Quack

  I probably shouldn't give this woman more press, but she is EXACTLY why everyone should pay attention to who they vote for in local elections.

Ann Ogan, who next month will take over as a city councilor in North Plains, OR.,  has made her first priority as city councilor to ban pit bulls from North Plains.  The "logic" involved in this is pretty amazing -- and scary.

North Plains has a population of about 1,813.  It is a suburb of Portland, and has a average HH income of $58,602 -- which is about 20% higher than the average of the state of Oregon. The community is 88% white.  

Ogan guesses there are at least six pit bulls in North Plains - and in her eyes, that's six too many. Now let's start with the unethical (and possibly unconstitutional) nature of passing a law that specifically targets six people. While we live in a democratic nation, we also live in a free country, where a community cannot go out and bully six constituents because the "majority rules" (even though there is no evidence that the majority feels that way in this case). This is one major reason why I believe that states should get involved in this issue and ban breed specific laws. Even though I by and large feel like dog laws should be a local issue, protecting small numbers of constituents from crazy politicians in these small communities should be a state priority.

And let's face it, this is not about public safety for Ogan.  Over the past year, only 2 of the county's 25 dangerous dog citations were from 'pit bulls'.  (Washington County OR has a population of about 500,000, so has a lot of dogs).  The Hillboro (population 89,285) police department LT Mike Roucehes (who also handles police duties in North Plains) said that in the past 5 or 6 years he has only seen 2 problem pit bulls. 

So, we have had 2 problem pit bulls in 5 or 6 years in Hillsboro and North Plains. In the entire county, pit bulls make up only 8% of the dangerous dog violations - and Ms. Ogan wants to pass a law banning the 6 people in her little community from owning them?  Anyone want to venture a guess that there is a personal vendetta here that Ms. Ogan is trying to take out?

These are the people who push for breed specific laws -- the people that in spite of the numbers and the data, want it anyway, for whatever reason. Good luck to the people of North Plains in dealing with this woman for the next 4 years.  Hard telling what other baseless laws she is going to try to pass while in there.

Comments

[krislars]

I'll check in with my friend in OR that lives near there...she has a pitmix and is a vocal dog person. I may chime in myself as OR is on the list of potential 'move to' locations in 2009. So exhausting.
PS. love the title, sums it up so perfectly! ;-)

[Julie]

Right on, Brent. I'm glad you're alerting more people to our plight here in OR with Ann Ogan. She is stunning in her ignorance.

And, for the record, she has a Scottish Terrier. Yes, the same breed as Barney, the Bush's dog who just bit a reporter on camera.

And, p.s. Ann Ogan-- it's a terrier, too.

[Anon]

I read in an online article(Can`t locate the link again) that the Present Council is getting so much mail and phone calls(in opposition) about this woman and what she has said that they have asked the Public to hold off until she is actually sworn in.

[Anon]

Here`s the link asking people to hold off.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/2008/12/hold_off_on_the_pit_bull_calls.html