I am a dog-owner in New York City, and I'm appalled that you've gotten support for and managed to put this breed ban in Dublin into effect--retroactively, even. That's frightening. I trust that you've been told how wrong-headed this ongoing breed ban is. I sincerely hope you're not able to spread the range of this ban outside of the city limits, since to restrict the ownership of certain "dangerous" breeds of dogs is missing the whole point; any dog can be "dangerous" and most dogs are not--regardless of what breed they are. The key is in the proper training and handling of the dog.
Historically, breed bans have been tried and failed. Not only that, but toy breeds, like poodles and chihuahuas, are said to be more high-strung and inflict more bites to people than mastiffs and rottweilers; I don't see them anywhere on your list. For instance, there can be confusion as to what characterizes a pit bull, as is evidenced by this game. That confusion alone is going to make the ban problematic and difficult to enact. The ban mentions that any dog who is a mix that includes a banned breed will be subject to the restrictions of the ban. I hope you're prepared for the rash of coming lawsuits against you and your officials; I foresee this ban being more trouble than it's worth--especially when it would be so much more effective to simply teach people to be good and fair dog-owners.
I understand most of the problems you're seeking to stem lie with the tenants, not the dogs, in public housing. That's more than unfortunate; I'm sure you're aware if there are people who use their dogs for illegal activities like dogfighting, they have experience at hiding it from the law. You are punishing innocent dogs, plus law-abiding citizens, in a clean-sweep effort to rid the housing projects of a few "bad seeds." I wish I could vote in Ireland just to vote you out of office.
Many of the breeds on your list are commonly used as service dogs to the disabled; I hope you will be able to exempt disabled people who truly need the assistance of their dogs, from having to get rid of or put down their dear friends and helpers. As a disabled person myself, I can honestly say that I will do anything to keep my service animal safe--and that includes keeping him away from those who don't understand his importance to me. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, he has as much right to accompany me into the bank or post office, or even the grocery store, as another human.
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branchandroot
Here's the e-mail I sent to Mr Humphreys
Date: 2007-07-16 08:15 pm (UTC)I am a dog-owner in New York City, and I'm appalled that you've gotten support for and managed to put this breed ban in Dublin into effect--retroactively, even. That's frightening. I trust that you've been told how wrong-headed this ongoing breed ban is. I sincerely hope you're not able to spread the range of this ban outside of the city limits, since to restrict the ownership of certain "dangerous" breeds of dogs is missing the whole point; any dog can be "dangerous" and most dogs are not--regardless of what breed they are. The key is in the proper training and handling of the dog.
Historically, breed bans have been tried and failed. Not only that, but toy breeds, like poodles and chihuahuas, are said to be more high-strung and inflict more bites to people than mastiffs and rottweilers; I don't see them anywhere on your list. For instance, there can be confusion as to what characterizes a pit bull, as is evidenced by this game. That confusion alone is going to make the ban problematic and difficult to enact. The ban mentions that any dog who is a mix that includes a banned breed will be subject to the restrictions of the ban. I hope you're prepared for the rash of coming lawsuits against you and your officials; I foresee this ban being more trouble than it's worth--especially when it would be so much more effective to simply teach people to be good and fair dog-owners.
I understand most of the problems you're seeking to stem lie with the tenants, not the dogs, in public housing. That's more than unfortunate; I'm sure you're aware if there are people who use their dogs for illegal activities like dogfighting, they have experience at hiding it from the law. You are punishing innocent dogs, plus law-abiding citizens, in a clean-sweep effort to rid the housing projects of a few "bad seeds." I wish I could vote in Ireland just to vote you out of office.
Many of the breeds on your list are commonly used as service dogs to the disabled; I hope you will be able to exempt disabled people who truly need the assistance of their dogs, from having to get rid of or put down their dear friends and helpers. As a disabled person myself, I can honestly say that I will do anything to keep my service animal safe--and that includes keeping him away from those who don't understand his importance to me. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, he has as much right to accompany me into the bank or post office, or even the grocery store, as another human.
Have a good day.