Pit Bulls and the Caribbean

[JoAnna423]

Does anyone have experience dealing with breed legislation at Ross or SGU? From my research I can see that both places ban pit bulls (and "similar" breeds) but I am wondering how this policy is enforced, how breeds are determined, etc. Does anyone have any personal experience dealing with this? I e-mailed Ross about it (whoever they said to contact with questions about pets) but have not got a response. Just wondering if anyone on here could help me figure out if looking into the school is even worth it....

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[TooLove]

I work with a doc who got her dog as a puppy from St. Kitts and she looks just like a pit mix. The dogs on the island tend to all look the same - limited gene pool..but she actually sent out a Wisdom Panel on her and it couldn't identify a single breed. I would say your best bet is to call.

I will ask her if she knows of anything, but a lot of things have changed since she graduated 4 years ago. Also, since the student housing is finished - it's mandatory to live in the dorms for the first year and there is a strict no pets policy in the dorms. You'll have to see if there is a way around that as well.

 

[jmo1012]

gosh this is such a hard question to answer. the straight up answer is no, they are legally not allowed in grenada. BUT. people have them here. i dont think i've seen an island dog that looks like a pittie, but students definitely have them here. unfortunately, it's probably all about who you deal with at the airport. i have heard a story about someone who was denied entry with their dog (it had to be quarantined at the animal hospital - cage confined - until they could ship it out), but like i said, there are people who have them. having paperwork that totally denies it and being very nice probably goes a long way here.

 

[peppy]

Are you sure it's a pit bull? I've noticed that a ton of shelters will label anything with a square-shaped head a "pit bull" even in cases when it's clear to anyone who is familiar with bully breeds that the dog isn't really a pit bull at all. Can you get the dog's vet to provide documentation declaring it a mix of something less threatening-sounding like a "terrier mix"?

 

[jmo1012]

Are you sure it's a pit bull? I've noticed that a ton of shelters will label anything with a square-shaped head a "pit bull" even in cases when it's clear to anyone who is familiar with bully breeds that the dog isn't really a pit bull at all. Can you get the dog's vet to provide documentation declaring it a mix of something less threatening-sounding like a "terrier mix"?

it doesnt matter if its a pit bull or a similar bully breed - they've wised up and are aware of what they all mean

for example - my landlord for next semester does not allow pitbulls, rotties, or dobermans on the property, or anything that looks like those breeds. they've taken the stigma and applied it, but a little to their defense, the local dogs here are not raised as traditional "pets." they are guard dogs who have free range of the island. most of them are only 30-60lbs, so I can imagine what it might feel like to them to have a substantially larger, mean-looking dog coming at them. not necessarily right, but a very different way of life and culture down here

 

[JoAnna423]

Thanks for your help guys. Still no response to my email from Ross...maybe Ill call tomorrow. And my dog is a pit bull mix...he has a big square head, a brindle coat...hes obviously a bully.Im glad to know that somehow it could work 🙂 plus I got an interview state side so maybe it wont even matter at all! 🙂

 

[Dsmoody23]

I have some friends in the islands, and asked the same question when I was contemplating these schools.

Apparently, there's a lot less binding regulation about some of these things that would be deal breakers coming into the US, or some of the more developed countries.

For instance, going into Trinidad, it's apparently standard practice to be able to 'make a deal' with the customs people, on site. And my shady sources assured my that St. Kitts and Grenada were likely the same way.

Anyone have any experience with this? I have two pit mixes, and wouldn't consider rehoming them for school, so I'm always looking for the loopholes to keep my school choices wide open.