Comments(17)
Minimal support for crackdown on some dog breeds
By Brian Chasnoff - Express-News
Citizens from more than 20 animal groups showed up at the headquarters of the Humane Society, SPCA of Bexar County to hear from the four major mayoral candidates. The groups submitted questions that probed the candidates' mindsets on a variety of topics, including whether they would support the banning of certain breeds.
teamcruz10:44 PM
That is because it doesnt take much common sense to detect that the irresponsible/careless/reckless owners/parents/babysitters are to blame. While we have irresponsible pet owners, we also have irresponsible parents who let their kids infest San Antonio with crime-you know who you are.
pontifikate8:53 PM
The difference between being bit by a Chihuahua or pit bull is how easy it is to get the dog off a child or a elderly person. HUGE difference.
Mr. T7:30 PM
A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas. Since 1975, fatal attacks have been attributed to dogs from at least 30 breeds. A recent study showed that on average about 1,000 Americans per day are treated in emergency rooms as a result of dog bites. In 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. (dogbitelaw.com) RICHARDSTOTTS … it appears to me you’re another uniformed loudmouth who should check your facts before your speak. What are you going to suggest now … banning every dog breed that has killed? There are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners.
richardstotts3:41 PM
pit bulls kill, Chihuahua's bite, huge difference.
I say outlaw the breed, too many owners of pit bulls are NOT responsible. HOw many golden retrievers do we see killing?? NONE
CH11802:47 PM
Thanks, VL. I honestly don't see things changing by 2012, but within 10 years I sure hope so. The city has done a lot so far to curb the number of animals put down yearly, but I think we've reached a point that will require a more direct campaign. The message needs to be clear and outline the numerous ways each of us can control the pet population. But even then, those who have not listened the past several years, more than likely won't start listening now. And with so many other ills in our society, the behavior is passed from generation to generation. I'm tired of calling 311 everyday for yet another dead animal in the road, it's time for this city to start acting like the 7th largest city in the country!
VL1:15 PM
CH1180 - THANK YOU for your honest, insightful post here. I agree that many of our citizens here view owning pets much differently than in other areas. A mindset that I'm not certain we can change in the next decade or so? Do you think we can? I'm pleased to know that you are proud of your heritage, but have decided to share your life with pets, in a different/more positive way!!! Maybe you want to run for Mayor? :o)
CH118012:26 PM
Until this city realizes that this problem has strong ties to cultural issues, the problem will not be solved. I am a proud Mexican-American, however, I also know that often in our culture, animals are viewed as nothing more than an animal. And to this end, the animals are often left in the yard barely supervised or having minimal interaction. Or, even worse, allowed to roam freely despite not being spayed/neutered (yes, this means cats, too). It's disheartening to see how my culture treat animals, but when you travel and see how few strays you notice in other major cities, I just have to shake my head. My wife and I foster animals regularly and even capture strays and have them fixed (on our dime), so I say all this with the animals’ best interest at heart; I'm sorry to say, I don't see anything changing with this city by 2012. Not until the cultural issues at the core of the matter are addressed.
yaya1212:25 PM
All very good points here. The training of a dog is most crucial. Unfortunately, as has been stated, there are those who cannnot afford the training. Unfortunately, also, we do not have 100% responsibility among dog owners. However, I would rather be bitten by a chihuahua than a pit bull! As for the starving, suffering, stray dogs no one wants - not even the city pound, they shoot horses, don't they?
smr110612:24 PM
There are no bad breeds of dogs, but there are breeds of dogs that are more dangerous if they attack. When a breed is very dangerous, and a member of that breed is a bad dog, we have a problem. I think IF a ban is passed, it should prohibit the acquisition of a dog of that breed, but currently owned dogs are allowed. The owners of the dogs have will have the burden of proof.
mkmartinez3210:27 AM
Its not the breed its the irresponsible owner or lack of one. I see many people who own a dog and just tie it up in the backyard and forget it. I hear it crying everyday for attention. You can't report abuse because they throw food to it everyday and give it water. There is just no love for its need to be with people. When it gets loose of course it will be wild and possible bite someone. I see people run over animals because they could care less and think it is only a nuisance and best to get rid of it. I have seen dogs falling down dying of starvation in city streets. Even in my neighborhood people dump their unwanted pets in empty lots. Some people feel sorry for them and throw food for them but they can't bring them home because they already have too many. City won't come to pick them up so they left to starve, bite and roam the streets. It would be nice just like we have community centers for kids and elderly to get together that we can also bring our pets to learn and play.
eljavaline9:59 AM
ok. my idea is unfair and possibly to expensive for those living on fixed incomes. by the way people on fixed incomes are most times the greatest pet owners.!(.cuz they literally have time to spend with thier pets).. ,,.my solution to the added cost of training a pet is to do like the great program that spays and neuters here in S.A. ....provide the training on income based sliding scale......everyone deserves the love and experience a pet can bring....this is just a suggestion for dealing with aggresive pets folk .....so if i offended i am sorry.!...feel free to add to the sugested solutions....i think if we all brainstorm we can come up with a better plan than banning a breed!.
eljavaline9:35 AM
mr. t..great point...and well spoken concern over someone taking ur pet away simply cuz of ignorance...people need to remember there are are more dog bites reported by small dogs than big dogs...yea i know u are more than likely to get killed by a big dog...but the fact is....... stats show dog bites occur in all breeds at is unfair to point the finger at just one breed....now my solution is simple..every year u have to have ur dog vacinated.....simply add an extra requirement to this annual ritual...this requirement would be for your animal and you to pass a simple assessement that first shows you can handle your pet and secondly that your dog does not display aggressive tendancies...if u are assessed as not having proper control over your pet or your pet is out of control you should be required to further educate yourself and your pet to make things safer for you, your dog and the public....if your dog bites someone and u have not completed the suggested assessments...hell yea u should go to jail...!education and early assessement is the key to this dilema with aggresive dogs....not banning a breed cuz hysteria and ignorance....dog trainers are probably hearing the dollars hit the bank but, education is safe logical way of measuring and assessing dog aggression in all breeds not just one...it will be expensive ..but if u can not afford training fees maybe u should not have a pet....it's kinda like if u cannot afford to clothe and educate your kid ..maybe u shouldnt be planning to have a pet if can not properly intergrate your pet into our community experiment.....
lu9:29 AM
I agree with Mr. T and jam. I have seen more aggressive Chihuahuas (who have bitten me or my family members) than aggressive pits. Let's ban Chihuahuas too, then. The problem is not the dog breed, but how you treat the dog. All dogs that are treated kindly and with respect are docile, loving pets. I have a bull boxer and he is our little boy, an extremely loving dog.
jam8:36 AM
that is like saying certain ethnic groups should be banned bc crime rates are higher among them. i agree with mr. t, bad dogs come from people who treat their dogs badly.
Mr. T6:54 AM
My dog trainer, who has decades of dog training experience and worked with The Dog Whiperer's Cesar Milan, believes there is no such thing as a 'bad dog breed,' only people who treat their dog badly, resulting in a bad dog. My family has a year-and-a-half year old American Pitbull Terrier. She is a wonderful family dog and is inseparable from our son, age seven. Our neighbor's three year old loves playing with our dog. Our dog sees the vet often, attends training classes, is kept on a leash in public and is regularly socialized. Our dog is a member of our family. And uniformed people are suggesting a member of our family needs to go? How about we get rid of a family member from YOUR family? Any dog can become bad. Go after the bad dogs ... not mine.
oenwilliams19986:53 AM
I think the city needs to offer an easier way to get pets spayed/neutered, instead of the once-a-month-in-your-neighborhood and have to be there at 500am to wait for two hours to get it done option they have now. Maybe they can set up an agreement with vets in the city about some kind of reimbursement if they offer the procedure to their clients at half off. Unfortunately the previous comment is right, nothing will happen until it happens again.
willievok6:36 AM
As soon as days have past after an attack everything is forgotten until it happens again and then the people start talking about, what to do about the breeds of dogs that are a danger to our children.
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