Yes.
This item below contains the link to a video article on the legal responsibility of dog owners in Florida, but cannot be excerpted or linked from FreeRepublic, as it is a Gannett source:
FLORIDA
Update: As follow up on several recent pit bull attacks (including this week’s fatality), Florida law regarding dog attacks is discussed.
“We also took a closer look at Florida’s laws to see how dog owners could be held liable if their animal attacks someone. Statutes show that owners are held liable for damages regardless of where the animal is, even if the owner’s not around. If the victim was negligent, however, they could share in that liability and criminal charges could follow as well. The owner could face a misdemeanor charge.
If a dog determined to be dangerous kills someone, that owner could be charged with a felony.
Exceptions do apply, for example, if the victim was committing a crime, like a burglar.”
www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/if-your-dog-bites-someone-whos-in-trouble/77-575337862
I consider it worth watching, as I believe that one is responsible for one’s possessions, including animals.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course but unless there's intent to commit a crime; there is no crime.
I personally would not keep a biting dog around. No matter how much I cared for the animal; as long as I could see it was a danger to others I would have to do the right thing and euthanize it. In fact I thought I had such a dog (not a Pit) and turned her into the pound when she bit me when I tried to pull her away from my Pit-mix while they were fighting. I later learned she was not trying to hurt me but was seeing red from being in a fight over something the two dogs disagreed about. I regret that decision to this day and will never make that same mistake again. By the way; the Pit-mix didn't bite me at all and the one that did was generally gentle but because I had it in my head I would not tolerate a biting dog I made the fatal mistake of turning her in where they they promptly killed her. My heart aches to this day over that stupid mistake. By the time I realized how stupid I had been; it was too late. They had already killed her. That guilt is mine to carry for the rest of my life.
From what I understand home insurance companies do raise their rates on folks who have certain breeds of dogs. The bully breeds to be exact. Landlords frequently won't rent to those who own those breeds as well.
If some people don't know some breeds are more prone to unexpected violent behavior by now with all the publicity they have gotten over the years; they will never get it. One place to remind people of this is at rescue shelters. If you really want to do some good on stopping the adoption of the bully breeds; that's where you do it.
I inherited a Doberman years ago. I was advised to be aware this breed can literally go insane as it gets into its senior years. Heck; some people do too. Did you hear about the 92 yo woman who shot and killed her own son because he wanted to put her in an assisted living home? By the way; I had to give the Dobie away because I too could not keep it where I moved to. She lived a nice long life until she started acting "off" then the decision was made to put her down by the people who had her at the time. Dog people generally know if their dog has a violent streak. Whether they act on that is another story which I think is your point. You want to force them to put these dogs down before they cause harm; at least that's the way I'm taking it. I can appreciate that point because who wants to see their dog cause harm to others; especially a child. The guilt would be unbearable.
If you're going to beat up one breed of dogs day after day then you should at least be fair and post the same bizarre behavior shown by people on a daily basis.
Do you think it's time to start pro-actively euthanizing these people who show signs of dementia and/or insanity with a tendency toward violence? One never knows when they will kill their own children after all. For the good of the children; right? Of course the children might be in their 60's or 70's but what about the grandchildren?
I believe there's enough evidence to eliminate the strain of Pit-Bulls in existence today even though it's a small percentage that actually cause harm. The real question is how does society go about doing this? You can't possibly demand every Pit-Bull owner kill their beloved dog so what is the answer? Forced sterilization? Free neutering a spaying for any Pit, Dobie, Rottie, Boxer, or any other bully breed? I'd really like to know the answer because pointing out the danger is noble even if redundant at this point. For what it's worth; I would not have a bully breed around small children. Heck; I'd be very concerned around big kids knowing how mean some of them can be to animals at times. Maybe we should euthanize those mean kids while we're at it.
I've read about science being able to see into our DNA to tell us who is pre-disposed to certain diseases. Maybe one day soon science will be able to do a DNA test on unborn babies so if they are pre-disposed to violence so we can cull them from the womb before they are born to do harm. If we can do this for humans maybe we can do it for puppies when they are born. A quick stick with a needle and if the test strip turns red; kill it. Sound crazy? It may be where we are heading; scientifically speaking.
Seriously though; if you really want to end the ownership of the bully breeds you're going to have to go to where people usually get them. The rescue shelters who adopt them out. Puppy mills are even worse because they tend to inbreed them.
Absolutely. Some years back, I was savaged on this board by dog apologists for stating that it was irresponsible for dog owners to allow their animals to run loose outside with no fence to restrain them, especially in places with leash laws. I was assured that dogs would respect the boundaries of their "territory", and pose no threat to anyone. We know that's not always true.