Friday, October 23, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
A Daily Reminder
I have google alerts for 'pit-bulls' sent to my email daily. It's filled with horrible one-liners such as; 'Pit-bull Kills Beloved Yorkie', ' Toddler Attacked by Pit-bull' or 'Pit-bull Chews Baby's Toes Off'. Those horrible one liners catch your attention and surely influence opinions about pit bulls and their victims. But as you read a little deeper into the articles and the stories you quickly see that there is more to it than just 'pit-bulls bite'. Read on and you will find comments like 'chained' and 'watch dog' and 'backyard dog' in reference to these vicious biters.
As I scroll down the 'google alerts' page other articles pop up, with headlines such as 'Pit Bull Hung in Tree and Set on Fire', 'Forced to Attack Woman by Owner', 'Man Charged After Throwing Pit Bull Over Bridge', 'Injured Pit Bull Found in Plastic Bag in Dumpster' and '55 Pit-bulls Believed to be Fighting Dogs Found in Gruesome Conditions'.
How can they be expected to be loving, gentle creatures when they are being tortured by the humans who are supposed to be caring for and protecting them.
Rarely are these dogs indoor pups receiving gentle pats and loving care. These dogs are being exploited for their strong builds and their undying devotion to the humans they live to protect. They are being exploited and then being punished. Punished by Breed Bans, ordinances and building codes that ban dogs of certain size and stature. Punished by being killed in our city shelters for being deemed pit-bulls.
The pit bull is a true beast of burden.
The next time you read an article about 'when dogs attack' ask yourself these things; Are there photos of the dogs? Have they given a description of the dog's living conditions? Have they interviewed the dogs caretakers? Was the dog spayed or neutered? Was the dog up to date on their shots? Was he socialized around other dogs and kids? Was he used as protection rather than living as a companion? Was she used as income by breeding and selling her puppies? Were the dogs loved?
Dogs are predictable creatures. The Dog Whisperer himself says he 'rehabilitates dogs and trains people'. Look a little deeper, read a little more and the truth becomes evident; bully breeds are the victims.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
One of the Oldest Bans on the Books Up for Debate
Prince George’s County, MD: Request to repeal pit bull ban
Posted on July 31, 2009 by stopbslcom
The city of Laurel is asking Price George’s County to lift their long-standing pit bull ban.
Contact information for Prince George’s County:
Office of the Clerk of the Council
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Room 2198, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
(301) 952-3600
Fax (301) 952-5178
clerkofthecouncil@co.pg.md.us
You may send correspondence to the Office of the Clerk of the Council with a request to distribute it to all County Council members.
Jack B. Johnson, County Executive (to whom the request was made)
countyexecutive@co.pg.md.us
Contact information for individual council members can be found here:
http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/LegislativeBranch/index.asp?nivel=foldmenu
The County Council meets as a legislative body at 10:00 a.m. every Tuesday in the Council Hearing Room on the main floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.
Looking for more info or talking points? You can read the Prince George’s County Vicious Animal Legislation Task Force report here: http://www.canineadvocatesofohio.org/Docs/Prince_Georges_County0001.PDF
http://www.gazette.net/stories/07232009/portnew180447_32544.shtml
City of Laurel asking county executive to revisit pit bull ban
Mayor sends letter saying it’s time to lift restriction
by Timmy Gelles and Jeffrey K. Lyles | Staff Writers
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Laurel Mayor Craig A. Moe said he has noticed an increase in pit bull terriers within the city, but the animals were leashed, well-behaved and completely under the owner’s control, prompting him to ask that the county ban restricting them be lifted.
A discussion at the July 13 City Council meeting regarding pit bulls in the city prompted Moe to send a letter to Prince George’s County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) July 14 asking the county to revisit the existing county-wide ban.
“We ought to look to work with the county. We need to revise the law and take a look at it,” Moe said at the meeting.
The Staffordshire bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier breed of dogs born in Prince George’s County after Feb. 3, 1997, are illegal in the county. The late County Councilman Isaac Gourdine pushed for the law after a young girl in his district was mauled, but survived an attack by a pack of pit bulls. Residents who have had their pit bull before that date can apply for a dog license and pit bull registration form through the county.
Those found with pit bulls born after that date can receive a maximum sentence of six months in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
Prince George’s County Police spokesman Henry Tippett said he estimates that there has been a decrease in calls concerning pit bulls since the ban took effect. Laurel’s animal control officer, a member of the city police department, enforces the law within the 22,000-resident municipality.
The County Council rejected requests by task forces consisting of community members, animal groups and county officers to rescind the ban in 1999 and 2006.
“There are still concerns about some people who utilized such dogs to assist in gang and drug related activities,” County Council Vice Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist.1) of Laurel said in an e-mail. “A lot of animal lovers want the ban repealed and some residents oppose lifting it. I doubt that the issue will go away any time soon.”
Adrianne Lefkowitz, president of the Maryland Dog Federation, a Greenbelt-based organization that favors the ban’s removal, said her group plans to offer assistance to Laurel.
“The law is still ineffective. It is still doing all of the negatives and none of the positives. The breed ban is an overlay law and not really needed,” Lefkowitz said. “It’s not really working. It hasn’t done much to reduce the numbers. It’s been repealed in many places such as Miami and it’s being challenged in Denver.”
City Councilman Frederick Smalls (Ward 2) said that until the ban is rescinded, residents must be mindful of the restriction.
“I am a dog lover but the law is the law,” Smalls said. “I ride around city and see so many people walking their pit bulls with seemingly no regard.”
E-mail Timmy Gelles at tgelles@gazette.net and Jeffrey K. Lyles at jlyles@gazette.net.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Owners lobby for repeal of pit bull ban Incident with Rochester's Lab proves any breed can bite, they say
Posted: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 SIOUX CITY -- Several pit bull owners urged city lawmakers Monday night to repeal the ban on new pit bull ownership, pointing out that it's not just their breed that bites people.
The group referred to Councilman Aaron Rochester's Labrador retriever. Sioux City Animal Control declared the 3-year-old dog, Jake, vicious for biting a neighbor who was walking by the Rochesters' home on June 27.
Rochester appealed the designation, but last week, Police Capt. Pete Groetken upheld Animal Control's ruling.
Rochester, who initiated the pit bull ban last year, said he intends to appeal to a special master in an effort to save Jake from a death sentence.
The ban, which took effect in September, includes regulations for microchipping, leashing and kenneling pit bulls and pit-bull mixes. Owners were allowed to keep pets they already had but may not replace any that die.
"I think it's been proven that any breed can bite," Andy Bagshaw said at Monday's City Council meeting. "I commend the City Council for wanting to keep citizens safe. ... This ordinance only hurts responsible pet owners. If my dog has to be behind a 6-foot fence, all dogs should be behind a 6-foot fence."
Rochester has said Jake was wearing a collar to shock him if he strayed across the underground electric fence in his yard, but said he didn't know whether the animal got shocked when he ran onto the sidewalk and bit the neighbor. The man, who has not been identified, received five stitches in his left thumb. Groetken's report on the incident indicates the attack was unprovoked.
Rochester has said he believes Jake was protecting his daughter, who was playing with a friend in the yard.
"I do not believe in these electric fences," Rick Borg, a pit bull owner, said at Monday's meeting. "They aren't worth a darn. ... I'm sorry for you, Mr. Rochester. If the fence had been there, your kids wouldn't have to worry about losing their dog."
If a special master appointed by the council upholds the vicious designation, the Lab will have to be euthanized. Rochester would have the option of appealing the master's decision to district court but said Monday he does not plan to do so.
On Feb. 4, 2008, the council appointed retired Police Capt. Glen Hanson to serve as special master in such appeals. Hanson, a 34-year veteran of the department serves as a volunteer and is not reimbursed.
Amanda Gardner, another pit bull owner, said she and others started Justice for Pit Bulls, which finds out-of-state homes for pit bulls that can't be licensed in the city but haven't been declared vicious or high risk.
"I'm sorry anybody has to go through this," she told Rochester. "If it comes to that (euthanization), maybe we can place your dog."
Rochester replied, "I really appreciate that."
It's most likely a vain hope, however. Cindy Rarrat, owner of Sioux City Animal Control, said Monday night that the city's vicious animal ordinance no longer allows animals that have been declared vicious to be placed in other jurisdictions.
"I have 11 dogs all waiting who have been determined high risk or vicious," Rarrat said.
Among them, in addition to Jake, is Jeri Dillavou's dog. Dillavou also has appealed her case to the special master. She urged the council to redefine vicious animals to give Groetken and the special master more authority to consider the circumstances of each dog bite.
Councilman Jim Rixner told her, "I strongly disagree. If a dog bites someone, we have Animal Control to protect the public. I believe these hearings are done in a fair way."
Mayor Mike Hobart, who owns three dogs, said, "My heart goes out to you if your dog ends up being euthanized."
Irresponsible pet owners
The City Council gave final approval Monday to beefing up the penalty for someone convicted of animal abuse or animal torture.
The new definition of an irresponsible pet owner makes it illegal for someone who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to abusing or torturing a pet to own another animal. Existing law required two convictions before the person was banned from pet ownership in Sioux City.
The change came as a result of a case involving a man charged with killing his puppy. Bobby Loggins of Sioux City is charged with animal torture, an aggravated misdemeanor, and filing a false police report, a serious misdemeanor.
Police say he killed his American bulldog puppy by punching it about 30 times in the face for urinating on the carpet at a party. Loggins has denied it, saying the 5-month-old puppy's death was an accident.
The group referred to Councilman Aaron Rochester's Labrador retriever. Sioux City Animal Control declared the 3-year-old dog, Jake, vicious for biting a neighbor who was walking by the Rochesters' home on June 27.
Rochester appealed the designation, but last week, Police Capt. Pete Groetken upheld Animal Control's ruling.
Rochester, who initiated the pit bull ban last year, said he intends to appeal to a special master in an effort to save Jake from a death sentence.
The ban, which took effect in September, includes regulations for microchipping, leashing and kenneling pit bulls and pit-bull mixes. Owners were allowed to keep pets they already had but may not replace any that die.
"I think it's been proven that any breed can bite," Andy Bagshaw said at Monday's City Council meeting. "I commend the City Council for wanting to keep citizens safe. ... This ordinance only hurts responsible pet owners. If my dog has to be behind a 6-foot fence, all dogs should be behind a 6-foot fence."
Rochester has said Jake was wearing a collar to shock him if he strayed across the underground electric fence in his yard, but said he didn't know whether the animal got shocked when he ran onto the sidewalk and bit the neighbor. The man, who has not been identified, received five stitches in his left thumb. Groetken's report on the incident indicates the attack was unprovoked.
Rochester has said he believes Jake was protecting his daughter, who was playing with a friend in the yard.
"I do not believe in these electric fences," Rick Borg, a pit bull owner, said at Monday's meeting. "They aren't worth a darn. ... I'm sorry for you, Mr. Rochester. If the fence had been there, your kids wouldn't have to worry about losing their dog."
If a special master appointed by the council upholds the vicious designation, the Lab will have to be euthanized. Rochester would have the option of appealing the master's decision to district court but said Monday he does not plan to do so.
On Feb. 4, 2008, the council appointed retired Police Capt. Glen Hanson to serve as special master in such appeals. Hanson, a 34-year veteran of the department serves as a volunteer and is not reimbursed.
Amanda Gardner, another pit bull owner, said she and others started Justice for Pit Bulls, which finds out-of-state homes for pit bulls that can't be licensed in the city but haven't been declared vicious or high risk.
"I'm sorry anybody has to go through this," she told Rochester. "If it comes to that (euthanization), maybe we can place your dog."
Rochester replied, "I really appreciate that."
It's most likely a vain hope, however. Cindy Rarrat, owner of Sioux City Animal Control, said Monday night that the city's vicious animal ordinance no longer allows animals that have been declared vicious to be placed in other jurisdictions.
"I have 11 dogs all waiting who have been determined high risk or vicious," Rarrat said.
Among them, in addition to Jake, is Jeri Dillavou's dog. Dillavou also has appealed her case to the special master. She urged the council to redefine vicious animals to give Groetken and the special master more authority to consider the circumstances of each dog bite.
Councilman Jim Rixner told her, "I strongly disagree. If a dog bites someone, we have Animal Control to protect the public. I believe these hearings are done in a fair way."
Mayor Mike Hobart, who owns three dogs, said, "My heart goes out to you if your dog ends up being euthanized."
Irresponsible pet owners
The City Council gave final approval Monday to beefing up the penalty for someone convicted of animal abuse or animal torture.
The new definition of an irresponsible pet owner makes it illegal for someone who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to abusing or torturing a pet to own another animal. Existing law required two convictions before the person was banned from pet ownership in Sioux City.
The change came as a result of a case involving a man charged with killing his puppy. Bobby Loggins of Sioux City is charged with animal torture, an aggravated misdemeanor, and filing a false police report, a serious misdemeanor.
Police say he killed his American bulldog puppy by punching it about 30 times in the face for urinating on the carpet at a party. Loggins has denied it, saying the 5-month-old puppy's death was an accident.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
CA: Fight Cuts to Holding Period at Animal Shelters! CA Budget Proposal to Shorten Animal Holding Periods at Shelters ASPCA Position
| CA: Fight Cuts to Holding Period at Animal Shelters! CA Budget Proposal to Shorten Animal Holding Periods at Shelters Because of the $24 billion budget deficit facing the State of California, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting state funding to city and county animal shelters. In 1998, California passed a law that made the minimum, statewide stray animal holding period six days per animal. This “animal adoption mandate” allows pet owners time to locate lost animals and gives unclaimed animals more time to either be adopted or transferred to rescue organizations. Governor Schwarzenegger wants to suspend the mandate and drastically cut the holding period, giving animals in shelters three days or less to be claimed or adopted. By shortening the animal holding period, the state will relieve its budget deficit by a mere one-tenth of one percent (0.1%). If state funding is reduced, shelters will be put in a very difficult position. The tidal wave of home foreclosures has dramatically increased the number of surrendered and abandoned animals, placing a tremendous financial burden on these already overwhelmed shelters. Suspending the “animal adoption mandate” will have life-or-death consequences for California’s neediest animals. What You Can Do When you call, you will most likely speak to a staff member who will offer to pass your message along to your senator and assemblymember. Here are a few suggestions that may help you when speaking to a legislative staffer:
Afterwards, please fill out your zip code information and log your call. Thank you for your help, California. | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
so close....V-I-C-T-O.....
Appellate court revives pit bull lawsuit
DENVER (AP) Opponents of a Denver ordinance that calls for euthanizing pit bulls found living in city limits have another chance at challenging the law in court.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday revived a lawsuit filed by three former Denver residents who moved out the city to avoid losing their dogs. A federal judge had dismissed their lawsuit in March 2008.
Denver banned pit bulls in 1989 after dogs mauled a minister and killed a boy in separate attacks. After years of legal challenges, the city began enforcing the law in May 2005.
A three-judge panel of the appellate court said the residents could proceed on their claim that Denver's breed-specific prohibition is irrational.
Opponents of the ban claim Denver lacks evidence that pit bulls pose a threat to public safety or constitute a public nuisance. They argue that the same canine organizations used to set standards for establishing whether a dog is a pit bull also describe the breeds as stable, friendly and good with children.
A message left at the Denver's city attorney's office was not immediately returned.
''The vast majority of dogs killed under this law haven't done anything wrong,'' said Karen Breslin, an attorney who argued on behalf of the former residents. ''There are dogs out there that do pose a danger, but killing dogs just for how they look? How stupid is that?''
At least 1,100 dogs had been killed under the law when opponents filed the lawsuit in March 2007.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sonya Dias and Hillary Engel, who said they were forced to move out of Denver because of the pit bull ordinance, and Sheryl White, whose dog allegedly was seized under the city ban.
''My dog is a big old dork,'' Dias said of her copper-colored pet, which has patches of black and white and is named Gryffindor. Dias rescued Gryffindor from a Georgia dogfighting ring in 2004.
''I think they've gotten a bad name because it's the perception that it's gangbangers' dogs, and they're not,'' Dias said.
Pit bull typically describes three kinds of dogs the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. But Denver's ban applies to any dog that looks like a pit bull.
The appellate court upheld a federal judge's dismissal of a claim that the law is vague and did not rule on the merits of the opponents' remaining claim that singling a specific breed is irrational.
The Legislature passed a law in 2004 that prohibited breed-specific bans, but Denver sued and a judge ruled in April 2005 the law was an unconstitutional violation of local control.
Other cities have banned pit bulls, including Aurora, Commerce City, Lone Tree, and Pueblo. Other cities have beefed up vicious-dog ordinances without singling out pit bulls.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. In the interest of timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain occasional typographical errors. )
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