News reports out of Denver, Colorado this week sent a
shock wave through the community of dog lovers throughout the country.
Rescue groups have their phones ringing off the hook by callers looking
for a safe place for their dogs, but there is far more need than places
available. Denver has decided that for the safety of the public, they are
outlawing dogs commonly known as "pitbulls and pitbull mixes." Unlike some
other cities that have enacted breed specific laws (BSL's), Denver has
decided that they will confiscate these dogs from their guardians and
destroy them rather than enact a "grandfather clause" that would require
people to alter their dogs, make it illegal to bring new pitbulls into the
area, and require current pitbull owners to keep their dogs confined,
leashed, or muzzled. What has caused this uproar?
First, it's fear instilled in the public by media
attention of attacks on people by dogs that are called pitbulls by those
that are uneducated in identifying pitbulls. At the end of this article,
there is a website showing various dog breeds, asking the viewer to
identify the pitbull. Most people cannot. Even many animal control
officers have identified the wrong breed as a pitbull. Some breeds,
considered "mild-mannered," such as Labrador retrievers, have been
targeted as being a pitbull simply because they have a wide head. Denver
has decided to target pitbull mixes as well, so any wide-headed Labrador
mix is in danger, no matter how friendly s/he is. There are several
different breeds that are mislabeled as pitbulls, but when statistics are
developed, the statistician lumps them altogether as "pitbull types,"
which stacks the deck against these dogs unfairly. That is never done with
other dogs such as shepherds, for instance. The statisticians never group
all bites or attacks under the label "shepherd type" dogs.
Second, it's completely being ignored that it's not the
dogs that are the problem. When attacks do occur, the danger stems from
the irresponsible breeders that produce dogs that are temperamentally
unsound, breeders who then sell/give the dog to someone who doesn't know
how to train the dog so it becomes safe around people and other animals.
And make no mistake, if someone is producing puppies, whether
intentionally or by failure to prevent puppies, they are a breeder. Poorly
bred, temperamentally unsound, and poorly-socialized and badly-trained
dogs can be seen in ANY breed. A few years ago, the news reported that a
child was killed by Pomeranians, a breed that weighs under 15 pounds,
often as small as 3 pounds. Most bites/attacks from any breed are
perpetrated by male dogs that have not been neutered, and yet Denver
apparently feels that death is preferable to neutering. More bites come
from dogs that are typically chained outside, and not inside as part of
the family. There are no requirements that people socialize and train
their dogs, which would undoubtedly solve much of the problem - for all
breeds.
Third, if Denver is going to try to save lives by
preemptively destroying the potential dangers, why do they allow hunting,
when far more hunters maim and kill people than do dogs? Why are they not
confiscating and destroying cars that have been proven to have a high
incidence of rollovers and mechanical faults? Why don't they confiscate
guns that kill far more people than dogs? The reason why is that there are
groups that would cause a furor. Hunters, the NRA, car manufacturers - all
would fight to their last dime to protest such actions. As often happens,
money talks.
It's up to us to speak out for the dogs. Let Denver know
what you think of their new "kill em all" policy. Challenge them to even
be able to identify a pitbull. Let them know that the vast majority of
dogs, of ANY breed, have not hurt anyone. Let them know that targeting
law-abiding dogs and their guardians, ripping beloved companion animals
out of their homes, is completely unacceptable. Let them know that it
would be far more effective to restrict breeding so that temperamentally
unsound dogs will not be produced. Let them know that there should be
stricter leash laws, requirements for socializing and training, and
neutering. All of these actions will prevent far more incidents than
targeting a specific breed/type of dog, destroying loving companions right
along with those few who may or may not be dangerous.
And for those of our readers who are attorneys, please
consider taking this on as a legal challenge--lawyers have historically
been at the forefront of social change. Since most "pets" are considered
property under the law, how is it that personal property can be summarily
confiscated and destroyed? Have we established "eminent domain" over dogs
now too? When? Where? I must have missed that vote.
Let's abolish BSL's and promote laws that would require passage and
enforcement of responsible dog guardianship for all breeds and breed
mixes.
Take the pitbull identification test yourself:
Pet PitBull - Legislation
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
Sign the petition:
Repeal Breed Specific Legislation Law in Denver Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/savecyan/petition.html
Read more about this situation:
Eternal Recurrence: Stupid politician tricks
http://www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/000377.html
POLITELY contact Denver officials:
Elected Officials - City Council Contact List
http://www.denvergov.org/council_contact_list.asp
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