Suki
08-22-2006, 09:12 PM
August 22, 2006
Canines shouldn't be judged by their breed
By Eric Stringfellow
estringfellow@... (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSLWorkshop/post?postID=6PK9eGzqhiRt7lCAIZvna_lBUMsgr6mFIeiywT 7UxjncQxwml4jyQjapsc06Rs4i4qWgFbQYtrVDL1fQnWt7xtGn eB8vUCLz2g)
Probably one of the most insensitive police tactics ever conceived was racial and ethnic profiling, where law officers and the government make assumptions about a group of people based on the behavior of a few.
There are scores of people of color, especially African- American men, who can share horror stores about being detained and harassed by law officers on the basis of a vague description that fits half the population.
It's been the same for many people of Arab and Islamic descent since 9-11. It's fundamentally wrong for rational individuals to convict and condemn others based solely on the irrational and extreme actions of others.
Sadly, this outrageous public policy is being implemented in the pet kingdom. Municipalities are evicting entire breeds of dogs because some may be vicious. That's just not right. Man's best friend, just like man, is entitled to a presumption of innocence.
CLINTON NOT ONLY ONE
Dog profiling most recently surfaced in Clinton, where aldermen in July passed a ban on Rottweilers, American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers. The law became effective Friday, the same day a group of residents challenged it in court.
The Clinton Canine Coalition is seeking an injunction against Clinton's ordinance, particularly the section that makes entire breeds unwelcome in Clinton. A hearing is set for Friday in Hinds County Chancery Court.
Clinton is not a lone ranger in this dog fight.
Brandon passed a similar ban in July that went into effect the day before Clinton's ban, and Richland has a ban on pit bulls. Jackson, after considering a ban on specific breeds, opted for a ban on vicious animals.
This debate is not just local. It is being waged in such places as Chicago, Denver and Kansas City, Mo. In metropolitan Kansas City, animal shelters are lobbying communities to rethink breed-specific bans in favor of stronger dangerous-dog laws, according to the Lawrence Journal-World.
CONTROL FAVORED
This is basically the Canine Coalition's goal in Clinton. This group favors an animal-control law but is opposed to any ban, Aafram Sellers, the group's lawyer, said last week. This approach makes the most sense, although those who raise these animals to be violent should also be made accountable.
An ordinance the Kansas City Council adopted also requires pit bulls to be spayed or neutered unless the animal's owner is a registered breeder. This also could be an option in metropolitan Jackson - if applied more broadly.
The intent of dog profiling in the metro area and elsewhere is probably honorable. Vicious dogs that are public health hazards should not be allowed to roam. Controlling these animals is just good sense.
It makes no sense to condemn an animal without probable cause. Denver passed a ban on pit bulls that allows the city to impound and euthanize animals that may resemble a pit bull. That's no way to treat a friend.
It's bad enough that the government profiles humans. Using this insane policy against dogs is well over the line.
To contact metro columnist Eric Stringfellow, call (601) 961-7236 or e-mail estringfellow@... (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSLWorkshop/post?postID=Icke-CGU1917JZw05lsi0XeiSSHDJJrrrW2Ffv0uh2iM7MSPAlxKplu qkXyASuJxwTR9CzeSRhrDGdS0thRkMLS5cJKe).
not sure how I feel about this:
An ordinance the Kansas City Council adopted also requires pit bulls to be spayed or neutered unless the animal's owner is a registered breeder. This also could be an option in metropolitan Jackson - if applied more broadly.
but overall, not too bad of a POV.
Canines shouldn't be judged by their breed
By Eric Stringfellow
estringfellow@... (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSLWorkshop/post?postID=6PK9eGzqhiRt7lCAIZvna_lBUMsgr6mFIeiywT 7UxjncQxwml4jyQjapsc06Rs4i4qWgFbQYtrVDL1fQnWt7xtGn eB8vUCLz2g)
Probably one of the most insensitive police tactics ever conceived was racial and ethnic profiling, where law officers and the government make assumptions about a group of people based on the behavior of a few.
There are scores of people of color, especially African- American men, who can share horror stores about being detained and harassed by law officers on the basis of a vague description that fits half the population.
It's been the same for many people of Arab and Islamic descent since 9-11. It's fundamentally wrong for rational individuals to convict and condemn others based solely on the irrational and extreme actions of others.
Sadly, this outrageous public policy is being implemented in the pet kingdom. Municipalities are evicting entire breeds of dogs because some may be vicious. That's just not right. Man's best friend, just like man, is entitled to a presumption of innocence.
CLINTON NOT ONLY ONE
Dog profiling most recently surfaced in Clinton, where aldermen in July passed a ban on Rottweilers, American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers. The law became effective Friday, the same day a group of residents challenged it in court.
The Clinton Canine Coalition is seeking an injunction against Clinton's ordinance, particularly the section that makes entire breeds unwelcome in Clinton. A hearing is set for Friday in Hinds County Chancery Court.
Clinton is not a lone ranger in this dog fight.
Brandon passed a similar ban in July that went into effect the day before Clinton's ban, and Richland has a ban on pit bulls. Jackson, after considering a ban on specific breeds, opted for a ban on vicious animals.
This debate is not just local. It is being waged in such places as Chicago, Denver and Kansas City, Mo. In metropolitan Kansas City, animal shelters are lobbying communities to rethink breed-specific bans in favor of stronger dangerous-dog laws, according to the Lawrence Journal-World.
CONTROL FAVORED
This is basically the Canine Coalition's goal in Clinton. This group favors an animal-control law but is opposed to any ban, Aafram Sellers, the group's lawyer, said last week. This approach makes the most sense, although those who raise these animals to be violent should also be made accountable.
An ordinance the Kansas City Council adopted also requires pit bulls to be spayed or neutered unless the animal's owner is a registered breeder. This also could be an option in metropolitan Jackson - if applied more broadly.
The intent of dog profiling in the metro area and elsewhere is probably honorable. Vicious dogs that are public health hazards should not be allowed to roam. Controlling these animals is just good sense.
It makes no sense to condemn an animal without probable cause. Denver passed a ban on pit bulls that allows the city to impound and euthanize animals that may resemble a pit bull. That's no way to treat a friend.
It's bad enough that the government profiles humans. Using this insane policy against dogs is well over the line.
To contact metro columnist Eric Stringfellow, call (601) 961-7236 or e-mail estringfellow@... (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSLWorkshop/post?postID=Icke-CGU1917JZw05lsi0XeiSSHDJJrrrW2Ffv0uh2iM7MSPAlxKplu qkXyASuJxwTR9CzeSRhrDGdS0thRkMLS5cJKe).
not sure how I feel about this:
An ordinance the Kansas City Council adopted also requires pit bulls to be spayed or neutered unless the animal's owner is a registered breeder. This also could be an option in metropolitan Jackson - if applied more broadly.
but overall, not too bad of a POV.