Prohibiting Dog Breed Specific Laws: Fair or Turning a Blind Eye?
A new law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick would prevent cities and towns from instituting breed specific dog rules.
Is it common sense to allow cities and towns to pass rules specific to certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls, in the name of public safety? Or do they unfairly target certain dogs?
Last week, Gov. Deval Patrick signed an animal rights bill that takes effect Nov. 1 and includes a stipulation prohibiting cities and towns from creating breed specific rules at the local level.
The move has angered some Boston officials, the Boston Herald reports, as the new state law would negate the city's "Responsible Pit Bull Ownership" ordinance that, among other rules, requires pit bull owners to keep their dogs muzzled when off the owner's private property. Boston adopted the ordinance in 2004 after several pit bull attacks in the city captured officials' attention.
Other cities have also wrangled over how to deal with a perceived issue regarding pit bulls and public safety. In Malden, the city council approved a bill this spring that would have required muzzles for newly registered pit bulls, but Mayor Gary Christenson later vetoed the bill and suggested amendments to the law.
After his veto in April, Christenson wrote to the council, "The ordinance should be centered on how a dog behaves and not how a dog looks as I believe this legislation suggests."
The Best Friends Animal Society says about half of the dogs killed in shelters today are pit bulls or pit bull mixes, and that there are 20 different species of dogs that are commonly confused with pit bulls, thus making breed-discriminatory rules hard to enforce. The Humane Society of the United States says that in media-reported animal cruelty cases, dogs and in particular pit bulls are the most common victims of animal cruelty.
On the other hand, DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims' group, says that from 2006 to 2008, pit bulls accounted for 59 percent of all fatal dog attacks in the U.S. The next highest breed, rottweilers, accounted for 14 percent of those deaths.
Is the new state law prohibiting breed specific local ordinances turning a blind eye to a problem? Or do those types of rules unfairly target a specific breed and punish dogs for having bad owners? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
schlock
8:15 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
As we have seen here in Newton, it is usually the case of the irresponsible dog owner as being the inherent problem. Human nature being what it is does not afford the responsible dog owner citizen relief from the scrutiny of law enforcement, city legislators, and the non-canine opponents. Unfortunately for those responsible owners a learners permit qualification for pet ownership does not exist. Anyone without common sense, disintelligent unorganized, irresponsible, uncaring and self centered has the right to obtain and own a dog so long as it is leashed or allegedly under their control. The voters of Newton will go to any length to protect ones' right to be stupid - last I checked there is no law against being stupid...
Glen
7:02 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Walking a dog with a leash and collar - barbaric. Walking around with a bag full of dog crap - subhuman.
Melanie Fowler
8:30 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
leave me and my dog alone!
Lois Black
8:42 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Every breed has a job to do, and it is the responsibility for the dog owner to let the dog do the job that it wants, or it will find one on it's own, like eat the sofa, house siding, or worse... What about giving a reward, like property tax breaks, to families who get a canine good citizen certificate for their dog. This akc certification requires a fair amount of socialization and obedience training, training the owner and dog.
Kirsten Vandijk
4:29 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Please tell me you are not serious about a Tax Break for "canine good citizen certification"....
Lc
9:21 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
People have to remember that it is not the breed it is the way the dog was trained and raised. Little dogs can be horrible also. Pit's are a breed that are loyal and strong but that does not make them bad dogs. People like Vick and other dog-fighting people gave the breed a horrible name. We also need to stop back yard breeders who have no idea what they are doing. And adds to the over population of dogs in shelters.
Amy
11:45 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Perfectly stated ... thank you Lisa!
Katie Sullivan
9:56 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
I believe it targets dogs unfairly. My nephew was raised with my pitbull and she never once curled a lip or snapped at him no matter what he did. He would try to shove toys in her mouth and she'd turn away. He'd crawl on her and she'd just roll over on her side. He'd be pulling her ears in the car and she'd simply get up and turn around and let out a sigh. He even took her favorite bone away from her once and all she did was nudge my hand and whimper. I hate the idea of breed specific laws. It's not fair to take out anger and hatred on loving and caring owners who have raised a fantastic FAMILY pet. And it's also not fair to the dog of course. People complain about bullying and racism towards people, but no one will stand up for animals. People lash out over animal cruelty, but will do nothing about breed specific laws. What is this world coming to? It makes me sick. It is always the responsibility of the owner. The news portrays these poor animals as monsters simply because they were doing exactly what their owner trained them to do. I think it's time to start looking at the other end of the leash. Oh, and did I mention that my Bella Boo even came to work with me a few times? Did I mention I work with children who have autism? Tell me now that all pitbulls are vicious killers out for blood. It's all a media scandal... PUNISH THE DEED NOT THE BREED...
Rose Johnson
11:39 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
I hope your nephew was properly disciplined!!
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
10:06 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Most common quote after a tragic mauling by a pit bull:
"Why we never had any idea he would do that. He was always so cute, and good with the kids. I don't know why he has to be destroyed now."
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
10:07 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
From DogsBite.org... "In the first 8 months of 2011, nearly half of those killed by a pit bull was its owner -- one was even an "avid supporter" of Bad Rap, a recipient of Michael Vick's dogs." If this was 'all' not 'nearly half' of owners the problem might take care of itself.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
MJ
10:20 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Dogs reflect their OWNER.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
1:34 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
A topical article about recent events:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/animal-rights/dog-rescuer-rebecca-carey-killed-georgia-home-dogs-she-saved
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Karen Batchelor
4:31 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
So good to see so much informed comment here. Breed Specific Legislation and it's terrible consequences is finally on the way out while educated ownership is on the way in.
People are realising now that there is nothing wrong with the Pit Bulldog that NOT falling into the wrong hands doesn't fix completely.
Mark Golden
5:44 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
I have the solution. Instead of banning or penilzing certain breeds, let's simply do the foloowing:
If you want to own a dog that has ever been considered a dangerous breed, you have to pass a test. No, not the dog, the owner. If the person who wants to own a pit bull for instance (a very nice friendly breed if raised proprly), they have to pass a test designed to prove that they are stable people who are not leaning towards violence. If they have any convictions for assault or battery or have been the subject of disturbing the peace calls to the police more than 3 times, than they are not capable of owning a pet. We will talk about them reproducing in another article).
Glen
7:01 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Walking a dog with a leash and collar - barbaric. Walking around with a bag full of dog crap - subhuman.
Elizabeth Natenshon
9:54 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
It's called breed bias and to me it seems like just another species we are inflicting our racism on. It is despicable. Look at the case of Lennox in Ireland who was seized accidently when the police were rounding up another dog, but since she looked like a pit cross and a "mean breed" she was euthanized although she had done nothing!
They get a bad name because they are fought fighting rings and abused/unsocialized (we call ourselves superior) and numerous other reasons dogs can bite. They can be the sweetest dogs.
Yes pit's can bite but so can ANY other dog in certain situations. The have their culture and we have ours. The only way a dog is going to know to live by our rules is if we teach him. It is up to the humans to be responsible dog owners. A dog needs more that just being fed and cleaned up after.
A responsible owner studies dog training, communication and language just as someone studies any other foreign language. If we take more time to truly understand the creatures we take in our lives and homes the world would be better off. Most attacks can be prevented if we just took the time to learn. "unprovoked" well not so much, we just are not usually sure what we did.
Do not punish the dogs for human err, ego, and apathy. Too much of that goes on already! There has to be a way to problem solve instead of just saying oh sorry banned! why don't people in power use there brains!
LJCohen
12:14 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
I am very leery of breed specific legislation. In reality, Pit Bull isn't really a breed--it's a designation given to many different breeds. And even if you believe that Pit Bull type dogs are a problem, there is a problem in correctly identifying them.
I have a lab/hound mixed breed who happens to be strongly orange and black brindled. Because of her coloring alone, I have had people ask me if she's a pit bull. I adopted her at 4 months of age and I know for a fact her mother was a black lab (she was born in the shelter and I met mom and my dog's littermates), and the father was most likely a mix with Plott hound in him. But because she is brindled and has a barrel chest, some people see her and think Pitt Bull.
Having been a dog owner for decades, and being the handler for my lab/hound in a therapy dog organization, I can say that any dog can bite, given the 'right' circumstances. I have seen more issues with owners not appropriately reading their dogs' signals and not understanding how to respond to them.
John Casy
8:55 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Time has proven pit bulls are killers. All pits should be put to sleep. Many times pits have turn on their owners and the dog has kill their owners.
Are you and your baby next ???????
Melanie Fowler
9:04 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
dogs turn on their owners most likely because they are abusive. If u knew anything about american history, you'd understand the heroic acts these dogs have performed. My pit is incredibly gentle with my three little girls and loves them like a nanny. The little rascals dog was a bully breed, Helen Keller had a pit type dog, Rachel Ray has a pit bull. this incredible breed help explored the western frontier and protected families from bear attacks. Take a moment to enlighten yourself please.
Renee M. Boudreau
3:25 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Historicly speaking the term "PitBull" originates from the particular job of the breed in older times; noblemen would raise these dogs and use them for hunting deer and bulls; they would dig a pit and herd the bull or boar etc to the pit; the dog would finish it off thus allowing thier humans to escape serious harm (such as impalement from a bull's horn etc).
I have also heard that Chiauhaus (spelling apologies), used to be used for hunting down rats and such to protect food stores. I was attacked by one some years ago in a rather sensitive area but I am not on a campaign to get rid of all of that breed.
as a child I was bitten by a terrier in the wrist; nearly severed a main artery; again it is how the dog is raised and taught. I have seen "America's favorite breed" a lab turn viscious. Any dog no matter the breed can be made aggressive by either abuse, neglect, or poor ownership.
I have owned a pittbull; she was loving and kind and gentle; strong but still a very sweet temperment.
I don't believe in breed specific laws as it is mainly how a dog is treated. True some dogs (regardless of breed) can become aggressive. Some Humans get aggressive should we start eliminating them too?
Be a responsible dog owner; if your dog turns out to be on the hyper side or uncontrolable side; invest in dog training. Not only does it train the dog it also trains it's human on how best to interact with thier dog.
Grahame Turner
5:04 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
I hear the word "Pitbull," and I think of the rapper the internet recently came together to exile to Kodiak, Alaska, with Walmart's help.
My downstairs neighbor has a pitbull, who is all bark and no bite when I've met him. He was thrilled to meet me, but still barks when I get onto the porch. I am relatively sure your statement is inaccurate, but if you have links to some evidence, you are welcome to prove me wrong.
Renee M. Boudreau
9:00 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Alright; my previous statement about the dogs hunting bulls was slightly inaccurate;
Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia: (Found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull)
"American Pit Bull Terrier
Main article: American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is the product of interbreeding between Old English Terrier and English Bulldogs to produce a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the bulldog.[3] These dogs were initially bred in England and arrived in the United States with the founders. In the United States, these dogs were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions.[3] Some have been selectively bred for their fighting prowess.[4][5] The United Kennel Club (UKC) was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier.[6] UKC founder C. Z. Bennett assigned UKC registration number 1 to his own dog, "Bennett's Ring", as an American Pit Bull Terrier in 1898.[3]....."
Renee M. Boudreau
9:02 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
More on the two breeds that the American Pitbull comes from:Old English Terrier:
(found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English_Terrier)
"...History....By the 18th century the Old English Terrier also known as the Black Terrier had been developed into two types, the rough-coated Black Terrier and the smooth-coated Black Terrier.[1][2][3] The rough-coated Black Terrier had been established in England during the 17th and 18th century.[1][4] The smooth-coated Black Terrier was likely the result of crosses made between the rough-coated Black Terriers, smooth-coated Terriers and other smooth-coated English breeds. By the mid- to late 18th century the smooth-coated Black Terrier type had been established.[1][2]The Old English Terrier was developed and selected based on the quarry or work which it was specifically needed for[3], and this led to variations in body, coat and size.
Henry Compton in his book 'The Twentieth Century Dog (1904)' wrote (concerning the history of the terrier):
There were in different parts of the island yellow terriers, and red terriers, and black terriers, and black and tan terriers, and brindle terriers, and greyish terriers; there were large terriers, weighing from 30 pounds to 40 lbs., and one mentioned as weighing 50 lbs., and there were small terriers for whom an "under 9 lbs." class was provided; there were terriers with smooth coats, and wire coats, and curly coats; there were, in short, terrier types enough to create a collection."
Renee M. Boudreau
9:03 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
-----
English Bulldog:
(Found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Bulldog)
"...History...The term "Bulldog" was first mentioned in literature around 1500, the oldest spelling of the word being Bondogge and Bolddogge. The first reference to the word with the modern spelling is dated 1631 or 1632 in a letter by a man named Preswick Eaton where he writes: "procuer mee two good Bulldogs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp".[11]
Renee M. Boudreau
9:04 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
(continuation of the history of English Bulldog)
The name "bull" was applied because of the dog's use in the sport of bull baiting. This entailed the setting of dogs (after placing wagers on each dog) onto a tethered bull. The dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the victor. It was common for a bull to maim or kill several dogs at such an event, either by goring, tossing or trampling.
Renee M. Boudreau
9:04 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Over the centuries dogs used for bull-baiting developed the stocky bodies and massive heads and jaws which typify the breed as well as a ferocious and savage temperament. Bull-baiting – along with bear-baiting – reached the peak of their popularity in England in the early 1800s until they were both made illegal by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835. This amended the existing legislation to protect animals from mistreatment and included (as 'cattle') bulls, dogs, bears and sheep, so that bull and bear-baiting as well as cockfighting became prohibited. Therefore, the Old English Bulldog had outlived its usefulness in England as a sporting animal and its active or 'working' days were numbered. However, emigrants did have a use for such dogs in the New World. In mid-17th century New York, Bulldogs were used as a part of a city-wide round-up effort led by governor Richard Nicolls. Because cornering and leading wild bulls was dangerous, Bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck.[12] Bulldogs as pets were continually promoted by dog dealer Bill George.[13]"
Dennis O'Donnell
9:34 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
I have no stake in this game, other than being a citizen at large. I think over regulating a thing is terrible, but I also think that saying a pit bull's attack on a person is completely the owners fault is shady - a dog NIMBY if you will. All dog breeds have been bred for specific purposes, taking those inherent desired traits and making the next generation more like the desired dog. So border collies are smarter and herd sheep really well, it's in their nature (as bred by man), dobies are great guard dogs, and so on until we get to the pit bull, which, unfortunately has not had the fight bred out of them and even good owners cannot tame out the naturally born aggression that previous breeders have built in. By citing that your dog is great and therefore all of the same breed are so too lessens the strength of your argument, because the opposition completely thinks otherwise. Try instead some of the other ideas posited above, like tests, etc that acknowledge that some dogs require stronger owners, but not because of the owners, because of the breed.