Another proposed Ban

Pits in the news and info on Breed Specific Legislation.

Postby Michele » December 27th, 2006, 4:02 pm

December 27, 2006, 7:19 AM EST

Regarded as dangerous pets by their detractors but loved for their assertive nature by their owners, pit bulls may find themselves banned from New York City.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. said Tuesday that he wants to ban the canines, calling them a danger to public safety.

"Pit bulls are responsible for many, many attacks," the Democrat said. "A parent on the street can't protect their children, or themselves from this, what is actually a weapon."

Vallone said that many gangs and criminals train pit bulls to be attack dogs.

The canines do account for 15 percent of animal attacks in the city. They are also among the most commonly abandoned, found in disproportionately high numbers at the city's pet shelters.

But pit bull lovers said they don't think pit bulls are inherently dangerous and that they don't need to be banned.

Pedro Rosario, who owns four pit bulls and has worked at the Manhattan shelter and adoption center for more than a decade, said Tuesday that the dogs' temperament depends on how their owners raise them.

"With a responsible owner, this could be a great pet in the house," Rosario said, as he sat in the shelter, ruffling the fur of one of the famously tough dogs.

Another pit bull owner, Greta Godoy, agreed with Rosario. "It all has to do with how you teach them, how you nurture them," she said. "If you do abuse them they will become very aggressive."

Vallone's proposal would ban pit bulls from being sold or bred in the city. Current owners would be able to keep their pit bulls.

Other cities have placed similar bans on pit bulls -- including Denver, Kansas City and Miami -- after high-profile attacks involving the canines.
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Postby Big_Ant » December 27th, 2006, 8:01 pm

The Councilman is a fool.

Both Owners in the article are wrong.

I wish one day the media would talk with someone that they assume is ignorant and that person can actually put out some good *AND CORRECT* information.

- Anthony
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Postby Michele » December 28th, 2006, 11:24 am

Here's Vallone's information if anyone cares to write a letter to this moron:

Peter F. Vallone
22-45 31st Street
Astoria, NY 11105
Tel - 718-274-4500
Fax - 718-726-0357

Legislative Office:

250 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10007
Tel - 212- 788-6963
Fax - 212-788-8957
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Postby mnp13 » December 28th, 2006, 11:33 am

New York city would have to overturn a New York state law to get it passed, but that's not exactly out of the question because NYC has a lot of pull.

I'll definately be writing in, a ban in NYC would spread to the rest of the state very quickly.
Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.
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Postby Michele » December 28th, 2006, 12:42 pm

On December 28 2006, mnp13 wrote:New York city would have to overturn a New York state law to get it passed, but that's not exactly out of the question because NYC has a lot of pull.

I'll definately be writing in, a ban in NYC would spread to the rest of the state very quickly.


I just wrote my letter and attached around 20 positive pit bull stories, including some K-9 pits, drug sniffing pits, pits that saved their owners lives....stuff like that......geez, I hope they dont pass this ban. What if i wanted to get a pit say, a couple years down the road....then what?...
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Postby Mahlon » December 28th, 2006, 12:52 pm

Following please find the text of our press release, which should be available via the web shortly.

Mahlon

- - - -

The Dog Federation of New York Responds To Plan By New York City Councilmember Peter Vallone To Reverse State Law And Offers Assistance On Dog Safety Plan



The Dog Federation of New York expresses surprise at New York City Councilmember Peter Vallone's unfortunate comments promoting a reversal of current New York State law. Councilmember Vallone's proposal would allow authorities to profile dogs, and is based on negative stereotyping of dog owners.



December 28: New York, New York -- Following Councilmember Vallone's comments promoting his plan to reverse the safety and protections of current New York State dog law, members of the Dog Federation of New York (DFNY), the New York affiliate for the Campaign For Responsible Ownership, offer their assistance to Councilmember Vallone, members of his staff, and the New York City Council to help educate and guide the Council to create and enhance a public health dog safety plan.



New York City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr.'s (D-Astoria) unexpected promotion of his dangerous dog law proposal encouraged members of the Dog Federation of New York to offer their assistance to the Councilmember and his staff.



Councilmember Vallone's Resolution 156, introduced nearly a year ago and assigned to the New York City Council's Committee on Health, has been gathering dust since Vallone introduced it. The resolution, which calls on the New York State legislature to reverse current statewide law prohibiting localities from profiling dogs based on their apparent breed ("breed specific legislation"), negatively stereotypes dog owners as well as their dogs.



"We were saddened to see Councilmember Vallone use language which isolates and stigmatizes many caring New York dog owners, pigeonholing them as criminals and drug dealers" commented DFNY spokesperson Mahlon Goer. "Negative stereotypes deepen misunderstanding, and encourage heightened levels of mistrust, fear and discrimination. Good people who take excellent care of their dogs are harmed. It is very disappointing coming from an elected official."



In addition to negative stereotypes, Councilmember Vallone perpetuated a number of other myths and legends. Appalled DFNY members offer their assistance to the Councilmember and his staff in an effort to prevent the further distribution of bad information. Public servants dedicated to the welfare of all New York City residents should base themselves on a firm understanding of basic dog behavior and anatomy, as well as an understanding of dog bite statistics and related data. For example, contrary to the impression Res. 156 leaves the reader, New York City has experienced a dramatic decline in reported dog bites over the last several decades.



The Dog Federation of New York is committed to helping New York City's elected officials respond appropriately to the concerns we all share: protecting the health and safety of the citizens of New York, particularly our children, and helping New York City remain a dog-friendly, dog-safe place to live.



About the Dog Federation of New York:

The Dog Federation of New York is a statewide coalition of dog clubs, organizations and individual dog owners that serves the public interest by educating citizens and public officials on dog safety and responsible dog ownership. DFNY advocates for strong and humane dog-related legislation. We are committed to working with municipalities across the state to develop preventative dog owner education programs, and encourage local governments to implement dog safety and dog bite prevention programs, particularly for school-aged children.

The Dog Federation of New York welcomes all dog owners and dog-related organizations in New York. Visit us on the web at http://www.DogFederationofNewYork.org.

###
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