Ohio Proposes Pit Bull Ban

We have a beef with the state of Ohio. Well, not a beef. We like beef. But we don't like what the Ohio state legislature is considering. Ohio House Bill 568, recently introduced by Representative Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati, seeks to prohibit the ownership, keeping, or harboring of a dog commonly known as a pit bull. If this bill is passed and adopted into law, all pit bulls will be seized and euthanized.

Excuse me, Ohio, but has power afflicted your leaders' brains? (If any of your humans write anyone in office in Ohio, please don't include this statement in your letter. It will hinder your case, not help it. Always be polite when writing legal idiots .... um those with the power but minus a brain .... no, that's rude too. We have it! Always be polite when writing so your letter will be read instead of deep-sixed.)

This is what they want to pass:

Sec. 955.111. (A) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, no person shall own, keep, or harbor a dog that belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog.

(B) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, a person who owns, keeps, or harbors a pit bull dog on the effective date of this section shall surrender the dog to the dog warden. Not later than ten days after receiving the dog, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.

(C)(1) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, if an officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog, the officer may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant. The court shall issue a search warrant for the purposes requested if there is probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog.

(2) After obtaining a search warrant, an officer shall seize the pit bull dog and surrender the dog to the dog warden. Not later than ten days after receiving the dog, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.

(D) As used in this section, "officer" has the same meaning as in section 959.132 of the Revised Code.

From Petfinder: All concerned Ohio dog owners should contact their elected representatives and express their strong opposition to HB 568. To find your elected representatives, click here.

One question we have but don't have the time to research at the moment is, what does Ohio classify as a "pit bull"? There is actually no such breed. "Pit bull" is generally used to include: The American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. There are, however, 20-plus breeds mistaken for a pit bull, which might help to explain why it seems as if just about every canine mishap or attack involves a "pit bull."

Breed specific legislation is wrong! If a man commits a violent crime, he is tried and sentenced. He receives a death sentence or a prison sentence based on a personal guilty verdict. The legal system does not send his extended family to prison or give each member a lethal injection. That would be a miscarriage of justice.

So why would the justice system consider condemning to death each and every member of an extended canine family, including presumed family members because they bear similar features? This kind of canine "justice" is completely insane!

We hope Ohio House Bill 568 will be shot down without mercy and without delay!

Our dog rescuing friend Mark sent us a link to this video about pit bulls. Enjoy.