"Fighting Dog" Breed Ban Article

[Vicki]

Look at this: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../guillermo.DTL

[godfreyc]

Where do people get this logic? I don't get it some dope dealer chooses a dog, tortures it and trains it to bite and possibly kill. Solution lets exterminate the whole breed??? It's not logical. By that theory if a person is a murderer then obviously his parents were violent too since we now that the only determining factor in temperment is breeding so they shouldn't be allowed to have other kids?? These stories are tragic, and it breaks my heart but, but Ms. Whipple's death was completely preventable. The animal laws need to enforced and strengthened. Your dog gets out once, you pay a fine and pls don't let it happen again. Twice your not trying hard enough fine doubles (we're talking steep)Third time just forget it because your not taking this seriously take the dog and try to rehome it. Of course we're not talking 3 times in 10 years, but that's something to work out. I have had people in my neighborhood whose animals were loose everyday and nothing happened until animal control would get sick of hearing from me. One of them was an amstaff. Not to mention little dogs bite don't let them fool you. It just doesn't cause as much pain usually, but I've seen some vicious little dogs with no manners at all and people justify it because they are small, give me a break. Well, I feel much better now. :D

[German Vanegas]

Well, not only Emil Guillermo shows total complete ignorance about dog breeds, calling some of them wantonly at his own will "fighting breeds" (where did he get that from?!?!), but when you finish reading his biased demagogical rhetoric, the advertising banner at the end remind me that they claim to be discriminated against all the time... although, is OK to discrimante against dogs, right?! What an idiot!

[alexav]

Thanks, I voted to ban bad owners. Glad that was an option! :) Apparantly alot of other people voted the same! :p
I also e'd the author...,


"Dog Fighting is despicable, inhumane, and illegal, yet it continues in record breaking frequency. Do you honestly think that anyone could enforce a breeding ban? That is SO ridiculous! All that would accomplish is that ONLY the real fighting dogs owned by criminals would be bred! Basements, garages, and well concealed sheds would serve as nurseries for the further suffering of countless dogs as well as the humans that will invariably encounter these manmade monsters. Illegal drugs kill MANY more people and in spight of serious consequences, there are still countless methlabs in even the finest neighborhoods! Good, responsible, law abiding citizens don't operate methlabs or fight thier dogs.

The responsible owners of sweet tempered pets, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs would stop breeding the dogs with the best temperaments and the best health and conformation in order to stay out of jail. The breeds you determine to be "fighting breeds" will be forever ruined with absolutely no hope for remedy and the problem of dog attacks will be worse NOT better!

Please, think it through! The answer is OWNER RESPONSIBILITY! Work on enforcing the laws that are already in effect! Ban the neglect and the ignorance. Ban the cruel practice of keeping dogs on chains and in solitary confinement. Make a bill that says you can't own a dog until you pass a written and practical test. Getting a dog license should be at least as hard as getting a driver's license!

The answer is not to ban the breed. The answer is to ban the behavior of humans that cause these terrible things to happen."

[K9-man]

06/26/2001 3:39 PM CDT

What a total moron!

[poohbearsmom]

Whew.
I just rattled off a letter to the moron. Suggested that he do a little research, and find out that rotties were originally droving dogs & I didn't appreciate him lumping them in the "fighting" dog category.
Told him that when the media proposes breed bans, a that they do is promote hysteria, and good ratings. Also added that breed bans were slightly "Hitleresque" in attitude.
Went on about responsible ownership, making owners 100% responsible - prosecute the deed, not the breed, blah blah blah.
Suggested that he speak to breed clubs, obedience trainers, and ethical breeders before he formed a conclusive opinion.
(Sure wish I knew how to put my actual letter in here, 'cause I was rather proud of it..... )
Basicly told him that a lot of research and hard work has produced the dogs that I have, and a lot of the dogs in question are the result of bad breeding, little, bad or no training, and are often chained outside with little or no socialization.
Who do we write to next??? I'm on a roll....


elisabeth

[K9-man]

06/26/2001 4:42 PM CDT

Originally posted by poohbearsmom:
<STRONG> Sure wish I knew how to put my actual letter in here, </STRONG>

Just copy then paste it into the message box.
:)

[poohbearsmom]

Emil wrote me back, pissed off that I said the media reports this way for ratings, and not because they care about people. He inferred that it was too bad I didn't care about the attack victims, only the "poor dog owners" - HA!
I rattled off another note stating that simply wasn't true. That it truly upset me when these attacks occur, and what upsets me most is that they could be prevented through responsible ownership. I asked him to reread my letter, and added that it was ridiculous to think that breed bans would stop the bad guys and dope dealers from procreating these animals - that it would stop ethical and responsible people from breeding stable animals.
I apologized for accusing him of going for the ratings. (it seemed like the right thing to do at the time)
I summed it up with the question, " How can people like you and I work together to make things safer for people and dogs?"
Elisabeth

K9 - can i paste it from my regular email, or do i have to use the email on the forum?? i am a computer idiot. :)
Cheers.

[delila]

I wrote him a letter as well, it went like this...

"I just wanted to give you some feedback on your article. When I was younger I had many instances when I had been bitten by dogs. Once I had a mutt bite me, and once a rottweiler. Now I own 3 rottweilers.

I will quote YOU as saying

"Let's not pick on just pit bulls. Presa Canarios are mean mothers, too. It's time to consider any fighting dogs. Rottweilers, chows, mastiffs. Any of the fighters who have made headlines. "

I would like you to tell me when exactly the rottweiler became a "fighting dog"? Last time I checked they were a working dog, hell - mine happen to be companion dogs - even lap dogs from time to time. The only reason that these dogs make headlines is because they are all LARGE enough to cause damage. I have never seen a headline that read "Man mauled by chihuahua", or "Woman brutally bitten by yorkie" - but you know what I am sure that small dogs people have bitten people too.

Before people like you go shooting your mouths off - you should really do more research on what your talking about.

I think that instead of singling out an entire breed - you should focus on the individual dogs. Yes some may be pitt bulls, rottweilers, even your everyday mutt, but to lash out at an entire breed is rediculous. Hey while your at it - why not ban canines in general? Because that would be unethical? Down right stupid? But why? Beacuse not all dogs are mean, nasty, "fighting" dogs? Exactly my point."

I did not write it very well - I was kinda pi$$ed. I can't wait until he gets back to me :)

[Dei]

Poohbearsmum,

That's the best response I've seen yet! It's good to rebuff errornous media reporting. It's even better to get them working with us to educate the public.

Chief myth that needs to go: that drug-dealers are the main source of serious dog bites. The cases may be spectacular, but they're not what the average dog owner needs to worry about. Most serious dog bites are caused by pet dogs that were never abused and are inflicted on family members or friends or other inoffensive people, sad but true.

[alexav]

Wow, this gut actually READS his email! He even writes back! He's not too smart but at least he is responsive!

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: Stacy White ]

[K9-man]

06/26/2001 6:28 PM CDT

Elisabeth,

Yes, you can ‘copy’ it out of your e-mail, then past it into the forums ‘post reply’ message box.

You can also write your letters in ‘word’ on your computer and do the same thing. :)

[Burnsway]

Hey guys the first time I used the link I could get there. Now I cant. Do you think he figured out where all the letters were coming and put a lock on it...roflmao...

[Burnsway]

Oh this is to funny he changed the link as of 10 minutes ago.......talk about closed minded 1 sided idiots...roflmao!!


heres the new link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...eguillermo.DTL
He knew how to add an whole "E"

roflmao...

[ June 26, 2001: Message edited by: Burnsway ]

[PuppyLove]

OK I sent this big time moron a piece of my mind.

Eagerly awaiting his response :D :D