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Montana Rejects Pit Bull Ban


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http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/...y.asp?s=9711541

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 10:22 AM

Updated: Jan 23, 2009 11:54 AM

Billings lawmaker proposes pit bull ban

Kay Rossi for KXLH in Helena

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2009 MT Legislature - Home

A proposal to ban pit bulls in Montana was quickly rejected by the Legislature Thursday, amid criticism it was an ineffective way to deal with the problem of dog attacks.

The plan would have allowed the current owners of pit bulls to register their dogs and keep them, but no other pit bulls could be purchased or bred in the state. There would be certain exceptions for dog shows.

Critics sharply criticized the proposal; and the House Local Government Committee rejected it on a voice vote about an hour after hearing from dozens of opponents.

Lawmakers began discussing the possibility of a substitute plan to increase penalties on the owners of vicious dogs, although no firm initiatives were in place for such a bill.

Rep. Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings) proposed the bill that would have banned several types of breeds as well as mutts that are considered "pit bulls" in the proposal. Driscoll said the dogs have been banned in a number of cities and in some other countries.

Driscoll said her e-mail has been full of insulting messages from people who oppose her idea.

House Bill 191 would have banned Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, American bulldogs as well as "any dog that has been registered at any time as a pit bull terrier or has the physical characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established for the breeds listed in this subsection by the American kennel club or the united kennel club."

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A proposal to ban pit bills in Montana is drawing opposition from fans of the breed.

A legislative hearing on the idea was packed to overflowing Thursday. Opponents say it is unfair to single out a single breed. Supporters say the state should ban a breed that is responsible for a disproportionally large share of attacks on people.

Rep. Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings) proposed the bill that would ban several types of breeds as well as mutts that are considered "pit bulls" in the proposal. Driscoll said the dogs have been banned in a number of cities and in some other countries.

Driscoll said, "Are some pit bulls loving companions? Absolutely. But it's important to bear in mind that families that come to a shelter are rarely seeking a pit bull. The vast majority of people who want pit bulls are attracted to the macho image of the breed as a living weapon."

Driscoll says there have been two pit bull attacks in her district since 2007.

The bill would allow the current owners of pit bulls to register their dog and keep it. But no other pit bulls could be purchased or bred in the state, Driscoll explained.

Driscoll said her e-mail has been full of insulting messages from people who oppose her idea.

House Bill 191 would ban Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, American bulldogs as well as "any dog that has been registered at any time as a pit bull terrier or has the physical characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established for the breeds listed in this subsection by the American kennel club or the united kennel club."

Montana's proposed ban does not apply to people who have owned pit bulls and registered their ownership with the county government and obtained a license tag, identifying the dogs as a registered pit bull dog, on or before the date the bill goes into effect.

Also protected under the bill are pit bulls that are being transported through the state and those that are being shown in a dog competition.

Pit bulls that are permitted must at all times wear tags that identify them as registered pit bulls, according to the bill.

Unless a pit bull meets these exceptions, it will have to be surrendered, under the bill. If a person refuses to surrender the dog, a search warrant can be obtained and the dog can be seized.

The dog will then be euthanized within 10 days. Also, expenses incurred by the animal control agency must be paid by the owner of the pit bull dog, the bill states.

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(From Jan. 21, 2009)

The image of the pit bull has changed drastically over the years. While many may remember lovable Petey on The Little Rascals, their perception of the breed may now include the vicious fighting machines trained by an NFL Superstar who was later sent to prison for the dog fighting ring.

Now, a Billings legislator wants the dogs banned in Montana.

Robyn Driscoll's bill would give broad authority to police and animal control officers to confiscate and kill pit bulls regardless of behavior.

House Bill 191 would ban Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, American bulldogs as well as "any dog that has been registered at any time as a pit bull terrier or has the physical characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established for the breeds listed in this subsection by the American kennel club or the united kennel club."

What a dog looks like is a poor indicator of what breed it is and this bill will not prevent attacks, according to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter Executive Director Margie Taylor.

Defending challenges to the law will have a huge financial impact, Taylor added.

Montana's proposed ban does not apply to people who have owned pit bulls and registered their ownership with the county government and obtained a license tag, identifying the dogs as a registered pit bull dog, on or before the date the bill goes into effect.

Also protected under the bill are pit bulls that are being transported through the state and those that are being shown in a dog competition.

Pit bulls that are permitted must at all times wear tags that identify them as registered pit bulls, according to the bill.

Unless a pit bull meets these exceptions, it will have to be surrendered, under the bill. If a person refuses to surrender the dog, a search warrant can be obtained and the dog can be seized.

The dog will then be euthanized within 10 days. Also, expenses incurred by the animal control agency must be paid by the owner of the pit bull dog, the bill states.

Montana's pit bull ban will be considered at a hearing in Helena at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Similar bans have already been enacted in places, including Denver, which has one of the harshest bans on the dogs. Nearly 300 dogs have been slaughtered since the ban took effect

In Milwaukee a ban had to be expanded to include vicious dogs of any breed

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  • 4 weeks later...

Isn't Montana one of those states preferred by armed paramilitary groups . . . the setting for Brokeback Mountain.

I lived in Colorado for a few years, and understand the concern many people have about the dog in the yard next-door (and the people who own it). Breeding dogs to fight is an AWFUL thing to do. And unfortunately, there are people who think dogfights and viciousness in general are 'cool'. Keeping DA+HA dogs in the suburbs is inviting trouble. But pinning it on a so-called 'breed' doesn't make sense. There are plenty of vicious mutts out there too.

I wish they'd just come down like a load of bricks on people breeding dogs to fight . . . unfortunately a lot of APBT's have been bred that way, and some remember what they've been bred for . .. but not all. Apart from hitting dog fight breeders hard, I think they should base the rest on evidence of aggressive behaviour and forget the rest.

For what it's worth. Hot air ain't worth much, I'm afraid :eek:

Edited by sandgrubber
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