Zak George from the Animal Planet series, "Fetch Me a Beer," is shown with dogs in Maynard, Mass., Which one of these dogs should be defined as vicious?
Let's say you are a Texas State Representative, and your district has a problem with teenage thugs using their dogs to intimidate the neighbors. Do you:
a. Get with schools and churches to organize a community meeting about youth running the streets.
b. Call the local animal control and sheriff's departments.
c. Work with local police regarding the local juvenile delinquency laws.
d. Introduce a statewide bill to the Texas Legislature.
The correct answer is of course "D."
Introducing HB 925, authored by Rep. Harold Dutton of Houston/ Harris County http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist142/dutton.php
Relating to the handling of or caring for a pit bull breed of dog by certain minors; providing penalties.
(b) A minor who is 15 years of age or younger may not handle or care for a pit bull breed of dog without adult supervision.
(c) The owner of a pit bull breed of dog who allows a minor who is 15 years of age or younger to handle or care for the dog without adult supervision is liable for damages for death or bodily injury to a person that occurs while the dog is handled or cared for by the minor.
Most people are going to look at this bill and think, "What kind of idiot parent would let a 14-year old run the neighborhood with an aggressive dog? Besides, I don't own a 'pit bull' so this doesn't affect me." However, there are several reasons to object to this bill:
- This bill defines a “pit bull.” It puts agencies already running on shoestring budgets in the position of chasing down dogs who have done nothing wrong other than looking like a "pit bull" (or is that a boxer mix?).
- It defines a “pit bull” as being inherently more dangerous than other dogs. Any dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands.
- If a city is having problem with juveniles using dogs to intimidate people, local governments can already use truancy laws, loitering laws, anti-gang laws and curfews to address the situation. Local governments are free to make laws pertaining to minors handling dogs in public and they should apply to all dogs equally.
- Why give a free pass if the dog who injures a person is not a pit bull? Why not make everyone equally liable?
Constituents of Rep. Dutton’s should contact him and explain that this bill is discriminatory and will not improve public safety.
This article is adapted from another article I wrote for lsspbc.com.
IMPORTANT: The Dallas Pet Laws Examiner is not an attorney. These articles are not intended to be legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.
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Comments
Dear Laura,
Your article is very confusing. In the begging you tell the reader that they should blame the dog instead of the owner. But in the ending you tell the reader that they should blame the owner and not the dog. I understand what your trying to say, but as a reader it is a little confusing on whose side you're on.
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