Omaha Bans Tethering But Adopts BSL
Take Animal Law Coalition's BSL poll on this page!
By a 6-1 vote, the Omaha City Council has passed an ordinance barring the tethering and chaining of dogs in the city outside for more than 15 minutes without supervision.
That is the good news. Unfortunately, the city also adopted breed specific legislation that targets pit bull type dogs. A pit bull is defined as any dog that is an American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario or Cane Corso, or any dog displaying the majority of the physical traits of any one or more of these breeds.
Beginning January 1, 2009 all pit bulls in the city must be muzzled, leashed and harnessed in public and under the control of someone at least 19 years old. Pit bulls that pass an unspecified behavioral test will not be required to wear muzzles. Pit bulls outside on their owner's property must be inside a secure fence. Pit bull owners must carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance.
Certainly dogs will die because of these restrictions. People will surrender their pit bulls because they can't afford or find insurance. Targeting pit bulls only heightens needless fear of liability, meaning people are less likely to want to keep their pit bulls or adopt them. Many more will end up dying in shelters.
The new laws also apply to any dogs deemed "potentially dangerous" for aggressive behavior, which is not defined, and also to owners declared to be reckless. Dogs that are declared "potentially dangerous" must be spayed/neutered and micro-chipped. Owners declared to be reckless will be banned from having animals for four years if they violate the city's rules on three occasions within two years. (No argument here with the last 2 requirements.)
The Nebraska Humane Society supports the breed restrictions and estimates the cost of implementing and enforcing these new laws will be about $500,000. There are increases in license fees to help pay for these new laws; fees for intact animals will be more than twice as much as for those that are spayed/neutered.
Half a million dollars to go after what will largely be friendly family pets.
There is no evidence breed specific legislation works. In fact, BSL does not work, according to every study available. Instead, it means the death of pets and further strain on animal control resources. It does not make communities safer. For more information showing breed specific legislation does not work and what will help make communities safer, click here.
Man, I'm tired of listening
Man, I'm tired of listening to you PB owning loosers bitch about how little dogs bite too. When was the last time some little girl had to go through months of reconstruction because she was bit by a poodle. You simple minded owners are the reason the ban is happening not the dogs.
Try keeping your killer dogs from hurting people and mabby this ban wouldn't have had to happen.
You freaks care more about some dumb assed dog than you do about the people of your comunity. The ban should be against you jerks, not your dogs. I say get rid of all of you!
I say kill all those crap dogs before we have another child attacked.
pitbull lover
pitbulls are the best dogs i ever had your a jack off
just think about what you're saying
Have you ever had a Pitbull, my friend? Do you know anyone personally that has one, or have ANY experience with the breed? Have you ever witnessed a dogfight where gangster testosterone-filled MEN throw two beaten, abused, malnourished Pitbulls together and watch them tear each other to shreds? Well let me tell you something buddy, there are THOUSANDS of low-life, scumbag human beings- excuse me, MEN, that abuse and TRAIN these dogs to be dangerous. Murder, rape, robbery, along with violent unsafe dogs (and children) is what you get from these people. GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. If I beat my child and teach him to fight- guess what? He's gonna be DANGEROUS when he grows up. WE ARE ALL PRODUCTS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. You thing these people care about a BSL law? HA! Dogfighting has been illegal for a century and it has done NOTHING to slow the "sport" down. The ONLY thing BSL laws will do is force LAW ABIDING CITIZENS to surrender their dogs, GOOD DOGS, while the remaining vicious ones continue to harm people. You are punishing and demonizing the VICTIMS of abuse who have been trained to kill. Don't you see that? SERIOUS JAIL TIME FOR ANIMAL ABUSERS/DOG FIGHTERS. BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL PITBULL OWNERS. This breed of dog has been though absolute hell, with their bad owners and now with the heartless public and the law. Do guns kill people or do people kill people? A gun will not fire unless a human pulls the trigger, and that is EXACTLY what is going on with Pitbulls.
Man,I`m tired of listening to the ignorant
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/in-your-state/nebraska/
[quote]I say kill all those crap dogs before we have another child attacked.[/quote]
Perhaps you better work on Parents before you get too excited over ANY dogs.
[quote]According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, six (6) Nebraska children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse, neglect).
In a single year, 2005, more Nebraska children died from maltreatment than the total of all children killed by dogs in the state over the past 44 years.[/quote]
What I'm tired of listening to ...
is people who look for quick-fix solutions. The number one biting breed is Golden Retrievers, followed by German Shepherds and Chow Chows. Want all those dogs killed too?
The fact of the matter is, when Staffordshire and American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred by responsible breeds to fight other dogs, those dogs who displayed little to no human bite inhibition were never bred and often killed on the spot. The reason for this was that when the dogs fought, humans were often in the ring with them and the dogs needed veterinary care right after a fight. Dogs who attacked the humans were of no use to them.
Now Pit Bulls (a name which refers incorrectly to 5-6 different breeds of dogs) are being bred by all sorts of ill-intentioned people who either for some reason want dogs that bite people or don't know anything about breeding dogs. Then they sell them to people who know nothing about dogs.
I have the wonderful privilege of fostering dogs for a local rescue group, many of whom are pit mixes. These are the most wonderful and loyal dogs, as people-pleasing as any labrador I've ever met. They are wonderful and friendly with people, children and other dogs. I've never raised a puppy who would think of doing anything with other people than licking them and sitting in front of them for treats. This is how great a Pit can be.
All dogs bite, and yes, pits inflict a terrible amount of damage when they bite. It is terrible to hear about children being the victims of bites from pits or any other dog. But these dogs are the victims of ignorant breeders and owners, and I'm tired of legislators not targeting the owners of dogs who maim or kill. Why aren't these negligent owners tried and convicted of assault or murder when a child is killed by their dog? That would go much farther to deterring this problem than simply making people muzzle their dogs.
I say you do some Research!
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/types-of-dog-bites/dog-b...
[quote]Injury comparison
Do pit bulls inflict injuries unlike other dogs?
No breed or type of dog has a particular method of attack or inflicts an exclusive type of injury. Claims that one breed of dog inflicts injuries unlike other breeds have no merit.
Note: Graphic descriptions of dog bite injuries.
Below are causes of death listed on the autopsy reports of fifteen individuals who died from injuries associated by an attack by a single dog.
Fifteen different dogs, of fifteen different breeds/types, inflicted the fatal injuries.
On what basis could we associate one of the breeds/types listed below with one of these specific injury descriptions?
Fatal wounds as depicted by autopsy results:
1.
Multiple penetrating wounds to abdomen
2.
Collapsed lungs, multiple wounds to chest, partial devourment
3.
Multiple bite wounds, dismemberment
4.
Massive head and neck injuries
5.
Severe head injuries
6.
Extensive scalp and neck injuries
7.
Severe scalp, facial wounds, laceration of jugular
8.
Severe bite wounds to the head
9.
Severe bites, broken facial and neck bones, massive bleeding
10.
Severe bite wounds to the head
11.
Exsanguination from multiple bite wounds
12.
Massive bites to lower extremities, dismemberment
13.
Severe, multiple penetrating injuries to head and neck
14.
Multiple penetrating wounds to back and chest
15.
Skull fracture and bites to upper back and face
The breeds/types of dogs were:
*
Chow chow
*
Mixed breed (no discernable breed)
*
Labrador Retriever
*
Malamute
*
Dachshund
*
Rottweiler
*
St. Bernard
*
Sheepdog mix
*
German Shepherd
*
Pit bull
*
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
*
Siberian husky
*
Coonhound
*
Akita
*
Wolf dog
Injury comparison
***
Images have a much more profound effect on our perception than a brief description. For further demonstration that it is not possible to connect a particular dog bite injury to a specific breed/type of dog, you may access autopsy photos from six additional fatal dog attack cases by following the link below:
Warning: GRAPHIC CONTENT[/quote]
And the REASON you don`t read about Poodles or any other dog bites for that reason is NOT because they`re NOT happening but
because the Media doesn`t report them.
It`s called Audience Interest!
Dog Bites and the Media
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/dog-bites-and-the-media/
and
Media Bias
http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/topic.php?id=5&topic=96
[quote]Pit Bull Paparazzi
Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between August 18th and August 21st, 2007.
A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.
Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between August 18th and August 21st:
# August 18, 2007 - A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers. This incident was reported in one article and only in the local paper.
# August 19, 2007 - A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed breed dog. This attack was reported two times by the local paper only.
# August 20, 2007 - A 6-year-old boy was hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving severe bites to the head by a medium-sized mixed breed dog. This attack was reported in one article and only in the local paper.
# August 21, 2007 - A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two Pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe injuries.
This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.
"Clearly a fatal dog attack by an unremarkable breed is not as newsworthy as a non-fatal attack by a pit bull" says Karen Delise, researcher for the National Canine Research Council.
People routinely cite media coverage as �proof� that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs. Costly and ineffective public policy decisions are being made on the basis of such "proof". While this biased reporting is not only lethal to an entire population of dogs; sensationalized media coverage endangers the public by misleading them about the real factors in canine aggression.
www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
Media Bias in Reporting Dog Attacks
Sensationalism has replaced common sense. Attacks by non-pit bull dogs are rarely taken up by national or international media sources. [/quote]
Stay off this forum if you don`t like People fighing to have the same RIGHTS as you have.
We`re sick of people like you!
BSL
Well, all i have to say is i know what these people are going through. i live in a small town in TN and they passed this law last year. they came to my house and tried to take my dog because they didnt think i had the proper insurance on her. i pretty much told them what i thought of them and that they were not getting my dog with out a fight.Needless to say i almost went to jail, but it would have been worth it, because they were not getting my dog. i think some people need to do a little bit more reading up on pit bulls because a small dog is just as likely to bit as a big dog. i have been bit by a chihuahua, never been bit by a pit. i have raised pits for the past 8 years, IT'S NOT THE DOG! ITS THE OWNER AND HOW THEY ARE RAISED! if you show them love and give them attention, they will do the same for you, they are very loyal to there owners.
BSl
I am absolutely shocked and disappointed that the Omaha City Council would pass such an legislation targeting specific dogs. This kind of legislation does not work and never has. Their council persons need education on what will make communities save. They are only punishing innocent pets and their people which will now result in many deaths of undeserving, friendly, nice dogs. Dog attacks will continue to be the same, just by many other breeds. You can not target one specific breed. It is no different from targeting and racial profiling humans.
I hope the Omaha City Council will research BSI and rethink their decision. There are a lot of facts and statistics to support and show that breed specific legislation does not work or make communities safe.
bullybreed ban
We all know that BSL does not work! I hope the mayor and city council members sleep well at night now knowing that loving family pets who never hurt anyone will now die thanks to their decision. Do you all realize that Omaha holds a big dog show? Do you really think bullybreed owners will attend a dog show where their breed is treated like this? We will never again attend your dog show, and your city stands to lose a lot of money in tourist revenue if people do not attend the show. Once again responsible dog owners are being punished while the irresponsible owners will continue to be irresponsilbe. Many people especially with the economy the way it is cannot afford the extra liability insurance, and many companies as it is will not issue that sort of insurance to those who own bully breeds. I think the mayor and city council members outta go to the shelters and hold the bullybreeds that are loyal and loved family pets as they are massively euthanized. The dogs will be licking your face and wagging their tails as they get the needle. I am sorely disappointed that in America uninfomred bureaucrats make decisions that tranple on the simople right to own a dog. What a bunch of losers you all are......
pit bull ban
I am just totally floored and disgusted that a group of city council, can do this to the owners of these wonderful dogs. I used to be scared of pit bulls, because of all the negative publicity about them.But I havn't been for a long time. I went down to NO after Katrina to help, and absolutely fell in love with the breed. They are the most wonderful, loving, sweetest dogs I have ever been around. Not a one was aggressive to me while I was down there. And I had every opportunity to find one that was aggressive. I walked and fed and loved on hundreds of them at Lamar Dixon. Since then I have transported, and overnighted many of them. The city is stereotyping this dogs, and I bet not a one of them have ever had contact with one of the loving creatures. This is wrong, so wrong, and I am very disappointed in the Humane society for supporting this law. The Humane society needs new people in there, if this is the way they think. Get rid of these ignorant council members, and get rid of the Humane society people that agree with this, and vote new people in. If I lived there, I would be hiring an atty and sue the city.
BSL
Well, the folks in Omaha have just proved that man has not made any progress toward enlightenment and the Legislators are a group of uninformed pinheads who obviously do not care.
BSL
I am truly dissappointed that the city council has passed this legislation. I was seriously considering moving to Omaha but now I really don't know.... We own a Boxer, German Shepherd, and Shpherd/Akita cross. My goddaughter lives with us and owns a Boxer and a Pit Bull. Our dogs are all well behaved, two of them having received their CGC (pit is one of them). Legislation like this makes moving to that city very undesirable for our family because our dogs will be treated like criminals when they haven't done anything wrong.
My goddaughter and I wrote the city council and only one of the members wrote us back about our concerns of how BSL unfairly targets particular breeds instead of focusing on individual cases and proper ownership.