Will Springfield, Missouri, vote on August 7, 2018 to ban pit bulls?

Animals 24-7 ^ | August 4, 2018 | Merritt Clifton

[Norski]

First time for a proposed pit bull ban to go before voters prior to taking effect

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri––Opens Question 1 on the August 7, 2018 primary election ballot for the City of Springfield, Missouri:

“Shall the City of Springfield establish a future ban upon the possession of new pit bull dogs within the City limits by prohibiting acceptance of any new pit bull registrations and only allowing renewals of existing current pit bull dog registrations?”

The language of the proposed Springfield pit bull ban was approved by the city council, voting 5-4, in November 2017. Backlash

“The backlash was immediate,” recalls Springfield News-Leader reporter Alissa Zhu. “Residents threatened to boycott businesses associated with the five council members who voted for the ordinance. Within a month, more than 7,800 people signed a petition, circulated by a local group called Citizens Against BSL, in an effort to stop the ban.”

Enough petition signatures were certified to put the proposed ordinance before the Springfield voters. The outcome appears likely to be decided by how effectively pit bull ban opponents and proponents mobilize during the next few days to get out the vote.

[JayGalt]

When did I miss anyone advocating for the death of pitbull types in this thread? The most stringent ban laws ban new pitbulls in a neighborhood. No one is trying to take your existing pets. When there is an attack incident no matter what the breed it is a disaster for all involved including the dog. Sometimes there is a decision for euthanasia, that is very different than being a dog killer wannabe. I do believe that a town can decide to ban a particular animal or breed.

I wanted to have chickens. Guess what, no chickens allowed in my town. We have agricultural zoning, 5 acres but no chickens. It's life.

[JayGalt]

Felons can’t own guns.
Chapter 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.), federal law bans convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. (The U.S.C. is a compilation of congressional laws organized by topic and subtopic: Title 18 defines federal crimes and criminal procedure, and Chapter 44 (Sections 921-931) covers firearms.) It sounds straightforward enough, but when you unpack how that federal law works and factor in the complexities added by state laws and high court rulings, a much more complicated picture begins to emerge.

According to Section 922(g)(9), no one “who has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year” may own or possess a gun. This rule covers all felonies, but does not apply to state misdemeanors that carry less than a two-year sentence. It also exempts several kinds of felonious white-collar crime, as well as felony convictions handed down in foreign countries [sources: 18 U.S.C. § 921; 544 U.S. 385; Williams].

Lest you think Section 922(g) is too lenient, however, read on: It also bans guns for (among others) fugitives, illegal users of controlled substances, mental defectives, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged soldiers, renounced citizens, subjects of certain court orders and persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. Violating these statutes can net you 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine [source: Rhode Island Probation].

[JayGalt]

Pit bull types are a special case as the historical statistics show. Ownership carries risks like most things in life and people will assess these risks differently.

Summary: In the 13-year period of January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2017, canines killed at least 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% of these deaths. Rottweilers, the second leading canine killer, inflicted 10% of attacks that resulted in human death. Combined, two dog breeds accounted for 76% of the total recorded deaths. [Table 1]

This report examines the breeds of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans, age groups and genders of the victims, the number of dogs involved, family and dog relationships, property statistics, household and time factors, criminal prosecutions following lethal dog attacks and states with the most occurrences.

This report also examines the changing metrics in U.S. fatal dog attacks since the CDC last examined this issue (1979 to 1998).

Pit bulls are a contributing factor to the rise of adult fatality victims since the last CDC study (1979 to 1998). From 2005 to 2017, pit bulls killed 72% (163 of 225) of all victims ≥10 years old vs. all other dog breeds combined, which killed 28%. [Table 4] A breakdown of adults fatally attacked by pit bulls follows: Pit bulls inflicted 91% (21) of all dog bite deaths in the 10-29 age group; 72% (36) in the 30-49 age group; 74% (56) in the 50-69 age group; and 66% (50) in the ≥70 age group. [Table 4]

Breed-specific trait: 54 cases involved a dog killing its primary owner. Pit bulls inflicted 63% (34) of these deaths, over 8 times more than any other breed. Pit bulls killed their owners in all adult age groups vs. attacks without pit bulls, where 90% of owners were ≥50 years old.

Link to Statistical Analysis

[JayGalt]

We had a Vizsla at one time and it was a joy to watch her switch on; that dog could run! She scattered the deer in her path.

I agree. Insurance payouts matter little if you or a loved one are dead or maimed. Too many people ignore the potential for violence until reality strikes.

[DugwayDuke]

JayGalt wrote: “I have trouble understanding why not another breed, one with less of a tendency to violent attacks? Why with all the breeds available are there so many folks that believe their desire to have a pitbull type outweighs the risks to children and other people? Is it just “I want what I want”?”

Your statement could be easily rewritten: ‘Even though the right to bear arms is the second amendment to the Constitution, I have trouble understanding why not another type of rifle, one with less firepower? Why with all the rifles available are there so many folks that believe their desire to have an AR-15 type outweighs the risks to children and other people? Is it just “I want what I want”?’

It’s all the same argument, let the government decide what is too dangerous for you to own, all in the interest of the children, of course.

Stop and think for a minute. The arguments against pit bulls are the same as the arguments about AR-15s. The AR-15s certainly have the protection of the Constitution, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re willing to let the government decide what you can own based upon their interpretation of how it looks. Do you honestly think those professional animal shelter workers will make honest determinations or will they be like a democrat senator deciding what guns to ban based upon her feelings looks too scary for what someone should be allowed to own?

[JayGalt]

I appreciate your honesty & courtesy.

I do not agree that there is a viable analogy between guns & the ability to own pit bull breeds in any community. I have explained why I reason the matter that way and you have a different belief.

The Government makes many such decisions, ie you can’t own a tiger, a venomous snake, a gorilla or an alligator in many/most communities. Do you feel these are unreasonable decisions by the local/State Governments? The State is in the business of balancing the rights of the individual and of the community.

None of us will agree with all the decisions. We are free to move to another community that represents us better. The rights guaranteed in the Constitution & it’s amendments are overriding and not subject to local or State modification. That is why such cases are taken to the Supreme Court.

[super7man]

You are correct, they did not lie. But had they said, “Here is a Staffordshire Terrier commonly know as a pit bull.”, we would have saved a trip to the shelter and ended up with the Newfoundland on the first trip.

[imardmd1]

This kind of asinine reply gets you no exit out of Norski's history, statistics, and reasoning therefrom. The display marks you as a demented fool. More babies have been crippled or killed than you have pictures taken only from a baby's brush with a horrible death. Looks like they're

We all know about that kind of "boom," Boomer. It's not a boom, it's a bust, Buster; if that's your gender, and I think not. It's a bummer, Bum.

But that's not an argument in a debate, just an observation. I've no time for you. You have nothing factual to contribute upon which to hang your misplaced dogpassion.

[Boomer]

Okay pooh bear. Whatever you say.

There’s simply no way out of you all being mean-spirited fear mongers. It is what it is. Own it; it’s all yours.

I’m still trying to figure out what you’re doing on FR with that attitude though. We tend to be a live and let live group without all this drama queen drama. Your style is more CNN less FR. We like less regulations; not more.

Your problem, in case it went over your head, is anyone can spout statistics no one listens to but real shakers and movers offer solutions. This fear mongering group doesn’t do that. Just daily “dog bites human” stories. Big deal. Who cares.

[imardmd1]

Go back and hug your pit bull pillow. It’s incredible that you do not even understand the three-finger rule when you point at someone else. Too bad there’s no audio function to advertise your irrational maundering. You did say that you’re of the effeminate persuasion, right?

[Boomer]

Geez dude, I don’t swing that way, and even if I did; there’s no way you would be my type.

This is a first. Being propositioned by some guy on FR! Crazy! Just like these god-awful dog hating threads.

[metmom]

Not the same argument at all, because the gun cannot snap unprovoked and pick itself up and start shooting things randomly.

It’s an inanimate object and a dog isn’t.

The dog a creature capable of independent action beyond the control of the human to which it is attached.

[metmom]

Some more wonderful pit bull and children pictures.

Image of a mother kissing her 7 year old boy goodbye just after he dies from being mauled by a pit bull.

Images at the following links are not for the weak of stomach.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380202393536520713/?lp=true

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/193162271490144630/

[caww]

Far too many deaths caused by these dogs. Terrible to imagine how people take them under their roof to begin with.

[caww]

Weak analogy.....’you’ control firing a gun......it’s not alive on it’s own.... A dog is and can be uncontrollable even to the best intended owners. Further you cannot control the neigborhood people in how they see your dog.

[imardmd1]

In the first image, that reverse “C” mark (with stiches) is the incision of a brain operation where the cranium had to be opened to get at the damage.

[imardmd1]

Plus, you cannot carry a pit bull concealed. < /sardonic >

[Boomer]

Jihad Jane strikes again!

[RoadGumby]

My AR15 is not autonomous. But, you probably knew that.

Should I need to use it (it IS a weapon) I want there to be consequences.