COLUMBUS DISPATCH- Elizabeth Gibson 2 Articles

Here is Columbus Dispatch writer Elizabeth Gibson’s article that is on-line. The thread to read it and the comments is:
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/09/ban_pitbulls.html?sid=101

Whitehall councilwoman wants pitbull ban
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 10:42 PM
By Elizabeth Gibson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Whitehall Councilwoman Jacquelyn Thompson surprised her fellow city council members tonight when she presented a proposal to ban pitbull dogs in the suburb, almost exactly a year after a similar law was rejected.
"I see no other alternative," Thompson said. "It's been almost a year and we're still having attacks. I just feel this city isn't safe."
The debate a year ago was one of the most controversial to come before the council in recent years.
Council members accepted Thompson's proposal in silence, passing the legislation around the table. It will be presented for a possible vote at a later date.
Councilwoman Leslie LaCorte, the only other member to support a ban last summer, said Thompson caught her off guard and she hopes it doesn't blow up into a divisive battle as it did last time.
Singling out breeds commonly referred to as pitbulls has been a hot topic around the nation, and the state House of Representatives is considering legislation that would nix the state law that automatically labels pitbulls as vicious.
Thompson's proposal last year riled some residents who said bad dogs come from bad owners, and a whole breed shouldn't be punished.
"My dogs aren't mean. They just weren't raised that way. Ms. Thompson is trying to make it a bigger issue than it is," resident Janiece Miller said.
Miller said she was fired from her accounting job this spring when Thompson complained to Miller's boss about an e-mail Miller had sent from work asking the council to quit harassing pitbull owners.
Residents have been filming Thompson during council meetings and criticizing her on a blog called Citizen Journalist, which endeavors to "alert all citizens of Whitehall, OH to the ridiculous and outrageous behavior of council member Jackie Thompson."
Thompson said she is standing up for residents who are nervous about confronting their neighbors about pitbulls.
The councilwoman said the compromise devised last July has not worked. It requires the owners of vicious dogs, which legally includes all pitbulls, to put up a 6-foot fence, neuter or spay the animal, implant an ID microchip and buy liability insurance.
City-code enforcement officials are still in the early phases of implementing the law, Service Director Ray Ogden said.
The city sent letters about the new law to 26 pitbull owners in April. Half of them have been cited for still not having tall enough fences as of May 15, he said. Since then the city has identified and warned the owners of five additional pets that had not been registered.
egibson@dispatch.com
THIS IS THE CONDENSED VERSION NOW ON-LINE
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/06/10/brwhite.html
Whitehall councilwoman rejects compromise pit bull law
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 6:27 AM

The Columbus Dispatch
Whitehall Councilwoman Jacquelyn Thompson surprised fellow officials last night when she brought forward a proposal to ban pit bull dogs in the suburb -- almost a year after a similar law was rejected.
Thompson said the compromise from July has not worked. It requires owners to put up a 6-foot fence, neuter or spay the animal, implant an ID microchip and buy $100,000 of liability insurance.
The city is in the early phases of implementing the law, Service Director Ray Ogden said.
The city sent letters about the new law to 26 pit bull owners in April, and half of them were cited for not being in compliance as of May 15, he said. Since then, the city has identified and warned the owners of five additional pets that had not been registered.
-- Elizabeth Gibson egibson@dispatch.com

On-Line Comments in the Columbus Dispatch
chelle
Bolivar, OH
I dont live in whitehall however, I was attacked by a dog as a child and it was not a pitbull or any of the bully breeds. I was attacked by a german shepard. I dont see anyone posting laws about registering german shepards or rotts. These two breeds if you check statistics attack more people in a year than pitbulls do. I think pitbulls have gotten a bad rap due to the dog fighting rings. No dog is born vicious they are made that way by bad training. I have been around many pitbull dogs and none of them have ever raised a hair on me or even was the slightest bit aggressive towards one of my children. I think in these times and economics there are more important things city council members should be dealing with besides banning one breed of dog from an area or checking how high your neighbors fences are.
bunchadogs
Dayton, OH
Nice, and all blacks are criminals, and all white people drive BMW's. This is stereotyping at its worst, again. People own exotic pets like lamas, also What laws do we put into effect to stop the lamas from spitting on the neighbors? Hey how about No Trespassing? Beware of Dog? What are the people doing in their neighbors yard in the first place? If an animal escapes, by all means, the owner is 100% liable. But if a moron walks up to a dog in his own yard and gets bit, just stand there and let the dog finish the job.
Canuck
Ottawa, Canada
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."~Albert Einstein Breed Specific Legislation does not work!Italy repeals banhttp://www.lifeinitaly.com/node/4229 Netherlands repeals banhttp://www.torontohumanesociety.com/newsandev... Switzerland has just rejected banning dogsU.K. is looking at replacing the DDAhttp://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/files/RSP... Denver(with a ban) has the highest dog bite related hospitalizations in the State of Coloradohttp://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/in-y... What does work?Calgary,Alberta,CanadaKnown as the best Animal Control Program in North America and rightly so.http://saveourdogs.net/category/successes/ Cost of BSL(which doesn`t work)http://www.prweb.com/releases/pit_bulls/legis... Good Luck Whitehall residentsSometimes you can lead a horse to water but...
teffany
Hillsboro, OH
I have 2 pitbulls and they r not vicious cause I did not raise them to be. I think it is terribly wrong to ban animals because of their breed. I have been around a few bitbulls and they never were vicious towards me. My pitbulls are mixed with rottweiller so does that mean they can still get banned?
Citizen Journalist
Columbus, OH
The blog mentioned in the article can be found at:http://citizenjournalistcjt.blogspot.com
mosholder
Düsseldorf, Germany
Great, more legislation to protect the fat and lazy. If you cannot outrun a stupid dog, then you deserve to be eaten.That's why I am at the gym 36 hours a day.
Whitehall Resident
Columbus, OH
Once again Council woman Thompson is focusing on an issue that NEEDS NO FOCUS! She continues to cite problems that surface in other areas, not Whitehall. This council woman needs to focus on real issues instead of perpetuating her own agenda. Even if the city banned pit bulls, dog attacks would still occur. Even if the city banned all dogs, dog attacks would still occur. Even if the city banned dog attacks, dog attacks would still occur. Get the picture? The only thing will will minimize dog attacks of all breeds is to educate owners and enforce CURRENT laws. Council woman Thompson needs to focus on the BIG picture instead of her own agenda.
petlover
Oklahoma City, OK
sure, if one law isn't being properly enforced, pass some more. that makes (no) sense.some politicians just try to get themselves press and attention by beating this easily emotionalized drum.
PETA
Columbus, OH
They should really just ban all dog "ownership" as it is offensive and degrading to the dogs. Dogs have rights too and should not be subjected to so-called "ownership" by (slave) masters.Banning specific breeds should be unconstitutional also, we can't ban Asian people from our cities so banning a breed of dog should not be allowed.
Bodie
Grove City, OH
I personally think this lady is a bit out there.We can't see a ban on a breed when it's not the dog it's the idiot owners that are the problem. I qusetion judgement on pitbulls since you can adopt one at the Capital Area Humane Society and at Humane Societies all over Ohio yet the Franklin County Animal Shelter kills all pitbulls it takes in.Even our two animal control groups can't agree on this breed.
Knowledge is Power
Alsea, OR
Maybe you have a point that it is the owners of pit bulls. Owners who have no regard for the law, arrogant, and place a breed above the life of people. Why own a known dangerous dog unless you feel superior doing so? Typical of those who want to play kissy face with a pit and brag about it. Only problem is you can't tell an owner of a pit (unless they open their mouth) but you can tell a pit. PREVENT THE DEED, REGULATE THE BREED.
a concerned citizen
Columbus, OH
can we just ban people who try to submit pit bull bans? The dogs themselves are not the problem, it's all in how the owners raise them. There's so much data out there proving that pitbulls, by breed alone, are not pre-determined to be a vicious dog. Why isn't she going after all the so-called vicious breeds, rottweilers, pits, german shepherds, dobermans, chows, etc...and I have always heard stories about little dogs being much more aggressive/biting. The ban was already rejected last year, why doesn't she get a clue? How about instead of a ban, they just do more to enforce laws against owners who are training their dogs to be mean and/or abusing them.
a concerned citizen
Columbus, OH
Also, you actually can't get a putbull at the humane society, I have friends who worked there...ok you can, but it's almost impossible; When they get a putbull in, they have to keep it in the back room, and they can only keep it for 1 day and then they have to put it down. If these were people it would be called racism. It's the same ignorant line of thought that believes a race is predetermined to commit more crimes, it's simply not true.
a concerned citizen
Columbus, OH
um, not real sure I understand where you're goin there knowledge is power...kissy face with a pit? my pit is actually very well-tempered, if you came over she'd be hyper for about 5 minutes then she'd flop over on her back so you can rub her belly for hours. It's not about owning a known dangerous dog, it's about society getting over this notion that a dog is bad or vicious based on it's breed. I rescued my pit from someone who was going to fight her. Pits also make very good guard dogs and are very good with small children. Do your homework people before you try and outright ban something.
Bodie
Grove City, OH
YES you can get a pit at Capital Area Humane Society Look at there website there are probably 5 to 6 pit or pit mixes on it...... DUH ???????
pam
Erie, PA
i live in whitehall and have lot of problems like having to walk school children in front of a house a couple doors down also elderlys. because there are 2 pits and they are scared. they are not socialized what so ever. never walked also out in extreme heat and cold somthing needs done
pam
Erie, PA
all of you are so right it is not the animals just the way they are raised. it is sad they need love to!!!
Dave
Columbus, OH

pam wrote:
...they are not socialized what so ever. never walked also out in extreme heat and cold somthing needs done
What you are describing is an incompetent, or neglectful owner - Not a problem with the breed. I do not own a pit (due to the public perception associated with the breed). However I do know several people who do, and have never had a problem with a trained and socialized pit.
Deb
Windsor Mill, MD
Pit bulls are the sweetest thing until they eat your child's face. How many times have you seen this story in the news? The owner says their pit was sweet and never agressive, and then it mangled their child out of the blue. That being said, adults should be able to make their own decision about whether or not they want to own one. The point you are all missing is that Whitehall pit owners are not complying with the compromise the city made (fence, microchip, insurance) The next step is a ban.
Jeff Deem

Way to discriminate Whitehall! What about the poodle by far the most violent dog breed? How about people? Will you require people with muscle to get a chip, put up a fence or require insurance? Discrimination is a horrible thing and that is what they are doing! Funny thing is if check into animal related injuries or fatalities these dogs are nowhere near the top of the list. Horses have hurt more people over the years than pitbulls. Pitbulls are not violent animals at all, they are the most caring breeds you will ever come across, and one of the only breeds that have the physical ability to smile. We need laws against ignorant people like Councilwoman Thompson, find something better to do with your time than attack these beautiful defenseless animals. You should be ashamed of your actions.
ED OH
Homer, OH

Deb you do realize that with almost all dog attacks, no matter the breed, the owners usually claim the dog was gentle and they never saw any signs this would happen. When someones dog bites someone the owners typically don't want to claim to have prior knowledge.If some owners aren't complying with the restrictions, then deal with those owners. Don't take away everyone's dog. Just because some drinkers drive drunk doesn't mean that prohibition is the answer.
OUTRAGED in Columbus

This is crazy! How can you ban a breed of dog? What's next banning the race of people that don't comply with the council womans grand plan?This should not be tolerated.I understand the fear because of stupid people not raising their dogs right and not keeping their eye on them... jackass people like Michael Vick who raise them to be aggressive and fight!!!! They are not all that way, Pit bulls are people pleasers, they just want to make their owners happy, now what that is depends on the owners NOT the dogs.You can't judge them all that way. It won't stop at pit bulls, next it will be rotweilers or dobies.Jugde the deed NOT the breed!!!