Vicki
Administrator
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The case for regulating Pit Bulls presented
By Bob Geier
Guest commentary
Ogden city currently has an ordinance for dangerous dogs designed for any animal that has been involved in an attack or bites or threatens the safety of an individual or domestic animal, or is harbored for fighting.
Animal control classifies animals as dangerous in a reactive fashion. The determination is based on the act, severity, circumstances, witnesses, history of the animal or owner, and the experience of the officer investigating after the attack or injury happens.
Last year in Ogden, 39 percent of the dogs involved in bites were Pit Bulls or Pit mixes. Currently, only 8 percent of the dogs licensed in Ogden are Pit Bulls, but 20 percent of the animals a handled at the Ogden shelter are Pit Bulls. In an effort to prevent bites and injuries, city administration is proposing an ordinance that will address Pit Bulls specifically, with a preventative approach.
Statistics show that Pit Bulls as a breed have been bred, in some cases, trained to be aggressive! Pit bulls are responsible for a disproportionate share of attacks and injuries to people and pets. In one study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 32 percent of dog related killings of humans in the United States are caused by Pit Bulls, yet Pit Bulls constitute only 2 percent of the total dog population, and 70 percent of those mauling deaths were of children under 10 years.
http://www.standard.net/adserver/ww...d5318fd2d2__maxdest=http://www.impactguns.com
Ogden is not seeking to ban Pit Bulls. Rather, the city is proposing a 4-R approach:
1) Registration
2) Recognition
3) Restraint
4) Responsibility
Registration requires the full legal name of the owner matched to acceptable identification and the address and phone number of the owner and the description. A photograph of the dog is also a requirement. The dog would need current rabies vaccination, micro-chip identification, health record from a veterinarian, and written permission of the landowner to house the dog and make the needed improvements on rented property.
Recognition will require signs placed on the property where the dog is housed, indicating the presence of a Pit Bull. The dog must wear a tag identifying the dog as a Pit Bull and the dog must be implanted with a micro-chip for positive identification of the owners.
Restraint means that the dog must be kept inside the home or in an appropriate fenced area or kennel provided to restrain the dog from escaping. The dog must be on a leash when outside and the person in control of the leashed dog must be physically capable of controlling the dog.
Responsibility for the dog rests solely with the owner. They must understand the potential liability of owning a Pit Bull. The owner must immediately notify the shelter if the dog gets loose of if the dog's ownership changes. The owner would be required to have liability insurance in the amount of $50,000. The ordinance reinforces that it is illegal for minors to own Pit Bulls or to be listed as the responsible party.
Ogden is not alone in its concern over Pit Bulls. North Salt Lake City, Springville, South Jordan and Hill Air Force Base housing have legislation regarding Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls are banned in South Jordan and in on-base housing at Hill Air Force Base. Many communities across the country have taken steps to pass laws pertaining to Pit Bulls. We believe this is the proper thing to do. Ogden city is not banning Pit Bulls.
There is enough evidence that these dogs, as a breed, pose a significant risk to people of Ogden and should be regulated. Not all Pit Bulls are bad dogs. Not all Pit Bull owners are irresponsible; the disproportionate number of strays and attacks on humans and pets clearly indicates a need for rules of conduct specific to Pit Bulls.
Bob Geier is the manager of the Ogden City Animal Shelter.
http://www.standard.net/live/news/176947
The case for regulating Pit Bulls presented
By Bob Geier
Guest commentary
Ogden city currently has an ordinance for dangerous dogs designed for any animal that has been involved in an attack or bites or threatens the safety of an individual or domestic animal, or is harbored for fighting.
Animal control classifies animals as dangerous in a reactive fashion. The determination is based on the act, severity, circumstances, witnesses, history of the animal or owner, and the experience of the officer investigating after the attack or injury happens.
Last year in Ogden, 39 percent of the dogs involved in bites were Pit Bulls or Pit mixes. Currently, only 8 percent of the dogs licensed in Ogden are Pit Bulls, but 20 percent of the animals a handled at the Ogden shelter are Pit Bulls. In an effort to prevent bites and injuries, city administration is proposing an ordinance that will address Pit Bulls specifically, with a preventative approach.
Statistics show that Pit Bulls as a breed have been bred, in some cases, trained to be aggressive! Pit bulls are responsible for a disproportionate share of attacks and injuries to people and pets. In one study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 32 percent of dog related killings of humans in the United States are caused by Pit Bulls, yet Pit Bulls constitute only 2 percent of the total dog population, and 70 percent of those mauling deaths were of children under 10 years.
http://www.standard.net/adserver/ww...d5318fd2d2__maxdest=http://www.impactguns.com
Ogden is not seeking to ban Pit Bulls. Rather, the city is proposing a 4-R approach:
1) Registration
2) Recognition
3) Restraint
4) Responsibility
Registration requires the full legal name of the owner matched to acceptable identification and the address and phone number of the owner and the description. A photograph of the dog is also a requirement. The dog would need current rabies vaccination, micro-chip identification, health record from a veterinarian, and written permission of the landowner to house the dog and make the needed improvements on rented property.
Recognition will require signs placed on the property where the dog is housed, indicating the presence of a Pit Bull. The dog must wear a tag identifying the dog as a Pit Bull and the dog must be implanted with a micro-chip for positive identification of the owners.
Restraint means that the dog must be kept inside the home or in an appropriate fenced area or kennel provided to restrain the dog from escaping. The dog must be on a leash when outside and the person in control of the leashed dog must be physically capable of controlling the dog.
Responsibility for the dog rests solely with the owner. They must understand the potential liability of owning a Pit Bull. The owner must immediately notify the shelter if the dog gets loose of if the dog's ownership changes. The owner would be required to have liability insurance in the amount of $50,000. The ordinance reinforces that it is illegal for minors to own Pit Bulls or to be listed as the responsible party.
Ogden is not alone in its concern over Pit Bulls. North Salt Lake City, Springville, South Jordan and Hill Air Force Base housing have legislation regarding Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls are banned in South Jordan and in on-base housing at Hill Air Force Base. Many communities across the country have taken steps to pass laws pertaining to Pit Bulls. We believe this is the proper thing to do. Ogden city is not banning Pit Bulls.
There is enough evidence that these dogs, as a breed, pose a significant risk to people of Ogden and should be regulated. Not all Pit Bulls are bad dogs. Not all Pit Bull owners are irresponsible; the disproportionate number of strays and attacks on humans and pets clearly indicates a need for rules of conduct specific to Pit Bulls.
Bob Geier is the manager of the Ogden City Animal Shelter.
http://www.standard.net/live/news/176947