I Hope This Is Not Precedent!!

**shais_mom** · 09-19-2002, 12:24 AM

I saw this over in the Golden Retriever board. They are not happy about it!!
I believe this is in Washington. Correct me if I am wrong.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/cgi-bin/liveique.acgi$rec=57354?home

**aly** · 09-19-2002, 12:30 AM

Uhhh, what the heck does the weight of a dog have to do with the probability of biting

**C.C.'s Mom** · 09-19-2002, 12:49 AM

It's like that in the town we live in. If your dog is on a list (the so called dangerous fighting dogs and large breed dogs), your dog taxes are much higher than for other dogs. You also need a special card with the dog id on it and picture (you always have to carry it with you), your dog has to be on a leash at all times, and many dogs have to wear a muzzle.

In public transportation all large dogs have to wear a muzzle.

It's so ridiculous!

**Cookiebaker** · 09-19-2002, 05:31 AM

That is so ridiculous! Out of 40,000 dogs that weigh over 40 pounds, I have a feeling that this "law" or whatever you want to call it, would benefit a handful. So EVERY dog has to be punished for a handful of misbehaved dogs???? It just doesn't seem right.

**Dixieland Dancer** · 09-19-2002, 09:39 AM

There is no story when I click on the link.

**turner** · 09-19-2002, 10:04 AM

I can't see the story either?

**Cookiebaker** · 09-19-2002, 10:09 AM

Try this...

Click Here

I think there was something wrong in the original link...

**Cinder & Smoke** · 09-19-2002, 10:23 AM

City of Mabton;
State of Washington;
USA ??

Sounds like a great place to NOT be a "Big Dawg"

**DoggiesAreTheBest** · 09-19-2002, 10:34 AM

Owners of dangerous dogs are also required to display signs at their residence to warn children, and provide proof of liability insurance and a bond worth at least $50,000, payable to any person injured by the dangerous dog.

I don't want to sound mean or rude, but children should be taught not to trespass into people's yards. Big Dog, Small Dog, No Dog! If you know the owners, then go ahead kids! Owners of aggressive dogs should have better sense than let their pet roam uncontrolably!

Aly: Uhhh, what the heck does the weight of a dog have to do with the probability of biting

That's exactly what I would like to know! I would love to see the scientific research that proved that theory!!

Dangerous dogs -- dogs with a tendency to display threatening behavior, attack other animals or people without being provoked or known to be part wolf -- are to be confined or leashed and muzzled at all times.

I will be sure not to move there!

**wolf_Q** · 09-19-2002, 10:49 AM

I haven't read the story, but if it's about dogs being more likely to bite if they are bigger, that is NOT true! It just depends on the dog AND the owner! From doing the grooming, so far all of the dogs that have bit at us and have had to be muzzled were all small dogs! (except one medium sized one--probably 40 lbs). And I agree with Souraya, people should keep their kids out of somebodys yard!! It's not fair--if your dog is in your backyard, minding it's own business, some kids jumps over your fence, starts poking sticks in the dogs face, and the dog defends itself and bites--the dog will be blamed!

**sammi** · 09-19-2002, 10:53 AM

That just seems unreal! Muzzle all dogs over 40# - that dosen't even make sense.

You can imagine how bad that will hurt dog rescue for bigger dogs.

P.S. Will be intresting to read the letters to the editorial in a couple of days.

Big dogs aren't always the ones that bite - my mom's dog who was poodle would have bite you in a flash if she felt threatend - long b/4 my black lab/greyhound would have (if ever) this was 10 yrs back.

**pupper-lover** · 09-19-2002, 12:42 PM

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read!

Its' a stupid law, but if it applies to one dog, it should apply to all! I'm so tired of all this breed bashing, size bashing, etc. If people would stop creating these pointless laws, maybe we could deal with the real problem : irresponsible owners and irresponsible breeding. Big dogs are not the problem. Pit Bulls are not the problem. People are the problem.

Despite my dogs' socialible dispositions, I have experienced some of this displaced fear. Addie is part pit bull, and Jake is just huge. I have had people grab their children in terror

, lots of rude looks and stupid comments, and I was even asked not to walk my leashed dogs in the complex next door. Supposedly, my dogs were scaring people with small dogs. We never got anywhere near another dog, so I'm not sure how the mere presence of my dogs was such a threat. Neither Jake nor Addie, did so much as bark or pull. We didn't even leave any "gifts" for them in the grass.

I really wish that people would become more educated on the topic before they started punishing innocent owners and their dogs. There are always uncertainties in life. We can't live in padded cells afraid to live. Muzzling dogs is just a way to mislead people so that they feel safe. My bet is that the responsible owners will muzzle their dogs, while the irresponsible ones will not. Sigh . . .

**Albea** · 09-19-2002, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
City of Mabton;
State of Washington;
USA ??
Sounds like a great place to NOT be a "Big Dawg"

Cinder and Smokey:
I couldn't agree with you more!!! As always, you've come out with just the best line.

If only more people were as smart as the two of you, this would be a better world for our four-legged friends. Love to you both.

**Andie** · 09-19-2002, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by pupper-lover
That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read! Its' a stupid law, but if it applies to one dog, it should apply to all! I'm so tired of all this breed bashing, size bashing, etc. If people would stop creating these pointless laws, maybe we could deal with the real problem : irresponsible owners and irresponsible breeding. Big dogs are not the problem. Pit Bulls are not the problem. People are the problem.

Despite my dogs' socialible dispositions, I have experienced some of this displaced fear.

I hear you! Since Bull looks so much like a Pit there is so much fear of him. I've taken Bull to one of my lil bro's baseball games only to look around and find no one within 10 ft of us. Kids take off running when they see us out walking, which just makes both the dogs pull cuz they think its a game. More people need to be educated about larger dogs and these "dangerous dogs"

**Cincy'sMom** · 09-19-2002, 03:59 PM

The issue of Dog Fancy that just came in the mail (would that be Nov.?) has an article about variuos brreds that are hard to get home insurance for. Of course it includes, Pit Bulls, Rotties, GSD, Chow, and huskies and others I wouldn't have guessed like St. bernard's and Dalmations. I don't agree with putting restrictions by breed or weight. How about history, like if the dog has been unprovoked in the past?