Posted on 12/24/2002 1:45:31 PM PST by Alylonee
BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
"Legislation is due, laws are in order, and the situation is out of hand. Let's be sure of our focus. Laws are for humans, not for animals who have no say about the captive environment they must endure." Rod Jones
Banning Pit Bulls would be like banning cars because people get killed in car accidents! Who's responsible, the car or the driver/manufacturer? All cars can be deadly in the wrong hands or if built with defective parts. Same thing with dogs... Pit Bulls are no more responsible for the way they are bred, raised and trained, than cars are responsible for the way they are designed, built and driven.
Simply put, the best argument against breed bans is that they are costly and ineffective. Breed bans are often a knee-jerk reaction from politicians who want to say they are "doing something", after a highly publicized dog attack (of any breed). This is a useless exercise.
Criminals habitually break laws, so having an "illegal breed" may indeed be attractive to them and might make them want to breed and sell more "illegal dogs". If their dog is confiscated and killed, they really don't care. They will just get another one because breed bans punish the dog, not the owner.
On the other hand, law abiding responsible owners, whose dogs love people and have never done anything wrong, can have their homes invaded, often without a search warrant, and their beloved family members dragged away (in front of their children) to be killed. Not because the dogs are unstable or mean, but simply because of their breed. Meanwhile, the owners of truly dangerous dogs (of any breed) escape punishment because their breed is not targeted by legislation and therefor is believed "safe". A 10 Lbs Pomeranian killed a baby last year... Obviously a problem with that particular dog, not the breed. "The baby's uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. ("Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog," Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)"
Because of a serious lack of regulation in dog breeding, too many dogs inherit defective genes and are sold to irresponsible owners. A breed ban will not resolve the problem. This non sense will continue with the next macho breed and will become an endless race between breed specific legislators and unscrupulous breeders. What kind of message are we telling abusive and irresponsible individuals when we make the dogs pay the price for their action?
Here are some facts to consider:
"Pit bull" is not a breed, but a "type" that encompasses several registered breeds and crossbreeds. Therefore, statistics that claim "Pit bulls" are responsible for some percentage of attacks are lumping many separate breeds together, then comparing that to other dogs that are counted as individual breeds.
Breed identification is left up to victim and witness testimony, and is often wrong. Due to negative press, biting dogs of almost ANY breed have been called "Pit bulls". Try this little quiz for dun: Find the Pit Bull See how many people you know can pick out a pit bull from pictures, let alone in the middle of an attack.
Search the Center for Disease Control site. Even the CDC supports the position that irresponsible owners, not breed, are the chief cause of dog bites. They have done studies that indicate that the most "dangerous breed" of dog changes with popularity and reputation.
Search the American Temperament Test Society. Pit bulls have an average score that beats even the "ultimate family dog", the Golden Retriever.
Positive pit bull press - This site shows not only what the breed is about, but the difference responsible ownership makes. Many of these pages are "Pit bull rescue makes good" stories. This site features, among other great stuff, rescue pits that are saving human lives in Search and Rescue and US Customs Service.
The Diane Whipple case. One of the first times the owner has been held responsible for the actions of their dog. Note that the breed involved was the Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Dog) from Spain, yet the brunt of the negative press has once again targeted the pit bull, an all but unrelated breed.
Clearly the message is lets stop targeting the dogs! Pit Bulls are not more dangerous than any other strong and large dog. They just happen to attract more irresponsible and abusive owners than any other breed right now... Ironically, by portraying them in a negative way, the media and breed legislators only make these dogs irresistibly attractive to individuals with bad intentions. Do Pit Bull haters really think that after banning the breed all the criminals who use these dogs as weapons will own Basset Hounds instead? And if they did, how long do you think it would take before Basset Hounds start making the news? A breed ban will only remove Pit Bulls from good people's home and leave them in the hands of animal abusers who couldn't care less about the law... Better think twice before supporting such measure...
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/hsus.html
What Animal Do I Speak Of?
Their love is like no other; their heart is pure as gold. Yet while going on a friendly walk, they're faced with stares of cold.
They're so very close to human, in how they act and what they do. Unless you've known their devoted love, it's impossible to explain to you.
They are greatly more misunderstood, than any other breed. We tend to punish this loyal dog, instead of mankind's deeds.
They are always and forever clowns, with a wish for center stage.Yet while displaying this sense of humor, most people disengage.
They, oh, so want to make new friends, and run and jump and play. Yet when they happily approach, most people shy away.
Often I've seen children poke, or hop on for a ride. And when I felt they might get mad, they've only beamed with pride.
I've seen these children yank and pull, with nary a reaction.Yet media's not interested, unless they've put someone in traction.
They love to snuggle up real close, to give lots of loves and kisses.Yet they suffer more than any, from unfair prejudices.
What animal do I speak of, whose love is so unique? If you've truly known one, you know of whom I speak.
There is no creature on this earth who will ever make you merrier. The animal I do speak of, it's the American Pit Bull Terrier.
By Patty Letawsky
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