Pit Bull Owners Speak Out

Below:Daimond poses for the Camera

Right: Pretty takes close up picture



Marlena Dedrick is a stay-at-home mother to one child and also a mother to Pretty, a 18-month-old blue nose pit bull born March 7, 2008. According to Dedrick, Pretty will be entering the dog show in Hilo Bayfront next month. Pretty will be showing off her beauty in the appearance contest. When it comes to her feelings about pit bulls, Dedrick blamed the owners for the breed’s bad reputation, explaining that dogs are reflections of the owners that raise them.

Allen Mahoe is the proud owner of Diamond, a purebred pit bull. He also has a website called 808bluepitbull.com. Diamond is the daughter of Tubbs and Li’ili’i born July 4, 2007. The bloodline of Diamond’s mother and father contain sierra, gaff, and razor edge blue nose pit bull, all variations of pit bull breeds. When she was just five months old, Diamond did her first weight pull at a Hilo show; it was just practice. Her most recent pull was in November and she placed second. Diamond is very strong and she has proved it by pulling about 4,000 pounds in a competition, and 5,000 pounds in a practice pull. Today she weighs 60 pounds; there will be an upcoming show at Hilo Bayfront sometime in the month of July. Sadly Diamond will not be attending this show because of airfare costs.

Starr Yamada is a 10-year worker at the Keaau Humane Society. She is also the owner of Ruby, a two-year-old Staffordshire rescued from the side of the road. Ruby may be a Staffordshire, but she still comes from the pit bull bloodline. Starr stated that at least 50 percent of all dogs brought into the Humane Society are at least part pit bull. When pit bulls are brought in they are treated equal, going through a few tests to show any aggression towards a person or another dog. “Ruby is a very loving,” says Starr. Starr also says there is an off-the-leash dog park that will be opening July 24. Although pit bulls have a bad reputation, hopefully this park will show other people that pit bulls can be very good dogs if the owners of the dog raise them well.


Tim Watson is the owner of Game Over Kennels in Mississippi, which was opened six years ago. When asked about the behavior of pit bulls, Watson said they “crave attention and discipline, sorta like children. If you don’t get out their energy it turns into mischief!” Watson also said he will only put down a dog if the vet recommends it. “A dog that’s not breed-able or is retired we find pet homes.”