Dog attack laws should punish owner, not the breed - Commentary

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Dog attack laws should punish owner, not the breed - A Commentary Recently, pit bulls were the topic de jour of the evening news. A Councilor for the city of Lakewood wants to pass legislation making itillegal for his residents to own a pit bull.According to the Councilor, there has been a significant rise in the numberof complaints the city has received about the animals. He also said on onetelevision newscast that he believes the pit bull dog has been bred foryears to be a fighting dog.If the legislation passes, residents who own the dogs would be forced togive them up or leave the city.I strongly disagree with this.I'm all for passing stricter laws to punish irresponsible pet owners whoseanimals attack without provocation, or who allow their dogs to run loose inneighborhoods, such as what happens on my southwest Akron street. But theyshould target all dog owners -- not just those who own pit bulls.Don't get me wrong, while I love dogs, I am no fan of the pit bull. Asidefrom the public perception of the dogs, they are one ugly breed of pup. ButI don't want them banned.And my experience with the breed is extensive. It seems like at least once a week I see a pit bull running through yardswith no collar, or walking in front of a group of kids, again with no collaror leash.But it's not the dog's fault. It's the owner who allows the dog to behavethat way. And, the owners who breed their dogs to fight pit bulls or other animalsneed to be punished and their dogs need to be destroyed. But a responsible pit bull owner who loves the breed and treats the animallike a member of the family should not be forced to give up their pet.Like one resident said, punish the owner, not the breed.Every few years a breed of dogs gets vilified after an attack. I canremember when Doberman Pinschers were the target of hate, and Rottweilersfollowed. Now the finger is pointed at pit bulls.Banning dogs is like banning books. Who is the authority on what should orshould not be banned? I understand what the Lakewood Councilor wants to do, but I'm also a dogowner.I have a 110-pound German Shepherd named Chance who is like a big puppy withthe family, but God help the person who breaks into my house.Some may consider Chance to be vicious, but he's not. He wasn't raised thatway.Neither do all pit bull owners raise their pets to be vicious. Punish theirresponsible owners and leave the breed alone.If legislators want to make sure residents are safe, why not ban over-pricedgas at the pumps?If you ask me, the bite being taken out at the pump each time I fill up mygas tank is scarier than any pit bull. E-mail: TTroglenPhone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3165http://www.tallmadgeexpress.com/news/article/3971791