This newspaper article in the Toledo Blade really is insane.
The article focuses on Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon -- who it declaring a small victory in 2008. According to Skeldon, who has probably spent more effort than any city on the planet to "protect" the citizens of Toledo from 'pit bulls', the percentage of the 'pit bulls' as the percentage of dogs he has confiscated from people has gone down for the first time in over a decade. In total, 73 fewer 'pit bulls' were seized (and killed) last year by Skeldon.
Lucas County's law limits one 'pit bull' per household and requires it to be kept on a leash and muzzled if off the owner's property.
"We've stopped the increase, which I think is significant," said Skeldon.
However, in the very last line of the article, you'll notice that Toledo really isn't safer from dogs. In fact, according to the article, the total number of dog bites increased from 329 in 2007, to 403 in 2008 -- a 23% increase in bites.
Why was that little nugget of information last in the news article?
According to Lucas County health department dog bite statistics, 'pit bulls' make up about 7-8% of the total dog bites in Lucas County, and yet, because of the county ordinance and Skeldon's obsession about 'pit bulls', they are taking up well over 30% of his time and resources. As such, the bite numbers have increased because he is not paying attention to the right things.
While this may get him a fake "dog warden of the year award" from people who hate pit bulls, don't care about public safety, and in the case of the dog bite lawyers group, PROFIT from the increase in dog bites, it has caused the average citizens in Lucas County to petition for the ouster of Skeldon from his role, and led to the County Commission to approve of a citizens oversite committee to oversee his actions.
Until we focus on how dogs are trained, used and cared for, and NOT breed, we will never make progress in minimizing dog bites.
Hat Tip: Help Fido.
More provocative, imo, is his total lack of success in reducing the rate of euthanasia. In 1979, the euthanasia rate was 76% in Lucas County. Flash forward to 2007 and the euthanasia rate is 65%. A measly 11% reduction over nearly 30 years.
If you take a look at Bay County, Florida, in one year, the new director reduced kill rates from 78% to 56%. And the new director has no experience with animal control (though I think he was in police work?)
And then there are the pit bull kill rates at Lucas County. 1,300 pit bull lookalikes in 2007. I would hate to be any muscular, short-haired dog in Lucas County.
Posted by: Rinalia | January 16, 2009 at 06:24 PM
I'm not at all surprised at the euth numbers... we are talking about a man who brags to his cronies about his 'kill' numbers.
Posted by: Adam | January 16, 2009 at 09:38 PM
ahh.. all this just really ticks me off.
why are people so ignorant? WHY?!?
Obviously numbers show that in the County, muzzling :Pit bull: did NO help do decrease the bite rate..
How can they not see that it's not the breed? How?
All this BSL bull needs to stop.
this all bothers me, and makes me soo mad because even though it's not my town, it soon could be some day!
it's just becomming rediculous.. it's not even about "public saftey" anymore.. it;s just for :power:- Hate for a certain breed, for Whatever pathetic, unreasonable reason
Posted by: Kara | January 16, 2009 at 11:42 PM
And Ohio continues its downward spiral.
Posted by: TONY | January 17, 2009 at 12:47 AM
How could the article not be nuts?
We're talking about Skeldon.
Posted by: Selma | January 17, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Its important to recognize that the problem with pitbulls stems from the type of owners they attract. They are no more likely than any other breed to exhibit antisocial behavior.
Posted by: Dog Behaviorist Minneapolis | December 18, 2009 at 06:26 PM