have you all seen and heard the latest burning of phonix the pit bull, well they have 2 suspects (children) and we need to make them pay. we need to make sure they are tried as adults heres where to go
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/109/justice-for-dog-set-on-fire.
if you havent seen or heared this story you can watch the video at
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/19583287/detail.html
please we need 10,000 signatures and we are not even at 2000 yet spread the word save the breed.

Has anyone heard what happened with this bill? I have been search for info

All this bill does is let the goverment control more things that they should not. What one chooses to have as a pet is their responsibility. I see a leash law for all dogs in towns, or cities, but why shoud my friendly pit bull be muzzled while a aggressive lab can run loose. I have two little poodles that have charged my pit bull and step back when I come out. Why are they not being told to muzzle them because they don't cause much damage? A dog bite is a dog bite and most all can be traced to irresponsibility of the owners. All dogs have teeth and all can bite.

I want to know where Montana plans on paying for controling what is in our houses and who will control this. I live in a small town that there is no animal control and there is no one that really governs over this. May be they should try to get more money for these small towns so they can have human societies or atleast someone that can watch out for the well being of domestic animals. There is way more issues that a politcian could be looking at, other then tryng to control our pets in our home.

I own a 3 year old pit that I found as a 1 year old stray. There is not a mean bone in his body. He is the most loving, kind, and gentle dog! Everyone loves him. I take him with me everywhere and people adore him. I can't make it to the hearing today because I have to work but my mom will be there and I encourage EVERYONE who can make it to go and ask them STOP the bill!!!! Thanks

I strongly believe that it is totally wrong to go against any animal esspecially pitbulls. They have this bad rep because of stupid people breeding them for fighting and gambling. Its all how a person trains them. THAT IS THE BIG KEY!!! Pits are the most precious dog out there when they are shown love and caring attention. When they are raised in gangs and being trained to fight well that the gang side. Heavily punish those type of people who do this to these dogs. IT'S NOT THE DOGS FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this bill is totally wrong to kill or not allow this type of dogs in MT. They should be allowed just like any other dogs anywhere in this world!

Robyn Driscoll is a total idiot and should be fired from all government now and in the future. Get him out of office before he totally destroys Montana. He thinks these dogs are dangerous..It's him whose dangerours.
Save the Pit Bulls and all animals.

This is absolutely absurd! I know several pit bulls and when I can get a dog that is the breed I would love to get.

I am not a dog owner but from my experience they have been nothing but loving and kind. It really depends on the owner and how they are raised. same with our children and how they are raised by their parents.

My friends dogs would sit in my lap as if they were a cat or a small lap dog and just wants to be close to you, love and attention.

I have been bit and attacked by small dogs before and cats but I don't blame the animal for it because their is a reason in there past that they act like that and its not there fault.

If they put a ban on pit bulls then what happens to all the other pets that might have attacked a human out of fear.

You might as well ban all cats, dogs, ginny pigs, hamsters and rabbits. And every mixed breed animal out there.

There are so many people out there willing to work with these animals to train them to be friendly! Don't punish the animals that are just doing what they are taught and don't know better punish the owners who hurt the animals and taught them to bite. We don't punish our children that way! Why hurt an animal who only knows what they are taught!

NewsChannel 5 is looking to do a story on this tomorrow (Thursday 1/22). If any pit bull owners in the Great Falls area would like to speak out on this issue, please send us an email with your contact information to newsroom@kfbb.com

Thanks!

Everyone please attend the meeting tommorrow we must stop this banned......I have a pitt and shes the most loyal and kind dog..PLease if you care go tommorrow. These dogs got banned the Denver because nobody went...so go.

This is just ridiculous!

I cant imagine what would happen if I had an officer come to my house and take my dog! I am willing to go to jail for my 8.5 yr old pit! As all of you who are reading this you know that our animals are our as much a part of our families as our children. I am just speechless to here that Ms. Robyn Driscoll is even considering this as an option. It is a sad day when we can have guns but we cant have a dog of our choice! I am ashamed to be a Montana resident with representation from Ms.Driscoll at this level! As Americans and Montanans we should vote her out of her position! lick or copy and paste for some more info on Ms. Driscoll.

http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/60th/leg_info.asp?HouseID=0&SessionID=91&LAW...

Hey Rep Robyn Driscoll.
Here is one of the dogs that you would kill if your Bill passes and he was to attempt to visit.
http://joliejustus.blogspot.com/2009/01/hector-in-house-and-senate.html

[quote]Hector in the House (and Senate)
This is Hector. He came to the capitol today to lobby us on animal welfare issues, including a bill that would strengthen penalties for scumbags who participate in dogfighting. Less than two years ago, Hector was one of roughly 50 pit bulls who were found on NFL star Michael Vick's property in rural Virginia.[/quote]

Kill your Bill instead of dogs like Hector!

this is on behalf of my 3 yr old blue pit and my 6 month old rottweiler...I cannot believe that I had to sit down this morning and explain to my 3 children that there is a chance we may have to get rid of our family pets.Who has the right to say what kind of a dog you can own. the comments people are writting in the ravalli republic about this "mauling" are ridiculous..can you believe someone actually said pit bull owners are gang banger and drug dealers and that pit bull owners just don't want this bill past because they will lose money for fighting their dogs....wow way to go bitterrooters.. i am ashamded i live here sometimes. what matters most is my dogs and every poor pit bull sitting in a pound right now that can not speak their voice or opionion. my pit would say please dont take me away from my kids and my happy home where i am a princess, babysitter, nanny and the best pillow ever created.unfortuantly sooner or later my rottie will face the same fate but we will fight with everything we have untill the end.

Pitbulls are not the problem. Its the owners that are! Every dog that is born is born a good dog. Pitbulls are not a mean breed. They are made to be mean. Just like any other breed out there. What driscoll wants to do is wrong. She must not have a dog!! I do not have a pitbull. But i do have a dog (german shepard, husky, and Rotweiller, which can be intimidating) And if anyone tried to take her from me hell would break loose! This lady must be bored...or crazy...This law does not need to get passed. She just needs to open her eyes and stop being so damn ignorant!

Its so convenient that today, two days before it goes to the committee that they reported a dog attack in Florence Mt. It just so happened to be by a pitbull. Not that the attack was planned but it happens to be the only dog attack that has been reported in the news because it was a pitbull. Convenient reporting. I think so. They don't want to report any of the other dog bite instances in the news recently because they don't get your attention do they. Nobody bats a eye when a black lab or yellow lab bites a kid or anyone else for that matter. It doesn't get your attention because you haven't been bombarded for years by the media with reports a "vicious man killing dog", they like to label pitbulls, attacking a human. It just doesn't make for good news to report the family Cocker Spaniel attacking a little toddler. It wouldn't be a story worth reporting. It doesn't have that little ring to it. Do all of us a favor, if your going to waste our time reporting dog attacks, because God knows there is more important stuff happening all around, report them all. Don't just try to sell us on how horrible one breed of dog is when every breed does more than its fair share of attacks.

I currently own a pit bull mix that I adopted from the shelter. My dog is friendly and socialized. A breed isn't bad because of a breed. I have also owned rotties that have been exceptional dogs around others and especially children. An animal is what you make it. You have to invest time and training to make a good dog, any dog can be a bad dog. I for one will hire an attorney and sue anyone who tries to take away my family, which includes my pets. I have made them a part of my life and for anyone to think they are disposable is absurd. For anyone, especially a representative to enforce their beliefs and threaten me or my animals is a dictator and should not be in a position of power. I will also start petitions to have anyone in office who agrees with this law to be recalled out of office. Before you sign a bill that threatens people in this state on their properties you had better be ready for the fallout. Remember what happened to Hitler when he imposed his beliefs by force.

To Rep. Robyn Driscoll with love

from the Bullies that you want to kill

http://www.inalbum.com/ia20/display.php?username=blessthebullys&back=1&file...

All we want to know is why?

just to clear up this post a bit,

The bill doesn't say owners will have to surrender their pit bulls. If you already have one, they're grandfathered in as long as the dog is registered.

It's Still a stupid bill, but not quite as bad as you're making it out to be.

I'm very disappointed in people in 2009 still showing displays of racism. Yes, what's the difference between a color of a skin and a breed of a dog? I have no children and my dog is considered to be my daughter. I walk her, talk to her, teach her, and feed her just like any other parent do. I love her, she loves me. How on earth will I ever allow anyone to try and kill her breed. The Mike Vic drama, as abused as those pitts were, all of them but the exception of 3 are living in a loving family environment, showing no signs of evil. You want to talk about the devil, Montana show me your horns!! Now check me KANE MILAN out www.mydogspace.com/kanemilan

The pitbull in my home is like all the rest in good homes. An awesome companion, the babys playmate, smart, fun, beautiful, loyal and eager to please. Enough said.
This legeslation is heartbreakingly stupid and bizzare. Sounds like someone is bored in the capital. how ridiculous. I really hope that this isnt passed. There is no way in hell they are taking my dog. Like taking one of my kids. ridiculous.

Everyone,

Below is another site I have created to petition the bill to ban pitbulls. Everyone please visit this site as well and sign your name. If the creator of the below petition reads this, please contact me via email and we can combine the results from our two petitions!

Please visit http://savethepitbulls.bitsurge.net/ and sign your name to the petition, and help us stop this outrageous bill!

Anyone who would like more information or can offer other ways to help or show your support, please contact me by email... DanShads2@aol.com

Thanks for your time

I am a Montana citizen. I will be attending this Thursday. I have emailed Ms. Driscoll, as well as the committee members, the following email.

Ms. Driscoll,

HB 191 is ill -conceived and depicts the obvious lack of knowledge, research and experience you have on the issue that you decided required legislative measures. You apparently are very confused on the actual problem that needs addressing. It would appear that you are trying to focus on the actions of negligent people, however you are targeting innocent law abiding people and their innocent nonviolent dogs. Perhaps if you had done the research, you would have proposed legislation like other states have introduced that truly concentrate on uncontrolled people. For example the state of Minnesota prohibits repeat reckless dog owners from owning dogs. The state of Illinois prohibits convicted felons from owning unsterilized dogs. You could have introduced legislation that made restrictive tethering illegal. Most dog fighters and irresponsible dog owners do, in fact, chain up their dogs. This is an example that , once again, tackles the appropriate issue and does not unjustifiably punish innocent responsible citizens and their companion animals. Among the many other possible legislative actions you could have sponsored to address careless people that mistreat & unsuitably train dogs are: spay & neuter laws, micro chip laws, muzzle laws, etc. Conceivably you would have made an effort to socialize with some pit bulls breeds before deeming that all of them should be killed. I am very disappointed that you are representing the citizens of Montana so ignorantly. You clearly failed again to examine the Nation Canine Research Council’s (or NCRC) Montana statistics. Had you reviewed those statistics you would have found the following: between the years of 1965 and present there have only been 3 fatal dog attacks; and those consisted of three different breeds, which were all in tact males, and one of those was a chained dog. The NCRC states, “ people in Montana routinely accept greater risks from bicycles and ATVs than any that are associated with companion animals.” They go on to outline the statistics from 2005. They were 0 fatalities from dogs, there were 125 deaths from alcohol related traffic accidents and 1400 tobacco related deaths. So if public safety is genuinely your concern you might have better used your time introducing anti-smoking or anti-alcohol legislation. I hope in the future you will make it a priority to be more educated, knowable, and experienced in the legislation you sponsor. I will be attending the hearing this Thursday addressing the above.

URGENT Please sign petition against Montana's proposed BSL

Please follow the link below to sign the online petition against Montana's proposed BSL:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/MontanansAgainstBSL

Please don't let them kill my friends!

I don't consider my pitbulls as dogs, I consider them as if the were my own kids. They have been with me for years and have been more trust worthy and loyal than any human I have met in my many years. They have never shown any agression towards human nor animal. If this law passes and anybody trys to take them from me I am willing to defend them as if you were trying to take my own children! I will do anything for them in my power as they would for me.

Instead of me running off at the mouth; this video says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCSh8f8V66g
I DON'T BELIEVE DOGS SHOULD BE BANNED, BAD DOG OWNERS SHOULD BE BANNED!
I would NEVER give up my Pitbull, he's the greatest dog that I have beside my Golden Retriever.
Let these images speak for themself.
Here is a few pics of my Pitbull.

Sincerely,
Grace of PA

Hello All,

There is a hearing for HB191 Thursday January 22, 2009 at 3:00PM in Hearing Room 172 at the Capital Building in Helena. This is your chance to be heard! Show up, give testimony and show your STRONG OPPOSITION to this breed-specific legislation. Fellow Montanans, there is STRENGTH in numbers!

Ms. Driscoll,

I have to let you know that I am a mother of 6 small children, my oldest being 8 and my youngest being 11 months. I own three american pit bull terriers, and have never encountered any aggression from any of them. They are wonderful, loving, dogs that are really just like having three more kids. I have owned numerous pit bulls, and have never had any problems, I have however seen a lot of other dogs very aggresive. My hope is that you will really research these dogs before you just put an end to them. My kids would be devastated to have to lose part of their family because they aren't what some people like. What kind of a message are we teaching our children if we just ban these dogs because people have done some very stupid things with them? Any dog can be an aggressive, killing machine, if that's the way they are raised. Make it a felony if people are fighting them, or using them for wrong reasons, deal with the dogs on a personal level.... Yes, I agree if any dog is aggressive, it should be put to sleep, but not every dog in the pit bull breed is aggressive, and you can't make them and their owners pay for other peoples stupidity. Please reconsider what you're trying to do, the dogs are not the problem, it's the people... just like anything else, we are a horrible being, and need to stop making other people and animals pay for our stupidity, and you're not any better if you kill these dogs, than the people who use them for something other than a loving pet..... Please, research them, you'll be surprised....

Amy

When are these ignorant people like Robyn going to understand that a badly behaved dog (regardless of the breed) is the direct result of the owner's actions!!!! Why do we blame the parents for the actions of their children but we blame the breed on its genes? Why don't we don't ban all african-american people, while we're at it, from Montana also? I am not a racist by any means but to make my point about peoples' ignorance that comment just had to be made. My sincere apologies to anyone who might be offended by it. Get off your high horse Robyn, open your eyes and realize that Michael Vick is solely responsible for his dogs' aggression not the breed! Even the higher courts and the people of our so called "free state" saw it that way. What are you missing from your gene pool to be so blind to the facts?

Ms. Driscoll,
Banning pitbulls is not the solution to violent dog attacks. Banning people who torture and torment animals until they are trained to be killers from owning animals would be more productive. In general, vicious pitbulls who have been trained to fight are less of a threat to humans than rottweilers, german shephards and dobermans. They are generally aggressive towards other dogs and small animals because they are trained to be, not because it is in their nature. I, too, used to think pitbulls were all bad until I went to work at a police department that rescued pits from drug dealers who were training them to fight. I have 2 of them now that were rescued. Neither have ever shown any aggression towards a person or other animals. THey live in a loving home where they are nurtured and feel safe. Please drop this unfair legislation. Irma Grieve

Breed Specific Legislation = Discrimination. Period! Doesn't matter if the discrimination is directed at an animal; after all, animals are living creatures and a Pit Bull's nature is to please its owner. Thus, it is the humans that abuse them or train them to be vicious that really should be 'banned' and euthanized. Now, there's a bill I'd vote for! Euthanize all pedafiles, rapists and gang members, for starts, and watch the quality of life improve for animals and people alike world wide.
Not moral you say? How 'moral' is it to cast judgement on an innocent animal and decide that just because it was born a Pit Bull that it cannot live on this earth?
Pit Bulls are not dangerous animals. The problem is always at the other end of the leash in this case!! Always!.

Instead, how about passing laws that better regulate animal shelters so as to ensure more humane treatment of animals and also allocate funding away from the deep pockets of politicians and into animal rescue and welfare, shutting down puppy mills and backyard breeders, etc.?

I truly hope the ignorance being spread regarding Pits and other breeds can stop, for that is what has caused BSL as a concept -- ignorant thoughts of ignorant people, who, apparently, wish to remain ignorant.

I'm stunned and can hardly believe that Montana is even considering this! The breed of dog is not the problem...irresponsible owners are the problem. Owners who care for their dogs properly have balanced dogs, REGARDLESS of the breed. This bill is so rediculous! Hundreds of balanced loving dogs stand the chance to be exterminated simply because they are Pits, and meanwhile the unbalanced Poodle or Chihuahua down the street will continue to run amuck, bite, and bark uncontrollably...is it because its a Poodle or Chihuahua? NO! It's because their owners aren't responsible dog owners. To say that Montanans can't own a Pitt is like saying Montanans can't own an Appaloosa Horse. Is the horse out of control because its an Appaloosa? NO! Its because the owner is not a responsible horse owner. My God, what is this state coming to? Spend our tax dollars on a project that focuses on irresponsible pet owners, not on the needless, heartless and prejudicial euthanization of one of the best breeds of dogs there is! Judge our dogs on their deeds, NOT their breed!!!!

I simply can not believe this. What is this world coming to? One, the "Pit Bull Breed" does not exist. Are you going to test every single family dog to find the actual 'Pit Bull"? How ridiculous!! I am the mother of three fabulous children with developmental disabilities. My middle child, who happens to be Autistic, one day, came upon a dog at our local pet supply store. He was up for adoption. She fell in love with this dog. She was sitting on the floor next to this dog looking so lovingly at him, and visa versa. I had to find out about the dog, and went home to tell my husband all about this dog.
We submitted an adoption application. The organization came to our home for a "house check" etc. Within a few days our dog came for a 2 week visit that became permanent. He is part "pitty". Because of him, my three children are doing better than ever. Our oldest with Down syndrome, trains him. Our middle with Autism, is now able to say she has a friend and loves to go everywhere with him. Our baby is protected and loved by this dog. She has Autism, Down syndrome, hearing impaired and medically fragile. This dog is the light of her life. She has opened up and is much more aware of the world around her.

One year later we adopted another dog. Yes, she is an Amstaff. She too is the best thing that has ever happened to this family. My children adore these dogs and the dogs adore them. the most danger you are in with my dogs is being "licked".

Don't punish the breed and the families. Punish the criminals that abuse these dogs. When you ban the breed you are going to cause the "Fighting Dog Rings" to go underground. How appalling! You are going to punish good families because they love their dogs.

In England the so called "pit bull" is used as the Nanny Dog because of their loyalty and love.

I used to be afraid of big dogs because I was attacked by a Rottweiler. (Notice that you never hear of bills to euthanize Rotties though they have also been known to be trained to attack, not that they should be euthanized because of their breed of course) Guess what? It was two loving and sweet pit bulls that taught me not to be afraid of big dogs any more. Large dogs get bad raps because in the wrong hands their strength can be deadly, however if trained properly these dogs are loyal, safe companions. Please Robyn focus on the important issues that are plaguing our country and our world today such as the economy, climate change and the environment, the housing market, job loss, hunger, war and homelessness. Many more people will lose everything they have or even their lives as a result of these major issues than will people that suffer from dog attacks. I don't think that any family should have to suffer the loss of a child to a dog attack, but more children die from poverty and hunger each day which could have been prevented.

Dear Ms. Driscol, How on earth did you ever get into a public service position? The very people that pay your salary are the same people that are begging you right now to stop this bill on banning "Pit Bulls". My question would have to be, why on earth would you spend the tax payers money with such arrogance on such a stupid bill? Have you never owned a pet? And, do you not know how to research for correct information on a subject? If you do know how to do your research and you have owned a pet in the past, then that leaves you just another arrogant, narrow minded person with what one could call a "Mini God Syndrom" attitude. Ask your self this; what on earth (or in heaven) will you tell God was the reason that you took it on your own to blatently kill one of His creations? God don't make "junk", but it is getting very obvious that in allowing humans to have a free will to make choices, many of us will have to tolerate stupidity until He returns for us. It is sad that you even made it into an office or position of public support and have the power to cause such an action as this. God help us all. What's next? Our untrained and unruly children? Are you going to pass a bill to censor other things we own? Let's concentrate on taking drunks out of cars, drugs out of our youths hands, children away from abusive parents and animals away from abusive owners!
Sincerely, Betty in Alabama

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, Why would you get rid of a dog and punish us good owners for something a BAD OWNER tought his/her dog to do????????? I have a Pitt Bull/Lab cross. I would rather own a Pitt Bull over any other breed out there. I have never had her bite anyone. She has been with us for 7 to 8 years growing up with our children. Very protective dog. I grew up with pure blooded Pitts and NEVER EVER HAVE THEY BITTEN ANYONE!!!!!! I think its wrong for someone to tell us which animal we can or cannot have just because someone has a hair up their butt and have the wrong info about the breed. Its the Owners who are to blame who teach them bad manners. Since my dog is half Pitt do I still need to put her down???? I dont think so. JADE IS FAMILY!! You people need to do your reasearch. I like to go camping, I take Jade with me and our family knowing we are being protected from other animals like Wolfs,Bear or anything else that might harm humans out in the wild.

DO YOUR REASERCH BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING STUPID AND UPSET A LOT OF PEOPLE.

Also, I think all you Pitt Bull owners out there start taking the dogs for walks, dont let them scare you. I think its time we show them that the Pitt Bull breed is not harmfull to others. Start showing off this beautifull and awesome breed to everyone.

Your know what it really is? He's racist and trying to get rid of us Mexicans!

I don't live in MT-I "thank God", for that, now! For some reason, I was under the "dumb impression" that people there were probably not uneducated and stupid. (I DO however live in the Northwest) First of all, it seems a Pit Bull either Bit this Rep. or a friend of hers!:-)) That is THE ONLY WAY something like this can be justified. Not having a Pit Bull, I can't say that "I have the sweetest one in the world". However, I have owned Chows-which MANY people would "like" to Ban. And, to be frank, SOME DO BITE. ANY DOG WILL BITE under the right circumstances. I have owned Dogs my whole life, worked with them in shelters, and fostered many of them! If you have an owner that "mistreats the animal", encourages it to fight, etc., you MAY end up with a "biting Dog". (ANY BREED) You don't need to be a "rocket Scientist" to know this one. However, I have seen some of the MOST MIS-TREATED DOGS, INCLUDING PIT BULLS, be trusting and loving no matter HOW they were abused! And, I have seen some pretty vicious, biting, "little, fluffy dogs"! It is REALLY INTERESTING that there were "THREE Fatalities in 43 yrs-and NONE from "Pit bulls"! What is the BASIS to even HEAR this LAW? She is making quite the fool of herself. IS she TRYING to get Re-Elected, or "Beat-up"?;-)) I agree with one writer on here-"round up the POLITICIANS"!:) In the meantime, if you live in MT, get that Paper for your Dog-NOW! You can fight this AFTERWARDS. (And, put HER out of Office)