by SCOTT C

It seems that we've become used to hearing the gruesome details of attacks associated with pit bulls, that stocky, iron-jawed dog that some aim to outlaw in parts of North America. It's precisely this perception of the breed that prompted Montreal author and photographer Paul 107 to write his new book Bully: It's the Pits. The book is a celebration of everything Pit Bull, including accompanying breeds like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Am Staff, the Bulldog and many others that get lumped under the term. The book combines beautiful photographs, original artwork and design from contributors like Ted Power, Marco Cibola and Kid Koala, as well as several interviews and interesting accounts from dog men, breeders and everyday owners. As you get deeper in the book, you start to feel like the pit bull has been the unfortunate target of some massive media smear campaign. The Mirror spoke to Paul 107, proud owner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, over the phone from Toronto.

Mirror: So was this book primarily a reaction to the way that pit bulls were being portrayed, or did you just love the dogs so much that you had to write a book about them?

Paul 107: I really love these dogs, but what motivated me to do this was basically the perception that people in the street had of pit bulls. I simply took the time to research and find out as much as I possibly could about the breed, and the things that I learned helped me realize that pit bulls are the ideal family companion. If you only look at what the media says about attacks and dog bites, then you're not getting the whole story. You have to look a little closer.

M: Kind of like all news. In the book, you talk about Breed Specific Legislation, and compare it to blaming a certain race or ethnicity of people for all crimes, based on the actions of a few.

P: BSL is doggie genocide. Basically, it says that this breed of dog is no good and should be destroyed, and instead of promoting owner responsibility, there are some politicians that would rather wipe out a breed. This is ridiculous to me.

M: It's interesting that you have extremely informative bits about pending legislation as well as the many steps involved if you're serious about getting a pit bull. Have you ever had to use the anti-diarrhea recipe I found in there?

P: No, but that recipe works. There is a story about my friend Turf back when he lived in France. He went out one day when his pit bull was still a puppy, and it decided to chew stuff up, the way a puppy does. It got hold of one of his tapes and went crazy. Later that day, his mom went to walk the dog and ended up having to pull 90 minutes of tape out of the dog's ass.

BULLY: IT'S THE PITS BOOK LAUNCH, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3, 7–10 P.M., AT KUNTA LOUNGE (2021 ST-DENIS) WITH DJS KID KOALA, SIMAHLAK AND PLAN B