Sonoma Passes On New Vicious Dog Laws
Council favors extra money for spay/neuter clinics, community forum
Photos
Pit Bull advocates crowded the Sonoma City Council meeting Wednesday for an emotionally charged vote where the council declined to amend current vicious dog legislation—opting for a greater emphasis on informal outreach events and low cost spay/neuter programs instead.
Spurred by a violent incident in Pacifica where a 32-year-old woman was mauled and killed by her pet Pit Bull, Mayor Pro Tem Joanne Sanders asked the council to consider a review of animal legislation, prompting a media free-for-all.
‘Pit Bull bans’ have been enacted by other municipalities, but specific animal legislation is banned by the California food and Agriculture code, though the California Health and Safety Code allows cities to enact breed-specific ordinances, provided no particular breed is “declared potentially dangerous or vicious.”
Currently, the Sonoma Municipal code requires dogs over 4-months-old to be licensed and vaccinated for rabies, with a 50 percent discount (from $30 to $15) if the dog has been spayed or neutered. The extra money from unaltered dogs is placed in a fund for low-cost spay and neuter clinics, administered by the Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter.
To protect residents, the code mandates that owners contain all dogs—either on a less-than 8-foot leash or within their property—at all times. Owners of ‘known’ vicious dogs—including any dog who’s been involved in a biting offense—who violate the leash laws face misdemeanor fines, starting at $100 and moving to $500 or imprisonment up to 6 months for a fourth offense.
Read the full Sonoma Municipal Code regarding animals here, and the full Sonoma County regulations here.
Still, dozens of animal advocates commented that further discussion might lead to unfair breed specific discrimination.
Leticia Circo, a Sonoma resident who owns an American Stratford Terrier, says that she’s felt unsafe while walking her friendly pit-bull breed dog around town.
“I think we need to be careful about continuing to put pit bulls in the media because we’re making the breed more attractive to the people that shouldn’t own them in the first place,” said Circo.
“We have one of the best records in the state if not the county of any dog bites and vicious dog attacks, we are a very responsible community with our animals,” said Nancy King, Executive Director of Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter, which as policy, advocates against breed-specific legislation.
Though Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett said that the department couldn’t recall a reported case of an attack or bite from a Pit Bull or Pit Bull-mix, many speculated that many bites and attacks go unreported.
“It’s like gun control, the people that are the problem…they aren’t registering their guns,” said City Councilman Tom Rouse.
Still, several neighbors urged the council go beyond its current animal safety tactics.
“I don’t feel like it’s my job to get educated, I feel like it’s my job to protect myself and my family and my children,” said Sonoma resident Jennifer Irving. “Unfortunately the skate park has also become a place where many have brought [pit bulls]…posing a threat to myself and my young kids.”
Though measures to change legislation failed to pass through the discussion phase, council members vowed to put more money towards low-cost spay/neuter programs and education programs –“not just on a Sonoma level but on a Valley level,” urged Councilman Steve Barbose.
“If we don’t do something these bad dog owners are going to ruin it for the good dog owners,” Sanders said. “If the one good thing that comes out of [these talks] is more money for spay and neutering, [even] if it’s not breed specific, I can live with that.”
An earlier version of this article listed American Staffordshire Terrier as 'Shefield.' We sincerely regret the error.
Jeanine Calvert
4:17 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
It's not a matter of "good" or "bad" dog owners. Like it or not, there are traits of this breed that make it an unsuitable choice for domestic environments. Too often we hear "she never bit anyone before" while someone is being buried. Enough is enough.
Susan Froman Johnson
5:37 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
I think you are a fool to think that! There are attacks by others breeds that also fatal, but you hear about them. The news media loves to blow it way out of context. There are so many breeds that look like a pit bull, but they aren't.
Selwyn Marock
11:46 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Maybe you beleive that all Black people are Violent Criminals,you only have to see the inside of prisons,or maybe every Muslim you see is a Terrorist,should we BAN both Breeds.
As far as Killing goes we the "Perfect Humans" are right at the top of the pile,read and learn stats.
I also agree with the other poster that the likes of you are the most dangerous of all breeds,because you advocate killing because you can.
BSL should be Banned.
Selwyn Marock
10:45 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Jeanine Did you know that there was this little Korean university student that went into to his college armed to the teeth and blew away,I think 32 of his fellow-students,wounding quite a number as well that equates to nearly 2 years of all the fatalities caused by dogs of all breeds in the whole USA.
For the record there are three children per day in the USA being Murdered by their
own parents.
So these days I am more terrified of University Kids and Parents than Pitbulls.
Catherine
7:16 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Exactly! Pit bulls are more likely to attack without warning. While other dogs will usually growl or raise their hackles, the pit bull is bred to begin fighting as soon as it enters the ring, not waste time letting the other dog know it is about to attack. But try telling this to a pit nutter.
When it comes to the horrendous damage done by pit bulls, the nutters will counter with the fact that other dogs have the ability to do the same damage. The problem with this argument is that it is rare for another breed to the same damage. Other breeds will bite, but don't usually hang on until the victim is dead. This is something else bred into the pit bull -- to fight to the bitter end and continue attacking until the other dog stops moving.
The next favorite nutter argument is that attacks by other dogs aren't reported. Absolutely NOT TRUE! I collect reports of attacks by all breeds and every single attack in the US by any breed that results in serious injury or death is carried by the news services. What the nutters can't get through their thick skulls is that when a bird dog attacks, the result is a nip, when a pit bull attacks, someone usually ends up badly injured or dead.
And if all else fails, there is that old pit nutter standby, the dog was "misidentified." Even when the owner, law enforcement and animal control identify a dog as pit bull, the nutters still don’t want to admit it.
AdeleC
5:56 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
I love dogs and I volunteer at the local animal shelter and pit bulls are not like other dogs. The shelter has to keep the pit bulls in cages by them selves because they can’t be trusted with the other dogs and sometimes they will chew through the cages and no other dog has ever done that. We had a small, very gentle pit bull that was neutered and we tested him and he didn’t show any aggression to animals or people and he just sat there like an angel even when we gave him food and then jerked it away as he was going to eat it. He did as good on the test as a dog can do, and so we put in the pen with 2 big Rottweilers and he didn’t even look at them and he just went over in the corner and laid down and we thought that everything was fine. But the next morning, the Rottweilers were dead. He had just ripped them to pieces and they were twice as big as he was. Another time, a volunteer was holding a young female pit bull that seemed to be very gentle and hadn’t shown any animal or human aggression and I walked by with two Yorkies and the pit just grabbed one of them and killed it before we could do anything. The pit didn’t give any sign that she was going to attack, She just grabbed the Yorkie and started shaking it and we couldn't get her to let it go. I love dogs and I hate to single out a breed, but I have been around all kinds of dogs all of my life, but people just can't control pit bulls and I think that they need to be banned.
Jeanine Calvert
5:47 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
As long as people deny the true nature of these dogs, what they were bred for, there will be unnecessary maulings and deaths. The cry of mistaking a pitbull breed for another is nothing but a straw man defense by pit defenders. There is no media conspiracy. There is no political conspiracy. Other dogs attack....duh. However, pits often attack without warning, without provocation and the damage done is generally far greater than any other breed due to the nature of their very breeding. Give me a break.
john71
10:13 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
So if other breeds attack with warning would that not be negligence to let them attack? I did not realize that other breeds emailed their owners to inform them "Hi, I am going to bite someone on September 18th."
Perhaps you should have told the family lab I was raised with that he cannot attack without warning. Maybe then I would still have full use of me left eye.
Sheri Davis
11:49 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Wait, what?! Pit bulls attack without warning more than any other breed? Are you kidding? You must be joking... have you even met a pit bull? Sounds like not.
Realize, Jeanine, that you are being fed a line of crap by your news media. I've never had a full-blood pit bull until now (I have 2 female pits currently) and having been raised around large dogs my whole life, my pit bulls are the most stable in temperament than any other breed I've been exposed to. You and millions of news-watchers are being fed a line of crap, and you'd be very surprised to meet an actual pit bull who is responsibly cared for, socialized & trained. Now we as dog-owners & the dogs we choose to care for are being unfairly criticized, demonized & discriminated against based on pure hysteria in the interest of gathering ratings.
Sheri Davis
11:50 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Didn't have enough room to end with this point...
As for the amount of damage and the severity of said damage that pit bulls are able to inflict when one goes bad... ANY large dog has the ability to inflict that type of injury. The pit bull's bite is not the strongest of the breeds. The Rottweiler has taken the award for a higher bite thrust. I shudder to think of a Rottie in the wrong hands. Same goes for Akitas, German Shepards and other "guard breeds". The pit bull is not a guard breed. They were not selectively bred to display human aggressiveness... to the opposite, human aggression was downplayed in the selective breeding process, for the sheer fact that these dogs needed to be safely handled by their humans even at the PEAK of their adrenaline rush. A pit bull that turned on it's handler, or a spectator, was immediately put down and deemed to have a temperament flaw. Those ARE the facts the news won't share with you.
Cheryl Huerta
12:48 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Jeanine, I can totally see your point. I understand that your fear is real and you believe it is based on facts. I assure you that your fears are based on myths and misinformation that is being perpetuated by the news media in an effort to boost ratings. I am a pit bull advocate in Portland Oregon. I've heard each and every one of your points hundreds of times by people from coast to coast who have allowed themselves to be swayed by things that are blown out of proportion and simply are not true. There are approximately nine million pit bulls in this country. There are about ten to twelve bite/attack incidents per year in this country where a dog that is alleged to be a pit bull is involved. If you think about it those are good statistics; 12-16 in 9,000,000. While there is no media conspiracy, at least not intentionally on their part, there is something the media does that makes it appear as if more pit bulls harm humans than any other breed. Here in Oregon in Washington county my husband spoke with the person who takes the calls when the local news media calls for bite/attack reports. This person clearly stated that the ONLY bites or attacks the local media will take details on are those involving dogs 'believed' to be pit bulls. This county employee clearly expressed their frustration with the local news media about this fact. Other dogs bite and other dogs attack but you won't hear about it on the news I can assure you. Continued...
Cheryl Huerta
12:57 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
As for the true nature of these dogs you might want to do some research on the pit bulls and their history in this country. These dogs, due to their 'true nature' were used during WWI and I believe also during WWII as military dogs. In fact the most decorated military dog of all time was a dog named Stubby who acheived rank in the armed services as well as many medals for heroism. Also due to the 'true nature' of these dogs in the early 1900's they were known as the 'nanny dogs'. You'll find hundreds of old family photos from that era on line showing children and the family pit bull. Due to the 'true nature' of these dogs Helen Keller herself had a pit bull that was dearly loved. As for more recent times due to the 'true nature' of these dogs they are service dogs, rescue dogs, police dogs, therapy dogs and are loved as the family pet in millions of homes where people choose to be responsible pet owners. These dog do not 'snap' and attack. If you were to consult a canine expert, such as Cesar Millan, they would tell you that no dog attacks for no reason NOT even pit bulls. There is ALWAYS a reason why a dog, of any breed, attacks. The reason why people say there was no reason is because they do not know how to observe canine behavior and to read a dogs energy or body language. No dog attacks without warning. No dog of any breed, not even pit bulls, attack without warning. Again it is the human's inability to read a dog that makes people say this. Continued...
Cheryl Huerta
1:06 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
In closing Jeanine you appear to be an intelligent person. There is no shame in believing something that isn't true when you are told it is. The shame is in not changing one's mind when one is presented with the truth. I sincerely hope, for the safety of your own children, that you will educate yourself on pit bulls and on all dogs. The reason I say for the safety of your own children is that dogs, of all breeds, read our energy and react to what we are 'feeling' or 'fearing' and not to what we are saying. If you choose to fear pit bulls and to teach your children to fear them then you are putting your self and your children in possible peril. People don't want to admit this but even if they don't accept it I can assure you it is true; dogs read our energy. Fear is weak energy. Dogs attack weak energy or at the very least attempt to dominate it. In the pack, in the natural canine world, weak energy is not tolerated so it's dealt with through physical touch; dogs only have teeth to touch with so they bite. A fearful person around a dog is a dog bite in the making. This goes for ALL dogs of ALL sizes of ALL breeds and is not limited to pit bulls or strong breeds. Sure pit bulls are decent sized dogs and if they bite it may cause more damage than a chihuahua but regardless of that statement any dog may bite anyone feeling fearful. Please for the sake of your kids learn the truth about pit bulls and about dogs in general. What you learn could prevent a dog bite!!!
Cheryl Huerta
1:15 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Oh one more thing. Did you know that the first human face transplant was the result of a person's labrador retreiver attacking them?
Also did you know that in 1998 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stopped keeping dog bite statistics by breed? The reason, as stated by the CDC itself, was because dog bite statistics are gathered based on media reports for the most part and the CDC found that the media was completely unreliable in identifying the breed of the dog. The CDC itself has publically stated that in their research there is no breed more likely to bite or attack than any other. This is why they stopped keeping the statistics of dog bites by breed.
Another point for you is that the American Disabilities Administration (ADA) just won a lawsuit against the city of Denver to force them to make pit bulls that are service dogs exempt from their pit bull ban. The reason why, as publically stated by the ADA, is that in their years of experience with service dogs they have not found any indication that pit bulls do not make good service dogs and in fact they stated further that due to their 'true nature' pit bulls make remarkably loyal and loving service dogs.
Why would these government agencies say these things about pit bulls if they are not true.
Again you should do some research and you'll find that what you've been told by the media and other people about pit bulls is simply not true. I implore you for your kids sake. Fear is a powerful emotion...
Jo Angle Staats
5:51 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Jeanine, are the traits of a Labrador Retriever then different from those of a pit bull?
They each have 4 legs, 2 eyes, a tail, and each have 42 teeth. Both have fur, wet noses, and both have the ability to fatally maul/kill other living creatures, including humans.
It is most certainly a matter of 'good' or 'bad' owners, responsible or irresponsible, reckless or law-abiding.
I'm pretty sure the parents of the child in Houston TX that are mourning the mauling death of their child this past weekend would be first to say "She never bit anyone before" about their Lab Retriever whose now in quarantine and whose final fate is being considered.
This is NOT a breed issue, and because you fear the unknown does not mean your fear-based opinion is spot-on. I hope you (and Jennifer Irving) will take some time to better inform yourselves on dog-bite prevention. Best wishes.
Catherine
7:24 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
I have a question. It is estimated that pit bulls make up less than 5% of the US dog population, yet, this breed accounts for 65-70% of the deaths and serious injuries caused by dogs. You say it is down to "good" or "bad" owners. Considering that other breeds far outnumber pit bulls in this country, and there are bad owners of all breeds, it stands to reason there are more bad owners of German shepherds, collies and golden retrievers than there are bad owners of pit bulls. My question: If the pit bull is "no different" than other breeds, and "bad" owners determine whether or not a dog will attack, then why aren't we reading about German shepherds, collies and golden retrievers maiming and killing people every day?
Dorothy
6:23 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Years ago it was thought that German Shepherds were vicious. I had a shepherd and people would ask me to cross the street with her when I walked her on a short leash. I believe the reputation for this came because the dogs were trained and used by the police and army in attack situations. But this had nothing to do with the average German Shepherd who was a pet. LIkewise we mistake the pit bulls abused by the illegal dog fighting industry for the sweet pets that most are. I am glad that city council did not pass a ban of this breed. And I agree with the idea of a spay and neuter campaign for all dogs...well done city council.
Patrick Bohler
7:22 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Jennifer Irving, you do need an education. Ignorance is no way to protect your family. My dogs have more to fear from the likes of you than you do from them.
Common sense prevailed in Sonoma. Thank you to all who attended and spoke the truth.
Selwyn Marock
11:36 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011
A Good and Fair Result Sonoma.
Jeanine Calvert
7:50 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Selwyn, your last comment to me hardly deserves a response. How the hell did you gather I would promote with institutional racism because I have a very real concern about the dangers of this breed of DOG? That very idea suggests a deep seated racism on your part, not mine.
Jo - the traits I refer to are the aggression and shake and hold manner of pit bull bites. Really? Two eyes? Four legs? Wow.
There are some very loving, very sweet pits out there...I've known a few. The issue is that you never know what is going to set them off, and when they do go off it's nearly impossible for one person to fend them off alone. Some may never attack - but do you understand that there is a marked difference between a labrador attack and a pit bull attack? I leave this conversation with this:
"Recently, a writer from British Columbia commented on the "media conspiracy" claim voiced by pro-pit bull groups. In a charming, yet biting piece, writer Andrew Holota, points out the ridiculous nature of this claim:
"Yessir, there are oodles of poodles popped by cops all the time, and the press does not report it. And attacks by psychotic shih tzus? Covered up. Muzzled, so to speak. Children savaged by Scottish terriers? Quashed. Hushed puppies, if you will. Oh yes, the conspiracy runs deep indeed."
Selwyn Marock
9:23 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Naah Jeanine I am certainly not Racist,but I do beleive there are Good Jews but there are also Bad Jews,there are good Muslims and also Bad Muslims,there are Good Blacks and there are Bad Blacks,there are Good Pitbulls and there are Bad Pitbulls and none of the above-mentioned deserve to be PUNISHED unless they do something wrong.
If a law was passed that it was illegal to chew chewing-gum in public I have little doubt that you would find it offensive and run around reporting chewers to the authorities.
Claire M. Gumz
8:21 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Yikes! I can't believe that there is so much finger pointing happening here regarding the "VICIOUS" pit bull terriers... Figure it out, vicious dogs are produced by people or people who breed certain traits into the dogs.
I worked for a local vet (in Sonoma) for 10+ years, there was a breeder who liked breeding viciousness into her Chesapeke Bay Retrievers (sp?); she loved it when her dogs bit someone. Remember when Dobermans, Rottweilers, Chi-Chi, Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels were singled out for being untrustworthy regarding biting?
There's a shark feeding frenzy going on everywhere regarding pit bull terriers. The unfortunate thing for this breed is that everyone is jumping on the band wagon whether or not they know anything about the breed. They read something in the newspapers or see it on TV & consider it to be factual.
In the 1950's, the pitt bull terriers were called 'Nurse Dogs'; Spanky & Our Gang's dog, Petey, was a pittie. Yes, there are always going to be dog bites & worse happening to people; it's up to the owners to be careful with their own dogs. The news media needs to start reporting all of the dog bites/maulings by ALL BREEDS, not just the pitt bull terrier. Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot that Poodles won't sell newspapers or get advertising dollars...
Catherine
7:35 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
You need to get your facts straight. Neither pit bulls, nor any other breed, was ever a "nanny dog." This claim came from a New York Times article in 1971 and it was a direct quote by the president of a pit bull organization (no bias there, I'm sure!). As for Petey and other pit bulls, prior to around the 1980s, it was safe to keep pit bulls as pets. But since that time, they have been bred to be larger and more vicious. The breed has been contaminated to the point it is no longer safe to keep them as pets.
Pit bulls were considered medium-size dogs, weighing less than 50 pounds, until the last 25-30 years, but now, there are pit bulls weighing close to 150 pounds. In the 1950s, if a pit bull attacked, it was a medium-size dog and you had a chance, but no one, not even an adult male in the prime of life, has a chance against a monster dog weighing in excess of 100 pounds. It doesn't take a Rhodes scholar to figure out the pit bulls of the past and those of today are NOT the same dogs.
Liz Stabbert
9:50 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
Are "American Sheffield Terriers" anything like American Staffordshire Terriers? I can't find any listing of that breed anywhere.
Alexis Fitts
12:42 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Hi Liz. You're right, thanks for catching this. Sheffield is the overarching breed, but the correct term is 'Staffordshire.' I've corrected this in the article.
Sheri Davis
10:15 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
I really love the "it's not my job to be educated" comment from Ms. Irving. THAT right there is the mentality that puts these bans on the table. How the HELL do you expect to protect your family with knee-jerk actions, brought on by being uneducated about a particular issue. *facepalm* Humans can be so stupid... especially considering we kill more living creatures for no good reason than any other species of mammal. I guess that's our "God-given" right, eh? If we're the superior species, how bout we start acting like it. :)
john71
10:21 am on Friday, September 9, 2011
@Jeanine Hemmeter
Wow, you quoted an anti "pitbull" blog from one crazy woan who was bit, I mean mauled, I mean my arm was crushed, I mean it was severed off, I mean....
Seriously, that would be like me quoting the Ku Klux Klan on race relations.
Cheryl Huerta
1:25 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
As a pit bull advocate in Portland Oregon I just want to express my thanks and gratitude to all of the pit bull advocates in Sonoma who spoke up in this matter.
I also want to express my gratitude to the council members who chose not to go with a 'knee-jerk' reaction but to look at all of the facts about pit bulls and about the situation at hand to make a good solid decision designed to help keep the public safe by providing better support to the responsible dog owners of Sonoma. Good on you all!!!
I also want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the young woman who was killed. I can't imagine what it must be like for you. My heart goes out to you all in this time of your loss.
Patrick Bohler
7:46 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Hey, Catherine...Mine are. I raised both my kids around Pit Bulls. My daughter was a master at assisting with rehabilitation of the abused I've taken in by the age of 9. Tell you what, meet me at Hardcore Espresso on 116 in Sebastopol Saturday about 10 am. You can meet mine.
Catherine
2:00 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Meet your what?
Patrick Bohler
7:50 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
And really, Catherine... ;-) Where do you get your information? LMAO!
Catherine
2:02 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
To Patrick Bohler: Sarcasm followed by LMAO! proves absolutely nothing. If you believe my information is incorrect, prove it!
Selwyn Marock
9:12 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Catherine "EVERYDAY" as in the USA there are less than 20 Dog Fatalities per year,by all Breeds.
Catherine
1:52 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
First, I did NOT say there was a dog "fatality" in the US every day. I said "...maiming AND killing people every day." Maiming means "injuring," not killing. And you are wrong about there being less than 20 fatalities per year by all breeds. Last year, there were 37. In the late 1980s and '90s, the average number of people killed by dogs in the US was around 17 per year (before that it was considerably less), but since 2006, the number has increased to in excess of 30 per year. So far this year (2011) 19 people in the US have been murdered by dogs and pit bulls have been responsible for approximately 65-70% of those deaths.
Claire M. Gumz
1:30 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
@ Catherine - I have my facts straight. You sure have a lot of anger... and seem to really enjoy attacking every single written word that is not along the same thought curve as yours. My comments were not directed @ you and I did not call anyone derogatory names as you did in your post; what's up with you? Sounds like you need a good dose of an anger management class. Thank you for your share.
Catherine
1:58 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
To Claire M. Gumz: No, you do NOT have your facts straight. I did not make a single derogatory comment in my reply to your post, nor did I express any anger. I suggest you go back and read what I said again because you obviously have a serious comprehension problem.
Claire M. Gumz
1:43 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
I looked at all of the comments Catherine has made here... it appears her comment in which she calls people who like pit bulls, "pit nutters" is missing. I guess someone has flagged her comment as "inappropriate"". Oops, sorry I made direct comments to you; that was not my goal in my original comment. I didn't plan to point my finger @ anyone... I just stated facts.
Catherine
3:27 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Every comment I have made is still here. Not one has been deleted. Apparently, you are no better at reading than you are at judging dogs. Besides, I have seen people wearing ugly T-shirts emblazoned with the words "pit nutter," so apparently not all pit nutters consider the term "derogatory."
Claire M. Gumz
3:39 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
I have MY facts straight; & you have your facts straight. I don't read between the lines & I don't read words that are not written. Just remember this - when you point your finger @ others, there are three pointing back @ you.
AdeleC
5:58 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Huh?!
Selwyn Marock
8:47 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Adele C do you also beleive in Tooth-Fairies? By the way how is Dogbite Org.?
Cheryl Huerta
9:36 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
So Catherine. Please tell us just how much personal experience you have with pit bulls and those who fight them. I'd be very curious to know your background and experience because you certainly speak as if you have an extensive background in canine behavior and a lot of experience with pit bulls and dog fighting. Please do tell us so we can be assured that you are speaking from valid information and knowledge first hand of this.
I won't waste any time trying to impart factual information to you because from the tone of your post it's clear that you've already made up your mind based on myth, misinformation and propaganda. I hope you understand just how 'dangerous' it is to base your ideals, feelings, words and actions on misinformation and propaganda.
Claire M. Gumz
10:04 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Fabulous, Cheryl !! :o)
Catherine
3:39 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2011
You have no facts to offer in defense of your argument in favor of pit bulls, so you attack those who do, which is typical for those whose position is based on nothing more than personal opinion. Attacking me is not furthering your asinine cause.
Cheryl Huerta
10:03 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Hi again Catherine. I'm not going to argue with you, judge you or try to show you up here but that you state that pit bulls were never known as the nanny dogs is a clear indication that you haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about.
Face it. Facts will always trump fiction and it doesn't matter how much misinformation and myth that you and your pit bull hating/fearing friends spread around the truth will always prevail.
Another thing you need to face is that pit bulls exist as well as millions of responsible pit bull owners who have pit bulls as family pets who will never harm a single living thing. No matter how much you fear. No matter how much you hate. No matter how many myths, lies and misinformation you believe are true. No matter how much you spread your fear and hatred pit bulls are here and they are here to stay and there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it. Soon enough the torch will be passed on to another breed and all of your hatred and attempts to eliminate all pit bulls from existence will have been for naught. Soon enough... But until that day we are here, the pit bull advocates are here, to educate with fact and experience those who would be interested in being educated as opposed to running around like chicken little crying 'the sky is falling, the sky is falling'.
Catherine
3:43 am on Sunday, September 11, 2011
You begin by saying "I'm not going to argue with you" and proceed to post five long comments arguing with me!
Cheryl Huerta
10:11 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
One more comment I want to make.
I am sure it is believed that we who advocate or speak up for pit bulls are heartless low life's who don't care that people have been harmed by these dogs. I am here to speak out for every pit bull advocate I know, and I know many of them, to say that we are heartbroken with every report that a person or other animal has been harmed by a dog be it a pit bull or other breed. We grieve the loss of life and the traumatic experience of those who survive an attack by a dog.
I am also here to say that until people stop blaming the dog or the breed these kind of incidents are going to keep happening. Until we as a society begin to hold the one common factor in each and every dog attack, the human, responsible for the dogs actions we are doomed to see dogs attacking and killing people. I am NOT blaming the victim when I say the 'one common factor responsible' I am saying that every dog owner everywhere regardless of the dogs breed needs to take their dog ownership responsibly and seriously by being 100% in control of their dog 100% of the time. Responsible dog ownership goes beyond food, shelter and medical care. Responsible dog ownership includes proper handling, training, socialization and supervision of our dogs. That goes across the board regardless of breed. Until that happens people will be attacked and killed by dogs.
Cheryl Huerta
10:19 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Oh my Catherine. You challenged Patrick to prove that your information is incorrect. Now that is a laugh because you clearly are not interested in correct information in regard to this issue based on the myth and misinformation you have posted as fact. It is extremely clear to anyone that has spent more than ten minutes researching the history of pit bulls and the current 'reality' about pit bulls that you are choosing ignorance over education. I don't have a clue what your source is for information but if I were you, in order to stop looking like a complete and utter fool, I'd start looking for some more reliable sources for information than DogsBite.org or the news media.
It's one thing to share what we 'believe' is fact and say that it's only our opinion based on what we know at the moment and it's quite another thing to share what we 'believe' is fact as fact expecting others to take what we 'believe' based on the limited information we have as fact.
I find it so very interesting that the pit bull haters always say that 'the true facts' about pit bulls are the myths that pit bull lovers, or wasn't it nutters you referred to us as, use to keep their vicious dogs.
I see your fear and I understand it. But being afraid and being misinformed never keeps us safe from anything.
You Catherine would do well to get a new source for information and come back better informed with information that is actually true and now made up.
Cheryl Huerta
10:28 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
By the way Catherine. Should you decide to do a bit more research if you choose sources that base what they impart as information on fact rather than myths and lies and if, and that's obviously a HUGE IF for you, you choose to open your mind to the information you find I can assure you that you will change your opinion of pit bulls and of the vast majority of responsible dog owners that have them in their family. I can promise you from the bottom of my heart that if you truly research pit bulls, using valid information data and facts of course, you will no longer be a pit bull hater but you will become someone who at least no longer fears them and accepts that in the right hands they can be the perfect family dog.
Cheryl Huerta
10:35 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
By the way pit bull haters before I go away for the moment I would like to assure you that we who advocate for, rescue, rehabilitate and have pit bulls are absolutely positively NOT asking you to every like pit bulls. That is not our goal because everyone doesn't have to like pit bulls; we don't care if you like them or you don't. Our goal is to educate you on pit bulls and dogs in general to the point where you realize that while pit bulls may not be the kind of dog for you and your family that for others they make wonderful family pets and you will at some point admit that it's okay for those who choose to be responsible owners to have pit bulls and that you will also admit that the owner of the dog is the most important factor in how safe the dog is for other living things.
So please do not misinterpret our defense of pit bulls as an attempt on our part to make you like or love them. All we want to do is to educate you with the facts and to help you see that you have been fed a load of crap based on taking some isolated incidents, and the fact that there are some jackasses who fight these dogs, as a representation of every pit bull.
Thank you for your time and thank you in advance for allowing your mind to open just a bit and to perhaps consider that what you believe is not all there is to know about these dogs or the people who have them.
Patrick Bohler
10:58 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44778927289/
Patrick Bohler
11:01 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Catherine, I have nothing to prove. You've made comments that have no validity or real facts to back them up. You parrot every other negative comment you can find and seek only the bad news to fuel your anger and hatred for the Pit Bull. A type of dog you know nothing about yet portray yourself to be the expert.
Catherine
3:21 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Please read my posts and show me where I have claimed to be an "expert" on pit bulls or anything else.
Catherine
4:04 am on Sunday, September 11, 2011
So when I say there have been 19 people killed by dogs in the US so far this year and anyone with half-sense and access to the internet can check this for themselves, my comment has no "validity"?
You and these other nutters keep saying I "hate" pit bulls, I "know nothing about" pit bulls, that my comments have "no validity." But instead of posting information to counter my argument, all you do is tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. I realize it would be expecting too much to assume any of you actually attended college, but surely you attended high school at least a year or two and you must have caught portions of debates on televison (before you switched to “The Jerry Springer Show”), so you should know that attacking the person making an argument will get you nowhere. You need to prove that person's argument is incorrect by submitting facts of your own.
If those making the decisions on whether or not to ban pit bulls would simply access internet news sites and read the comments by those for and against pit bulls, these monsters would be banned within a month! The people who own these killers do not even know how to debate a topic (something they should have learned in high school), so how can they be trusted to own and train any dog at all, let alone a pit bull?!
Patrick Bohler
6:34 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2011
Oh, dear Catherine, but you seem to know so much about the Pit Bull, you MUST be an expert! ;-) Why so much hate?
Selwyn Marock
4:35 am on Sunday, September 11, 2011
test
Selwyn Marock
4:47 am on Sunday, September 11, 2011
Look ,very simply BSL is not debatable it was a law created by Adolph Hitler to rid the planet of Jews and a few other nations,he did not succeed and neither will the Scumbag politicos that use it to Scare the "Stupid Masses" into voting for them.
When Obama came in I did at that time beleive he would rid USA of this Heinous and Evil piece of Legislation,how wrong I was,he will allow Murder of all other living Creatures,anything that cannot Vote and get him re-elected.
In finality anyone who proposes or promotes BSL is Evil and hopefully will burn in Hell.
Alexis Fitts
4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thanks for all of these comments! Check out the poll we're running: http://sonoma.patch.com/articles/poll-what-kind-of-dog-rules-do-you-want
I plan to forward the results to the City Council, for a crowd-sourced opinion.
Maureen Murray
11:26 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2011
Reading these comments-so many overwhelming feelings: scared, worried, sad, but also thankful, loved, supported. The latter because unbeknowst to me, I adopted a "pit bull" five years ago. I didn't really know much about them, other than reading petfinder posts about these cute dogs being so horribly abused by humans. The mom in me wanted to help and nurture them. I was told by many, they are too much dog for you to handle. But, I fell in love with a pup profile online and after meeting her, I adopted her on the spot. I thought I was getting a "dalmatian mix," the prior breed I had. Nope, her DNA blood panel came back 100% American Staffordshire Terrier! I have to tell you, this dog not only CHANGED my life path for the better, she SAVED my life! That is why I am so passionate about defending them. These dogs are not inherently bad, just as kids are not inherently bad. It's the role the parents play in their children/pets lives that make all the difference. We can talk & defend the goodness in this breed until we are blue in the face, but what it will take for those that fear them, is to actually meet a true pit bull ambassador. I used to fear rottweilers so bad I'd shake & sweat around them. Then I met nice ones that weren't guard dogs. And now, because of my pit bull, I truly know what unconditional love feels like, and how loving one in return can make you a better person. My advice, go to your local shelter, spend 5 min with one & get back to me. You'll feel? 100% Joy!