Comments on: Pit or not: When it’s a life or death decision http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/ The Web blog of the Pet Connection, a pet-care feature syndicated internationally by Universal Press. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:38:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jess http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210921 Jess Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:28:39 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210921 I love that site The OTHER Pat! Unfortunately each and every single one of those dogs is in danger of being euthanized by the ACO, because really what are the chances that he has the ability to see the differences between a "pit" and a Cane Corso or a Dogo Argentino or even an over weight Labrador! I love that site The OTHER Pat! Unfortunately each and every single one of those dogs is in danger of being euthanized by the ACO, because really what are the chances that he has the ability to see the differences between a “pit” and a Cane Corso or a Dogo Argentino or even an over weight Labrador!

]]> By: The OTHER Pat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210629 The OTHER Pat Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:26:18 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210629 Lynn, you might find this website interesting: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html BSL (Breed-Specific-Legislation) simply does not make sense. Lynn, you might find this website interesting:

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.co.....ndpit.html

BSL (Breed-Specific-Legislation) simply does not make sense.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210627 Lynn Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:15:47 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210627 Thanks, Katie, for posting the law. It's a farce. That last part really sucks. The part about an animal control officer "establishing a rebuttable presumption that the dog is a pit bull": good grief, far too many animal control officers can't tell a Chihuahua from a Black Lab. Seriously, if there's a civil action against a pit bull owner, I hope the ACO testifies. If I were the defense attorney I'd challenge him in court by holding up a picture of every single breed that walks the face of this earth. Bet he can't name them all. Ergo, how's the jury supposed to believe that the ACO knows what a pit bull looks like. Hire a top gun attorney and sue. This whole law smacks of someone who's got a grievance against a neighbor with a pit bull. Thanks, Katie, for posting the law.

It’s a farce. That last part really sucks. The part about an animal control officer “establishing a rebuttable presumption that the dog is a pit bull”: good grief, far too many animal control officers can’t tell a Chihuahua from a Black Lab.

Seriously, if there’s a civil action against a pit bull owner, I hope the ACO testifies. If I were the defense attorney I’d challenge him in court by holding up a picture of every single breed that walks the face of this earth. Bet he can’t name them all. Ergo, how’s the jury supposed to believe that the ACO knows what a pit bull looks like.

Hire a top gun attorney and sue.

This whole law smacks of someone who’s got a grievance against a neighbor with a pit bull.

]]> By: katie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210555 katie Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:17:48 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210555 "Although Khuly doesn’t cite the law itself, I would imagine there must by something in it that declares what evidence will deem a dog a Pit Bull." Sure. It looks like one. (a) The term "pit bull dog" as used within this article shall refer to any dog which exhibits those distinguishing characteristics which: (1) Substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers; or (2) Substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers. And as for proving it? (d) Testimony by a veterinarian, zoologist, animal behaviorist, or animal control officer that a particular dog exhibits distinguishing physical characteristics of a pit bull shall establish a rebuttable presumption that the dog is a pit bull. “Although Khuly doesn’t cite the law itself, I would imagine there must by something in it that declares what evidence will deem a dog a Pit Bull.”

Sure. It looks like one.

(a) The term “pit bull dog” as used within this article shall refer to any dog which exhibits those distinguishing characteristics which:
(1) Substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers; or
(2) Substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers.

And as for proving it?

(d) Testimony by a veterinarian, zoologist, animal behaviorist, or animal control officer that a particular dog exhibits distinguishing physical characteristics of a pit bull shall establish a rebuttable presumption that the dog is a pit bull.

]]> By: Dorene http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210553 Dorene Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:16:05 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210553 I agree -- these folks can afford a $100 collar, but can't find a lawyer? I thought most places that had pit bans had had to recind them -- the lack of due process alone ought to be making local lawyers salivate. Get together and get a lawyer -- this is just itching for "legal remedy"! I agree — these folks can afford a $100 collar, but can’t find a lawyer? I thought most places that had pit bans had had to recind them — the lack of due process alone ought to be making local lawyers salivate.

Get together and get a lawyer — this is just itching for “legal remedy”!

]]> By: Lynn http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210542 Lynn Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:09:06 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210542 You mean all these pit bull and pit bull mix owners who live in affluent neighborhoods can't get together and repeal the law or amend it for their pets' protection? Although Khuly doesn't cite the law itself, I would imagine there must by something in it that declares what evidence will deem a dog a Pit Bull. If the citizens played their cards right, they stand a chance of winning the support of other people in their community on the basis of potential government corruption. If all else fails, maybe they'll just have to build a moat around the residential community. I must add that if my dog couldn't be walked in public or visit a bark park because of a stupid law, I'd move. That's not the kind of town I'd want to live in. You mean all these pit bull and pit bull mix owners who live in affluent neighborhoods can’t get together and repeal the law or amend it for their pets’ protection?

Although Khuly doesn’t cite the law itself, I would imagine there must by something in it that declares what evidence will deem a dog a Pit Bull.

If the citizens played their cards right, they stand a chance of winning the support of other people in their community on the basis of potential government corruption.

If all else fails, maybe they’ll just have to build a moat around the residential community.

I must add that if my dog couldn’t be walked in public or visit a bark park because of a stupid law, I’d move. That’s not the kind of town I’d want to live in.

]]> By: Susan Fox http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210376 Susan Fox Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:07:14 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210376 If dogs are private property, how can an official confiscate the dog without due process and without proving that the property in question is, in fact, illegal as defined by this ridiculous, indefensible law. Hasn't anyone filed a lawsuit yet? I can't believe it would hold up under any rational scrutiny. Darn right it leaves the door wide open for corruption. If dogs are private property, how can an official confiscate the dog without due process and without proving that the property in question is, in fact, illegal as defined by this ridiculous, indefensible law. Hasn’t anyone filed a lawsuit yet? I can’t believe it would hold up under any rational scrutiny.
Darn right it leaves the door wide open for corruption.

]]> By: The OTHER Pat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210268 The OTHER Pat Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:43:08 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/01/13/pit-or-not-when-its-a-life-or-death-decision/#comment-210268 I'm always suspicious of news reports of "pit bull attacks" because it never really tells you WHO identified the breed of the dogs in question nor what were their credentials to do so accurately. It's so much easier to trumpet another sensational headline about yet another "pit bull attack" . . . . . . . . . . . . I’m always suspicious of news reports of “pit bull attacks” because it never really tells you WHO identified the breed of the dogs in question nor what were their credentials to do so accurately.

It’s so much easier to trumpet another sensational headline about yet another “pit bull attack” . . . . . . . . . . . .

]]>