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The breed-ban hysteria or mob mentality

BY JEAN FAULK
Published June 1, 2008

When I was growing up, in every state I lived in, there were "bad dogs." As kids, we all knew where the bad dogs lived and we stayed away. People who owned bad dogs kept them locked away with posted signs on the property telling you a bad dog lived there.

Animal control agencies were formed, not for the protection of the animals, but the public. Rabies was the concern, and stray dogs were picked up and euthanized because of that threat. Dangerous dog laws were put in effect to protect the public from owned animals who were known to be aggressive.

In today's society, the public outcry to ban a specific breed of dog is the most insane thing I have ever listened to. We have many laws on the books now to keep the public safe from animals. Most of these cannot be enforced because no one is willing to hold humans accountable for their dogs' behavior and no one is willing to have an increase in taxes for the service.

The last time I looked, I lived in the United States. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have a right to own any breed of dog I want. I do not have the right to allow that animal to infringe upon anyone else. If my animal does that, then, and only then, is the government supposed to act. The day the government can come on my property, take my dog, and kill the same dog when the dog has done nothing wrong and is simply an unacceptable breed of animal reeks of dictatorship, not individual rights.

If an animal is a danger to the public, and I believe Zeus was, then it should be destroyed.

I have hopes the regular people, who own regular dogs regardless of the breed, will not sit by and watch as a state government dictates to the people the breeds of dog allowed in the state. If it can happen in one location, it can happen in yours.


https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080601/BLOG34/123157386/-1/newssitemap

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