2nd annual ‘Saint Pitties Day’ event to highlight the misunderstood breed

Officials with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter are hoping a special event this weekend will help change perceptions of an often misunderstood breed.

It’s no secret pitbulls and other bully breeds have received a bad rap lately. It’s one that education coordinator Jen Walker says is completely unjustified.

“Sometimes we joke that the most dangerous part of most pitbulls are their tails because they wag so much and they’re so strong that they’ll leave bruises on your knees when they’re happy.”

5,000 animals are seen here a year, many of them pit mixes.

Some end up here because of housing breed bias, not spaying and neutering, and of course, people wanting them for something else.

“We’ve seen pit bulls come in with scars on their heads and bodies and it’s sad that people mistreat these dogs and the thing about pit bulls is that they are a large breed, they’re powerful dogs and people misuse them in many ways unfortunately,” says Volunteer Program Coordinator Erin Conway.

But Conway and Walker hope this weekend’s “Saint Pitties Day” events will help people understand just how loving and great these dogs can be.

A play on the Saint Paddy’s Day holiday, it’s a pub crawl and adoptathon…all benefiting the animals, while teaching a lesson.

“We want to tell people about the reality of owning a pittie, how much fun it is, but also the responsibilities that go with owning a pittie. Making that dog truly an ambassador, giving them all the skills so they can go out there in public and show how wonderful pitties can be,” says Walker.

And this is all to prove they aren’t dangerous, just misunderstood.

The event starts Saturday March 17th with an adoptathon from 10-6 at 2200 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz, and the Pit Stop Pub Crawl means $1 off all pints all day for participating pubs.

For more information, click here.