MASSACHUSETTS -- Hundreds of Bostonians have become human chew toys for powerful pit bulls while the dogs are being abandoned at an alarming rate — just as rules to rein in the controversial canines are set to expire, a Herald review found.
There were 226 confirmed pit bull attacks on people between 2008 and 2011, while 40 percent of all dogs that turned up at city shelters were pit bulls, city officials said.
“These numbers clearly speak to the need for sensible regulations on ownership of this dog,” said City Councilor Robert Consalvo, who is fuming that the state recently struck down local laws that target specific breeds. “Without the regulations, it’s a free-for-all out there.”
Pit bull attacks on humans have decreased from a high of 67 in 2009 to 47 last year.
After a string of attacks, the city passed an ordinance in 2004 that required pit bulls to be licensed, and muzzled in public. The rule also bans residents from housing more than two pit bulls.
The Herald reported yesterday that a new state animal rights law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last week bans municipalities from passing “breed specific” laws. The new law makes Boston’s pit bull ordinance void Nov. 1, but Consalvo and Mayor Thomas M. Menino say they’re going to push Beacon Hill to reinstate the local rules.
Many pit bull owners lashed out at Boston officials’ support of the breed restrictions.
“People are bad, not dogs,” said Anna Mason of East Boston, who owns a pit bull rescued from an abusive home. “Why should I have to pay more to license my dog because it is a specific breed?”
Dianne Dornquast, who runs the website MyPitBullisFamily.com, said the dogs are unfairly targeted because of misinformation.
“The real story of pit bulls is taking place in thousands of homes around the country,” Dornquast said. “Our dogs are not ‘vicious.’ They are our loving family members.”
But Consalvo said: “The ordinance has had a number of positive effects. Now we’re back to, ‘What are we going to do about this issue?’ ”
(Boston Herald - Aug 24, 2012)
