Marty
08-04-2005, 01:24 PM
Port Arthur, TX -- "Punish the deed, not the breed" said local pit bull dog owner Brianne Justice.
Justice is the owner of two adult pit bulls that were raised alongside her other, much smaller dogs and cats.
Her pit bulls have never been aggressive toward other humans or animals, she said.
The Port Neches woman was shocked and a bit upset to hear the city of Port Neches will discuss an ordinance banning pit bulls in the city. The meeting is set for 4 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 634 Ave. C.
There have been several incidents in Port Neches involving pit bulls that were eventually declared dangerous/vicious animals and later euthanized, according to a Port Neches police official.
Port Neches Police Capt. Paul Lemoine said Texas, like many other states, has a law against breed specific legislation but a Texas representative from Houston is proposing a bill to target breeds, specifically pit bulls and rotweilers. Most Texas cities have ordinances on vicious or dangerous animals that are not breed specific.
Beaumont's ordinance details what the behavior of a dangerous/vicious animal including a section aimed at animals that are trained for fighting or bears physical scars or indicates the animal is used for fighting.
Justice said she would not support a ban on pit bulls
"My female is 5-years-old and is the most loyal animal I've ever owned," she said. "She takes care of her much older mini schnauzer brother who is 16 even though he's senile and barks at her randomly throughout the day. And she is intrigued by her cat sisters. She protects my family from snakes in the yard."
Justice has strong feelings about pit bulls and feels that if breed bans are the way the community is going to control problems, "then where are the bans on sex offenders and convicted felons? These people are much more dangerous than any dog could ever be and it seems that they should be addressed before worrying about what type of dog someone owns. It all goes back to responsibility. You can make a Chihuahua vicious if you want to. It's not the breed - it's the owner."
On the flip side of the dog controversy is Betty Woodruff of Nederland. She has never been attacked before but has heard about attacks and feels something should be done.
"I had some kinfolks that had a pit bull that attacked its owner," Woodruff said.
Port Neches Mayor Pro Tem John Wasser isn't sure how the issue will turn out because cities cannot pass breed specific legislation. "It's been turned over to our city attorney," he said.
Justice is the owner of two adult pit bulls that were raised alongside her other, much smaller dogs and cats.
Her pit bulls have never been aggressive toward other humans or animals, she said.
The Port Neches woman was shocked and a bit upset to hear the city of Port Neches will discuss an ordinance banning pit bulls in the city. The meeting is set for 4 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 634 Ave. C.
There have been several incidents in Port Neches involving pit bulls that were eventually declared dangerous/vicious animals and later euthanized, according to a Port Neches police official.
Port Neches Police Capt. Paul Lemoine said Texas, like many other states, has a law against breed specific legislation but a Texas representative from Houston is proposing a bill to target breeds, specifically pit bulls and rotweilers. Most Texas cities have ordinances on vicious or dangerous animals that are not breed specific.
Beaumont's ordinance details what the behavior of a dangerous/vicious animal including a section aimed at animals that are trained for fighting or bears physical scars or indicates the animal is used for fighting.
Justice said she would not support a ban on pit bulls
"My female is 5-years-old and is the most loyal animal I've ever owned," she said. "She takes care of her much older mini schnauzer brother who is 16 even though he's senile and barks at her randomly throughout the day. And she is intrigued by her cat sisters. She protects my family from snakes in the yard."
Justice has strong feelings about pit bulls and feels that if breed bans are the way the community is going to control problems, "then where are the bans on sex offenders and convicted felons? These people are much more dangerous than any dog could ever be and it seems that they should be addressed before worrying about what type of dog someone owns. It all goes back to responsibility. You can make a Chihuahua vicious if you want to. It's not the breed - it's the owner."
On the flip side of the dog controversy is Betty Woodruff of Nederland. She has never been attacked before but has heard about attacks and feels something should be done.
"I had some kinfolks that had a pit bull that attacked its owner," Woodruff said.
Port Neches Mayor Pro Tem John Wasser isn't sure how the issue will turn out because cities cannot pass breed specific legislation. "It's been turned over to our city attorney," he said.