Marty
08-12-2005, 01:01 PM
Battle Creek, MI -- Owners responsible for controlling dogs
Dogs can be man's best friend - or his worst enemy.
Properly trained and cared for, dogs usually are loving creatures devoted to their families. Neglected, provoked or deliberately taught to be vicious, they can attack with ferocity, maiming or even killing their victims.
Last month, a Battle Creek youth was seriously injured in a canine attack. The dog was identified by authorities as a pit bull. In April, a 6-year-old Hamtramck girl was killed when she reportedly was attacked by one of her family's pit bulls.
Such incidents are horrific, but they are not exclusive to pit bulls. Unfortunately, because the breed has become popular among drug dealers and other criminals who train them to keep police and others away from their illegal activities, pit bulls have become a lightning rod for criticism. A number of communities have outlawed them, forcing owners to either give up their beloved pet or relocate.
Battle Creek officials are considering measures aimed directly at pit bulls, such as requiring that they be kept on a 3-foot leash with a fitted collar when in public, and that only persons 18 years of age or older have control of the leash. Is it reasonable to think that animal control or law enforcement officers will spend their time measuring the length of leashes or asking pet handlers for identification to determine their age, when they have much more pressing matters to address?
While we understand the concern, we don't think that breed-specific legislation is the solution to the problem. After all, pit bulls are only the most recent breed to come under scrutiny. Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and other breeds have at different times been popular among criminals and been the targets of calls for bans or other restrictive measures.
But nearly any dog has the potential to become vicious. That is why responsibility must be placed on animal owners to see that their pets are properly supervised and pose no danger to anyone. Children especially need to be watched closely when they are around dogs. Even the most gentle dog can bite if a toddler suddenly grabs the animal's ear or startles it.
Battle Creek already has laws governing dogs and spelling out procedures for dealing with dangerous animals. Animals in the city must be under the control of their owners. When outdoors, they need to be on a leash, within a fenced-in area or otherwise properly restrained.
There is no need for additional laws. Better enforcement of current laws is what is needed to prevent future attacks - by pit bulls or any other breed.
Originally published August 12, 2005
Dogs can be man's best friend - or his worst enemy.
Properly trained and cared for, dogs usually are loving creatures devoted to their families. Neglected, provoked or deliberately taught to be vicious, they can attack with ferocity, maiming or even killing their victims.
Last month, a Battle Creek youth was seriously injured in a canine attack. The dog was identified by authorities as a pit bull. In April, a 6-year-old Hamtramck girl was killed when she reportedly was attacked by one of her family's pit bulls.
Such incidents are horrific, but they are not exclusive to pit bulls. Unfortunately, because the breed has become popular among drug dealers and other criminals who train them to keep police and others away from their illegal activities, pit bulls have become a lightning rod for criticism. A number of communities have outlawed them, forcing owners to either give up their beloved pet or relocate.
Battle Creek officials are considering measures aimed directly at pit bulls, such as requiring that they be kept on a 3-foot leash with a fitted collar when in public, and that only persons 18 years of age or older have control of the leash. Is it reasonable to think that animal control or law enforcement officers will spend their time measuring the length of leashes or asking pet handlers for identification to determine their age, when they have much more pressing matters to address?
While we understand the concern, we don't think that breed-specific legislation is the solution to the problem. After all, pit bulls are only the most recent breed to come under scrutiny. Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and other breeds have at different times been popular among criminals and been the targets of calls for bans or other restrictive measures.
But nearly any dog has the potential to become vicious. That is why responsibility must be placed on animal owners to see that their pets are properly supervised and pose no danger to anyone. Children especially need to be watched closely when they are around dogs. Even the most gentle dog can bite if a toddler suddenly grabs the animal's ear or startles it.
Battle Creek already has laws governing dogs and spelling out procedures for dealing with dangerous animals. Animals in the city must be under the control of their owners. When outdoors, they need to be on a leash, within a fenced-in area or otherwise properly restrained.
There is no need for additional laws. Better enforcement of current laws is what is needed to prevent future attacks - by pit bulls or any other breed.
Originally published August 12, 2005