Quote: John J. Miller

The real issue and problem gets lost in translation like most other problems when politicians get involved. The only way to truely control and monitor large powerful breeds is to connect a temperment and control test to licensing. I, for one, would endorse a test, such as the CGC (as basic as it is) to be a requirement for licensing. I think this could solve the issue of liability with insurance companies and allow responsible owners and breeders to not be lumped in with the individuals causing the problems - who are quite frankly criminals. Someone that gets a badly bred dog and then chains them in the yard and does not socialize or train them is exactly the same as someone building a bomb. Both are uncontrollable weapons that can go off at any time. Test me, then leave me the hell alone.

Well said John.

However, wouldn't the same people who don't license their dogs NOW continue to try and fly under the radar? There would most likely need to be a serious element of enforcement that would need to be in place as well for even that system to work - though I think your idea is FANTASTIC! Temperment testing has taken a real backseat in this country, for whatever reason, and that needs to change - ESPECIALLY at the breeder level...

~Natalya

My 2 cents: it's my right to own any breed of dog I want, and any law that tries to control me by making me take a test or a course or get licensed to own a particular breed is just flat out socialistic/communistic and any other 4 letter word you wish to attach to it.

As a responsible law abiding citizen, I'm tired of having my freedoms taken away from me one by one because of idiots who are irresponsible and downright dumb.

Passing of such a stupid law doesn't mean some jackass can't read up and study, pass the test and course, get licensed, but still be an idiot and engage in whatever activities he wants to engage in with his dog/dogs. These idiot laws are never a guarantee against idiocy.

What about having children??? What about the abused and tormented and completely unsupervised children left to their own devices roaming our neighborhoods?? Any laws out there stopping people from having children, or making them take a course and getting licensed? Face it, some people are just downright evil, or irresponsible, or thoughtless, and no law can get rid of that.

And I would have to say that Massachusetts is no model for freedoms, so what that state does with its embarrassing socialistic agenda isn't something on which to base other states' laws.

Well said again John and I completely agree. Working for an insurance company you don't know how many people I come in contact with everyday that are frantically calling at the last minute trying to buy insurance to reinstate their driver's license for a court date or etc. They were caught and now know they are in HUGE trouble. Much more trouble than if they committed the same mistake but had followed the letter of the law.

Sandy, we have already lost that right to own certain breeds. All we are trying to do is agree to a fair requirement to regain that right. True, there are idiots who will do the required, get licensed and still be idiots, but there will also be people who's light bulb will turn on while taking the course. Some people can only be stupid for so long and in getting licensed some will finally "get it". Remember, we lost the right to own any breed we want a long time ago.

I too do not want to live in a world where our freedoms are restricted more than they already are.

In addition, laws will only impact the "honest" person. If you had to take a course before you could licence your dog. How many more people would not bother to get a dog licence?

Enforcement would just up the workload of a position that is not nearly staffed enough, at least where I'm at. Animal Control works from 7:30 to 3:30 ... so if you're going to let your dog bark, then make sure it is when they're off duty. :-)

It all comes down to responsible breeding and pet ownership. As long as there is some idiot that will buy some idiots breeding, they will continue to co-exist.

Now sometimes, even with responsible dog ownership, one's dog still might go nuts. There was a CANIBLE DOG in our neck of the woods ... and no one knew it, until it attacked my PUPPY. People just didn't understand why their pets (cats & dogs) were disappearing, and they blamed it on FISHERS. Long Story Short, after the attack on my pup, all the dogs died (the attacker, the onlooker & mine). It was very sad. (12) years later and it can still make me cry.

Now, again if we have responsible pet breeders, and they were to find out that several of their OFF-SPRING have gone NUTS or had some sort of issues, then they would STOP that BREEDING Line. But hey, that's just me.

and now I've got to start a new post.... :-)

Cheers!

 Quote: alex corral

...Sandy, we have already lost that right to own certain breeds. All we are trying to do is agree to a fair requirement to regain that right. True, there are idiots who will do the required, get licensed and still be idiots, but there will also be people who's light bulb will turn on while taking the course. Some people can only be stupid for so long and in getting licensed some will finally "get it". Remember, we lost the right to own any breed we want a long time ago.

Alex, what are you referring to, exactly? Lost our right to own any breed we want? Where, in Colorado? I'm not aware of laws restricting my right to own any breed I want, so if you can name the states or cities, that would be good. What exactly do you mean?

If people can restrict my right to own whatever breed of dog I want (where do the he** do we live anyway???), then I EXPECT laws to restrict parenthood of children.

 Quote: sandy moore

Face it, some people are just downright evil, or irresponsible, or thoughtless, and no law can get rid of that.

As a responsible law abiding citizen, I'm tired of having my freedoms taken away from me one by one because of idiots who are irresponsible and downright dumb.

Absolutely true. HOWEVER, as John implies, the only way to separate these irresponsible people out and even attempt to punish them for their careless behavior is to set OURSELVES apart FIRST and create a good standard, by which we can judge the rest exhempt ourselves from blanket legislation that has no educated boundaries - sad but true, the responsible people are often left with the hardest work, but it's a price I personally am happy to pay in order to raise above the status of the idiots.

 Quote: sandy moore

My 2 cents: it's my right to own any breed of dog I want, and any law that tries to control me by making me take a test or a course or get licensed to own a particular breed is just flat out socialistic/communistic and any other 4 letter word you wish to attach to it.

Respectfully Sandy (and I know you're a very responsible and intelligent individual, but) I believe this kind of thinking from OUR side of the situation places us on the same level as all those thoughtless and irrisponsible people we're trying to fight - just because you "have a right" to do something doesn't mean that you shouldn't have to prove yourself worthy, or that you can and should do it without educated preparation. As adult US citizens we all have a right to drive a car, own a gun, own a home and yes, have children. Doesn't mean that you don't have to take a test before you drive that car or go through some hoops before you buy that gun - how else would we ensure that an individual actually LEARNED to drive a car before they set out onto the expressway!

Honestly, the type of licensing procedure we're talking about (handler test, temperment test for dog) would be a piece of cake for those truly "in the right" to own one of these powerful breeds and MUCH easier to stomach than my dog falling vicitm to a mandatory spay/neuter law, muzzling law or all out ban. Sometimes you just have to pick the lesser of 2 evils...

~Natalya

 Quote: Sandy Moore

My 2 cents: it's my right to own any breed of dog I want, and any law that tries to control me by making me take a test or a course or get licensed to own a particular breed is just flat out socialistic/communistic and any other 4 letter word you wish to attach to it.

As a responsible law abiding citizen, I'm tired of having my freedoms taken away from me one by one because of idiots who are irresponsible and downright dumb.

Passing of such a stupid law doesn't mean some jackass can't read up and study, pass the test and course, get licensed, but still be an idiot and engage in whatever activities he wants to engage in with his dog/dogs. These idiot laws are never a guarantee against idiocy.

What about having children??? What about the abused and tormented and completely unsupervised children left to their own devices roaming our neighborhoods?? Any laws out there stopping people from having children, or making them take a course and getting licensed? Face it, some people are just downright evil, or irresponsible, or thoughtless, and no law can get rid of that.

And I would have to say that Massachusetts is no model for freedoms, so what that state does with its embarrassing socialistic agenda isn't something on which to base other states' laws.

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

We have become the regulate/legislate society of zero tolerance...no child left behind, one death is too much, ALL guns are evil, ALL pit bulls are bad....blah, blah, blah.

Those pinhead liberal idiots really believe if they can just keep creating laws they will somehow be able to control human behavior and have a nice, safe, orderly little utopia. What a frickin' joke! I look around and see things getting worse, not better.

Sandy, you absolutely rock! And I wish you lived closer to me...We would have such a good time

I really don't think being required to take a class in order to own a dog and getting a license is taking away any freedoms, if anything I see it as making a person more responsible and knowledgable. And it might even give a dog owner some direction if they are having problems with their dog.

Here in my city, when you get a rabies vaccination for a dog the health department receives your information from the vet and sends out a application for a dog license. If you don't respond after 3 notices you are fined $25 for not getting a dog license.

Kimberly

And on the topic os politicians, watch this... http://www.theguyfromboston.com/playvideo.asp?video=/videos/2007/Apr/535_Employees.wmv

Turn the sound down because there is some language in it, but it's hilarious.