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Dangerous dogs topic of public hearing, AR

Discussion in 'Laws & Legislation' started by Judy, Apr 22, 2006.

  1. Judy

    Judy CH Dog

    Dangerous dogs topic of public hearing

    By Donna Hilton





    Several citizens, including owners of pit bull dogs, provided input and advice during a public discussion of a proposed dangerous dog ordinance at Thursday night's Arkadelphia City Board meeting.

    The board scheduled the hearing to allow members of the community to sepak on the issue of strengthening the city's laws. The city now only has a leash law requiring animals to be leashed in public. A proposed ordinance would list the owner's responsibilities and possible fines and disciplinary action that could be taken if the dog owner is negligent.

    The discussion began with comments from Dr. James Waymack, a local veterinarian. "Any dog of any size can be dangerous," he said. He said he didn't want to discourage anyone from having a dog, but he also admitted that "no dog is worth a child being injured or killed."

    The problems lie with individual dogs and their owners who fail to properly socialize the dog, Waymack said, and with parents who fail to teach their children to leave dogs alone. "Dogs should be trained, but kids should be trained as well."

    Duane Taylor, a pit bull owner, agreed with Waymack. "It's all in how you raise" the dogs. He urged the board to consider an ordinance that dealt with all dogs, not singling out one breed over others. "Chihuahuas can be dangerous, especially if there's more than one," Taylor said.

    He also offered his assistance to other pit bull owners for the proper care of the animals. "Give us (pit bull owners) a chance to talk and work something out," he said.

    Another pit bull owner offered suggestions for dog owners. Manuel Urban said he raises pit bulls for sale, and he's never been bitten by one. Urban said he does not believe in chaining dogs. "Chains make them mean." He also recommends that others who sell the dogs restrict their sales to persons who will be good pet owners. "You have to spend a lot of time with them. It takes a big commitment to be a responsible owner." He recommended limiting the sale of pit bulls to persons over 18 who can commit the amount of time and effort needed to properly care for pit bulls.

    Both Taylor and Urban agreed that dog owners should be held responsible for their pets' behavior. "If a dog bites someone, something should be done to the owner," Taylor said.


    Janie Allen, president of the Humane Society of Clark County, agreed with Urban. "If you put a dog on a chain, it's going to get aggressive." As a pet groomer, Allen said she's been bitten numerous times, but never by a pit bull.

    She also defended the animals' behavior. "You're doing something to the dog they don't want done. Biting is the only way the dog has of saying 'no'," she said. The problem is not with the dogs. "Owners who are not taking care of their animals is the problem."

    The discussion was the result of a request last month for public input by Director James Calhoun. He thanked Taylor and Urban for their offers of help and said he felt this was a good starting point. "We're going to be discussing this for a long time," before any decisions will be made, he said.

    Director Ann Sanders said this was only a discussion and that no decisions have been made. No one particular breed will be singled out if an ordinance is passed. "We're not picking on one particular breed," she said. She warned all pet owners that the ordinance will apply to them if necessary. "If your dog is out of control, he's going to the dog pound and in a few days, he's going to glory."

    Letters from individuals voicing support of a dangerous dog ordinance were also read. Cpl. Dean Palmer of the Arkadelphia Police Department told the board of an incident in 2004 in which a dog had to be shot by officers after biting a postal employee and an animal control officer.

    "That's the most vicious dog I've ever seen," Palmer said. The dog was a German shepherd. Palmer attempted to control the dog by other means, including pepper spray and his baton, but the animal continued to attack and had to be killed.

    Mayor Chuck Hollingshead told the audience that the board will discuss the subject of vicious dogs for a while. In the meantime, the proposed dangerous dog ordinance is posted on the city's website for reference. It can be found at www.cityofarkadelphia.com under the link for the city board agenda.

    http://www.siftingsherald.com/articles/2006/04/21/news/news1.txt

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  2. miakoda

    miakoda GRCH Dog

    Because unfortunately it's the town idiots, the bybs, & the puppy peddlers who are stepping forward to "defend" our breed. Until others get off their asses & truly do something, then what the idiots, bybs, & puppy peddlers say will be seen as "truth".

    Another reason why we, all "pit bull" owners, cannot just "get along". Many are ruining it for the rest of us. The media & government never cared about our dogs until certain types of "pit bull" owners got their attention through their own actions. We MUST police ourselves & step forward as responsible "pit bull" owners to not only defend the breed, but make sure the public differentiates us from the idiots, bybs & peddlers.
     

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