[Speed Gibson,
Tuesday August 30, 2005 at 11:03pm]
I Reluctantly Agree
From the Associated Press per the Minneapolis Star Tribune:
The world seldom needs a new law, but I think something like this has to be a reluctant exception. Some American cities like Denver also have outlawed certain breeds, including pit bulls. Some say it's the owners, not the dogs, that many breeds can be trained to be overly agressive. So maybe the answer is to require their owners post a bond or obtain a specific rider on their homeowner/renter's insurance. Allstate will not issue homeowner's insurance at all to California residents who own pit bulls.
I only know that I'm tired of reading how surprised these owners are when their supposedly gentle Rottweiler mauls a small child.
TORONTO -- Ontario on Monday became the first Canadian province to ban pit bulls in the wake of vicious attacks by the dogs, but defiant owners have already challenged the law.
The measure makes it illegal to breed pit bulls or bring the dogs into the province. Those already in Ontario will be allowed to stay provided they are spayed, and leashed and muzzled in public.
There's a 60-day grace period for owners to comply with the law. Any pit bull born after that will have to be shipped out of the province, sent to a research facility or destroyed. Owners who violate the law can face up to six months in jail.
The world seldom needs a new law, but I think something like this has to be a reluctant exception. Some American cities like Denver also have outlawed certain breeds, including pit bulls. Some say it's the owners, not the dogs, that many breeds can be trained to be overly agressive. So maybe the answer is to require their owners post a bond or obtain a specific rider on their homeowner/renter's insurance. Allstate will not issue homeowner's insurance at all to California residents who own pit bulls.
I only know that I'm tired of reading how surprised these owners are when their supposedly gentle Rottweiler mauls a small child.