Man hopes to de-demonize pit bull-type dogs
Keith Kendrick of Albany gets a lick from Peaches, his pit bull type dog as Dinga plays in the background. (David Patton/Democrat-Herald)
Keith Kendrick of Albany finds it hard to believe that his dog Peaches could intimidate anyone.
Happy, playful and friendly, the 5-year-old pup flat-out loves people, as well as other dogs, particularly 2-year-old Dinga, her housemate at the Kendrick home. But Peaches is a pit bull-type dog and still carries a stigma wherever she goes, according to Kendrick.
“I’ve seen people pull back from us and whisper that she’s dangerous,” Kendrick said.
That kind of reaction bothers Kendrick, who is on a mission to change attitudes and keep pit bull-type dogs out of pounds and shelters.
Kendrick, who works as a nurse, started “Help the Pits” about two years ago. The program, in partnership with Pet Adoption Network in Philomath, concentrates on helping owners of pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs, who could not otherwise afford it, get their animals spayed or neutered.
“I want to reduce the number of unwanted pit bulls and get the word out that people should react to any dog, including pit bull types, based on behavior, not looks,” Kendrick said.
To that second point, Kendrick started a website that provides links and information about pit bulls and related types of dogs at www.dogbreedprejudice.info.
He maintains that most dogs identified as pit bulls aren’t pure-bred. He says they are pit bull types and usually mixed breeds.
He and his wife, Annie, provide the financial support and make initial contacts for his program. Each dog’s situation is reviewed and Kendrick determines if the owners are qualified for help.
The Pet Adoption Network takes it from there, providing access to veterinary service.
“I saw an ad about reduced-cost spays and neuters for pits in Lane County and couldn’t find anything like it here,” Kendrick said.
That spurred him to start his program, which has helped more than 20 dog owners over two years.
Kendrick admits time and money are not easy to come by but said he receives help from Oregon State University and the Willamette Humane Society in Salem. He also gets recommendations from vets who know him.
Kendrick loves animals. A “cat person” for 30 years, he turned his affections to dogs after he married Annie.
“She had Labs and I learned to love them,” he said. “When one died we went to an adoption event and that’s where we got Peaches.”
The young dog instantly bonded with the old Labrador and wound up coming home with the family.
Her personality and an encounter with a pit that was lovingly playing with two children at Waldo Lake led him on his journey to help the breed.
Kendrick, who also volunteers at SafeHaven Humane Society, has helped get dogs of all breeds adopted.
“People are generally misinformed about pit bulls. A lot of reported attacks and bites turn out to be misidentified,” he said.
Unfavorable media exposure has been a problem, according to Kendrick.
“There is tremendous discrimination against the breed. Most end up euthenized,” he said. “They have been unfairly demonized.”
Steve Lathrop is the business reporter for the Albany Democrat-Herald. He can be reached at 541-812-6076 or by email at steve.lathrop@lee.net.
