Posted on 11/20/2008 8:43:46 PM PST by BenLurkin
LANCASTER [CALIFORNIA} - County Animal Control officers have concluded a two-month effort to crack down on pit bulls, an effort that led to nearly 100 citations and the rounding up of more than 150 canines. The crackdown was initiated in September by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, whose 5th District includes the Antelope Valley.
Antonovich was responding to complaints raised by the City Council concerning the number of pit bull-related injuries in Lancaster.
Councilmembers were advised Nov. 12 that county Animal Control officers had raided 42 illegal kennels, investigated 87 pit bull owners for possible inhumane treatment, investigated 118 dogs in possession of "owners at large," researched ownership of 165 dogs and impounded 163 pit bulls found running loose in the city.
Officers ultimately issued 95 citations for alleged ownership violations, said Derek Brown, deputy director of shelter operations for the county's Department of Animal Care and Control.
During the crackdown, officers patrolled city parks, searched abandoned houses and worked with bus, school and Postal Service officials to locate potentially dangerous pit bulls, Brown said.
Since councilmembers voiced their concerns, Animal Control officers "have been working diligently to focus on problems relating to pit bulls," he said.
While sweeping the city for that particular breed, the officers found and investigated problems related to other dangerous breeds, Brown said.
Some owners were given warnings, others were given citations and some dogs were impounded, which further reduced the risk of dog attacks in the community, he said.
To avoid future attacks, the department embarked on a program through which residents could alert officers to locations that posed potential dog-related problems.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
Or maybe I shouldn’t have to arm myself against dogs when I leave my home.
The suspect was charged with endangering the neighborhood
and held for pyschiatric evaluation.
“I know there’s a pitbull, a methlab and a 380lb lesbian
in there”
There’s a good joke somehwere in there.
Perhaps not but we still need to get to our Meth Labs regardless...
Nope not our leader...here's our leader..
Poor substitute for Andrea perhaps, but I'm sure you'd get use to 'working under him'.
Just release your inner self.
Not yet, but he does have a pfd and a back pack for the summer...
To Don who insulted me and to pleasenomore who asked for clarification: Think whatever you like. It is the truth. If you would like to verify instead of just accuse people of lying, call Georgetown, Ky police (502) 867-6982 and ask them about the incident which happened in the summer of 2007 in the Colony neighborhood. As we were walking down the street I saw two dogs (on the other side of the street) inside a fence growling and digging at the ground under the fence. As we got almost directly across the street the pit bull started lunging and banging its head against a board in the fence. When the board snapped 4 dogs ran across the street toward us (there were several more dogs in the yard). I yelled to my older children to get in the back of the truck. I picked my baby up stroller and all and put her in and jumped in myself. The dogs ran barking right over to the truck and stopped. I had my children turn around and not look. I tried not to look at them directly. They continued to circle the truck occasionally crossing back and forth across the street but there was no time or nowhere else to go with three children. I couldnt risk getting my children down and having the dogs feel threatend. I called 911. My children and I can both be heard crying and praying on that tape. In the back of the truck at least we had protection from the rear. I gave the baby to her sister and I had a folded up stroller as my only weapon. I tried to get into the truck but it was locked. I considered putting the kids in a nearby tree but that meant getting out of the truck and leaving one behind while I got the others up in the tree. The dogs could have easily jumped into the back of the pickup truck. That is why I said that it was the grace of God that protected us. When the police officer arrived he pulled right over to the truck and put us inside. He then tried to walk to the front door of the house (we were around the side) The pit bull ran right up to him barking and the police officer pepper sprayed it. Shortly after that the mailman came around to the front of the house and one of the other dogs chased him back into his truck and had to close the door behind him. The police officer called animal control and when they arrived and captured the dogs, about 5 or 6 people came outside wanting to know what was happening to their dogs. That is the long version. I hope it clarified. I really have no explaination for why the dogs didnt attack us. They scared us pretty badly but other than that we werent hurt. First of all, I see no reason to lie to anyone about anything. Second, if I was going to lie, I would make it a whole lot more exciting and heroic on my part like some dog tried to attack my babies and I pulled out a gun and shot that thing dead as a door nail. I dont do drama queen but this was a tramatic experience for me realizing that I did not have the ability to protect my family in this instance. Although I believe in personal responsibility and less government intrusion in our lives, this one thing is an area where I fail to be consistent in that belief. I am inconsistent because of my own personal failure in being able to protect my family. I did not share this story so people could feel sorry for me. I shared it to show how our experiences can shape our values. It is hard to share your failures. Don, Whether you beleive me or not, your post was extremely rude! When you get your information correct, I will expect a public apology since your insult was public.
I have been away for several days and just checked all the controversy. I am in no way suggesting that people shouldnt own pit bulls. I was however saying that because of my experience I am scared to death of them. It was not several pit bull it was one (the leader) some kind of german shepherd mix and I dont know what the other two dogs were. These owners werent responsible for their dogs and that put us in danger. There needs to be some kind of reasonable discussion on this thread. Just because you have a well mannered friendly pit bull doesnt mean that some arent as mean as snake and just as dangerous. Its like saying that because you can own a gun so should your local drug dealer. Some people abuse these animals and make them dangerous. Some people that have had experiences with THOSE dogs have endured horror.
Sorry that should say I have been away for several hours. Its late.
I gave you the phone number for the juvenile department of the georgetown police. Here is the correct phone number (502)863-7826. Im sure you will get back to me shortly with your apology.
And honestly, what bothers me the most is not people's attitudes on this issue, but their breathtaking ignorance.
That was not my position at all. Just like people, animals have to be taken on a case by case basis. I admitted to having a difficult time with this issue because of my fear from this experience. I told my experience because it was relevant to the thread and because I have torn feelings between my fear and my belief in personal responsibiltiy and limited government. I dont think anyone has a right to tell you what kind of dog to own and I do not think all pit bulls are evil. Although, some on this thread seem to lump all pit bulls in with their wonderful family pets and think that because of their good experiences with pit bulls that any “horror” story must be fabricated in an attempt to gain sympathy as evidenced by Don W outright calling me a liar and a drama queen.
Sorry I meant to ping you on this one since I mentioned your name.
That was not my position at all. Just like people, animals have to be taken on a case by case basis. I admitted to having a difficult time with this issue because of my fear from this experience. I told my experience because it was relevant to the thread and because I have torn feelings between my fear and my belief in personal responsibiltiy and limited government. I dont think anyone has a right to tell you what kind of dog to own and I do not think all pit bulls are evil. Although, some on this thread seem to lump all pit bulls in with their wonderful family pets and think that because of their good experiences with pit bulls that any “horror” story must be fabricated in an attempt to gain sympathy as evidenced by Don W outright calling me a liar and a drama queen.
I found your story hard to believe. I *MAY* have gone overboard in expressing my doubt. God Bless you and yours, and I am happy that nobody was harmed.
I accept your apology. Thank you.
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