Sunday, August 24, 2008
Texas Update: Cities Contemplating Pit Bull Laws and More
The Texas Pit Bull Problem
Dallas, TX - The Dallas Morning News recently published a story that talked about several Texas cities that are contemplating breed-specific laws. Duncanville, Cedar Hill and Mesquite have each passed resolutions urging the state Legislature to allow breed-specific law. These same cities reported that from July 2007 to July 2008 about a third of all animal attacks involved pit bulls.
The article quoted one Mesquite pit bull owner, Felipe Badajos (51), who doesn't mind his pit bull playing around his 8-month-old son, Sebastian. He trusts his pit bull Rocky because he's well-trained. In response to the many pit bull attacks on children Felipe said: "Well, that means the owner is doing something wrong. They don't feed their dog; they don't take care of the dog."
A hungry and semi-neglected dog does not automatically lead to an attack, specifically an attack that leads to disfigurement or death. If all hungry and semi-neglected dogs did launch such attacks, LifeFlight helicopters would block out the sun. For the sake of 8-month old Sebastian, we hope that Rocky does not "flip" into his genetic inclination: to grab hold and shake like mad.
In addition to Duncanville, Cedar Hill and Mesquite, the city of Center has also had breed-specific law brought to its attention.
Texas Fatality Updates
Related articles:
- Since January 1, 2006, Texas has suffered 15 fatalities due to dog attacks. Of these fatalities, 80% (12) were attributed to pit bulls, 13% (2) to rottweilers and 7% (1) to the combination of a doberman and shepherd.
- 2 fatalities each have occurred in the counties of Hidalgo, El Paso and Bexar. In the instance of Bexar, both fatalities occurred in the City of San Antonio in the year 2007.
- In 2006, Texas lead the nation in fatalities (6). Of these fatalities, 67% (4) were attributed to pit bulls and 33% (2) to rottweilers.
- In 2007, Texas lead the nation in fatalities (7). Of these fatalities, 86% (6) were attributed to pit bulls.
- So far in 2008, Texas has suffered 2 fatalities, both of which are attributed to pit bulls.
08/22/08: Fort Hood, Texas U.S. Army Base Passes New Pit Bull Restriction
06/19/08: 2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bull in Weslaco, Texas
05/19/08: 2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bulls in Breckenridge, TexasLabels: statistics, texas dog law
When scientists figure out where in the gene structure of these breeds ... indeed any breed .... this behavior comes from, perhaps screening can be done as part of the licensing procedure.
What we have now is not working. I can take you places within 5 miles of my home where all kinds of breeds with a bad record, including wolves! are being intentionally cross-bred. The Pit Bull craze (Presa Canario, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler, etc ) is doing America as much good as full body tattoos, body piercing, and meth-cooking motrcycle gangs ... all related phenomena. Sad and scary.
OK, according to that 15 fatalities in TX. How many pits in TX? It’s got to be a huge number. I think this is proof that the vast majority even of pits are not out there killing folks. But hey, that doesn’t make a good story.