September 27th 2011

Page 1

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Western Port

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PAGES 44–46

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PAGES 47–50

Thursday 10th Nov

SPRING MOTORING

PAGE 51

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27 September – 10 October 2011

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Bullies are real softies

By Keith Platt PETA Lachmund is the victim of mistaken identity. Strangers have been accosting her believing she owns an American pit bull, rather than a “childfriendly” English bull terrier. Ms Lachmund is angry because Ignatius, or Iggy to his friends (which is just about everyone), is a loved family pet and has never caused a dogfight. “I’ve been screamed at for having a pit bull and they won’t listen when I try to explain,” she said. Iggy is taken for a daily walk in the leash-free area on the foreshore at Hastings, which is where Ms Lachmund was subjected to the latest of several abusive remarks by dog owners not knowing the difference between breeds. “A woman’s kelpie came at Iggy from behind, but he just ignored it and I had to pick up our other dog, a ball of fluff really, which was barking at the kelpie,” she said. “She threatened to call the police and ranger, so I took a note of her car registration and said I’d be happy to wait because they would laugh at her. I’ve never seen her down there before and hope I don’t see her again. “It’s a shame people don’t know how friendly English bull terriers are. We’ve had three, and they grew up with our children. I’m not stupid, I wouldn’t buy a dangerous dog. I’ve never met a bull terrier that has bitten a child or hurt its owner.” Ms Lachmund runs the Beach Hut Café in High St, Hastings, with her partner Chris Harmon and has placed photos in the window to show what the different breeds of dog look like. She and Iggy will be among the bull terriers and their owners taking a “bully walk” along the banks of the Yarra and into Melbourne on Sunday 16 October. Ms Lachmund said the bully walks are aimed at showing the public that English bull terriers make good family pets and should not be confused with the more aggressive American pit bulls. While acknowledging that bull terriers were originally bred for combat with other dogs, the Bull Terrier Club of Victoria says they have a “natural affectionate nature and penchant for luxury”. The club’s website describes them as “highly intelligent and they thrive on human interaction and praise. They have a great sense of humour, imagination and personality, and simply like to do things on their terms.” The club goes on to say they are “wonderful companions and family dogs” but need to be socialised from a puppy with other dogs and animals. “While you may trust your bully, you can never trust other dogs and if an altercation erupts, the bull terrier will usually be blamed regardless of who started it.”

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Puppy love: Peta Lachmund is tired of being berated by people who think her dog Iggy is a dangerous American pit bull when it is an English bull terrier.

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