HB 1982 - "Vicious Dog"

**Alpine_Sapper** · 04-09-2009, 09:16 AM

If you guys haven't heard, there's a new bill in the legislature. It looks like it's going to be defeated, hopefully, but it's being attempted after the second infant fatality from Pitbull attack in about a month and a half. Here's a link to the bill;

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs...l/HB01982I.htm

They are trying to regulate dogs they deem to be "Vicious". The news report on this quoted someone as saying "I think it's a goo d thing. If a kid under 21 can't own a firearm, they shouldn't be allowed to own a dangerous dog". The problem is the definition of "vicious" is so broad it can include any number of dogs based on physical charicteristics.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for prosecution of those that can't/won't/don't control their dogs or leash them (very sore subject, since I've literally snatched the jaws of death from around irresponsible owners pets because I don't feel like a lawsuit from some idiot that doesn't leash/restrain their dog) but I'm totally against this bill because it further restricts the rights of responsible citizen dog owners, imho like myself.

Just a heads up for any other dog owners out there. Get registered with the AKC's legislation newsletter for your state to stay abreast of things like this. I had a friend in Dallas pick up a nice fine because he had his dog chained in his back yard to keep him in the yard. He was on a runner. Dallas passed a bill that it was illegal to chain/tether dogs (as well as registration of unsterilized mails for $500 for *****es and $1000 for dogs), limits on the amount you can own, etc. He didn't know, and they were not required to give him a warning, just a fine in excess of $300.

As time goes on in can and will happen in more and more areas unless, as dog owners, we fight against it.

**Rick** · 04-09-2009, 10:43 AM

Interesting article on it:

http://www.examiner.com/x-2924-Dalla...ash-activities

**RunsWithDeer** · 04-09-2009, 10:49 AM

I agree some dogs are vicious, and need to be controlled. But, the proposed legislation does go to far and is too broad in it's definition.

**melodylee1313** · 04-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Oh my. I was a dog groomer in my late teens/early twenties and the most "vicious" dogs I encountered were Cocker Spaniels, I was bitten by three.

Pit Bulls can be dangerous in the wrong hands simply because they have enormous jaw strength, they really don't know their own strength. Usually the problem with a dog deemed "vicious" is that they aren't properly restrained whilst on walks or the yard they're housed in has a secret hole they can escape from. I know from experience, I have a Pit/Lab and I have to watch him like a hawk.

**Ken** · 04-09-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by melodylee1313

Oh my. I was a dog groomer in my late teens/early twenties and the most "vicious" dogs I encountered were Cocker Spaniels, I was bitten by three.

You won't find any Cocker Spaniels in our Introduction Section. Why not head over there and tell us a bit about yourself?

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14

**grundle** · 04-09-2009, 11:41 AM

Thats why you should get a sheep dog. They prefer herding people to mauling them. Yes, they will nip at your heels, but that is just to get you moving in the direction they deem safe and productive.

They never give a second thought to running away, because that would mean abandoning their flock. Never a dull moment with sheep dogs, they are smart, faithful, and most importantly they give you space when you need it.

Another great breed are rottweilers, which have a bad name, but they can be the sweetest dogs on the planet

It all comes down to who is handling the dogs. If someone is raising a dog to be "mean" or to fight in dogfights. Then yes it will be "vicious" but really that isn't the dogs fault at all. Prosecute the retards who think it is okay to do that to a perfectly good dog.

**Alpine_Sapper** · 04-09-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by grundle

Thats why you should get a sheep dog. They prefer herding people to mauling them. Yes, they will nip at your heels, but that is just to get you moving in the direction they deem safe and productive.

Ah, but under this legislation, that would be considered "vicious".

Originally Posted by grundle

It all comes down to who is handling the dogs. If someone is raising a dog to be "mean" or to fight in dogfights. Then yes it will be "vicious" but really that isn't the dogs fault at all. Prosecute the retards who think it is okay to do that to a perfectly good dog.

That is exactly my point. I have an akita, with plans to buy a puppy for breeding stock by August as an anniversary present for TDW. I'm moving out of San Antonio (and South Texas. YAY! ) this weekend for various reasons, but this was a major one. I don't fight my Akita. I know what he is capable of from working with a bite sleeve, etc. What I do have to deal with is every idiot that doesn't realize their Chihuaha is a dog, is supposed to be on a leash, and if it continues to advance in a threatening manner, it's lunch (and I'm within my rights to let it happen since my dog is on a leash, and yours isn't. Most days I'm in a good mood and save the idiots' dog's life, since it's not really the dogs fault.)

The other thing I have to deal with regularly is abandoned pet dogs. Quasi feral neighborhood roaming killers. That was one of the fatal attacks here recently by pit bulls. They roam in packs and will literally walk up on you three deep, one in the front and two trying to flank. A good swift kick in the ear (especially with steel toes) is usually a deterrent enough, but I usually grab a rock or a bottle when I see them coming. So, yeah, throw some more funding at animal control (or actually make them do their job) and punish the stupid owners, but not those of us that do the responsible thing to avoid giving our breed any worse of a name. Let me and my dog be innocent until proven guilty. Please.

**grundle** · 04-09-2009, 12:06 PM

Where are you moving to?

**Alpine_Sapper** · 04-09-2009, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by grundle

Where are you moving to?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...47&z=9&iwloc=A

Granbury, TX, for now. I'm actually going to still be in South Texas until I can get transferred, but the family and all the accompaniments will be there temporarily until we can find acceptable housing in the general area. I'm thinking somewhere around Mineral Wells, or Lipan, something like that. No matter what my commute just went up.

**Ole WV Coot** · 04-09-2009, 06:51 PM

After many years of hearing "my dog won't bite" and being forced to hit a few in the head I can honestly say I have never been bitten by a large dog but over the years I collected several bites from the mid and small breeds. Been scared by large ones but not bitten. Wild dogs in packs in the woods I shoot.

**crashdive123** · 04-09-2009, 06:57 PM

When talking to dog owners, it is alway important to ask the proper question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXn2QVipK2o

**Rick** · 04-09-2009, 07:07 PM

In 12 years working outside I was never bitten by a dog. I took evasive (

) action a time or two though.

If you want a biter get a chihuahua. Little ba****rds! Everyone of them has a Napoleon complex.

**Alpine_Sapper** · 04-10-2009, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

When talking to dog owners, it is alway important to ask the proper question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXn2QVipK2o

lol. Nice. I can definitely say I've picked up one thing from talking to Rick and Coot about dogs in the past. Now, when ANYONE (unless it's a really hot chick) asks me if my dog bites, I look them dead in the eye and simply say "Yes." He does. That's what dogs do.I just usually leave that part off.I don't think I've ever had one single person say "Is he friendly?" or "He's not going to bite ME, is he?" Those are the appropriate questions to ask. That, and "Can I pet?" usually helps, instead of letting your kid run screaming at the 100lb's of tightly wound jaw muscle. So it accomplishes two things...It keeps me honest by not lying to them, and it get's them to back up,

**tsitenha** · 04-10-2009, 08:36 PM

Delivered for the parcel post in my young days, had a few bites, all from smaller breeds. Any dog can be mis-handled not the breed specificaly but the owner.