If you live in Williamson County or the City of Round Rock, you must register your pet! Tags can be purchased at most veterinary clinics and at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (Animal Control Facility for Williamson County) with proof of Rabies Vaccination.

When most people hear the words 'Pit Bull' they think of the countless stories they have heard on TV about Pit Bulls attacking people. These sensationalistic stories are often told to increase ratings. Unfortunately these stories also add to the public's predjudice against these dogs & their owners. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a purebred dog, recognized as a breed and registered by the United Kennel Club (UKC), the second largest all-breed registry in the country. The American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is registered and recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). An AmStaff can also be registered with the UKC under the name "American Pit Bull Terrier." They are behaviorally and historically the same breed.

Below are the stories of Pit Bulls who have shown immesurable strength , courage, & loyalty. These are the stories the media should be telling the public . These stories illustrate the type of animals these dogs are. They are not evil killers, they are intelligent, loving, loyal companions to many. They also excell in search & rescue, obedience, agility & many are therapy dogs for the elderly or disabled.

Many celebrities also own Pit Bulls. "She's so loyal, affectionate & sensitive. If I ever got another dog, it'd have to be a Pit. I love their personalities." says Bernadette Peters, on her Pit Bull, Stella. Other celebrities who love their Pit Bulls include Vin Diesel, Jon Stuard, Sinbad, Alicia Silverstone, Brad Pitt, Linda Blair, and Steve & Terri Erwin (of Animal Planet's: The Crocodile Hunter). The Erwins love their dog Suey so much, that they even named their daughter after her!

BEFORE THERE WAS A BEVO, THERE WAS A DOG NAMED PIG.
The pugnacious tan and white Pit Bull (1914-1923) had the run of The University of Texas at Austin campus - from Old Main to the steps of the University Co-op where he slept at night. The varsity mascot went to classes with students, attended home and out-of-town athletic events (it was said he would snarl at the slightest mention of Texas A&M University) and participated in morning "fall outs" with military aeronautics cadets during World War I.
To find out more about 'PIG' please loOk at the following we site
http://www.utexas.edu/admin/opa/news/01newsreleases/nr_200104/pig2.html

'PIT BULL' HERO SGT. STUBBY (1917-1926)
This stray Pit Bull, of unknown descent, was found by Private John Robert Conroy on the campus of Yale University, in 1917, while Conroy was training for deployment to the European front of WWI. During the course of his stay at the camp with Pvt. Conroy, Stubby became familiar with all of the bugle calls, the drill marching routines, and even learned to give a dog's version of a salute. He would put his right paw on his right eyebrow when a salute was executed by others around him. Stubby's ability to salute struck a chord with the training camp commander and the dog was granted permission to remain with Private Conroy. Stubby, along with Pvt. Conroy eventually traveled to the frontlines with the 102nd Infantry Division. While serving overseas, Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy. The commander of the 10 2nd used this last act of bravery to put Stubby in for a promotion to the ranks of the Noncommissioned Officers by awarding him the rank of Sergeant. He became the first 'Pit Bull' to be given rank in the United States Armed Forces. Sgt. Stubby served in 17 battles during his stay in Europe.

WEELA THE KEN-L-RATION DOG HERO 1993
Weela a Pit Bull pictured with her owner, was named Ken-L-Rations dog hero for 1993. She saved 30 people, 29 dogs, 13 horses and a cat during heavy floods. Reader's Digest did a story on the hero dog but REFUSED to print Weela's breed in the article.

OFFICER POPSICLE
Officer Popsicle was rescued from a freezer during a drug raid. When Popsicle regained his strength, the attending shelter contacted US Customs canine-enforcement officer Sally Barr. It was a real long shot, but maybe Popsicle would qualify for the US Customs dog training school in Front Royal, VA. Of 500 dogs Barr has tested in the last three years, only 4 have made the cut. Popsicle did, and in February 1998 he graduated at the top of his class and became a celebrated alumnus two months later by detecting a record contraband cache under a tractor-trailer.

NORTON - PURINA'S HERO PIT BULL
Norton, another rescued Pit Bull from Canada, was inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after he saved his adopted owner from anaphylactic shock.

CHEYENNE AND DAKOTA - K9 RESCUERS
Cheyenne and Dakota are two Pit Bulls who work full-time as search and rescue dogs in Sacremento, CA. They have saved countless human lives over their combined careers.

RCA - ALASKA'S FIRST HEARING AID DOG
RCA is 15 years old and in quite good health, considering her advanced years. She came to Alaska from Alabama. Because the housing market was tight and there was Pit Bull-hysteria in the air, her owners couldn't find a place to rent that would allow Pit Bulls and she was eventually sent to the Alaska SPCA in Anchorage. At that time a man named John Ledum, was trying to start a hearing-dog program in Alaska. He and a local veterinarian, Dr. Joyce Murphy, temperament-tested 170 dogs and RCA scored the highest, so she was chosen to be the first certified hearing dog in Alaska.

HELPING HAND
Helen Keller had a Pit Bull as her companion.

THE LITTLE RASCALS
Who could ever forget Pete the Pup?

CENTRAL TEXAS SPCA'S NIGEL THORNBERRY
We shouldn't forget our own Nigel Thornberry who was "rescued" by 2 probable gang members who went against their gang and saved him from further torture from the fighting Pit Bulls that would grab at his legs as Nigel was hung from a rope down into the pit of fighting dogs. Fighting Pit Bulls are not born that way - they are MADE that way. The gang had poured battery acid on poor Nigel's little legs. He arrived at our shelter before Christmas a few years ago where through valliant efforts of CTSPCA staff and volunteers at the time and generous donations for vet care, eventually his physical wounds healed and he is now living comfortably in Dallas at his forever home.

State Animal Cruelty Laws
Anti-cruelty statutes do not give animals legal rights, but these laws are the main form of legal protection afforded to animals in our society. The first anti-cruelty statute was enacted in America in 1641 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Article 92 in its legal code, called the "Body of Liberties," stated that "No man shall exercise any Tyranny or Cruelty towards any creature which is usually kept for man's use." Today, anti-cruelty laws exist at both the state and federal levels. The Animal Welfare Act provides the principal protection at the federal level. Every state has enacted its own unique law prohibiting cruel treatment of animals. The intent of anti-cruelty laws is twofold. First, these laws seek to protect animals from mistreatment by imposing a penalty for such behavior. Second, anti-cruelty laws are intended to conserve public morals by deterring all forms of violent human behavior. It is now generally known that cruelty to living creatures leads to other forms of violent behavior. Although each state has authored its own law, these statutes do share some common provisions. For example, prohibit abandonment, poisoning, and failure to supply animals with food, water and shelter. Since cruelty to animals is a statutory offense, whether a person's behavior constitutes cruelty depends upon the language of the statute. If a statute includes terms such as "intentionally," or "knowingly," the prosecution must show that the person committed the cruelty with intent. This is often difficult to prove and can lead to acquittal. If a statute does not include a qualifier such as "knowingly," then the offender is strictly liable for the crime without regard to his or her mental state.

Animal Cruelty Laws in Texas
In past years, many people have gotten away with animal abuse and neglect of their pets. According to Texas penal code section 42.11, Cruelty to Animals is defined as:

... Torturing or seriously overworking an animal
... Failing to provide necessary food, care or shelter for an animal in his custody
... Abandoning without a cause an animal in his custody
... Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner
... Killing, injuring, or administering poison to an animal
... Causing one animal to fight with another

For purpose of this section, "animal" means a domesticated living creature and wild living creature previously captured. "Animal" does not include an uncaptured wild creature or a wild creature whose capture was accomplished by conduct at issue under this section.

Animal cruelty offenders are subject to be convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor, a fine up to $4,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year. The third offense is subject to State Jail Felony, a fine up to $10,000 or 180 days to 2 years imprisonment.

Stop the Insanity
Citizens who suspect animal cruelty should observe characteristics of the animal and her environment. Does the animal have access to food, water and shelter? Is her area clean? Does the animal have apparent injuries that have not been treated? Does the animal appear to be overly aggressive or timid?

A person witnessing first-degree animal cruelty - the intentional infliction of substantial pain or injury to an animal, or the killing of an animal by means causing undue suffering - should immediately notify police (call 311). Documenting the incident with photographs and videotape can be very helpful in prosecution. If such cruelty is not witnessed directly but is suspected, animal control authorities should be notified. Reports of animal cruelty should be as detailed as possible. Dates, times and circumstances should be noted and related to animal control authorities, who should also be made aware of any physical evidence (photos, video, etc.). A person reporting animal cruelty should ask for the name of the animal control officer and ask what action is planned. Follow up, and report any change observed in the animal's condition and situation.
A person reporting animal cruelty need not be concerned with confidentiality. An investigating officer is not likely to identify the source of the complaint. Should the keeper of the animal be prosecuted, witnesses may be called to testify, but the immediate condition of the animal should outweigh concerns about having to testify months from now.

Abandoning an animal constitutes second-degree animal cruelty. A witness to animal abandonment should try to obtain a description of the abandoning person and their vehicle, and a license plate number if possible. If the witness feels safe in doing so, the animal should be transported to a safe location, or animal control authorities should be notified.

To report animal cruelty call 3-1-1