Vet News Pit bulls, pets and politics

June 19th, 2008  

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Not a fan of gore but a great speech nevertheless.

reddog June 19th, 2008 06:45:00 PM

I guess it is much easier when something gains national attention, affects millions of consumers (money), causes and has potential for great harm, and involves lots of big business.

I apologize to the readers for sounding so "soured", I can't even get my local REP or any rep/senator in this state of NH to rewrite the euthanasia law or even respond: (copy)

From: Barbara A. Albright
To: Charron, Gene
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 6:42 PM
Subject: legislation intro


Hello Rep. Charron,

I think it is around the time to gather info for introduction of legislation for the 2008-09 session? Since you are on the criminal justice committee, how about an easy, no brainer type "rewrite"?

I refer to the humane euthanasia act RSA 437:22, that apparently isn't clear enough :all animals must be put to death "humanely" by an animal care facility,-----

Since I have contacted the agricultural dept. for clarification, and the answer is "according to AVMA guidelines", why not have it read as such and attach a penalty for non-compliance.

Who is going to have a problem with this? Or more accurately, who is going to voice "objection" to this?

Let me know, please.
Barbara, Pocket's Story from New Hampshire

I can only surmise that an awful lot of animals are affected in this state, unbeknownst to a lot of citizens---if a SIMPLE rewrite with penalty is IGNORED---what is wrong here?
-

Barbara A. Albright/New Hampshire June 19th, 2008 06:52:00 PM

I would take a pit bull over a chihuahua or a cocker spaniel any day. And I HAVE a cocker spaniel.

Let's hope that reason prevails in Ohio and we don't see the biggest mass hysteria euthanasia event since Denver and Ontario banned pit bulls. I can easily see rottie, mastiff, or akita mixes becoming the fad "fight dog of choice" and pit bull BSL won't be able to do a thing about it. Pretty soon we'll be legislated down to fluffy white dogs under 10 pounds who've had their teeth pulled.

anonymous in boston June 19th, 2008 08:00:00 PM

IT'S so sad that our legislators feel the need to pass new laws when all we need if for the judicial systems to ENFORCE and PUNISH under our current laws. As long as the gov makes attending a dog fight a misdemeanor, things won't change. As long as the the judicial system keeps slapping offenders with super duper double secret probation, things won't change.

We need to address the PROBLEM- PEOPLE who abuse animals. Not the animals themselves.

Beaner and I say thanks for the column......

Agadoresmama June 19th, 2008 11:17:00 PM

is not if in first line. BTW HOW's SOPHIE?????????

Agadoresmama June 19th, 2008 11:19:00 PM

Barbara, I don't know Gene Charron or what he's like, but in general you might find that an approach that acknowledges how hard it really is to rewrite a law, and that leads with a _dispassionate_ statement of the problem, followed by facts, figures and information supporting it, is more effective.

Sarcasm, trivializing the work of the person whose help you want, the apparent assumption that he personally could deliver this to you tomorrow with no effort, if only he weren't a lazy, indifferent jerk--even if the assumption is correct, it's not the way to get him to do what you want.

Your story is poignant, but you need more than just one story.

Oh, and yes, actually, when something affects millions of people, causes great harm, has potential to cause even more harm, and affects large corporations on a national scale--yes, of course it's easier to get lots of media attention, and get the attention of politicians, than when there's a single account of one really bad experience for one person and pet. Every tragedy is equally a tragedy, but legislatures don't normally act on single cases.

Lis June 20th, 2008 07:58:00 AM

Will someone please tell Barbara that this is not the forum for her to continue to agonize over her experience. I'm tired of hearing about it - this is Dr. Khuly's blog, not Barbara's!

Paul June 20th, 2008 09:58:00 AM

Paul: Will do.

Dr. Patty Khuly June 20th, 2008 10:06:00 AM

Sophie's doing better for now. I've been somewhat silent on this since I haven't decided what I'm going to do with her health condition yet. She's got a tumor in her brainstem and I'm deciding between radiosurgery (Gamma knife) and 18 courses of radiation. It's been a trying few weeks and I guess it's easier to post on other topics than rehash Sophie's depressing state of affairs. Thanks for asking!

Dr. Patty Khuly June 20th, 2008 10:08:00 AM

Lis & Paul, I extend my apologies to you- not meant to offend any readers.
If this was an 'isolated' incident, I would not "campaign"---it is decades of the same offense to many.

Again, I am so sorry.

Barbara A. Albright/New Hampshire June 20th, 2008 03:59:00 PM

Pshhaaw. What better way to pander to voters than tug at the heart strings of pet owners.

Chip June 20th, 2008 04:58:00 PM

The Ohio bill sponsored by Tyrone Yates, which was calling for a statewide ban on 'pit bulls', is being pulled. It was a non-starter. Paraphrasing the words of Rep Evans, it was the most ridiculous Bill he'd seen in his six years in the House. He's a personal friend of Tyrone Yates.

However, Ohio is still a problem area due to the proliferation of fearful, ignorant people who are unfortunately in a position to draft and enact legislation - both state and local - which looks at the wrong end of the lead and promotes the inhumane treatment of dogs.

Caveat June 21st, 2008 09:33:00 AM

Caveat: Thanks for the update. The part that freaked me out the most was the 2 month grace period before all pits still living in Ohio would be euthanized.

Dr. Patty Khuly June 22nd, 2008 09:37:00 AM

I am a concerned owner of a dog of indeterminate breed who displays "the physical characteristics of the pit bull". Despite his unknown origins (he was found 5 years ago skinny and lost in the streets and brought to my home by someone who just knows me too well) he could be seized and euthanized based on his appearance if Mr. Yates got his way. I have scoured the internet for more recent updates. Wikipedia claims he has withdrawn his proposed amendment. I don't really trust the wiki and I can't find any further information. I have had no luck getting through to my representatives. Can you please tell me, where did you find information on the withdrawal of the proposal?

Virginia Gunsch June 24th, 2008 01:05:00 PM

Virginia: email Caveat (above, via the site linked).

Dr. Patty Khuly June 25th, 2008 08:14:00 AM

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