Update for "The Chain Reaction: Standing Witness"

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Best Friends Network website

From Officer Bruce D. Petitt:

I wanted to follow up on our telephone conversation today, by emailing my results of the evaluation of the two female Pit bulls.

First let me say, what an amazing difference a few weeks of TLC has made in the lives of these two dogs. They are completely different animals than what I found that day in Wadley, Georgia. These dogs have learned what it is to feel loved, and to be social with someone. My guess, their only interaction was either when they were walked into a fight, or when someone threw a bag of dog food out there for them.

I tested mostly the Prey Instincts on these dogs, as that is the drive that compels them to fight.

My opinion:  These dogs never fought because they wanted to.  If they ever did fight, it would have been because they wanted to eat and not be beaten. There is little to no prey drive in these dogs. 

Ball Drive is the drive that is important to interaction with us.  They both showed some of that today. I allowed my 5 and 7 year old sons, to run, to jump, and to get right up face to face with these two ladies, and not even once did the dogs react with withdrawing or by showing signs of aggression. They acted like very socially acceptable dogs. 

I handled their faces and extremities roughly, to attempt to draw a reaction.  Again, I was met with perfect behavior. Both dogs exhibited the ability to accept behavioral change, and the ability to accept corrections. My opinion would be that these two are totally safe to enter into any adoption program, either kennel or home.

Thank you so much to all who have stepped up to make this happen. I look forward to meeting each and every one.

Officer Bruce D. Petitt
Waynesboro Police Department

Officer Petit has conducted extensive behavioral assessments of these two dogs and has concluded they have wonderful dispositions.

From Vickie Richeson, a Burke County resident who has pledged to save Sallie & Ellie, who visit the pair regularly at Burke County Animal Hospital to take them out for socialization.  Vickie writes about Officer Petitt’s assessment of Sallie and Ellie.

I don't know if you got the official report yet, but the ladies passed with flying colors. We brought the ladies out separately. He had his buddy, another officer, stride across the small parking lot, approaching the dog quickly, calling to them and reaching for them. Both greeted him warmly, like a long lost friend. They had 2 squeaky toys, which they tossed down in front of the dog. Each were happy and played with the toy, allowing the assisting officer to take it from them a number of times. Both allowed Officer Petitt to examine their mouths, ears, feet and run his hands down their bodies.

Then Officer Petitt had his 5 and 7 year old sons get out of the car. They lined up and raced across the parking lot and back, jumping and hollering. Neither dog paid them any attention til they returned, when they were greeted with wagging tails. The boys were allowed to pet the dogs, who returned the attention with kisses and wiggling bodies. Officer Petitt says there is no aggression or hunter behavior in these dogs.

After the officers left, I thought since I was there, I might as well take them for a walk. The kennel attendant brought Ellie Mae out first. I was sitting in a chair. A 6 month old boxer pup started barking at Ellie. She jumped into my lap and buried her head in the crook of my arm. We walked down the street to the athletic complex and I took her into the tennis court so I could let her off lead. She never left me and when I sat on the bench, she sat in front of me for petting.

When I brought Sallie to the tennis court and let her off lead, after a bit she ran across the court, but came right back. She repeated this several times, but when I sat on the bench, she jumped up on the bench and tried to sit in my arms. This doesn't work well, logistically, but we adjusted, the best we could. She is so full of kisses. When we got back to the parking lot, she pulled at the leash toward another dog, but did not bark or growl, so I cannot say if she would have been aggressive or merely curious with the other dog. I stopped, by the way, at Wal-Mart on the way home and bought them a tennis ball to play with.

I cannot conclude without telling you what a small world is. When I told Officer Petitt what I had named the dogs, he started laughing. His aunt's name, it seems, is Sallie. And his pet nickname -not her real name- for his wife....is Ellie Mae. I guess some things are just meant to be.