Florida - Florida Lawmaker Wants to Ban Pit Bulls

Ban the deed, not the breed.

This is just complete and total ignorance. How sad that so many politicians who have no idea what they're even talking about have such power.

Animal Law Attorneys wrote:
<quoted text>
You are right. I represent owners of dogs who are chareged with owning a dangerous dog. Most of these dogs are not pit bulls. In fact, few are pit bulls. Most are labs and small poodle type dogs. We can not as a society label a breed of dog as inherently dangerous just as we can't label certain humans as dangerous, dumb, spiteful, inconsiderate, mean, etc.
If you are an animal law attorney and have real expertise in that area of law, you should advertise and advertise well in Jacksonville. The agency here has historically overstepped their authority and violated the civil rights of animal owners hand over fist. The reason they continue to get away with it is that no one challenges them. A good attorney could do just as well defending against animal control citations as an attorney that defends against traffic citations. Across the board, animal citation fines are much greater than traffic fines. People pay them because they don't know how to defend against them. In court they become frustrated and allow anger to destroy their testimony. Cases are won or lost on the basis of law not emotions, that's why a good attorney is needed.

Wise Up wrote:

Animal Law Attorneys wrote:
<quoted text>
You are right. I represent owners of dogs who are chareged with owning a dangerous dog. Most of these dogs are not pit bulls. In fact, few are pit bulls. Most are labs and small poodle type dogs. We can not as a society label a breed of dog as inherently dangerous just as we can't label certain humans as dangerous, dumb, spiteful, inconsiderate, mean, etc.
If you are an animal law attorney and have real expertise in that area of law, you should advertise and advertise well in Jacksonville. The agency here has historically overstepped their authority and violated the civil rights of animal owners hand over fist. The reason they continue to get away with it is that no one challenges them. A good attorney could do just as well defending against animal control citations as an attorney that defends against traffic citations. Across the board, animal citation fines are much greater than traffic fines. People pay them because they don't know how to defend against them. In court they become frustrated and allow anger to destroy their testimony. Cases are won or lost on the basis of law not emotions, that's why a good attorney is needed.

This is breaking news...there is NO shortage of attorneys in Jacksonville.

William wrote:

<quoted text>
This is breaking news...there is NO shortage of attorneys in Jacksonville.

That specialize in animal law? When was the last time you saw an ad offering to defend an animal control citation? Breaking news...If you have this expertise, speak up. Otherwise don't criticize.

This article says "Pit bulls and pit bull mixes account for nearly a third of reported dog bites in both counties". I feel the dogs are incorrectly identified. It is rediculous to me to think someone is going to be able to tell me what property I can and can't have.

I do agree that all dogs can be dangerous. I have had several breeds, and they are only as mean as you make them. I have a pitt mix that was a stray. I also have a chiuaha and she is more likely to bite than the pitt. Owners do have to be careful with any animal. I think if the laws were more strick for the people that are using these dogs to fight and not the ones that are the family pet, things might be different

I cant stand dogs, but I don’t believe that a person should be able to tell you what kind of pet you can own what’s next?

if any of you are dog lovers, specifically of pitbulls, you have heard of the recent rise of lawmakers trying to pass statewide bills banning certain breeds. right now, this is happening in our own backyards! rep. perry thurston of plantation, fl. is trying to ban pitbulls in florida. as an owner of a playful, fun loving pitbull, i am outraged, and i hope the rest of you can relate. not all of these dogs are killing machines. their owners make them that way. i am asking anyone and everyone to help me fight the passage of this bill. i dont care if it's sending an email, writing a letter, calling the lawmakers, or even just reposting this bulletin. anything to get the word out. here is some contact info:
perry thurston's email: perry.thurston@myfloridahouse. gov
thurston's district office: 603 n.w. 7th terrace, ft. lauderdale, fla, 33311

below is a website with information regarding this bill. it is an organization protesting the ban:
http://www. dobermannpinscher. org/Pages/BSL. html

even if you don't have a pitbull, youre dog may be in danger! the aforementioned website says that dobermans, rottweilers, or any other "aggressive" dog may be banned, too!

thanks ahead of time for your help, and if you don't want to take the time to write an email, but you still want your voice heard, let me know and i will write an email for you.
any and all help is appreciated.
let's hope this doesn't get passed so i can keep my puppy!

scott1 wrote:

if any of you are dog lovers, specifically of pitbulls, you have heard of the recent rise of lawmakers trying to pass statewide bills banning certain breeds. right now, this is happening in our own backyards! rep. perry thurston of plantation, fl. is trying to ban pitbulls in florida. as an owner of a playful, fun loving pitbull, i am outraged, and i hope the rest of you can relate. not all of these dogs are killing machines. their owners make them that way. i am asking anyone and everyone to help me fight the passage of this bill. i dont care if it's sending an email, writing a letter, calling the lawmakers, or even just reposting this bulletin. anything to get the word out. here is some contact info:
perry thurston's email: perry.thurston@myfloridahouse. gov
thurston's district office: 603 n.w. 7th terrace, ft. lauderdale, fla, 33311
below is a website with information regarding this bill. it is an organization protesting the ban:
http://www. dobermannpinscher. org/Pages/BSL. html
even if you don't have a pitbull, youre dog may be in danger! the aforementioned website says that dobermans, rottweilers, or any other "aggressive" dog may be banned, too!
thanks ahead of time for your help, and if you don't want to take the time to write an email, but you still want your voice heard, let me know and i will write an email for you.
any and all help is appreciated.
let's hope this doesn't get passed so i can keep my puppy!

It can't be made to retroactive. You'll be able to keep your dogs for their lifetimes. There may be some restrictions and regulations enacted but you will be grandfathered in as an existing owner. When it's time, you really need to consider hiring a good attorney with animal issue expertise - especially here in Jacksonville.

The Pen wrote:

<quoted text>
It can't be made to retroactive. You'll be able to keep your dogs for their lifetimes. There may be some restrictions and regulations enacted but you will be grandfathered in as an existing owner. When it's time, you really need to consider hiring a good attorney with animal issue expertise - especially here in Jacksonville.

this is akin to banning guns because someone is killed by so many..banning cars because people die in car accidents....ban liquor because people die of disease and dui accidents..dont ban breeds..get more strict on people who violate existing dog laws....

Wise Up wrote:

<quoted text>
That specialize in animal law? When was the last time you saw an ad offering to defend an animal control citation? Breaking news...If you have this expertise, speak up. Otherwise don't criticize.

I still haven't seen the ad...where is it?

I am a police offifer in Volusia County and I encounter mainly Pitbulls. Even those that are made to fight generally have loving and sweet temperaments. BSL is not only unfair but it's a tool of the media and politicans to feed the frenzy! ANY dog can bite or maim someone. Cocker Spaniels, for decades, have been the #1 biter, yet, we don't think anything about this. Again, ANY breed can bite and maim...it's nothing that is just from a Pitbull. What I really want to know is why people who fight Pitbulls and abuse them in other ways as well have nothing done to them. I can say w/experience that animal abuse is ignored by Police depts and the court system. But, it's easier to blame the dog and "get rid of" the supposed problem. These dogs (as every dog does) really need to be socialized and have obedience training and would be a good canine citizen, but many Pitbull owners lets their dogs run loose and don't socialize them, and tie them up 24/7 w/out shelter, contact, food,water and are forgotten until something happens and then it's because they are a Pitbull. WAKE UP PEOPLE! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! Pitbulls are intelligent and loving and funny. I had a stray, abused Pitbull that got along with my dogs, cats, horses, PIGS, goats and a cow. Can your Cocker Spaniel do that?????? By the way...today it's the Pitbull, will tomorrow be YOUR breed of dog???

I am so frustrated by the many pit bull bans and attempts to reverse prohibitions on bans. It would be devastating to responsible pit bull owners and cause suffering to the many small children who have grown up with their beloved pit bulls. The "ban" should be on the irresponsible people who abuse this misunderstoof breed. It is not the breed!!!! The lawmaker trying to pass this ban should go to some homes where loving, loyal pits live and meet what we pit bull lovers know as the most loving dogs you'll ever meet.

William wrote:

<quoted text>
I still haven't seen the ad...where is it?

That's the whole point. The post indicated he was an attorney that specialized in animal law. His ISP was Tampa. Since we haven't seen any local lawyers defending these cases, maybe this guy would. The last attorney that I am aware of that fought one these cases (and won) was from Tallahassee. Why are you so antagonistic about all of this?

As a trainer, I always oppose breed specific legislation. There are pit bulls that act as therapy dogs - should they be outlawed? There are Golden Retrievers that rip peoples' faces off. Should they be given a pass? It is a complete fallacy that Pit Bulls are more dangerous than any other large breed of dog that bites. The fact that they are currently a popular breed is what drives the stats. There are far more dangerous breeds out there, and if you ban Pits, the thugs will find them. Responsible owners are not the problem, and they should not be unfairly punished. Any breed can be trained, and any breed with dog aggressive tendencies should be on leash all the time - enforce your leash laws!!!!

Elizabeth Devlin wrote:

I am a police offifer in Volusia County and I encounter mainly Pitbulls. Even those that are made to fight generally have loving and sweet temperaments. BSL is not only unfair but it's a tool of the media and politicans to feed the frenzy! ANY dog can bite or maim someone. Cocker Spaniels, for decades, have been the #1 biter, yet, we don't think anything about this. Again, ANY breed can bite and maim...it's nothing that is just from a Pitbull. What I really want to know is why people who fight Pitbulls and abuse them in other ways as well have nothing done to them. I can say w/experience that animal abuse is ignored by Police depts and the court system. But, it's easier to blame the dog and "get rid of" the supposed problem. These dogs (as every dog does) really need to be socialized and have obedience training and would be a good canine citizen, but many Pitbull owners lets their dogs run loose and don't socialize them, and tie them up 24/7 w/out shelter, contact, food,water and are forgotten until something happens and then it's because they are a Pitbull. WAKE UP PEOPLE! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! Pitbulls are intelligent and loving and funny. I had a stray, abused Pitbull that got along with my dogs, cats, horses, PIGS, goats and a cow. Can your Cocker Spaniel do that?????? By the way...today it's the Pitbull, will tomorrow be YOUR breed of dog???

as a pitbull owner..thank you for your support! i blame the media more than anyone else..they love to report pitbull bites because it makes great headlines..its sensationalistic reporting...of course they wont report when other dogs bite, its not as exciting for people to read..i cant count the times that they have showed picstures of the "pitbull" that had attacked someone and it was nothing more than a common mutt..i have written a letter to the idiot lawmaker and so has my daughter and i urge others to do the same. he is looking for publicity is all. petey from little rscals was a pitbull..a pitbull was the most decorated dog in ww1....they were known to lay by their dead handlers and not let anyone come mess with the body...they are sweet dogs..the problem is that they are loyal and do nothing but try and please their owner..if the owner wants them to be mean, then thats how they turn out...my pit is a big goofy lap dog...and so is my am staff....it scares me when people are so stupid as to think a breed of dog is bad by genetics...

The Pen wrote:

<quoted text>
That's the whole point. The post indicated he was an attorney that specialized in animal law. His ISP was Tampa. Since we haven't seen any local lawyers defending these cases, maybe this guy would. The last attorney that I am aware of that fought one these cases (and won) was from Tallahassee. Why are you so antagonistic about all of this?

Hi Pen, to answer your question, I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but I just don't buy into the post.
There are attorney's in Jacksonville who would represent a dog owner provided the owner has the financial resources.
Most attorney's who are listed in the Yellow Pages represent dog bite victims...that's where is money is. They can get an "easy" $5000 per bite and in many cases more than that.
Pit bull owners are at a decided disadvantage in court and most major insurance companies don't like to insure homeowners who have Pit Bulls.
Certainly won't after the first bite.

William wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Pen, to answer your question, I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but I just don't buy into the post.
There are attorney's in Jacksonville who would represent a dog owner provided the owner has the financial resources.
Most attorney's who are listed in the Yellow Pages represent dog bite victims...that's where is money is. They can get an "easy" $5000 per bite and in many cases more than that.
Pit bull owners are at a decided disadvantage in court and most major insurance companies don't like to insure homeowners who have Pit Bulls.
Certainly won't after the first bite.

My post was to get the word out that there is a market which extends beyond dog bite cases. Even in some of these dog bite cases and dangerous dog cases, there is a need to have some expertise beyond just plain old liability and personal injury law. If there are attorneys here that have that kind of expertise, they hide it well. Animal Control has established a long track record of abuse of authority and violations of constitutional rights, that begs an aggressive response. To be effective, that response needs to be well grounded. As I mentioned the cases that I am aware of that were satisfactorily defended were defended by out of town attorneys. Insurance is available for owners of and dogs that have bitten and there are other provisions allowed by law than a standard insurance policy, again this is where knowing the law can make a real difference. If I was going to defend myself and fight for my dog, I wouldn't be looking in the yellow pages for an attorney.

Let me carry that further. The fine for a owning a dog that was off leash and off property is $250.00 first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. Most fines for animal violations do run from $100 to $500 dollars. These cases are heard on the same day of the week, Wednesdays I believe in the court over on Beach Blvd near St. Nicholas. There is a market for a good attorney to establish in that area of law and become a fixture representing these cases on that one day of the week in the same manner that some attorneys do for traffic citations. The big cases will follow with the reputation for being a tough defense lawyer. You see, if the original citation is thrown out, the rest of the case is weakened or put to rest.

Anne wrote:

As a trainer, I always oppose breed specific legislation. There are pit bulls that act as therapy dogs - should they be outlawed? There are Golden Retrievers that rip peoples' faces off. Should they be given a pass? It is a complete fallacy that Pit Bulls are more dangerous than any other large breed of dog that bites. The fact that they are currently a popular breed is what drives the stats. There are far more dangerous breeds out there, and if you ban Pits, the thugs will find them. Responsible owners are not the problem, and they should not be unfairly punished. Any breed can be trained, and any breed with dog aggressive tendencies should be on leash all the time - enforce your leash laws!!!!

on another thread on this subject i posted specific attacks by so called "family dogs" such as retrievers, wheaton terriers and even a freaking pomeranian that had attacked and killed..then i posted at least 20 stories of positive pitbull actions..some even being heroic like saving a family from a burning building..no response from all the pitbull haters...