punish those people who are irresponsible and even neglectful and cruel to their dogs, not those dogs who have been turned into what they are, it is not their fault. there are NO BAD DOGS only BAD OWNERS!!!!!
Pit Bulls, although one of the most gamest and competent fighting dogs, possesses the capability and willingness to be gentle, protective, loyal and even-tempered. A Pit Bull has extremely powerful jaws that appear to lock when biting aggressively. However, as known to man, no breed is capable of actually locking the jaw when biting. The belief that the Pit Bull is a killer or is prone to unwarranted attacks is unreasonable, unproven, and lacks merit. In fact, if properly bred, Pitbulls have been used as therapy providers for the disabled and elderly patients due to their affectionate demeanor. Pit Bulls, contrary to uneducated belief, are very loving, playful, protective, and intelligent.
Its breeder and owner drive the character of a Pit Bull. Vicious behavior is learned and not instinctive for most domesticated animals. In essence, the owner dictates the type of dog he/she owns. Recognizing the temperament of your dog and determining if professional training is needed is the duty of a responsible owner. Educating yourself about the Pit Bull through credible resource materials should increase your comfort level and appreciation of the Pit Bull. Avoid accepting information given by those who are truly unknowledgeable and unfamiliar about the breed. Remember, any breed, from the smallest to the largest, is cable of launching an attack. However, socialization at a very young age is a key to establishing peaceful cohabitation with any breed.
PUNISH THE DEED NOT THE BREED
My family has owned pitbulls longer than I've been alive. They are the only breed I've been around and would trust them with my life and the lives of my children. When I was a little and someone came to the house, my pit Rufus would sit next to me and would not leave my side until the people left the house. That dog would have given his life to protect me. Being a responsible pet owner means educating yourself, learn all you can about the breed and don't take other peoples word for it, if you don't know first hand what it is like to own a pitbull, then you have no reason to ban breeding them or owning them. Please do not take other people's words and experiences as an excuse to do this.
My dogs are loving, funny, and trustworthy. I've owned pitbulls for the last 22 years and my husband has owned them even longer. I would not own another breed. Don't let other people influence your decision, eduacate yourself and you will see that they are given a truly unfair reputation, by people who don't know anything about them except what they hear other people say. The key is EDUCATION!
If people would educate themselves about these dogs they would find it's all a myth about pitbulls being vicious. Or if they would check into dogs attacking humans they would find that they are not purebred pits that are doing this, it's usually just a mutt that is being classified as a pitbull. Pitbulls are just dogs, just like any other breed.
It is amodern day witch hunt and totally racist you can ban them or make us spay or nueter them but I will do neither and will keep my dogs safe you have to go through me to get them and you arn't well enough armed so do what you will you can take my dogs over my dead body
Most states have dangerous dog laws in effect that are not being enforced. The problem is not the breed of dog, but the irresponsible owners who are not being held liable for their pets actions. Breed bans will not solve the existing problems and only serve as legislative genocide. Soon they will be telling us how many children we can have. What's next?
one great dog have owned most of my 60 years, gee i wish legislators would read and do more research on every issue they vote for--we need to research them a little before we visit our polls.
My daughter brought home a 3 month old pit bull puppy Christmas Eve 2003. I have to admit I did believe the media hype about pit bulls that was until I met Deja my daughters dog. I researched about pit bulls and found out that they are not what the media portrays them to be. Deja lays right next to me when I am in my chair watching t.v. She gives lots of kisses including to my five and a half month old grandaughter who Deja adores. I have realized that it is the irresponsible owners that cause this wonderful breed a bad reputation. So please, punish the irresponsible owners and not this wonderful and loving breed.
It's a shame that more people don't have the privelege or get the chance to have a pitbull in thier lives, I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't. These are the most loyal dogs god has made. Any dog can be aggressive, and it's the people that own the dogs, NOT the dogs! Why don't we start banning these kind of people that make some of these dogs like this instead of taking it out on an innocent friend!!
The pitbull was bred to caught bulls, but as the boxer was. Pits do have a tendence to attempt to caught whatever excites them, but what does any dog do when excited? They try to caught 'it'. There is no reason to ban the breeding of pitbulls or any other dog for that matter.. Yes, stricter regulations on the breeding of some dogs is needed to help cut down on bad bloodlines that help contribute to the aggressivness of some pitbulls, but not the complete banning. If anything, regulations should be placed in tow and authorities should check local breeders instead of banning them completely.
I have had many different breeds of dogs in my life time ranging from yorkies to Rottweilers. Until 6 years ago I had the same misconception as alot of people when it came to pit bulls. My husband brought a 6 week old APBT into our home where we had a 2 year old and a 4 year old. I was skeptical. I can only say that I have never had a better dog than the the once little 6 week old puppy that is now a big part of our family. We now have a total of 4 APBT which are well bred and well mannered and all a part of this family. In my opinion the APBT is a breed with a bad name and is often misconstrued as this man eater when in all honesty I would fear a poodle or a cocker spaniel more. Please do something different than most and actually look at the breed, not at the irresponsibility that some ignorant people have in owning a dog for the wrong reasons. Banning American Pit Bull Terriers will not accomplish anything in New Mexico, the same morons that are causing the problems now will continue to get these dogs and will continue to abuse the breed, and all you will have accomplished is punishing the people that truly love this breed. Dont punish this breed and the people that love it, punish the morons who try to ruin them.
This is the most adorn breed in american history. If the politicians would quit listening to the media, and do their home work....they would find out that their temperment test score much higher than the Labordore and Golden retriever's.
When you ban a breed all you do is hurt the people that take care of and care about the breed. The people that follow rules. The law want stop the people that are giving this bred a bad name they want care about the ban and will keep doing what there doing.
Very sad days have come becouse of some very sad irrisponsible owners that have got their hands on my second love of life.My first is my family,but go hand on hand on my better lease of life PITBULLS ARE PART OF MY LIFE THEY ARE MY CANINE FAMILY!Please consider how this would affect some of our lives...
I have three pitbull terriors and they all have a sweet disposition it saddens me to know that people whom are not educated on the APBT are the same ones that are passing the laws we as pitull owners have the duty to eduacate these misinformed people on the true nature of the breed the fact is you can not judge a dog by its breed and it is cruel to muzzle ban and sterotype a whole breed off a fews actions. long live the ABPT
I agree to punish the deed not the breed, I've had these dogs for 25 years and raised them around my kids and grandkids, when a dog is raised to be aggresive, thats when he is a threat,dont punish the dog punish the owner, let us keep our freedom and heritage Please !
We have 5 apbt's and all are great family dogs. We have 3 kids (5-9 years old). We have never had any of our dogs our for that matter any of our friends apbt show any ageretion towards people.
Please don't band American Pitbull Terriers thay are such a good little dog If you could only see my Pit Bull. He is such a good little dog. Please don't band this dog. There is no bad dog onely bad people. Please don't bane this good little dog.
The pit bull is truly THE most misunderstood dog in existence. This is NOT a dog problem, it's a people problem. The only thing BSL does is punnish those responsible owners with well behaved dogs and does nothing to alleviate the dog bite issue.
I truely hope that you reconsider this action. This is not the right way to handle the problem. A dog, regardless of it's breed will do only as it was taught or how it was treated. Many a responsible APBT owners & families will suffer a great imotional loss.
how in the world would sen.sue.wilson think that banning the breeding of pit bulls would help new mexico out? how?now what is really killing and hurting inicent people in this world? i'll tell you "KIDS WITH GUNS" sen sue wilson you want to help new mexico take guns out of kids hands open your eyes people its guns hurting this whole country not pitbulls . with all this time that sen.wilson has on her hands she should point it in the direction of stiffer sentencing for kids with guns stiffer sentencing for kids that murder stiffer sentencing for kids that do drivebys and kill inicent people. we have a global war going on in this country and the problem is kids with guns not pit bulls .
Banning a certain breed of dog will not stop the dog bites and attacks. Making people responcible for their dogs is the answer to the problem.
There are so many VERY friendly pitbulls out there that you will NEVER hear about because they are good dogs.Because you only hear about the bad dogs that represent this great breed of dog.
A breed ban is not the answer.If you must pass something then pass a vicious dog ordinance where any breed of dog that has bitten people be deemed vicious then make the owners do some of the things suggested in the proposed bill. But ONLY after the dog has been deemed vicious.
Taking away the rights of responsable pitbull owners is not going to stop people from owning "bad dogs" its only going to center the blame more directly on the pitbull breed.
Its the people who make the breed mean that should be banned not the breed itself! Pitt bulls are marvalous dogs and have every right to be a member of a responsible per owners family.
I've known so many good natured and well behaved pitbulls. The problem isn't the breed, it's the attitude of the owners. More attention and funding should be put toward owner education, as opposed to the limiting of certain breeds.
We APBT owners do need to ban together and teach these dogs that snap are usualy non papered or badly bred in the hands of people who should be baned from having animals at all.
Targeting a specific breed of dog will not do anything to protect people from problem dogs. If we want to prevent dog bites we must target the irresponsible owners that allow their pets to become a public danger. It would be much more effective to revise dangerous dog laws without targeting a specific breed. Any dog can bite. Any breed can have a vicious temperment. As an American I take pride in freedom. When the law tells me I can get a carry permit for a large caliber hand gun, but I cannot choose the breed of dog to own, or even drive through the state with, something has gone terribly wrong. BSL is a huge mistake and it is definetly not derived from American values. This law would only affect the law- abiding citizens who love their dogs. Rethink this foolish bill.This is nothing more than profiling, which is not tolerated when it comes to dangerous felons. Why would we tolerate the same when it comes to a breed of dog who are, by nature, very gentle and caring, provided the owners do not train the dog to be vicious, as can be done with any breed. Perhaps we should look at screening the individuals who are causing these problems.
Myself and many others would strongly support stronger pet laws, but the banning of a breed of animal is not the answer.I agree that animals who pose a threat to a comunity must be kept to a higher standard of inspection such as microchiping thier pet,requiring a more secure living area, and required inspection to ensure the animals are not being used for fighting.Pit bulls aren't more dangerous than other breeds of dogs, but they are stronger. If raised as a pet they can be just as loveing as any other pet. don't want a single human to die by a dog mauling, but banning a single breed might reduce the attacks but not stop them. Unless you are willing to ban all dogs, it would be impossible to stop dog attacks. Make the laws governing animal care so strong that only those willing to take responsibility for their animal actions will own them.can we Ban races of people for the few who hurt others
I have a Brindle pitbull, I also own a Golden Retriever and the dogs are sweet and loyal. Pitbulls are magnificent animals. It is not right for either decent owners and cared-for pits to deserve punishment. Don't punish the bread, punish the deed. This is complete ignorance.
As the responsible owner of a 7 year old female American Pit Bull Terrier, two cats, many snakes, and the mother of a 20 month old son, I ask you to please reconsider your petition. I am from Florida and ask that you take a look at our non-breed specific bad dog law. American Pit Bull Terriers are not inherently bad dogs, I see them daily in my job as a veterinary technician. As a veterinary technician, I will also add that muzzling a dog any time they are outside of their homes is EXTREMELY unsafe due to the possibility of heat stroke. There are a lot ignorant owners of this wonderful breed, but there are far more conscientious owners that you never get to hear about! Please reconsider this unfair bill!
I guess next you'll be trying to ban a specific human race??? It all come down to irresponsible owners. Make them pay the consequences for their actions! Pit Bulls are by far the most loyal and loving breed I've ever dealt with! I've owned Dobermans, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, and a few mutts in my lifetime, but none are as loving and trustworthy as Pit Bulls. Please reconsider what you are doing. These dogs deserve to be loved by their human owners just like every other breed!!!
That is ridiculous. Banning a breed will do nothing for irresponsible ownership. People will just treat other breeds the same way and then you will have to ban ALL BREEDS. Why not treat each incident as it comes, instead of generalizing?
BAN OR A HIDDEN EXTINCTION ATTEMPT??? I DID NOT REALIZE THAT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE MEANT THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS POSSESS THE ABILITY TO ADOPT GOD'S LAW AND DICTATE WHICH OF HIS CREATIONS WILL BE PERMITTED TO EXIST IN OUR SOCIETY!!! IF BREEDING IS BANNED AND EXISTING APBTS ARE SPAYED/NEUTERED, WOULD THIS NOT LEND TO, ULTIMATELY, EXTINCTION OF OUR BELOVED PITS?
SENATOR BEFFORT, I WOULD FATHOM THAT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE WAS NOT MANDATED TO INCORPORATE THE
ABILITY TO DECIDE LIFE/DEATH; THAT, I'M CONFIDENT, DOES NOT FALL UNDER YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION! WHILD RECOGNIZING THAT YOUR POSITION DOES AFFORD YOU THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING YOUR DENIZENS, COULDN'T YOU ACCOMPLISH SAME BY PUNISHING THE REAL CULPRIT...THE ONE ON THE 'OTHER END OF THE LEASH'!
Breed bans are ridiculous! Pit Bulls are wonderful, loyal, loving dogs if brought up in the right environment. Instead of a breed ban, you should concentrate on back yard breeders, dog fighters, and people who abuse and neglect their animals! Please take the time to take one of the many pit bull quizzes on the internet - there are MANY breeds that look like an APBT. Will you ban them also? Cane Corsos, American Bulldogs, Boxers, Amstaffs, etc. What will happen to these breeds?????
I have owned pitbulls since 89 and it is truly the way you raise them please dont ban the breed its not fair to the people that dont fight them and train them to be mean stiffer laws on the people that do. big money fines and jail time
I have known many pitbull owners and the dogs are sweet and loyal. These owners are responsible and their dogs are magnificent animals. It is not right for either decent owners and cared-for pits to deserve punishment.
Banning a certain breed not only is inconclusive but its not going to solve any problems. People who neglect to care for thier dogs, or neglect to take responsibility still are not going to, the ones that will pay for this are those who love thier dogs and do right by them. The "good" Pit Bull owners are those who will pay. And they are NOT the ones you see on the evening news.
I think that the person that started this petition should go and find someone who owns a Pitbull or more and spend sometime with one instead of being a coward and living in fear of a dog that is one of the most respectable on the face of the earth.Pitbull's are known for their loyalty with people and especially children.Instead of jumping the gun get your facts right first please.We don't ban rapists from our towns but we are willing to ban a dog that is more loyal than any person could ever be?Take a moment and think about what you are doing.
Why ban a breed of dog that has shown nothing but loyalty to it's human owners. Before jumping on this ban wagon..you need to totally research the breed. Who are you to think that you can tell us, U.S. citizens what breed of dog we can and cannot own. Why punish the breed, why not punish the people who are not responsible owners of any breed of dog that is not trained correctly.
Check the statictics on dog bites. You will find the APBT at the bottom of the list. The APBT is a very loyal and loving animal...
Sue Wilson Beffort,
What you have proposed will not work. To say the least it is an easy quick fix for the law makers nto to mention it is discriminatory.
What you need are GOOD dangerous dog laws that are enforced and owner education.
You are grouping all Pit Bull owners into one group both responsible and negligent.
This is unjust to the responsable owners, those of us who train our dogs and compeat with them in Agility, Obedience, Weight Pull and conformation.
I am aginst this proposal and ask that you develop a better plan that will work.
As some of us know there is a larg problem with compiled dog bite stats. Dogs that resemble a Pit Bull are named as such. There is no section for 'Prevoked Bites'
where the dog is not to blame at all.
I have owned Pit Bulls since I was 3 years old and am now 47. My children were raised around them and never once so much as snapped at!
I suggest that you educate yourself fully before proposing any laws.
Dawn, DCK9
'Bad dogs are like bad children! They have bad parents!'
'Punish the deed not the breed!'
