Article of the Month!
HUG A PIT BULL TODAY!
December 2011
The Dust Settled on the 2011 Texas Legislature: The Successes
The Dust Settled on the 2011 Legislature: The
Successes
The Texas Legislature has come to and end and the Special Session has closed.
Prior to the Legislature convening, there were some serious concerns about breed
specific legislation raising its ugly head due to the fallout from the Clinton
case (boy killed by loose dogs) in Henderson County. There was a lot of media
attention and two proposed bills being floated by Cynthia Kent, one of the
attorneys on the Clinton case.
Kent stirred a media frenzy to ban American Pit Bull Terriers but there were
a couple of problems with that. The two dogs involved in this awful fatality
were not American Pit Bull Terriers, but that didn’t seem to matter. The media
said they were and Kent was stirring that as well, but such was not the case as
acknowledged by Kent in her closing argument in the civil case. Sometimes the
truth is a minor detail when people are all whipped up and this was the making
of a mob like mentality. That is why it was imperative to get ahead of this
freight train.
Breed specific legislation is a unifying issue. Dog lovers do not like the
thought of the government curtailing rights to own the breed of their choice.
Dog owners unite on this issue whether they own a rescue pup or a purebred show
dog, a Yorkie or a Mastiff. In fact, even the cat folks get involved. By
contrast, some animal issues can be very polarizing setting dog owners at odds.
That is why the Texas Dog Commission focused on breed specific legislation
and any bills that were either breed specific or enforced with a bias against
certain breeds during the 2011 Legislative Session. The Texas Dog Commission was
formed in 2006, but for the first time we hired our own lobbyists to deal solely
with breed specific legislation or any bills that were breed specific as
enforced.
Our lobbyists did a great job on the ground in Austin and were aided by legal
briefs and analysis that explained our position, dispelled the myths, and
provided logic instead of polarizing rhetoric to educate our legislators. Our
goal was to educate, not alienate. I am pleased to report that it worked.
The two proposed Kent bills never got a sponsor so they were dealt a death
blow and never even got in the chute much less out of it. One proposed bill made
it a felony to own American Pit Bull Terriers and other related breeds. The
other proposal imposed insurance on owners of the breeds for $250,000.00 and had
other severe restrictions, and made it a felony if owners failed to adhere to
these harsh restrictions.
Through the concerted efforts of the Texas Dog Commission, our lobbyists and
the tremendous support from Texans all over the state, we can proudly say that
these breed specific bills were not passed and our great state still enjoys a
prohibition against local governments enacting breed specific laws.
House Bill 998 was the bill that proposed doggy insurance of $100,000.00 on
all intact male dogs twenty pounds and over in addition to other very onerous
restrictions. The bill was sponsored by Representative McClendon (San Antonio)
and was breed specific in that it targeted all breeds of this weight without
naming them.
The Texas Dog Commission provided legal briefs and analysis, and our
lobbyists were on the ground fighting against this bill in Austin. Importantly,
Texas Dog Commission secured the permission of the Texas Veterinary Medical
Association (TVMA) to include that organization in our brief to the legislators
in opposition to HB 998. Further, Texas Dog Commission obtained permission from
over 100 dog organizations and clubs to be included in our brief in opposition
to HB 998. All of these efforts combined with the barks and howls of Texans who
expressed their opposition to this bill, prevented HB 998 getting out of
committee and in fact, the bill was not even given a hearing.
HB 998 garnered a lot of media attention since the notion of $100,000.00 in
doggy insurance seemed so crazy to a lot of people particularly since that is
over three times the amount for auto insurance and car accidents take lives
everyday. Regardless, the unified effort described above dealt the death knell
to HB 998.
HB 963 dealt with appeals in cruelty cases. While this bill was not breed
specific as written, it is breed specific as enforced. Owners of certain breeds
find themselves to be the target of cruelty seizures more than other breeds.
Sometimes cruelty laws are used as a means to dispossess certain owners of their
dogs despite there are no legitimate cruelty claims. I have dealt with numerous
cases unfairly targeting owners of American Pit Bull Terriers and other similar
breeds. That is why the Texas Dog Commission got involved in this bill.
The Texas Dog Commission provided legislators legal briefs, analysis and
testimony in the House and Senate committee hearings and was aided by our
lobbyists in Austin. Some helpful changes in the law were made possible by these
combined efforts and the voices of animal owners who supported the changes.
Importantly, now all animal owners will be treated similarly and will have the
opportunity for an appeal. Owners will get a trial by jury on appeal which is
new and many times their first time for justice since many judges summarily rule
against owners in cruelty cases. Nobody in their right mind supports cruelty,
but sometimes animals are taken from their owners unfairly and without legal
justification. The right to a trial by jury helps to ensure fairness in the
process.
The Texas Dog Commission limited its focus and channeled its limited funds to
ensure that breed specific legislation in any form was prevented. Preventing the
Kent proposed bills from getting a sponsor, killing HB 998 and securing
important changes to HB 963 are successes from the 2011 Legislative session.
This is exactly what Texas Dog Commission set out to do and the results are
proof that having a cohesive, logical voice devoid of incendiary attacks is a
successful formula.
Thank you to everyone who helped in this endeavor because there is no way any
of this would have been possible without grassroots support and the voices of
Texas dog owners. I am very proud of you and our combined efforts in making sure
that all dogs and their owners are treated equally in Texas under the law. The
legislature does not meet again until 2013, but we must remain vigilant so that
no local laws are adverse to our ownership rights. Forever on alert for our dogs
and our rights.
Zandra Anderson
Texas Dog Commission, Founder
The Advocate for Dogs
and their Owners
www.texasdoglawyer.com
The Dust Settled on the 2011 Legislature: The
Successes
The Texas Legislature has come to and end and the Special Session has closed.
Prior to the Legislature convening, there were some serious concerns about breed
specific legislation raising its ugly head due to the fallout from the Clinton
case (boy killed by loose dogs) in Henderson County. There was a lot of media
attention and two proposed bills being floated by Cynthia Kent, one of the
attorneys on the Clinton case.
Kent stirred a media frenzy to ban American Pit Bull Terriers but there were
a couple of problems with that. The two dogs involved in this awful fatality
were not American Pit Bull Terriers, but that didn’t seem to matter. The media
said they were and Kent was stirring that as well, but such was not the case as
acknowledged by Kent in her closing argument in the civil case. Sometimes the
truth is a minor detail when people are all whipped up and this was the making
of a mob like mentality. That is why it was imperative to get ahead of this
freight train.
Breed specific legislation is a unifying issue. Dog lovers do not like the
thought of the government curtailing rights to own the breed of their choice.
Dog owners unite on this issue whether they own a rescue pup or a purebred show
dog, a Yorkie or a Mastiff. In fact, even the cat folks get involved. By
contrast, some animal issues can be very polarizing setting dog owners at odds.
That is why the Texas Dog Commission focused on breed specific legislation
and any bills that were either breed specific or enforced with a bias against
certain breeds during the 2011 Legislative Session. The Texas Dog Commission was
formed in 2006, but for the first time we hired our own lobbyists to deal solely
with breed specific legislation or any bills that were breed specific as
enforced.
Our lobbyists did a great job on the ground in Austin and were aided by legal
briefs and analysis that explained our position, dispelled the myths, and
provided logic instead of polarizing rhetoric to educate our legislators. Our
goal was to educate, not alienate. I am pleased to report that it worked.
The two proposed Kent bills never got a sponsor so they were dealt a death
blow and never even got in the chute much less out of it. One proposed bill made
it a felony to own American Pit Bull Terriers and other related breeds. The
other proposal imposed insurance on owners of the breeds for $250,000.00 and had
other severe restrictions, and made it a felony if owners failed to adhere to
these harsh restrictions.
Through the concerted efforts of the Texas Dog Commission, our lobbyists and
the tremendous support from Texans all over the state, we can proudly say that
these breed specific bills were not passed and our great state still enjoys a
prohibition against local governments enacting breed specific laws.
House Bill 998 was the bill that proposed doggy insurance of $100,000.00 on
all intact male dogs twenty pounds and over in addition to other very onerous
restrictions. The bill was sponsored by Representative McClendon (San Antonio)
and was breed specific in that it targeted all breeds of this weight without
naming them.
The Texas Dog Commission provided legal briefs and analysis, and our
lobbyists were on the ground fighting against this bill in Austin. Importantly,
Texas Dog Commission secured the permission of the Texas Veterinary Medical
Association (TVMA) to include that organization in our brief to the legislators
in opposition to HB 998. Further, Texas Dog Commission obtained permission from
over 100 dog organizations and clubs to be included in our brief in opposition
to HB 998. All of these efforts combined with the barks and howls of Texans who
expressed their opposition to this bill, prevented HB 998 getting out of
committee and in fact, the bill was not even given a hearing.
HB 998 garnered a lot of media attention since the notion of $100,000.00 in
doggy insurance seemed so crazy to a lot of people particularly since that is
over three times the amount for auto insurance and car accidents take lives
everyday. Regardless, the unified effort described above dealt the death knell
to HB 998.
HB 963 dealt with appeals in cruelty cases. While this bill was not breed
specific as written, it is breed specific as enforced. Owners of certain breeds
find themselves to be the target of cruelty seizures more than other breeds.
Sometimes cruelty laws are used as a means to dispossess certain owners of their
dogs despite there are no legitimate cruelty claims. I have dealt with numerous
cases unfairly targeting owners of American Pit Bull Terriers and other similar
breeds. That is why the Texas Dog Commission got involved in this bill.
The Texas Dog Commission provided legislators legal briefs, analysis and
testimony in the House and Senate committee hearings and was aided by our
lobbyists in Austin. Some helpful changes in the law were made possible by these
combined efforts and the voices of animal owners who supported the changes.
Importantly, now all animal owners will be treated similarly and will have the
opportunity for an appeal. Owners will get a trial by jury on appeal which is
new and many times their first time for justice since many judges summarily rule
against owners in cruelty cases. Nobody in their right mind supports cruelty,
but sometimes animals are taken from their owners unfairly and without legal
justification. The right to a trial by jury helps to ensure fairness in the
process.
The Texas Dog Commission limited its focus and channeled its limited funds to
ensure that breed specific legislation in any form was prevented. Preventing the
Kent proposed bills from getting a sponsor, killing HB 998 and securing
important changes to HB 963 are successes from the 2011 Legislative session.
This is exactly what Texas Dog Commission set out to do and the results are
proof that having a cohesive, logical voice devoid of incendiary attacks is a
successful formula.
Thank you to everyone who helped in this endeavor because there is no way any
of this would have been possible without grassroots support and the voices of
Texas dog owners. I am very proud of you and our combined efforts in making sure
that all dogs and their owners are treated equally in Texas under the law. The
legislature does not meet again until 2013, but we must remain vigilant so that
no local laws are adverse to our ownership rights. Forever on alert for our dogs
and our rights.
Zandra Anderson
Texas Dog Commission, Founder
The Advocate for Dogs
and their Owners
www.texasdoglawyer.com
April/May 2011 Article
***************************************************
Get Active!
Support the Cause
"I want to help! Where should I start? What organizations
should I support?"
The first step is to begin to lend support (financial or otherwise) to
the various organizations working to help the American Pit Bull
Terrier breed. There are many organizations out there and choosing
which ones to support can be confusing. Some organizations are
more productive than others, while a few organizations do way
more harm than good. Before choosing which organizations to
support, you may want to decide which cause is most important to
you and focus most of your attention on that cause. This can be
more productive than spreading yourself too thin and offering only a
little time or money to a lot of organizations.
Everyone's First Concern Should Be Breed Specific Legislation
The biggest threat to our dogs right now is breed specific legislation
(BSL). These laws, if allowed to pass, will theoretically cause
extinction of the American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds. These
laws, regardless of their intent, are unfair, unconstitutional, and
unworkable! BSL is a Band-Aid solution for a larger problem, period!
Regardless of what issues are prompting the writing of such laws,
BSL is fundamentally wrong and a solution for NOTHING!
All dog owners, regardless of breed, should join in the fight against
BSL! It has been shown that BSL that targets Pit Bulls is a gateway
which opens to allow laws restricting other breeds, not just those of
pit bull type. If you are a dog owner and care about your right to
own your breed of choice responsibly, than you should join an
organization and get active in fighting unjust laws!
Rescue - Salvation for Unwanted Bullies, and Helping to Create a
Hopeful Future
There are few jobs as financially thankless, tiring or time consuming
as rescue work. But none so rewarding. The countless organizations
that rescue Pit Bulls will never want for work. Rescues are left to
clean up other peoples' messes, and rely on the kindness and
generosity of supporters, as well as utilize their own time and
finances, to help them get their jobs done. Rescue is an important
and worthy cause, deserving of your time and money.
There are numerous Pit Bull rescues across the country; some going
above and beyond the call of duty by not only rescuing dogs but
doing outstanding educational work as well. Why educate? Because
without trying to wipe out the problems that give rescuers a job to
begin with, rescue work is simply like running on a treadmill at full
speed: exhausting, but doesn't get you anywhere! Rescues should
ALWAYS be working to educate their communities about the breed,
BSL, responsible ownership and the importance of
spaying/neutering. Besides a commitment to education, there are
several other things you should look for in a rescue organization
before you hand over your money:
Two rescues that are "doing it right" are the following:
Spindletop in Texas (the "national" rescue for the breed)
and Our Pack, Inc in California, which is an extremely educated,
breed-savvy group doing amazing outreach in the San Francisco Bay
Area.
You may wish to support your local animal shelter/humane society if
they are Pit Bull-friendly. Volunteering to walk/train dogs, clean
kennels, counsel potential adopters or new adopters (to help dogs
stay in their new homes), and helping the staff and other volunteers
understand and responsibly place Pit Bulls are just a few ways you
can help.
For some recommended rescues, click here.
Getting Active
Local humane societies are always looking for volunteers to walk
and train dogs. Many shelters are over-run with Pit Bulls that are
already difficult to place, but lacking training and manners are even
more of a challenge to find good homes for. Volunteering with
humane societies specifically to help Pit Bulls find homes is a great,
important way to get involved in helping the breed.
If you are a NJ resident, consider applying to become a . RPB always
needs enthusiastic, savvy volunteers to man booths, help with
training classes, organize events, hand out fliers, etc.
Animal Rights/Welfare Organizations
Aside from the Pit Bull specific organizations, there are many groups
that are working to make the world a better place for animals in
general, including Pit Bulls. The American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York City is a prime example.
They are a shelter, have numerous educational programs, and are
Pit Bull-friendly. They are an excellent organization to lend support
to if you are wanting to help animals in general.
Other "animal welfare" or "animal rights" organizations should be
avoided, however. They sound benign enough on the outside, but
dig a little and you'll find some things that may surprise you. People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) supports BSL and would
like to see the American Pit Bull Terrier breed (as well as pet animals
in general) die out.
In fact, animal rights (AR) groups must be viewed cautiously and fully
investigated before you decide to drop any money in their pockets.
There seems to be an inordinate amount of anti-Pit Bull sentiment in
AR circles, either due to fear, misunderstanding, or plain ignorance.
For instance, Animal People Magazine is a well-known animal rights
publication that is incredibly anti-Pit Bull, and its articles display not
only an extreme animosity towards the breed, but also a terrible
lack of understanding of dog behavior. For an example of the
garbage that routinely gets published in Animal People, click here:
here.
Before you support any animal rights or welfare organization, be
sure to ask them what their stance on Pit Bulls and breed specific
legislation is prior to joining.
Support the Cause
"I want to help! Where should I start? What organizations
should I support?"
The first step is to begin to lend support (financial or otherwise) to
the various organizations working to help the American Pit Bull
Terrier breed. There are many organizations out there and choosing
which ones to support can be confusing. Some organizations are
more productive than others, while a few organizations do way
more harm than good. Before choosing which organizations to
support, you may want to decide which cause is most important to
you and focus most of your attention on that cause. This can be
more productive than spreading yourself too thin and offering only a
little time or money to a lot of organizations.
Everyone's First Concern Should Be Breed Specific Legislation
The biggest threat to our dogs right now is breed specific legislation
(BSL). These laws, if allowed to pass, will theoretically cause
extinction of the American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds. These
laws, regardless of their intent, are unfair, unconstitutional, and
unworkable! BSL is a Band-Aid solution for a larger problem, period!
Regardless of what issues are prompting the writing of such laws,
BSL is fundamentally wrong and a solution for NOTHING!
All dog owners, regardless of breed, should join in the fight against
BSL! It has been shown that BSL that targets Pit Bulls is a gateway
which opens to allow laws restricting other breeds, not just those of
pit bull type. If you are a dog owner and care about your right to
own your breed of choice responsibly, than you should join an
organization and get active in fighting unjust laws!
Rescue - Salvation for Unwanted Bullies, and Helping to Create a
Hopeful Future
There are few jobs as financially thankless, tiring or time consuming
as rescue work. But none so rewarding. The countless organizations
that rescue Pit Bulls will never want for work. Rescues are left to
clean up other peoples' messes, and rely on the kindness and
generosity of supporters, as well as utilize their own time and
finances, to help them get their jobs done. Rescue is an important
and worthy cause, deserving of your time and money.
There are numerous Pit Bull rescues across the country; some going
above and beyond the call of duty by not only rescuing dogs but
doing outstanding educational work as well. Why educate? Because
without trying to wipe out the problems that give rescuers a job to
begin with, rescue work is simply like running on a treadmill at full
speed: exhausting, but doesn't get you anywhere! Rescues should
ALWAYS be working to educate their communities about the breed,
BSL, responsible ownership and the importance of
spaying/neutering. Besides a commitment to education, there are
several other things you should look for in a rescue organization
before you hand over your money:
- All dogs should be spayed or neutered before placement.
- They should charge a nominal fee for adoption (which covers
the basic care the dog received). Normal adoption fees range
from about $50 to $150 dollars. Rescues that charge
ridiculous adoption fees of $400, $500 or more, should be
viewed as suspect, and are possibly trying to make a buck off
of the dogs' misfortune. - They should seem like they know what they are doing, and be
very knowledgeable about the breed. They should have been
rescuing more than a few years, and have references from
vets, trainers, or other animal professionals that can verify
their legitimacy. - They should require temperament tests/evaluations on all
dogs prior to placement. All dogs should be assessed before
being adopted to help match them with the best possible
home. If the rescue does test, ask them to be specific about
how they go about doing so. - The rescue should have a zero tolerance policy for Pit Bulls
that have bitten or are aggressive towards humans. No
responsible Pit Bull rescue will adopt a dog out with a history
of aggressive behavior towards people. - The rescue should place all dogs with a contract.
Two rescues that are "doing it right" are the following:
Spindletop in Texas (the "national" rescue for the breed)
and Our Pack, Inc in California, which is an extremely educated,
breed-savvy group doing amazing outreach in the San Francisco Bay
Area.
You may wish to support your local animal shelter/humane society if
they are Pit Bull-friendly. Volunteering to walk/train dogs, clean
kennels, counsel potential adopters or new adopters (to help dogs
stay in their new homes), and helping the staff and other volunteers
understand and responsibly place Pit Bulls are just a few ways you
can help.
For some recommended rescues, click here.
Getting Active
Local humane societies are always looking for volunteers to walk
and train dogs. Many shelters are over-run with Pit Bulls that are
already difficult to place, but lacking training and manners are even
more of a challenge to find good homes for. Volunteering with
humane societies specifically to help Pit Bulls find homes is a great,
important way to get involved in helping the breed.
If you are a NJ resident, consider applying to become a . RPB always
needs enthusiastic, savvy volunteers to man booths, help with
training classes, organize events, hand out fliers, etc.
Animal Rights/Welfare Organizations
Aside from the Pit Bull specific organizations, there are many groups
that are working to make the world a better place for animals in
general, including Pit Bulls. The American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York City is a prime example.
They are a shelter, have numerous educational programs, and are
Pit Bull-friendly. They are an excellent organization to lend support
to if you are wanting to help animals in general.
Other "animal welfare" or "animal rights" organizations should be
avoided, however. They sound benign enough on the outside, but
dig a little and you'll find some things that may surprise you. People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) supports BSL and would
like to see the American Pit Bull Terrier breed (as well as pet animals
in general) die out.
In fact, animal rights (AR) groups must be viewed cautiously and fully
investigated before you decide to drop any money in their pockets.
There seems to be an inordinate amount of anti-Pit Bull sentiment in
AR circles, either due to fear, misunderstanding, or plain ignorance.
For instance, Animal People Magazine is a well-known animal rights
publication that is incredibly anti-Pit Bull, and its articles display not
only an extreme animosity towards the breed, but also a terrible
lack of understanding of dog behavior. For an example of the
garbage that routinely gets published in Animal People, click here:
here.
Before you support any animal rights or welfare organization, be
sure to ask them what their stance on Pit Bulls and breed specific
legislation is prior to joining.
March 2011 Article
***********************************
***********************************
The Drums are Beating Again in Texas: The Kent Proposals for BSL
Posted on February 11, 2011 by Zadmin
Breed Specific Legislation
The Drums are Beating Again in Texas: The Kent Proposals for BSL
The cry for banning certain breeds of dogs is often a knee jerk reaction to a specific incident. The drums are beating again in Texas for breed specific legislation based on the tragic death of a young boy, Justin Clinton. Justin was killed by two dogs on June 15, 2009 near Kilgore, Texas (Rusk County). The civil trial resulted in a large verdict in September of 2010. The case was tried by plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer, Cynthia Kent, and her husband who is also an attorney. Kent is a former state court judge.
The dogs, an American Bulldog and a mixed breed, were owned by Ricky and Christi George. The dogs got out of the yard while Justin was on his skateboard. The fence and gate were in a state of disrepair.
The Georges were sued civilly for the death and were indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide. At the civil trial, they were not able to testify fully for fear of jeopardizing themselves in the criminal trial which had not occurred. The criminal charges were dropped in January of 2011.
Dog bite related fatalities are exceedingly rare in the United States. Approximately, twenty-five occur in a year for the entire country (figures vary from year to year) despite the number of dogs increasing steadily with more families owning dogs. Regardless, events like the one described above serve as a catalyst for trying to ban certain breeds of dogs.
Kent has used this case as a platform to try to get the Texas Legislature to ban the American Pit Bull Terrier and other related breeds. Once again, the breed is getting blamed for an incident not caused by an APBT, and once again dogs are being blamed for what is entirely a human problem.
Kent Proposals. Kent has circulated two proposals for sponsorship by one or more Texas legislators. One proposal would ban the breeds altogether and make owning one a third degree felony. A third degree felony has a punishment of up to ten years in prison.
The second proposal suggested by Kent makes it a crime to possess a “pit bull” but there would be a defense to prosecution if the owner meets the following requirements:
The Tyler Morning Telegraph interviewed State Representative Chuck Hopson (Republican–Jacksonville) who told them “a bill is being drafted by his office.” The article went on to say: “Hopson said House Bill 998 proposed by State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon (Democrat–San Antonio) needed more work, but was on the right track. Hopson said he wanted his bill to have more bite when it came to penalties.” Hopson was quoted as follows: “We are working on it now and should have something in the next few days. I think House Bill 998 is fine, but I want to give the sheriff department’s more power to go out and arrest the owners of habitual offenders that have demonstrated the propensity to attack or has demonstrated violence.”
Now is the time to get ahead of this legislation. As the legislative session progresses, you will be called upon to write and call your legislators. If there are any hearings in the House or Senate committee meetings, there will also be a plea to come to Austin to testify.
Right now, we need to fund our lobbyists on the ground in Austin who can take the true message about our dogs to the legislators. Success is a collaborative effort and all of these forces are needed to defeat any laws that would curtail our rights as owners of these dogs whether the laws target certain breeds by name or by weight or by any other means.
Donations are needed to fund our lobbyists in Austin and for costs associated with preparing legal briefs for the legislators. The Texas Dog Commission does not have a paid staff and is dedicated solely to the promotion of fair laws for all dogs. Please, donate whatever you can. Every cent will go to protect our dogs and our rights as owners.
To Find Your State Legislators: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
Zandra Anderson ©
Permission granted to use information above with credit given to the author.
This entry was posted in 2011 Legislative Session, BSL. Bookmark the permalink.
The Drums are Beating Again in Texas: The Kent Proposals for BSL
The cry for banning certain breeds of dogs is often a knee jerk reaction to a specific incident. The drums are beating again in Texas for breed specific legislation based on the tragic death of a young boy, Justin Clinton. Justin was killed by two dogs on June 15, 2009 near Kilgore, Texas (Rusk County). The civil trial resulted in a large verdict in September of 2010. The case was tried by plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer, Cynthia Kent, and her husband who is also an attorney. Kent is a former state court judge.
The dogs, an American Bulldog and a mixed breed, were owned by Ricky and Christi George. The dogs got out of the yard while Justin was on his skateboard. The fence and gate were in a state of disrepair.
The Georges were sued civilly for the death and were indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide. At the civil trial, they were not able to testify fully for fear of jeopardizing themselves in the criminal trial which had not occurred. The criminal charges were dropped in January of 2011.
Dog bite related fatalities are exceedingly rare in the United States. Approximately, twenty-five occur in a year for the entire country (figures vary from year to year) despite the number of dogs increasing steadily with more families owning dogs. Regardless, events like the one described above serve as a catalyst for trying to ban certain breeds of dogs.
Kent has used this case as a platform to try to get the Texas Legislature to ban the American Pit Bull Terrier and other related breeds. Once again, the breed is getting blamed for an incident not caused by an APBT, and once again dogs are being blamed for what is entirely a human problem.
Kent Proposals. Kent has circulated two proposals for sponsorship by one or more Texas legislators. One proposal would ban the breeds altogether and make owning one a third degree felony. A third degree felony has a punishment of up to ten years in prison.
The second proposal suggested by Kent makes it a crime to possess a “pit bull” but there would be a defense to prosecution if the owner meets the following requirements:
- The owner has received a license from the State of Texas to possess a “pit bull” at least ten days before taking possession of the dog;
- The possessor at all times confines the dog to a residential
structure or keeps the dog in a secure enclosure. The secure enclosure
must meet the following requirements:
- Eight feet high with a top;
- Have a bottom attached to the sides and embedded in the ground at least a foot deep;
- Built strong enough to prevent the pit bull from getting out;
- Able to prevent a minor from gaining access;
- Signs on all entrances to enclosure and property that are 1’ high by 2’ wide with the words: “WARNING, PIT BULL DOG.”
- When the “pit bull” is off the property it must be securely leashed and muzzled;
- Maintain insurance of at least $250,000.00 covering any damage or injury caused by the “pit bull;”
- Must microchip the “pit bull” and chip information kept by a veterinarian licensed in Texas;
- If a possessor fails to meet any of these requirements it is a third degree felony.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph interviewed State Representative Chuck Hopson (Republican–Jacksonville) who told them “a bill is being drafted by his office.” The article went on to say: “Hopson said House Bill 998 proposed by State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon (Democrat–San Antonio) needed more work, but was on the right track. Hopson said he wanted his bill to have more bite when it came to penalties.” Hopson was quoted as follows: “We are working on it now and should have something in the next few days. I think House Bill 998 is fine, but I want to give the sheriff department’s more power to go out and arrest the owners of habitual offenders that have demonstrated the propensity to attack or has demonstrated violence.”
Now is the time to get ahead of this legislation. As the legislative session progresses, you will be called upon to write and call your legislators. If there are any hearings in the House or Senate committee meetings, there will also be a plea to come to Austin to testify.
Right now, we need to fund our lobbyists on the ground in Austin who can take the true message about our dogs to the legislators. Success is a collaborative effort and all of these forces are needed to defeat any laws that would curtail our rights as owners of these dogs whether the laws target certain breeds by name or by weight or by any other means.
Donations are needed to fund our lobbyists in Austin and for costs associated with preparing legal briefs for the legislators. The Texas Dog Commission does not have a paid staff and is dedicated solely to the promotion of fair laws for all dogs. Please, donate whatever you can. Every cent will go to protect our dogs and our rights as owners.
To Find Your State Legislators: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
Zandra Anderson ©
Permission granted to use information above with credit given to the author.
This entry was posted in 2011 Legislative Session, BSL. Bookmark the permalink.
February 2011 Article
***************************************
A PITBULL'S PRAYER
Spirit in the sky who watches over animals: it is my prayer and my request that you grant greater understanding, and acceptance to humans; those who love us and those who hate us. That they will know how loyal we are, how brave we are, and how loving we ...are. Help them to accept us as a breed in whole and not let a few tragedies shine brighter than the many great traits that we have. And those who would kill me, let them know, I forgive them even though I don't understand their hatred. And those who would beat me, let them know I still love them, even though it is not the honorable way to treat me. Thank You for all the strong traits You have given me and my breed. Help those to know that I stand for courage, strength, loyalty, and bravery...and let those who would come against my family know that I would surely die defending them. And just one more thing...let my companions know that if You should call me away, that I will wait patiently at the Bridge until the one who chose me comes home. ~ Author Unknown
Spirit in the sky who watches over animals: it is my prayer and my request that you grant greater understanding, and acceptance to humans; those who love us and those who hate us. That they will know how loyal we are, how brave we are, and how loving we ...are. Help them to accept us as a breed in whole and not let a few tragedies shine brighter than the many great traits that we have. And those who would kill me, let them know, I forgive them even though I don't understand their hatred. And those who would beat me, let them know I still love them, even though it is not the honorable way to treat me. Thank You for all the strong traits You have given me and my breed. Help those to know that I stand for courage, strength, loyalty, and bravery...and let those who would come against my family know that I would surely die defending them. And just one more thing...let my companions know that if You should call me away, that I will wait patiently at the Bridge until the one who chose me comes home. ~ Author Unknown
**************************************************
December/January 2010/2011 Article
"Hey! That Dawg Don't Look Purebred..."
An explanation of the tan-point pattern sometimes seen in the American Pit Bull Terrier
by Ed & Chris Faron
An explanation of the tan-point pattern sometimes seen in the American Pit Bull Terrier
by Ed & Chris Faron
Just where does the black and tan "Rottweiler looking" pattern come from, and is it a sign that an APBT is not purebred? Since this color pattern pops up more frequently in our bloodline than in some others, we have been asked about this on quite a few occasions. We thought we would take the time to write up a short article explaining this color pattern, how it is inherited, and where it comes from.
The tan point pattern is caused by a recessive gene on the Agouti series gene locus, the following are the alleles (variations) that are definitely known to occur in the American Pit Bull Terrier. There are also a couple of other genes on this same locus, but they are most likely not present in this breed, so we will ignore them in this article to try and keep things simple.
The tan point pattern is caused by a recessive gene on the Agouti series gene locus, the following are the alleles (variations) that are definitely known to occur in the American Pit Bull Terrier. There are also a couple of other genes on this same locus, but they are most likely not present in this breed, so we will ignore them in this article to try and keep things simple.
*Note: There is strong evidence to suggest that there are either two separate genes causing a solid black coat, or possibly even just one gene that is NOT on the agouti locus, but that is a whole different matter we'll save for another article. If black is in fact not an agouti locus gene then Dominant Yellow should be expressed as Ay instead of ay.
A dog needs to inherit two copies of the tan-point gene to be a black & tan. If a pup inherits one copy of the tan-point gene and one copy of the dominant yellow gene, which causes a red or buckskin coloration, then the dog will be red or buckskin, not black and tan. If the dog inherits one copy of the tan-point gene and one of the dominant black gene, the result will be a solid black dog. Because of the recessive nature of the tan-point gene, it can actually remain hidden in the gene pool for many generations without expressing itself. In the case of our breed (where this is not a common color) this is what often happens, but it is important to realize that when the tan-point pattern does pop up it is not some new color mutation that appeared out of nowhere, but rather the manifestation of a gene that has been present in this breed all throughout the known history of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Though it is impossible to say for sure where the coloration originated, our best guess would be that it came from some sort of terrier blood that was introduced many, many years ago, probably during the early formation of the breed in the British Isles.
Actually, part of the reason the color is uncommon is that there has been a distinct prejudice against it by many people, either because they feel it is not a typical Pit Bull color, or even actually thought it was the result of a mixed breeding. The latter reason shows an ignorance of basic genetic principles, because the gene is recessive, there is no way you could breed a Rottweiler or a Doberman or Manchester Terrier to a Pit Bull and get puppies with the tan-point markings unless the Pit Bull was carrying the tan-point gene too. If in fact the black and tan color was not present in the APBT gene pool, you would have to breed to a dog of another tan-point breed, and then breed two offspring from such a breeding back together to get black & tan dogs, in the first generation you would get no tan-pointed offspring.
The tan point gene does not actually create a black & tan animal, the gene itself does not produce any color but rather a pattern of a solid color with light-colored 'points'. These 'points' always appear in specific places but the actual size and distribution of them is somewhat variable. The exact coloration that is produced by the tan-point gene is dependant on the color genes present at other loci, for instance if the pigmentation is black, the result will be a black & tan, but if the dog's pigmentation is chocolate or blue then the pattern would produce a chocolate & tan or a blue & tan, respectively. A few of the possible tan-point variations seen include the following:
A dog needs to inherit two copies of the tan-point gene to be a black & tan. If a pup inherits one copy of the tan-point gene and one copy of the dominant yellow gene, which causes a red or buckskin coloration, then the dog will be red or buckskin, not black and tan. If the dog inherits one copy of the tan-point gene and one of the dominant black gene, the result will be a solid black dog. Because of the recessive nature of the tan-point gene, it can actually remain hidden in the gene pool for many generations without expressing itself. In the case of our breed (where this is not a common color) this is what often happens, but it is important to realize that when the tan-point pattern does pop up it is not some new color mutation that appeared out of nowhere, but rather the manifestation of a gene that has been present in this breed all throughout the known history of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Though it is impossible to say for sure where the coloration originated, our best guess would be that it came from some sort of terrier blood that was introduced many, many years ago, probably during the early formation of the breed in the British Isles.
Actually, part of the reason the color is uncommon is that there has been a distinct prejudice against it by many people, either because they feel it is not a typical Pit Bull color, or even actually thought it was the result of a mixed breeding. The latter reason shows an ignorance of basic genetic principles, because the gene is recessive, there is no way you could breed a Rottweiler or a Doberman or Manchester Terrier to a Pit Bull and get puppies with the tan-point markings unless the Pit Bull was carrying the tan-point gene too. If in fact the black and tan color was not present in the APBT gene pool, you would have to breed to a dog of another tan-point breed, and then breed two offspring from such a breeding back together to get black & tan dogs, in the first generation you would get no tan-pointed offspring.
The tan point gene does not actually create a black & tan animal, the gene itself does not produce any color but rather a pattern of a solid color with light-colored 'points'. These 'points' always appear in specific places but the actual size and distribution of them is somewhat variable. The exact coloration that is produced by the tan-point gene is dependant on the color genes present at other loci, for instance if the pigmentation is black, the result will be a black & tan, but if the dog's pigmentation is chocolate or blue then the pattern would produce a chocolate & tan or a blue & tan, respectively. A few of the possible tan-point variations seen include the following:
White markings are caused by an entirely different set of genes, and appear the same way on a tan-point dog as they would on any other color, if present -- a tan-point dog may even be spotted, in which case the spots would be two different colors depending on whether the spots were over areas where the tan-point pattern was present. Brindling, if the dog is a brindle, will only be seen in the tan points, in fact if the tan-point dog is very heavily brindled then the brindled areas may make the dog appear to be a solid color instead of a tan-point.
(We have a couple of photos of brindled black & tans and brindled chocolate & tans but are still looking for them at this time, we will scan them and add them to this page when we find them.)
Another interesting thing to keep in mind is that the dominant yellow gene does not always mask the tan-point gene entirely; this is known as 'incomplete dominance'. With incomplete dominance, a buckskin or red dog that is carrying the tan-point gene will have the tan-point pattern visible in the form of a pattern of black (or chocolate, or blue) hairs mixed into the coat in the places a tan-point dog would have been solid colored. This is referred to as 'sabling' in most breeds. Here are a couple of examples of sabled APBTs:
(We have a couple of photos of brindled black & tans and brindled chocolate & tans but are still looking for them at this time, we will scan them and add them to this page when we find them.)
Another interesting thing to keep in mind is that the dominant yellow gene does not always mask the tan-point gene entirely; this is known as 'incomplete dominance'. With incomplete dominance, a buckskin or red dog that is carrying the tan-point gene will have the tan-point pattern visible in the form of a pattern of black (or chocolate, or blue) hairs mixed into the coat in the places a tan-point dog would have been solid colored. This is referred to as 'sabling' in most breeds. Here are a couple of examples of sabled APBTs:
****************************************
November 2010 Article
DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE BSL PROPOSALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THIS ARTICLE IS RE-POSTED! GET INVOLVED!! OPPOSE BSL!
****************************************
October 2010 Article
Breed specific legislation (BSL) is being passed in many different states,
counties, towns and countries, and is a detriment to the survival of the Pit
Bull. All owners should concern themselves with the matter of BSL.
What is BSL?
BSL is legislation that targets specific breeds of dog (namely Pit Bulls and
"pit bull types") because they are supposedly inherently dangerous and
therefore deserving of prejudicial rules and regulations. BSL can be loosely
divided into two types:
Type 1--Bans
Bans make it illegal to own, house, harbor, import, train, or breed any of
the dogs listed in the legislation in a particular location. Dogs that already
exist in the area of the ban are usually grandfathered in, but their owners
have to comply with extensive laws in order to keep their animals. These
laws usually require owners to take out expensive liability insurance on
their dogs, muzzle the dogs in public, keep the animals confined in
kennels, mandatory spay/neuter, among other things.
Type 2--Ownership regulation
Regulation legislation doesn't outright ban a breed, but rather makes it
extremely difficult to own a certain breed. Requirements such as liability
insurance, mandatory spay/neuter, higher licensing costs, muzzling in
public, etc. are typical of legislation like this. Ownership regulation also
places age limits on who can own or handle certain breeds. Through this
type of legislation, the government is basically deciding who is and who is
not allowed to own certain dogs.
What's the point of BSL?
The supportors of BSL claim their goal is to put an end to dog attacks by
targeting certain breeds of dog that are "inherently vicious/dangerous",
and dogs that tend to appeal to people who are involved in criminal
activity (i.e. drug dealers, dog fighters, gangbangers, etc).
What About Bite Statistics? Do They Prove We Need BSL?:
Dog Bite Statistics are unreliable sources of information regarding the
"viciousness" or dangerousness of breeds for the following reasons:
1) Very few people can accurately identify dog breeds.
2) Breeds are not listed individually, but rather under group headings. For
instance, under the heading "pit bull", you will find no less than 3 distinct
breeds, mixes of any of those three breeds, any dog that appears to be
one of those breeds, plus any misidentified dogs. And make no mistake,
dogs get misidentified all the time. There is a case of an Akita attack that
was reported as a "pit bull attack" in the media. This author's dogs have
been mistaken for Boxers, Bulldogs, and yes, one was even mistaken for
an Akita. Just about any Pit Bull owner can tell you of many cases where
their dog has dealt with a case of mistaken identity.
3) Bite stats take into account only reported bites.
4) Bite stats do not take into account the dogs of a specified breed who
do NOT bite. No one knows the overall percentage of Pit Bulls who bite
compared to, let's say, the percentage of Dalmatians or Golden Retrievers
who bite.
5) Bite stats do not list "provoked" bites that occur at grooming shops and
veterinary offices. If you took a survey of groomers and veterinarians, I'm
sure you'd find an overwhelming majority of them would tell you that the
small, "cutesy" dogs that people generally hold as harmless are the dogs
that give them the most trouble. This author is an ex-groomer and can
attest to the fact that the big dogs, particularly the Pit Bulls, and other
similar breeds, are by far the most cooperative.
6) Bite stats DO list the truly provoked bites, i.e. dogs who have bitten
after being teased/harrassed/abused.
BSL Is Not The Answer:
While it is quite obvious that there is a problem in some communities
regarding loose dogs harrassing/attacking people, criminal activity
involving the use of dogs, and dog attacks in general, BSL fails to reduce
the occurance of these problems because it fails to address the root
cause: people. BSL doesn't work because it is purely predjudicial in
nature. Instead of punishing owners who are irresponsible and criminals
who use dogs for illegal purposes, the legislation targets dogs for simply
existing, and people's rights to own the breed of dog they so choose.
BSL is also largely based on misinformation and truth-twisting, its authors
citing the "inherent viciousness" of certain dog breeds as plenty reason to
outlaw even those dogs that have never acted in a criminal fashion. Bite
statistics are also used as justification since "pit bulls" often top such lists.
Of course, no breed is inherently vicious, and the accuracy of bite stats are
suspect as best.
BSL doesn't work because...
1) Current laws are barely enforced. New laws are going to be heaped on
top of old ones, for what purpose? Take something as simple as the leash
law. It is not very often enforced. Leashes save lives, they prevent dog
bites and attacks. It is a simple, yet extremely effective means of
lessening dog problems. The blatant disregard for leash laws is not
something that should be allowed to go on.
2) BSL takes time, money and man-power to enforce. The responsibility for
the enforcement of laws falls on Animal Control and sheltering systems.
These are agencies that are already dealing with massive surpluses of
animals, more calls than they can sometimes handle. Now they are being
forced to deal with the additional weight BSL dumps on their shoulders.
3) BSL is prejudiced in nature. It punishes dogs and owners who have
done nothing wrong. It is discriminatory against people who choose to
own a particular breed of dog.
4) All dogs bite. All dogs can inflict harm. There is no scientific study to
prove that one breed of dog bites more or causes more injury than any
other breed of dog. There have been cases of tiny dogs, under 20 pounds
killing or seriously injuring children.
5) If Pit Bulls and similar breeds are outlawed or severely restricted, one
of two things happen: criminals and irresponsible owners will continue to
get their hands on the dogs and simply ignore laws, or they will turn to
other breeds to suit their purposes.
Alternatives to Breed Specific Legislation:
1) Enforcement of generic dangerous dog laws, laws that hold owners
accountable for the actions of their dogs regardless of breed.
2) Enforcement of leash laws. Let's be real strict about this. Tickets should
be handed out like candy to individuals who disobey this law. Fine owners
who let their dogs run loose or fail to keep them in enclosures that they
cannot escape from. Let's have a 3-strikes and you're out law for people
who refuse to keep their dogs under control. Use the money collected
from these fines to fund community dog safety and responsible ownership
programs.
3) Stop making excuses for animal cruelty, neglect, and irresponsible
ownership. There need to be huge fines for those involved in any
inhumane or irresponsible activity with animals.
More on BSL: Some Helpful Articles
Bite Stats (by Rottnut)
Do Pit Bulls bite more than any other breed? Do they really top some
"most dangerous dog" chart? Does such a chart even exist? These
answers to this questions are, respectively: "There is no way to know",
"No", and "No". Want more information? Read on.
Millions of people are bitten by dogs across the US every year, and the
population is clamoring for a scapegoat on which to place the blame.
Supposed "bite statistics" allow an outlet for such anxiety. However, how
accurate are these stats, really?
1) There is no national registry for such information. Most communities
keep their own stats. In my county, for example, they are kept by the
health department.
2) Most bite reports are based on information collected from the victim
and/or a witness. This means that the dog's breed is named by the victim.
Since both my Rottweiler and French Bulldog have been referred to as "pit
bulls" by passersby I give very little credence to the victim's identification
of a dog involved in a bite case.
3) Mixed breeds may or may not be lumped in with purebred dogs in such
stats. I have seen the raw data collected by my county, and then heard
the numbers released to the media..... they usually don't add up.....
hmmmmmm
4) Without knowing the population of a given breed in a particular area,
there is no way of knowing whether 10 bites by a given breed represent
one really evil dog who has bitten many people, or 10 dogs who have
each had a single incident.
5) Statistics are only as good as their interpretation. Any researcher will
tell you so. "Who funded the study??"
~*~*~*~
How to Combat BSL (by Tracy/YahooACD)
The first thing you can do is join some of the anti-BSL lists on Yahoo:
Join Forces with Anti-BSL/Pro Dog Owners Orgs:
You can keep track of anything having to do with Pit Bulls in the news,
whether that's negative things like bite incidents or dogs at large or
stories on pending legislation, and write letters to the editor that make
sense. You can contact your own legislators and give them materials to
help them formulate sensible dangerous dog laws that do not punish
innocent pets of any breed and that do punish irresponsible owners.
You can keep your dog well-socialized and well-trained and get him out in
public a LOT to change hearts and minds one at a time. Get your dog's
CGC, lobby your city or town council to pass GOOD laws as a preventive
measure. Get involved in a community bite prevention program. But
whatever you do, get involved NOW - before it's too late.
Informative BSL Resources On the Web
Practicality Of Breed Specific Legislation American Dog Owners Association Endangered Breeds Association Stand United National Canine Research Council Pit Bull BAND Understand-a-bull.com (For updates on which towns/states have BSL) Rott-n-Chatter (For updates on which towns/states have BSL) This article is reprinted with the expressed consent of www.realpitbull.com
counties, towns and countries, and is a detriment to the survival of the Pit
Bull. All owners should concern themselves with the matter of BSL.
What is BSL?
BSL is legislation that targets specific breeds of dog (namely Pit Bulls and
"pit bull types") because they are supposedly inherently dangerous and
therefore deserving of prejudicial rules and regulations. BSL can be loosely
divided into two types:
Type 1--Bans
Bans make it illegal to own, house, harbor, import, train, or breed any of
the dogs listed in the legislation in a particular location. Dogs that already
exist in the area of the ban are usually grandfathered in, but their owners
have to comply with extensive laws in order to keep their animals. These
laws usually require owners to take out expensive liability insurance on
their dogs, muzzle the dogs in public, keep the animals confined in
kennels, mandatory spay/neuter, among other things.
Type 2--Ownership regulation
Regulation legislation doesn't outright ban a breed, but rather makes it
extremely difficult to own a certain breed. Requirements such as liability
insurance, mandatory spay/neuter, higher licensing costs, muzzling in
public, etc. are typical of legislation like this. Ownership regulation also
places age limits on who can own or handle certain breeds. Through this
type of legislation, the government is basically deciding who is and who is
not allowed to own certain dogs.
What's the point of BSL?
The supportors of BSL claim their goal is to put an end to dog attacks by
targeting certain breeds of dog that are "inherently vicious/dangerous",
and dogs that tend to appeal to people who are involved in criminal
activity (i.e. drug dealers, dog fighters, gangbangers, etc).
What About Bite Statistics? Do They Prove We Need BSL?:
Dog Bite Statistics are unreliable sources of information regarding the
"viciousness" or dangerousness of breeds for the following reasons:
1) Very few people can accurately identify dog breeds.
2) Breeds are not listed individually, but rather under group headings. For
instance, under the heading "pit bull", you will find no less than 3 distinct
breeds, mixes of any of those three breeds, any dog that appears to be
one of those breeds, plus any misidentified dogs. And make no mistake,
dogs get misidentified all the time. There is a case of an Akita attack that
was reported as a "pit bull attack" in the media. This author's dogs have
been mistaken for Boxers, Bulldogs, and yes, one was even mistaken for
an Akita. Just about any Pit Bull owner can tell you of many cases where
their dog has dealt with a case of mistaken identity.
3) Bite stats take into account only reported bites.
4) Bite stats do not take into account the dogs of a specified breed who
do NOT bite. No one knows the overall percentage of Pit Bulls who bite
compared to, let's say, the percentage of Dalmatians or Golden Retrievers
who bite.
5) Bite stats do not list "provoked" bites that occur at grooming shops and
veterinary offices. If you took a survey of groomers and veterinarians, I'm
sure you'd find an overwhelming majority of them would tell you that the
small, "cutesy" dogs that people generally hold as harmless are the dogs
that give them the most trouble. This author is an ex-groomer and can
attest to the fact that the big dogs, particularly the Pit Bulls, and other
similar breeds, are by far the most cooperative.
6) Bite stats DO list the truly provoked bites, i.e. dogs who have bitten
after being teased/harrassed/abused.
BSL Is Not The Answer:
While it is quite obvious that there is a problem in some communities
regarding loose dogs harrassing/attacking people, criminal activity
involving the use of dogs, and dog attacks in general, BSL fails to reduce
the occurance of these problems because it fails to address the root
cause: people. BSL doesn't work because it is purely predjudicial in
nature. Instead of punishing owners who are irresponsible and criminals
who use dogs for illegal purposes, the legislation targets dogs for simply
existing, and people's rights to own the breed of dog they so choose.
BSL is also largely based on misinformation and truth-twisting, its authors
citing the "inherent viciousness" of certain dog breeds as plenty reason to
outlaw even those dogs that have never acted in a criminal fashion. Bite
statistics are also used as justification since "pit bulls" often top such lists.
Of course, no breed is inherently vicious, and the accuracy of bite stats are
suspect as best.
BSL doesn't work because...
1) Current laws are barely enforced. New laws are going to be heaped on
top of old ones, for what purpose? Take something as simple as the leash
law. It is not very often enforced. Leashes save lives, they prevent dog
bites and attacks. It is a simple, yet extremely effective means of
lessening dog problems. The blatant disregard for leash laws is not
something that should be allowed to go on.
2) BSL takes time, money and man-power to enforce. The responsibility for
the enforcement of laws falls on Animal Control and sheltering systems.
These are agencies that are already dealing with massive surpluses of
animals, more calls than they can sometimes handle. Now they are being
forced to deal with the additional weight BSL dumps on their shoulders.
3) BSL is prejudiced in nature. It punishes dogs and owners who have
done nothing wrong. It is discriminatory against people who choose to
own a particular breed of dog.
4) All dogs bite. All dogs can inflict harm. There is no scientific study to
prove that one breed of dog bites more or causes more injury than any
other breed of dog. There have been cases of tiny dogs, under 20 pounds
killing or seriously injuring children.
5) If Pit Bulls and similar breeds are outlawed or severely restricted, one
of two things happen: criminals and irresponsible owners will continue to
get their hands on the dogs and simply ignore laws, or they will turn to
other breeds to suit their purposes.
Alternatives to Breed Specific Legislation:
1) Enforcement of generic dangerous dog laws, laws that hold owners
accountable for the actions of their dogs regardless of breed.
2) Enforcement of leash laws. Let's be real strict about this. Tickets should
be handed out like candy to individuals who disobey this law. Fine owners
who let their dogs run loose or fail to keep them in enclosures that they
cannot escape from. Let's have a 3-strikes and you're out law for people
who refuse to keep their dogs under control. Use the money collected
from these fines to fund community dog safety and responsible ownership
programs.
3) Stop making excuses for animal cruelty, neglect, and irresponsible
ownership. There need to be huge fines for those involved in any
inhumane or irresponsible activity with animals.
More on BSL: Some Helpful Articles
Bite Stats (by Rottnut)
Do Pit Bulls bite more than any other breed? Do they really top some
"most dangerous dog" chart? Does such a chart even exist? These
answers to this questions are, respectively: "There is no way to know",
"No", and "No". Want more information? Read on.
Millions of people are bitten by dogs across the US every year, and the
population is clamoring for a scapegoat on which to place the blame.
Supposed "bite statistics" allow an outlet for such anxiety. However, how
accurate are these stats, really?
1) There is no national registry for such information. Most communities
keep their own stats. In my county, for example, they are kept by the
health department.
2) Most bite reports are based on information collected from the victim
and/or a witness. This means that the dog's breed is named by the victim.
Since both my Rottweiler and French Bulldog have been referred to as "pit
bulls" by passersby I give very little credence to the victim's identification
of a dog involved in a bite case.
3) Mixed breeds may or may not be lumped in with purebred dogs in such
stats. I have seen the raw data collected by my county, and then heard
the numbers released to the media..... they usually don't add up.....
hmmmmmm
4) Without knowing the population of a given breed in a particular area,
there is no way of knowing whether 10 bites by a given breed represent
one really evil dog who has bitten many people, or 10 dogs who have
each had a single incident.
5) Statistics are only as good as their interpretation. Any researcher will
tell you so. "Who funded the study??"
~*~*~*~
How to Combat BSL (by Tracy/YahooACD)
The first thing you can do is join some of the anti-BSL lists on Yahoo:
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dogholocaust
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSL_State_by_State
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSL-UPDATES
Join Forces with Anti-BSL/Pro Dog Owners Orgs:
- http://www.adoa.org/
- http://www.roverlution.org
- http://www.mydogvotes.com
You can keep track of anything having to do with Pit Bulls in the news,
whether that's negative things like bite incidents or dogs at large or
stories on pending legislation, and write letters to the editor that make
sense. You can contact your own legislators and give them materials to
help them formulate sensible dangerous dog laws that do not punish
innocent pets of any breed and that do punish irresponsible owners.
You can keep your dog well-socialized and well-trained and get him out in
public a LOT to change hearts and minds one at a time. Get your dog's
CGC, lobby your city or town council to pass GOOD laws as a preventive
measure. Get involved in a community bite prevention program. But
whatever you do, get involved NOW - before it's too late.
Informative BSL Resources On the Web
****************************************
September 2010 Article
Pit Bulls: The Matter of Genetic Causation
The following article was prompted by this one, written by behavior analyst Kellie Snider: Pit Bulls. This article is published with permission of www.realpitbull.com Link to article: http://realpitbull.com/aggression.html
RPB response, here:
An entry in the Bravo! Animal Behavior blog talks about Pit Bulls'tendency to fight, and suggests that the behavior is operant instead of genetically influenced. You can read that blog, here: Pit Bulls: theMatter of Genetic Causation
Kellie is a behavior analyst and animal trainer who has done some new and interesting research on aggression treatment (her newDVD, Constructional Aggression Treatment, is available throughTawzer and Dogwise.com). I've been a fan of Kellie's for a few yearsnow, and I think she is bright, optimistic, and realistic about animal behavior and modification, and talking about things that aren't common knowledge (yet) in the dog world. I am happy she isspending some time focusing on Pit Bulls, as we need qualified professionals such as Kellie to speak and shed light on a subjectthat is plagued by mythology: and you don't get more mythological than common assumptions about Pit Bulls and aggression.
It can be very difficult to get to the meat of the matter when itcomes to Pit Bulls and aggression; many people speak without knowning, and the world is filled with self-proclaimed experts -either for or against Pit Bulls - that are coming from a place devoid ofreal knowledge or education. We all would do well to listen to andat the very least consider when those with true credentials - likeKellie Snider - have something to say.
We've all heard the ol' battle cry from the Old School: Pit Bulls fight and it's genetic! This line of thinking leads one down a path paved with withered and fading stones that read, "It's in their blood, and it's something they instrinsically enjoy", and "It's not about environment, it's about genetics!" But Snider, coming from a behavioral school of thought that teaches all behavior is learned and the product of consequence, challenges this notion of aggression as the product of genes. Instead, she believes certain behaviors often seen as instinctual are actually learned behaviors,conditioned into the animal by its environment and the animal'sability to physically perform those behaviors in the first place. So, a Pit Bull fights because it's physically capable of doing so and receives some benefit from fighting. Hence it continues to fight. If aPit Bull was built with a body less capable of successfully completing dog-aggressive behavior, that behavior would be less likely to occur or be non-existent.
It's an interesting concept: birds only fly because they have wings,not because it's "genetic".
Aggression is just a behavior, and all behavior is modifiable. If aggression only occurs because of enviromental influences, that means it is not genetic. If it is not genetic, it is unfair and unethicalto single out or ban breeds simply because they happen to be a member of a certain breed. If Pit Bulls are more prone to dog-aggression than other breeds, it is because they are physically more capable of receiving environmental rewards from aggressive behavior than other breeds.
If a breed is more likely to show aggressive behavior not because ofan Aggression Gene, but because their phsyical genetic design makes them more likely to be able to obtain reinforcement for aggressive behavior, isn't the resulting conclusion the same? A PitBull, designed to be a combat animal, is likely to be better at and therefore able to receive more reinforcement for and therefore more likely to practice, combat behavior. Conclusion: Pit Bull = more likely to be dog aggeressive than Golden Retriever.
I don't think anyone who has spent considerable time with lots of Pit Bulls and has studied the breed extensively is likely to give up the idea that there is a tendency in the breed to be dog-aggressive,short of Goddess herself flying down from heaven and telling themso (and even that's iffy). Call it genetics or whatehaveyou, it's there,and I seen it wit me own two eyes! (Actually, if you ask me - and I largely buy into behavioral science and its teachings - I think there isa compulsive aspect to dog-aggression in some members of the breed, that goes beyond mere learning, and touches down into the realm of obsessive compulsive disorders; think the genetically-influenced tail-chasing in Bull Terriers). But the oldreasons given for dog-aggressive behavior in Pit Bulls need to be challenged and fanciers need to reach beyond the material and evidences normally cited for reasons why Pit Bulls do what dey do,and is what dey is.
At the end of the day, I don't know that owners of Pit Bulls need to know anything other than that their breed is likely to showdog-aggressive tendencies, and they should take recommended precautions. But one thing is certain....we have so much to learn about behavior, aggression, and the impact of environment as wellas genes, on us all.
The following article was prompted by this one, written by behavior analyst Kellie Snider: Pit Bulls. This article is published with permission of www.realpitbull.com Link to article: http://realpitbull.com/aggression.html
RPB response, here:
An entry in the Bravo! Animal Behavior blog talks about Pit Bulls'tendency to fight, and suggests that the behavior is operant instead of genetically influenced. You can read that blog, here: Pit Bulls: theMatter of Genetic Causation
Kellie is a behavior analyst and animal trainer who has done some new and interesting research on aggression treatment (her newDVD, Constructional Aggression Treatment, is available throughTawzer and Dogwise.com). I've been a fan of Kellie's for a few yearsnow, and I think she is bright, optimistic, and realistic about animal behavior and modification, and talking about things that aren't common knowledge (yet) in the dog world. I am happy she isspending some time focusing on Pit Bulls, as we need qualified professionals such as Kellie to speak and shed light on a subjectthat is plagued by mythology: and you don't get more mythological than common assumptions about Pit Bulls and aggression.
It can be very difficult to get to the meat of the matter when itcomes to Pit Bulls and aggression; many people speak without knowning, and the world is filled with self-proclaimed experts -either for or against Pit Bulls - that are coming from a place devoid ofreal knowledge or education. We all would do well to listen to andat the very least consider when those with true credentials - likeKellie Snider - have something to say.
We've all heard the ol' battle cry from the Old School: Pit Bulls fight and it's genetic! This line of thinking leads one down a path paved with withered and fading stones that read, "It's in their blood, and it's something they instrinsically enjoy", and "It's not about environment, it's about genetics!" But Snider, coming from a behavioral school of thought that teaches all behavior is learned and the product of consequence, challenges this notion of aggression as the product of genes. Instead, she believes certain behaviors often seen as instinctual are actually learned behaviors,conditioned into the animal by its environment and the animal'sability to physically perform those behaviors in the first place. So, a Pit Bull fights because it's physically capable of doing so and receives some benefit from fighting. Hence it continues to fight. If aPit Bull was built with a body less capable of successfully completing dog-aggressive behavior, that behavior would be less likely to occur or be non-existent.
It's an interesting concept: birds only fly because they have wings,not because it's "genetic".
Aggression is just a behavior, and all behavior is modifiable. If aggression only occurs because of enviromental influences, that means it is not genetic. If it is not genetic, it is unfair and unethicalto single out or ban breeds simply because they happen to be a member of a certain breed. If Pit Bulls are more prone to dog-aggression than other breeds, it is because they are physically more capable of receiving environmental rewards from aggressive behavior than other breeds.
If a breed is more likely to show aggressive behavior not because ofan Aggression Gene, but because their phsyical genetic design makes them more likely to be able to obtain reinforcement for aggressive behavior, isn't the resulting conclusion the same? A PitBull, designed to be a combat animal, is likely to be better at and therefore able to receive more reinforcement for and therefore more likely to practice, combat behavior. Conclusion: Pit Bull = more likely to be dog aggeressive than Golden Retriever.
I don't think anyone who has spent considerable time with lots of Pit Bulls and has studied the breed extensively is likely to give up the idea that there is a tendency in the breed to be dog-aggressive,short of Goddess herself flying down from heaven and telling themso (and even that's iffy). Call it genetics or whatehaveyou, it's there,and I seen it wit me own two eyes! (Actually, if you ask me - and I largely buy into behavioral science and its teachings - I think there isa compulsive aspect to dog-aggression in some members of the breed, that goes beyond mere learning, and touches down into the realm of obsessive compulsive disorders; think the genetically-influenced tail-chasing in Bull Terriers). But the oldreasons given for dog-aggressive behavior in Pit Bulls need to be challenged and fanciers need to reach beyond the material and evidences normally cited for reasons why Pit Bulls do what dey do,and is what dey is.
At the end of the day, I don't know that owners of Pit Bulls need to know anything other than that their breed is likely to showdog-aggressive tendencies, and they should take recommended precautions. But one thing is certain....we have so much to learn about behavior, aggression, and the impact of environment as wellas genes, on us all.
***********************************
August 2010 Article
HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR DOG'S SEPARATION ANXIETY
It is undeniable that your dog loves as you have shown enough care for him to know you love him, too. Bu then does your dog begin to act differently when you leave? Does it constantly pace, whine a lot, bark continuously, fall into a depression, scratch up your walls or even damage your belongings?
When he does, he is displaying symptoms of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety could be difficult to handle for you will start feeling guilty whenever you leave.
The dogs that suffer from separation anxiety act differently from other dogs. It is just showing you that they don't want you to leave them. They would even be aggressive in trying to leave with you. You will still hear your dog cry and whine the instant you leave the room and this makes you feel really bad and you worry about what your dog is capable of doing when you are not around.
You can't solve this problem by giving into the desire of your dogs. It is important that you have this behavior treated. You need to help your dog get to a place where he can get treated and allow them to deal with the fact of you leaving. There are certain things you have to keep in mind to accomplish this.
1.Never give into what your dog wants. Keep in mind that you are the dog's pack leader and not his follower so you have to show some authority on him. Do not give the dog the attention it wants from you. Let the dog be able to settle down and be calm before you pay him attention. Your dog will later on realize and be trained that you leaving is not something he has to worry about.
2.Gradually increase the period of time you are not with your dog until such time he is able to stay on his own and handle being alone. You should do this in increments so your dog will finally get accustomed to and behaving properly when being alone and on his own for a long time.
3.You can try to distract your dog when you leave like giving him a toy which will divert his attention from you leaving. When you come back, act as if you did not leave at all.
4.It is important that you determine what triggers a change in your dog's behavior. If you see you dog start to panic every time you bring your suitcase out or if he acts differently when you pick up your keys, it may be time for you to train them about not getting scared with those clues that you are leaving. You can do this by pulling out your suitcase once in a while without you having to go anywhere. Try to pick your keys up and just take a walk around your house. When you are able to do this effectively, your dog will get familiarized with what you are doing and will no longer fear that those are signs of you leaving.
Article written by Sherri Cheney of <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-beds/">Oh My Dog Supplies</a>, look for current discounts on <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/food-storage/">dog food canisters</a> online.
www.mydogcontent.com
It is undeniable that your dog loves as you have shown enough care for him to know you love him, too. Bu then does your dog begin to act differently when you leave? Does it constantly pace, whine a lot, bark continuously, fall into a depression, scratch up your walls or even damage your belongings?
When he does, he is displaying symptoms of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety could be difficult to handle for you will start feeling guilty whenever you leave.
The dogs that suffer from separation anxiety act differently from other dogs. It is just showing you that they don't want you to leave them. They would even be aggressive in trying to leave with you. You will still hear your dog cry and whine the instant you leave the room and this makes you feel really bad and you worry about what your dog is capable of doing when you are not around.
You can't solve this problem by giving into the desire of your dogs. It is important that you have this behavior treated. You need to help your dog get to a place where he can get treated and allow them to deal with the fact of you leaving. There are certain things you have to keep in mind to accomplish this.
1.Never give into what your dog wants. Keep in mind that you are the dog's pack leader and not his follower so you have to show some authority on him. Do not give the dog the attention it wants from you. Let the dog be able to settle down and be calm before you pay him attention. Your dog will later on realize and be trained that you leaving is not something he has to worry about.
2.Gradually increase the period of time you are not with your dog until such time he is able to stay on his own and handle being alone. You should do this in increments so your dog will finally get accustomed to and behaving properly when being alone and on his own for a long time.
3.You can try to distract your dog when you leave like giving him a toy which will divert his attention from you leaving. When you come back, act as if you did not leave at all.
4.It is important that you determine what triggers a change in your dog's behavior. If you see you dog start to panic every time you bring your suitcase out or if he acts differently when you pick up your keys, it may be time for you to train them about not getting scared with those clues that you are leaving. You can do this by pulling out your suitcase once in a while without you having to go anywhere. Try to pick your keys up and just take a walk around your house. When you are able to do this effectively, your dog will get familiarized with what you are doing and will no longer fear that those are signs of you leaving.
Article written by Sherri Cheney of <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-beds/">Oh My Dog Supplies</a>, look for current discounts on <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/food-storage/">dog food canisters</a> online.
www.mydogcontent.com
******************************
July 2010 Article
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has Failed C.W. Meisterfeld Ph.D. Gives Reasons Why It Failed. The American Kennel Club(AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA), and ASPCA have acknowledged that Breed Specific Legislation does not work. Dr. C.W. Meisterfeld, Americas most experienced professional dog trainer(since 1954), an U.S. judicial certified canine behavioral expert witness explains why the BSL has failed and why the dog attacks are increasing on a global level.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Chelsea, AL (PRWEB) October 1, 2004 -
The American Kennel Club,
American Veterinary Association, and ASPCA have acknowledged that BSL does not work.
They list "the top six reasons why"
However they failed to research as to why Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Newfoundlanders, Dachshunds, Yorkshires Terriers, Pomeranian and 23 other pure breed dogs have caused human fatalities. Mainly young children are the victims. United States Center for Disease Control
C.W. Meisterfeld a professional dog trainer, since 1954, who has been specializing in rehabilitating aggressive dogs wrote a documented book, Jelly Bean versus Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, (published 1989) about why the friendly family puppy suddenly becomes a wild and vicious animal, bites the hand that feeds it and attacks their children.
The Dangerous Dog Act (DDA) breed banning (BSL) was originally drafted in America by the Animal Regulation Chief Robert I Rush of the City of Los Angeles California Department of Animal Regulations on Mar 31, 1990. (Los Angeles Times)
This policy was based on the erroneous misconception that pit-bulls, American staffordshire terriers, bull terriers, Akita's and other fighting breeds are genetically born dangerous and should be exterminated. No one questioned or challenged Mr. Rush ethnic cleansing policy. Not even the American Kennel Club. In defending their AKC registered breeds,
Mr. Rush sent a directive to all of Los Angeles city shelters "Shall not sell any pit-bull type dog to any person, period" and within three weeks the shelters exterminated 3,000(three thousand) innocent dogs.
Due to the fact that dog attacks were increasing throughout the United States other U.S. cities and even foreign n countries adopted Rush's policy of canine ethnic cleansing or The Dangerous Dog Act
On July 25, 1991 Britain copied the US Dangerous dog Act, which is still causing pain and suffering to dog owners and their pets.
On Friday August 30 2002 BSL was defeated in historic court ruling the Alabama Supreme Court ruled 7-2 "that there was no genetic evidence that one breed of dog was (born) more dangerous than another simply because of it's breed."
Meisterfeld say's "It's not a breed problem it's a behavioral problem due to alpha dominant training" that's causing dogs to become vicious and attack. "These traumatizing/terrorizing training methods have imprinted a new and vicious behavior in even our once friendly breeds."
The subtitle of Meisterfeld's book - written for the safety of our children and the welfare of our dogs is most appropriate because it serves both camps, and was written purely from his own, pioneering, experience with canine aggression and neurosis.
Also the principle of Meisterfeld's philosophy rehabilitates dogs that have had rage syndromes without any form of negative reinforcement/punishment or drugs are explained in his book.
For additional information about the global dog bite epidemic please visit http://www.cwmeisterfeld.com or http://www.dogwhisper.com
# # #
Copied from:
©Copyright 1997-2009, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb and Publicity Wire
_______________________________________________________________________________
Chelsea, AL (PRWEB) October 1, 2004 -
The American Kennel Club,
American Veterinary Association, and ASPCA have acknowledged that BSL does not work.
They list "the top six reasons why"
However they failed to research as to why Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Newfoundlanders, Dachshunds, Yorkshires Terriers, Pomeranian and 23 other pure breed dogs have caused human fatalities. Mainly young children are the victims. United States Center for Disease Control
C.W. Meisterfeld a professional dog trainer, since 1954, who has been specializing in rehabilitating aggressive dogs wrote a documented book, Jelly Bean versus Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, (published 1989) about why the friendly family puppy suddenly becomes a wild and vicious animal, bites the hand that feeds it and attacks their children.
The Dangerous Dog Act (DDA) breed banning (BSL) was originally drafted in America by the Animal Regulation Chief Robert I Rush of the City of Los Angeles California Department of Animal Regulations on Mar 31, 1990. (Los Angeles Times)
This policy was based on the erroneous misconception that pit-bulls, American staffordshire terriers, bull terriers, Akita's and other fighting breeds are genetically born dangerous and should be exterminated. No one questioned or challenged Mr. Rush ethnic cleansing policy. Not even the American Kennel Club. In defending their AKC registered breeds,
Mr. Rush sent a directive to all of Los Angeles city shelters "Shall not sell any pit-bull type dog to any person, period" and within three weeks the shelters exterminated 3,000(three thousand) innocent dogs.
Due to the fact that dog attacks were increasing throughout the United States other U.S. cities and even foreign n countries adopted Rush's policy of canine ethnic cleansing or The Dangerous Dog Act
On July 25, 1991 Britain copied the US Dangerous dog Act, which is still causing pain and suffering to dog owners and their pets.
On Friday August 30 2002 BSL was defeated in historic court ruling the Alabama Supreme Court ruled 7-2 "that there was no genetic evidence that one breed of dog was (born) more dangerous than another simply because of it's breed."
Meisterfeld say's "It's not a breed problem it's a behavioral problem due to alpha dominant training" that's causing dogs to become vicious and attack. "These traumatizing/terrorizing training methods have imprinted a new and vicious behavior in even our once friendly breeds."
The subtitle of Meisterfeld's book - written for the safety of our children and the welfare of our dogs is most appropriate because it serves both camps, and was written purely from his own, pioneering, experience with canine aggression and neurosis.
Also the principle of Meisterfeld's philosophy rehabilitates dogs that have had rage syndromes without any form of negative reinforcement/punishment or drugs are explained in his book.
For additional information about the global dog bite epidemic please visit http://www.cwmeisterfeld.com or http://www.dogwhisper.com
# # #
Copied from:
©Copyright 1997-2009, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb and Publicity Wire
*****************************
June 2010 Article
Should You Be Scared of Vicious Dog Breeds?
You have probably seen and heard about many vicious dog attacks on the news or by word of mouth. Many questions have arisen from this as to whether certain breeds of dog are instinctively aggressive. Many feel that these "aggressive" dog kinds should be got rid of such as the Doberman Picher, the American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff and Rottweiler. All the above mentioned dogs have brought thousands of people fear through recent years.
For one thing, you must remember that the news doesn’t always document things in a truly accurate manner. Each dog bite that has caused a fatality in the USA can be paralleled with thousands, perhaps millions of canines that haven’t ever bitten a person. More statistics reveal that of the 4.7 million bites from dogs that take place yearly in the States, 16 end in a fatality. And this small number shows that, though man should certainly be aware of aggressive dogs, the facts need to be taken in the right perspective.
Ten or more dogs exist on a vicious dog list. It depends who has put the list together, which dogs you will see mentioned on the compilation. In any case, a breed which is listed frequently is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Even though the reports show a disproportional level of serious bites from this breed, the data doesn’t make it clear on whether this is to do specifically with the breed or whether the owner’s are to blame.
A misunderstanding is often brought about when people think of the Pit Bull Terrier as having a locking jaw. Although this breed of dog does tend to hold on when it bites there's no conclusive proof that this is down to some kind of locking jaw.
At times, the Rottweiler is chosen in front of the Pit Bull in terms of aggressiveness. It exists today as one of the longest bred herding dogs. Contrary to general conceptions, the breed is in fact both very clever and exhibits gentle actions. The dog just isn’t all that keen on strangers.
Whatever the kind of dog --whether it be one of the ones listed above or some more trusted dog-- there will always be the possibility of something going bad. It is likely that poor training and neglect from the dog’s owner are the roots of much aggressive behavior from dogs. When you're thinking about getting a dog, then, perhaps it would be better to forget the reputation of the dog and take a look at the dog breeder instead.
Dogs that might be a potential threat include those who have been neglected, poorly socialized or treated. Make sure that you know the background of the owner who is selling you the dog prior to making the choice to get that dog. If you have opted to pick up a dog from a the local humane society, be sure to inquire lots about the dog and view the animal before taking him home. Dogs of all kinds can bite or be dangerous. However, if you do your research and carry through as a reliable dog owner, you hopefully will be fine with your new dog.
Content written by Jess Reid of <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/collars-leashes/">Oh My Dog Supplies</a>, check out our cool collection of <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-car-seat-covers/">car seat covers</a> online.
www.mydogcontent.com
You have probably seen and heard about many vicious dog attacks on the news or by word of mouth. Many questions have arisen from this as to whether certain breeds of dog are instinctively aggressive. Many feel that these "aggressive" dog kinds should be got rid of such as the Doberman Picher, the American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff and Rottweiler. All the above mentioned dogs have brought thousands of people fear through recent years.
For one thing, you must remember that the news doesn’t always document things in a truly accurate manner. Each dog bite that has caused a fatality in the USA can be paralleled with thousands, perhaps millions of canines that haven’t ever bitten a person. More statistics reveal that of the 4.7 million bites from dogs that take place yearly in the States, 16 end in a fatality. And this small number shows that, though man should certainly be aware of aggressive dogs, the facts need to be taken in the right perspective.
Ten or more dogs exist on a vicious dog list. It depends who has put the list together, which dogs you will see mentioned on the compilation. In any case, a breed which is listed frequently is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Even though the reports show a disproportional level of serious bites from this breed, the data doesn’t make it clear on whether this is to do specifically with the breed or whether the owner’s are to blame.
A misunderstanding is often brought about when people think of the Pit Bull Terrier as having a locking jaw. Although this breed of dog does tend to hold on when it bites there's no conclusive proof that this is down to some kind of locking jaw.
At times, the Rottweiler is chosen in front of the Pit Bull in terms of aggressiveness. It exists today as one of the longest bred herding dogs. Contrary to general conceptions, the breed is in fact both very clever and exhibits gentle actions. The dog just isn’t all that keen on strangers.
Whatever the kind of dog --whether it be one of the ones listed above or some more trusted dog-- there will always be the possibility of something going bad. It is likely that poor training and neglect from the dog’s owner are the roots of much aggressive behavior from dogs. When you're thinking about getting a dog, then, perhaps it would be better to forget the reputation of the dog and take a look at the dog breeder instead.
Dogs that might be a potential threat include those who have been neglected, poorly socialized or treated. Make sure that you know the background of the owner who is selling you the dog prior to making the choice to get that dog. If you have opted to pick up a dog from a the local humane society, be sure to inquire lots about the dog and view the animal before taking him home. Dogs of all kinds can bite or be dangerous. However, if you do your research and carry through as a reliable dog owner, you hopefully will be fine with your new dog.
Content written by Jess Reid of <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/collars-leashes/">Oh My Dog Supplies</a>, check out our cool collection of <a href="http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-car-seat-covers/">car seat covers</a> online.
www.mydogcontent.com
