Letter to the Editor: No bad dogs
BY Caren Hurlbut, Coweta
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
2/06/13 at 7:21 AM
In reference to Senate Bill 32 allowing cities to ban certain breeds of dogs: Any law of this type affects the rights and freedoms of law-abiding citizens. Bills like this are based on prejudice and fear. No particular breed of dog is vicious, dangerous or untrainable, not even pit bulls, boxers and Rottweilers. Pit bulls and boxers aren't specific breeds but Rottweiler is a specific breed. The various breeds referred to as pit bulls or boxers and Rottweilers, when lovingly raised and trained, are gentle, obedient, trustworthy dogs.
Present and new laws such as leash laws, fencing laws, animal abuse and neglect laws and dog fighting laws pertaining to all dogs and laws pertaining to the actions of individual dogs if enforced, would control the problem of vicious dogs attacking people by controlling dogs and addressing any issues with individual dogs known or suspected of being violent and a threat to innocent people.
People who deliberately make dogs vicious for illegal dog fighting or other reasons would be controlled by the above laws. If a particular breed was banned they would just switch to another breed.
Editor's note: The author of the measure that would ban certain breeds of dogs has said he will not seek to advance the legislation this session because of intense opposition.
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