/2009/12/16/pit-bull-pup-freed-from-lucas-county-pound/ Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:37:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ /2009/12/16/pit-bull-pup-freed-from-lucas-county-pound/#comment-21 Lauren Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:49:27 +0000 /?p=478#comment-21 The reason most Ohio animal control, shelters, and humane societies refuse to adopt out pit bulls are the laws in Ohio, which makes the owner of the animal liable if that animal bites/kills anyone. No matter HOW MANY owners that animal has been handed off to, if you KNOW the dog is dangerous, you are liable. That means the Lucas county dog warden would be liable, the humane society who took the dog, and conceivably any of the county commissioners/personnel who intervened to have the dog released with the intent to adopt it out, could all be named in a lawsuit if that pup grew up and did any harm. And that is based on pit bulls being considered a dangerous breed in Ohio, and animal welfare workers being considered professionals who should be able to weed out aggressive/dangerous dogs. The same goes for dogs who have bitten someone previously, they can never be adopted out without fear of legal action (altho it does happen). It is sad that in the interest of not being sued, an entire breed is euthanized. Don't feel bad pit bull lovers, the same law applies to ANY breed of dog who shows aggression or has bitten anyone in the past. You just don't hear about all the chihuahuas, cocker spaniels, german shepherds, rottweilers, collies, etc. who have met the same fate. This is why such a big emphasis is placed on 'temperment testing'. So people don't get sued. I know, I used to be a shelter manager/humane officer. The reason most Ohio animal control, shelters, and humane societies refuse to adopt out pit bulls are the laws in Ohio, which makes the owner of the animal liable if that animal bites/kills anyone. No matter HOW MANY owners that animal has been handed off to, if you KNOW the dog is dangerous, you are liable. That means the Lucas county dog warden would be liable, the humane society who took the dog, and conceivably any of the county commissioners/personnel who intervened to have the dog released with the intent to adopt it out, could all be named in a lawsuit if that pup grew up and did any harm. And that is based on pit bulls being considered a dangerous breed in Ohio, and animal welfare workers being considered professionals who should be able to weed out aggressive/dangerous dogs. The same goes for dogs who have bitten someone previously, they can never be adopted out without fear of legal action (altho it does happen). It is sad that in the interest of not being sued, an entire breed is euthanized. Don’t feel bad pit bull lovers, the same law applies to ANY breed of dog who shows aggression or has bitten anyone in the past. You just don’t hear about all the chihuahuas, cocker spaniels, german shepherds, rottweilers, collies, etc. who have met the same fate. This is why such a big emphasis is placed on ‘temperment testing’. So people don’t get sued. I know, I used to be a shelter manager/humane officer.

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