A lot to discuss this week, so let's dive right in:
Cities/States and Laws
The mayor in Lynn, MA has delayed the final vote on an ordinance that would require owners of 'pit bulls' to fill out a lengthy registration form and muzzle their dogs. The mayor wants to finish legal research to be sure the law is legal before she decides to sign or veto it. Laws like this in other areas have been deterimined to be unconstitutionally vague and hopefully her staff will point this out to her.
Colerain Township (OH) is looking at updating their dangerous dog law and may make it breed specific. If you live in or around the area, please make them aware of better, more effective options.
Oktibbeha County, MS is looking into changes to their dangerous dog laws. There is no mention of it being breed specific, but if you are in the area, you can sure help them get to a good place with their law.
Barstow, CA is considering a mandatory spay/neuter law after a consultant recommended it as a way to update its dangerous dog law. MSN has never proven to reduce dog bites and only leads to increased shelter killing. Hopefull the city of Barstow will look at the actual results of such a law (and hopefully the 'consultant" will too).
The Carver County (MN) council has passed a breed-neutral dangerous dog ordinance that defines a dangerous dog based on its behavior. Similar ordinances in Minneapolis and St. Paul have been very effective there.
Ridgeville, IN tabled an ordinance after hearing concerns about targeting specific breeds. One spokesperson noted that the ordinance was ambiguous and hindered due process.
Prattville, MS has passed a new dangerous dog law that focuses on the behavior of the dog, not the breed. In fact, it specifically calls out that targeting breeds will be illegal.
Dog Bites/Attacks
A Houston-area woman was attacked by up to three dogs that were running at large in the city. The woman is believed to be homeless.
A five year old Quarryville, PA boy was bitten in the face by a 'pit bull' type dog -- the dog bit another person backin June.
An 8 year old UK girl required 175 stiches after being attacked by an Akita that was with its owners. The girl had asked if the dog was ok to pet, and the owners said yes. The owners had only had the dog a couple of days and apparently didn't recognize any visual cues from the dog.
Also in the UK, a postman was attacked by a Rottweiler that was able to open the door to the house and get out and bite him. The UK has a ban on four different breeds of dogs - but attacks continue to go up in the country because they are focusing on dog breeds, not responsible ownership.
A Topeka, KS area woman was bitten by a 'German Shepherd-mix' while she was out on her nightly walks. There is apparently no leash law in Shawnee County, so there was apparently no reason the dog couldn't be roaming at large.
A four year old Indianola, IA boy needed medical attention after being bitten in the face by a bulldog.
Another four year old boy, this one in Omaha, was taken to the hospital after being bitten in the face by a Bullmastiff. The boy went into his friend's home even though he was told not to and was bitten. Omaha has a breed specific ordinance that targets 7 breeds of dogs but it continues to be ineffective at even slowing down the number of these incidents.
In Cincinnati, a dog broke out of its yard and bit several children who were out playing. The dog is being called a "Chow-mix". Cincinnati also has a ban on 'pit bulls' but it has had no impact on dog bites.
Positive Press
A Tampa area rescue group is giving 'pit bulls' a second chance at finding homes in Central Florida. The article talks to real experts (you know, Vets, behaviorists) to dispell myths perpetuated by people who aren't.
In Port Charlotte, FL,a pit bull saved a woman and a small child who from an attacker. The dog had never met the woman and child, but staved off an attack. The attacker was holding them up at knife point but the dog came at the man growling. When the attacker ran off, the mother and child jumped in the car an waited for police to arrive -- and the dog jumped in the car with them and waited with them for police.
Miscellaneous
Debunking the "Dangerous Breed" Myth - a veterinarian weighs in the myth that some breeds are more dangerous than others (it's about responsible ownership).
Controlling dog bites needn't be difficult - I'm not sure who's writing the editorials for the Foster's Daily Democrat but they've been spot on on their coverage of dog bite issues. This article tackles the failure of the breed ban in the UK and offers to simple options for helping curb the problem in the US.
In a heartbreaking story, a woman in Bremerton, WA suffered a heart attack and died on the sidewalk while she was out walking her 'pit bull'. The dog was reportedly protecting his owner when rescue people arrived because he knew she was vulnerable. Dogs are so impressively loyal....
Better off dead? - The Isthmus Daily Page (WI) tackles the topic of No Kill and whether or not animals really are better off dead (they're usually not).
One Denver city council member says that 80% of her constituents still favor the city's pit bull ban. I'm sure the councilwoman hasn't revised the wording of her questionaire (it's quesiton 4) -- which is extremely leading.
Abuse Cases
In Memphis, a suspected animal hoarder was found with 8 dead dogs in his home. 11 other animals were found in the home as well, which was filled with feces. Memphis police have responded to animal complaints at the residence before.
Blog Posts You Should Read
Teaching Bite Inhibition - I've commented on this subject before as it relates to major dog bite incidents but this is a great article on the subject of bite inhibition -- probably the most important thing you can teach your dog.
Saving lives is all about attitude -- from Saving Pets
Vick dogs gather to thank the woman that gave them a second chance - Change.org
If it bites, it must be a pit bull, right? - From the Pet Connection
Speaking of which, The National Canine Research Council explores the difference between a Rottweiler and a "media Rottweiler" -- with pictures that prove there is a big difference.
Media and onlookers confused about breed....again - For the Pit Bulls comments on a story about a 'pit bull' attack in Cincinnati -and has a picture of the dog involved in the incident -- which is clearly not visually a 'pit bull' type dog.
New Orleans Disaster Shootings: The Aftermath -- Women in Crime Ink comments on police shooting multiple dogs in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath of those events.
After there-awakening of SB250 in California that would require all pets to be altered in the state, Christie Keith over at the Pet Connection notes why MSN Laws don't work: Follow the Lack of Money. I plan to do more on this this coming week, but just in case I don't get to it (or even if I do), this is a must read.
SB 250 - Again - Bad Rap weighs in on the bill that will target low-income pet owners.
LA Animal Watch also notes that SB 250 appears to impact feral cat colony managers.
With friends like these, who needs enemies (or, on MSN Laws) - by Fix Austin
The Super Nanny State - Terrierman comments on tail-docking and other animal laws.
Lies, Damn Lise and Cat Statistics -- Christie Keith takes a look at the myth that one unaltered cat can produce 420,000 cats in 5 years. Bad statistics like this continue to infiltrate the animal welfare community -- stunting our ability to make true inroads in solving problems because we perpetuate myths with no factual basis. Humanewatch tracked the origin of the myth to an HSUS Newsletter from 1989.
Credibility (or lack thereof) and how it hurts our ability to save lives -- from Wisconsin Watchdog
Jim Gorant: "The Lost Dogs" - Our Review - Tim over at Bad Rap reviews the new book on the Vick Dogs. I'm very much looking forward to reading this book.
How not to handle a case of Parvo at your shelter -- from YesBiscuit!
The Unwashed masses strike back - part 3 - YesBiscuit! explores more people from the "irresponsible public" stepping up to make the lives of animals better in their community.
Have a great week everyone.
Just like to note that the story about the pit bull saving a woman and child is one year old. The article you linked to links to an original article which is not dated, but if you look at the comments, the earliest ones were from one year ago.
Posted by: anonymous | August 22, 2010 at 08:02 PM
I live in Houston and when the story about the dog attack on the homeless woman was announced on a local TV station, it was "3 Pitbulls maul a woman". I always cringe when I hear these announcements because I know that most people couldn't actually pick a Pitbull out of a line up (including myself; I took the online test and it took me 5 or 6 tries to pick out the Pitbull). Also, the TV station showed a scene of some dogs on chains, then some dogs barking in a kennel. But I don't think either set of dogs were the ones that attacked the woman. They just pick random photos of dogs that look like Pitbulls to show along with the story. It really is inflammatory.
Posted by: Nokillhouston | August 22, 2010 at 10:32 PM
I watch one local station about the houston attack that had a very balanced look and actually stuck to the facts : a homeless woman was found mauled by dogs and three mixed breed dogs, one of whom resembled a pit bull were being taken to be tested to see if they were involved in the attack. It also discussed the fact the dogs were not pets but guard dogs left at a warehouse. It showed the pit mix that was being taking in licking the animal control guy. Fox news that evening led with a woman yelling "Homeless woman viciously mauled by pit bulls".
Posted by: Bonnie | August 23, 2010 at 12:03 PM