COLLEGE PARK GEORGIA | JUNE 6, 2011
Saying it’s acting in the interest of public safety, College Park officials will enact a “dangerous dog” registry next month that some critics say is very close to canine profiling. Residents owning dogs that have, without provocation, bitten someone during the last 12 years, will be required to register their pet with the city clerk’s office.
Pit bull, Doberman, Rottweiler and German shepherd owners, will also have to register their dogs whether they have ever attacked someone or not. Registration will cost a $25 annual fee. Those who fail to register their dogs will face fines and confiscation of their pets.
Critics are upset that no public hearings were held before the dog registry became law.
I am not an expert in any way. I have read a lot of articles since becoming involved in dog rescue, especially since here in the South we find ourselves rescuing a lot of bully breed dogs. It is nearly impossible (even with DNA testing) to categorize these mixed breeds. We have discovered many of our dogs, that we thought had some pit in them, after testing did not. Who is to judge (deem aggressive) the majority of these dogs with unknown heritage just by looking at them? And from our experience most of these “bullies” have been the sweetest natured.
Mean Dog Alert!
Below From Mary Ullmer | The Grand Rapids Press The Grand Rapids Press
“Identification problems aside, educating and holding owners of powerful dog breeds responsible for their dogs’ actions would go a long way toward ensuring safe communities. Banning breeds could result in irresponsible owners simply shifting to another breed they could abuse, fight or train to be vicious. Remember when Doberman pinschers were the problem? Rottweilers? Any dog can bite or attack.
But if the dog is properly trained, socialized cared for and, yes, spayed or neutered – and not abused, taught to fight or tethered to a chain in the back yard all day and night – chances are greater that it will not become a vicious animal.
Calgary, a city of more than 1.3 million people in Canada’s Alberta province, has recognized the importance of placing the onus of nuisance dogs on the owners. Bill Bruce is Calgary’s director of Animal and Bylaw Services and an adviser to the National Canine Research Council here in the United States.
In Calgary, Bruce’s department hits irresponsible dog owners where it hurts: in the wallet. Some examples:
- Owners whose dogs defecate on public property (presumably without the owner picking it up) are fined $250.
- Unlicensed dog? $250 A dog that chases and threatens to bite someone? $100
- A person caught teasing or tormenting a dog? $100
- A person whose dog bites someone? $350
- Serious bite requiring medical attention? $750
- Severe bite or all-out attack? A whopping $1,500 fine.
Bruce’s department will seize dogs who attack and hold them for 30 days, giving the courts a chance to rule. If a judge orders the dog destroyed, his department will comply.
But the “Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw,” funded by license fees, seems to be working. Bruce reports that 95 percent of dog owners are in compliance when it comes to licensing.
His department impounded 4,291 dogs in 2009, with 86 percent of them being returned to their owners. Another 9 percent were adopted out, while less than 5 percent – 203 – were euthanized. Of those, 145 were considered vicious, 36 were put down because of health issues and 22 because of serious injury.
Calgary had just 159 reported dog bites, most of them minor, in 2009, according to Bruce. The bylaw is based on four principles:
- License and provide permanent identification for your pets
- Spay or neuter your pets
- Provide training, socialization, proper diet and medical care for your pets
- Do not allow your pets to become a threat or nuisance in the community.
I’m sure most responsible dog owners in America would agree this is pretty simple stuff. Yet we continue to have irresponsible owners who have a blatant disregard for society and fail to obey the laws when it comes to their pets. We also have understaffed, underfunded animal control teams and fines that either are unenforced or so minimal that they don’t discourage owners from breaking the laws currently on the books.”
I will continue to speak out for the bullies, they deserve as much of a chance at a great life as any other breed. In our rescue we have been challenged by a few other “sweet” pups like a chihuahua, a Boston terrier and Maltese :)
One thing I do know is we need to work to stop breed discrimination, become more responsible pet owners, educate and tirelessly work toward holding responsible those individuals that abuse, neglect or put any animal in harm’s way.
We can do better!
