My Challenge to Charlotte Alter and TIME Magazine
by John Flores
So as most of you know already, there was an article in Time Magazine titled, “The Problem With Pit Bulls”. I’m not going to get into my feelings about it and I’m not here to bash Charlotte Alter. However, I find it hard to believe that she’s ever been around a “pit bull” or a bully breed because if she had, she wouldn’t have put out such a biased article. And if she was looking to get attention, I’m sure she got it in the form of hate mail which I’m sure she will never read. And I’m even willing to bet she got just as many emails supporting her stance. This is the letter I wrote to Charlotte Alter…
For what it’s worth, Miss Alter, I don’t hate you. You have every right to say how you feel. You’re obviously good at what you do. I could only wish to have anything I wrote in TIME, The Wall Street Journal, or the New York Times. Oh, how I wish you were with me when I went to visit the New York Bully Crew where I met actual dogs that were involved in dog fighting rings who only wanted to do nothing but lick my face when I met them. I could go ahead and write about facts that argue against your article but I’m sure an educated person like you have already looked into that and already has a rebuttal for anyone that chooses to confront you about your article. I’m not here to make you take back what you wrote or make you back pedal on your statements. I’m here to simply offer a “challenge” to you.
I’m not sure where you live but I challenge you to come out to Chino, California. I challenge you to come meet Miss Penny Lane and Mr. Elvis and hang out with me for a week. I will take you to Priceless Pet Rescue to meet all our pit bulls. You have my word, I will keep them all “under control” so you don’t get licked to death! I challenge you to come to the pound with me so you can watch me evaluate a pittie that has been locked up for weeks with minimal human contact. I will introduce you to dogs that were starved for months, abused, neglected and still love humans. You can meet all the kids that volunteer and actually CHOOSE to walk the pit bulls! And at the end of the week, all I ask is that you write what you saw while you were with me. I promise I will not bring up your article one time and will not pass judgment on you. Lord knows I’ve said a few things in my day that not everyone was happy with. I’ll even take you to lunch every day you’re here on the condition that Penny and Elvis come with us! My goal is not so much to prove you wrong but I just want you to see what we see. Maybe you will see why so many of us are so passionate about this breed and you will probably understand why so many people were so upset about your article. We are just as passionate about our dogs as you are about your work.
I’m pretty sure this letter will never get read by you. In fact, I’m almost positive that this email will be buried under thousands of emails from this weekend. But if this somehow makes its way to you, this is a standing invitation. I challenge you to come see the other side…
Recommended Posts
Through No Fault of Their Own Part V
September 12, 2017
A Letter To The Men of Pawsitive Change at Corcoran State Prison
September 06, 2017
No Fault of Their Own Part IV
August 22, 2017
Comments
Comments are closed.
Great letter John! I hope she reads it! It’s only fair to see the other side of what she wrote about . No matter how it turns out, you are making a difference!
Thanks, Sue. Probably nothing will come of this but you never know!
“I’m sure an educated person like you have already looked into that and already has a rebuttal for anyone that chooses to confront you about your article.”
I dunno man, she cited Merritt-Clifton AND Dogbite.org, two of the most notorious fact-twisting sources one can, then cited an ASPCA article that was trying to impart the exact OPPOSITE of her thesis. Every major animal welfare organization is anti-BSL, not sure you can argue effectively from a position based on jack squat while having done less than no research.
I’ll never get my point across by arguing with her, I’m well aware of that but maybe if I get a chance to SHOW her, MAYBE we can get somewhere.
Its articles like hers that give all bully looking breeds a bad name. I wish I could walk my Corso without people running to the other side of the street or holding their hands up as they pass with wide eyes. When all they get in return is a sweet loving look from a pup that just wants to be pet. Everyone thinks shes a giant pitbull and never stop to find out what she is. Or when they do they ask if shes the dog that killed that one person in some other state just cause shes brindle. I once took her to the dog park where she gets along with everyone people and dogs when this family came in with their very skittish and submissive shepherd. All my girl did was walk up slowly to sniff and greet the dog. The shepherd instantly rolled on its back like all submissive dogs do while my girl just stared. Needless to say the family told me to get my “aggressive” dog away from theirs and they ran out into their cars. Everyone including my girl had a very confused look. I will never understand judgemental people when it comes to these “aggressive” looking breeds.
Brooke, I feel ya. I could only imagine how frustrated you must get when people can’t even get the breed of your dog right! And I agree with you, “aggressive” is not a breed. It sounds like you’re doing a great job with your pup, though! Keep up the good work!
that is very well written and i LOVE it! I sure hope God finds a way to bring it to her attention and she takes you up on your offer..it will be a GREAT eye opener for the ignorant…
I really hope so, too!
Amazing! I’m sure you’re right about her not even reading it let alone accepting your challenge, but thank you anyways. For being well written and polite and mature about the situation. Bashing people’s opinions and freaking out on them only makes them think pit bull owners are even more crazy than they probably already do. I hope to God she reads this and accepts it, changing minds is not an easy task at all so either way we all applaud your efforts! Thanks for all you do for this community!!
Right now the alleged incident appears to be a hoax. KFC can’t find evidence that this family even went to the restaurant in question. Either way, the family will get $30,000 from KFC. It seems that this incident was motivated by money. Charlotte Alter should change the title of her article from “The Problem with Pitbulls” to “The Problem with Shady People” because frankly, that’s what this article is about. As far as the little girl is concerned, I feel bad that she had to endure the attack and that she’s now permanently mentally and physically scarred. Her family? Shame on you!