Real men own roosters

Columbus, GA -- Good news for all those dog owners outraged by a proposed statewide ban on pit bull dogs: The ban is off.

The legislator who proposed it promised during a public hearing Monday to instead strengthen laws targeting all kinds of dangerous dogs.

Dog attacks prompted the proposed ban in Georgia, much like a fatal attack in Lanett, Ala., provoked authorities there to ban the breed earlier this year. More attacks have been reported since.

Breeders, owners and humane association advocates in Georgia rallied against the proposed ban here, arguing pit bulls are hard to identify and besides, the owner of any dog that attacks people ought to be held responsible.

Pit bulls are bred to be fighting dogs, and dogs trained for that purpose do a lot of damage and get a lot of attention when they attack humans. But the problem isn't that too many Georgians own pit bulls. The problem is that too many Georgians are into dogfighting, and dogfighters prefer pit bulls.

A veteran dog-show judge quoted in the Atlanta paper noted pit bulls aren't the only animals used for fighting. Some Georgians raise fighting cocks, too, but "nobody's suggesting we discontinue breeding chickens," he said.

If folks breed fighting cocks, how long before someone's killed by chickens? Should there not be laws to ensure owners keep their roosters under control? What if one of their cocks gets loose and pecks someone's eye out?

I asked Carolyn Danese, president of the Humane Association of Georgia, who said chickens are different.

"There are some dogs, you let them off the leash, they're going to go run looking for another dog. Chickens aren't that way. As long as you give them enough space, they're not going to go looking for a chicken to beat up. It's just when you put them in these confined spaces, then they go into their territorial routine. But that is not the issue. We are not worried about chickens attacking people."

Similarly, some people reportedly have been arranging fish fights -- putting fighting fish in the same bowl and betting on which wins. Yet no one's proposing a fighting-fish ban, as people rarely get attacked by pet fish.

Instead of pondering pit-bull bans, legislators should take these steps to help prevent dog attacks, Danese says:

Strengthening penalties that hold owners responsible -- making them pay higher fines; making them buy permits to own dangerous dogs; having the dogs neutered, tagged and microchipped; and making owners take a course on responsible pet ownership.

Euthanizing any dog that maims or kills without provocation.

Making sure all dogs are neutered before they're adopted from animal shelters.

Outlawing the practice of leaving dogs chained and unattended, which tends to make them aggressive.

Pit bulls have become status symbols for men who need mean dogs to feel macho, Danese says. But deny them pit bulls, and they'll just use another animal.

They should be allowed to own only a chicken or a fish.

 

I always loved owning a Cock. And my Jaguar Cichlid is open to the world at 1lb, bring your best fish...lmao.

 

LOL I could see that. These little dog fighting punks walking up and down the block with a fish bowl. LMAO,, In real teams you make a good point but, I always thought a nice punishment for people who fight dog of any breed or any animal for that matter should have to walk a mile in the animal shoes of which they abuse. I mean if people could step back and see what these dogs go through in the dogs eye they would most likely never do it again and as for banned breed I not only own two pit bull but, two chow chows who are highly more aggressive breed then pit bulls. Yet they are not high on the dangerous breed list funny do you not think. My neighbor owns two min. pins. who are aggressive and I meet many of those dog. Yet they are not on the dangerous list. So my question is who makes this list? I know that min. pin. would eat someone alive yet its called a good family pet. People need to step back and study all the breeds before they judge. If it has teeth it can bite but, that does not mean it will.

 

LMAO!! I dont care what anyone says cocks are nasty mean little things. They may be small but they pack a big punch. I used to own an OEG rooster and a couple of hens. Everytime i got in the pen with them the rooster would jump up and spur me. I have scars on it. It got to the point where i had to tether him to the coop so he couldnt attack me. The hens are just as bad though.
I have no doubt in my mind that if that little b@stard got out he would attack someone. He went after my dogs a few times. I saw we ban all ownership of chickens. They are potentially dangerous to everyone. It attacks another rooster one day, the next day it could be a child.

 

There was a rooster that lived in the lower barn where I boarded my horses a few years ago. That sucker was SCARY! I had many gashes on my leg from where it'd come out of nowhere and attack me. I had to carry a rake in order to get my tack. Everyone at the farm hated that rooster until it magically disappeared and was replaced by a much more docile one.

 

Animal fighting is not cruel in it's self. Being that it is not regulated...leaves room for cruelty's that may happen due to lack of knowledge or that of care.

This breeds not for everyone!

 

Minpins are not causing fatal/maming attacks.

 

Can dog women own roosters, I own 2 of them......LMAO

 

I always wonder if the government could figure out a way to regulate it and get their cut,,and have no bunny huggers breathing down their necks,,would there be,,neon lights of dog fights at the MGM Grand

 

LMAO......