Breed-Specific Legislation Proponents and
Politicians Who Hate Pit Bulls
California
Senator Jackie Speier - author of CA SB 861, which allows municipalities in California to implement breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter. The bill passed.
Assemblyman Tim Leslie - Quoted in the LA Times as saying ""It's time to get rid of these pit bulls. I think we ought to string 'em all up..." In fact, Tim, some people do "string them up" - and those people get prosecuted for animal cruelty.
Colorado
Aurora, CO Councilmember Bob Fitzgerald - explained the need for a citywide pit bull ban thus: "We don't want 'those people' here." Apparently he feels that people who own pit bulls are somehow socially unacceptable, abnormal, anti-social, possibly criminal... do I detect a hint of racism, too? And yet another fine quote explaining his support for a pit bull ban: "The thought of one kid getting hurt is too much for me." But Kate-Lynn Logel was killed by two Alaskan Malamutes, and Fitzgerald is not pursuing a ban on Alaskan Malamutes. I guess only kids bitten by pit bulls register on Fitzgerald's sympathy scale.
Denver City Attorney Kory Nelson - apparently has a personal vendetta against pit bulls. Denver's pit bull ban isn't good enough for Kory; he pushes for BSL in other cities across the United States. But I have to wonder - why is he so fixated on pit bulls? In 1996 Kory Nelson was quoted in the Rocky Mountain News saying, "'There's no doubt in my mind that chows or chow mixes by far are the No. 1 bite dog in Denver. The numbers are just overwhelming." And yet, Kory doesn't seem interested in eradicating Chows. What's up with that, Kory?
Senator Lewis Entz - author of S54, which would permit BSL in Colorado. The bill died in committee.
Colorado Municipal League - lobbying group which asked Senator Entz to write S54. They really hate pit bulls.
Illinois
Representative Jerry Mitchell - co-author of HB 1128, which would permit BSL
Representative Larry McKeon - co-author of HB 1128, which would permit BSL
Representative Michael Tryon - co-author of HB 4213, which would permit BSL
Representative Mark Beaubien Jr. - co-author of HB 4213 and HB 4761, both of which would permit BSL
Chicago Alderwoman Ginger Rugai - strong BSL proponent. Rugai proposes a ban on pit bulls in Chicago practically every chance she gets.
Michigan
Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson - proposed a pit bull-specific ban
Minnesota
Rep. John Lesch - plans to introduce a statewide breed ban for five types of dogs, including "pit bulls," in 2008.
Missouri
Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal - author of H1686, which creates BSL targeting "pit bulls". Notwithstanding the fact that it's BSL, it's also incredibly poorly written and actually creates a sizeable loophole whereby dog owners can get out of the entire thing simply by claiming they are "breeders". Of course, responsible owners of speutered dogs can't claim to be breeders, so they are the ones who have to deal with all the burdensome restrictions and harsh penalties. Who in their right mind would own a speutered "pit bull" if this passes?
New Jersey
Senator Sharpe James - introduced SB 801, the "Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Licensing Act"... Section 3b1 is truly bizarre, allowing municipalities to ask pit bull owners "whether (their dog) is of a long- or short-haired variety..." I have never seen a long-haired pit bull. Either Sharpe does not know what a "pit bull" is supposed to look like, or else he is intentionally allowing for a vague and all-encompassing definition of "pit bull" so that almost any breed or type of dog could be labeled a "pit bull". Other requirements that are ripe for misidentification and rights violations: allowing the "municipality" to determine the dog's breed by looking at a photo of the dog, and forcing the owner to prove their dog is not a pit bull.
New York
Waterton Mayor Jeff Graham - Here's what he has to say about people who adopt pit bulls: "those who go to shelters seeking out breeds like Pit Bulls have an agenda that goes beyond just having a family pet. They are looking for something that is linked to violence, something that is intimidating…. . ." Wow, that describes me perfectly, doesn't it?
Queens City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. - proposed a pit bull ban for New York City
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani - has been urging a pit bull ban in New York City since 1999. Now a possible presidential candidate for 2008.
Ohio
Entire state - "pit bulls" are automatically considered "vicious dogs" under state law. A recent appellate court ruling challenged that - they concluded that there is no scientific evidence to prove that "pit bulls" are more dangerous than other breeds - but the Ohio Supreme Court reversed the appellate court's ruling. An appeal is pending.
Dog Warden Tom Skeldon - an avid supporter of BSL, especially when it comes to pit bulls. He even goes out of his way to travel to other municipalities to speak in support of BSL.
Toledo Municipal Court - has ruled that Presa Canarios and American Bulldogs are both "commonly known as a pit bull". Say what? What planet are they on?
Oklahoma
Representative Paul Wesselhoff - determined to pass a statewide pit bull breed ban. Wesselhoff has no problem using scare tactics and sensationalism. Some of his more famous quotes about pit bulls, pulled straight out of the pages of urban myth: "They are nice warm pets until something (goes) off in their brain..." “They are a land shark. They are a walking time bomb...If something sets (a pit bull) off, it can kill. It wants to kill." "Each year we lose 10 children and two elderly people because of pit bull attacks nationally." (Where did he even get these numbers? No dog bite studies back this up.) Wesselhoff has no idea what he's talking about, but that's not stopping him. His two pro-BSL bills are H2657 and H2658.
Senator Cliff Aldridge - wrote S1569, which would allow BSL in OK
Senator Susan Paddack - wrote S1702, which would allow BSL in OK
Texas
Senator Rodney Ellis - sponsor of SB 349, which would allow BSL in Texas
Killeen Councilmember Eddie Vale - is pursuing BSL against pit bulls and Rottweilers despite the fact that state law prohibits BSL. The city's own animal shelter supervisor clearly stated that neither pit bulls nor Rottweilers were responsible for the most serious reported bites in Killeen, and that the biggest problem the city faces is free-roaming dogs. The city attorney came up with several non-breed-specific suggestions. So why does Vale continue to press for BSL in the face of such opposition? He "believes most people who own that type of dog (pit bulls) are very irresponsible." Um, can you show me the statistics that back up your theory? Vale is firmly committed to the pit bull and (pit bull owner) stereotype, not reality.
Canada
Ontario, Canada Attorney General Michael Bryant - championed the Ontario pit bull ban. He was unable to identify a pit bull out of a lineup. He also ignored all of the testimony from countless experts in areas of animal control, welfare, and behavior, all of whom were advising against the ban.
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