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State Wide Ban For Massachusetts :(

Discussion in 'Laws & Legislation' started by Suki, May 2, 2007.

  1. Suki

    Suki Guest

    i'm sick, ...:(


    LAWMAKERS LOOKING AT BAN ON DANGEROUS DOGS

    By Jim O'Sullivan
    STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

    STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MAY 1, 2007..Beacon Hill lawmakers are exploring whether to ban lethal dogs and planning to hear testimony later this month on prohibitions based on breeds and training techniques.

    Worried by recurring stories of dogs' violent attacks on children,
    legislators say they are considering different versions of a ban, which opponents insist lands on the wrong wide of the "nature versus nurture" debate, and violates owners' rights.

    A committee bill could emerge from a May 14 hearing where the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will hear testimony on related bills, and question advocates about banning pit bulls and other breeds, and dogs schooled to fight, said House chair Rep. Vincent Pedone (D-Worcester) and House vice-chair Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester).

    "We see, firsthand, problems that exist with dogs that were bred to fight, bred as nothing more than weapons, and he and I are both interested in hearing testimony on the matter," Pedone told the News Service Tuesday.

    Opponents of banning certain breeds, including animal rights activists and veterinarians, argue that owners should be held to tougher standards and that restricting specific canines is counterproductive and violates ownership rights.

    "It doesn't really work," said Scott Giacoppo, spokesman for the
    Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Properly raised pit bulls can be "wonderful companion animals," he said.

    Regulations on how owners train their dogs, or placing an outright ban on certain breeds, could prove difficult to enforce, Pedone admitted. And, he said, the Senate side of the committee would likely have problems with the legislation.

    Sen. James Timily, Senate chair of the municipalities panel, said any breed-specific bans were "not good public policy" that would result in "a pretty wild hearing."

    Pedone said lawmakers have been frustrated by perennial stories of toddlers being mauled by out-of-control dogs. A strict in-town crackdown on pit bulls won approval at Canton town meeting Monday night. A bill (H 1993) filed by Rep. Robert Spellane (D-Worcester) allowing municipalities to impound dogs
    deemed dangerous during owners' appeals could be strengthened to include the ban, Pedone said.

    "We very well could, if testimony goes a certain way, amend his bill to include a ban on certain dogs," he said.

    Opponents of the bill said lawmakers should emphasize more responsible ownership over targeting specific types of dogs. Timilty said, "It's good that we're starting it now in that there hasn't been a tragedy, so we're not being reactive."

    Giacoppo said the state needs to conduct a more comprehensive review of animal control laws, and should pursue legislation (S 512) proposed by Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville). "Basically, these laws haven't been rewritten for years and years and years, and it updates those laws," he said of Jehlen's measure.

    Walsh said the problem of violent dogs particularly plagues urban centers like the ones he and Pedone represent: "You see young kids walking around with dogs they can't handle . I don't see where a 15-year-old kid who barely can take care of himself and is out there owning a pit bull - I don't know how we can impose training there."
     
  2. pennsooner

    pennsooner CH Dog

    Thats what drives me flat crazy. What does some punk thug kid have to do with me other than the fact that we own "the same" breed? I'm sure someone leading a criminal lifestyle in the first place will be real impressed with a law being passed.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 2, 2007
  3. Marty

    Marty Guest

    Time to move south is all I can say :(
     
  4. pittychick

    pittychick Big Dog

    Suki, you heading to the hearing? I'm going to try to free my plans to get over their. I legally live in MA although I'm staying in NH right now, and you bet ur arse I'll be there fighting for those with dogs who ARE staying in MA.
     
  5. Suki

    Suki Guest

    I actually have to have surgery on the 14th, but depending on what time it goes on, perhaps I can attend. I sure hope so. til then, i'll continue to write.
    i'll figure something out, ...
    and Marty- the brain's been packed for a while now! ;)

    this sucks! i can't believe a STATE wide ban, effin UNbelievable!!!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2007
  6. Hoyden

    Hoyden Top Dog

    If I can get the day off, I'll drive up with Birdie and attend.

    Let them see first hand what a pit bull is really like, because most don't even know, as my State Representative pointed out to me.

    She told me that after meeting Birdie and later Petey, she could not in good conscience vote for a ban on pit bulls in CT.

    Maybe the people in Mass will feel the same.
     
  7. Suki

    Suki Guest

    i SURE hope so.
    TY, Hoyden! :)
     
  8. bahamutt99

    bahamutt99 CH Dog

    Email contacts? I know many of those folks just trash emails, but its something.
     
  9. pittychick

    pittychick Big Dog

    Suki,

    I'm sure you're in touch with some of the Mass APBT club (or what was). Perhaps they could bring any ATTS certificates or awards or pictures of their dogs competing. Just to show that these dogs do more than just hang out with hoodlums.
     
  10. mikelia

    mikelia Big Dog

    Go Birdie!! Show 'em your stuff!
    Good luck you guys. Bans certainly don't work, we're still having all the same problems here, just different breeds. It's sick.
    I also ask for email contacts? I am way to far to come and show my support, but I live in the heart of BSL and maybe my word will count for something.
     
  11. Attila

    Attila Guest

    It is time we all moved to one state and took it over. And remove our selves from the union. Form our own military and secure our boarders at all cost. Any liberal caught shall be spayed/neutered and hands cut off and released into the wild.
     
  12. coolhandjean

    coolhandjean CH Dog

    I am with you on that one. lol...

    Freakin' MA. Just move out of that psycho state..
    One of the Senators is a murderer, but they are worried about "pit bulls". What a joke.
     
  13. Hoyden

    Hoyden Top Dog

    I just emailed my friend who lives in MA about this. She uses a service dog too, not a pit bull, she said she'd come with me.

    Birdie and her dog work well together, they actually work as a team when given the opportunity.
     
  14. Attila

    Attila Guest

    Yes isn't that the shit. Ted Kennedy's cars have shed more innocent lives than any of my rifles, pistols, shot guns and so on.

    Hoyden,

    I will have to move south. It just gets too cold in the north. Any place one can get snot cycles is too cold. lol
     
  15. Suki

    Suki Guest

  16. Verderben

    Verderben CH Dog

    Sounds good when is this happening? And can it be a state where its warm all the time :)
     
  17. pittychick

    pittychick Big Dog

    YES it must be warm!!!!!
     
  18. Attila

    Attila Guest

    It would have to be because I refuse to do winter.
     
  19. Suki

    Suki Guest

    There's a survey on the link, please go vote! Its under the picture of the
    pit bull

    http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/13248866/detail.html

    Lawmakers Mull Pit Bull Ban
    Tougher Restrictions On Agenda At State House

    POSTED: 6:40 am EDT May 3, 2007
    UPDATED: 7:18 am EDT May 3, 2007

    BOSTON -- Is your safety at risk or are lawmakers barking up the
    wrong tree?

    A debate is set to begin on Beacon Hill Thursday over a series of new
    crackdowns on dogs and their owners.

    NewsCenter 5's Steve Lacy reported that proposals under consideration
    pit people who want new restrictions on certain types of dogs, such
    as pit bulls, against those who think irresponsible owners are the
    ones who need to be leashed.
    Click here to find out more!

    Supporters of a statewide ban on pit bull ownership have said a law
    is necessary to cut down on violent dog attacks.

    If the state were to pass such a ban, lawmakers would be following
    the lead of many Massachusetts cities and towns that have already
    passed bans limiting pit bull ownership. This week, Canton became the
    latest local community to push through tough new restrictions.

    Opponents of the ban argue that it is a handful of irresponsible
    owners who are the real problem. They said pit bulls actually make
    great pets.

    Legislators on the committee that will decide what -- if any -- new
    dog control laws may go into effect. They are said to be split on a
    statewide pit bull ban, but according to the Boston Herald they are
    considering a number of other new restrictions that appear to enjoy
    widespread support, including stricter license requirements for
    certain breeds, a requirement that owners of certain breeds undergo
    training, new fines for owners of noisy dogs and tightening up leash
    laws.

    The proposed requirements are scheduled for debate at the State House
    on May 14.

    so far:
    [​IMG]
    Do You think Pit Bulls Should Be Banned In Massachusetts?Choice Votes Percentage of 932 Votes Yes403[​IMG] 43%
    No 517[​IMG] 55% Not Sure12[​IMG]1% close window

    PLEASE vote!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2007
  20. DryCreek

    DryCreek CH Dog

    Voted......

    Do You think Pit Bulls Should Be Banned In Massachusetts

    Yes 414 43%

    No 533 56%

    Not Sure 13 1%
     
    1 person likes this.

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