BSL PASSED (pit bulls, rotties, dobermans) Spencer, South Dakota

[Rene Allegrini]

Spencer, South Dakota

Pit bull ordinance results in owner euthanizing canine

By The Associated Press

SPENCER - A Spencer woman who had been given 30 days to find a new home for her 10-year-old pit bull-mutt mix decided to euthanize the dog.

"I don't feel this is right that I have to give her up because of her breed," Cathy Magnuson said. "I understand where some of the public is coming from, but some of these animals are good animals."


Magnuson said she euthanized her dog, Cupcake, on Friday because she didn't think the animal would have made a successful transition to another home.


In June, the city council changed an ordinance to include a ban of five breeds of dogs, including pit bulls.


Spencer's mayor, Donna Ruden, said the ordinance change followed a fight involving two pit bulls in a neighborhood where children live. The decision had nothing to do with Magnuson personally, Ruden said.


"(It) is for the safety and protection of the children that are in town that are out and about playing," Ruden said. "The reason for the ordinance is public safety - that's it."


Spencer residents may not possess dogs with the appearance or characteristics of Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, wolves, blue heelers and Staffordshire bull terriers, also known as "pit bulls."

State law does not ban the possession of any breed of dog. Cities can decide which breeds are acceptable, said Dustin Oedekoven, assistant state veterinarian.


Spencer is not alone. Some other South Dakota towns also ban pit bulls.


Marion made it a crime to possess pit bulls, Dobermans and Rottweilers in 2002. The decision caused little controversy, said Jeff Cole, city attorney.


Controversy over breed- specific bans is not new, said Oedekoven.


"Certainly, some breeds are a little more prone than others to violence," he said. "It's kind of a constant debate whether it's really a breed issue or if it's a rearing issue."


Magnuson took excellent care of Cupcake and should not have been forced to pay for others' mistakes, said Rosey Quinn, founder and director of Second Chance Rescue Center in Sioux Falls.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/arti...2838505470.txt

[Calin]

That's freaking depressing.

[sweetlee]

That's just a little too close to home for me.
The Journal does have an online place for letters to the editor and you can damn well bet mine will be one of them. They will publish from those out of state too if anyone cares to write.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
It also seems like all the comments posted under this article feel just as we do.
I know the small town of Box Elder just 6 miles from here has banned Pit Bulls as well.
How about banning owners who don't confine their dogs? These people were just looking for an excuse. I would hope the next time two labs get into a street tussle they will play fair. Any bets?

Sharon

[rileybugg]

OMG this is so sad. Where is it going to end? I never thought I would live in a country where such blind, ignorant prejudice would rule.

[sweetlee]

Here is my letter to the editor concerning Spencer South Dakota

So Spencer South Dakota feels safer now that certain breeds of dogs are banned from their fair city?
This is totally ridiculious. To punish responsible dog owners for the act of two dogs fighting, is about as silly as banning all guys in cowboy hats from all bars because I saw two of them get into a fight one evening. Or here's a better thought yet, let's ban all people of mideastern origin from getting on airplanes. After all ""Certainly, some races are a little more prone than others to violence," "It's kind of a constant debate whether it's really a race issue or if it's a rearing issue." Please deal in facts when making laws, rather than hype and urban myth. A well trained dog with a responsible owner, regardless of their breed, is a threat to noone.

[kriswatson]

I am so sorry that this type of things is happening over there in the US, however its just a matter of time before it is world wide. There are too many people out there who use these dogs for the wrong thing in the wrong way. I would be heart broken if i had to give my JT up he is wonderful and TRAINED. The only time i have ever been bitten was by my Spaniel/cavalier cross Teddy, maybe ban spaniels eh? Here in Portugal they are going to pass a law soon saying that 'anyone who has a police record cannot own a Rot, Doberman or any other dog on the DD list!!!!! What is that all about? Are all people from Middle east possible bombers? NO its called sweeping statemnts and looking at a nation not the individuals, a certain German gentleman did that remember??????? I am sorry for you guys in the US i really am.

[kriswatson]

Just on that , hey most fights are amongst men............ so.............