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January 14, 2003

What do you think?

We've recently posted articles to this site about a proposed leash ordinance backed by the Bite Prevention Committee. This group is opposed to the banning of specific dog breeds and any new restrictions on responsible dog owners. You can find more comments and details in the article entitled Pooch Patrol from the January 11 issue of the Grand Rapids Press. (Note the closing comment from Sgt. Matthis of the GR police department: "We're not out after the people exercising their dogs.")

Now we'd like to hear what you think. Please let us know your opinions about this ordinance by submitting your comments below. It's a topic we'd also like to address at next week's general meeting to be held at Founder's on January 21st at 7:30 pm. We hope to see you there!

Posted by at January 14, 2003 10:29 PM

Comments

Outlawing any specific breed is next to impossible. Why? Because defining the breed is impossible.Any unpapered dog can be anything it the owner claims it is.

Who would determine the breed? A vet? An animal control officer? An AKC judge?

Determining breeds is difficult. That is why pedigrees exist. Often, cross-breeding can yield a dog that is nearly identical to an established breed, but that does not make the dog that breed.

Breed banning would be a legal nightmare.

Posted by: Patrick Snyder at January 18, 2003 01:32 AM

Yes, it would be a legal nightmare - and a great loss for everyone. I own a friendly, social Rottweiller, Ella, who is a great spokesdog for all Rottys everywhere. It is silly to think that the breed is responsible for an unsocial dog - the problem would almost always be its owner and lack of socialization.

Posted by: Gwen at January 18, 2003 11:00 AM