Halloween hoax targets pitbulls
Posted Sep 25, 2013 09:56:41 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Local animal rights groups are concerned over posters that have been popping up around Halifax Regional Municipality advertising national “Kill A Pitbull Day.”
The posters encourage people to get together on Halloween night and kill as many pitbulls as they can.
It’s a hoax that surfaced on social media across North America last year and appears to have re-surfaced.
A Facebook page has even been set up in support of pitbull owners in light of the negative social media traffic.
Annette Armitage, the president of the Animal Rescue Coalition, believes it’s just a hoax, but warns it might be wise to keep pets indoors on Oct. 31.
She says black cats have often fallen victim to the same mischief.
“Black cats are associated with Halloween and many human societies and adoption agencies do not adopt out black cats close to Halloween just because potential harm can come to them,” said Armitage.
Meanwhile, Armitage says pitbulls continue to fight their bad reputation, which in many cases is undeserved.
“There’s many bites that happen whether due to the fault of the dogs or due to the fault of the owner. These do happen, but the ones that make it to the limelight are the pitbulls,” said Armitage.
Armitage says people have preconceived notions about pitbulls, but she says it’s all in how their owners train them.
