New IL Law - Page 2

Yeah, I agree on the whole Other dogs being the #1 biters. "Pit Bulls" are only like 2% of all the bites. Labs and cocker spanials are the top of the list. I am so sorry that the woman lsot her arms. No matter WHAT breed did that, it should have never happened. The problem is the Media makes the APBT and the ASBT look bad with the dogs that LOOK like them, when they are not. Most "pits" that I have met , have been excellent examples of the breed, with the exception of 2 way back when, and they were nervy/fear biters. (and the man continued to breed them....). It is a combination of things that lead the reputation of this breed to be known as it is. Shame. Either way, this is a situation that is sad to have happened, and like I said earilier, my thoughts and prayers are with her. Update us on her condition. I hope she recovers as well as she can, as quickly as possible. Horrible way to bring in the new year. Most bites here, are labs, Goldens... (arnt these FAMILY dogs??) and GSDs. Ohio. That was 2003, I wonder if i can find an update somewhere?...

Sorry about that guys-- You know, when I read this thread the other day, my gut told me----where does it stop? Take a look at this: www.shepherdcentral.com/viewtopic.php?p=24961&sid=9eda871f0a0753eb1407e08ca4331b2d#24961 I don't live out in the great open spaces--I'm in suburbia--Too many people just dislike dogs--This is really frightening. I challenge my town when it's leaders start creating dog ordinances, but I'm usually alone. So far, I've won---but, this philosophy is growing and seems to be running rampant.

Yes, the furor to make dog laws, including specific breed bans is growing. It is now illegal to own Pit Bulls or mixes in many places in Colorado. It is also illegal to own a dog labeled as "vicious". Don't any of you question why? The reason is because THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH DOGS WHO ARE AGGRESSIVE AND NOT UNDER CONTROL. This is, yes, more often than not something that has been contributed to by breeders who sell to people who turn out to be irresponsible owners. The statisics show hundreds of thousands of dog bites a year. Most are to children and most are from dogs known to the family. Fortunately, most bites are not fatal. But some are. Pit Bulls and mixes do make it on the top 10-15% of bite statistics, but the real issue there is that more often than not, they are accountable for the huge majority of serious and fatal maulings. Last week a child of 5 or so was killed in England by her grandparents Pit. Like in every case, why was the child allowed to be with the dog? Yes, there is responsibility here other than the dog, and it begins with the grandparents. The grandmother was seriously injured trying to stop the attack. Let me give you a recent example I personally was involved with. I received a call asking me whether I would board a pit bull. A woman was getting a divorce and went to live with a relative who had a dog and also had several children, one of whom was blind and developmentally disabled. The pit bull got into a fight with the family dog and everyone except the owner was concerned. I evaluated the dog as one I could personally handle and I have a facility where I am certain I can keep the pit from other dogs. In repeated talks with the owner, she was upset with her relatives because they were uncomfortable with the pit bull being in their house. She absolutely could not see the potential for danger here. In my limited interaction with the blind child, it was absolutely clear he had no idea how to interract with any dog, let alone a pit bull who was not his family dog. It was not possible to keep the two dogs separated and further, there was a real danger the dogs would get into a fight and someone would try to break it up. I boarded the dog and fortunately, the woman finally was able to go home. But this was a disaster waiting to happen. The sad thing was the owner never got it and was certain her dog would never fight or bite anyone or anything, despite evidence to the contrary. Continued on next post:

Do I agree with some of the methods that are being suggested to solve the problem? Absolutely not. Do politicians take advantage of such situations? Absolutely. But it makes me irritated to see so many people who do not get it that there IS a REAL problem. If you think you do not like what is happening now, see what happens in the future. The only way to solve this issue as with many other major issues is to start at the bottom line. The bottom line is that too many people breed too many dogs who are then sold to the first person who wants a dog and has the money. Who cares whether that person has experience, a proper environment for the animal, will spend the time and energy to see that it is socialized and trained and who, despite proper socialization and training will keep the dog safe in society and keep society safe from the dog. This is NOT brain surgery. Personally, I am all for higher breeder fees and requirements that must be met before breeding. I am also for higher dog license fees, minimal ownership requirements etc. If we would have policed ourselves, most of this would not happen. But since we do not, not a single dog organization in our country takes responsibility and sets standards which they also enforce, we deserve what we are getting. It is not about too many people disliking dogs....it is about too many people being fed up with dogs who bite and not having enough education to look at the problem from any but a knee jerk reaction. Rather than some of you fighting this legislation, how about spending time, money and energy helping your local shelters, rescues, considering how breeders can be reined in, establishing minimal ownership requirements, making sure people who have dogs *(including breeders) have appropriate facilities, lobbying for better funding of animal control and making sure that irresponsible breeders and owners ARE held accountable etc. etc. etc.

Hodie, you hit the nail on the head again. Responsible dog people (breeders, owners, trainers and handlers) can do a lot to deter this type of legislation. On one of the threads earlier in the week someone asked if we didn't already have enough people producing puppies in this breed. We probably do.

Hodie--of course, most of what you said is true--but it IS very much about too many people disliking dogs, as well as your interpretation of the politicians' reasons for creating legislation. I've never been one for punishing the whole class when one student misbehaves---what I just read on shepherdcentral is alarming. I, for one, do not want most of those laws put into effect. Breeders being more responsible--whether it be producing less litters or only even-tempered, approachable dogs would be a helpful step in the right direction---But, that takes time----These laws are being passed now.

LMH, I know very few people who truly dislike dogs. Most of my friends are dog people. But I have some who do not really like dogs, but they are NOT the ones making the fuss. I DO know a lot of people who think they like dogs, who think they know dogs and who think they are responsible owners and are not. The problem is more likely about these people rather than those minority people who really dislike dogs. A lot of people dislike pit bulls. I can understand that perspective having seen pits go off completely insane. I do NOT believe in punishing the entire class for the misdeeds of a single student. But the problem has gotten beyond this now and yes, when that happens, people begin to generalize, politicians take advantage and nothing is accomplished. I do not like a lot of the legislation being put into effect or proposed, but I see nothing coming down the pike as reasonable alternatives. In that case, nothing will change. The pendulum is swinging to the one side and it will be a long time before it swings back to the middle ground.