Texas Update: Cities Contemplating Pit Bull Laws and More
The Texas Pit Bull ProblemDallas, TX - The Dallas Morning News recently published a story that talked about several Texas cities that are contemplating breed-specific laws. Duncanville, Cedar Hill and Mesquite have each passed resolutions urging the state Legislature to allow breed-specific law. These same cities reported that from July 2007 to July 2008 about a third of all animal attacks involved pit bulls.
The article quoted one Mesquite pit bull owner, Felipe Badajos (51), who doesn't mind his pit bull playing around his 8-month-old son, Sebastian. He trusts his pit bull Rocky because he's well-trained. In response to the many pit bull attacks on children Felipe said: "Well, that means the owner is doing something wrong. They don't feed their dog; they don't take care of the dog."
A hungry and semi-neglected dog does not automatically lead to an attack, specifically an attack that leads to disfigurement or death. If all hungry and semi-neglected dogs did launch such attacks, LifeFlight helicopters would block out the sun. For the sake of 8-month old Sebastian, we hope that Rocky does not "flip" into his genetic inclination: to grab hold and shake like mad.
In addition to Duncanville, Cedar Hill and Mesquite, the city of Center has also had breed-specific law brought to its attention.Texas Fatality Updates- Since January 1, 2006, Texas has suffered 15 fatalities due to dog attacks. Of these fatalities, 80% (12) were attributed to pit bulls, 13% (2) to rottweilers and 7% (1) to the combination of a doberman and shepherd.
- 2 fatalities each have occurred in the counties of Hidalgo, El Paso and Bexar. In the instance of Bexar, both fatalities occurred in the City of San Antonio in the year 2007.
- In 2006, Texas lead the nation in fatalities (6). Of these fatalities, 67% (4) were attributed to pit bulls and 33% (2) to rottweilers.
- In 2007, Texas lead the nation in fatalities (7). Of these fatalities, 86% (6) were attributed to pit bulls.
- So far in 2008, Texas has suffered 2 fatalities, both of which are attributed to pit bulls.
Related articles:08/22/08:
Fort Hood, Texas U.S. Army Base Passes New Pit Bull Restriction06/19/08:
2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bull in Weslaco, Texas05/19/08:
2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bulls in Breckenridge, TexasLabels: statistics, texas dog law
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