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Title: PIT BULL RENTAL PREJUDICE
Source:
eugeneweekly.com
URL Source: http://eugeneweekly.com/2011/10/20/news.html#5
Published: Oct 22, 2011
Author: staff
Post Date: 2011-10-22 16:52:11 by Ferret Mike
Keywords: None
Views: 202
She was the 2010 Oregon Red Cross “Animal Hero of The Year” for her work with at-risk youth at the Serbu Juvenile Justice Center. She’s been in EW; she’s been on the television news. Sasha the deaf pit bull might have found someone to adopt her, but she’s having trouble finding a home. After reading about Sasha in EW’s Pets issue (7/28) William Novorolsky, who works with the developmentally disabled people who are deaf, says he “felt a very real connection” to the dog. So he sought out Sasha and her foster mom, Micaela Frank. He met Sasha and Frank and decided that he wanted to adopt the dog, but it wasn’t that easy. Novorolsky needs to find a place to live at with Sasha, but the stigma of the pit bull breed seems to be hooked to her leash. “The reason a lot of people surrender their pits is that their housing situations change and won’t allow pits,” Frank says. Novorolsky says, “I put 1,800 miles more than normal on my car in 30 days,” in his two-month search for a home that will take the dog. “Though I answered several ads this Sunday morning, I have not heard back from a one. Why? Sasha’s breed.” Novorolsky says he can remember that in the ’60s and early ’70s pit bulls were one of the preferred family dogs, as he says they are so attentive, cuddly and family oriented. Now, pit bulls have been stereotyped as vicious predators with a short fuse, when really they are still the same family dogs, he says. Novorolsky says most of the rental companies don’t reply to his inquiries, while others state no pets on the property, and specifically, “No pits.” Novorolsky says at least one property manager said the owner didn’t want any liability in the event that a pit bull harms someone. EW contacted several local rental agencies for this story, but none would agree to speak on record about the issue. Sasha is a recognized hero with proven credentials, and the dog has been looking for a home for close to a year. But Novorolsky’s time is running out; he made a loose agreement with Frank to have a place for himself and Sasha by the beginning of October. He worries that his partnership with Sasha could be at risk if he can’t find a home that will let him have the dog. “If only landlords were able to look at things on a case-by-case basis, maybe we could make some progress,” Frank says, “but not if we are still going to judge based on breed or even just the way a dog looks.” She asks, “If a Red Cross hero can’t find a home, how can a pit without any credentials?” “The world is often an upside down place. I need some help to straighten this little corner of it out,” Novorolsky says. For more on Sasha or if you know of a good rental, drop Frank a note at sashathepit@gmail.com — Kendall Fields
Sasha the pit bull and her potential new owner are searching for a pit-friendly home
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