NHR - SB 861 in california

[eirualaerdna]

California is going to vote on SB 861 this petition is directed toward pit bulls and other "dangerous dogs" in california. This is BREED related, not CRIME or ACT related. This is an effort to ban pit bulls, including extermination and forced alteration of any and all dogs of this breed. PLEASE help stop california from destroying some of our trusted, loyal and wonderful friends. These dogs are NOT BORN dangerous, the irresponsibility of humans that own these dogs and don't train them well, or train them to be the "dangerous dog" are at fault. I know MANY wonderful pit bulls, some of these dogs are helping take care of elderly, impaired, disabled, and just lonely people, some of them have even saved lives! So many of these great animals are parts of families. If you live in california, please vote NO on SB 861 and save some of our wonderful friends. Hopefully this state will instead find a way to control the humans that are REALLY at fault.

[kidznhorses]

eirualaerdna,

Please don't be offended by this. I truly do not mean to upset you. Three mini's were attacked and killed in our county just this week by pitbulls. I'm not as sympathetic as many may be, as these dogs had NO reason to kill these horses.

Yes, it IS the owners responsibility to keep them under control, but you have to admit, a pack of Labs or Irish Setters are not going to attack and kill horses or people.

[quatzie]

I was in Yakima this week, and I saw the TV news about the Mini's that were killed and the one that was saved only after the police killed the one of attack dogs..

I, ...myself lost my young foal many years a go... to a pack of dog's running my foal into the fence and eating him alive. I was only 17 when it happened. Thank God my Uncle came out to see what had happened and killed two of the German Shepard's that were eating my colts neck out. I will never forget that attack from my memory. I don't think it always breed specific but how the dogs are raised. I could never replaced my baby foal from my heart, but I do support owner being responsible for their animals.. and how they are trained.

Its very sad to hear about these type of events, but some owners will not take the necessary precautions for these animal so the Law has to take over for the safety of the public. So, now it's up to the public to vote on it. I am not saying it right or wrong, it's just what it has come to be with all of the attacks on people and pets.

[eirualaerdna]

It sad though. It shouldn't be breed specific. I've heard of so many other types of dogs attacking, and yet pit bulls carry the weight of dog attacks because they are the "scary" ones. They have the reputation, so they get publicized for it when it does happen. Yes, these dogs are bred to fight illegally, and this is why so many of them attack (as well as being used as protection). You hear these stories because like I said, it is already their reputation. They're also very protective dogs, and if not trained right, they can attack when their families are in danger. People need to understand what kind of animal they have, and be careful with them. many of these dogs are great, friendly and calm animals, but are you going to hear the hero stories? NO. I don't think it's right to exterminate an entire breed in a specific area because people are stupid and want to make money off of teaching these muscular dogs to kill eachother and be agressive. They are NOT all like this, in fact, most aren't. Again, this is a cause of human mistake, not a "bad" breed of dog.

[eirualaerdna]

By the way - I'm sorry about your colt. That's really, really sad. My pet lop eared rabbit, and a few of my pet ducks were torn apart when I was really young, and body parts were left around my lawn by racoons >=[

[April]

I agree with eirualaerdna. I feel, being closer to animals than some humans, that it is being prejudice. Just like saying we should toss all the Mexicans out because they do that, or the Chinese because they do this. Or even all Arabians are crazy nut cases, or Thoroughbreds can't be good trail horses.

There are bad apples in every breed and race. And we shouldn't be punishing the dogs, we should be punishing the people that turn them into hateful souls. If people know they have a "dangerous dog breed" they should take responsibilty for it, and many do. It's the losers who shouldn't have animals in the first place that screw it up for the rest of them.

I realize that what I said is a bit sporadic, it is so hard for me to write about stuff I'm passionate about sometimes. I have so much in my head that I can't put down sounding right. Argh .

Also, the Pit Bulls I know and have personally met have been great dogs. Very sweet and loving. It's the little ones you have to watch out for ;D.

[ebo]

Sad to say, the blame for the renegade pit bulls will never be placed where it belongs--which is with the monsters who train them.

To do that would be "penalizing" racial groups in the ghettos, and our politicians just won't go there. Groups in California are all too quick to play the race card when they're asked/told to become civilized.

[bridgetah]

I don't support this legislation but I have had quite a bit of experiece with pitbulls and I understand that fear that is behind this.

I place the blame partly on rescues who deny that they dogs are predatory, adopt them out to inexperienced owners and when the dog "turns on" (often at maturity 2-3 years old) and acts like a pitbull, they are not prepared for it.

Even groups like BadRap here in Oakland will not publicly discuss dog agression and predatory behavior publically (newspaper interviews, radio talk shows), although it is clearly stated on their website.

In the sense of ignorance and unwillingness to face reality, then it is indeed the owners, but the dogs are bred to fight and they are very predatory towards other animals. I know that there are individual exceptions and I've known many of them but that is not predictable. It's like finding a border collie that won't herd or a JRT that won't dig.

I had a beautiful pitbull. I trained him for nearly a year, including agility. It was our activity together and we loved it. He was great in his obedience classes and in agility. And, then, one night in his very advanced obedience class, he broke out of a down-stay and began to spar with all the dogs in the class. It was terrifying. He was responding to the behaviour of another pitbull in the class whose owner got her leashed on time.

My dog was beyond my command and the trainer's. The trainer is wonderful with pitbulls - she's had several of them - her's and her student's dogs - show and win at big shows like Gaines.

It didn't take long to realize that this dog was dangerous to my other dogs and to my neighbors' dogs. I couldn't find anyone experienced enough to take him so I put him down. That was not a decision I made lightly. This dog was not ever abused and he'd had nearly a year of obedience training from an excellent trainer. He'd just matured and "turned on," that's all. At least no one's dog was hurt but it all broke my heart.