Posted on 05/03/2007 8:57:05 AM PDT by Fractal Trader
Bay State dogs may soon end up on a shorter leash if state and local legislators get their way. From lap dogs to pit bulls, none of the state’s pooches will escape the latest round of canine crackdowns.
“You can’t allow people to be afraid all the time,” said Avril T. Elkort, vice chairwoman of the Canton Board of Selectmen, where a new ordinance limits residents to one pit bull per household. “It was a public safety issue.”
Canton animal control officer Ellen Barnett objected to the new regulation. “The problem I had with it is that it was too breed specific,” Barnett said, echoing the concerns of many owners and advocates.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Martin Walsh is howling mad about dogs running wild inside moving cars and is considering filing legislation requiring drivers to buckle up their canines. “When I drive down the road and I see a dog running around the car, particularly on the lap and front seat, that’s crazy,” said the Dorchester Democrat.
State legislators will hold a hearing later this month on whether to outlaw pit bulls, though Walsh said lawmakers hope to look into broader issues regarding dog safety.
State Rep. Vincent Pelone said the state may consider either banning pit bulls outright or requiring owners to get training or a dangerous dog license.
“If you want to own a pit bull, which in my estimation can be the same as owning a weapon, the owner and the dog should receive training,” said the Worcester Democrat.
Scott Giacoppo, deputy director of advocacy for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said laws that target certain breeds don’t work.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bostonherald.com ...
There's no reason for them to exist outside the pit.
Same logic prevails in other sports.
I notice no Indy Cars on the highway.
Absolutely, seat belts for dogs. The Dread Boston Salty has one.
Couldn’t a pitbull be considered an example of “arms”, and thus protected by the Second Amendment?
How many pit bulls allowed per car in Boston?
Pit Bulls should be considered an Exotic Animal and thus be treated as if it were a Cobra.
Doggie ping.
Ssssh, nanny state at work.
It doesn't need to be a law, but it is a smart precaution, to secure big dogs in a vehicle. I installed a divider in my rig for both my safety and my Labrador. I was always worried with him behind me in my Bronco. In a wreck, he'd have flown forward and broken my neck.
Hmm. Sounds like they want to regulate fear as well as dogs. Good luck with that.
Is this just a poorly written article, mixing “breed ban” with “seatbelt laws”?
Anyway, as always, I am against seatbelt laws of any kind. Even moreso for my dog, who is not comfortable with her harness which is better built for old-time vehicles which had only LAP belts, not all 6 shoulder belts! Additionally, apparently the designers are too stupid to put the belt loop UNDER the dog rather than over, on its back. It is all extremely clumsy and useless.
Dogs are completely different design than humans, and it’s harder to nicely contain them.
Only requirement I can see is using a crate (which was typical advise back in the ‘80s in the “dog world”). But as cars get smaller and more cramped, the harder it is to put a decent crate in for a larger dog.
They would be if someone had 1 and wanted to run it publicly with standard registration.
Think leMans cars - there are PLENTY of those.
I asked an EMT what they typically do if a dog is injured in an accident, and the answer was “put them down”. She did say that if the injury is minor, and they have time, the police will take the dog to a doggy hospital.
From then on, Crystal was put on a leash tied to the seat belt ( she wears a harness).
.....Bob
Right, you’re a responsible pet owner who doesn’t need government micro-management to do right by your dogs.
Doggie seatbelts are a wise choice when the only appropriate spot for them to ride is on other seats. Not only do they protect the owner from the dog being launched like a missile within the car; it protects puppy from slamming into the windshield, too. Or as in your case, a divider grate to keep them out of the driver’s safety zone at all times.
I used one when empty seats were the only place for my dog to ride, gave it to a friend when I no longer needed it. Both of my current vehicles were purchased with my dogs’ traveling safety and comfort in mind, and it didn’t take many elbows into the chest to train them not to jump up on Mommy while I’m driving. I just disagree with a gov’t mandated “solution” that does not take into account the variety of vehicle and safety configurations already available and in use by concientious pet owners.
My one concession to regulation is for the mandated restraint for dogs riding in the open beds of pickups. The bed restraints are meant to deter the dog from falling out during travel or becoming a road hazard that affects other drivers. Despite that law, I still see lots doing without it, and I allow more distance between me and the vehicle in question. It makes me nervous for the sake of the dog bouncing around back there. I don’t put mine in the truckbed.
Coming soon to California...
John and Sam Adams continue spinning in their graves at a thousand RPMs.
“Meanwhile, state Rep. Martin Walsh is howling mad about dogs running wild inside moving cars and is considering filing legislation requiring drivers to buckle up their canines. ‘When I drive down the road and I see a dog running around the car, particularly on the lap and front seat, that’s crazy,’ said the Dorchester Democrat.”
“...said the Dorchester Democrat.” - Why am I NOT surprised that this nanny state bureaucrat is a DEMOCRAT?!?!
This guy is “howling mad” about pet chihuahuas sitting on their owners’ laps in the car, but I can guarantee you that he doesn’t give a whit about Islamists seeking to hamstring our public safety and security. Liberals and democrats have such a misplaced sense of priorities.
They get mad about old ladies driving around with their pomeranians, but could care less when hardened criminals and Islamists threaten our communities.
How about muzzles and restraints for rabid imams flying onboard commercial airlines?
“It doesn’t need to be a law, but it is a smart precaution, to secure big dogs in a vehicle. I installed a divider in my rig for both my safety and my Labrador. I was always worried with him behind me in my Bronco. In a wreck, he’d have flown forward and broken my neck. “
Just added one to my H2 this week, for our black lab mix.
The Rott gets the back seat....(chuckle)
And we do have the seatbelt connectors, its a good idea.
Why only for when they’re flying?
Why allow them to board in the first place?
;o)
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