Posted: 6/20/07
St. Paul lawmaker proposes to ban certain breeds of dogs
 Brianna Senn was attacked by a pit bull |
By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Ownership of five breeds of dog deemed vicious would be outlawed statewide under legislation proposed by a St. Paul lawmaker.
Rep. John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, argues that going after owners after their dogs have attacked someone is responding too late.
"We're attempting to nip it in the bud ahead of time," said Lesch, speaking at a Capitol press conference on Friday (June 15).
Lesch proposes to outlaw the Pit Bull, the Akita, the Rottweiler, the Chow Chow, and wolf hybrids.
He cites a Center for Disease Control 2000 report identifying these breeds as some of the most aggressive.
"You never hear stories about roving packs of Golden Retrievers attacking children," said Lesch.
"But you hear about the pit bulls," he said.
Appearing with Lesch was Kristina Eide, whose 5-year-old daughter Brianna Senn was recently bitten by a pit bull in St. Paul.
According to media reports, St. Paul officials last summer declared the pit bull as potentially dangerous.
"My daughter has to worry when she walks outside her house that there are other dogs that could get out and attack her," said Eide.
Brianna, her face scrapped by falling to the ground, was bitten in the back.
"It (the dog bite) ruined her birthday," said Lesch.
Lesch argued the proposed legislation, which he styles as sweeping, has supporters.
"I do think the people of Minnesota want to put the health, safety, and welfare of a child before that of a dog," he said.
A certain amount of time, Lesch indicated, would be given owners of the five outlawed dog breeds to find other homes for their dogs — family outside the state, shelters, he suggested.
Ownership of five breeds of dog deemed vicious would be outlawed statewide under legislation proposed by a St. Paul lawmaker.
Rep. John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, argues that going after owners after their dogs have attacked someone is responding too late.
But opponents to Lesch's proposed bill, which he is expected to pursue when lawmakers meet again in February, were in the audience at Lesch's press conference.
Kellie Dillner, education director for A Rotta Love Plus Minnesota, a Rottweiler and Pit Bull rescue organization, and other members argued the proposed legislation misses the real problem behind biting dogs, unfit dog owners.
Moreover, the proposed bill is unenforceable, they argued.
"I don't think mass exterminating five breeds of dogs is going to solve the problem of dog bites," said Dillner.
It's irresponsible owners that are the culprits, she argued.
The real answer, said Dillner, is enforcing the dog laws already on the books — putting enough money into enforcement so it happens.
Beyond this, the opponents argued it's virtually impossible to establish the exact breed of a dog.
Lesch proposes that mixed breeds — dogs that are part Rottweiler, or Pit Bull, for instance — also be outlawed.
Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, who passed legislation providing more stringent control of ownership of exotic species, such as lions and tigers, foresees a tough fight awaiting Lesch.
Betzold thought passing his bill would be a "slam dunk," he said.
And instead it took a couple of years, Betzold explained.
"He's (Lesch) going to find it easier said that done," said Betzold.
Lesch expressed a willingness to consider other legislation.
Comment from Roxanne , 6/21/07
I think that this is ridiculious that they would ban these five breeds as a pet lover and owner i have a rot pit mix and a rot shepard mix that I have had for 11 years and have never had a problem with them ever trying to bite someone or hurt a child. It is all in the way that you raise them and it is unfair to take peoples pets away from them because someone else dont know how to take care of or raise there pets right. Everyone else shouldnt have to pay for there stupid mistakes. And to make people get ride of there pets know is stupid also getting rid of a pet is getting rid of a family member after all of them years. I could see if a do was dangerous and has bit before. But to take away from people and pets and all the love that we have for each other because of there breed is wrong and would hurt alot of people and familys and I think is someone is stupid enough to pass this bill that they have never meet the one of these breeds that is a family pet and would not harm a fly. It is a outrage. And I think this should be stopped at once. And the only person trying to pass this bill is an idiot.
Comment from Jeff, 6/21/07
Pitbulls are not a breed. It's a group of terriers that are often confused as and called pitbulls.
An alternative tot he ban would be to require owners and dogs to go through an obedience course. The problem comes from when owners don't know how to teach these dogs good behavior, or they teach them wrong behavior. These breeds strive to please their owners, and a course such as these would do wonders for their attitude.
Comment from SONYA WIEDEMAN, 6/21/07
aBSOLUTLEY MIND BLOWING!I have an Akita and have owned several,I have two small children,I could not have asked for abetter dog.I agree dog aggressiveness is a problem.It is not the dog fault,try the owners.You can't go around outlawing dogsand expect there to never be another incident.
Comment from Jolene , 6/22/07
The dog that attacked Brianna was already declared "potentially dangerous" and had already bitten an adult in the past. I think Representatives such as Mr. Lesch are as much to blame as the pit bull owner. We all know a law is only as good as the people that back it up and the funding they're given to do so.
A responsible owner, after the first unwarranted bite or potentially aggressive behavior, would put the dog down. Obviously in this case the owner was irresponsible, so what's your answer, punish the responsible law abiding citizens? Seems like the wrong, uneducated answer to me. Enforce the already established laws, fund animal control better and give them the resources to do their job effectively.
I hope you realize that banning a certain breed will not make the problem go away, it will just change the breed that's doing the damage. A large dog of any breed can do significant damage. If this bill passes, you'll hear of more "nice breed" bites because an irresponsible owner is going to own something regardless of the breed. They will neglect and/or train their legal "nice breed" puppy and then what do you propose, once they become a threat do we ban them too? Where will it end?
It's so easy to say, "these 5 breeds are banned". Representative Lesch should do a little more work and solve the problem, not look for an easy band-aid solution.
Comment from keith Peterson, 6/25/07
I think it's about time they protect the children instaed of the dang dogs. Where has are value fallen so low that childrens safety is less important then the **** dogs. no way vote the dogs out of reach of kids. God Loves these children very much they do not desreve to lose flesh or body parts for a dumb dog.
Comment from Kim, 6/28/07
I think that law is BULL,I was raised as a kid with Rotts and never had a problem and now I have a rott that has been raised with my kids and NEVER hurt anyone.It is not the breed of the dog it's the owner and how you raise it.
Comment from LuAnn, 6/28/07
We are witnessing a control stuggle with government control.
For those of you not familiar, our Federal government is putting in place a National Animal Identification System. They are giving state grants to states to help impose this federal law.
I refer you to www.nonais.org
Like minded people need to come together on this issue.
BTW: My staffie has his "Good Citizenship Certificate". Does Rep. Lesch?
Maybe start with RottaLuv?
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