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Judge in Hidalgo County, Texas Wants Statewide Ban on Pit Bulls
Hidalgo County Suffering from Attacks
Edinburg, TX - A local judge in Hidalgo County recently said that pit bulls and their vicious attacks have become a "serious problem" in Hidalgo County. Justice of the Peace Charlie Espinoza said he believes the government needs further control over pit bulls so they cannot attack innocent bystanders or children. "I would like to get some kind of serious ordinance or legislation or anything we might get," he told the Commissioners Court.
His comments fall after the death of Pablo Lopez, 5-years old. The family pit bull, named Greco, flew into a sudden rage after another dog walked by the home. The dog tackled Pablo to the ground and killed him. More recently, the 2-year-old daughter of Marissa Abrego was paralyzed and lost sight in one eye after being mauled by the family pit bull. In 2006, 3-year Mireya Davila was also killed by a family pit bull in Hidalgo County.
Less than 1 percent of stray dogs picked up by Hidalgo County officials are pit bulls. That means the dogs are not randomly wandering the streets, said Eduardo Olivarez, who heads the Hidalgo County Health Department. Rather, they are in the yards of homeowners and families. "I'm not an expert, but I would feel very cautious about having a violent dog like a pit bull or rottweiler in close proximity to any child," he said.
Espinoza wants pit bulls banned, and he wants them banned statewide. He is unconvinced that Lillian's Law is effective. He said he and other county leaders, together with other justices of the peace, would sit down in the coming weeks to consider drafting a resolution to lobby the state to impose even greater restrictions on pit bulls and vicious dogs. "I don't know what it's going to take," Espinoza said, "but I would like to see something done."
In addition to Hidalgo County, the cities of Duncanville, Cedar Hill, Mesquite, and Center are also considering breed-specific laws. Fort Hood Army Base recently passed a pit bull law as well.
Related articles:
08/20/08: Dog Attacks, Trends and Dog Law Coverage of Texas
08/22/08: Fort Hood, Texas U.S. Army Base Passes New Pit Bull RestrictionLabels: texas dog law
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Texas Update: Cities Contemplating Pit Bull Laws and More
The Texas Pit Bull Problem
Dallas, 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 Restriction
06/19/08: 2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bull in Weslaco, Texas
05/19/08: 2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bulls in Breckenridge, TexasLabels: statistics, texas dog law
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Texas Mother Charged with Felony After Pit Bull Attack
Child Blinded for Life
Edinburg, TX - The County of Hidalgo, Texas has a deadly track record with pit bulls. There have been two fatalities due to "family" pit bull attacks since 2006 including: Pablo Lopez in 2008 and Mirella Puga in 2006. In the instance of Pablo, Child Protective Services (CPS) placed the child with his aunt and uncle who owned a pit bull. The dog named Greco ended up killing Pablo. No neglect charges were filed.
The mother of a different Hidalgo toddler, however, mauled by the family's pit bull will face neglect charges for leaving her daughter unattended while she went to the salon. The 2-year-old remains in a San Antonio hospital enduring dozens of reconstructive surgeries. The toddler lost sight in one eye, the left side of her face is paralyzed, her tear ducts don't work and she can't breath normally. She will need special care for the rest of her life.The cost of a family, chained pit bull is immeasurable. The 29-year-old mother, Marissa Abrego, faces one count of injury to a child, a second-degree felony. If convicted, she may face up to 20 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. But this report is likely incorrect. Under Lillian's Law, which penalizes Texas dog owners after an attack, the dog must be loose and off the owner's property for such a penalty, neither of which appear to be true.
Authorities say Abrego left home without telling her fiancé, Daniel Ross. Unattended, the toddler wandered into the front yard of the couple's home. Investigators think the pit bull became excited and sprinted around the girl, binding her with its tether. Then the dog tore into the toddler's face and upper torso. When authorities arrived, they found the child on the ground with a "large piece of skin" missing from her forehead.
Related articles:
08/14/08: Family Pit Bull Attacks Continue to Rise
06/20/08: Fatality 2008: No Charges in Weslaco Fatal Dog Attack
01/09/08: Lillian's Law - Texas State Dangerous Dog LawLabels: texas dog law
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Man's Dog Nabbed for "Bait Dog" in Center, Texas
Owner Starts Petition to Ban Pit Bulls
Center, TX - In the City of Center, Texas (population about 5,200), a resident has undergone a horrifying experience. His chocolate Labrador named Red was stolen by two men and may have been used as a "bait dog." Dogfighters use bait animals to give a fighting dog a taste for blood. Dogfighters adopt bait animals from local shelters and steal them people's yards and homes.
Donnis Adams, the owner of Red, said his dog was taken from him on Sunday July 20th. He said that the fate of Red was not just a personal loss, but also a professional one. Adams is both a breeder and trainer of hunting dogs. Adams said Red's pedigree valued him at $5,000. To put a stop to pet stealing for bait animals, Adams has started a petition to ban pit bulls in the City of Center.
Letter to Editor: Petition to the City of Center to Ban the Possession of Pit Bulls Inside the City Limits
On the afternoon of July 20th my pet Labrador Retriever was stolen by two Hispanic males in a red car. Subsequent investigations found that he had been taken to a location that I cannot release at this time. When I went to this location I saw numerous pit bulls with their ears and tails cropped along with numerous fighting cocks. These animals are like this for one reason and that is so that another dog cannot grip an ear or tail when fighting. It is believed by law enforcement and myself that my cherished pet, who never met anyone he didn't like and trusted, was used for a "bait dog". These are animals that are not bred to fight that are given to pit bulls so that they can get a taste of blood. That is what happened to the animal that I loved and cherished for 6 years. If you have had a pet that has come up missing it has probably reached this same fate. As citizens it is time to act. It may be too late for my pet but we can help stop the next pet from this horrible fate or the next child from being bitten.
As a result of the loss of my beloved Lab, Red, who was a registered chocolate lab; I have started a petition to ban pit bulls from the City. I have placed these petitions at the Texas State Bank, Jack’s Saw Shop and First Place Graphics and Awards. There is a $850.00 REWARD for the safe return of this dog. No questions asked.
Donnis Adams
Labrador Point Kennels
Center, TX
In a printed newspaper cover article that is not available online (it was scanned and sent to DogsBite.org), Adams describes the incident further. After realizing that his dog was not returning when he called his name, he looked down the road and saw a red car with the front windows rolled down. The car passed him, but the men inside did not look at Adams. It struck him that his dog might be in that car.
Adams called the Sheriff's department and described the incident. Two officers came to his house, but without a license plate, there was not much they could do. After they left, Adams hopped in his car and went looking for the red vehicle. He did not have any luck. The next day, as he hung fliers around town, he did spot the red car. This time he wrote down the license plate number.
He also followed the car until it drove into a mobile home park. At this point, he called the Sheriff back and talked with a deputy. The officer told Adams they would check it out, and if they found Red, they would retrieve him. Four hours later, Adams learned that the officer had not found Red, but he had seen many other dogs at the mobile home park.
This was too much for Adams curiosity. He drove into the mobile home park to see for himself. As he was driving in, he saw many chained up pit bulls. They all had their ears cropped short and their tales bobbed. When he reached the red car, he saw cages of fighting cocks -- he estimates about 200. There were also 5 pit bulls nearby. These dogs were posed for fighting as well with cropped ears and bobbed tails.
The investigation into Adams case continues. Adams will attend a City Council meeting Monday evening and present his petition.
Related articles:
07/13/08: Altoona Neighbors Start Petition to Boot Pit BullLabels: citizen action, texas dog law
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Madisonville, Texas Scraps Pit Bull Ordinance
City Council Members Fold
Madisonville, TX - Madisonville City Council members voted to lift the 6-month old pit bull ordinance that prohibited new pit bulls and placed restrictions on current owners. Council members scrapped all of Article I and did so despite the fact that Texas is the pit bull killing capital of the nation. Town members are now left with a law that deems a pit bull vicious after a violent or deadly attack and after a new Tanner Monk or Pablo Lopez has been created.
In the instance of Madisonville, it's clear that pit bull advocates did their work well. The only response given about the repealed law was that "it penalized responsible dog owners," according to interim city manager Paul Feazelle.
Related articles:
05/19/08: Roll Call: Texans Killed by Pit Bulls in 2007
05/23/08: Roll Call: Texans Killed by Pit Bulls in 2006
03/13/08: Pro-Pit Bull Advocates Flock to Madisonville Meeting
02/21/08: Madisonville to Stand its Ground on Pit Bull Ordinance
02/17/08: Pit Bulls Banned in Madisonville, TexasLabels: dog law, pit bull ordinance, texas dog law
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Duncanville: Breed Ban Backed In Second Texas Town
Nominated: Rock Star Municipality
Duncanville, TX - The second Texas City is putting forth a proposal to ban pit bull type dogs. Due to ten pit bull attacks in 2007 and seven pit bull attacks in the first five months of 2008, Duncanville City Council approved a resolution June 3rd, 2008 stating that an attempt will be made to get legislation passed banning pit bull type dogs for local municipalities.
The City of Duncanville (population 38,000) lies in Dallas County and is a suburb of Dallas, which is also debating changes to its dangerous dog laws. Duncanville resident Kevalyn Townsend voiced at a recent public forum, "Because of a rising number of pit bull attacks I support (this ban). I'd also like to thank the council for taking the initiative to champion this issue and further protect the citizens of Duncanville."
Texas State law prohibits breed-specific ordinances, but some cities have enacted such laws successfully anyway. "I've done a lot of research and if other cities can do it, I believe Duncanville can do it," Mary Ellen Miles said, citing Madisonville, Texas, as one city with a successful breed ban. Madisonville laid the groundwork for other Texas cities that are up to their ears in pit bull attacks.
Supporters of the Duncanville ban will appeal to the state for lenience toward the ban. Officials understand that taking on state law that prohibits breed-specific measures may prove difficult, but they say, "We've had too many people injured so it's worth it." (Too bad the mayor of Lubbock, after 23 animal deaths and 2 human attacks by pit bulls in 5 months, failed to respond similarly.)
Duncanville City Secretary Dara Crabtree said they hope to find strength in numbers when it comes to the ban. She adds that Duncanville will be sending a letter to other area cities requesting them to adopt a similar resolution and ask them to send it to their representatives requesting their support. Duncanville will also be working with the Texas Municipal League on this matter.
It's clear some Texas cities are becoming more aware of a deadly reality. In 2007, Texas led the nation with 7 dog bite fatalities; pit bull type dogs caused 6 of these deaths. On, May 18, 2008, a new Texan became a fatal victim of pit bulls: Tanner Joshua Monk, 7-years old.
Related articles:
05/23/08: Roll Call: Texans Killed by Pit Bulls in 2006
05/19/08: Roll Call: Texans Killed by Pit Bulls in 2007
03/21/08: Pit Bull Epidemic in Lubbock, Texas (Jan-Mar 2008)
02/17/08: Pit Bulls Banned in Madisonville, TexasLabels: dog law, texas dog law
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Pit Bull Owners Arrested in Death of Tanner Joshua Monk
 Owners Identified and Charged
Breckenridge, TX - Jack Smith, 45, and Crystal Watson, 27, have been arrested in connection with the death of Tanner Joshua Monk. Both have been charged with a dog attack resulting in death, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 - AKA Lillian's Law.
On May 18th, Tanner Monk, 7, was found dead about 100 yards west of his family's house and about 50 to 70 yards west of the home where the pit bulls were kept. This information is vital -- the strict penalties of Lillian's Law only apply if the attack occurred off owner property, as it did in this case.
The owners of the dogs -- Jack Smith and Crystal Watson -- had at least 4 pit bulls in their care, but only two were apparently involved in the attack. Animal Services confiscated all dogs from their property after the fatal attack. Yesterday, a grand jury met to consider the case and returned sealed indictments. Bail for each person was set at $250,000 each and both remain in custody.
Related articles:
05/26/08: 2008 Fatality: Video Tribute to Tanner Joshua Monk
05/19/08: 2008 Fatality: Boy Killed by Pit Bulls in Breckenridge, TexasLabels: Fatality, texas dog law
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Dallas City Council Proposes Interesting New Ordinance
AKC and Pro-Pit Bull Lobbies Put on Cowboy Hats
ALERT: Pit Spamming | Dallas, TX - The City of Dallas has been threatening tougher dangerous dog laws for some time. Surely the "pit bull attacking livestock" problem in Lubbock caught their attention a few months back. Dallas council members appear committed to addressing the growing stray dog problem, far more committed than the folks in Lubbock.
Like many large cities, Dallas has a huge overpopulation problem with unwanted pets. In 2007, Dallas city shelters euthanized 28,479 pets. Each day about 200-300 unwanted pets came into the city shelter and only 10 were adopted out. Agencies and people that are aware of the problem are tired of the "catch, cage and kill" routine.
Dangerous dogs are also a problem. Of the 63,000 calls animal control got in 2007, 25,000 of them pertained to loose, aggressive dogs. Texas has the strictest roaming dog law in the country, Lillian's Law, yet dog owners seem oblivious to it. If your dog is off leash, off property and it causes significant harm to a person, you could do 10 years in the slammer.So why isn't Lillian's Law working? Why is the loose, dangerous dog problem only growing? The proposed ordinance has the usual people puckering: pit bull owners and backyard breeders. In a move to swift kick the population of pit bulls, the new law bans pit bull breeding by only allowing AKC recognized breeds to attain a breeding license. The escape route around this is for pit bull breeders to register their dogs as American Staffordshire terriers, as these breeders know.
The city also wants to make it easier for agencies to euthanize a dangerous dog or force it out of the city. One screw up on the new confinement rules, and the city can impound the dangerous dog immediately. These are excellent ideas. Too often we hear about a dog labeled "dangerous" that ends up loose again and officials have their hands tied.
The final vote on the new ordinance is expected by July. This leaves the AKC and pit bull lobbies ample time to water down the proposal. Neither organization supports mandatory sterilization or high breeding licensing fees. They don't care about the 30 thousand pets that got euthanized last year, nor about the south Dallas neighborhoods teeming with loose, dangerous dogs.
Limits on ownership
- No more than a total of six dogs and cats per household.
Mandatory spay / neuter
- Exception: Those whose owners purchase a $500 breeder permit per animal, per year. The permit would only be available for breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club or the American Cat Fanciers Association.
- Exception: Animals younger than 6 months, service dogs for the disabled and animals that compete in shows.
Tethering restrictions
- Dogs cannot be restrained outside the presence of an owner except for "a period of time no longer than necessary for an owner to complete a temporary task."
- Tethered dogs must be tied up wearing a nylon or leather collar.
- Confinement restrictions
- A minimum of 150 square feet for an adult dog
- A structure sufficient to prevent escape
- Access to shelter in a building or dog house
Dangerous dog proposal
- Streamline the process to determine if a particular dog is dangerous.
- Allow the city to hold a dangerous dog longer than 10 days to determine whether it's dangerous.
- Allow the city to order a dangerous dog euthanized or removed from the city.
- Allow the city to impound a dangerous dog, if an owner fails to comply with confinement requirements.
Labels: Dallas, pit spamming, texas dog law
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Dog Owner is First Local Man Indicted Under 'Lillian's Law'
Waco, Texas Dog Owner Indicted Under New Law
Waco, TX - A 22-year-old man became the first McLennan County resident indicted under “Lillian’s Law” for a Nov. 26 incident in which his dogs reportedly attacked a 12-year-old Waco boy. Harris County (Houston) indicted the first owner in all of Texas.
Ancelmo Banda, of Waco, was indicted by a McLennan County grand jury on third-degree felony attack by dog charges. According to police records, Banda’s two pit bulls escaped their fencing through an improperly secured gate and made an “unprovoked attack” on Deodrick Ware, who was walking by.
The boy suffered deep bite wounds to the side and back of his leg. The boy, who lives two blocks from Banda, said that he was walking to school when the dogs escaped. One knocked him down and the other bit him. “I thought they were going to bite my leg off,” he said.
Under the law, named for 76-year-old Lillian Stiles, a Thorndale woman mauled and killed by a pack of pit bull-Rottweiler mixed-breed dogs in 2005, a dog owner can be prosecuted for a third-degree felony if his dog causes injury or death and it is found that the dog was improperly secured.Labels: texas dog law
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Lubbock Leashin' Laws Aren't Doing the Trick
Pigs Killed in Lubbock County Dog Attacks
Lubbock County, TX - Two dog attacks Wednesday in Lubbock County left one person with minor injuries and three pigs dead. Sheriff's deputies were attempting to capture the dog Wednesday night with little luck due to the wide-open area where the animal was found.
Another attack left two prize show pigs, Bacon and Templeton, and a pet potbelly, Uno, dead near 118th Street and Avenue P. Deputies are still looking for a large dog with short white fur and a dark face that may have inflicted the attack. Jaime Quest, who owns the property where the animals were attacked, said she believes the dog is a stray she's seen roaming around the area."It's scary because it could have just as easily been the horses," Quest said of the horses housed in the same stables as the pigs. County Court-At-Law Judge Drue Farmer, who owned Bacon, said her daughter was disappointed to lose the animal, which had been trained for competition at stock shows. Bacon and Templeton had been expected to participate in a Houston stock show in two weeks. Sally Ballard, Templeton's owner, said the show pigs were worth about $750 each.
Both Farmer and Quest agreed the loose dog problem in Lubbock County is one that starts with owners who simply don't understand the work necessary to care for certain breeds of dogs. Losing the pigs will be hard on everyone, Quest said. "A lot of work goes into those things. It's not just the monetary thing."
Related article:
03/21/08: Pit Bull Epidemic in Lubbock, Texas (Jan-Mar 2008)Labels: lubbock, texas dog law
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Lubbock Newspaper Posts Community Questions
Community Responds to Epidemic
Lubbock, TX - The citizens of Lubbock ask tough questions and ponder the bizarre logic of Texas state law that currently disallows breed specific legislation:
Why not pass an ordinance to deal with pit bull issue?
"Why can't the proper governing body in Lubbock pass a city ordinance to outlaw or eliminate all pit bull dogs from our city and make it a misdemeanor, or possibly a felony, to own one of these dogs? How many people or animals must be badly hurt or killed before something positive is done about this problem?" -CHUB BOWYER
Pit bull attack on animal horrible thing to witness:
"Yet another terrible story of horror by pit bulls in our lovely city. How many stories will we read about before our City Council will attach some kind of stiff penalty for the owners of pit bulls that bring harm to people or other animals? Will the next story be of a child or children being killed or maimed?
The owners of such animals should be held responsible for any medical bills and spend time in jail. My husband and I have witnessed the attack of a pit bull on another dog, and it is a horrible thing to see.
We call on other citizens of Lubbock to contact the mayor's office and City Council to demand that something be put in place to severely penalize the owners of vicious animals that bring harm to others." -DARRELL & SUSAN RADLE
Pit bulls have attacked young, old people, pets:
"The pit bull dog attacks across the nation often involve two pit bull terriers. If you will do a key word search, you will find hundreds of instances where two pit bulls have attacked children, old people, and all manner of pets. The last three attacks in Lubbock, against an old man, the miniature ponies, and the goats involved two pit bull dogs. It takes a horribly bad neighbor to keep two pit bulls that frighten and terrorize their neighborhoods. Could there be a law that keeps people from owning more than one of these potentially dangerous animals? It appears two get out together and both attack what they find. It says all you need to know about the breed when both attack. The owners of these dogs do not care about you, your rights, or your feelings. They enjoy the power they getting from scaring people." -JOHNNY HUGHES
Owners of vicious dogs should be held liable:
"I read where donations are being subscribed for reimbursement to veterinarians for treatment of the maimed and killed miniature horses mauled by the pit bull dogs. I think that the owners of the vicious dogs should be held liable for any injuries or losses incurred by their dogs. I think that any pit bulls found running loose should be picked up and immediately put down and that significant fines be imposed on the owners. Alternatively, I suppose we could all carry guns when we go for a walk." -FRANCES AUSTIN
Related article:
03/21/08: Pit Bull Epidemic in Lubbock, Texas (Jan-Mar 2008)Labels: letter to the editor, lubbock, texas dog law
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