Stupid Laws in Texas!! No weight pulling

[Ramon]

The other day some ignorant neighbor reported me to the police because she thought I was being cruel to my American Bulldog by making him pull drag weights. I convinced the police that I was not some sick cruel dog fighter, so they left me alone, but they did mention for my information that weight pulling for dogs was illegal in Texas. I guess I know now why the IWPA doesn't sanction any weight pull competitions in Texas, so I have to drive to another state if I ever want him to compete.
What a stupid law!! It could've only been thought up by some ignorant, paranoid people who don't realize that providing physical activity for a high drive dog is beneficial for the dog, the owner, and ultimately other citizens who won't have to deal with the dog's pent-up frustrations. What's next?! Will it be illegal for me to play tug-of-war with my dog, let him hang on a rope, or build up his endurance on a treadmill (common dogfighting conditioning techniques)?
It makes we wonder if there are any other stupid laws like that in Texas that were made up by the same kind of ignorant people. If anyone knows of any, please let me know. Or maybe you can tell me how I can find out. If I come up with a good list, maybe I'll put together a petition.

[Burnsway]

Ramon

I am from Houston, Texas and have never herd of such laws but if you do find any web sites and information on these sorta laws I would really love to see it. I will also check into finding some information out too!!!

[German Vanegas]

I live in Houston, Texas, too. Unfortunately Ramon, weight pulling is used by dog fighting promoters and trainers (the so-called "dogmen") to increase the dog's strenght, power and stamina. In Texas, illegal dog fighting is as common as illegal drug trafficking. I believe that there are ordinances at the municipal and county level that deal with such issue. Therefore, check with your own local laws. Consult with your friendly lawyer ;) :)

[Burnsway]

GGGGEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ

Do you guys ever get sick of putting a word in search and comeing up with everything but what you want. German do you have any urls pretaining to this. I have several friends in law enforcement and I will try calling them and see if they can help. I knew alot of the laws pretaining to animals in the past but have slipped lately in the past few years, and they have changed alot in just the past year. I really would like to update myself on this. Im just apauld that Ramon would be told he cant weight train his dog. Now Im scared if I take my Rottie on the green belts to train some idiot is going to complain. I use to teach and educate special ed kids and I got those LQQKS all the time while doing behavior modification. I just would like to be able to back myself up if some nut comes up to me while training my dog.

[SantaCruzHumane]

Some states do have "paraphenalia" laws pertaining to dog fighting. In those states possession of a spring pole, or rope hang, or breaking sticks are illegal.

[German Vanegas]

Ramon,
Again, I don't think there are specific state laws but only local laws governing the concern you raised.

[Dei]

Well, the thing is that lawmakers are professionals. What they do is to draft laws and what they use to decide what to say depends on just which *expert* on that particular topic grabs their ear, which is why lobbyists exist. They cannot draft laws that are better than the information those laws are based on.

And for all you know, the prohibition against weight pulling may very well have been suggested by the humane society or other dog owners -- the divisions and mutual misunderstandings that exist within the pet-owning world are many and deep.

So after you speak to your lawyer, have a word with whoever is in local government. And if there are others interested/involved in weight pulling -- dare I use this word? -- lobby! :)

[SantaCruzHumane]

Utah statute :76-9-30. 1.1
(2) Possession of any breaking stick, treadmill, wheel, hot walker, cat mill, cat walker, jenni or other paraphernalia together with evidence that the paraphernalia is being used or is intended for use in the unlawful training of a dog to fight with another dog, together with possession of any such dog is prima facie evidence of violation of subsections (1)(b) and (1)(c).
A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a third degree felony...

You could argue that only owning a bull breed and a breaking stick or treadmill is O.K. since there is no other evidence of intention for use in dog fighting, but trusting to ACOs or law enforcement officers with anti- pit bull biases to make that distinction could be hazardous to your dog's health.

[Ramon]

Thanks for the insight and the support. I just hate these type of laws. It's ridiculous to have laws against physically conditioning your dog just because dogfighters do it. Dogfighters use treadmills, so I suppose they should be illegal too!
I intend to keep weight pulling my dog. I just think it's ridiculous that I have to be somewhat discrete about it.

[ May 17, 2001: Message edited by: Ramon ]