Defining the problem

 Pictured is William George Harlan Jr. William here is being charged with  one count of aggravated assault, and one count of aggravated assault on a public servant in Wichita Falls, TX.

It seems that William was trying to hit a woman with his truck last night, and the woman called the police.  When the police arrived, William ran into his back yard where he then called upon his two "pit bulls" to attack the police officers.

I'm sure some people will note the police officer that was bit and say, well, gosh, a pit bull attacked, we should ban them (isn't that the way the argument goes?).   But let's look at the situation.

If we banned pit bulls, do we think that William is the type of guy that would decide not to own a pit bull and abide by the law?

 Or do we think that even if he DID abide by the law, that he wouldn't end up owning a Rottweiler, Akita, Chow, German Shepherd, Doberman or other type of dog that would cause the same problem? 

What about my dog? Do we think that William here is going to be any less of a menace to society if we take my dogs away from me? (Hint, this one will not have any affect on William at all, but it will tick me off).

So what do we think the problem is? Is it the "pit bulls", or is it William?

Every single dog attack can be tracked this same way. By defining the root cause of the problem, and then solving for that root cause. In every single instance, that root cause ends up being a person.  And unless we actually deal with the problem, it will never be solved. Taking my dog away won't help deal with William. It seems ridiculous to think so.  And yet, cities around the country still are trying to solve the problem of people like William, by messing with people like me. 

At least Grand Island, NE gets it. They just decided against BSL in their city.

"If a person wants a mean dog, they can make it mean, said Police Chief Steve Lamken."If you won't allow pit bulls, those people will find some other dog and make it mean."

It's just all about defining the problem correctly...and the solutions become obvious.

Comments

[Becky]

Meantime, can we please figure out a way to protect dogs from people like this?

[Becky]

Meantime, can we please figure out a way to protect dogs from people like this?

[s kennedy]

a lot of people could care less about the problem and want to be bigots and hate people, owners, the dogs, and good breeders. And it won't stop until enough of the public (even non pet owners) understand the real story behind the AR agenda. Only then will the people who have common sense see the light. I just read most of the HSUS amicus brief submitted (but rejected by court twice, and thus not allowed to be filed in court) in KY. It was HSUS that devised almost the entire Louisville KY ordinance. A lot of unconstitutional type items in there. Lots of reference to "intact" animals,their tracking, their containment,whereabouts,sale,and mandated chip,etc. Also blamed intact animals for causing most dog incidents, and claimed altering would stop it. ALSO because HSUS and BF now think they can easily make more $$, they are trying to make themselves the beneficiaries of forfeiture proceeds in dogfighting. That's why HSUS is offering $5,000 for conviction of dog fighter person. HSUS tried to get this law passed in both CA and TN (in CA usually drug seizure proceeds go to the state via forfeiture) Both states have rejected HSUS so far. But we can be sure that won't stop them. they will think of something else to fool people.

[Caveat]

Right on, S. Kennedy.

I'm glad the cash-grab was thwarted - good news.

Is the amicus brief for Louisville available online? I was super impressed by the summary judgement motion on behalf of the kennel club - that was a great piece of lawyering.

[SocialMange]

Ban trucks. His first weapon of choice was a truck.

[Brian Cluxton]

That Police Chief gets it. And major props to the Mayor of Nebraska for understanding the problem as well.

A full pit bull ban was not the best option, Mayor Mike Fahey said, because bites would still occur. "Denver has a ban on these things and they still have bites by pit bulls. Council Bluffs has the same thing and they still have bites. I don't think they ever can get rid of these things," Fahey said.
http://www.ketv.com/news/17201220/detail.html