Because of my trip last weekend, I missed last week's roundup - so a lot of stuff to get caught up on this week. I also got a new laptop this week, and my "favorites" all got reshuffled around in transferring them over, so I may miss a few things as I go through, but I'll do my best.
Cities/States and Laws
In spite of a lot of evidence out there that similar laws have failed throughout the US, San Bernardino, CA passed the first reading of a law that would mandate that all 'pit bulls' in the county be spayed or neutered. A final vote on the bill will be held in July. Rinalia has a good breakdown of the mis-information perpetuated through the process at For the Pit Bulls.
Local humane society says that Center, MO's recent passage of a ban on 'pit bulls' is based on ignorance ond not what is effective. Nopitbullbans has more
Prairie Du Chien, IA was discussing the possibility of taking the city's current law that puts restrictions on 'pit bulls' and try to ban them altogether. The mayor put together a committee to review the matter and the committee came back withthe idea of removing the breed specific laws altogether. Now they will discuss the matter - if you live in or around Prairie Du Chien, you need to help them decide which way to go (ie, listen to your committee).
More on the changing tide for Denver's breed ban.
Butte-Silver Bow, MT is looking at a new ordinance that would require all 'pit bulls' to be tethered when in their own yard. I can only hope that the folks out there will straighten this out before the city creates a new problem that doesn't even exist yet.
Rockville Center Village banned two types of dogs (Rottweilers & 'pit bulls') -- which is a violation of New York state law.
Dalcambre, LA is considering breed-specific legislation.
Lynn, MA is considering a new law that would automatically classify 'pit bulls' as dangerous dogs.
After some brief discussions about breed specific legislation, Adams County, MS passed a new breed-neutral dangerous dog ordinance.
Prattsville, MS is looking at adjusting their dangerous dog ordinance after a Husky-type dog that has been roaming at large has attacked multiple people and dogs.
Dog Bites and Attacks
Major dog bites are very rare. Most of the nation's 78 million owned dogs will never be involved in anything more than a harmless nip. However, sometimes, due to parent and owner responsibility, sometimes bites do happen. When they do happen, it is a variety of breeds that are responsible, and a series of events that caused the attack.
A Redding, CA woman was attacked by a Japanese Tosa at a dog park. The woman had 30-40 stitches after the attack.
In Youngstown, OH, a 2 year old toddler wandered up to a chained up dog -described as a Cocker Spaniel-Lab mix - in the neighborh's back yard and sustained injuries to its face and head. At least one news source decided not to report the type of dog involved. Youngstown has breed-specific legislation.
Also in Youngstown, a 7 year old was attacked by a large Great Dane and suffered significant injuries, including possibly a broken leg and arm.
A Golden Retriever attacked an 81 year old woman in New Bedford, MA who was walking home frm Sunday Mass.
A 2 year toddler suffered severe facial injuries after being attacked by a family dog in Piqua, OH.
Police shot and killed an American Bulldog that attacked a 38 year old woman and the 5 year old boy she was babysitting in Lakeville, MA.
In the UK, a family's border collie lept into the car and mauled a 7 month old child -- who nearly lost his leg because of the attack.
ABoxer mix in Nevada must now be muzzled, kept in a special pen and have a $50,000 insurance policy after it attacked a woman walking two dogs -- killing one of the dogs.
Abuse Cases
A shocking video as police in LaGrange, MO shoot a dog that was tethered and fearful of them trying to catch the dog. They eventually get the dog on a catch pole and then just shoot the dog. The dog's owner vows to seek changes in the dog law that made him get the fine for his non-aggressive dog being shot.
A year old pit bull mix was found hanged to death on a playground in a Philadelphia neighborhood. The details are a bit gruesome -- so I'll save them for the link.
In Memphis, a family left their 'pit bull' in the car outside a plasma clinic for four hours in last week's sweltering heat. The dog was in really bad shape when police found it and the dog was euthanized.
Positive Press
Dr. Patty Khuly talks about breed specific legislation vs "damage by dogs" laws that are breed neutral in nature.
The Napa Register notes that pit bulls make great pets when they are properly trained.
Pit bulls make great pets -- nice work by PetSmart and the Seattle Humane society for their efforts to change perceptions.
Miscellaneous
A great article on our local Safe Harbor program that works with prisoners to train and rehabilitate dogs that need it to make them more adoptable -Safe Harbor Offers Redemption to both dogs and men in prison.
Don't leave Fido alone with Kids - some good tips on preventing dog bites from the Acorn newspaper.
Blog Postings Worth your time
Some good news for the folks in Forrest City, AR at YesBiscuit! -- who just a few weeks ago had their shelter director pushed aside after a major catastrophy and the police chief has taken over the shelter. Turns out, in just a few short weeks, the shelter has had major improvements and things seem to be going better.
No kill by any other name is still no kill -- The Wisconsin Watchdog comments how shelters often try using other names for saving all of the healthy and treatable animals in their community -- but most have the same goal -- ending the killing.
The City of Swan - a case study in cat management - from Saving Pets
Let's Clone Calgary's Animal Control - from Change.org (and yes, their animal control is really that good, and it's a shame that more people have not tried to replicate their overall approach).
The police definition of 'pit bull' often seems to be "any dog we shot' - from Lassie Get Help.
Montgomery advertiser uses pit bull photo for Husky problem - For The Pit Bulls (ever notice how snarling pit bull type dogs make up the stock photos for dog bites whether a bully was involved or not?)
Donating to HSUS: Do you know where your dollars go? - Fully Vetted
Taking on the city: One way to get rabies exemptions for sick dogs - Bad Rap
The fallacey of "Better off Dead" - by For Your Entertainment -- nice work by John Sibley
We had a news station here in town that covered a dog attack on a hike-and-bike trail. They used a snarling pit bull for their over-the-shoulder graphic and for various teasers for the story, which of course, led everyone who watched the teasers and the segment to think that the biting dog was a pit bull. At the very end of the segment, the reporter adds that they are still looking for the dog, which the victim briefly described as a brown german shepherd-type dog.
Quite a few people wrote to the station and pointed out 1) the obvious bias considering their stock OTS image for any dog attack was, apparently, a pit bull, and 2) the fact that it *might* have helped authorities track down the dog if viewers had seen a more accurate representation of the dog they were seeking. Instead, the news media likely hindered the investigation due to their misleading graphic.
No one's going to remember the story about the German Shepherd-type dog that bit a guy on the hike-and-bike trail, but I bet a bunch of people now vaguely recall a pit bull attack on the trail.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 28, 2010 at 10:57 PM
update on the Butte, MT :
http://www.kxlf.com/news/pit-bull-ordinance-takes-center-stage-in-butte/
people came to their senses (so far)
Posted by: EmilyS | July 13, 2010 at 09:35 AM