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Do we ban a race because of skin color. Because they have long hair. Because they have a tattoo. Welcome to America, Full of Freedom
*Be sure to scroll down to the Canine Temperament area of this page.
A note from A & S Rescue. A&S Rescue, Inc., an Illinois Department of Agriculture Licensed shelter, stands with our hundreds of adopters, volunteers, and supporters, in opposition to HB4212.(hb4212 this is not ours) We ask the Illinois legislature to uphold its past decision (Ryan Armstrong Act) from 2003, to prohibit legislation specific to dog breed. A&S Rescue believes that any legislation that attempts to regulate based on breed is misguided, ill-informed, and ultimately, ineffective.
Along side the most reputable canine related organizations in the United States, such as The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, The American Kennel Club, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, A&S Rescue stands in opposition to any legislation that regulates based on dog breed.
A&S Rescue, Inc.
WOW! Enough Said.
Please contact Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton and Corporation Concil Todd Greenberg and let them know your thoughts on the Breed Banning issue. Make sure you say breed ban because we also have a smoking ban going on in town to. I have also heard that they are pretty fair guys.
Mayor Steve Stockton 19 Brompton Court Bloomington, IL 61702 Phone: 309-663-5204 434-2210 Mayor's office Todd Greenberg
Rep. Mike Boland District Office:
Check Out This Website.
Lawmaker pushes vicious dog bill State Rep. Mike Boland is sponsoring a bill in the coming spring session of the General Assembly that could make a dog attack a Class 4 felony punishable with one to three years in prison and fines up to $25,000. "A pit bull or breed-specific ban is not enough because owners may go underground or go to a different breed," Boland said. "When you look to a ban, it doesn't go far enough because it doesn't get at the human behind the dog." Boland agreed, however, that a breed-specific ban and his proposed law could work in tandem to be effective tools in a city's attempt to prevent dog attacks. Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton said Boland's bill does fit with some of the ideas behind the city's look at revising its vicious-dog ordinance. The City Council may take up the proposed ordinance revision sometime in early 2006. "It does sound at though just banning a breed or breeds is not enough and there does need to be a dual approach," Stockton said. Stockton suggested a sliding scale for animals, including large cats - such as tigers - and dogs. "Some animals and dog breeds need to banned totally, and some breeds need to have a zero tolerance," Stockton said. Putting the animals and dog breeds in categories would give the city more control and more flexibility over determining whether a dog poses a danger to the community. Previously, Bloomington city attorney Todd Greenberg said the city was looking at amending its ordinance to include the possible pit bull-ban as a way to prevent "catastrophic" dog attacks. "There are many ways to approach this and I commend the city of Bloomington for looking at what they can do to improve their ordinances," Boland said. The current ordinance prohibits people from keeping vicious dogs - dogs that attack someone unprovoked - unless the dogs are confined in an enclosure or restrained at all times. No breeds are singled out. As Boland's bill stands now, the owner of an unaltered dog that is responsible for an unprovoked attack on a person could be charged with a felony. Boland said one statistic shows 70 percent of all bites come from unaltered dogs. Boland, however, is considering amending the bill to include dogs that have been neutered.
Articles from "ThePantagraph" readers.
Monday, June 05, 2006 City needs to move on vicious-dog law On May 3, our mail lady, Dana St. Hilaire, walked up to a house on the East Side to deliver mail when suddenly the front door flies open and a pit bull leaped at her throat. Dana reacted by pulling her head to the side and raising her shoulder for protection, fortunately just enough to save her face and neck. The pit bull sank its teeth into the top of Dana's shoulder. Immediately the owner appeared and stopped the attack. Dana went to a local emergency room for treatment that included some stitches to close a puncture wound in her shoulder. The police were notified. The mail carrier talked to the postmaster about the incident and was told she must still deliver mail to this address. Sadly enough, this is not the first time this dog has been accused of biting someone and probably won't be the last. With all of this time elapsed the dog is still there. Maybe the next time it will kill or disfigure some child, perhaps yours. Our City Council has discussed vicious-dog ordinances but keeps procrastinating on the issue. The last article that I read in the Pantagraph indicated they felt registering all dogs may be a solution. Registering dogs won't keep them from biting. We need to outlaw them to be safe. Besides, all dogs are already registered with the county via its rabies vaccination program. Upon searching the Internet, I find that three states, including Ohio, have state laws covering vicious-breed dogs. Some municipalities outlaw dangerous breeds and others require registration and vicious dog insurance, which is very expensive. Denver fines you $800 the first time with no exceptions for having a pit bull. Harlan Shoultz Bloomington
Banning is not the answer Harlan.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006 Walker feels unsafe with pit bulls around To the people who do not want a ban on pit bulls: I am a senior citizen who enjoys getting my daily exercise by walking around town enjoying the outdoors. I and a jogger, on our walk, were told two pit bulls had gotten loose, early a.m. and had bitten her dog and a neighbor's dog. Now I no longer feel safe to go for my walks outdoors. I hope they also put a ban on pit bulls in Hudson. I am a dog lover, just not pit bulls. Speaking for myself, Please do not move to Hudson and bring your pit bulls with you. Helen Dorethy Hudson *Dear Helen. You shouldn't believe everything you hear or read. Being a senior you should know by now you need to do your own research. Pitbulls have a good temperment and love people. I see more anger in your writing than I have seen in over 300 dogs in the last week in New Orleans, Mississippi & Illinois in which most where pit mixes. And I'm really sorry you feel that way. I would love for you to meet our little angel. And then make a choice if you would want her banned or not. I think you would really change you thoughts. Please please get educated on the beautiful pets.
I know it's stressful to read and look through my site, so here's a break you can take and laugh for a minute. Vicious Trunk Monkey 1 Click Here Vicious Trunk Monkey 2 Click Here Vicious Trunk Monkey 3 Click Here
Saturday, December 17, 2005 Don't punish pit bull, stress animal education I am appalled at (Bloomington Corporation Counsel) Todd Greenberg's attack on the breed inaccurately known as "pit bull." I am the proud owner of an American bull terrier. The neighbors' children adore her. She has friends at the dog park, and loves to people watch from the front porch. She has converted victim of a dog attack into a dog lover. And one night last winter, when I left the confines of my living room to go to my basement, I believe she saved my life. While outside, I was charged at by an inebriated man obviously stronger than myself. Roxi jumped between us to create a barrier. Her barking and quick-thinking saved me from whatever that man had in store. No breed should be unjustly classified as a danger, when in reality, they enrich our lives. Dog owners know that aggressive behavior is learned. Previous bans include the termination of unregistered or unclaimed lost and rescued dogs and puppies, regardless of health or adoptability. The majority of dog-bite reports are of children left unattended. Unattended children are a matter for child services, not individuals responsible for animal regulations. It has also been proven that dog bites related to breed, have, over time, changed in direct relation to the popularity of the same breed. After England banned pit bulls in the 1990s, studies showed that the number of dog bites remained the same even though the number of pit bulls had steeply declined. Why punish an entire breed? We do not punish people who have not committed crimes. I urge residents to write to the City Council members and the mayor. Implement animal awareness and education in the schools rather than punish an entire breed. If Bloomington does pass the ban, it will lose me, and Roxi, as residents. Amanda Finfrock Bloomington *Thanks Amanda
The HSUS opposes legislation aimed at eradicating or strictly regulating dogs based solely on their breed for a number of reasons. Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is a common first approach that many communities take. Thankfully, once research is conducted most community leaders correctly realize that BSL won't solve the problems they face with dangerous dogs. There are over 4.5 million dog bites each year. This is an estimate as there is no central reporting agency for dog bites, thus breed and other information is not captured. Out of the millions of bites, about 10-20 are fatal each year. While certainly tragic, it represents a very small number statistically and should not be considered as a basis for sweeping legislative action. It is imperative that the dog population in the community be understood. To simply pull numbers of attacks does not give an accurate representation of a breed necessarily. For example, by reviewing a study that states there have been five attacks by golden retrievers in a community and 10 attacks by pit bulls in that same community it would appear that pit bulls are more dangerous. However, if you look at the dog populations in that community and learn that there are 50 golden retrievers present and 500 pit bulls, then the pit bulls are actually the safer breed statistically. While breed is one factor that contributes to a dog's temperament, it alone cannot be used to predict whether a dog may pose a danger to his or her community. A September 2000 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (VetMed Today: Special Report) further illustrates this point. The report details dog bite related fatalities in the United States from 1979 through 1998, and reveals that over the nineteen years examined in the study at least 25 different breeds or crossbreeds of dogs were involved in fatally wounding human beings. Breeds cited range from oft-maligned pit bulls and Rottweilers to the legendary "forever loyal" breed of St. Bernards. The study was conducted by a group of veterinarians, medical doctors, and psychology and public health experts. The main conclusion of the study was that breed-specific legislation doesn't work for several reasons: that there are inherent problems in trying to determine a dog's breed, making enforcement of breed-specific legislation difficult at best; that fatal attacks represent a very small portion of bite-related injuries and should not be the major factor driving public policy; and that existing non-breed-specific legislation already exists and offers promise for the prevention of dog bites. Two decades ago, pit bulls and Rottweilers (the most recent breeds targeted) attracted little to no public concern. At that time it was the Doberman pinscher who was being vilified. In 2001, few people had heard of the Presa Canario breed, involved in the tragic, fatal attack on Diane Whipple in California in January of that year. Now that breed is being sought by individuals who desire the new "killer dog." Unfortunately, the "problem dog" at any given time is often the most popular breed among individuals who tend to be irresponsible, if not abusive, in the control and keeping of their pets. Simply put, if you ban one breed, individuals will just move on to another one. Banning a breed only speeds up the timetable. Communities that have banned specific breeds have discovered that it has not been the easy answer they thought it would be. In some areas, media hype has actually increased the demand for dogs whose breed is in danger of being banned. Animal control agencies, even those that are well funded and equipped, have found the laws to be an enforcement nightmare. Restrictions placed on a specific breed fail to address the larger problems of abuse, aggression training, and irresponsible dog ownership. Again, breed alone is not an adequate indicator of a dog's propensity to bite. Rather, a dog's tendency to bite is a product of several factors, including but not limited to: * Early socialization, or lack thereof, of the dog to people. Sound obedience training for recognition of where he or she "fits" with regard to dominance and people, or mistraining for fighting or increased aggression. Genetic makeup, including breed and strains within a breed. Quality of care and supervision by the owner (is the dog part of the family or is she kept chained outside?). Current levels of socialization of the dog with his or her human family. Behavior of the victim. Whether the dog has been spayed or neutered. If the goal is to offer communities better protection from dogs who are dangerous, then thoughtful legislation that addresses responsible dog keeping is in order. Legislation aimed at punishing the owner of the dog rather than punishing the dog is far more effective in reducing the number of dog bites and attacks. Well enforced, non-breed-specific laws offer an effective and fair solution to the problem of dangerous dogs in all communities. Comprehensive "dog bite" legislation, coupled with better consumer education and forced responsible pet keeping efforts, would do far more to protect communities than banning a specific breed. The HSUS encourages you to read the Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The HSUS is committed to keeping dogs and people safe and is available and willing to offer advice, educational materials and model legislation to communities interested in decreasing the incidence of dog bites and aggression.
Vicious Dogs
A "vicious" dog is:
No dog shall be deemed "vicious" if it bites, attacks, or menaces a trespasser on the property of its owner or harms or menaces anyone who has tormented or abused it or is performing in the line of duty as a professionally trained dog for law enforcement or professional guard duties. Bloomington City Code, Chapter 8, Section 83(a)(1).
About Canine Temperament Because of breed-specific dog legislation and negative publicity associated with many breeds of dogs, temperament testing has assumed an important role for today's dog fancier. The ATTS Temperament Test provides breeders a means for evaluating temperament and gives pet owners insight into their dog's behavior. It can have an impact on breeding programs and in educating owners about their dog's behavioral strengths and weaknesses as well as providing a positive influence on dog legislation. W. Handel, German Police Dog Trainer, in his article, "The Psychological Basis of Temperament Testing," defines temperament as: "the sum total of all inborn and acquired physical and mental traits and talents which determines, forms and regulates behavior in the environment" The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies. The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.
The first number is How many dogs tested. Second number is how many passed. Third number is failed. And percentage who passed.
Note that a Pit Bull rates about the same score as a Golden Retriever!
Afghan Hound 161 116 45
Airedale Terrier 98 75 23
Akbash Dog 13 11 2
Akita 420 306 114
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog 6 4 2
Alaskan Malamute 182 153 29
American Bulldog 116 95 21
American Eskimo 75 62 13
American Foxhound 1 1 0
American Pit Bull Terrier 469 391 78
American Staffordshire Terrier 480 400 80 83.3%
American Tunnel Terrier 2 2 0
American Water Spaniel 5 4 1
Anatolian Shepherd Dog 24 19 5
Australian Cattle Dog 148 113 35
Australian Kelpie 6 5 1
Australian Shepherd 549 442 107
Australian Terrier 16 13 3
Azawakh 1 1 0
Basenji 156 103 53
Basset Hound 32 27 5
Beagle 55 43 12
Bearded Collie 43 23 20
Beauceron 10 7 3
Bedlington Terrier 16 15 1
Belgian Laekenois 4 4 0
Belgian Malinois 196 176 20
Belgian Sheepdog 449 358 91
Belgian Tervuren 388 300 88
Bernese Mountain Dog 149 128 21
Bichon Frise 26 20 6
Black and Tan Coonhound 13 13 0
Black Russian Terrier 6 5 1 83.3%
Bloodhound 32 23 9
Bluetick Coonhound 1 1 0
Boerboel 5 5 0
Border Collie 221 176 45
Border Terrier 97 87 10
Borzoi 94 83 11
Boston Terrier 54 46 8
Bouvier Des Flanders 837 707 130
Boxer 333 282 51
Boykin Spaniel 1 1 0
Briard 290 232 58 80.0% Brittany Spaniel 100 90 10 90.0% Brussels Griffon 9 8 1 88.9% Bull Terrier 55 50 5 90.9% Bulldog 120 82 38 68.3% Bullmastiff 106 80 26 75.5% Cairn Terrier 41 29 12 70.7% Canaan Dog 4 3 1 75.0% Cane Corso 39 29 10 74.4% Cao De Fila De Sao Miguel 1 0 1 0.0% Cardigan Welsh Corgi 56 43 13 76.8% Carolina Dog 2 2 0 100.0% Catahoula Leopard Dog 8 6 2 75.0% Caucasian Ovcharka 4 4 0 100.0% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 42 33 9
Central Asian Ovcharka4 3 1
Chart Polski 1 1 0
Chesapeake Bay Retriever 92 79 13
Chihuahua 34 24 10
Chinese Crested Dog 30 22 8
Chinese Shar-Pei 201 140 61
Chinook 8 6 2
Chow Chow 88 61 27
Clumber Spaniel 12 10 2
Cocker Spaniel 216 176 40
Collie 791 625 166
Curly-Coated Retriever 163 148 15
Dachshund (Miniature Longhaired) 21 18 3
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth) 26 20 6
Dachshund (Miniature Wirehaired) 19 15 4
Dachshund (Standard Longhaired) 31 22 9
Dachshund (Standard Smooth) 42 28 14
Dachshund (Standard Wirehaired) 23 19 4
Dalmatian 306 249 5
Dandie Dinmont Terrier 7 5 2
Doberman Pinscher 1399 1070 329 76.5% Dogo Argentino 10 9 1 90.0% Dogue De Bordeaux 57 40 17 70.2% Dutch Shepherd 6 6 0 100.0% English Cocker Spaniel 59 55 4 93.2% English Foxhound 3 2 1 66.7% English Jack Russel Terrier 2 2 0 100.0% English Setter 19 14 5 73.7% English Shepherd 3 3 0 100.0%
English Springer Spaniel 136 114 22 83.8% Estrala Mountain Dog 1 1 0 100.0% Field Spaniel 6 4 2 66.7% Fila Brasileiro 12 9 3 75.0% Finnish Lapphund 6 4 2 66.7% Finnish Spitz 10 7 3 70.0% Flat-Coated Retriever 81 74 7 91.4% French Bulldog 17 16 1 94.1% German Pinscher 5 4 1 80.0% German Shepherd Dog 2717 2250 467 82.8% German Shorthaired Pointer 115 87 28 75.7% German Wirehaired Pointer 17 14 3 82.4% Giant Schnauzer 226 167 59 73.9% Golden Retriever 659 551 108 83.6% Gordon Setter 60 49 11 81.7% Great Dane 229 180 49 78.6% Great Pyrenees 127 106 21 83.5% Greater Swiss Mountain dog 172 136 36 79.1% Greyhound 55 44 11 80.0% Havanese 5 5 0 100.0% Hovawart 12 11 1 91.7% Ibizan Hound 29 26 3 89.7% Irish Setter 130 118 12 90.8% Irish Terrier 10 8 2 80.0% Irish Water Spaniel 25 22 3 88.0% Irish Wolfhound 90 80 10 88.9% Italian Greyhound 36 27 9 75.0% Japanese Chin 4 4 0 100.0% Karelian Bear Dog 2 2 0 100.0% Keeshond 81 65 16 80.2% Kerry Blue Terrier 49 36 13 73.5% Komondor 7 6 1 85.7% Kuvasz 36 28 8 77.8% Labrador Retriever 644 587 57 91.1% Lakeland Terrier 5 3 2 60.0% Leonberger 14 13 1 92.9% Lhasa Apso 26 18 8 69.2% Lowchen 12 9 3 75.0% Lurcher 1 1 0 100.0% Maltese 12 10 2 83.3% Manchester Terrier 46 40 6 87.0% Mastiff 142 120 22 84.5% Miniature Bull Terrier 7 7 0 100.0% Miniature Pinscher 50 40 10 80.0% Miniature Poodle 63 48 15 76.2% Miniature Schnauzer 100 78 22 78.0% Mixed Breed 680 579 101 85.1% Neapolitan Mastiff 11 6 5 54.5% Newfoundland 165 144 21
Norfolk Terrier 9 8 1
Norwegian Elkhound 121 90 31
Norwich Terrier 13 9 4
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 13 8 5
Old English Bull Dogge 2 2 0
Old English Sheepdog 45 35 10
Otterhound 10 7 3
Papillon 71 56 15
Parson Russell Terrier 54 44 10
Pekingese 14 13 1
Pembroke Welsh Corgi 177 139 38
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 9 8 1
Pharaoh Hound 52 42 10
Pointer 17 15 2
Polski Owczarek Nizinny 10 5 5
Pomeranian 32 24 8 75.0%
Portuguese Water Dog 136 105 31
Presa Canario 10 9 1
Pug 35 32 3
Puli 23 21 2
Pungsan 2 2 0
Rat Terrier 12 10 2
Redbone Coonhound 4 4 0
Rhodesian Ridgeback 213 163 50
Rottweiler 4498 3702 796
Russo-European Laika 2 2 0
Saint Bernard 41 34 7
Saluki 60 41 19
Samoyed 272 214 58
Schipperke 99 90 9
Scottish Deerhound 30 27 3
Scottish Terrier 32 21 11
Sealyham Terrier 1 1 0
Shetland Sheepdog 459 306 153
Shiba Inu 23 15 8
Shih Tzu 39 30 9
Shiloh Shepherd 14 11 3
Siberian Husky 271 235 36
Silky Terrier 16 11 5
Skye Terrier 8 3 5
Sloughi 1 1 0
Smooth Fox Terrier 52 39 13
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 32 23 9
Spinone Italiano 5 2 3
Staffordshire Bull Terrier 59 55 4
Standard Poodle 206 178 28
Standard Schnauzer 54 35 19
Sussex Spaniel 3 3 0
Sweedish Vallhund 1 1 0
Texas Heeler 1 1 0
Tibetan Kyapso 1 1 0 100.0%
Tibetan Mastiff 13 5 8
Tibetan Spaniel 87 1
Tibetan Terrier10 5 5
Tosa 3 3 0
Toy Fox terrier 8 6 2 75.0%
Toy Manchester Terrier10 10 0
Toy Poodle 47 38 9
Treeing Feist 1 1 0
Treeing Walker Coonhound 8 5 3
Vizsla 46 38 8
Weimaraner 202 161 41
Welsh Sheepdog 1 1 0
Welsh Springer Spaniel 5 5 0
Welsh Terrier 34 26 8 West Highland White Terrier 50 43 7 86.0%
Whippet 175 148 27 84.6%
Wire Fox Terrier 18 15 3 83.3%
Xoloitzcuintli 3 3 0
Yorkshire Terrier 35 28 7 80.0% |
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