Posted on 08/04/2018 10:29:02 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at animals24-7.org ...
JayGalt wrote: “There is a problem with your definition of “rights”.”
No, the real problem is ‘what is a pit bull’?
I’m certain that I could train a PB to ‘out’. They’re dogs. I’m not a pitbull fan, but I hate just banning things.
I just visited Missouri last week, and stayed overnight in Springfield.
Missouri has a severe homeless issue. I passed through many poor states on my trip, and Missouri really takes the cake. At just about every intersection is a homeless person with a sign.
Many of these people have pitbulls sitting with them. I think that pitbulls are a serious issue for the city. I would imagine that the homeless are also using the dogs to actually fight for money.
Missouri is a sad, sad state these days.
:No, the real problem is ‘what is a pit bull’?”
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I will attempt to provide the information requested here.
First, one looks here:
. . .”Meanwhile, a 2013 study done at the Richmond SPCA in Richmond, Virginia, directed by Emily Weiss of the American SPCA, found that shelter workers can accurately identify a pit bull or close pit mix 96% of the time. And a study published in the March 27, 2014 edition of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that 41% of shelter workers are willing to lie about pit bull breed identification to try to rehome more pit bulls.
“The dog owner of ordinary intelligence”
Both studies confirmed the opinion of the Ohio Supreme Court, rendered in Ohio v. Anderson, 1991, that “the dog owner of ordinary intelligence” not only can recognize a pit bull from physical traits,” but can also recognize “certain distinctive behavioral features which differentiate [pit bulls] from other dog breeds,” including––as found in Vanater v. Village of South Point, 1989, “grasping strength, climbing and hanging ability, weight-pulling ability, a history of frenzy, which is the trait of unusual relentless ferocity or the extreme concentration on fighting and attacking, a history of catching, fighting, and killing instinct, the ability to be extremely destructive and aggressive, highly tolerant of pain, great biting strength, undying tenacity and courage and they are highly unpredictable.” . . .
Article source here:
Progressive legislation also includes the American bulldog,1 a related breed that shares the same blood sport heritage of bull baiting. In 1999, the United Kennel Club became the only major kennel club that recognizes the American bulldog. In the State of Ohio, the legal definition of a pit bull is a "breed of dog commonly known as a pit bull."2 The American bulldog became part of this definition after a series of appellate court rulings,
The State of Ohio v. Anderson (1991) and Toledo, Ohio v. Paul Tellings (2007).
Weight and shape can vary significantly amongst pit bulls, from 35 to 100 plus pounds.3 (Please see Disguise Breed Name to learn more about the deliberate renaming and mislabeling of pit bulls throughout history.)
Q: Can a pit bull be correctly identified?
Yes, pit bulls are an identifiable dog breed. This is validated by a series of appellate court decisions starting in 1988.
Each appellate court concluded in its own variance that a "dog owner of ordinary intelligence" or a "layman" could identify a pit bull.
Pit bull owners and animal welfare groups, however, still claim the average person, and even professional shelter wo rkers, cannot correctly identify a pit bull.
"Pit bull dogs possess unique and readily identifiable physical and behavioral traits which are capable of recognition both by dog owners of ordinary intelligence..."
Ohio v. Anderson, Supreme Court of Oh io (1991) Nowhere do the high courts make any presumption of "expert" knowledge being necessary to identify a pit bull. Further, appellate courts in Ohio explained in 1989 and 1991 that "an ordinary person could easily refer to a dictionary, a dog buyer's guide or any dog book for guidance and instruction" and "consistent and detailed descriptions of the pit bull dog may be found i n canine guidebooks" and more. 18 These rulings occurred a decade before the invention of Google Search. Related appellate decisi ons
Garcia v. Village of Tijeras , 767 P. 2d 355 - NM: Court of Appeals 1988. ! Vanater v. Village of South Point , 717 F. Supp. 1236 - Dist. Court, SD Ohio 1989. ! Colorado Dog Fanciers v. Denver , 820 P. 2d 644 - Colo: Supreme Court 1991. ! Ohio v. Anderson , 57 Ohio St. 3d 168 - Ohio: Supreme Court 1991.
https://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php
I live in Springfield. I’ll be voting against the ban.
Pit bull faq. ( A six-page pdf file with photos)
Contains:
Pit bull FAQ :: Download PDF file
Learn the names of the different dog breeds that comprise a “pit bull,” the selective breeding history of the pit bull (dogfighting) and answers to other frequently asked questions.
Q: What is a pit bull?
Q: What is the history of the pit bull?
Q: What is dogfighting and why are pit bulls connected to it?
Q: Why do I always read about pit bulls in the news?
Q: Why do people say that pit bulls “don’t let go?”
Q: Do pit bulls bite more than other dog breeds?
Q: Can a pit bull be correctly identified?
Q: Why do pit bull owners say, “My dog might lick you to death?”
Q: Why do people say, “Pit bulls are dog-aggressive not human-aggressive?”
Q: What is the best thing we can do for communities and pit bulls?
https://www.dogsbite.org/pdf/faq-pit-bulls-dogsbite.pdf
Very well. Thank you for your reply.
“Missouri is a sad, sad state these days.”
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I am sorry to hear this.
Lets use the right to bear arms and establish pitbull hunting seasons. Preferably Jan-Dec
Well, I live in Springfield but thanks for your expertise stemming from your one night here. There ARE a lot of beggars on corners. Most of them have homes but they think begging is legitimate work. I’ve seen some of them with dogs, never with a pit bull, but maybe it was your lucky day.
Anyway thanks for spending some money here. Johnny Morris will make good use of it building new golf courses.
Pit Bulls are not humans. They are animals, and not just animals, but are a specifically human-created breed of dog created to fight and kill. This famous screed is not applicable.
I have not been in favor of BSL (Breed-specific legislation) until just this evening, the evening of August 4, 2018. Moreover, I had been against it. Until this post on the rights of municipalities (”Home Rule”)
. . .”Municipalities decide all the time what animals are allowed in private hands. You do not have the right to keep a tiger. You do not have the right to keep other animals deemed dangerous to the public. Most municipalities ban venomous snakes or license the ownership of them. Your local wildlife agency, lawyers office, fisheries dept will be able to tell you if they can be legally kept in your area.
So limiting which animals can be kept as pets is a balance of what is dangerous to the public at large versus limitations on the individual’s freedom and is enshrined in law. . . .
. . . That is where another freedom comes into play. Relocate from a municipality that outlaws private ownership of pitbulls, that is your right.”
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I am grateful to the writer of this post. Thank you.
Excuse me. I did not clarify the quote. Here is the quote:
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. . .”Municipalities decide all the time what animals are allowed in private hands. You do not have the right to keep a tiger. You do not have the right to keep other animals deemed dangerous to the public. Most municipalities ban venomous snakes or license the ownership of them. Your local wildlife agency, lawyers office, fisheries dept will be able to tell you if they can be legally kept in your area.
So limiting which animals can be kept as pets is a balance of what is dangerous to the public at large versus limitations on the individual’s freedom and is enshrined in law. . . .
. . . That is where another freedom comes into play. Relocate from a municipality that outlaws private ownership of pitbulls, that is your right.”
Yeah, let's do that, and while we're at it let's have a Pit Bull Hunter hunting season at the same time to make really sporting. You don't mind being a target do you sport? Don't worry; it will only hurt for a minute if you're lucky. Not at all if you're really lucky.
Breed-specific bans have been shown to have no appreciable effect as regards safety.
Of course we have mountains of regulations that have no proven benefit. But that doesn’t seem to discourage the passing of even more regulations of dubious value (at best).
I heard about that story - much sympathy and prayer to the family.
I thought it was obvious.
A Golden is more likely to lick you do death than anything.
A Lab may beat you to death with their tail.
Well it has been said that owners often pick dogs that match their personality. :-)
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