Damnit - Local Pit Bull Ban.

[smbolisnch]

Just on the 11 oclock news.
Local councilman wants to ban Pits.
I need to get more info, but what do I do? Flvegan? Do I go the the next city council meeting to complain? I have never had to do this, but there is no way I will just stand by.
Any advice? :shrug:

[friesianrider]

1. I would definitely go to the meeting.

And if you know of anyone else who feels the way you do, ask them to come along as well. I would see if there is possibly a local or state pit bull rescue and perhaps their members may be interested in attending or could give you some good information you'd be able to present at the meeting. I'd come armed with facts on a few sheets of paper and factual responses to the typical criticisms of pit bulls, and also stress the importance of better spay/neuter programs to cut down on irresponsible breeding (which at least contributes to these kind of problems).

You might also consider a letter to the editor about this - you can list your facts and include responses to the most common complaints about pit bulls. I'd also send this to my city councilman who is making these threats to enact a ban.

The only ones these bans ever hurt are the responsible owners and good pits. I'd be willing to bet the majority of pits who are loose and/or overly aggressive are being fought illegally anyway, so it isn't like banning pit ownership will make much of a difference - these people are criminals! These breed-specific bans are so silly and unfair.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. Oooh, you ,know how this topic just gets my goat!

Hell yes go to the meeting. But you're going to have to bring every piece of hardcore evidence and every statistic you can find. And you still will probably get called a "pitball apologist".

[smbolisnch]

3. I wrote to city council and the mayor. This is what I have gotten back.

I graduated from HS with the mayor's daughter. Granted, I haven't seen him in years, nevertheless.

Here is what I sent:
Dear Mr. Mayor and members of council,

I am writing to encourage you to reconsider dog Breed Specific Legislation. This type of legislation is unfair and instills fear in the community. It is nothing more than a modern-day witch hunt directed towards voiceless dogs, Pit Bulls specifically. While I realize that there are tragic cases worldwide of injuries and even fatalities surrounding large� dogs, there are other, more realistic solutions to this problem. Any dog, from the Pit Bull to the Yorkshire Terrier, has the potential to bite. Singling out a specific breed of dog is not a realistic, nor a fair solution.

The core of this solution revolves around the important phrase, responsible pet ownership�. Responsible pet owners engage their pets in basic obedience training, provide kind and humane treatment and attend to health issues such as spaying, neutering and routine vaccinations. They keep their pet from wandering off leash or outside of an appropriately fenced yard. How often do we see dogs tied up to a tree? Tying a dog out in an unfenced yard is unacceptable as it represents a safety risk for both the dog and any people walking by. All dogs must be on a leash and under control whenever out of the house or fenced yard. We must not use such a broad brush in situations such as these. Distinctions should be made between a truly dangerous, out of control dog and the dog who is acting as a watchdog to alert intruders from entering its home or fenced yard.

Each community must define their own punishments for individual owners and dogs found to be dangerous. Progressive communities across the country are currently requiring adequate fencing, imposing fines on the dog owner, requiring a dog behavior evaluation at the owner's expense, obligating the owner to provide proof of financial liability, and the completion a basic obedience class all as a condition of the owner being allowed to retain possession of the dog. I see no reason why we cannot impose similar ordinances in ours to protect our citizens - human and non-human.

If this more appropriate approach is taken, failure of the pet owner to comply, the real problem - will be addressed. This might include extensive fines, jail time for animal neglect and failure to protect the public at large, or both. Dogs deemed dangerous must have circumstances evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and if necessary.

I have known Pit Bulls, and I have spent much time with them. As with any dog, they love, play, need and want. They feel love and affection, and they also feel pain. When they are mistreated, they may react as any dog, of any breed, would. It is imperative that we as a community address the real issue at hand. It is unthinkable, in my opinion, to suggest destroying countless animals based on fear. It is inexcusable. No breed of dog is born mean or aggressive. It takes a human to turn a dog into an aggressive animal. Please keep this in mind. We have many responsible, loving, Pit Bull owners in our community. I urge you to use your positions of influence to propose more responsible legislation than this ban.

I would appreciate hearing back from you all. As a registered voter who is politically active, I am interested in your thoughts on viable solutions to breed specific legislation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And here was my response from the mayor this morning. Quick reply, but doesn't sound so good. AND, I think I will be out of town for this council meeting. Maybe flvegan can come up here in my place? :P

Dear Megan - thanks for your e-mail, my first inclination based upon the incidents that I've read about as well as some personal experiences in our neighborhood is to ban them completely for the public safety of our residents. However, you do make some good points and I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion on this. Certainly if everyone was this responsible we wouldn't be at this point, thanks for your input, I'll consider it. Nick


What do you think?

[friesianrider]

4. Not only can all breeds bite...

But I'd bet that a majority of them could kill if they had the desire. Chows are very aggressive, and I've heard some incredibly stories about Schnauzers being the same way. IMHO, it all comes down to irresponsible breeding and irresponsible owners. If they really wanted to solve this problem, they'd crack down on THAT and not just make unfair, sweeping generalizations about certain breeds. It only seems like common sense that the only ones this type of legislation hurts is the responsible owners.

[flvegan]

5. Meet them in the middle (and kick some ass at the same time)

Okay, without knowing WHY this councilman wants to ban them (nor what his support is behind it), offer an olive branch.

No breed ban. If they move forward with that, you're calling the AKC. Evil? Yes, but they ARE the NRA of the doggie world. Use them for what they're worth. However, rather than that, maybe they'd consider this...
Within (insert time frame here), if you have a bully breed, you have a grandfather allowance. However, from this point forward, you are not allowed to breed nor sell pit bulls in the city. Adoptions from animal services, humane shelters and non-profit rescue groups are allowed due to "surplus" but no additional animals are allowed to enter the system (with allowances suspended for new residents moving in that already have said animals).

If he doesn't bite, he's a fool. AND, you get to help eliminate the breeding/purchasing of more dogs in your city. No samurai carries a double-edged sword like that...

[smbolisnch]

6. I have only heard back form the mayor.

The councilman has not written back. Should I write him a letter with those proposals, or what? I am such an activist virgin. :blush:

[flvegan]

7. Were I contemplating such an initiative

I'd first find out who was really in charge. Can a mayor override city council? There's your target.

If it's the council, I'd show up unannounced to the next public forum and force the issue. I'd ask for input from them as to this issue as it concerns me. Perfectly innocent, yet recorded forever for feedback. The first time out, I'd play dumb. Just ask what the deal was with this potential issue. From that, you get your nail. Then you just have to build your hammer.

[peacebuzzard]

8. error in posting. sorry (Caesar in Santa Fe- correction on edit)

My sisters pit in Santa Fe. His name is Caesar. He loves everyone.

[SiouxJ]

9. Gina Spadafori (syndicated pet columnist) had a GREAT piece on this

in yesterday's paper! I tried to find it on the web but I don't think it's available yet - it was AWESOME! She pointed out how Pits are treated cruelly and they get a bad rap because of the idiots who mistreat them. She went on about how any dog who endured such treatment would fight back and become vicious and that the answer is not to ban Pits, but to stop the people who torture them. It really was awesome and I'll post it as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, here's more on her: http://www.spadafori.com/About.htm

And here are some of her recent columns: http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/columns/spadafori/

[livinginphotographs]

10. This is nothing but pandering.

You can look tough on something that's a fashionable issue by passing a law that does absolutely nothing to help anyone.

I wonder how he'll determine what a "pit bull" is - does that cover Rottweilers? Dobermans? Both? What about a mix?