched; and it seems to be padded on the back, too.
Comment by Eucritta — August 28, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
Weight pulls are amazing to watch. The first time I saw one in person I was just amazed at the amount of weight (in that case, a flatbed thingie with cinderblocks) that not-so-huge but strong dogs could pull!
I think it is stupid to weight train a dog in summertime heat and humidity of Baltimore. It does not equate to dogfighter, nor does keeping a dog intact, nor does having a pitbull.
The guy’s criminal record may point to that potential, but we really don’t know. The dog looks to be in good (and hard!) condition in this picture.
My dogs think swimming is a much better summertime exercise activity!
Comment by Janet Boss — August 28, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
My first thought was, “Dedicated dog owner.” The only thing that worries me about this photo is the “collar,” which looks ridiculous to me. Too often, the people who put ridiculously over-sized and weighted collars on their dogs are using the dog as a status symbol. I might not necessarily worry over that, except a dog’s needs can be forgotten when they’re seen in that light.
My only other concern would be if they’re doing that heavy of exercise at the hottest part of the day.
Comment by RTL — August 28, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
now where, oh where, would people have learned that urban black guy + pit bull = depraved criminal ?
Maybe from sources like HSUS’s Pam Rogers?
“There is no doubt that pit bulls are in bad shape in America right now. They are likely the most popular dog in the country, but unfortunately, they are also the dogs of choice for drug dealers, gang members, and anyone else who is looking for a dog to be a status symbol. . . ”
(In her letter to the members of the Louisville, KY city council, Ms. Rogers then urged breed specific mandatory spay-neuter. Full text at http://www.LoveDoesNotDiscriminate.com)
Comment by Blue Dog State — August 28, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
I’m not entirely convinced it’s very heavy exercise, or at least, not for that dog, which looks to be strong. Thing is, he’s pulling a man on a bicycle, and if it’s allowed to roll freely it ought to pull easily. Then, too, the dog doesn’t look to me like he’s straining.
Comment by Eucritta — August 28, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Bringing the HSUS into a discussion seems to have become the Godwin’s Law of pet blogs and boards.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 28, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
My first thought when I saw it was that the man needed to train his dog better because he was getting pulled by the dog while exercising it. I never really thought of him as a weight puller, or a dog fighter, just a person who was trying to exercise their poorly trained dog.
I think comments like Liz’s though really concern me — because it is coming from someone in the animal welfare world (I assume since she’s reading an posting here). But the fact that the breed of dog involved is such a major deciding factor for her — even as someone who bicycles her dog — is a concern of how many people still view these dogs.
Comment by Brent — August 28, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
The harness makes me think weight pull, the collar just looks plain uncomfortable. It’s actually the first thing I notice. The harness second.
How widespread is weight pulling? I don’t know enough about dog fight training to know if they would need a harness like that, but for pulling tasks, it looks useful. Not sure how many people are aware of weight pulling or any of the other reasons a dog may have a harness (carting etc).
Comment by straybaby — August 28, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
Brent, you can read about Liz on Pet Connection’s About page if you’re interested.
http://www.petconnection.com/about.php
AS for her comment, I think it is reflective and indicative of where she lives and what she sees on a daily basis. You made the assumption she’s active in AW, just like others are making assumptions and racially profiling the pibble and his owner.
What concerns me more is I don’t see a spritz bottle or any water source for the dog. In humid weather, keeping an exercising dog hydrated is very important.
And what the Hell is wrong with leaving your dog intact if you are a responsible pet owner? Some days, I think we advocate speutering for the wrong species!
Comment by Anne T — August 28, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
Some days, I think we advocate speutering for the wrong species!
Comment by Anne T — August 28, 2009
Just SOME days?
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 28, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
Straybaby, I know a Chinese Crested who has titled in weight pulling, but on the other hand, it doesn’t get the coverage on Animal Planet that conformation, agility, or flyball do. Or skijoring, even.
Comment by Lis — August 28, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
I’m white, borned and raised South, so aren’t I supposed to be the racist one?
All I see is a guy exercising his dog. The dog is shiny coated, of good weight, happy (relaxed body language and happy pit face), and pulling hard into a harness rather than a collar. He’s got a big thick collar on - again, who cares? This is a big strong dog and I like the fact that if they need to control him the tools are appropriate.
When are we going to stop assuming things because of color, race, and breed?
If the guy was in prison, and he was exercising the pit like this as part of a retraining program for rescues we’d be applauding.
So is that all that’s wrong? The man isn’t in jail because of his sex and race? Wow…
And wth is wrong with testicles? Why is so offensive to see a reproductive organ? People need to grow up.
Comment by Wendy — August 28, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
I agree with the first commenter, Cindy. The collar is my sticking point also. No way is it attached to the rest of the halter. So why does the dog need a “strong” neck?
Comment by VJ — August 28, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
i have friends in non-bully reeds who weight pull and use weighted collars, something about teaching the dog to shift it’s weight to the rear end instead of going on “front wheel drive”. Also teaches them to lower their heads for better traction. I have no first hand knowledge of it but it’s what I’ve been told is the purpose of the collars.
I have read and heard “authorities” declaring that weight pulls are just euphemisms for fighting. BS
Want to encourage people into a positive canine sport which the dogs just seem to love? Weight pulls baby. What a great way to “show off” your well conditioned dog. And also your well socialized dog. Weight pulls are exuberant places with lots of wound up dogs and excited people. Unsocialized, dog aggressive dogs won’t do well or be welcome. Potential for abuse in training etc..? Sure, but that’s a risk in anything. And the biggest point? Dogs don’t pull well if they are not loving what they are doing.
As for this picture, um, the fact he is out in public with his dog doing this in full view of everyone under the sun would make me think virtually anything BUT dog fighter. However a spray bottle as Gina mentioned would be appropriate, and/or switching to early morning or evening.
Comment by JenniferJ — August 28, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
United Nations Weight Pull Association is one of two organizations offering the sport that I know of. The Other is UKC. Here is a link to UNWPA’s All Star page.
http://www.unitednationalweigh.....rs2008.htm
In each year go to the All Other Breed section. I think you will all be surprised to see what breeds actually compete and are successful in weight pulling.
And from now on, I will remember that the Dog Police have declared use of a large collar is an automatic assumption of dog fighting, and every time I take my 15”, 12lb intact male toy dog out in public, I will be sure he’s dressed in his very biggest neckwear! Arrrgh!
Comment by Anne T — August 28, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Honestly my first thought was heres a guy giving his dog positive work training. The collar could just be thick & padded because of the dogs strentgh. As far as an intact dog,I have an unspayed female because of health problems. As far as the dog pulling the man,my neighbor used to let his husky pull him on roller blades for a positive work out experience.I guess I just don’t react to a black man with a pit as dog fighting proof. many people are involved in dog fighting,not all black & not all pitbulls.I saw a man in Philly 2 weeks ago on a bike pulling his pit in a crate on a trailer. He met his SO at a fountain for a picnic & swim for them & the dog.Black + pit doesn’t always mean dogfighting.
Comment by Leslie K — August 28, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
The collar could also be thick, wide and padded to protect the dog’s trachea, but that would be too logical an explanation and contrary to the cherished stereotype of a black man with a pibble. It’s also possible, since the owner is pretty buff, that he believes in exercise for it’s own sake for himself and his dog. But by all means, let’s assume the very worst about him and his motives.
Comment by Anne T — August 28, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
Could that collar be one of those cooling collars? I keep feeling like I’ve seen that collar somewhere before and it’s bothering me.
Comment by RTL — August 28, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Looks to me like it might be a cooling collar.
Which would change a few things about how that picture looks.
Comment by Lis — August 28, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
Hard to say without talking with the guy. At first glance, looks like a dog having a good time pulling his athletic, image conscious owner. The weighted neck is annoying … And probably reflects the owner’s ignorance of what constitutes strength training. He learned to do this from some guy on the streets and some kid will in turn follow his lead. I’d want to tell the guy how beautiful his dog is, praise him for getting him out for some fun exercise (I mean really, that does look like fun), but explain that his dog’s vertebrate might end up getting knocked out of wack by the weights, so he might want to consider a nutritional approach to building the muscle he’s looking for in his (trophy) boy. He might thank me or tell me to f*ck off. Depends on how open he is, how much he loves his dog and how good the connection was. From personal experience, most people who hear the message about weight use on dogs’ necks are grateful for the advice.
Comment by Donna — August 28, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
Looks to me like it might be a cooling collar.
Me too - but hey! Looky what’s on the top of that page.
Is that a PITTIE wearing a cooling collar?
Obviously that means that cooling collars are tools used for fight training, if they’re advocating putting them on Pitties. Anything on a Pittie - bandannas, kittens, glitter collars, hot dog costumes - automatically get turned into fighting apparatus. It’s the LAW.
It makes as much sense as the ‘testicles = fighting dogs” argument. I guess that when I allow all my obedience/agility owners to keep their dogs intact it’s because I’m secretly organizing a Frenchie fighting ring (which would involve a lot of slapping and insulting of each others taste in clothing, then the loser bursts into tears and eats a pint of ice cream).
Comment by FrogDogz — August 28, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
My first thought was that he should be using a WalkyDog (a misnomer; it should really be a CycleDog) attached to the seatpost of the bike instead of holding the leash at the handlebars. That strong dog could easily pull him right down with the way he is set up. I cycle with my dog as well, and with the leash attached to the seatpost under one’s center of gravity, it is much easier to control the bike and keep it upright if the dog pulls. I didn’t consider the fact that he might be training his dog for fighting, but I did think that the dog looked like he could compete in weight pulling.
Comment by Sara Jo — August 28, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
I’m seeing lazy slob who needs to get his butt off the bike and walk his dog. That dog is not going to the iditarod and it is summer and the dog looks stressed. I don’t even like seeing people ride their bikes with their dogs running along - one bad move and the dog ends up wrapped in spokes.
Comment by Cheryl — August 28, 2009 @ 7:37 pm
Um I’m going to have to request clarification. Just what part of that dog looks stressed? His perky tail or his obvious intent on doing a good job pulling forward.
Comment by Kim — August 28, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
I’m with Kim. The dog doesn’t look stressed to me. He doesn’t even look like he’s working all that hard. He’s just pulling a bicycle over what’s probably a short distance - because, as others have noted, otherwise the bicycle would overset - as his owner coasts on it. Look at the dog’s legs: that’s a strong dog, and he’s not even digging in as he pulls.
I think y’all are seeing what you want to see.
Comment by Eucritta — August 28, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
As, a black dog owner it makes me sad that people automatically see a dog fighter. I assumed he was training for weight pulling.
Comment by AmandaS — August 28, 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Seriously? I really expected a more scathing take down of the leap to dog-fighting to be going on here. My first thought at seeing just the picture is that he’s a responsible owner exercising his happy pit bull, and probably training for weight pull (and weight pull is certainly the first thing that came to my mind with that harness). I also think it’s a stretch to assume that the collar is weighted.
I actually find it really alarming that not just the general public, but many of the people here, who I usually think of as reasonable and well-informed, are of the mindset that exercise = fight training when done with a pit bull. Let’s see, biking, treadmills and perhaps weight pull are out, surely we’re going to bring up spring poles next?
also, that dog’s ears are not cropped, you can see that they hang down just in front of the collar if you look closely, but the assumption that a dog with cropped ears is a fighting dog is also depressing and makes adopting out cropped dogs harder. Not to mention fighting dogs are often not cropped. Look at most of the Vick dogs. I believe all but one of the recent MO bust dogs that Bad Rap posted videos of in their blog are uncropped as well. In the meantime, B-More Dogs in Baltimore has written a post about all this, complete with a video of a cropped pit bull pulling a bike!
http://baltimorebulldogs.blogs.....abuse.html
Comment by monkeypedia — August 29, 2009 @ 1:14 am
That looks like happy, healthy, FIT dog to me. If it is a hot humid day, the dog is clearly well-acclimated to heat (or wearing a cooling collar). Usually on a hot and/or humid day, the tongue hangs out quite a bit more than what is shown there. What a shame people jump to conclusions.
Comment by donna — August 29, 2009 @ 2:57 am
“I don’t even like seeing people ride their bikes with their dogs running along - one bad move and the dog ends up wrapped in spokes.”
It is definitely riskier than walking or jogging with a dog. I bike with my dog running along, but I worked at training him first with commands “left,” “right,” “slow,” “stop.” It is great exercise for him, and he absolutely loves it. I am not able to run due to joint problems, so we do this instead. I have fallen twice, once on the side he was on, but he’s fast and got out of the way, thankfully. It is not something I would recommend to people not willing to take the time to really work on training the dog to move with and pay attention to the bike, however. I have a high-energy dog that needs a lot of exercise, and I do this with him as well as skate.
Comment by Sara Jo — August 29, 2009 @ 5:43 am
Maybe the poor guy is just trying to exercise his high-energy bulldog without a yard to do it in. People who own pit bulls without yards have to be somewhat creative in exercising them, because for many of them, simply walking is not enough. Many of them are not dog-friendly, so dog parks are out. It’s not the easiest thing, and that dog looks nice and fit and happy. Relaxed tail, panting, yes but not excessively. A good looking dog, really.
Maybe he is a dog fighter, who knows. But I don’t know how you could see that or guess that from the photo. I’m not a fan of weighted collars, but I can’t tell if that is a weighted collar or not. Even if it is, it doesn’t mean the dog is a fighting dog.
I used to bike occasionally with my bully. Sometimes I’d pedal and she’d just trot or run alongside, sometimes I’d let her pull me. This is a breed that enjoys pulling. They excel in weight pull, yes, but they also just straight up enjoy it.
Comment by katie — August 29, 2009 @ 6:22 am
**Rant Warning**
I’m rather new at the whole dog thing, only having had a dog for the last 2.5 years. But in that time, I have learned something interesting, and it is amply demonstrated in some of the comments in this post.
Dog people can be some of the most judgmental, ignorant, closed-minded, hateful bunch I have ever come across. Fortunately, the vast majority of them are absolutely fantastic, and make up for the others.
The guy is riding his bike with his dog? ABUSE!
The guy has a large collar on his dog? ABUSE!
The guy is exercising his dog in the “heat of the day”? ABUSE!
I have read so many damn comments on so many topics on so many websites, where basically the poster states that if you DARE to do anything in any way that is different from the way they do it, then you are ignorant/abusive/stupid/insane, etc. And I’m so tired of it. Really, absolutely, utterly tired of it.
Feed you dog in the evenings in it’s crate with cheap kibble. Anything else - and you’re wrong.
Feed your dog a few times a week by allowing it to gorge on organic, free-range whole prey raw meat. Anything else - and you’re wrong.
Use a gentle leader on your dog - any other collar - and you’re wrong.
Use a shock collar on your dog. Anything else - and you’re wrong.
NEVER give your dog any vaccination what-so ever. Anything else - and you’re wrong.
Vaccinate your dog with everything your vet recommends, every year. Anything else - and you’re wrong.
Weight-pulling is abusive. Agility is abusive. Training with a spring pole is abusive. Biking with your dog is abusive. Keeping your dog outside is abusive. Breeding your dog is abusive. Conformation shows are abusive.
Have to cut your dog’s nails? Not exercising it enough - ABUSE! Have a job outside the house? Leave your dog alone? ABUSE! Play tug with your dog - VISCOUS dog warning!!!!
UGH!
How about we all get off our high horses, and leave people alone who train their dogs a bit differently that we do, except where there is CLEAR, OBVIOUS EVIDENCE that the dog is truly abused? How about we fight the important fights, and leave the average dog owner alone instead of constantly criticizing them for doing things a different way? How about we learn NOT to speak on a subject that we know nothing about? How about asking and learning instead of judging?
Gina, sorry for the rant. But I have had it with all these “experts” telling us that there is only one true way in the dog world, and implying that anyone who thinks differently shouldn’t be allowed to have a dog.
Comment by K. B. — August 29, 2009 @ 7:25 am
Hey, it’s a great rant! That’s why I try very hard — don’t always succeed — to not give advice unless people ask for it.
And yes,I’ve been on the hot end of these rants. I got a scorching review on my first book for explaining how to house-train a puppy when you have to work. The person ripped me viciously for giving people “permission” to “abuse” their puppies by leaving them alone. Ha! While no doubt we’d all love to quit our jobs to stay home with our pets — and our children, for that matter! — that’s just not possible if we want to actually have a home to stay in while we raise them.
That said, I don’t think pet-lovers are any more or less judgmental than anyone else. You want judgmental? Go to a blog or board on raising children and offer your opinion — any opinion, it doesn’t matter — on potty-training, breast-feeding or dealing with poor behavior in public.
Then stand back, because you won’t have any eyebrows left!
And by the way, this “my way or the highway” thing is why I love, love, love Liz Palika, and why I begged her to blog here. She is a wonderful dog-trainer, and even better, she’s great with dog-owners. Now you might think a former Marine would run her training classes like boot camp, but NO!
The hallmark of Liz’s classes is that everyone’s always smiling — the instructors, the owners and the dogs. Her motto is “have fun, and do what works.” No orthodoxy. She tailors the training to the dogs and the owners, each individually.
When we hung out together at Del Mar (during which she won more betting than anyone else in our party, by far!) I told her that if I could figure out a way to live in San Diego County I’d beg her to let me be one of her assistant trainers, just so I could hang out and have fun.
Now, Liz is no doubt blushing now, but I wanted to make the point that not even all the professionals are always advancing an agenda. Many of them are like Liz: They’re there to help, to help everyone have fun, and to make living with a pet a lot more life-enhancing.
As our Dr. Becker says, “It’s all about THE BOND!”
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 29, 2009 @ 7:50 am
The insanity of the dog world as a whole is why I generally try to avoid associating with groups of dog people - even though nearly all of my close friends are dog people.
I’ve met the best - and certainly the worst - people I know at dog shows, trials and training seminars.
Comment by Janeen — August 29, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
“The insanity of the dog world as a whole is why I generally try to avoid associating with groups of dog people - even though nearly all of my close friends are dog people.
I’ve met the best - and certainly the worst - people I know at dog shows, trials and training seminars.”
Janeen, get out of my head! XD XD!!
Comment by JenniferJ — August 29, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
When I NEED HELP, chances are good it’s someone I’ve originally met because of dogs I’ll call. But yes, it’s also true that some of the people I would cross the street to avoid are also people I’ve met because of dogs!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 29, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
When I NEED HELP, chances are good it’s someone I’ve originally met because of dogs I’ll call. But yes, it’s also true that some of the people I would cross the street to avoid are also people I’ve met because of dogs!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 29, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
Ain’t that the truth?!
Comment by Anne T — August 29, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
I have to say. My only thoughts about the pic were to look at the ears, and to discern what collar that was. The collar was the sticking point-but the area is too gray to decide.
We had a case of a man in our area (small town in NE WI) who had 2 PB. He kept a treadmill and a spring pole in his garage for excercise on rainy and cold days. He was taken to court for training fighting dogs and his dogs were seized and not returned. He ended up being aquitted after a parade of witnesses including vets and a rescue said he was a great owner-but he was black, and had PB’s. He moved and lost his dogs. How sad is that!
K.B., Gina, Janeen I couldn’t agree more with you guys on the rant and the follow ups. There are so many “my way or the highway” breeders, rescues, and trainers in my area. Try being a raw feeding, minimal vaccine, dog owner here. Blech! I have learned that ALL animals are different in their needs and personality. I train, feed, vet each according to what works best for them personally. I hate the cookie cutter approach so many take. If you color outside the lines here you have every “dog” person on you for some form of abuse.
Comment by Kristy B — September 2, 2009 @ 8:51 am