Dog Rap

With a name like Lunchbox, you just know my dog is big and bad...if by big you mean "well-fed" and by bad you mean "minds when he has to". Obviously, I love my dog. I don't understand how anyone can hurt, or neglect, a dog, so I am glad to see that Sheriff Joe is investigating rapper DMX for suspected animal cruelty over his treatment of 15 dogs (12 living and three deceased) seized during an August 24 police raid.

The pictures I have seen in the local media seem to depict very thin dogs. I realize that at healthy weights dogs should have a "waist" and that you should be able to feel their ribs, but the ribs of these dogs visibly stood out in photographs and video. I can see why someone might report DMX to Animal Care & Control, especially if they were aware that, according to the Arizona Republic, he pled guilty in 1999 to animal neglect charges in New Jersey.

In fact, DMX's most recent troubles are almost identical to those he faced in 1999, right down to the number and type of dog (13 pit bulls). Authorities also found weapons and drug paraphernalia in both instances. Back then, the impetus for the search was the shooting (in the foot) of Ray Copeland. I don't know whether a complaint, another investigation or the potential publicity from riding Michal Vick's coattails inspired Sheriff Joe's raid in August 2007, nor do I care. What I do care about is that this guy is not allowed to own any more dogs. Unfortunately, while animal cruelty is a felony in Arizona, conviction or a guilty plea do not preclude the individual from owning dogs in the future. It is an interesting side note that New Jersey's animal cruelty law was strengthened in 2001 and even the 1999 punishment was worse than what DMX currently faces in Arizona.

I also care that people visiting or relocating to Arizona don't get the impression that dogs are not valued and cared for here. They are.

Of course, dog owners are expected to take care of their animals and obey certain state, county, and municipal laws. In Maricopa County, which includes the Phoenix metropolitan area, that means keeping all dogs on leashes (except in designated off-leash sections of dog parks) or confined to controlled areas (such as backyards, runs or indoors) at all times. One of my pet peeves is that some people in my neighborhood just don't seem to understand that "at all times" means all the time. Lunchbox and I frequently encounter dogs off-leash when on walks, which is a potential problem since Lunchbox doesn't really like other dogs and is big enough that he will end anything another dog starts. I try to keep watch for them so we can turn off or around before they notice us, but the need for constant vigilance is annoying, especially since we go out of our way to walk at odd times when the likelihood of meeting other dogs is slim already.

Dogs are allowed to be off leash in designated sections of dog parks throughout the Valley. The bark parks in Phoenix include PETsMart Dog Park at Washington Park, RJ Dog Park at Pecos Park, Echo Mountain Off Leash Arena, Rose Mofford Sports Complex and Steele Indian School Park. Many of the surrounding suburbs also have dog parks such as Fountain Hills Desert Vista Off Leash Dog Park, Chandler's Shawnee Bark Park, Mesa's Quail Run Park, Gilbert's Cosmo Dog Park (currently closed for renovation), Peoria's Sunnyslope Park and Goodyear's Dog Park among others. Rules vary at each park, so please, read and follow all the rules at each bark park you visit. Dogs are also welcome at several restaurants, coffee shops, RV parks, hotels and resorts. Contact individual destinations for more information regarding dog-friendliness.

Obviously, the case of DMX is not typical and should not be a primary factor in thinking about dogs in Phoenix. It is unfortunate that this one person, who has no reason or right to own a dog ever again, in my opinion, is now linked with how Phoenix feels about and treats dogs.