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Lanie and her foster sister Myths and misunderstandings about pit bulls Saturday, September 15, 2007 12:19 AM CDT BY JEAN STARR Times Correspondent Mercedes looks like she's been through a lot. And she has. The pit bull is one of those taken from a 2006 case involving an alleged dog fighter. "She looks like a fighting dog," said Matt Lubarski, director of animal control and adoption center of Lake County. "She's got the scars on her face. Her teeth were filed down so she could be used to train other dogs, but not hurt them." After working with an animal behaviorist, Mercedes has become the county's unofficial "Poster Pit" in educational programs on dog fighting. Lubarski uses Mercedes as an example of what a dog used in fighting looks like. Police officers are afforded a close look at the short cropped ears and scars on the muzzle and front legs that go with the illegal activity. Usually police happen upon these signs when investigating other crimes. Child and Pet Relief Fund volunteer Stacy Onofrio is fostering Lanie, a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier, bred to be squat yet strong. "She had big bite wounds all over her head her legs," Onofrio said. "And her ears had been cut with who knows what." Onofrio pulled Lanie from the Gary Animal Control shelter just over four months ago. The dog, who is 4 or 5 years old, had numerous litters when she was with her first owners. In addition to the bite wounds, the dog is missing some teeth, has had her tail broken and never treated, and had a severe case of heartworm. "The first treatment (for heartworm) almost killed her," Onofrio said. "She will have her third treatment this week." Each treatment costs about $200, and it is important after each that the dog be kept very quiet so that portions of the dying worms do not travel to small arteries in the lungs. For Onofrio, finding a home for Lanie will be bittersweet. The dog is good with all members of her household, from very young to adult humans to the other dogs in the family. Even as Onofrio bathed, treated her infected wounds and took her to the vet, Lanie never complained. "She let me dig in her ears and never curled a lip," she said. Although there is no proof that Lanie was used by humans for fighting, Onofrio said they often see signs on the dogs they pull from urban shelters. "Abuse is common, but the number of pit bulls compared with other dogs is staggering," she said. "I can't prove that these dogs came from fight situations. I can say they are coming from urban areas where there are large numbers of underweight, poorly-maintained pit bulls." Stephanie Baker of CPR Fund Rescue said she has seen dogs that act as if they would go through a fence to get to another dog. Whether they have been trained to do that is hard to know, she said. She also has seen dogs that have been torn up, but don't seem to have the temperament that indicates they have been used as fighting dogs. "Fighting dogs are trained to be absolutely nonaggressive toward humans," she said. "True fighting dogs don't bite people." Carolyn Giannopoulos, director of Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue, said that the dogs used by dog fighters are not bred to be aggressive. There is a huge difference between animal and human aggression. Dogs that had been used for fighting that are taken into shelters should not automatically be euthanized or discounted as adoptable, she said. Giannopoulos has adopted an ex-fighter that lives harmoniously with four other dogs. One of CBBR's volunteers is fostering a dog taken from an alleged dog fighter in Gary. "The rehabilitation process is long and hard but, in the end these dogs prove to be amazing animals and show courage, loyalty and love to those who give it right back to them," Giannopoulos said.

Concern for homeless dogs leads group to provide foster homes September 26, 2007 By Mary Jo Pederson Post-Tribune correspondent   A Northwest Indiana foster and adoption group developed from one woman's compassion for homeless dogs. The Child and Pet Relief Fund, a not-for-profit organization, began when Stephanie Baker was an emergency medical technician working in Griffith and Gary. "I saw dogs running around stray," she said. "I'm tired of seeing them (stray dogs) abused, neglected and starving. So I decided to do something." The fund was founded by Northwest Indiana EMTs and paramedics. Individuals can assist through a variety of avenues, from fund-raising to being foster or adoptive families. Since its beginning in 2003, the operation has grown into helping as many as 50 to 60 dogs at a time. Foster families choose the the breed and number of dogs they would welcome into their homes. They fill out an application, and then CPR Fund visits the homes. "We're making sure the home is appropriate for what they want to foster," Baker said. "We also provide all the supplies, like food, vet care, chew toys and bones." The adoption process is similar, and it requires references. "We fit the family and home with the animal," Baker said. Kristy Stucky of Merrillville has worked with the organization for about a year. She is newsletter editor and has adopted a terrier mix named Peanut. Stucky also transports animals to their new homes and provides dog-sitting for those within the organization. "I like being part of something that makes a difference, even if it is just a small difference," she said "To find homes for them and help them be a part of a home and society is great." Stacy Onofrio, the organization's vice president, became familiar with the CPR Fund when her sister's two male dogs were fighting. She called for help and ended up becoming a foster parent. She went from one dog to two to puppies to litters and is now taking in pregnant dogs. "Once we get a dog, we put into them what they need," she said. All dogs receive any necessary shots and surgeries before going home. All dogs old enough are also spayed or neutered before placement. "We work with animal control to alleviate necessity of (euthanasia)," she said. The organization receives donations of dog food and dog treats and holds adoption days at local businesses. "Right now our No. 1 one thing is trying to get a low-cost vet clinic in the area," Baker said. "It, of course, would be for our members to use, but also open to the public." As the group's name suggests, other long-term plans include visiting schools and educating children about animals and proper animal care and handling. To get involved Visit www.cprfund.com