Backdrop of the Proprosed Montana Pit Bill Ban Law

Pit Bull Victim Tells Story
Billings, MT - The Billings Outpost published an article today that revealed some history of the recently proposed Montana pit bull ban sponsored by Robyn Driscoll. The new bill has pit bull fanatics going wild, even dangerously so. Montana may be a state that will not tolerate such intimidation tactics. Futhermore, as a state that has yet to be struck by the pit bull epedemic that plauges many other states, Montana has every reason to prohibit the future breeding of pit bulls now.

"A pit bull’s slashing fangs made an activist of Doug Ruebke, who proved that a person need not represent a billion-dollar corporation or a 10,000 member association to lobby the Legislature. Ruebke persuaded his district representative to introduce legislation banning pit bulls.

His attack on pit bulls began with a pit bull’s attack on him. Ruebke and his best friend, Buster, were strolling down 31st Street South when a pit bull burst from a yard across the street and slammed into Buster. Buster is Ruebke’s Shih Tzu but is probably better known in Billings than his owner. Buster’s Second Hand Store at Minnesota Avenue and South 27th Street was named for him.

Buster weighs less than 20 pounds. Shih Shuhs were bred in Japan to be lap dogs. Pit bulls range upward to 80 pounds. Pit bulls were developed to kill other animals. They are still bred in the United States to kill other dogs. The pit bull scattered chunks of Buster across the sidewalk and into the street. The aggressor’s fangs raked the smaller dog’s neck and side. Ruebke jumped in to save his pet and was bitten on the hand and arm. The dog broke one of Ruebke’s fingers."

The article goes on to talk about the well-known dog bite injury study, the CDC fatal attack study and PETA's position on pit bulls. What the article leaves out are recent pit bull fatalities. Between January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008, pit bulls killed 52 Americans -- that's one American dead by pit bulls every 21 days during this period. Of all 88 fatalities recorded by DogsBite.org during this 3-year period, pit bulls were responsible for 59%.

NOTE: The article also contains errors. Currently, the only state that regulates pit bulls is the great State of Ohio, which declares pit bulls as "vicious" and requires owners to carry $100,000 in liability insurance, securely constrain the dog when on-property and to use a chain-link leash when off-property.

Related articles:
01/14/09: More U.S. Cities Proposing Pit Bull Regulations
12/11/08: Who Authored the CDC Fatal Dog Attack Report (1979 to 1998)?