Mrsdano
11-07-2005, 03:34 PM
NEW LEGISLATION
NEW DOG LAW: Local officials can regulate certain breeds
Saturday, October 8, 2005
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/10/08_t/mn_pitbulldata25_093_pc_t.gif (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/10/08/MNGSVF4KPF1.DTL&o=0) Cities and counties will be able to impose restrictions on certain breeds of dogs under legislation signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The new law allows local governments to create spaying and neutering requirements for specific breeds, previously prohibited. It was sought by San Francisco officials, including Mayor Gavin Newsom, after a 12-year-old boy was killed by his family's pit bulls earlier this year.
The bill, which will take effect Jan. 1, was introduced by Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough.
"This is a common-sense measure that will protect families playing in the park and dog owners walking their dogs," Speier said. "It is the sane thing to do."
San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty has already introduced legislation to the county Board of Supervisors that would allow spay and neuter requirements for pit bulls and pit bull mixes in the city.
"You would have to be registered in order to breed those animals," Dufty said. "You would have to do it for the love of an animal, not because it is a macho symbol. People are breeding them for the wrong reasons."
Though pit bulls are often portrayed as the deadliest dogs, experts say their reputation may come from their popularity with irresponsible dog owners.
In the 1970s, German shepherds killed more people than any other breed; later Great Danes and then rottweilers held that distinction, according to studies over recent decades by the Centers for Disease Control.
Opponents of the breeding restrictions say all dogs have the capability to bite and that pit bulls are unfairly targeted for regulation because of bad owners and media hype.
Carl Friedman, director of animal control in San Francisco, praised the new state law.
The shelter has more pit bulls than any other type of dog, he said, and 400 pit bulls were euthanized last year.
"It is not only a public protection problem but an animal welfare problem," he said. "Pit bulls comprise 60 to 70 percent of shelter dogs. We are flooded with them and can't find them homes."
The pit bull is actually a type of dog, not a breed. Those that fall into the pit bull category are the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier.
"Any dog that has been bred with one of those or has characteristics of one of those is considered a pit bull," Friedman said.
Animal control officials will depend on the public to report backyard breeding or vicious dogs.
"If we see someone with an intact pit bull, we will give them a copy of the ordinance and allow them a certain amount of time to get it altered. "We are not going to go knocking on doors."
NEW DOG LAW: Local officials can regulate certain breeds
Saturday, October 8, 2005
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/10/08_t/mn_pitbulldata25_093_pc_t.gif (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/10/08/MNGSVF4KPF1.DTL&o=0) Cities and counties will be able to impose restrictions on certain breeds of dogs under legislation signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The new law allows local governments to create spaying and neutering requirements for specific breeds, previously prohibited. It was sought by San Francisco officials, including Mayor Gavin Newsom, after a 12-year-old boy was killed by his family's pit bulls earlier this year.
The bill, which will take effect Jan. 1, was introduced by Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough.
"This is a common-sense measure that will protect families playing in the park and dog owners walking their dogs," Speier said. "It is the sane thing to do."
San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty has already introduced legislation to the county Board of Supervisors that would allow spay and neuter requirements for pit bulls and pit bull mixes in the city.
"You would have to be registered in order to breed those animals," Dufty said. "You would have to do it for the love of an animal, not because it is a macho symbol. People are breeding them for the wrong reasons."
Though pit bulls are often portrayed as the deadliest dogs, experts say their reputation may come from their popularity with irresponsible dog owners.
In the 1970s, German shepherds killed more people than any other breed; later Great Danes and then rottweilers held that distinction, according to studies over recent decades by the Centers for Disease Control.
Opponents of the breeding restrictions say all dogs have the capability to bite and that pit bulls are unfairly targeted for regulation because of bad owners and media hype.
Carl Friedman, director of animal control in San Francisco, praised the new state law.
The shelter has more pit bulls than any other type of dog, he said, and 400 pit bulls were euthanized last year.
"It is not only a public protection problem but an animal welfare problem," he said. "Pit bulls comprise 60 to 70 percent of shelter dogs. We are flooded with them and can't find them homes."
The pit bull is actually a type of dog, not a breed. Those that fall into the pit bull category are the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier.
"Any dog that has been bred with one of those or has characteristics of one of those is considered a pit bull," Friedman said.
Animal control officials will depend on the public to report backyard breeding or vicious dogs.
"If we see someone with an intact pit bull, we will give them a copy of the ordinance and allow them a certain amount of time to get it altered. "We are not going to go knocking on doors."