Ohio House Approves H.B. 79 - as Part of H.B. 55!
Update May 27, 2010: In a surprise move, the Ohio House of Representatives has today approved the provisions of H.B. 79 as part of H.B. 55. (House Journal, p. 2730-2732) Read the amended H.B. 55 here.
H.B. 79's provisions were added H.B. 55, and the House voted to pass the amended H.B. 55 by a vote of 93-3! (House Journal, p. 2730-2732)
H.B. 55 amends the animal cruelty laws to allow judges to issue pet protection orders in situations involving domestic violence and also otherwise improves penalties for animal cruelty laws. For more on H.B. 55....
H.B. 55 would also now repeal Ohio law that defines vicious dogs to include dogs commonly known as "pit bulls". (House Journal, p. 2730-2732) OH. Rev. Code Sec. 955.22 For more on those provisions, formerly known at H.B. 79, read Animal Law Coalition's report below.
The bill now goes to the state Senate.
Update April 29, 2010: The Ohio House of Representatives Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony two weeks ago on H.B. 79 which was introduced in 2009.
H.B. 79 would repeal the Ohio law that defines dogs as vicious simply because they are "pit bulls". OH. Rev. Code Sec. 955.22.
Testimony before the Committee
Those testifying in support of the repeal of BSL from Ohio law included Polly Britton, Ohio Association of Animal Owners, Dr. Shawn Webster, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association; Don Cleary, National Canine Research Council (testimony attached below); Harry George, Endangered Breed Association; Ben Konop, Lucas County Commissioner; and Jean Keating of the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates.
Don Cleary's testimony is attached below for downloading. Jean Keating told the committee this breed discriminatory law has "forced us to focus all of our resources on dogs with large blocky heads and short fur regardless of behavior. We have let the public down by failing to address the reasons that dogs bite". The first step to passing laws to protect the public, said Keating, is the repeal of the breed discriminatory law defining pit bulls as "vicious".
A Franklin County employee, Bryan Wagner, agreed pit bulls are not inherently dangerous but presented statistics claiming they showed the dogs bite more often and thus the law should not be repealed. His presentation was quickly shredded as proponents of HB 79 demonstrated that statistics are misleading because there is no way to know the population of each "breed", that it is impossible for people to judge breed based on appearance and many, many dogs have been mis-identified as "pit bulls". Also, as Dr. Webster pointed out, it makes sense that the more popular a particular breed is, the more likely it is to be at or near the top of the list of bites by breed.
Former Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon also testified in opposition to HB 79. He claimed that defining pit bulls as "vicious" gives dog wardens a tool to stop crime. Actually, some dog wardens use this law to profile people they believe may be involved in criminal activity. For example, if they see a young "punk" with a pit bull, they feel free to stop him and find out if he is in compliance with all the onerous requirements for having a "pit bull". Many people do not have nor could they afford the insurance required, and the warden then confiscates the dog. It is not clear how that is really fighting crime. They may also use the presence of a pit bull that may not be kept in compliance with the law as an excuse to enter a house they believe is used as a drug house.
Again, it is simply profiling and there are better ways to target criminals without penalizing dogs based on breed. Illinois, for example, has a law that prohibits certain felons from owning or keeping dogs declared vicious or that are not spayed/neutered and have micro-chips. 720 ILCS 5/12-36 Law enforcement can use violations of this breed neutral law just as easily and more effectively to target criminal activity.
Many committee members seemed receptive to eliminating the breed discrimination from Ohio law. It is not clear that the bill has support among leadership in the House of Representatives, however.
For more on this bill and Ohio's breed discriminatory law, read Animal Law Coalition's report below.
Original report: Last year a bill was introduced in the Ohio legislature to that would have repealed that portion of Ohio law, Sec. 955.22, that defines dogs as vicious simply because they are pit bulls.
That bill didn't get very far, but supporters are back for another try.
H.B. 79 is this year's bill to try to remove breed specific discrimination from state law. Rep. Barbara Sears is the lead sponsor. Co-sponsors are Reps. Michael Skindell, Gerald Stebelton, and Lynn Wachtmann.
Ohio has the only state law that singles out certain breeds for discriminatory treatment.
A recent Ohio state supreme court decision upheld this discriminatory law. Now, opponents of breed specific legislation will urge the Ohio legislature to eliminate this law that says dogs are vicious, no matter how friendly they are, if they are pit bulls. For a look at that Ohio Supreme Court decision, click here. Ohio Supreme Court Upholds Breed Discrimination
Under current law as well as the proposed H.B. 79, a dangerous dog with some exceptions is defined as "a dog that, without provocation, ...has chased or approached in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack, or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person, while that dog is off the premises of its owner, keeper, or harborer and not under the reasonable control of its owner, keeper, harborer, or some other responsible person, or not physically restrained or confined in a locked pen that has a top, locked fenced yard, or other locked enclosure that has a top."
A"vicious" dog under the new law would be defined with some exceptions as "a dog that, without provocation and ... meets either of the following: (i) Has killed or caused serious injury to any person; (ii) Has caused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person, or has killed another dog." A "vicious" dog would no longer be defined to include pit bulls.
It should help reduce the spread of BSL throughout Ohio if state law does not define a pit bull as automatically "vicious" because of its breed.
To find where BSL currently exists in Ohio, visit this site. BSL in Ohio
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this is how i feel !!
Let me Tell You something i have only had pitbulls my whole life never have been bit or for that matter not even close. people are horrible they really are these dogs are the most loyal and smartest dogs i've ever had a chance to be around. not only that they also are great at cuddling, how about this why dont we ban all the body builders in the us for being strong? cause that is a big deal with these dogs thier strong;so what.the worst part about it is pitbulls and any other dog for that matter only want love and food anyone that owns them should know they can eat alot.my point about this entry is that if these dogs were to get banned we truly have been violated in our rights to live in a free country.and most importantly they truly are amazing dogs they live in the moment and thats something i think we should learn from them. if we lived in the moment we wouldn't worry about all the things that we can't control and just be happy.and i believe i read somthing about pitbulls just being mean to little kids,elderly people, or just people you and everyone that belives that i am sorry for you. My pitbull will let my step sisters son ride him like a horse,take his food,play withs his toys and much much more all they want is to make other people around them happy in return they are. i could write about this all day long but the fact of the matter is; is that people are terrible wrong about these breeds.
PIT BULLS
Once again the backward state of Ohio, where I live, thinks they are going to take my bullies!!! Think again!!!! OVER MY DEAD BODY!!! I have 5 licienced, vetted, chipped, tagged, altered, loved, watched & cared for pit bulls. The public is who I fear. My dogs are never outside, in my fenced in backyard with out me watching!!!!! I have spent countless hours, money & time watching, loving & caring for my dogs! I have 6 grandchildren who are around my dogs dailey!!! I'm never afraid of the dogs hurting my grandkids. I'm afraird of foolish, uneducated & ignorant people who think pit bulls/am staffs are the problem. I have owned dobbermans, shar pei's & rottweilers the so called "dangerous breeds"! The dangerous breeds I find are the ill informed people who believe ALL the garbage the media lays down. I have educated myself & have found more dog bites are the acts of smaller dogs!!!!! I have been born, breed & buttered in the state of Ohio for 56 years & I have paid many thousands of dollars of taxes for my right to own what ever breed I see fit. I take great carew in the up keep, love & care of my dogs. They are not outside dogs & they only go out on leash or in my fenced in (8ft) yard! BACK OFF WE RESPONSIBLE PIT BULL OWNERS!!!!! My son is a licieced vetr tech on his way to become a vet. I believe I have all my bases covered & my $3200.000 insurance policy too.
pit bull ownership
right on kimberley! you are a wonderful example of responsible DOG ownership (breed not important). you have beautifully stated how pitties are erroneously maligned by ignorant people and the bloodthirsty media. do you mind if i repost your response on my facebook rescue page?
Wonderfully said!!! I
Wonderfully said!!! I couldn't agree with you more, I have invested lots of money and time in my two. At the vets office everyone knows them and can't believe how anyone could say the things they do about them, I won't let anyone take my kids away!
Pitbulls are my #1 Breed,
Why, why do they have to be band from miami dade; it is the only place in the whole US, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life; when I was about 6 or 7 yrs old I got attacked by a German Shepherd; he bit me in the face; I still have the scar to prove it, and when I got older we owned a German Shepherd mix and she was an awesome gard dog but very evil anyone including animals that did'nt live with us,, well died of old age and yrs later we got a pure breed German and we had to give her away cause she was showing signs of aggression; and to know that most people that don't really know about dogs would automaticly chose a German Shep. over a Pit. Oh and did I mention that I knew the German Shepherd, his name was King and he had known me for years.. well I'v ownd Pits and I have to say that those dogs are the best I'v ever had.. you know that rumor that if a Pit Bull smells or tastes blood it'll go crazy well thats also just a rumor cause I had a Pit named Suaid and she was the best, I loved her like crazy, she was an awesome dog; VERY humble but protective with good reason; beautiful and extremlly smart; she was a lowrider red nose, I have to say she was the best dog I ever had and you know what?, it is on how you raise them. did you know that the Pit Bull Breed is the only Breed that can be raised to be very sociable and still be an awesome gard dog; they are the smartest breed I'v ever had and I love them, so baning this breed not only cruel but very very unnecessary and if you think about it really good, its PREJUDICE, IGNORANCE and CONTRADICTION against these pur INNOCENT creatures.. just think; their trying to do a HITLER on these pur dogs with no remorse.. it makes me wonder who realy are the mindless creatures. I just hope that the LORD steps in soon and dose somthing about it cause this has to STOP!.
Sadly, Miami is FAR from the
Sadly, Miami is FAR from the only place in the US that bans pit bulls.
Tom Skeldon
His testimony really opens up a new way to challenge the Pit bull ban.... that the enforcement results in a pattern of racial discrimination.
That " some dog wardens use this law to profile people they believe may be involved in criminal activity. For example, if they see a young "punk" with a pit bull, they feel free to stop him and find out if he is in compliance with all the onerous requirements for having a "pit bull" I wonder what the percentage of minorities that have been arrested under the law?
Kathryn Harris, Esq.
It is pretty obvious,
It is pretty obvious, actually. The insurance companies do the same thing. Ever asked yourself why you can get insurance with a pool-- when so many children are killed and maimed in a pool every year (read: insurance companies see white and wealthy), but you can't with a pit bull (read: insurance companies see black and lower class). It's the same old redlining, and it's illegal. In nearly every city, Labrador Retrievers are the second highest bite statistic, but you can't get insurance with a rottweiler, which is way down on the list these days. Starting to see a pattern here? It's racial discrimination at its finest.
Lydia Zaidman, Esq.
PLEASE!!!!!!!!! PASS THE LAW!!!!!!
PIT BULLS ARE NOT VICOUS UNLES RAISED TO BE. I DON; THINK BY ANY RIGHT THAT PIT BULLS SHOULD BE TREATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY THE WAY THEY ARE BEING. YOU HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE AND IT IS HARD TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE BECAUSE THEY HAVE BREED RESTRICTIONS. I THINK DOGS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED LIKE HUMANS IN ANY WAY. AS HUMANS WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE OR BE RACIAL IN ANY WAY, WHY SHOULD PIT BULLS BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST...PASS THIS LAW PLEASE...WE HAVE A PIT BULL WE LOVE .
Pit Bulls
Please help this misunderstood breed to be just as equal as other dogs. I would think in this day and age we would have gotten over this by now. Put an end to this once and for all. Thank you. They deserve equality.
HB 79
I am so happy that this is finally coming to the forefont! It's about time for people to stand up and let their voices be heard at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio on April 14, 2010.
pits!!!xxxxxx
what can we do to help this it is a sick law i remember on the show they were going to put this little wiggly pit puppy just because she was a pit the offcers had tears in their eyes they are idiot murders for doing it .
pitbulls are not vicious
The only thing "vicious" in this world, is The Ignorant and Arrogant.
I've done Pitbull Rescue for 15 years! I will stand behind this breed til the day I die! I love them!
I agree!! I am the proud
I agree!! I am the proud owner of 2 beautiful Pitbulls, they are the biggest sweathearts in the world! Stop the discrimination... punish the "vicious" dog owners who make this breed have such an aweful reputation, not the animal! If I was an Ohio resident, I would be there fighting with you! I wish you the best of luck and thank you for rescuing these precious babies!
really that is just crazy
really that is just ...crazy!!! i have been around pit bulls since i was a kid. i have a year and half old and i also have a pit bull. my kid pulls on him and falls on him, the dog does nothing back at all!! they are great dogs to the people that treat them right! if not treated right yes they can be mean but so can any other dog, all your doing is discriminating them because of what mean people do in this world. its not the dog its some people out there that are just MEAN!! there are so many dog bites out there and they are not all just pits so are you going to do away with all of them also!!? im sorry but i will not give my dog away! i would move instead!!
Bill to Eliminate Ohio BSL Set for Hearing
I think these people need to watch the dog whisperer show & learn from him
PIT BULLS SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED VICIOUS
First of all, ANY dog can be vicious. I've seen a lot of mixed breeds that are more vicious. It is how they are raised. We had a pit bull. She was the most loving creature. She loved people, kids, and other animals. She played with our 6 year old, AND our cats. She played a little rougher with our boxer than she did with our children and the cats. She knew the difference. She was intelligent and friendly. Her tail would thump from one side of her ribs to the other when she got to meet new people or animals. I've seen a lot of other pitbulls too......very friendly. It's all in how they're raised. Yes, some are just bad seeds, but I've seen a lot of other types of dogs, even smaller dogs that are just crazy mad. It's not breed specific. It's not at all. I think it would be totally unfair to categorize a certain breed dangerous and vicious. A lot of great pets, companions, family members, and such would suffer because of peoples lack of education as a whole on the breed. I agree that if they do go bad, yes they can do serious damage or even kill. But that's with any breed. I've known a lot of ankle biters that were more vicious than bigger dogs. Leave it up to the individual dog/owner....thank you
Finally Ohio
Come on Ohio...let's do this! Coming from someone who has lived under the crushing pressure of Lakewood's ambigious / discriminatory Pit Bull Ban, let's do something right and get this repealed starting right here in OHIO! Let's set the example and move it nationwide!
We just couldn't seem to get it done in the Lakewood community ( although there is a nice suit going against the city right now)
We must overturn this and then get a good laws in place that offers more solutions! Like educating people on how to be responsible & respectable dog owners and having stiffer penalities for the irresponsible ones!
“The human spirit is not dead. It lives on in secret….It has come to believe that compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind.†~Albert Schweitzer~
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. ~Anon~
Viscious dogs/incompetent owners
I am not in Ohio, but fat, rich Kentucky politicians will follow suit if there is money in it. I say castrate the owners so they cannot reproduce. The owners make the dogs mean and viscious, the dogs aren't born that way. Neither are politicians born fat and greedy but they get that way. A chihuahua will attack if provoked or mistreated. You don't consider it viscious as you can kick it across the room. Mistreat a pit bull and it may rightly kill you. I would. Grow a pair (of balls) and do the right thing for a change.
Trust me, Mi.wont be far
Trust me, Mi.wont be far behind, I am sorry to say. I am a long time Pit Bull lover, and a firm believer that a dog, no matter the breed,only knows what we teach them. No matter, the breed any dog can be made mean, its the way they are raised. kinda like guns dont kill people people kill people.
PB's are simply the best.
PB's are simply the best. They're sweet, silly, forgiving and eager to please, and, in my opinion, that's the reason they're exploited by creeps so much.
It's not the breed. As with any dog - or child - train them in the way they should go...shower them with love and consistent correction.. and they'll be fine.
Don't...and you can see why some dogs (not just PB's) can end up just like people who get in trouble.
First off
there is a difference between being people aggressive, other dog aggressive, food aggressive and other animal (such as cats) aggressive.
Some dogs do have aggression towards humans (this is not specific to an individual breed). This is because they have been abused or lived in harsh conditions or because people are bothering them and not recognizing the signs that an animal is upset/getting agitated. Some dogs are aggressive to other dogs. This can be a natural thing (such as trying to show dominance/be the alpha) or be because they are abused or live in harsh conditions or trained to fight. Some animals are food aggressive ( you just need to make sure they aren't bothered with their food). This can be because of dominance or because they are used to having very little food and are trying to protect their food source. And some can be aggressive toward other animals. It happens. Such as cats trying to get mice or birds or lions trying to catch their pray. Pitbulls are very loyal to their Guardians and will take on the characteristics that the Guardians like/reward. If the Guardian takes the correct steps and takes care of their companion none of these would be a problem.
Not to mention most of the time "pitbull" attacks aren't even pitbulls.
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
Yes to the Pitbull Ban
If 1 child is saved from a death by mauling from a pitbull, is it worth it? Visualize your kids throat ripped out or your 5 year old bleeding out in front of you. Apparently to you owners, it can never happen. Ask the parents of dead children that it DID happen to.
This argument is childish.
This argument is childish. By this logic, you can say, we should ban all dogs because there are children killed by all dogs every year. Or ban all cars (or driving over 30 mph--ever 10mph equals a certain number of deaths), because if you ask the parents of a car accident whether they want cars banned, or rollercoasters, or bicycles, or pools (many more children die in pools each year) or the various other accidents (more children die each year by accidentally suffocating from placing a bucket over their head). Should we ban buckets? Moroever, in every city where they HAVE banned pit bulls, it has had NO effect whatsoever on the number of people killed because it simply doesn't work. WHY? Because there is nothing special or different about these dogs. BAD owners will always equal bad dogs. You have to get to the root of the problem. That is why it used to be German Shepherds, then Dobermans, then Rottweilers, now Pit Bulls (note the poster who seems to dislike Shepherds who is probably just of that generation).
Always pinpointed to one
Always pinpointed to one breed. I am an animal expert, and I can tell you that there have been LABS- known as the american favorite and other breeds that the american people love who have mauled kids. What does that say? Owners will take responsibities for their dogs. Any dog can be mean, if they are raised to be or have abuse issues.
Keep in Mind
1. More children are killed annually by their own parents than by dog attacks.
2. The majority of dog attacks reported as involving pit bulls are incorrect.
3. The majority of dog attacks that did involve pit bulls also involved extreme irresponsiblity and gross negligence on the part of the dog owner and a few involve irresponsibility on the part of the grieving parents.
4. The number of actual pit bull attacks involves less than 10% of the total number of pits in America.
I was nearly mauled by trained fighting pits when I was 8. Because my parents exposed me to all types of dogs at a young age, I was able to turn my negative experience into a drive to educate myself on pit bulls and the people who use them for despicable purposes. I am 23 now and own three pits and would trust them with my life and the lives of any of the children in my family. We (pit bull owners) never deny and will no ignore the fact that pit bull attacks happen, but you (supporters of BSL) continuously ignore the existence of the hundreds of amazing pits and staffies and bullies that live around you. Don't let fear own you because your decision affects the lives of millions. And keep in mind that other dogs have killed children too. I'm sure there is a case with almost every breed in existence of a dog killing a child. By your logic, that means ALL dogs should be banned...
Just food for thought: Pit bulls that have attacked a human represent less than 10% of all the pit bull type dogs in America. That means 90% of these dogs are innocent... Look at the big picture please.
why do all you people point
why do all you people point a finger at one breed? i own a pit and she is the most gentle dog around. lets point the finger at the stupid incompitant owners. what about the golden retriever that attacks a lil kid over getting to close to there toys or food. all you guys are morons that think its the breed.
Children die in car
Children die in car accidents too, but no one suggests we ban cars. Surely if we did, it would stop the needless deaths of many, many children who die or are injured in automobile crashes. Yet rather than ban cars, we prosecute negligent drivers. The same rules should apply to negligent dogs owners.
Think of all the children
Think of all the children killed by labs, huskies, mutts, weimeraners, cocker spaniels, great danes, etc. You get my point. There is no breed of dog that is 100% safe. However, dogs are remarkably safe. More children are killed by their own parents on a single day in this country than dogs will kill in several years. Now think about handguns, swimming pools, cars, cigarettes, alcohol, why don't you ban those things? They have killed more children.
Really?
Maybe people should start watching their children a little better. Ask the parents where they were and what they were doing when their precious little shit was being bit. I guarantee you that, in most cases, the parent were not paying attention to what the child was doing. Then, take a look at this:
"Dog bite injuries are not specifically set forth in Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, Child Injury and Mortality, pp. 36, 37, 136 and 137, which states that the leading causes of emergency room visits overall are falls, being struck by or against an object, natural or environmental causes, poisoning, being cut or pierced, and motor vehicle accident."
So apparently, your SUV, knives, cleaning products, people, yourself included, homes and everything, EVERYTHING, around you is more of a risk to your child's safety than my dog. Maybe one child should be saved from a mauling by you, and you should be put down.
Would you ban all large
Would you ban all large dogs? Any powerful breed could potentially harm a child. Your argument is all emotion with no logical thought or fact to back it up. This type of terrier dog used to be referred to as the 'nanny dog'.
I could ask my sister who had a pit mix and 2 small children. That dog was one of the most loving dogs I have ever known and was always great with her children and all their friends. Question why you have the fears you do.
OH REALLY?
I've said this before and I'll say it again....There is no such thing as a bad dog....ONLY BAD OWNERS ! Dogs are not born bad- they are TAUGHT by THIER HUMAN OWNERS to be bad. People like MIcheal Vick who teach their dogs to be aggressive and kill each other are the ones responsible.
Daushuands are most viscious than pit bulls...I've been bitten by a mini poodle that took a chunk out of my leg the size of an apple- so don't judge these dogs by the breed.
PEOPLE MAKE DOGS VISCIOUS - DOGS ARE NOT BORN THAT WAY !
KILL THE PARENTS OF THE DOGS_ NOT THE DOGS !!
DRUG DEALING THUGS FROM THE GHETTO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ABUSES_
BAN THEM !!!
Fear Mongreling
I can see the "dogsbite" people are out again as usual. The BSL Lobby group or the "KKK" (Kooky Canine Klan) as I prefer to call them, just loves to come on as individual people promoting their propraganda, fear and false stats. Unstable and Insecure dogs of ALL types can be intimidated by children. It is UP the the INDIVIDUAL owner to KNOW their dog or better yet, to SOCIALIZE the dog Properly. it is also up to responsible parents to insure they children are watched CAREFULLY not only around strange dogs, but to an extent even the family dog.
However children are FAR more likely to get hurt playing with toys rather than dogs. GOOGLE' CHIRPP Injury Brief and PAY special attention to Pages 8 yo 10.
We know that children under 5 have more injuries from dogs than any other age range. This is a report from 0 to 4 years of age by CHIRPP for the years 1990 to 2003. Injuries from;
Nursery Products 14,850
Playground Equipment 14,705
Poisoning 13,705
Toy Related 13,390
DOGS? 3,870.
Even riding bicycles were more injurious to kids. Do we BAN EVERYTHING? Fact is that there are SO many injuries caused from these other things they barely EVER make the papers while dog attacks are RARE enough to be news.
Comin people? Please EDUCATE yourselves.
Where Do You Get Your Misleading Information?
I love my pit bull Sadie. She is the sweetest dog that I have ever owned, and there have been many throughout the years (including two other pit bulls, Mischief and Bear, that have passed away some years ago). For you yo generalize shows that you are ignorant of the facts. Maybe I should make a generalization about you... YOU ARE AN ANIMAL HATER!!! The animals that are aggressive towards humans more than likely come from owners that are indifferent to the lives of others. Also, many have been abuse and mistreated by humans.
"Animals Do Not Have A Voice Of Their Own. If We Do Not Stand Up And Speak For Them... Who Will?!"
Sincerely,
Joan E Loza Mobry
P.S. I see that you are too cowardly to leave your name so the world can see you for what you really are... YOU ARE AN ANIMAL HATER!!!
Breed Bans do not increase
Breed Bans do not increase Public Safety because Dog Bites and the Extremely rare fatalities are not Breed Specific.
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/dogbite-factsheet.ht...
[quote]A CDC study on fatal dog bites lists the breeds involved in fatal attacks over 20 years (Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998). It does not identify specific breeds that are most likely to bite or kill, and thus is not appropriate for policy-making decisions related to the topic. Each year, 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. These bites result in approximately 16 fatalities; about 0.0002 percent of the total number of people bitten.
*** These relatively few fatalities offer the only available information about breeds involved in dog bites. There is currently no accurate way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed, and consequently no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill.[/quote]
There`s a reason why EVERY credible Expert and Organization opposes BSL.
http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/topic.php?id=4&topic=17
The goal for people who truly care is to improve safety for EVERYONE not just the people bitten by the dogs,look-a-like Breeds or mutts that you hate but probably couldn`t identify.
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf
In Your State
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/in-your-state/
Pit Bull Placebo is now available online
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/ncrc-publications/
There are many factors than
There are many factors than go into human aggression with any breed. Was the dog mistreated, neglected, abused, starved, tessed (by adult or child) and/or just plain ignored? All things that the humans do to them, they dont do it to themselves. Most people who have never had a personal interaction with a "pitbull" will do what Americans do best conform to what the media tells us to believe. "Pitbull" by the way is just a general term which encompasses about 15 breeds and half of the mutts in the shelters. Guess what your mix rescue you adopted for your kid five years ago and is a beloved family member now only has to be interpreted by one animal control officer as a "Pit" looking dog and its gone and done with breed specific legislation. So for all of you that think that "pitbulls" are a "dangerous" or uncontrolable breed think about that, really look at your own dog and think if someone could interpret it as a "pit" mix of some sort. Its really very easy. Does it have a wide chest, wide head, very muscular and/or large feet? "Then its a Pit" in their eyes. I know what your thinking those traits apply to a lot of breeds and/or mixes. EXACTLY!!!! So when and if where I live ever passes BSL guess what when they "try" to take my dog (cause I am not going down without a fight) I am looking at all my neighbors dogs and calling them in as "pits" too. You people are not only putting my dogs at risk but your own as well and youre too ignorant to see that side of it. Read the new bills coming out it says "American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers" and so on then it states " anything resembling a pitbull". Read the fine print people!! I have breed, raised, rescued and fought for this breed for 20 years. I have had these dogs around my children and never had a problem. The difference is I know the breed. Every time I run into some ignorant person with their opinions my first questions is "Have you ever owned one?" Guess what the answer usually is... NO!! You can not make an opinion on something you know nothing about. Its the same racial stereotype that has been banned where humans are concerned. As a matter of fact you can now do Federal jail time for a racial remarks or attack on someone. So why do any of you think that you can be racial toward my preference of dog breed? Its wrong...
Oh and by the way YES these dogs where breed for DOG aggression... but in the 18th century when they would fight dogs the owners would wash eachothers dog to make sure that there were no poisons on the others dog. The owner would stand in the ring during the fight to "coach" the dogs. Now would any of that be possible if they were breed for HUMAN agression? NO I think not. Also if a dog ever became human agressive they were considered a faulty bloodline and never breed again if they werent put down. "Pitbulls" are not human agression unless a HUMAN trains them to be that way. So again irresponsible owners! Does this breed still have problems with dog aggression? YES absolutely, but that can be remedied in most cases with good socialization and training. Again you need a responsible owners for that. I am not saying that there arent several thousand irresponsible owners out there with dogs that are uncontrolable (with any breed). So why punish the breed? Punish the bad owners... Cause it could be your breed that they mistake for a "PITBULL"...
Breed bans
When you read this link from the CDC and realise that 60% of all fatal attacks on people are caused by rottweilers and pit-bull (type) dogs then it only makes sense to ban them. Sorry but there are way too many irresponsible pet owners unable or unwillng to control their animals.
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf
I have a neighbor with a pitbull mix. She claims the dog is very friendly and not aggressive. Almost in the same breath she mentions that this dog has killed several cats and another dog and that's why they had to move. Great. I no longer let my own dog out into my own backyard as their pitbull has tried coming over the fence to get my 12 year old dog. Although I have always walked my dog, now I must do so more frequently as I am afraid to let him out into the fenced in yard. I now also keep an axe outside. Just in case.
I won't respond to the CDC
I won't respond to the CDC study because the poster below me already blew you out of the water on your literacy issue. However, since your ENTIRE argument is based on one mixed breed dog, I will point out that I have two pit bulls, and my neighbor has one AGGRESIVE pure bred Labrador Retriever that I have to deal with so what is your point? We all have issues like that...one dog does not exactly make an argument.
Mine are social and dog loving. Every dog is an individual.
Comprehension Problem?
You should try and keep up
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/dogbite-factsheet.ht...
[quote]...A CDC study on fatal dog bites lists the breeds involved in fatal attacks over 20 years (Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998). It does not identify specific breeds that are most likely to bite or kill, and thus is not appropriate for policy-making decisions related to the topic. Each year, 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. These bites result in approximately 16 fatalities; about 0.0002 percent of the total number of people bitten. These relatively few fatalities offer the only available information about breeds involved in dog bites. There is currently no accurate way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed, and consequently no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill...[/quote]
Wrong numbers not Statistics
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/dog-bite-studies/wrong-n...
The CDC has released this statement on their own Study
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/avma-cd...
and the AVMA has released this statement on the CDC Study
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/avma-le...
because of people like you who either don`t comprehend what their Study says or are attempting to misuse it.