http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100119/NEWS16/100119724/-1/NEWS04
County commissioners vote to transfer all healthy puppies for adoption
BLADE STAFF
Article published January 19, 2010The Lucas County Commissioners reversed policy on handling “pit bull” puppies Tuesday, agreeing 3-0 to allow all healthy puppies to be transferred to the Toledo Humane Society for adoption.
The plan, which ended a stalemate betwen Commissioner Ben Konop on one side and Commissioners Pete Gerken and Tina Skeldon Wozniak on the other, calls for “almost all” puppies to be turned over from the dog warden to the humane society for adoption.
The dog warden’s previous policy, which has drawn intense criticism from dog advocates, has been to euthanize all “pit bull” puppies.
Mr. Konop had planned to renew his effort to spare all puppies from euthanasia, but withdrew his motion after Ms. Wozniak introduced the compromise legislation that involves the humane society.
About 30 opponents of the dog warden’s “pit bull” policy showed up with signs to urge that breed-specific policies be abolished. Jean Keating, a spokesman for the group, said the threat from dogs is exaggerated, and that animal control policy should focus on owner education rather than stereotyping certain dogs by appearance.
The policy adopted Tuesday doesn’t change the fate of “pit bulls” or any dogs older than three months. Adult “pit bulls” are killed unless claimed by their owners.
Mr. Konop said the policy isn’t everything he wanted but is a good interim policy until a new dog warden is hired to replace retiring Dog Warden Tom Skeldon.
Ms. Keating said the policy is “a good first step,” but that her group wants puppy adoptions to take place at the dog pound downtown, as well as the humane society’s shelter in Maumee.
about time i love pit bulls you should not blame the breed you should blame the owners who raised them to be mean
By: jacob on February 2, 2010
at 6:26 pm