News and musings of Fine art pet photographer Laurie Meehan-Elmer based in Tampa Bay area, Florida
As a pet photographer, I come into close contact with all sorts of dogs, all sorts of breeds, and all sorts of pet owners. What I have learned is to never assume anything about a dog based on it’s size or apparent breed. On the other hand, I can make a fairly quick assessment about...
Excellent piece. Over here in Britain, Pits are already banned, and Staffies get the same kind of bad press quite often. I think we need some sort of licensing system to weed out the bad owners and breeders, not demonise one of the friendliest, most loyal of breeds.August 18, 2010 – 3:31 am
Thanks Simon. I agree with you!August 18, 2010 – 2:52 pm
Very well written and thank you for speaking sense in a world full of nonsense and unreasonable behaviour towards dogs and responsible dog owners.August 18, 2010 – 3:09 pm
What a brilliant and sensible article. Just wish these thoughts could spread, like an infectious disease so that everyone could think and act sensibly. The world would be a safer place for both dogs and people. Your beautiful pictures also send a valuable message such ahppy and ‘soft’ dogs…whatever breed they may be. Thank you.August 18, 2010 – 3:57 pm
Excellent read, informed, well researched, and factual. The photo’s are amazing. Your article is just to good now to share. Thank you for caring that the truth “gets out there”.
http://www.stopk9profiling.comAugust 18, 2010 – 4:47 pm
Just love the pics have 3 pits and they are the best dogsAugust 18, 2010 – 6:37 pm
Happily, Oregon prohibits these breed-specific bans. But not Washington, and in Cathlamet, (adjacent to my island farm) pit bulls are banned. Even worse, back home on the (Umatilla) Reservation–pits are banned along with three other breeds: Dobies, German Shepherds and Labs!! Soverign Nation–they can do what they want, even in Oregon. I can’t imagine the legal mentality that considers this a good solution–or even how it can be enforced! Labs!! It seems like a third of the dogs I come across are some kind of Lab. And Rez authorities have the power to “put down” a dog that’s been 86′ed from Umatilla land. Arbitrary and judgemental–I guess using the term “racist” isn’t an accurate term when discussing dog breeds, but it arises from the same reflexive, knee-jerk thinking.August 18, 2010 – 9:30 pm
Absolutely stunning photographs and good information.
A good site for accurate information is the National Canine Research Council
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/August 19, 2010 – 9:35 am
JM, Thanks for the link to that site. Great information!
Buckaroobob, I wasn’t aware of the banning on the Umatilla Reservation. Wow! Maria, Dee, and Sherry, Thank you all for your comments!August 19, 2010 – 9:44 am
What a great post. This year 2 of my 4H kids did a ton of research on BSL. 2 things that really struck me were 1) in many cases a dog who bites to protect his owner or himself is treated the same as one who attacks unprovoked, and 2) many municipalities with bsl have found the bite statistics increasing.August 20, 2010 – 5:34 am
This is AWESOME! I cannot wait to share it. If you go to the temperament testing web site (on my way to work) they have wonderful statistics about who passes and fails by breed! I’ll try to find it and forward to you. This is exactly what our nation needs and I appreciate it greatly and intend to spread it widely! I know in our surgery clinic, it’s the “little guys” that are happy to bite, bite, bite! 
August 20, 2010 – 6:08 am
We have so much in common, it’s scary. Photography, animal advocacy, AND we both have vicious parrots that like to attack our husbands! Great writing and beautiful images. Thanks for “speaking” so much sense. Now if only our representatives would stop making knee-jerk decisions, and do what is actually BEST for their constituency.August 20, 2010 – 8:37 am
Great article and beautiful photos. I hope this gets shared alot. I passed it on to many. Thank you!August 20, 2010 – 8:59 am
Hi =]
I got this link from your discussion of Flickr, cuuuute photos squee (had to be said…)
I agree with everything you have said here, there’s just one further point I’d like to add…there’s no such thing as a PITBULL!
“Pit” actually denotes a fighting dog, as they’re made to face each other in pits whilst the sub-humans bet on their lives. There are many BULL breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bulldogs, Bull Mastiff etc but PITbull is actually a mis-nomer. Just thought I’d share that, because every time a dog is called a pitbull, we’re supporting the idea that these dogs were bred to fight.
As the owner of the world’s silliest German Shepherd I am 100% against BSL. It needs to stop now.August 21, 2010 – 12:26 pm
Thanks to all for your comments and links!
Sorcha, I’m almost embarrassed to have spent so much time going back and forth with that guy who’s obviously a troll or just running on too few neurons…not worth the time. As for PitBull being a misnomer, I do think it’s used improperly to identify many dogs, however, it is a recognized breed, not just a descriptor of intended behavior. I think the way it works is the breed is recognized as Staffordshire Terriers by the AKC and American Pit Bull by the UKC. I think many dogs are registered as both. There are a few people who have linked or commented here that can elaborate more (Jeanette, Shannon, Kaymie, Liz). For me, dogs are dogs so I don’t pay as much attention to breed delineations.August 21, 2010 – 1:06 pm
A nicely written article indeed. K and Mav are great, and your willingness to take a stand on BSL is appreciated.
I do however, have to agree with Sorcha on the fact that “pitbull” is not a breed. Pitbull is a term that is used to loosely describe dogs of similar, vague physical characteristics. The breeds most commonly lumped into the pitbull group include: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They are three different breeds all together. The pitbull classification can also often include: American Bullies, Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentinos, Cane Corsos, Presa Canarios, Boxers; as well as, other mastiff and bulldog breeds and their mixes.
The dogs that you have pictured in you article are gorgeous dogs and definitely fall into the pitbull category. However, they are not actual American Pit Bull Terriers. They are American Staffordshire Terriers and American Bullies, both of which were created using the American Pit Bull Terrier. American Pit Bull Terriers are breed for athletism, power, speed, stamina, drive, functional conformation, intelligence, loyalty, and to be the true all around working package. The American Staffordshire Terrier is breed for looks, conformation, and color. The American Bully is breed mostly as a pet, for those looking for an extra large hunk of pitbull love.
If you are interested, you can view the actual American Pit Bull Terrier on the American Dog Breeder Association’s website (www.adba.cc). The standard differs considerably from the UKC standard for the American Bully styled APBT (www.ukcdogs.com) and the AKC AST.August 25, 2010 – 11:03 pm
Articulate, well thought-out and intelligently written.
good job! will be a useful tool to aid in our breeds’ defense.
TY August 25, 2010 – 11:29 pm
Hello I’m located in Saint Petersburg, Florida. I was wondering if you or anyone may know of a lawyer that would represent me in court, involving criminal charges for owning a “vicious” dog breed. My neighbor continually calls the police and animal services, making false complaints. My family and I now have several court dates to attend to in result. Thank you for any help and I very much enjoyed your article. – KaraAugust 27, 2010 – 10:19 am
Absolutely right! Great pictures! Are you endorsing any rescue club or club that are defending the bullys by selling articles with your pictures on (calendars, cards, notebooks,…)? They would made good gift ideas too!..November 12, 2010 – 3:44 pm
What a great article. I will pass this post on and on because people need to be aware that this should not happen to any dog breed. There are responsibilities that the owners need to take and the sad fact that people use and abuse these wonderful animals everyday breaks my heart. Thanks for writing such a wonderful, insightful article.June 21, 2011 – 12:34 pm
Excellent article! I have a chihuahua and he is as sweet as can be! He is still a puppy but if you train him corectly he will be a family friendsly dog. It’s up the owners not the breed of dog they are.June 21, 2011 – 1:46 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by MariaDaines, jesse. jesse said: http://www.lmeimages.com/news/breed-specific-legislation-the-banning-of-certain-breeds-makes-no-sense/ [...]August 20, 2010 – 7:37 pm
The first time I met Theresa and Dan was when I photographed their new Yorkie pup, Charlie. Even as a puppy, Charlie was calm and laid back. Liza was the next addition, such a contrast to Charlie, non-stop energy and already the “boss”. The new pup, Spencer, seems to be a cross between the two. ...
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Wow!! They look better then I thot they would! Spencer is such a cutie! What a lovely family!!August 17, 2010 – 9:37 pm
Wow, they are soooo cute. Oh, wait am I biased???
Thanks Laurie, we had so much fun doing the pictures. And, yes, I think Spencer is the new “boss”!!!August 18, 2010 – 5:07 am
Oh, and I didn’t say thanks to our lovely and talented assistant and friend to our dogs – Kim. That was really fun!August 18, 2010 – 5:11 am
What a beautiful pictures!!! What a amazing professional job! All 3 are soo cute and You, Theresa, are so beautiful August 19, 2010 – 3:19 am
Shame on me for not giving Kim a shout out. She did a great job assisting. By the way, that’s Kim’s dog Friday in the prior post. Friday is also the dancing Great Dane pictured in the Welcome section above (if you entered the site through the home page link).
Hylja is right. Theresa is beautiful, both inside and out!August 19, 2010 – 9:48 am
OK…I know it’s not Friday. It’s Thursday. However, this fantastic Great Dane is named Friday. She is one of my favorite dogs to photograph. She has that rare ability to go from elegant to goofy in the blink of an eye (or a camera shutter). I’m totally digging the black on black combination. Of course,...
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Of course my baby is beautiful and perfect! Thanks Laurie for doing some awesome shots of her. I really like the black on black!August 13, 2010 – 11:08 am
She has such facial expression. Great shots.August 13, 2010 – 12:06 pm
My pleasure Kim!
Shannon, I think the last facial expression is telling me she’s had enough of this photography nonsense.August 19, 2010 – 9:50 am
Friday is absolutely beautiful – what lovely photos
Angela, UKAugust 20, 2010 – 7:11 am
These two adorable kittens are awaiting adoption at Pinellas Animal Hospital. Diamond, on the left is a purring machine that loves to cuddle. Dozer on the right was a little shy at first but it wasn’t long before he was chasing toys and making himself at home in my lap. If you’re interested in adopting,...
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Emma loves to swim. Emma loves her Tennis Ball. Emma loves to combine her two passions. I love photographing dogs being dogs! We both love this spot at Ft. Desoto park, overlooking Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge.
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Nice looking hound . . . and a great shot!August 2, 2010 – 11:40 am
Thank you Dr. Brown. Emma is indeed a nice looking hound. She was a lot of fun to work with.August 2, 2010 – 6:17 pm
Hi, I was google image searching pugs and I found your old website and I became mesmerized… Your photos are amazing. After deciding to work in Entertainment and Hollywood when I was younger, and getting to do some really neat stuff, I’ve now decided I made a mistake and I wish I would have chosen to work creatively with dogs and animals… Oh your life just looks dreamy. I LOVE your photos!!! LisaAugust 6, 2010 – 6:39 pm
Thanks Lisa! I must admit, I have a great life! Though, yours sounds quite interesting as well.August 9, 2010 – 11:04 am
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