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Dogs are out of control in this state. Holding the PEOPLE (as in Humans) responsible would be more appropriate.
Something needs to be done, yes, but breed specific legislation (BSL) isn’t the answer.
Legislation such as NM Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort’s will only serve to punish responsible dog owners and do nothing about the small percentage of irresponsible dog owners. All you have to do is call up Dade County Florida Animal Control to see that in the 14 years since they banned pit bulls, the population of the outlawed dogs has doubled. What’s more, based on cost analysis by states considering BSL (Baltimore, MD, for example) it will run states anywhere between $500,000 and $1,000,000 per year to properly enforce BSL, money that could be better spent elsewhere to eliminate the problem.
Many officials who want to legislate against pit bulls can’t even identify the breed. There are at least 25 pure breed dogs out there that share characteristics with the pit bull. Take this test by logging onto http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/...ll/
findpit.html and see if you can identify the pit bull. If y
Furthermore, many officials who want to instigate BSL against pit bulls can’t even identify the breed. Did you know that there are at least 25 pure breed dogs out there that share characteristics with the pit bull? Take this test by logging onto http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/...ll/
findpit.html and see if you can identify the pit bull. If you can’t, you can bet others can’t either. So you have to wonder: How many so-called pit bull attacks were actually perpetrated by other, much more dangerous breeds?
So what’s the alternative to BSL? How about low cost/no cost spay and neuter programs? These programs would go a long way in preventing dog bites, first by preventing rampant overpopulation of pit bulls and many other breeds (the more poorly-bred dogs out there, the more likely you’ll find ones of unstable temperament) and by lowering the amount of intact animals (the highest majority of dog bites/attacks are by un-neutered male dogs, followed by un-spayed females).
How about e
How about enforcing leash laws while a dog is out and about in public? Only 10% of dog attacks involve restrained dogs.
How about punishing irresponsible dog owners who chain and abuse and starve their animals, hence putting the dogs into highly defensive modes whenever human beings come around?
Finally, how about we once and for quit turning a blind eye towards the terrible blood sport of dog-fighting, all in the name of being “culturally sensitive,” and go after these gang bangers for their criminal deeds? Today, these thugs have set their sights on the pit bull; tomorrow, which breed will it be? The family Golden Retriever?
I cannot state this often and loudly enough: A pit bull that bites/attacks a human being is an aberration, poorly bred and over-bred (again, we can solve this with mandatory spay/neuter programs and a ban on unlicensed breeders). Just visit any of these Web sites (www.badrap.org or http://www.workingpitbull.com/)to see how Pit Bulls bring joy to people
Just visit any of these Web sites (www.badrap.org or http://www.workingpitbull.com/)to see how Pit Bulls bring joy to people’s lives each and every day. Some even save lives (http://www.forpitssake.org/)
And if you think this is just about the dogs, think again. As I write this, innocent dog owners throughout Ontario, Canada are being subjected to vigilante-type behavior just because they are pit bull owners. Visit www.goodpooch.com/attackreports.htm for stories of media hype and hysteria gone out of bounds.
We don’t need similar, misinformed hysteria in our communities or our state. We need a cool head to deal with the problem of dangerous dogs, not one operating off blind emotion and influenced by media hype.
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