Dustin is a happy, lovable dog with an excellent sense of humor, but that wasn’t always the case. Not so long ago, he was found in a field — his leg mutilated, his spirit crushed.

He is one associated with the hundreds of dogs that rescue organization 716 Paws — the volunteer-run, Buffalo-based nonprofit with a Rochester chapter — places with foster families each year. Dustin was also among the handful of animals featured at this past Saturday’s pet adoption event held in PetSmart on Jefferson Road, an occasion that the save organizes each month.

But unlike many of the other pups up for adoption, the particular black doe-eyed pit mix has too often been passed up by those seeking their next furry family member. That’s because pit bulls — originally said to be bred as “ nanny dogs ” due to their own classic gentle spirit around children; “Petey” from The Little Rascals might come to mind — are notoriously given a bad rap.

Jasmin Singer

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WXXI News

And according to advocates, too many people believe it.

Dustin’s path to Rochester was a long one. When he has been just the puppy, this individual was discovered with his brother hobbling within a field in Texas, each associated with them bleeding and missing a limb. It’s believed they were likely mutilated intentionally.

A nearby shelter brought them in and posted a video of the two, which is how Danielle McCall — co-founder of 716 Paws — learned about their dire situation.

“I sent a message to my partner plus said, ‘I don’t care what we gotta do, just get these dogs here, ’” McCall says.

So with the help of the travel grant provided simply by PetCo , Dustin and his brother were flown to Rochester to be rehabilitated. Though his brother was adopted quickly, McCall surmises that will Dustin has been overlooked because associated with his color — black dogs and cats are the hardest to adopt out — combined with him being what McCall lovingly refers to as “a tripod. ”

But , although it may be off-putting to some, Dustin’s lacking limb does not stop your pet from playing and running around, as any puppy would do. And though he or she was at first timid plus tentative, the particular consistent treatment he’s already been receiving has allowed him in order to blossom.

Contrary to popular belief, the term “pit bull” will not represent a specific dog breed; the American Kennel Club doesn’t even recognize pit bulls, for example. In most people’s minds, a pit bull-type dog is one having a certain “look” — such as those along with large, block-shaped heads and very short coats. Arguably, they fit somewhere within the class of breeds called “bully breeds, ” a generic term used to identify various terrier-type dogs.

To see how many of these marginalized pups need homes, look no further than the adoptable canines from Rochester’s city shelter upon Verona Street. There, you will find pit bull after pit bull, making up nearly the particular entirety associated with available dogs.

It’s the misconceptions about pitties that frequently lead to them being passed over in favor of more popular breeds. Yet pit half truths enthusiasts will tell you that this makes no sense, maintaining that they are often gentle, loyal and friendly.

Jasmin Singer

or

WXXI News

One of all those self-described “die-hard pit bull-lovers” is Lisa Skavienski, owner of East Rochester’s DogEducated , the dog training and behavior consultation business. “They’re smart; they’re very fun to train, ” she says.

Skavienski, who will be also the particular human companion to hole bulls, offers seen firsthand the stigma that frequently comes along with pits. “I’ve spent a good portion of the career trying to undo all of the misinformation which is out there about pit bulls, ” she says. “There’s simply no dog that’s inherently aggressive or vicious. ”

According to both Skavienski plus McCall, hole bulls — like any kind of other canine, regardless of breed — require training.

“Do you have a child and just state, ‘Have a nice life. We’re not gonna do anything with you or teach you anything? No, ” McCall says.

Aside from misperceptions regarding pit bulls themselves, there are also misunderstandings about breed discrimination laws. Such laws do exist — for example , individuals enacted in Ontario, Canada — but not really in New York state. Here, municipalities cannot ban pit bulls or any other breed of dog. And as of last year, neither can insurance companies for those seeking homeowners’ insurance.

As for Dustin, even though he’s still looking for the forever home, thanks to their loving create family and rescue, he is indeed one of the lucky ones. Unlike so many other young, healthy, loveable canines — numerous of whom wind upward as little more than a statistic with the county shelter — he is usually being given training, exercise, and love.

716 Feet hosts their monthly animal ownership event on PetSmart on West Ridge Road in Rochester upon the second Saturday of each month. For now, anyway, Dustin will become there.