The legislature is now trying to ban wolf hybrids from the state, and it has passed the senate 50 to 0. Like pit bulls, these dogs have a terrible public persona but are the sweetest, most intelligent dogs I have ever owned. I have had numerous wolf dogs and all were non-aggressive.
I am wondering if you would be willing to write a letter of opposition for yet another breed specific ban in Montana? I have put together lots of information on how other states deal with the breed and only Wyoming has a ban. The legislation threatens to destroy dogs whose owners do not comply with the tattooing and registration requirements (including pictures and genetic material samples). What if someone has a malamute cross and doesn't know it has wolf?
Anyway, I am trying to access the hearing records to see who testified and if any pit bull people would be willing to help out our cause.
Posted
January 11, 2009, 5:11PM
by
d2or3
Folks, I'd also visit -- and send to the officials -- the Montana stats from the Nat'l Canine Research Council:
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/MontanaStats.aspThe stats overwhelming prove that banning a breed is NOT the answer. Montana has joined the hysteria, and it's all false.
Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been three (3) fatal dog attacks in Montana, or an average of one (1) fatality every 14 years.
Three different breeds/types of dogs have been identified as being involved in a fatal attack in Montana.
The victims were: 3 children
All the dogs involved in fatal attacks in Montana were intact (not spayed or neutered).
All three cases involved unsupervised children left alone in a yard with unfamiliar dogs (2 cases) or the child wandering off and encountering an unfamiliar, chained dog (1 case).
In spite of reckless or negligent ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Montana as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Montana: Year 2005
Persons killed by dogs: 0
Bicycle-related deaths: 4
Persons drowned in tubs or swimming pools: 4
ATV-related fatalities: 7
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: 125
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non): 251
Tobacco-related deaths: 1,400
This is terrible. What can you do if you don't live in Montana?? Can Best Friends intervene with some facts?? Please also look up the Sports Illustrated article on pit bulls (just was on the BF site).
Posted
January 16, 2009, 2:9AM
by
betvet1
This is absolutely unfair. These are babies. They are just like a child, they only do as they are taught. You teach them love, and thats all they're gonna know is love. I've had them for years and never had any meaness at all in them. They're just like any other animal, mine have all been perfect pound puppies. The only law that should be involved here is one that states, THEY, the ones trying to make these awful rules, take one of these babies each, home with them for a while and just see for themselves what angels they can be. Then you would see a big change of hearts. Thanks for the opportunity, BJK
Posted
January 10, 2009, 2:52PM
by
kirkd13
OK so this is like, let's say someone driving a green Chevrolet pickup truck runs a red light and injures an innocent driver. So the solution, according to this bill, is, of course - outlaw green Chevrolet pickup trucks. If the people who sponsor and support this bill would do their homework, and a little research, they would find that this has never been an effective solution. It is not the answer. All this proves is that people who support this kind of law don't know anything about dogs.
Thank You Thank You so much for the update
As the owner of a hurricane Katrina big headed bulldog mix and living in Montana I am very concerned about this bill. She is spayed and would be grandfathered in but would be required to wear a muzzle when she leaves my house. She loves everyone and gets along with all other animals but because of her looks she would be a subjected to this law.
My concern is who is to decide what looks like a pit as defined by that law. Will boxers, mastiffs,bulldogs and other large headed breeds/crosses all be condemned to be euthanized if they are brought into the state after the law goes into effect?
I am not sure if I can post the link to the Committee on this bill or not so I won't but the helpful thing would be to contact them with your opinion.
Through contacting people today I found out Robyn Driscoll has received hundreds of emails as have the people on the committee where the bill is. Some people have heard back from their reps who stated they would not vote for this flawed bill. I think public opinion will win out.
People of Montana. I do not live in your fine state but when BSL is the issue I do not look at state lines. If you want too see what happens when state officials trample your rights as American citizens go to these web sites and read:
denverkillsdogs.com and roverlution.org .
Read about regular every day citizens being turned into criminals for having a large breed dog. You want to know who will determine weather your dog has pit in him ? The police officer that comes into your house with guns drawn and any high school grad, if they have that much education, that works for animal control. All real animal experts in that group eehhh. Just wait until your grumpy
neighbor calls the police and tells them you have a big headed dog. They come with guns drawn and they will take your dog. Then you have to prove he is not a pit. That's right, the burden of proof is on you. Ms. Driscoll and the rest of the keystone cops, sorry I get emotional, committee has received correspondence from me and will continue to hear from me daily until this non sense is put to rest. It's time for a gathering, with pitch forks, pick axis, torches and shovels, at the state house where this debacle began. If the people of Montana don't step up now, you deserve what you will get and I pittie the dogs.
Please, people, come to the Capital day after tomorrow and speak about this! During the hearing they open up the floor for people to come up and state that they are for or against this bill and why.
http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws09/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=HB&P_BILL_NO=191&P_BILL_DFT_NO=&P_CHPT_NO=&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SBJ_DESCR=Local+Government++%28see+also%3A+City+Subjects%3B+County+Subjects%29&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=LG&P_LST_NM1=Driscoll%2C+Robyn+&;
I attended the hearing today at the Capital. The proponents who testified were few. Rep. Driscoll gives a good speech but it contained errors. The opponents, in my estimate, numbered 200 or more. Dave Pauli, the Regional guy for HSUS was the first opponent to speak. They only allowed 20 minutes for speech so very few people were heard. There's a report on a Montana canine group that the bill was already killed in committee today.
I attended the hearing today at the Capital. The proponents who testified were few. Rep. Driscoll gives a good speech but it contained errors. The opponents, in my estimate, numbered 200 or more. Dave Pauli, the Regional guy for HSUS was the first opponent to speak. They only allowed 20 minutes for speech so very few people were heard. There's a report on a Montana canine group that the bill was already killed in committee today.
I hope people are still need contacting their Representatives to oppose this bill
Please if you can show up to oppose this bill. The Reps need to know that this is not the right bill. They need to be educated about breeds
Thank You Fuzzymuffin. Thank You also for helping the animals in our state. I have sent emails to all of the members of the Committee of HB 191 ( that had email addresses) and I have heard back from the chair. I sent her a link to the find the pit test on the web and also a link to Lawdogsusa organization.
My prayers are with those of you in Montana. This bill must be stopped. I've signed petitions and written a letter to the committee members.
This bill if passed could start a domino effect around the country.
Montana needs to get their act together and handle animal welfare appropriately and not take the knee-jerk route.
I wish I could be there to help speak for you and all your beloved dogs.
When will politicians ever learn? Have they not done their homework? Understood the facts? Montanans, stop this madness!
According to this law not just green Chevrolet pickup would be banned BUT anything green, looks like a Chevy, has a Chevy. or is a pickup could be banned depending on who is looking at it and making that judgment call. After the law was enacted anyone bringing any dog that looks like it may be part pit ( that part is wide open as to who will decide that or what will be considered as the characteristics on Kennel Club's list ) would be euthanized. EVEN if the dog is not aggressive towards humans or animals. So a big head and stocky body could be enough to have your family pet euthanized if it isn't registered or if you bring it into the state.
Even with the law your registered mixed breed dog could not be off your property without a muzzle to be walked or taken to the vet.
If your sweet unregistered mixed breed dog wanders off your property no matter how sweet and non agressive it is it would be euthanized.
I have seen a few stocky big headed lab mixes over the years that wouldn't hurt a flea. But again it will depend on who ever is making the judgment call as to what the mix is and if the dog will have to be euthanized.
Hearing Set for Bill to Kill All the Pit Bulls in Montana
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/breed-bans/article/650
Posted
January 20, 2009, 12:17PM
by
carmonc2
why is it that these beautiful dogs have always be ripped at! I have seen more little dogs try and go after humans and other dogs than i have pit bulls! Leave the dogs alone! this is ridiculous ! How would you like it if people just came to your house and told you that your dog was going to taken away just because!?! That is how if feels, it is sick! We as people can't even have the dogs we love in our lives because they have this "bad" rep.! PLEASE do something better in your lives and leave the dogs alone!! They are like children to us!! This is not right leave them be please!
I am very angry at the stupidity of this!!! I live in the capital city of Montana, Helena, and I am notifying everyone I know about this today. I volunteer at the Lewis and clark Humane Society and pit bulls are not a problem!!!