Here's a tragic story from Fox News in Cleveland. A member of our military, Leonard Shelton, who spent two tours of duty in Iraq and Kosovo, came home suffering from post-tramatic stress symptoms -- mostly over losing several friends in the line of duty. After some advice, he went out to get a dog -- that when he walks, helps him meet new people and helps him talk to strangers.
He was told the dog, Roscoe, he was adopted was a Boston Terrier mix. However, when his community police officer in Lakewood, OH, which recently passed a ban on pit bulls, saw him with the dog, the animal control officer took the dog from the veteran.
The animal control officer admits on film for the cameras, that it doesn't matter if the dog is well cared for, well trained or how careful the owner of the dog is: "The intent of the ordinance was to eventually have no more of these types of dogs in the city of Lakewood."
Shana Klein, of For the Love of Pits, who has been working with Shelton and Roscoe, said it best:
"Vicious is not the way a dog looks, it's a behavior."
I find it hard to believe that anyone who watches this story can thinksthat breed specific legislation is the appropriate solution -- so men like Leonard Shelton, who have done more for our country than 99% of the people out there can get harrassed and have their companion taken away. It's ridiculous. And it's wrong.
It is time that we as a country start seeing vicious as a behavior, not as a shape.
The leaders of the military are doing this as well by banning bully breeds from bases. How can they look themselves in the mirror? They send these wo/men off to potentially DIE for our supposed "Freedom" and then strip them of their rights and take away their family members.
Posted by: MichelleD | May 14, 2009 at 08:54 AM
I just bet that ACO goon has one of those made in China "support the troops" magnets on his car
Posted by: EmilyS | May 14, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Studies indicate a relationship between owning a dog and reduced stress levels. I would think the military would want to foster the bond between soldiers and their pets, not terminate it.
Posted by: YesBiscuit! | May 14, 2009 at 09:42 AM
My heart goes out to Leonard Shelton and his dog...BSL is nauseating.
Posted by: Pit Bull NM | May 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM
oh and bTW, HSUS -- Hypocritical much?
http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=1136
(HT: YB)
Posted by: EmilyS | May 14, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Leonard Shelton dont quit .. I appreciate your two tours over there and what you did.. It is not everyone or everywhere ..buddy.
If you win make sure to get on fox news and make a big deal out of it... this country only responds to over the top drama.
Posted by: craig | March 31, 2010 at 06:09 PM