Wesselhoft to author more dog legislation
The post is in the OKC forum and not the Pets forum because this issue affects us all, not just pet owners.
from: The Norman Transcript
http://www.normantranscript.com/loca...yword=topstory
"Despite two previous legislative setbacks, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft confirmed this week he would again author legislation to prevent attacks by vicious dogs."
"This year, the Moore Republican said, he plans to write a proposal which is 'non-breed specific.'"
"Wesselhoft said his new proposal could make a dog's 'first-bite' a felony."
"'If a dog gets off its property and if that dog attacks someone and if that attack is serious -- that is if a prudent person would seek medical help -- then my legislation calls for making that attack a felony offense with a mandatory 20 days in jail,' he said."
"'My bill will make people hesitate when purchasing pit bulls because it would be a felony if the dog bit someone,' he said. 'You will think twice before you buy.'"
"Should the bill become law, Wesselhoft said he hoped it would 'dramatically' reduce the state's pit bull population."
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I'm glad to see that he has finally considered an approach that is not breed specific. However, I'm concerned that this legislation, which will impose a severe criminal penalty, will negatively affect dog ownership in general."This year, the Moore Republican said, he plans to write a proposal which is 'non-breed specific.'"
Highly responsible dog owners might double think adopting a dog given this penalty. If this is true, it is likely to have negative impacts on all citizens. Did you know that the animal shelter kills 18,000 animals per year (50 per day). Given that OKC animal control has a $3,000,000/year budget, it costs us taxpayers some $150 per animal killed. If dog ownership is discouraged, the number of shelter adoptions will decrease, and we will have even more animals to kill. Thus, this legislation may severely increase the taxpayer burden!'You will think twice before you buy.'
On the other hand, irresponsible people (who also happen to be pet owners) already ignore hoards of other laws, many with severe criminal penalties. Why would these owners even consider this new penalty when buying an animal? If the stereotypical pit bull owner image is even remotely correct, won't these individuals just wear the potential criminal penalty as a 'badge of honor', flaunting the potential consequences. In other words, a crack dealing dog fighter will just laugh at the potential of 20 days in jail!
What evidence suggests that such a law would reduce specifically the pit bull population? It is just likely to reduce the number of individuals willing to adopt dogs from our over-full shelter."Should the bill become law, Wesselhoft said he hoped it would 'dramatically' reduce the state's pit bull population."
OKCCrime
Anyone know off hand when Wesselhoff's term is up?
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