Rep. Paul Wesselhoft Moore, OK

Dog · Jul 25, 2007

I posted this in another thread but someone didn't like it there so I removed it.

Better than a breed specific law but still.

Rep. Paul Wesselhoft Who was trying to get a statewide ban changed his tune but he still talks negative about the breed. Just a means to an end for him.

http://newsok.com/article/3085574

Bill would put more teeth in law

By Jennifer Mock

Capitol Bureau

Dog owners could face a mandatory year in prison and a minimum $10,000 fine if their pet attacks a person and does serious harm, even if the dog was not aggressive before.

The change would be made in legislation filed this week by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft.

He unsuccessfully fought for the past several years to ban pit bull terriers here. Those bills have failed to get much traction, so he said he is changing his tactics. In the upcoming legislative session, he said, he'll target the dog owners instead of the animals.

‘Model legislation'
The legislation is modeled after a Texas law that removes the "first bite is free” principle. Before, a dog had to be proven dangerous for an owner to be held criminally liable.

"This marks a paradigm shift, a dramatic change in canine jurisprudence,” said Wesselhoft, R-Moore. "If passed, this law will become model legislation for other states that have been plagued with vicious dog attacks, especially from the pit bull breed.”

Under the legislation, a dog would have to seriously maul, maim or kill on the first attack for the owner to face a felony charge. Hospitalization would be required, meaning owners would not have to fear retribution for an "errant nip or a playful bite,” he said.

"I don't want to criminalize every dog bite,” he said. "I want to deal with the truly dangerous animals that people have failed to take responsibility for that are wreaking havoc throughout our state.”

The legislation is not breed-specific, but he said "people will think twice before buying a pit bull knowing that they will be a convicted felon wallowing in prison for a year if their dog seriously injures someone.” Lawmakers will consider the bill in February when they return to the Capitol.
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FearlessKnight · Jul 25, 2007

"I don't want to criminalize every dog bite,” he said. "I want to deal with the truly dangerous animals that people have failed to take responsibility for that are wreaking havoc throughout our state.”

The legislation is not breed-specific, but he said "people will think twice before buying a pit bull knowing that they will be a convicted felon wallowing in prison for a year if their dog seriously injures someone.” Lawmakers will consider the bill in February when they return to the Capitol
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What a complete A$$.....Gee I hope too many dont think this way...but then again....I guess when those pit bulls dont do anything to anyone, he will be eating his own words....

Dog · Jul 25, 2007

FearlessKnight said:

What a complete A$$.....Gee I hope too many dont think this way...but then again....I guess when those pit bulls dont do anything to anyone, he will be eating his own words....
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Thank you I meant to hightlight that part but forgot. lol

Dog · Jul 28, 2007

I just saw on the news a story of a girl that got bit a year ago. Thenn they bring this up. lol It is funny what the media will do. I am surprised there hasn't been more about Vick here but luckily I havn't seen or heard much about it.

screamin'eagle · Jul 28, 2007

Dog said:

I am surprised there hasn't been more about Vick here...
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That goes to show how unreliable the media is...they only report what's hot, and making sales. As far as I can tell with Vick's trial being postponed until Nov. after his not guilty plea the kettle has cooled. Couple that with the recent escapades of the likes of Lindsay Lohan and the Vick story has lost some steam. The last few days I've not noticed much Vick news unless I was specifically watching sports networks (ie ESPN)...but maybe that's just the case in my neck of the woods.

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Rep. Paul Wesselhoft Moore, OK

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