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A Little Vindication for the Dog Lobby
A few years ago, when there was rampant fallout and internet spewing against Michael Vick, I (gulp) argued for Vick’s due process rights — i.e. that he not be tried in the court of public opinion, but rather that he be tried in a court of law. I even went so far as to…
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Webb City, Missouri to Consider Breed-Specific Ordinance Tonight!
Update: Given that Joplin, Missouri was devastated by a horrific tornado over the weekend and that Joplin neighbors Webb City, it is doubtful that Webb City will be having a council meeting tonight as scheduled. The breed-specific ordinance will, of course, still be under consideration so please keep vigilant. Our ongoing prayers go…
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Manton, Michigan to Consider Breed-Specific Ordinance for “Pit Bulls”
Editor’s note: If a resident’s dog was attacked by a “pit bull” (though “pit bull” is not a breed) then the issue is a free-roaming or uncontained dog problem, not a breed problem since the same scenario is possible with any breed of dog. Please contact the Manton City Commission here and politely inform…
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Xenia, Ohio to Consider Breed-Specific Ordinance Tonight!
Editor’s note: Once again a city points a finger at breed (though “pit bull” is not a breed) instead of identifying the real threat: free-roaming dogs. Please contact the Xenia City Council as soon as possible and politely inform them that breed-specific legislation (BSL) is ineffective, unenforceable, and unconstitutional. (For those writing letters, consider…
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Dispelling “Pit Bull” Urban Mythology
For about 30 years, myths about so-called “pit bulls” (though “pit bull” is not a breed) have been disseminated via hearsay, anecdote, and even the media. But these myths are just that: stories of invention. For instance, we have countless times read articles in the media wherein the author, a local, or even…
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Kirksville, Missouri Passes Breed-Specific Legislation Much to the Chagrin of Reasonable, Thinking People
Editor’s note: While our thanks go to Mayor Kuhns for voting against BSL, the rest of the Council appears to have been hellbent on ignoring the overwhelming evidence of the inefficacy of breed-specific legislation, instead subscribing to the long-debunked urban myths, skewed statistics, and junk science of the opposition. Kirksville itself defines the “pit…
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Seward County, Kansas May Consider Repeal of 20-Year Old “Pit Bull” Ban
Editor’s note: It is unfortunate that there is so much disinformation out there. City councils and city attorneys are repeatedly misinformed by those with an agenda about the supposed effectiveness and constitutionality of breed-specific legislation (BSL). The constant stream of repealed BSL nationally and internationally of late illustrates the ineffectiveness of BSL, and…
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Elkader, Iowa May Consider Breed Restrictions
Editor’s note: The Hopkinton incident illustrates the danger, not of a specific breed, but of dogs that are constantly penned, unsocialized, and abused. If Elkader seeks to be proactive, they should do what Hopkinton didn’t: respond in a timely manner to calls from citizens about possible animal abuse. Folks want to point a…
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Beatrice, Nebraska Considering Breed-Specific Ordinance for “Pit Bulls”
Editor’s note: A breed-specific ordinance, whether an outright ban or breed-specific restrictions like Beatrice is considering, is still ineffective, unenforceable, and unconstitutional. And while DNA tests (which are not at all as reliable as the public has been made to believe and certainly not enough to withstand a legal challenge) have been proposed as…
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Illinois HB 1080: An Update
All Illinoisans with a dog should know by now that Rep. John Bradley’s HB 1080, if passed, would allow breed-specific legislation — meaning breed bans and breed-specific restrictions — in any municipality in Illinois. HB 1080 was in the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee for many weeks, but every time HB 1080 came up…