Editorial: It is time to rein in nuisance animals
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Recent posts
Agreed.
Excellent editorial. Well definition of the current problem, sadly playing out right now in Columbia County.
I agree with your premise and suggestions. Some years ago, I was attacked by a neighbor’s vicious Pit Bull. Unlike poor Justin, I had the means and skill to prevail in the struggle. You correctly observe the dilemma of Reactive vs. Proactive ordinances and legislation. “Freedom” vs. safety.
On one side is Bubba, “my dog don’t bite”.
On the other is Karen “All dogs are vicious”
The danger of any regulation is that unscrupulous players will weaponize such measures against others.
And others will simply disregard any rules at all.
Proactive approaches require more enforcers and latitude.
Reactive approaches place our enforcement personnel in limbo.
Irresponsible and careless owners must feel the weight of judgement for such behaviors.
State legislation will have to wait until May at a minimum for the Governor to sign.
And there is no guarantee. With 159 counties in Georgia, not all have zoning or even animal control.
Until then, I promise you that people out here are practicing the three “S” approach to the problem.
1. Shoot.
2. Shovel.
3. Shut up.
May we be guided to protect our Justins.
Thank you for your good work in the subject.
And hold our dog owners to the standards required for the privilege of living in Columbia County.
New York State law prohibits municipalities from passing laws that target specific breeds of dogs and homeowner insurance companies from denying coverage to owners of certain breeds. This ironically ensures a NY citizen can own a vicious, harmful canine, but not a legally-owned firearm, to ostensibly protect lives and property. Increasingly, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is being deemed unconstitutional by courts. I’m not against BSL, but the AKC is.
I have a neighbor that recently decided to get a few pit bulls… one appears very aggressive… so I voiced my concerns since the fence separating wasn’t that tall. The reaction I got was “my dogs are sweet and if they do anything we will handle it”… like I’m supposed to wait for my family to be bit before we “handle” it. I knew right then there was no reasoning with the neighbor. I now have a privacy fence separating us. That dog growled and lunged at the fence during the entire installation. I don’t know why every bubba feels the need to have a pit or other potentially dangerous dog and either let it roam or not put up the proper fencing… the laws don’t cover much until the dog does something… not so much about prevention.
Suggest you get some 2″ x 2″ vinyl coated roll fencing, cut it to about 16″ width and attach it to the outside bottom of your privacy fence with fence staples, so it lays out on the ground about 12″ to prevent the dogs from digging under the fence. Two roaming pits dug under a friend’s fence to kill his dog.
Not every pit bull is owned by an idiot, but why does every idiot own a pit bull? It’s also clear that most dogs that are strays or in the pound are some sort of pit mix. Get your dogs fixed people.
Excellent first step, cats also.
You chose to have a pet, actually take care of them.