This is an editorial written in the Beaver County and Allegheny Times. It seems that after all the negative news articles, everyone fighting against BSL and sterotyping might be finally making an impact. Slowly but surely cities, towns, law makers are realizing,
"the targeted breeds deserve a better fate - and better owners." Loaded weapons
07/25/2007
The city of Reading appears to have a dog law that has some teeth in it.
However, more teeth are needed so that municipalities can take a bigger bite out of irresponsible dog owners.
The Associated Press reports a city ordinance requires restrictions on a breed in the year after more than 30 dog bites occur and a particular breed is responsible for more than 40 percent of them.
Owners would have to keep pets muzzled and on chain leashes when outdoors and would have to get a $500 permit for nonsterilized dogs.
Reading is having a problem with pit bulls or, more specifically, their owners. So far this year there have been 32 dog-bite incidents, with about 60 percent of them being done by this breed.
The latest incident occurred Friday when a man and the police officer who came to help him were attacked by a pit bull. Police ended up shooting and killing the dog after a number of attempts to subdue it with tranquilizers failed.
This animal deserved a better fate - and a better owner.
The Reading law is significant because it doesn't single out a specific breed. Instead, it catalogues the number of incidents involving a breed and then places restrictions on those who own that breed.
It's too bad the city can't be even tougher on owners. What many people fail to understand is that dogs that are not under control, dogs that are allowed to roam the streets, are loaded weapons waiting to go off.
State lawmakers need to look into this problem and give municipalities more legal teeth so they can take a bigger bite out of irresponsible dog owners.
http://www.timesonline.com/site/news...d=478566&rfi=6