DNA Test Saves Dog’s Life
In Salina, KS breed specific legislation (BSL) was passed in 2005 which bans owning unregistered pit bulls and mixed breeds that are predominantly pit bull. If a pit bull is found it can be removed from the owner and either put down or possibly re-homed outside Salina.
Pit bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog, many breed-specific laws use the term “pit bull” to refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and dogs with significant mixes of these breeds.
Recently a dog named Lucey was almost put down due to mistaken identity. It all began when Angie Cartwright was pet-sitting for her brother and his dog got loose. Animal control officers picked up the dog and when he was returned saw Lucey.
The officers thought she looked like a pit bull and told Cartwright they were taking her in for testing, a DNA test. I found it interesting that they offered that option, as you’ll see in a minute it can be a lifesaving test.
Here are the details from KansasCity.com.
Today, Lucey is home, and Cartwright credits a genetic test kit that helps pet owners identify the heritage of their mixed-breed dogs.
The test found that a minor amount of Lucey’s DNA came from Staffordshire bull terrier genes — a little more than 12 percent, not close to a predominant percentage.
Without the test results, Cartwright and her family would have been faced with finding Lucey a home outside Salina, or leaving her at the animal shelter where she would be destroyed.
I am personally against BSL because I don’t think it solves the real issue, bad owners and bad breeders. This case is just one more reason it scares me, Lucey was taken away on the assumption she had bit bull in her. If it weren’t for the the DNA test wh0 knows what would have happened. I am impressed the time was taken to find out what breed(s) she really was. I have no idea if all places that have BSL test like this, but they should. I also wonder if the test cost is charged to the owner, it isn’t an inexpensive test, usually about $140.
Interesting enough, the test showed the largest amount (25%) of Lucey’s DNA was Bernese mountain dog. She had no more than 12.5 percent each of bull terrier DNA, boxer, and Staffordshire bull terrier.
You can’t judge a dog by its cover.
*Pic courtesy Tom Dorsey
Looking at the picture of Lucey you’d never guess she had any Berner at all. Just goes to show you can’t judge a dog by it’s cover. A lesson that should be impressed upon those who advocate BSL.
Oh wow! We actually sell a DNA breed identification test http://www.petdepotonline.com/browse.cfm/dog-products/identification-kits/dna-breed-identification-kit/4,229.html for $49.99 which might save an owner some money. Let’s just hope that not many owners have to go through this!
I think DNA testing is a great way to make states realize, you cannot judge a dogs by it’s cover. A lot of dogs called Pit Bulls are not full blooded. No breed should be type cast just because of bad owners and breeders. But I’m sure a lot have been put down, just if they AC or even the owner would take the time to get a DNA test. As for the cost, surely if another case like Lucey’s comes up and the owner was charged, if it saves their furry family member, they would not mind paying the cost. And maybe owners can look into checking with their vet to see if they can offer such a test. It would save lives.
Being in rescue, you see some unusual mixes, and no, wouldn’t have seen Bernese in Lucey either! One of the more interesting I’ve seen was a dog that appeared to be a nearly pure Australian Cattle dog came in already pregnant, and her puppies all looked like Rottweiler, or Black or Yellow Labs. Had we not known the pups came from her, you’d never had guessed these dogs had Cattle Dog in them!
This is why I hate when people bash DNA tests like this, this one saved a dog’s life, and who knows how many other dogs have had their lives spared from these DNA tests.
English Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a mostly family friendly breed, and have actually been recommended in studies as a good breed for families and children. Not sure how much the American SB Terrier differs, but it seems the main thing that breed suffers from is looking like a Pit Bull, rather than sharing any of its breeds general termperament. It seems misguided that they have been singled out for targetting like this. Even the much maligned American Pit Bull is not entirely singular in temperament and, as Cesar Milan’s dog ‘Daddy’ has shown, can rise above the reputation.
So perhpas DNA tests are not the answer, and laws that focus on the behaviour of the owner are.
Well,first of all,I want to tank this website for putting luceys storey up for people to see.Sadly this is a call for help…after all that we have been thru..the city of Salina want to take lucey away..they said that sources…told them that the DNA tests are not reliable! Im asking for help to save my dog…we where so happy to keep her now they want to take her my family is devastated…i have contacted peta..im trying to find an attorney to protect luceys rights…help please