UK Happenings

PAWS Hosts Fourth Annual Breed Awareness Walk

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 16, 2015)  Join the University of Kentucky Center for Community Outreach’s Promoting Animal Welfare and Services (PAWS) program for the fourth annual Bully Breed Awareness Walk Saturday, April 18, at Thoroughbred Park in downtown Lexington.

The event is free to the public and all dogs are welcome! Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

The Bully Breed Awareness Walk was started four years ago by students of the University of Kentucky who wanted members of the community to be able to show their support for dogs that are considered to be “bully breeds.” These breeds include pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherds, dobermans and many others that are often portrayed negatively. Organizers say some common misconceptions are these dogs are vicious, aggressive and will attack people without being provoked.

The one-mile walk through downtown Lexington will also aim to promote alternatives to breed specific legislation, which are laws that ban specific breeds in hopes of reducing dog attacks. 

This year’s activities also include local humane societies bringing dogs that will be up for adoption, guest speakers and a photo booth where owners and their dog(s) can use hand-held props to create goofy pictures with each other.

Pre-registration for the walk is available online. The first 150 people to pre-register will receive a free bandana. 

For additional information about the Bully Breed Awareness Walk, or to get involved with PAWS, please contact PAWS director Shelby Crouch at paws@ukcco.org.

The Center for Community Outreach is a student-run organization which is comprised of many different issue-related programs. For more information on how to get involved, visit www.ukcco.org.

PAWS CONTACT: Shelby Crouch, paws@ukcco.org

UK CCO INFORMATION: volunteer@ukcco.org, 859-257-9385

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, katy.bennett@uky.edu, 859-257-1909