For the past couple of decades, the fight against BSL has been largely left in the hands of the pit bull and Rottweiler owners. While others have been against BSL, many have more or less hidden in the background. Out of sight, out of mind I suppose. It's long past time for all dog owners to get on the bus and help fight BSL.
Over the past couple of weeks, several US cities have instituted BSL (and a couple of others are talking about it). And it's not just banning 'pit bulls' either (in spite of what the headlines say -- which almost comically say "town bans pit bulls and other breeds"). And these laws are so well researched that many of them are including made up breeds of dogs.
Yesterday, a small town in the Yakima Valley of Washington, Wapato (population 4,575) banned 'pit bulls', 'mastiffs', Rottweilers and American Bulldogs. The ordinance makes exceptions for trained service dogs and those with Canine Good Citizen certification -- which basically admits that they realize responsible owners of the dogs are fine, but irresponsible ones are not. So why the breed specific laws?
Worthington, KY (population 1,673) pass an ordinance banning bull terriers, stafforshire bull terriers, American Staffordshires (??), Rottweilers, chow chows, mixed breeds known as pit bulls and any dog with any appearance or characteristics predominantly of any of the breeds of dogs listed above or a combination of any of those.
Osceola, NE (population 931) passed a ban this week on "the American Pit Bull and 7 other dog breeds". The breeds involved include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Chows, Dobermans, Rottweilers, American Bandage Mastiff (??), Neopolitan Mastiff and any dog with the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly one of the above breeds.
What's so crazy about Osceola is that there is exactly ONE person in this community affected by this law. One. How can you pass a law that affects one person? That's crazy. What's even crazier is the quote by the animal control officer in the town:
"We've never received a complaint about dog at large, barking or anything else on this dog," said ACO Diana Kelly.
The ordinance was passed when Renee and Kent Johansen complained about the one dog. "I know that specific dog hasn't done anything yet," said Renee Johansen. "In the past we have had a neighbor's vicious dog come onto our property and terrorize our three children....we as a community shold not have to fear for our lives or fear being mauled by a vicious dog when outside doing yard work, playing outside or walking or biking down the street."
However, Johansen acknowledge that the dog that caused the problem was not the one dog that was banned by the ordinance. Well thought out!
Folks, these people are passing bans out of irrational fear and biggotry. They're passing against all types of breeds of dogs (some that don't even exist). We must, as a dog-owning and loving community not allow these cities and small towns to pass bans that affect only a handful of people in these towns and expect them to fight alone. We need everyone to get involved to help educate -- Mastiff owners, Boxer owners, German Shepherd owners, Rottie owners, Dobie owners, chow owners, Lab owners -- everyone needs to fight these ignorant and disciminatory laws. Let's all get on the bus together...
I did talk to Mr. Rice, age 78, rottie owner, of Worthington, KY....but I don't know if council is receptive to modification. They can't even spell the breed name.
Posted by: s kennedy | June 19, 2008 at 01:29 PM
"However, Johansen acknowledge that the dog that caused the problem was not the one dog that was banned by the ordinance."
OMG!! It's so hard to fight the good fight when people are so blatently stupid!!
grrrrrr....
Posted by: AnnaC | June 20, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Good post, Brent, we really, really could use some help out here - financial and other kinds.
Somebody said recently that you can't fight insanity with reason and logic. It was an astute comment.
Here's what runs through my head almost daily: "If every dog owner in Ontario had given one dollar to the legal fund we could have paid for our case and many others. We could even run ads in the papers and on TV to fill people in about BSL."
And then I wake up and realize most people aren't paying attention. Trouble is, by the time they get to their 'breeds' - GSDs, Labs, etc, it might be too late.
Posted by: Caveat | June 21, 2008 at 03:28 AM