Efforts to ban dogfights fail again in Legislature

[size=-1]Atlanta Journal Constitution [/size][size=-1]GA, -- [/size]The idea of two dogs ripping each other apart is repugnant to most people. But an effort to get stronger anti-dogfighting legislation through the Georgia General Assembly over the past two years failed again last month. "I tried everything I could to move it, but I couldn't get it to the House floor," said Sen. Chip Rogers, a Republican from Woodstock, who introduced a bill that would have made it illegal not only to pit dogs in fights, but to own fighting dogs, own the equipment used to train fighting dogs and be a spectator at a dogfight.

Rogers said he wants to protect not only dogs but also people who are being maimed by dogs trained to fight.

"There was a 3-year-old boy in my district who was attacked by a pit bull in his garage," Rogers said. "At first I wanted to ban pit bulls, but when I researched it, I discovered it was the fighters that were making these dogs like this and then letting them run around neighborhoods."

But the bill faced opposition from the beginning. When it was first introduced, it was aimed at stopping all animal fighting or baiting. John Bowers of the Department of Natural Resources said his agency feared the bill was so broad it would have interfered with hunting. Bowers said later changes eliminated the problems, but Rogers said some hunters still were leery.

To appease those against the bill, Rogers said they removed references to everything but dogfighting. They even took out legislation against "hog/dog rodeos," where pigs sometimes are torn apart alive by dogs. But during the Senate debate, cockfighting was reinstated, Rogers said, and that brought out the well-organized and well-funded cockfighting industry.

Rogers' bill sailed through the Senate on a 52-4 vote Feb. 23. But then it hit the noncivil judiciary committee in the House, headed by David Ralston. To get to the House floor for a vote, the bill had to be voted out of Ralston's committee. But Ralston never put it up for a vote before the Legislature adjourned March 30. Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge, said there were simply too many other important bills that needed the committee's time.

Ralston also said he had some problems with the bill. He said he wanted to hear from more law enforcement agencies on what's happening with dogfighting and what laws they think will help combat it.

"I agree we need to look at toughening the animal cruelty laws in Georgia," Ralston said, noting both he and his wife have dogs.

Rogers said they agreed to take the cockfighting out again, but that didn't slow the opposition. When asked about calls from cockfighters, Ralston said he didn't keep track of how many people were for or against the bill, but he didn't believe there was an organized cockfighting contingent against the bill.

"I live in a rural area of Georgia, and occasionally I hear about cockfights, but I've never heard of a dogfight," said Ralston, who like all legislators is up for re-election this year.

He might have heard of the March 2005 cockfighting raid in Blue Ridge in which five people — including the mayor of Blue Ridge — were arrested. The raid was the result of a four-month investigation that found as many as 300 people crowding into a barn every week to watch roosters fight to the death.

John Goodwin, who oversees animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States, said that 47 states prohibit possession of a dog with the intent to fight and 48 make it illegal to be a spectator at a fight.

"Under the current Georgia law, police have to follow a fighting ring for months to make a case, and most just don't have that kind of time," Goodwin said. "With what was being proposed, if the training equipment was there, if dogs were clearly used for fighting, then people could be charged."

Despite their disappointment, Rogers and his allies said they will try again next year. And Ralston said he wants to help them get their bill ready for the 2007 session.

"We're going to spend some time on this legislation over the next year so it will be in shape to pass during the next session," Ralston vowed.

Rogers said he is sure it will pass if he can just get it to the House floor.

"I've talked to a lot of people in the House. The support was there," Rogers said. "If we can get it out of committee, it will pass."

Ride for pets

Grab your bicycle or motorcycle and head to Jackson County on Saturday and ride to help homeless animals. The Humane Society of Jackson County is holding Bike Ride '06 starting at the Pendergrass Depot. Bicycle riders can choose from a 20-mile or 50-mile loop through rural areas, while motorcycle riders will take a 2- to 2 1/2-hour ride to Blood Mountain and back with a police escort. Lunch will be provided upon return. The ride is $20 in advance or $25 that day. The money will go to help establish a fostering program, for low-cost spay and neuter, and toward a fund to build a shelter. To register or for more information, call 706-367-1111 or go to www.hsjc.com.

Microchip your pet

Tags can be lost, collars can be removed. But a microchip the size of a grain of rice could bring your pet home. Almost all shelters now scan for microchips, and when they find one, they check the company's registry to see who the pet belongs to. If your pet is lost, it's often your best chance to get them back. Microchips can be placed in almost any pet, including dogs, cats and birds.

Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends is holding a microchip clinic 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Park Pet Supply in East Atlanta Village. For $35, your pet will be microchipped by a licensed veterinarian. 479A Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-588-0140, www.aarfatlanta.org.

Jog with a dog

The 20th annual Atlanta Dog Jog will be at Piedmont Park on April 30. The jog is staged by the Greater Atlanta Veterinary Medical Society and will benefit Noah's Ark, a center in Locust Grove that takes in abandoned animals and abused, neglected and orphaned children. There will be a one-mile run/jog at 8:30 a.m. and a two-mile run at 9 a.m. Meet at the park picnic shelter area near the swimming center. Registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt and race refreshments. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. For more information and to register, go to www.rungeorgia.com/. People also can register the day of the event.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/living/pets/stories/0423slpetdish.html

 

I'm an expert rifleman Marty, If ya want me to take this guy out! hehehe

 

Its the equipment clauses that get me. Under some of those laws, they could come in and bust me. I've got break sticks, hypodermic needles (I give my own vaccinations), a springpole, trying to get a treadmill, etc... You hear the dude say he was originally trying to ban the breed, so obviously we know where his sensibilities lie.

 

And at least maybe you own a Pitbull....? OH, OH, no doubt you must be evil...

 

that is one of the most ridiculous articles I have read,,again,,its the punks that are ruining the breed and making the ignorant ppl be more ignorant,,I wish these ppl would just do their research and learn before they come up with such BS

 

Damn skippy. I'm going straight to hell with my baby-eaters. But if heaven is populated with poodles and Labs, maybe I don't want to go anyway.

 

I would rather be in hell with all the bulldogs.

 

I know what you mean. This is why I am afraid to get a treadmill.

 

Well I need one for conformation but... lol

 

RESPECT 'EM!!