Little Rock committee formed to examine BSL.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Little Rock committee formed to examine BSL.

    Here we go again.  It's like the plague!!   Start getting those letters going opposing the ban going!!!

    [linkhttp://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=48095]http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=48095[/link]


    Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola formed a committee to examine whether Little Rock should ban Pit Bulls. The Little Rock Animal Services Advisory Board made the announcement at its' meeting Wednesday night.

    Pit Bull owners attended the meeting to convey their opposition to the ban and show support for their dogs.

    "I used to be one of those people afraid of Pit Bulls because of the rumors I had heard. I've had a chance to have hands on experience with one and I wouldn't want anything else other than a Pit Bull," said Danny Duhon, a Pit Bull owner.

    "We have a problem with Pit Bulls in the city. Our numbers have increased, especially since North Little Rock banned them,” said Tracy Roark the Little Rock Animal Services Manager.

    Roark says 30 percent of all dog bites in the city come from Pit Bulls.

    The committee looking into the ban must report back to Mayor Stodola by July 31.

    • Gold Top Dog
    [sm=sad.gif]

    must be near the end of term for a lot of politicians this summer?
    • Gold Top Dog
    You are going to be pretty busy, if you are going to post every BSL that is under consideration in the world.  
    • Gold Top Dog
    Don't you think it is important that people know where this legislation is going on so if they live around there they can help stop it?
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    or decide not to move there altogether.
    • Gold Top Dog
    ORIGINAL: timsdat

    Don't you think it is important that people know where this legislation is going on so if they live around there they can help stop it?



    I certainly do, even if others don't.  I am appalled at the cavalier attitude that some people display toward breed genocide.  If your area is proposing this, try substituting a dangerous dog law that puts the blame where it belongs, on irresponsible owners.  Notify the American Dog Owners Association, and get help from anyone in your area that owns a Pit or Pit type that is currently working as a K9, a therapy dog, a service animal, etc.  Lacking that, bring the "Find the Pit Bull" quiz with you and ask your legislators if they, or your local animal control officer can even identify a Pit (lately any dog that bites is suddenly ID'd as a Pit).  Be sure to attend all public hearings respectfully dressed.  The TV cams always go for the interview with the cleavage, tattoos, and rough looking characters.  Be sure you are representative of what the public thinks is respectful.  Speak to local veterinarians, and get a behaviorist to testify.
    One of our legislators, who wanted a ban, asked Dr. Dodman from Tufts to come to our hearing, and guess what?  He was asked directly, and told them a ban is a bad idea!!!  Good luck.  Ban the deeds not the breeds.  Two of my friends have an AmStaff and a Rottie that have done therapy work for years.  Should they be banned???
    • Gold Top Dog
    Two of my friends have an AmStaff and a Rottie that have done therapy work for years. Should they be banned???

     
    Yea, I have the friend I went to the Invitational with has 2 Staffie Bulls.  (not AmStaffs, Staffies)  How many people even know what a Staffie bull is?  Does anyone know of even one attack of a Staffie on a human?  And yet they're getting banned right and left.  There was an airline that banned certain breeds and I read an article where a MiniPin was not allowed b/c the airline personel thought Doberman.  So if you think it can't happen to your breed, think again folks!
    • Gold Top Dog
    So if you think it can't happen to your breed, think again folks!

     
    I just saw this article from Dover De.  where they are thinking on expanding the list of dangerous breeds. 
     
    [linkhttp://www.newszap.com/articles/2007/06/30/dm/central_delaware/dsn04.txt]http://www.newszap.com/articles/2007/06/30/dm/central_delaware/dsn04.txt[/link]
     
    The city also could expand the list of dangerous dogs to include Akitas, Rottweilers, chow chows, Doberman pinschers, mastiffs and any mix of breeds on the list.

     
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    Sorry to not keep everyone updated. I live in LR.
     
    I didnt go to the last meeting but I do know the 4 on the committee. Two are "for" the ban, two are against. But the two "for" the ban wernt really against pit bulls at all, they  just seeemed scared of large dogs in general. One is a mailman, the other is an older woman. I think we will end up with restrictions. Which I dont find fair at all, I think it should be aimed at all breeds, but it is better than a ban.
     
    The manager told me he wants to stop adopting pit bulls from the shelter. Hopefully he will just allow me to do a home visit & screen the applicant. It isnt fair at all not adopting pit bulls out when I am willing to do all the legwork and ensure they get great homes! The nicest dogs at that shelter are the pit bulls.
     
    I dont think that sending emails or contacting the city council or mayor will do much good. From what I understand the committee will meet and brainstorm about ideas to make both sides happy. Then the city will have it's agenda, which is already set. The committe is made up of 4 members of the general public. None of them have any association with the city except living here.
     
    Will keep you updated!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Could you suggest an exception for individuals who pass a CGC test within a given time period?  Be better than a complete ban.
    • Bronze
    Did anyone read the article in the Arkansas Times this week? It was basically a bunch of skewed statistics, with a couple of anecdotes from dog attack victims. There wasn't much from the anti-bsl point of view, even though one of the anecdotes was a Great Dane attack. Also, two of the attacks mentioned (one pit bull and the Great Dane) were dogs owned by the same woman, and not properly contained. More evidence that its an owner issue, not a breed issue.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I spoke at one of the meetings and I did mention passing a CGC test.

    I will keep you all updated, the committe has to turn in their findings or whatever you would call it by July 31st. I really dont see a ban happening, probably restrictions.
     
    ETA-I didnt see that article Becca. Sort of glad I didnt too :)