Marty
09-06-2006, 04:41 PM
North Andover,MA -- A muzzle law proposed for pit bulls is facing stiff resistance from dog lovers, who say it is unfair and cruel to target the breed.
The City Council last night delayed a vote to require all pit bulls in Methuen to wear muzzles when they are taken off their owners' properties.
The ordinance was put forth in response to a pit bull attack on Jane Road last month in which a Chihuahua was killed.
Bonnie Hajjar of Birch Avenue owns a pit bull mix named Busta and is among those who believe the breed can be loving animals.
She spoke at the council meeting last night, calling the muzzle proposal "cruel." She said Busta is a popular dog with children and highly skilled at Frisbee games.
"I feel it is very unfair to enforce this law upon our dogs," Hajjar said.
She was joined at last night's meeting by other pit bull advocates and several professional dog handlers in opposition to the ordinance - Michael Keiley of the Nevins Farm animal shelter, Lisa Camuso of the Franklin-based American Dog Owners Association, and Holly Stump of the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners.
All three said breed-specific muzzling has not worked.
In fact, the American Dog Owners Association sued Lynn for a similar muzzle law and won, said Stump, an Ipswich resident. The court found that it is too difficult to define exactly what a "pit bull" is, Stump said.
"I would like to remind everyone that dangerous dogs become such in the hands of irresponsible owners," Stump said.
The proposed law will be reviewed and possibly revised by its author, City Council Chairman Stephen Zanni. He will consult with dog experts before bringing it back for a vote.
Several councilors are against the specific ordinance.
City Councilor Phil Lahey questioned whether poodles or other breeds would be muzzled if they bite someone.
"I don't think the solution is punishing a whole breed for one dog," Lahey said of the pit bull that killed the Chihuahua.
Two councilors voted against sending the proposed muzzle ordinance to a subcommittee - Larry Giordano and Kathleen Corey Rahme.
They both said it was not fair to individual dogs.
"I think responsible pet ownership is the key," Rahme said.
Kara DiFruscia of 9 Rosewood Road, who identified herself as a local lawyer and dog owner, advocated for tougher leash laws. The Aug. 11 attack on the Chihuahua, named Guido, happened near Timony Grammar School, the same neighborhood where the pit bull had several violent run-ins with other dogs.
The neighborhood circulated a petition last month to have the pit bull removed. Instead, owners Christine Goldeski and her fiance, John Beckos, of 4 Hadley Road agreed to have the pit bull, named Ollie, euthanized.
Zanni's ordinance would require all pit bulls to wear muzzles if they are off their owner's premises, and be penned all other times. The penalties would be a warning for the first offense, a $100 fine for the second offense, and seizure of the animal for the third offense. A seized animal may be euthanized, Zanni said.
Of 637 dogs registered in Methuen, 19 are pit bulls or some mix of the breed, according to city records.
Zanni said he spoke with police, who confirmed there are many other pit bulls in the city that are not registered, a violation of law. Zanni said he proposed the ordinance because pit bulls are aggressive and strong and have a history of violence.
http://www.eagletribune.com/local/local_story_249064833?keyword=topstory
The City Council last night delayed a vote to require all pit bulls in Methuen to wear muzzles when they are taken off their owners' properties.
The ordinance was put forth in response to a pit bull attack on Jane Road last month in which a Chihuahua was killed.
Bonnie Hajjar of Birch Avenue owns a pit bull mix named Busta and is among those who believe the breed can be loving animals.
She spoke at the council meeting last night, calling the muzzle proposal "cruel." She said Busta is a popular dog with children and highly skilled at Frisbee games.
"I feel it is very unfair to enforce this law upon our dogs," Hajjar said.
She was joined at last night's meeting by other pit bull advocates and several professional dog handlers in opposition to the ordinance - Michael Keiley of the Nevins Farm animal shelter, Lisa Camuso of the Franklin-based American Dog Owners Association, and Holly Stump of the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners.
All three said breed-specific muzzling has not worked.
In fact, the American Dog Owners Association sued Lynn for a similar muzzle law and won, said Stump, an Ipswich resident. The court found that it is too difficult to define exactly what a "pit bull" is, Stump said.
"I would like to remind everyone that dangerous dogs become such in the hands of irresponsible owners," Stump said.
The proposed law will be reviewed and possibly revised by its author, City Council Chairman Stephen Zanni. He will consult with dog experts before bringing it back for a vote.
Several councilors are against the specific ordinance.
City Councilor Phil Lahey questioned whether poodles or other breeds would be muzzled if they bite someone.
"I don't think the solution is punishing a whole breed for one dog," Lahey said of the pit bull that killed the Chihuahua.
Two councilors voted against sending the proposed muzzle ordinance to a subcommittee - Larry Giordano and Kathleen Corey Rahme.
They both said it was not fair to individual dogs.
"I think responsible pet ownership is the key," Rahme said.
Kara DiFruscia of 9 Rosewood Road, who identified herself as a local lawyer and dog owner, advocated for tougher leash laws. The Aug. 11 attack on the Chihuahua, named Guido, happened near Timony Grammar School, the same neighborhood where the pit bull had several violent run-ins with other dogs.
The neighborhood circulated a petition last month to have the pit bull removed. Instead, owners Christine Goldeski and her fiance, John Beckos, of 4 Hadley Road agreed to have the pit bull, named Ollie, euthanized.
Zanni's ordinance would require all pit bulls to wear muzzles if they are off their owner's premises, and be penned all other times. The penalties would be a warning for the first offense, a $100 fine for the second offense, and seizure of the animal for the third offense. A seized animal may be euthanized, Zanni said.
Of 637 dogs registered in Methuen, 19 are pit bulls or some mix of the breed, according to city records.
Zanni said he spoke with police, who confirmed there are many other pit bulls in the city that are not registered, a violation of law. Zanni said he proposed the ordinance because pit bulls are aggressive and strong and have a history of violence.
http://www.eagletribune.com/local/local_story_249064833?keyword=topstory