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« New Fuel-Economy Standards To Require Modest Improvements | Main | Regulation to Require the Use of Bear Resistant Canisters » August 23, 2005Bill to Allow Regulation of Dog Breeds AdvancesIn California, a law is moving through the state Assempbly that would regulate pit bulls (yes, we're back on pit bulls). "Spurred by a recent rash of pit bull attacks on children in California, state lawmakers voted Monday to give local governments authority to require the spaying and neutering of specific dog breeds.San Francisco — where 12-year-old Nicholas Faibish was mauled to death in June by a family pit bull — is poised to become the first part of the state to approve such an ordinance. Mayor Gavin Newsom had requested the bill, which passed the state Assembly 46 to 18. The measure still requires approval by the Senate and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but San Francisco is already drafting its new rules in anticipation of passage. While some places, including Denver, have banned pit bulls, California is one of a handful of states that prohibit cities and counties from singling out specific breeds for regulation. That did not change even after Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old lacrosse coach, was killed by two Presa Canario dogs in San Francisco in 2001. Breeders and some pet advocates have long resisted restrictions on specific breeds out of fear that it would lead to a wholesale ban on controversial types of animals. " Controversial types of animals? Outside of dangerous dogs, and maybe flu-ridden birds or Mad-Cow Diseased cows are there really "Controversial animals?" Now, whether or not the government should take action to prevent extinction, like in whaling, now that's a controversy. Whales, however, are not controversial in and of themselves. I don't think CNN is going to have a lead, "Whales, good or bad? We debate next." And the species canis familiaris isn't going anywhere, it's a crazy breed of canis familiaris called Pit "oh my god that's my leg" bull. If we're really worried about losing pitbulls, like we think we'll need them in some future war or something, we can save the DNA, that's the nice thing about having other breeds of dogs, we could actually bring back a dog we wanted to. Just saying. Related from the Joint Center: Never Bitten, Twice Shy: The Real Dangers of Summer David Ropeik, Nigel Holmes Posted by the Joint Center at August 23, 2005 09:18 AM |
