More thoughts on the dog issue

[TimeChaser]

Poll question: More thoughts on the dog issue

After the last thread got a little out of hand and spawned two other threads, I thought more into the issue.

On another dog attack thread, people were talking about insurance rates going up. I remember, years ago when taking drivers ed, I heard that if one takes a class at a driving school and gets proof of taking it, some insurance companies will give you a better deal.

Perhaps the same thing could be applied to dog owners. In that way, you could reward those who get education and training while not require it.

Would it work? Should it work?

[friesianrider]

1. Sure.

I'm all for ANYTHING that encourages people to be more responsible pet owners. It helps the animals and it helps society to have people who don't throw away pets like their weekly garbage.

[Broken_Hero]

2. Yeah...

Me too, but there should be strict guidelines on the animals, and in some cases, i don't think certain animals should even be in city limits. Here in SW missouri, Pit bulls and other dangerous animals aren't allowed within city limits, maybe other cities should adopt this rule....

[friesianrider]

4. Oh, boy.

Please don't bring this into the OP - debates on "banning" certain breeds only ever starts a flamewar.

Breed-specific bans are non-sensical and unfair - they only ever hurt the responsible pet owners and give people a false sense of security. The real root of this problem is irresponsible breeding of pets by irresponsible pet owners.

[Broken_Hero]

9. What?

Why not ban certain breeds, whats the issue with that. Gun laws only hurt the honest people who have, want guns, i dont see how this is any different. There are certain breeds, that no matter how they are treated, are going to bite back, or cause serious harm to a person. What you are saying doen'st make much sense. By your standard, a person in town should have a Tiger, because if that person treats it well, and takes good care of it, it will be a docile good pet...

[smbolisnch]

10. If you are just going to start the last thread back up,

you ought to just ignore this thread.
This has been beaten to death. Seriously.

[Broken_Hero]

11. Has it?

Sorry, its the first one i saw, :) sorry for beating a dead horse, i will find something else to write about!...:) laterz.

[smbolisnch]

12. All day today. nt

[Broken_Hero]

14. Ha, i bet..

i have been having some fun with the Novak thing, but this one caught my eye.

[DBoon]

13. He goes, I follow....

[smbolisnch]

8. Couldn't agree more.

:)

[Swamp Rat]

3. Sounds reasonable

If the classes were free and taught one how to administer medicine, animal hygiene, etc. I think it would be a great idea... as long as it was NOT compulsory.

[friesianrider]

5. And info on the vital importance of spaying/neutering.

My soapbox issue...obviously. People who don't spay and neuter suck :)

[TimeChaser]

6. Well, since spaying/neutering often

works well to decrease any aggressive tendencies an animal might have, that definitely fits in with trying to reduce the frequency of dog bites.

[friesianrider]

15. I agree 200%, excellent point.

That dog who killed that kid (the one whose mother locked him in the basement) was at least partly so aggressive because both he and the female dog were un-neutered and the female was in heat.

[TimeChaser]

16. Most of the dog bite cases I've heard

have been under very similar circumstances. Either that or people having no clue about dog behavior. Or a combination of both.

[Robeson]

7. I see no problem with that.

[ElectroPrincess]

17. Yes, I agree ...

I've been blessed to enjoy the companionship of pet K9s my entire life (39+ years). ;)

Yes, I agree that THE OWNER is to be fully responsible for the action of K9s.

I'm presently blessed to have a beautiful English Pointer Mix of such gentle and sound temperament. I was able to train and certify her for both her Canine Good Citizenship http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm

and test/certify her with Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
http://www.tdi-dog.org/

The reason for my little brags is not just for ego but to drive home the point that even dogs with beautiful temperaments are STILL K9s and NOT people. I always watch my Therapy Dog like a hawk around small children. No, she's never even snapped at children, but she's getting older and more frail ... and I've learned over time to never say "never". ;)

I don't mean to scare anyone with the above statements. Only to emphasize to people that many GOOD dogs are given up to shelters because FAR too many new dog owners expect them to behave like humans. They are beautiful animals but they never lose a pack mentality. That is, if you love your dog (especially an dominant tempered dog), then you will train them in basic "dog obedience."

What saddens me most is that many dogs were not born aggressive but developed these tendencies due to the owners ineptness to not properly socialize and train their pups after they bring them home from the breeder.

When aggressive dogs attack other pets or humans, it's an all around tragedy, but IMO an easily avoidable one.

If someone doesn't have time to train a dog in basic obedience, then I'd much rather they do NOT adopt a K9. But if they do and their dog attacks someone or someone's pet, throw the damn book at them. I would personally support strict fines for the negligence of incompetent dog owners. :thumbsup:

[friesianrider]

18. Wow....EXCELLENT post. BRAVO!

...emphasize to people that many GOOD dogs are given up to shelters because FAR too many new dog owners expect them to behave like humans...if you love your dog (especially an dominant tempered dog), then you will train them in basic "dog obedience."

What saddens me most is that many dogs were not born aggressive but developed these tendencies due to the owners ineptness to not properly socialize and train their pups after they bring them home from the breeder.

This is a SUPERB point and one which many people - who think breed-specific bans work - forget. I tried to make this point before and got flamed for it, but the fact is that I frmly believe that proper socialization early on and consistent training makes up a great deal of a dog's adult personality. Is it a lot of work? Hell, yes. But if you can't make that commitment and a LIFETIME commitment to an animal as part of your family the same as a child, then don't get a pet.

If someone doesn't have time to train a dog in basic obedience, then I'd much rather they do NOT adopt a K9. But if they do and their dog attacks someone or someone's pet, throw the damn book at them. I would personally support strict fines for the negligence of incompetent dog owners.

I'd support jailtime, too personally. If you are an irresponsible pet owner and your pet attacks and maims/injures/kills someone, you deserve to go to jail and be barred from owning pets in the future.

[ElectroPrincess]

20. Thank you ...

You are very kind and, I'd bet, another K9 lover. :hi:

[Swamp Rat]

21. That's right.

Pet owners are responsible.

In the 14 years my two dogs (Blue Healer/Pitt bull/Chow mix) have been with me, they have NEVER bitten a person. :) Nice doggies! :D

[radwriter0555]

19. well that wouldn't be profitable for the insurance companies, now would it

?? After all, they're not in business to take care of you, your home, your family and your pets; they're in business to make money.

But it's a GOOD idea... It would work, but for the greedy, profiteering insurance cos.