Thursday, January 17, 2008

Why Make It Illegal to Own A Dog??

Whatever made Tennessee Senator Tommy Kilby (D) think that a state law banning ownership of one particular breed of dog, a pit bull, a good idea, I do not know.
[CORRECTION: The legislation would make ownership of a host of breed types illegal, saying:
(2) "Pit bull dog" means any pit bull terrier; and
(3) "Pit bull terrier" means any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull
terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any
mixed breed of dog which contains as fifty percent (50%) of its breeding the
breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or
American Staffordshire terrier, so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed
American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American
Staffordshire terrier.]

What I do know is this - it's a lousy idea. Such ideas are often called BSLs, or Breed Specific Legislation. I say it is just BS Legislation, which does come from an animal, yes, but why would anyone want BS in their laws??

SB 2738
says even if the dog is only partially a pit bull, it would be illegal to own.

I'm happy to see several folks who blog already calling the bill out as a bad idea and a waste of time - Say Uncle, Aunt B., Michael Silence, and Newscoma just for starters (Add this list of folks opposing the bill from ACK at Volunteer Voters). It shouldn't be a crime to own any kind of dog. (Are you catching on yet, Sen. Kilby?)

What is a crime? Dogfighting - which is sadly too evident in Tennessee. As the National Sheriff's Association reported when urging Congress to toughen dogfighting laws:

"
There are an estimated 40,000 professional dogfighters who sell their fighting dogs nationwide and cockfighting is multi-million dollar business. The massive, criminal network of animal fighters impacts not only the thousands of animals who are subjected to the cruelties of animal fighting, but communities nationwide and law enforcement which must address, at great cost, the crimes associated with it including illegal gambling, drug dealing and even murder.

On average, there has been a murder related to animal fighting every month this year."


A dog does not volunteer to help humans gamble on their lives. Humans force dogs into those hellish competitions.

There are a whole list of reasonable and effective ways to address a reduction in dog bites/attacks right here which I am emailing Sen. Kilby.

Here's the contact info for Senator Kilby:

District Address
118 Henry Heidel Lane
Wartburg, TN 37887

Nashville Address
10A Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0212
Phone (615) 741-1449
Fax (615) 253-0237
Staff Contact: Nadine Korby, Jeremy Davis, Research Analyst

Email: sen.tommy.kilby@legislature.state.tn.us

8 comments:

  1. Joe,
    Remember, pit bull isn't a single breed of dog--one thing the bill gets right--anymore than hound is a single breed.

    The bill plans to destroy all APBTs, Staffordshire Terriers and Am Staffs, American Bulldogs, and any dog that is at least a 50% mix. And how does the legislature hope to prove the percentage of parentage? By looking at the dog? I'll take that to court.

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  2. Thanks, The Editor. I have made a correction in the post by citing the bill.

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  3. Anonymous7:25 PM

    This proposal is completely insane. Aside from which, the flaw in this - "There are an estimated 40,000 professional dogfighters who sell their fighting dogs nationwide and cockfighting is multi-million dollar business" - is that I don't see anybody trying to ban chickens.

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  4. Jeez, Rachel, don't give them more ideas, LOL!

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  5. Senator Kilby isn't running for re-election, is he?

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  6. Anonymous5:51 PM

    The senator is ignorant! This is blatant discrimination against a breed of dog.Maybe he should realize that bad dog owners make bad dogs! If a dog has attacked or bitten a human I can see euthanizing it,but this is the equivalent of saying that since there are more blacks and hispanics in the prison population in terms of percentage of population.....then we should euthanize all people of color....totally ridiculous idea on both counts! Anyone who has ever owned a"bully breed" realizes how incredibly loving and gentle they really are. This senator should realize the backlash this type of stupid legislation will bring.

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  7. Anonymous2:04 PM

    I happen to own a full blooded A.P.B.T. I have had her for six years and have NEVER had a problem out of her.I joke and say if you were gonna rob me just pet her and she would probably help you,lol.I also own a tea cup chichua that would eat you alive,should we ban them? PEOPLE make them mean they aren't born that way.I now have to move to keep my dog,how insane is that? She is the best dog that I have ever owned and I think that they should look at the individual dog or owners and not the entire breed.

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