Duncanville » News

By ANGEL MORRIS
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:47 AM CDT

Crime scene tape and Duncanville Police cars in the 300 block of Partridge Run May 20.

Managing Editor

Duncanville City Council took a step toward a breed-specific dog ban with a unanimous vote June 3.

The council approved a resolution supporting the introduction and passage of breed-specific legislation for local municipalities concerning dangerous dogs.

“Because of a rising number of pit bull attacks I support (this ban). I'd also like to thank the council for taking the initiative to champion this issue and further protect the citizens of Duncanville,” resident Kevalyn Townsend said during a public forum about the ban possibility.

A number of residents spoke in favor of such a ban, citing personal attacks or ones they had witnessed. All who spoke specifically cited the pit bull breed.

Along with three separate attacks on animals in May, one woman was also attacked as she and her grandchildren walked their dogs in a Swan Ridge Estates alleyway. The city ordered that animal destroyed but had not confirmed rulings on the pits involved in the other animal attacks at press time.

While state legislation prohibits breed-specific bans, some cities have enacted such bans successfully. A recent victim believes Duncanville can do so, as well.

“I've done a lot of research and if other cities can do it, I believe Duncanville can do it,” Mary Ellen Miles said, citing Madisonville, Texas, as one city with a successful breed ban.

Miles also noted that courts had reinstated a Denver, Colo., breed ban after it was removed by the state.

According to Duncanville Animal Control officers, there were 10 animal attacks involving pit bulls in 2007. In the first five months of 2008, there have been seven pit bull attacks. This number comprises attacks on humans and other animals including livestock, according to Public Information Officer Tonya Lewis.

Now the city must determine which breeds to ban, and how such a ban will impact residents moving into the city with those breeds versus those already in the city.

The Madisonville referenced by Miles requires registration of dangerous dogs and at least $100,000 of liability insurance coverage should the dog attack.

Enforcing the ban is another issue the city will face. Step one, however, is appealing to the state for lenience toward the ban.

“This is quite a task taking on the state and it will make an interesting session even moreso,” Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Burton said, thanking Councilman Scott Cannon for championing the cause. “We've had too many people injured (so) it is worth it.”

City Secretary Dara Crabtree said they hope to find strength in numbers when it comes to the ban.

“We will be sending a letter to the area cities requesting them to adopt a similar resolution and ask them to send it to their representatives requesting their support,” she said. “And we will be working with the Texas Municipal League on this matter.”

Let us know what you think about this story or topic. Once your comments are approved, they will appear on the site.

Brandon wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:56 PM: " Hello, this for those who posted things saying APBT's must be human aggressive yet if you do the research for the 2007 American Temperament Test the results are amazing for such a man biting viscious beast... Here they are American Pit Bull Terrier: Tested 586- 84.3% passed, Am. Staffordshire Terrier:548 tested- 83.4% passed, Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 80 tested- 88.8% passed. Total "Pit Bull Type" tested- 1214 85.5% passed. This is plain and simple all breeds tested-28,010 81.6% passed, Collie-824 tested 79.4% passed, Golden Retriever: 703 tested 84.2% passed. You be the judge... This goes to show no breed of dog is perfect. If you want to make it a law use facts not opinions... This will be the being of a witch hunt... " Brandon wrote on Jun 26, 2008 1:23 PM: " This is a very bad move on the part of city council if you look around the globe at other cities/countries who have passed these types of legislation to help a problem with dogs it has done much to nothing to stop aggressive dogs, why because all dogs possess the potential of biting. This goes back to the old fight or flight issue which every natural being possess in the world. It is up to responsible owners to monitor their animals and do research to actually understand each breed. People want to give animals human type rights yet they are condeming certain breeds just as the African Americans were being discriminated against in the past.... This is unbelievable especially in TX. " Lori wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:39 PM: " This is the most rediculous thing anyone can do. Yeah lets ban pitbulls. Are you nuts? This is not going to hurt anyone but the good owners out there. This will not stop the thugs that mistreat these animals. The problem will not go away. Just ask the people of Denver. Instead of banning a breed why don't you punish the scum bags out there that mistreat and misuse these poor animals! ANY dog can bite, but the word pit bull is tossed around like a rag doll. Did this news paper report about the hound that killed it's 86 yr old owner when she fell down a flight of stairs? NO...why because it wouldn't sell, it didn't have the trigger word pit bull in it. PUNISH the owners who do not treat their animals humanly I say. I have owned and raised this breed for over 20 years and not once have I had an incident. Why? Because I take the time to train my dogs to behave. This is America and the last I looked I am free to own what I want. Take away my breed, next will be your hand guns....OH wait, guns kill people, people don't kill people. GET a grip people. If you let this place take away your rights to own an American Pit Bull Terrier your opening a big can of worms and soon they will dictate what you can and can't have in life. This all sounds like a guy I know named Hitler. WAKE UP...........it isn't the breed......it is the people behind the dogs who abuse them. PUNISH THEM. I have no problem with that. I love my dogs and I will be damned if I will stand by and see someone who doesn't understand right from wrong try and take them from me. What man does not know...He fears....What man fears---- He Destroys. Protect the American Pit Bull Terrier. " Kristin wrote on Jun 17, 2008 6:19 PM: " How can you pass a breed specific legislation on "could be, but haven't been proven to be" pit bulls...Banning responsible pit bull owners will only cause an out break in more the irresponsible (the ones causing the problems) to go underground. Why not rally on about "When good pets have really BAD owners" instead of blaming a breed for fear and ignorance instilled in people by the media. You honestly can't even say for sure these were "pit bulls" Everyone is so quick to destroy things they do not understand...why not gain some understanding and see that the real problem here is Man. I agree with Diane, how can you punish a child, who suffers from the lack of improper education, brought on by irresponsible parents...? " Lindsay wrote on Jun 17, 2008 3:44 PM: " I am disgusted to this. People move to states like Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and the others with anti-BSL state laws so they can be free of persecution while living with their dogs. Dogs themselves may not have rights, but their owners have the right against unlawful search and seizure, the right of due process. If an individual dog is not dangerous, I would never support a law that would remove it from a loving home. Especially not since methods used to identify breeds are notoriously incorrect, and DNA tests are not reliable. "Pit bull" has become a wide net which catches anything with a short coat and muscles. I hope a resident of Duncanville steps forward in the wake of this ban and sues the city. They've beaten illegal breed bans in Oklahoma several times. Let it happen in Madisonville and Duncanville as well. " Jeff wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:17 AM: " Home Rule does not mean you can pass law contrary to State law . Can the Council kindly read the Texas Constitution below ? The Texas Constitution Article 11 - Municipal Corporations Section 5 - Cities of more than 5,000 population, etc. states: "... no charter or any ordinance passed under said charter shall contain any provision inconsistent with the Constitution of the State, or of the general laws enacted by the Legislature of this State." " Dave Schou wrote on Jun 17, 2008 8:28 AM: " Texas State Law prohibits BSL yet the city wants to ignore this and pass a law anyway? if the city goverment cant respect Laws, why should they expect thier citizens too? " Tiger wrote on Jun 16, 2008 8:35 PM: " BSL is not a workable solution. Targeting the irresponsible owners of any breed of dangerous dog, however, is. ANY breed of dog can be dangerous. ANY breed of dog can bite and maim - and they generally all have ONE thing in common - an irresponsible owner who does not prevent it from happening. Irresponsible owners are who need banning - not a particular genotype of dog. As a child, I was critically mauled by a Dalmation dog, fortunately, I survived, but perhaps they should be banned as well since they have a very high incidence of bites? And what about the Loyal Lab? It has one of the highest bite rates of ANY dog out there, yet I hear no one calling for their banning. I personally own four APBT dogs. 2 rescue pups (almsot 6 months of age) and two adult females. They live in harmony together and with 4 cats and one Border Collie. No one is killing anyone over here! Or even trying to. None of them has ever bitten anyone, or even tried. One female (age 5) has tested and passed the ATTS test with flying colors. She takes her CGC next month, I am sure that she will pass that one as well. Another female (age 4) is slated to take the ATTS in October and her CGC this September. Again, I am sure she will pass both of those easily. Both of these females have their CD certificates and are well on the way to earning their CDX & UD certification. After that, they will be also tested for, and I am sure pass, the TDI as well. Yet, if BSL were to pass in Duncanville. these gentle, well trained, extremely obedient dogs who have never bitten anyone, or anything would be banned in that city. Why? Because they would be discriminated upon based solely upon what they look like. Shame on the city council of Duncanville for jumping on the media hysteria wagon instead of actually studying the real facts and statistics about dog bits. Just because it looks like it *might* be a pit bull does not make it one. I am ashamed to have once called that city my home. " Nancy Jenkins wrote on Jun 16, 2008 5:52 PM: " Dogs don't have the same rights as people, so yes, they can and will be discriminated against, whether deserving or not. The US supreme court won't touch this one. " Russ wrote on Jun 16, 2008 4:16 PM: " to Murphysdad, The Bottom line is that Banning a Breed is the same descrimination that was outlawed years ago against people. you cant refuse the same treatments to a Black, a latino or asian. A question for you. Please tell me what exactly a Pit bull is; is it an American Staff Terrier, an APBT, What? I seriously doubt that you can tell me as your ingorance is overwhelming. it's not the Dogs that are causing the problems, it's the people. The Dogs are just the "tool" used. I suppose you also are against gun ownership too because Guns kill people. How about banning Cars? There's an estimated 55,000 people killed in cars each year, why not ban those? You might also want to check statistics. There are 5 TIMES more small breed dog attacks and bites than pit bulls. and what's NUMBER ONE on the list of attacks and Bites??? The Labrador Retreiver. " Jennet wrote on Jun 16, 2008 11:33 AM: " Lets take a moment and thank all the irresponsible owners and ignorant people that don't have one clue about these dogs. Lets go ahead and kill all the dogs that look or have the characteristics of a "Pit Bull". So all you that have labs, dalmations, american bull dogs, greyhounds, mastiffs, greatdanes, all the terriers, so many breeds to mention. Say good bye to them, because each breed has caracteristics or "looks" like a pit bull. So many people see a dog and right away oh its a pit bull. Why don't us try this test, let us know if you get it right.. http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html How can you ban one particular breed and think it will not affect another? Does the Texas Constition Law is that not important. Is this the message you are sending for us to disobey the laws now!!! " Pibble wrote on Jun 16, 2008 1:34 AM: " BSL does not work. Netherlands gets set to lift 15 Yr Ban on "pit bulls" http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/09/europe/EU-GEN-Netherlands-Pitbulls.php Every Credible organization is opposed to it, http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/topic.php?id=21&topic=17 Target irresponsible owners of ALL dogs and leave Responsible owners of ALL dogs alone! Remove Dog Fighters from Society and adopt out the innocent victims of this abuse (after evaluation by qualified Canine Experts.) Dog Fighting is NOT a sport. Report it and help put a stop to it! http://www.knockoutdogfighting.org/psas.asp Politicians and the Public need to take the time to educate themselves on the dogs known as "Pit Bulls". They`re great dogs and they`re here to stay. http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/section.php?id=5 They are Champion Athletes 2007 IDC National Champion http://wallacethepitbull.com/ SAR Dogs http://www.forpitssake.org/sar.html Therapy Dogs with Kids and Seniors http://www.forpitssake.org/therapy.html Former Fight Bust Dog abused by Vick is now a Therapy Dog http://www.ourpack.org/ Service Dogs http://www.chloethepitbull.com/ K9 Detection Dogs http://www.lawdogsusa.org/lawdogs.html and Titled Pets (ATTS,CGC and Agility) http://www.badrap.org/rescue/hall_of_fame.cfm " MurphysDad wrote on Jun 16, 2008 12:21 AM: " If pitbulls, "especially, are NOT human aggressive," how come they killed 21 people last year? Why did pit bulls kill 7 year old Tanner Joshua Monk, in Breckenridge, TX, just last month? If NOT human aggressive, why do pit bulls kill more people than all other breeds combined? While we're on it, I'd like to ask the defenders of pit bulls why animal aggression is acceptable? Why would a so called "dog lover" get a breed of dog that was bred to attack and kill other dogs? As for the argument that other breeds will follow, how come Denver hasn't outlawed other breeds? Their ordinance is almost 20 years old. It looks like that slippery slope ain't slippery at all. Enough already. Ban them. Hats off to the Council! " Isaac owner of Diamond a beautiful rottweiler wrote on Jun 14, 2008 12:16 AM: " Question? How many dogs have broken into houses? How many dogs have broken into cars or set grassfires? How many dogs were rude to you either at the store, in traffic, or at a gas station? You guessed it, NONE!!! Its not the dog who should be banned, but people. Dogs only bite if told or provoked. Pitbulls especially, are NOT human aggresive dogs. They do not have an innate desire to harm anyone. I have a pitbull as well as a rottweiler, and the pitbull will not even bite a 'tug' let alone a person. What do you want to do? Kill every pitbull in America? Or better yet, every child who has a parent on drugs or been to jail. Make the children pay for the parents mistake, just like you want every dog, pitbull, to pay for one ignorant owners' mistake. Think about it. I guess if poodles and cockerspaniels bite someone, we will try to kill all of them next...... " Diane wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:23 PM: " I think this is a huge mistake. Banning pit bulls is sort of like punishing the children whose parents are on drugs, it is not the childs fault but it is always the child who suffers for the irresponsibility of the ignorant and often evil people who are their parents or in the case of dogs their owners. I say punish the people who are irresponsible or the next ban will be on your choice of dog breed. Once you get a ban on one breed it is simply a matter of time before you have a larger number of breeds added to the list. How long before dogs are outlawed totally? You should really ask yourself that question because that is where this could lead. " Name: Email: (optional) Comments: Image Verification: (Case sensitive)

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