Ohio to Ban All Pit Bulls?
Update May 24, 2008: H.B. 568, the proposal to ban pit bulls from Ohio, has been assigned to the State Government and Elections Committee. Click here to find committee members. Please write or call and urge them to vote NO on H.B. 568. Contact information for Governor Ted Strickland and other Ohio representatives is at the end of the original report below.
Original report: Ohio State Representative Tyrone Yates has proposed a bill today that would prohibit the ownership of pit bulls in the state of Ohio. The bill requires all owners to surrender their "pit bulls" within 90 days of the effective date of the proposed law. The bill is unequivocal that the dog warden "shall" euthanize all pit bulls within 10 days of their surrender.
Also under this proposal a dog warden or other officer who has probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog, may apply for a search warrant. With the search warrant the officer will have the authority to seize the pit bull dog and surrender it to the dog warden to be killed.
Under current Ohio law a vicious dog is defined to include pit bulls regardless of their temperament or behavior, but there is no statewide prohibition on owning and keeping these dogs. The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld Ohio's current law. Click here for more on that. A bill pending in the Ohio legislature, H.B. 366, would repeal the state law that defines vicious dog to include pit bulls. Click here for more on that bill.
Click here for a copy of the bill, H.B. 568, that would ban all pit bulls from the state of Ohio.
If you live in Ohio, click here to find your representative and call or write and urge him or her to vote NO on H.B. 568, a proposed ban on pit bulls in the state.
Click here to find all Ohio representatives.
Click here to contact Governor Ted Strickland.
Talking Points
Dogs don't bite because of their breed and communities are not safer unless responsible leaders address the real reasons dogs bite:
- Pass an effective potentially dangerous dog ordinance:
Assign dogs a level of potential danger, with restrictions and penalties for each level.
Require spay/neuter, education and training to encourage owners to take responsibility before a serious injury or death occurs.
Dogs and owners can earn lower levels and dogs can even be declared no longer potentially dangerous.
- Encourage spay/neuter and support funding for free or low cost spay/neuter.
90% of fatal dog attacks are by dogs that have not been spayed/neutered: There is not a single case of a fatal dog attack by a spayed/neutered pit bull type dog (National Canine Research Council);
81% of dogs involved in bite incidents were not spayed/neutered (Texas 2002 Severe Animal Attack and Bite Surveillance Summary)
Research cited in a 2000 Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association study indicated unsterilized dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite.
3. Mandate spay/neuter for:
Dogs adopted from shelters or rescues or sold by pet stores or online
Dogs impounded more than once after being found at-large or off-leash
Dogs declared potentially dangerous or dangerous
Dogs owned by felons
4. Ban tethering or chaining dogs (also a popular technique by dog fighters to make the dogs more aggressive; the CDC has found tethered or chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite)
Lawrence County, Kansas, adopted an anti-tethering ordinance. From 2005 to 2006, the number of calls concerning cruelty and dog fighting dropped from 800 to 260. Officials attribute the decline in large part to the anti-tethering law.
The USDA and even the AVMA has said tethering dogs is inhumane.
5. Pass and enforce strong at large or leash laws or enforce such laws and encourage micro chipping
82% of dog bites occur as a result of dogs that are running loose (JAVMA, September 15, 2000)
After passing a leash law, the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, reported a 35% drop in dog bites.
6. Address through strong laws and education the problem of animal cruelty
Well over half (61%) of fatal dog attacks are by dogs who were not humanely controlled, or who had in some way been abused or neglected (Delise, Fatal Dog Attacks: The Stories Behind the Statistics))
7. Offer free or low cost training and education about the importance of socializing dogs early and making them part of the family.
81% of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks were isolated and not part of the family (Delise, Fatal Dog Attacks: The Stories Behind the Statistics))
8. Pass and enforce strong dog fighting laws that make all aspects of dog fighting illegal and include bonding and forfeiture provisions; organize a dog fighting task force
9. Require dog breeders to register or obtain licenses, limit breeding by age and numbers, ban breeding for aggression and fighting, ban the sale of dogs in pet stores and along roadsides, street corners or sidewalks; require inspections of breeders' facilities and track sales of dogs by breeders.
10. Stop the cultural glorification of violence especially involving pit bull type dogs.
Lpve Dogs
I am an owner of a Pit Bull and a Bassett Hound, Both were rescue dogs. I have brought them up in a loving enviorment. They are good dogs with good manners. I have two small grandchildren these dogs run and play right along with the kids. They wouldn't even think about taking a cookie out of there hands. Not all pit bulls are mean, it is the dumb owners who train these poor dogs to fight and make them mean, It makes me heart sick to think of how terrible it would be to even watch a dog fight, This ban makes me sick I will not give up my dog to the state I will pack up and get the hell out of the state before I let them do that. This is terribly wrong. I have four grown sons and all of them have dogs they range from Rotties, Sheppards and Boxers to two mutts. What breed is next??? This is America not a communist country stand up and fight for your rights.
hello
I really like what you wrote.I love all animals.It breaks my heart also to know people could do these evil things.I had Adopted two pit bulls from a shelter and with some work and love they are the best dogs I ever had They are the most manner dogs I ever had.I look at them now and to know that they could of been Euthanize just kills me inside that I can't save them all.I wish more people could Rescue pitbulls from a shelter and save a life.They never should of been in tnere in the first place.I say we should banned the gangs and certain people should be the ones to be put down.Pitbulls have been misused and robbed of their dignity.WE NEED TO STOP PET STORES AND BACK YARD BREEDRS AND THE PUPPYMILLS THEN THESE POOR DOG'S GETS INTO THE WORNG HANDS.WE NEED TO GET TOUGH ON OUR LAWS AND MAKE IT INTO A FELONY IF ANYONES HURTS ANY ANIMALS.I REALLY WISH I COULD DO THE SAME THING TO THESE SICK PEOPLE OUT THERE AND I KNOW IF WE COULD PEOPLE WILL THINK AGAIN BEFORE THEY HURT ANY PITBULLS OR OTHER ANIMALS.P.S. MY PITBULL SAVED ME FROM CANCER. PITBULLS ARE WOUNDERFUL PETS LIKE ANYOTHER DOG THEY JUST NEED TO GO HOME TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS TO ALL ANIMALS OUT THERE THAT WE CAN,T SAVE...
Tha banning of "Bully Breeds."
I myself own a Bull Terier and live in Pennsylvania. I am shocked by such a blanket treatment to an issue. What country do we live in? Where is the humanity in dealing with the problem? What do expect the people of Ohio to do with their four legged members of their family? This dogs are so much more than just that to these people. My dog is so much more than that. If this discusting act passes what does that say about manKIND?
The latest on OH HB 568
Word from Rep Daniels office is that this bill has received such an overwhelming negative response that it will not be brought before even a committee hearing. Thank you Rep Daniels!
Stay vigilant though and make sure your state represenatives know how you feel about breed bans.
An African American is sponsoring this?
As an African-American, I find it unfathomable that Representative Yates would sponsor breed specific legislation. Does he not remember our history? We were the original "breed" that was discriminated against. Now, our "breed" is most likely to commit crime, sell/consume illegal drugs, and murder. Does that mean that every African-American should be put to death or jailed BEFORE they are convicted of a crime? Of course not. The same goes for our dogs.
Do they have the guts?
Do these so-called representatives of the people have the guts to carry our their desired laws?
Mr. Yates, do you yourself have the courage to come into my home, take my dogs out of the arms of my children, and kill them with your own hands?
If not, then you have no business telling my police officers, who are supposed to protect and serve, to do it for you.
Well said. Call and ask him!
Well said. Call and ask him!
Has Ohio stooped to China's level of humanity?
I cannot fathom that in 2008 I live in a state that would allow the culling of animals who when properly cared for pose no threat.
I also cannot believe that our elected officials would order our public servants to enter our homes, take our pets out of our arms and murder them. This is inconceivable for a humane society.
Rep Yates should be run out of office and sit along side Michael Vick in a prison cell for advocating such animal cruelty.
The way their raised.
I believe that it is all in the way you raise the dog. If you raise the Pitbull to fight and be aggressive than that is what it will do. If you raise it to be kinda and loving then it will. I am tryin to adopt an American Bulldog from PA but can not because it may have Pitbull in it. It is not fair that we can't help save an animals life because of a stupid law saying that All Pitbulls are bad dogs.
love my dog
THIS NEEDS TO STOP! OUR FREEDOM IS BEING TAKEN AWAY BIT BY BIT! THEY TRACK US WITH DEBIT CARDS, TELL US WE CANT USE OUR PHONES IN THE CAR, TELL US THEY WILL DROP OUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE IF WE HAVE A LARGE BREED DOG, AND NOW THEY MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO COME IN OUR HOME AND TAKE OUR FAMILY PET!!! Punish the people who create the mean dogs and conduct the dog fights rather than punishing the responsible owners who have put their dog through training and consider them part of the family. I will not get rid of my dog, who I love with all my heart, NO MATTER WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE EVEN IF IT FORCES ME TO TAKE VIOLENT ACTION(and I am not an aggressive person)AGAINST SOMEONE COMING IN MY HOME TO TAKE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY! This country is going down the drain fast! People need to onece again start standing up for our freedom!!!
our rights
This is an out rage, folks. We all better ban together. Today pits , tomorrow rotts, and wont be long they will not allow the everage joe, to own anything over 15 pounds. This sounds unreal to some of you ,
but.. look at the history here. I am only 45 years old and I can remember ashtrays at the end or every grocery store isle. I also want to remind you all of a more recent freedom that we have been stripped of. When I got my first rotty, 13 years ago...yes 13 years ago. I brought him right into JC Penney and had his professional photos taken.No questions asked, no dirty looks...Nothing. Try doing that today.Slowly but surely our rights are all being stripped and if we dont get control of it soon, we are all gonna suffer.
This is not about Pit bulls, or even dogs in general...This is a rights violation. All dogs are potentially dangerous so are all people. But do we allow the government to take a pole on races and, based on statistics, ban a specific race because the stats say they are the most likely to be serial killers? Think this through, folks we are all suffering for this in the end.
I am the proud owner of a
I am the proud owner of a lab/pitt mix, living in Miami (where pitts are illegal, i could face $500 in fines)... my dog is a member of my family. He plays with my cousins (ages 3, 7 and 8), gets along with strangers, is gentle with my grandmother (who has an injured shoulder), and sleeps up on my bed with me. This bill is by far one of the biggest outrages I have seen in American politics...and that is saying something given the injustices we've seen from the Bush administration. A dog, if put into the context they are trying to use, is a tool. All tools, if handled correctly, are not dangerous. Guns, knives, swords, clubs, baseball bats, etc...all have uses that are not dangerous to their owners or the people around them. Dogs (not only pitts) are only as dangerous as their owners. I have been bit numerous times by different dogs (I have a habit of picking strays off the street), but not one of them was a pitt. I've always said, give me a dog of any breed, and I can turn it into a killer. Give me a dog of any breed and I will turn it into a dog that could go into a hospital with sick children. Owners decide how a dog will turn out.
The sad truth is that many people who own pitts get them for protection. They improperly train them which is what leads to all of these accidents. Pitts draw all of the media attention because they look scary and help them sell stories. Don't these legislators have an economy to save? Last time I checked, Ohio isn't doing so well these days, and these politician are tools that are dangerous to the future of the state. Maybe we should round them up and put them down too?
All Governments are stupid
Punish the deed not the breed. Pitbulls were originally bred to LOOK after children an were called NANNY dogs because of there high tolerance for children. Fcuk all Governements with there bullshit laws and crap to look like they are doin something. Cull th ebloody Humans to many of them out there
Outspoken
Does anyone have an update on the status of this, I thought I read it was turned down but I cant find where I thought I read that.
Mass slaughter
First the dogs they don't like, then the people they don't like. What a bunch of Nazi's. How scary for everyone. Becy
Nazi's Government
I couldn't agree more with you. I do not trust our government one bit. They have nothing better to do but pick on Pit Bulls. Did they do this to the German Sheppard, Doberman's, Rotties etc. No, they didn't. This people do not have any facts and they are discriminators and I thought discrimination in any form is against the law.
The Government is so busy picking on Pitties that they won't even punish the animal abuser, dog-fighter etc to the full extend of the law. All these people get is a slapped with a fine and let go.
Where the hell is justics when it really needs to be served. I can't stand the American Government they have done a fine job screwing up this country.
These above suggestions infringe on respondsable breeders.
These suggestions infringe on breeders rights who one do not raise these types of dogs.And two who have never had any aggressive problems in there whole breeding career.
Yeah, I don't agree with all
Yeah, I don't agree with all of the suggestions up there myself.
Especially requiring spay/neutering for "potentially dangerous" breeds. That's BS.
Ban Pit Bulls
A person's right to have a pet will never override the public's right to a safe environment. While pit bulls can be loyal to it's owners, this law is not to protect the owners, but the public since pit bulls are a safety threat to non owners of the dog. Pit bulls rarely attack their owners, but instead attack strangers, and most often children. This is the reason people who do not own or have not owned pit bulls want to ban them. They are a dangerous animal, have no place in a peaceful society, and I will support this ban.
instead of conjecturing, you
instead of conjecturing, you should do some research on the statistics of dog bites. Here's one for you: the Dutch government is lifting a 25-year ban on pit bulls. According to the Dutch Consumer Safety Institute, with the ban on pit bulls dog bites continued at same rate with approx. 12,000 people being treated in emergency departments and with 220 hospitalizations.
Pit bulls are not inherently bad dogs. The problem with pits are directly related to the treatment and training of them. This applies to all dogs. This is a problem of behavior not temperament. Behavior is a product of environment.
What is really disquieting is how this issue is being considered because it makes one wonder how other issues in our great democracy are being considered. There isn't any research to justify this ban, only conjecture and sensational reports. Where is the consideration of logical analysis and research? We should not be making policy decisions based on anything otherwise. A mind inflamed with emotion is not a mind.
Your opinion
I own a pit bull with two small children she loves those kids and wouuld never hurt them or a stranger. So keep your opinions to yourself unless you own one asshole
Ban Pit Bulls
Well its obvious that you dont know or own a pit bull. I have a sweet pit bull and she would never hurt or bite anyone including a child. These dogs are loving and great family dogs. We have had her since she was 9 weeks old and is now 9 years old. She is not a safety threat to anyone. They are not a dangerous animal its the owners who train them to be mean that are dangerous people. They should be gathered up and put down........not the innocent animals.
ban pits
As a former animal control officer, I have seen first hand the extent of damage done to childrens faces and other body parts due to the bite of a pit. Their jaws are extremely strong! Yes other dogs do and can bite but the percentage is much lower than that of a pit and the damage done is less than a pit. Ohio law should also have that if a dog bites multiple times the dog should be surrendered and euthanized. I have found the ppl that own pits are those that want to have bragging rights just to own one or to guard some kind of illegal activity and they all say the same thing my dog would never hurt anyone until one day it does with a vengence. I would definately support this ban and will.
you then understand that the
you then understand that the problem is not pit bulls but the people, which begs the question "why support the ban?"
You said yourself that most of the people you've found that own pits are those who want bragging rights or to guard some kind of illegal activity. Would you say in those cases those dogs are treated responsibly by the owner, fosters and cared for? If I was a drug dealer, I would want a dog to be vicious. How does a dog become vicious? Training or improper care. Someone who just wants a dog to show off probably doesn't care for it as it should be. The dog is probably chained up all day (you being a former animal control officer should probably know that a dog that is chained most of the time is 4 times as likely to bite than a dog that is not) or kept in a cage.
I understand there is a problem with pit bulls attacking people, but the problem is not the dog, it's the owner. I think instead of issuing a ban, the problem should be more thoughtfully considered. I think there are many other alternatives. Regulation and registration of pit bulls where owners are kept in a database and open to random inspection and tests where the dog's training and environment are considered. I think this should be done with all dogs.
People need to think.
Would you ban a certain race
Would you ban a certain race of people just because they happen to be stronger and have the potential to kill someone? Of course not, it should be the same with dogs. Pit Bulls do have the POTENTIAL, but not all of them every do it. In fact, the VAST MAJORITY of them are loving pets that have never bit one person. My German Shepherd also have the POTENTIAL to kill someone, what are you gonna do? Ask to have her banned too?
And even Pomeranians have the potential to kill little kids. I heard of one that killed a baby in it's crib.
no ban.
Not all people that own pit bulls want bragging rights! You obvioulsy no nothing and are speaking with a limited viewpoint. My dog is the sweetest thing in the world and WOULD never hurt anyone! I do not brag about having her because shes a pit bull, I brag because shes just a sweet dog! And for someone to say that all pit bulls are horrible and that the people who own them only want to brag just makes me sad. You want to take my innocent dog and have it killed because thugs like to be so cruel to there dogs...punish the people not the dog. My vet owns a pit bull also and to say she wants to brag is just ignorant. So before you start trying to exterminate a breed of living, feeling creatures, do a little more research and think about those that truly just love dogs and happen to come across a pit bull needing a home. Not looking for a tough dog or a fighter just a cute puppy who needed a home.
dont ban pitbulls
your probably not a animal controll officer because ive heard numerous of them say breed bans dont work to begin with. And it doesnt help when you open your mouth and dont know what your talking bout. Pitbulls were originally used as fighting dogs not gaurd dogs they were breed not to be agressive with humans due to the fact that there are people in the box with them during the fight so they couldnt be human agressive otherwise they would hurt the people in there with them. And you also failed to mention that on the cdc's vicious dogs list that they count all pitbull mixes too. Majority of dog attacks that reported to be a pitbull attack instead is a pit mix wich is a completely different dog its a mixed breed not a true pitbull. And any pitbull you see weighing over 80lbs more than likely is not a pitbull its been mixed with some sort of mastff which is guard dog hince it being more human aggressive one of the most famous bloodlines for those dogs is razors edge which admitted to adding mastiff blood to their dogs. If you ban pitbulls only people who dont care about them will have them it wouldnt even work a little do your research
What do you call a peaceful
What do you call a peaceful society? If there is a responsible owner they are not going to have a vicious animal - and it is not only the pit bulls that bite it is every breed of animal. What do you want - no animals in your peaceful society. Get out of Wonderland, there are dangers all around. And banning the pit bulls is not right, Making it more difficult on the irresponsible owners of any animal is the right step. Education against animal abuse. Stiff fines against the people that breed and fight any animal. If you allow them to start banning breeds it will never stop, then we will be a world without animals. I have a dog, he has been trained, been socialized, but I still will not leave my animal alone with a child. Anything can happen, with any animal or any child! It should be the peoples choice to what animal they want not the governments choice!!!!
You are very ignorant.
I have done my research on this subject and you are W-R-O-N-G.
First of all, the news is very very biased and will usually only report the stories about Pit Bull attacks and often lies about the breed or claims that it is a Pit Bull before they actually know what the dog is. Why? Scary stories sell, and Pit Bulls LOOK scary. Hardly ever does the news report a feel-good story. Not only that, but there are 25 different and distinct breeds that are easily mistaken for Pit Bulls.
Second of all, you have obviously never met a Pit Bull or read the breed's standard.
I've seen Pit Bulls serve as therapy dogs and service dog and pass Canine Good Citizen tests. So much for only attacking strangers. Pit Bulls actually pass temperament tests more than other breeds.
And, Pit Bulls were originally bred to work on the farm, not fight. They were used for fighting later, and it is a terrible practice. However, many Pit Bulls were rescued from the michael vick case not one of them showed aggression though they were bred to/used for fighting.
Pit Bulls were considered the #1 family dog in the early 19th century. A Pit Bull mix named Captain Stubby was the first and most decorated war dog in history.
Pit Bulls, like all breeds, are not for everyone. They are extremely high energy (like a Jack Russel Terrier) and not all people can handle that. I have friends with Pit Bulls, and they are definitely not a breed for the couch potato. Pit Bulls have a tendency to be dog-aggressive, so socializing them at a young age is a must. By the way, I have met about 5 Pit Bulls in the past year, and not of them growled at me or anybody and not one tried to bite me or attack me. And guess what? Every time I was a stranger to them. I have never met an aggressive Pit Bull. I have however, met aggressive Labs and Chihuahuas and little "yap-yap" breeds.
See more things that blow your little statement to bits at this website:
thetruthaboutpitbulls.com
I would like to applaud you,
I would like to applaud you, Thank you for your wonderful, nicely written voice in the enduring fight to save our Pit Bulls! THANK YOU
P.S.
it is the owner (ie, how he takes care of his dog, how he trains it, and whether or not he socializes it well) , not the dog's breed, that makes a dog aggressive.
Not sure what to do...
My West Highland White Terrier (only 6lbs) was in my fenced in backyard going to the bathroom. Somehow, another dog got into my backyard (still unsure as to how this happened because both of the gates were shut) and attacked my dog. I had to rush her to the vet. I filed a police report and then went home. After talking to a few neighbors, I realized the dog that attacked my dog was a pit bull. My dog is the second dog that I know of that this pit bull has attacked. The first dog's owners did not press charges because their bull dog laid the pit bull out flat, and no damage was done. Plus, the owners of the pit bull begged the bull dog's owner not to press charges as they did not have the required 100,000 insurence policy required by Ohio to own a pit bull.
My question is this: Do I go to the police and file a report against the pit bull especially seeing as how my dog is not the first dog that has been attacked, or do I settle it with the owners, who obviously did not take the necessary steps to keeping their dog locked up even after it attacked the first dog? If it was any other breed but pit bull, I would go straight to the police, but because the issues of pit bulls are so delicate, I am unsure as to what to do. Any thoughts?
Nice of you to ask
I think what your doing by asking this is great. I have three dogs, a lab mix, a pitbull and a Westie too! I have socialized all from day one and they all get along. My dogs go to the dog park and my pit bull gets along with everything and loves the Yorkies!! Its my lab mix that is very protective and has to stay on a leash because she was a product of accidental breeding to irresponsible owners who gave her away at 5 wks which is why she is protective against other dogs.
What happened to your dog is sad and must be quite upsetting as I wouldnt want to imagine my pit attacking my Westie-such a size difference. With that being said, it is the owners fault for 1-not socializing the dog and 2-not ensuring it is in a secure area. We NEED to start holding the people responsible. The crappy part is if we call the police, the dog gets put down. If you slap a suit on the owners, the insurance companies will have to pay and continue banning pits and all larger breed dogs. Its a loose-loose situation. Adoption laws must be strict, animals must be altered and people need to promote responsible ownership along with spaying and neutering. If you have to choose, Id say to tell the owner they must pay the vet bill or you will have to hit them with a lawsuit. Maybe then they will make sure they secure the yard or train the dog.
Its unfortunate that many ignorant people own this breed because they either fight or breed them and the only one that suffers in the end are the dogs. But these laws are not helping either. I rescue and place dogs and we make every effort to place the dog with a responsible person who owns their own home so the dog wont be handed around and these insurance companies and laws are making it harder for rescues to find responsible owners. They are just telling the good people they cant have one and allowing these dogs to be owned only by irresponsible people which is the very problem we are trying to eliminate.
re-not sure what to do
I would have to say take the owner to court. As a responsible pit bull owner myself, and for others. We should make sure that our dog's are socialized with others so tat they are not mean towards others. You also have to ask yourself, did your dog acted out towards this pit bull. Reason I ask this is because pit bulls don't like to be bullied, and will defend theirselves. I'm a firm believer in the golden rule of "Punish the deed, Not the breed"... If a dog lashes out, sure it may be put down, but I say go after the owner. If you a a powerful dog, time should be taken to ensure that dog is as nice as the toy poodle at the old folks home.
Where can Pit Bull owners get help?
My brother's pit bull got out of the house and was reported to the police within a few minutes. He is very friendly and did not bite or threaten anyone. Regardless, the court has ordered his execution because he is a Pit. My brother is beside himself with grief. Are there any organizations that can help or can all we do is sign the petition to save future pits from being killed simply for being pits.
Where does your brother
Where does your brother live? Email me your contact information at lauraallen@animallawcoalition.com
y the dog not the owner
i own 2 pitbulls and they are the best to make me give what i call my family up because of some simple stuff is not going to happen its not the dog its the owners that need put to sleep and the animal shelters give pitbulls to who ever and most of them people fight them dogs so stop with the pitbulls and look at the owner i will move before letting u people take my kids
YOU PEOPLE ARE MESSED UP
YOU PEOPLE ARE MESSED UP PITS ARE VERY LOVING DOGS FAMLIY DOG AT THAT I WOULD TRUST A PIT AROUND MY KID BEFOR I WOULD LET ANY OTHER DOG YOU DUMN ASS PEOPLE THANK THAT ALL PEOLE USE PITS FOR IS FIGHTING BUT YOU DONT EVER HEAR ABOUT THE OTHER KINDS OF DOGS PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING LIKE ST BERNARDS ROTTS AND DOBBIES WHATEVER I WILL MOVE OUT OF THIS STATE IT SUCKS ANYWAYS
If you are going to call
If you are going to call people dumb, you might want to learn to spell it correctly...
you are stupid it
you are stupid it not the dog it the owner i was attack by a lab should we ban all of them to i dont see how you thank it right to take some one pet from them
HOW IN THE HELL CAN YOU DO
HOW IN THE HELL CAN YOU DO THIS TO AN ANIMAL...THIS IS A STUPID BILL AND PEOPLE SHOULD START WORRING ABOUT THE PEOPLE LOCKED UP IN JAIL WHO HAS KILLED SOMEONE. THOSE ARE THE DUMBASS ANIMALS THAT DESERVED TO BE PUT TO SLEEP. COME ON GET REAL!
all of this makes me ill!
all of this bullshit is seriously making me sick, i have had no other dog my whole life besides the best (a pit bull) they are very intelligent dogs and ONLY do what they are taught...those pit bulls who are being aggressive have only been taught aggression...children and people can be aggressive also but we don't go around trying to pass laws about what state they are and aren't allowed in...i don't see any humans getting put to sleep...some people seriously consider their dogs their children...i have had 4 pit bulls throughout my whole life and NOT ONCE have i ever had any problems with my pit bulls around adults, children, strangers, nor other animals! i have a 2 year old female now and she has brought so much joy to our family...my son is just adores her and she adores him also...everywhere we go she is along for the ride also! seriously people punish the deed not the breed! punish the people who are doing wrong... DO NOT punish the people who are being responsible dog owners by taking their dogs and putting to sleep innocent pit bulls!
Pit bulls
I agree completly. It seems that the people who are scared of pit bulls and want to get rid of them have never owned or had a good experiance with a pit bull. Like everyone else on this page says IT IS NOT THE DOG IT IS THE OWNER. If the dog has never been exposed to violence or fighting then there is no reason for the dog to misbehave and lash out (it is all about what the animal is exposed to- just like humans!). You can't sit here and tell me that a pit bull is the only dangerous dog breed. Rottweiler, german shepard, bull dog, bullmastiff and other large breeds can be dangerous as well. It is the owner who should be punished if they can not control or train their dog correctly. I have two pit bulls myself and i have never found a more well behaved, more intelligent, or more loving animal. These congress men, EXPECIALLY REPRESENTATVE YATES, who say that all pits should be takin from their owners should actually spend some time with these animals. It is a biased opionion that is not backed by any research or logic. HOW SHOULD HE BE THE ONE TO DECIDE WHETHER MY DOG IS A VICIOUS ANIMAL! Try taking away someones child! No? Why? Because that would be wrong and injustice! Exactly taking these family members (PIT BULLS) away from their owners will only create anger from the owners and injustice against the animals and the owners right to have the right to own a pit bull. The other large breed dogs such as the rottweiler will only raise in numbers if all pit bulls are put down. Large breed owners want large dogs....what will be the next scapegoat?
I find it hard to believe that REPRESENTATIVE YATES owns one of these animals nor one of his family members. Americans always find someone or something else to blame besides themself. MAYBE THE DOG IS A REFECTION OF THE OWNER!!! MAYBE? Did we ever think of that? It just sickens me that anyone could do this to an animal. HOW IS THIS NOT ANIMAL CRULTY? REPRESENTATIVE YATES HAS NO RIGHT!!!!
Any breed can be dangerous.
Any breed can be dangerous. A Pomeranian once mauled a baby in it's crib.
YEAH!
It's encouraging to see so many sensible people here.
WOW
Are you fn kidding me? This is so messed up. Now you can tell us what kind of dogs we can have? Are you gonna to tell us what kid of cars we can have next or what kind of things we can buy with our money. I mean hell why not just make all our decisions for us. This is so messed up. Im not giving my dog away I will move first.
be positive w/postings
We as owners of well trained pits need to be positive when trying to get our point across to law makers as well as regular citizens. We need to be well informed and show them above all else that we love our dogs and will stand up for them in a positive light.
Some of the comments here add to the bad rep that our breed already has. I know it is hard some days not to want to slam others who don't know what they are talking about or have different views, but we must stick together. Be strong and fight a Good Clean fight for our beloved breed.
Positive training. Socialization. Good health care. Lots of exercise. These are all things we all know to do. Add to that being an ambassador for our breed. Maybe we can take public fear out of the equation if we all work together, one day at a time.
Postive postings
I have two pit mixes, If the ban goes thru... they will be destroyed too. I used to be scared of pits. Then one they a friend came over while I was mourning the lost of my husky. She dropped this little brown and red fur ball into my lap and said " I can't keep him, can you find a home for him"? I said sure, what is he? She told me he was a pit bull, german shepherd mix, I told her, I don't know if I want him.... I got to playing with him and every time he would run he would pee a stream. Well, the guy across the street trained police dogs and I paid $200.00 dollar for 10 lessons. The man told me that my pup was the smartest one he has ever seen, and soon told me that he has taken the dog as far as he could. I trained him from the internet without treats, just a tennis ball. Well, my son who was born deaf and mute, was six yrs old and was going to a hearing impaired school started teaching the dog American Sign Language, ASL for short. The two paired up nicely. Got to the place where the dog only listened to ASL. Well to make this short. The dog is now his service dog, and has saved his life when my son fell into a lake and couldn't swim. My son couldn't live without this guy, and I want another to train the same, as for my female she is plain sweet stupid, and wouldn't harm a fly.
Proof that banning breeds isn't ass effective as DDO's
"DDO's" are Dangerous Dog Ordinances, which target no specific breed, but effectively curb dog bites by 95%. See this, it's proof:
http://www.dogster.com/forums/Dog_Laws_and_Legislation/thread/534486
Now, to go and convince the hard-headed government.
You'll recognize me in that link as the user "Gray Dawntreader".
Stupid is as stupid does
This is plain madness and dictatorship at it's best. People tend to fear things they do not understand and unless they were to own or spend some quality time with a pit bull they will never understand just what loving creatures they are. I have been around pit bulls for the last 25 years and am the proud owner of an 8 month old bundle of love, and let me say if a ban like this were to go into effect I would not hesitate to move out of this state. I believe that the owners who cause these wonderful animals to become vicious should be legally responsible and charged with a crime. Statistics show that inner city children are more likely prone to commit crimes such as drug dealing, car jacking, murder and many more. Should we ban couples from having children because of this? What is this world coming to? Do these ill informed political figures not understand that a bill such as this would cause millions of dollars to uphold. I say ban the deed not the breed.