Parents for Dog Bite Awareness

The horrific mauling of Sheila Jones is a repeated story across the United States.

But, it is the combination found in many #dogattack cases that seems to contribute to this nonstop violence.

It’s a difficult topic to discuss with socioeconomic and cultural factors driving it. It’s a discussion we need. When Sheila’s family spoke publicly, the focus remained on releasing accountability and investigation of the dog owners. The family declined to press charges, saying they didn’t want anyone in jail.

Forgiveness.

Some demographics have been rigidly raised to participate in a dysfunctional view of forgiveness. This is handy in #cyclesofabuse. When the victims are taught to always “forgive” their attackers, it allows a system of violation to exist. 🚩

This might have been intended for other forms of violence and oppression, but because it’s an existing foundation, it allows the #dogbite crisis to continue expanding without checks and balances.

Sheila was part of this broader cycle. She was wronged in the ultimate way. The owners of the stray #pits, if they were ever found, were never publicly identified. They don’t face any consequences for their negligence. No accountability. No opportunity to change. No history was made about them, so if/when they do it again, it’ll be counted as their first time. We have no data on them, no way to tell if they’re continuing to abuse and neglect animals or even if they have innocent children in the home. We don’t know if more violent pitbulls exist from the same litter. 😰

Forgiveness. It’s a beautiful expression of love and freedom. Until it’s cleverly harnessed to do the opposite.

Implementing prompt and fair steps to ensure accountability does not interfere with forgiveness. We must continue to work on this area as it remains a serious part of the mauling culture. “Good” people, the #givers, ultimately become the victims in this cycle. And their consistent response is to misinterpret #forgiveness as the avoidance of all responsibility. 😡

You can absolutely forgive someone who wronged you. Please, please don’t confuse that with enabling violent people and dogs. If you want to develop virtue, work on standing up for victims and on making sure there won’t be a next victim.

Forgive from the heart. But never forget. 💔

May God Protect Us,

-JL DBA Editor©️

News article:

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/deadly-dog-attack-baltimore-victim-identified/61144264yhttps://www.wbaltv.com/article/deadly-dog-attack-baltimore-victim-identified/61144264