As Montreal Ban Looms, Huntley Dog Owners Sing Praises of Pit Bulls

HUNTLEY – Many times, as Huntley resident Deborah Webster walks her Pit Bull, Roxy, down the street, she sees people cross to the other side.

“People have horrible opinions about [Pit Bulls],” she says. “If they only knew, she would shower them with kisses and never be aggressive. It’s not fair.”

But owners of Pit Bulls are well aware of the stigma of owning the breed of dog that’s gotten a reputation for being violent, or a dog bred to fight. In early June of this year, 55 year-old Christiane Vadnais was killed in Montreal by a dog thought to be a Pit Bull, leading to an ordinance ruling that all Pit Bulls in the Canadian city’s shelters be euthanized. Since then, Justice Louis Gouin suspended the ban on October 3 after public outcry, and it is still on hold indefinitely pending a judge’s decision.

In the meantime, Huntley dog lovers (many who have adopted a Pit Bull from a rescue) react to the possible ban in Montreal, which would mean Pit Bulls currently living in Montreal homes would be safe, but unadopted ones would be euthanized rather than adopted out.

“Strong, tenacious, and very loving”

Andrea Swiatowiac moved to Huntley two years ago with her husband and their two Pit Bulls, Armani and Roxy. When Armani died in early 2015, the Swiatowiacs started searching for another dog to rescue and found their match — Jake, another Pit Bull.

“I haven’t met a single pitty that I don’t like,” said Swiatowiac. “I love their big faces and their smiles! Pit Bulls deserve — all dogs deserve — and need to be raised and loved as a part of the family. [They] are a strong, tenacious, and very loving and loyal breed of dog.”

Deb Case, another Huntley Pit Bull owner, agrees.

“I was a little nervous when I heard some part of [Hershey, 5 months] is Pit Bull, but she is a great dog. She is very trainable and had adapted very well with our whole family including our other rescue pup.”

Raymond DeLuca, who’s lived in Huntley for the past 10 years, was a volunteer at Animal House Shelter for seven years, working with dogs who were considered hard to adopt. He doesn’t agree with a ban on Pit Bulls.

“It is not the fault of the dog but the fault of the owner, he says. “I also blame the newspapers, TV stations and social media for their comments about Pit Bulls. I am sure people in Chicagoland are bitten every day by many different breeds of dogs, yet only when a pit is involved does it make news.”

When looking for a dog to adopt, DeLuca wasn’t specifically looking for a Pit Bull.

“ I just wanted a friendly dog who was smart and got along with everyone—most of these types are pits.”

Adam and Katie Chesney adopted Bauer Marie from Animal House Shelter nearly four years ago, the same time they moved to Huntley.

“Neither of us agree with the Montreal ban,” says Katie. “It’s the owner, not the breed. Any animal can be bred to be mean. Just like humans, they are not born that way. I could not be more saddened by this and would be heartbroken if Bauer were to be taken away from us.”

Katie adds that she grew up around Labs, Boxers and a Rottweiler, but would consider rescuing another Pit Bull in a heartbeat.

Animal House Shelter

In 2002, Lesley Irwin founded the Animal House Shelter, non-profit no kill shelter in Huntley. Initially, the shelter was specifically for Pit Bulls, but today it aids all breeds of dogs and cats. Over 32,000 animals have been placed in homes by the shelter. Cindy Ritter, director of the shelter, says potential dog owners often come into the shelter looking for a dog, but she cringes when she hears, “but not a Pit Bull.”

“Most people who have a negative opinion of the breed, 9 times out of 10 do not have any personal experience with them,” she says.

When moment arises, Ritter takes the opportunity to bring a Pit Bull up to visit with potential dog adopters.

“They don’t have to change their mind about it, they don’t have to take one home, but at least I can bring one out so they can hang out with them…see that they’re not all monsters like they’re hearing about in the media.”

One by one, Ritter hopes those firsthand experiences can help to altar public opinion.

Ritter remembers being guilty of this herself.

“In 2003 or 2004, when I interviewed to start working here, I pulled up, got out of my car, and a Pit Bull had gotten loose from the girl who was walking him,” she remembers. “The Pit Bull jumped into my car and started licking me all over my face and arms!”

Ritter froze. It was her first experience around a Pit Bull.

“I wanted the job,” she says. “I didn’t want to show that I was afraid.”

Ritter needn’t have worried.

“It was the sweetest dog, named Puddles,” laughs Ritter. “After working here for 14 years, I can honestly say the Pit Bulls are by far (you always have one or two that don’t fit the bill) the sweetest, people-pleasing, loving, and attention seeking dogs.”

“I think it takes a special individual to want to rescue and commit to this breed because of the label this dog has,” says Swiatowiac. “I am inspired by rescue organizations that make it their goals to advocate for this animal.”

---