Breed-specific bans won't work

[Marty]

Davenport, IA -- Discrimination is never appropriate, for humans or canines. Dr. Karen Overall has written, "[Laws] banning breeds will not make you safer, and the illusion that they will do so is dangerous to humans and unfair to dogs." A dog that is starved, kicked, beaten and neglected will bite, just as a person will become vicious under the same circumstances. Banning a breed because of the deeds of a few sets a dangerous precedent. Breed-specific legislation means even the gentle, well-trained, best friends of children must be taken away and killed.

Don't punish the good dogs. They've done nothing wrong. A dog who has bitten or killed should certainly be punished, just as a person would. To prevent attacks, a broader approach is needed. Punish the people who create and keep vicious animals. Punish the people who starve dogs, throw rocks at dogs, pour acid on dogs. Punish irresponsible breeders. Punish the people who force dogs to fight for sport. Punish the people who allow these dogs to roam without a fence. Don't punish families and their pets. All any dog wants is to love and be loved. No dog wants to hurt people until it's been trained by a human to do so.

Jennifer Stumpff

Davenport

Ban would punish innocent dogs, owners

I am writing in response to the possible pit bull ban in Davenport. I think that people are dodging the real issue here.

It's not the breed of dog but the people who own that dog.

I have been around pit bulls for many years now and none of them have ever attacked me or my two children. Why? Because the owners were responsible pet owners.

If people are so worried about the dog then contact your city council member and have them change the laws. Don't punish a breed because of its faulty owners.

Xiomara Levsen

[whiteyransom]

Finally, Something That Makes A Little Sense. Now If More Letters Like This And More Positive Press Can Get To Breed "ignorant" People, It'll Be A Step Forward.

[14rock]

Finally, Something That Makes A Little Sense. Now If More Letters Like This And More Positive Press Can Get To Breed "ignorant" People, It'll Be A Step Forward.
This is my area, and suprisingly MOST have their head on straight, the only people being ignorant are the politicians who pass the laws even after it looses public support.

[whiteyransom]

really? i knew the politics of the matter were messed up, but imagined that alot of people out there don't know enough about the breed. and assume that the few stories they hear are a common thing with the apbt. that's the way alot of people around my part of the woods are anyway.

[14rock]

Yeah, well theres been the occasional idiot rambling ''facts'' that are proven false but mostly its people who understand its bad owners and not a genetic problem. Getting real old that they keep saying '' well 3 pitbulls killed that teenager in Erie earlier this year so they must be mean and banned!" No, I knew a relative of the dogs owners, two dogs were straight mutts who they doubt had any pitbull in them at all, and the third was a rottweiler mix........but did that ever get reported that they werent actually pitbulls or any pure breed for that matter....hell no!

[whiteyransom]

figures. it's probably the same deal with most "pit" attacks all over.

[14rock]

figures. it's probably the same deal with most "pit" attacks all over.
Yup, also got to mention I like the sig.......great movie. "5'9'' I didnt know they stacked shit that high! You trying to squeeze an inch on me somewhere private?!"

[whiteyransom]

haaaaaaaaaa! there's plenty of 'em from that one!! hell, i like you,,,how bout i let you come over and f**h my sister!

[GaDog]

Wow whitey you really do like him dont ya.