Cedar Rapids Man Sleeping in Car Due to Pit Bull Problem

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: Sep 30, 2008 at 4:26 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 1, 2008 at 8:19 AM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - When a lot of people hear the words "pit bull" it brings up images of a dog often blamed for vicious and unprovoked attacks. And that's exactly the problem for Dennis Parry.

The Cedar Rapids man has lived in his car with his pit bull for nearly two months because he's been unable to find the dog a new home.

Parry and his four-year-old dog Kip spend a lot of time in various parks these days and take walks on trials. But at night, since early August, both have slept in Parry's car parked at different locations. The problem is there's no place Parry can currently stay that will allow pit bulls to stay as well. And the breed's reputation has also made it tough to find Kip a new home and new owners.

Parry said "you'd think you could find some place...but it's difficult because of his breed."

Kip the American Pit Bull Terrier actually belongs to Parry's adult son. The problem started when his son had to move to Hiawatha. Parry believed that community banned pit bulls and didn't want to see the dog put down. So he offered to take care of Kip and both have camped out in his car ever since.

Ironically, the belief that pit bulls are banned in Hiawatha is no longer true. The city council, on August 6th, removed a pit bull ban in place of language that refers to a vicious animal instead of a specific breed. Still, Perry says that wouldn't have made a difference about sleeping his his car with Kip.

He said his son's apartment doesn't have room for a big breed and "they had a dog and a grandson--it's not a great environment to have a pit bull."

Parry is afraid to take Kip to the Cedar Rapids shelter or the area humane shelter because he thinks those organizations won't have much luck adopting out the animal and would simply put him to sleep. He's also tried animal rescue groups that specialize in pit bulls--but without luck yet.

One volunteer, Nancy Crist of the Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa, said "the shelters and rescues that are willing to take pit bulls are just full like us because there aren't as many places willing to take them."

Parry says living in a car with Kip can't go on much longer with winter coming. But he's willing to rough it awhile longer to make sure his four-legged companion ends up in the right place.

The Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa is helping Dennis Parry screen potential new owners for Kip. Anyone interested in adopting the four-year-old pit bull should contact the Foundation at 563-826-2208 or e-mail wesavepets@netins.net. That organization also has a web site: www.wesavepets.org

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