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WyldHrt -> RE: Tougher measures introduced for dog owners (3/10/2010 1:11:56 AM)
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I would be equally nervous with any animal that had such a huge head. I also had a friend who had two pit bulls and both of them were also big gushes. In fact the larger one thought he was a 90 pound lap dog.
Yup, well owned pits are usually lap dogs with huge heads, LOL. My RottX was 90lbs, bowling ball sized head, and a complete mush as well! My brother was an avowed pit bull/ rottie/ big dog hater until he saw how gentle my kids were with his young sons. The look on his face when he found his sons curled up in a "puppy pile" on the couch cushions, being snuggled/ protected by my "viscious" dogs was completely priceless.
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While I don't disbelieve you, I don't understand why you wouldn't be able to afford the insurance if it had been required by law? Do you believe it would have been cost prohibitive in that case?
Yes, I do. When insurance is required instead of voluntary, the price goes up. Make it a requirement, and the insurance companies know that it isn't just the responsible people looking to be insured. The responsible owners then shoulder the burden for the rest, in the form of increased premiums.
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I agree that the random breeding is a problem, but it is also something that would be difficult if not nearly impossible to control. My neighbor breeds her dogs, they are pug and something else that she sells as "designer breeds," which you and I both know is the new fancy name for "mutt."
Ugh, don't even get me started on "designer" breeds! There are ways to get a handle on backyard breeders, but TPTB won't step up and deal with it. Better to target responsible owners and look like they are "doing something" than address the root of the problem.
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Some education on training a dog would be nice, but those types of things can end up being expensive and again, I believe would cause a problem.
Not if the classes were state sanctioned and offered at a nominal cost for those unable to find a qualified private group.
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For the more difficult breeds that require more specialized behavior, such as the bull terrier breeds which don't respond to a lot of the "normal" training methods, I think making it a requirement before purchase would be great.
Not to nitpick, but the bull breeds respond just fine to "normal" training methods. If anything, they need more positive reinforcement and less correction due to their sensitivity. That is actually why breed education is important.
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However, it is another thing that would be extremely difficult to regulate. Sadly, the people who aren't going to properly train their dogs, or want them for fighting are also not likely to go to reputable breeders in seek of their animals anyway.
Totally agree with this.
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This is so true. I don't know exactly how things are done in the UK, but I do know (as do you, I'm sure) that here in the US, the legislators react to the people screaming the loudest and people scream about pit bulls. Many municipalities in New Jersey have regulations regarding specific breeds (pit bulls, akitas, dobermans, chows to name a few) such as fencing and muzzling when walking on public streets. Also there are insurance companies that either won't insure people with certain dogs or the rates are significantly increased.
Oooh, you don't want to get me started on BSL, fencing, muzzling, etc.... unless you have a few weeks to hear me bitch to high hell about the massive amount of supidity involved. Trust me, you do not want to go there! [;)]
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