How to STOP Pitbull Abuse and Regulate the Breed

I remember watching Phil Donahue 25 years ago when the problem of Pit Bull attacks was being addressed... and while I rarely found anything to agree with that came from Mr Donahue, he produced a statement that stayed with me. When considering the pain and suffering of his guests.... one common thread that they all shared was the first attack made by the animal was considered "excused" by the legal system. His quote was "I want to know why the first bite is for free."

This problem remains today... in that owners of vicious dogs... regardless of breed still operate under the premise that if their dog attacks someone (seriously enough) then they will deal with it and plead ignorance because the dog has always been so well behaved at home. (You may run this through your Babble fish translator and it will come out as "we have never been caught before") Consequently, the dogs are allowed in "target rich environments" otherwise known as playgrounds, neighborhoods etc where such irresistible morsels abound such as other small dogs or pets and those little human targets known as children and the occasional adult human that gets in the way... usually in defense of one of the previously listed targets.

Pit bulls are owned and operated essentially by one of two groups of individual... those that wish to fight the dog, and those that want you to be afraid of the dog... and that some how translates into fear of the owner as well. There is also that small group of breeders that want to profit from making more of these dogs, and they are a problem in their own right.

SO.. what to do... should we allow these known vicious breeds to continue to maim and kill and then...at the worst case be destroyed themselves ??? OR... should we take action to remove the threat and make our lives that much less stressful... after all... when seeking relaxation at a park the last thing you need to worry about is having yourself, a family member or pet (same as a family member in most cases) attacked or killed by someone that is there just to be macho, and maybe wash their car.

The answer is really quite simple. Vicious breeds such as the Pit Bull (aka by the AKC as the AMSTAFF -or- American Staffordshire Terrier... it looks so much better on the police report)
should be treated with the same laws and restrictions as a firearm. They are equally capable of causing death/injury and more likely to go off on their own, and do not need to be loaded as they acquire that trait from their careful selective breeding for the purpose of being destructive.

ALL PIT BULLS should be Federally registered and equipped with a micro-chip. All Pit bull breeders should be Federally regulated. When an individual accepts a Pit bull puppy, they should be required to sign an agreement making them completely and totally responsible for the dogs actions up to and including the disposition/destruction of the animals body at the completion of it's term. Since a Pit bull attack occurs as a series of damages, it could be more accurately compared to a fully automatic weapon, and should be licensed as such. These weapons are considered Class 3 firearms and the criteria should be equal for owning a Pit bull.

Live in a State that allows Class 3 weapons
Provide photos, fingerprints
Obtain a Class 3 license (usually $100-$200 dollars 2-3 weeks)
Register with the Chief Local Law Enforcement Officer
Obtain a statement from the CLLEO that you are over 21 and mentally stable
Show that you have NO prior convictions/felonies
Pay a $500 Federal Tax (annually)
Pay for your Pit bull from a Federally licensed breeder and take possession IN PERSON.
The animal would be required to be spay/neutered PRIOR to the transfer unless being transferred to another properly licensed breeder.

So, roughly $700-$1,000 + the cost of the animal and 3-4 months time.

ANY violation of the above requirements laws would make you liable for fines up to $10,000 and 10 years imprisonment. Federal sentencing guidelines recommend jail time for first offenders. Furthermore, if violence is involved you are liable for an additional $10,000 and 10 years above and beyond any criminal or civil liabilities involved.

If you are a Pit bull lover, and you are SO certain that this breed is acceptable in society today, then you should be willing to place your liberty and finances on the block to prove it. If you are willing to go to jail for your dog's actions, GOOD FOR YOU, that is what made America great.

Breeders that do not comply with the Federal standards should be treated with the same attention due those that traffic automatic weapons illegally. Owners that have in their possession a Pit bull that is not properly registered, should be treated the same as someone that illegally possesses an automatic weapon (Confiscation/destruction of said weapon + jail time and fines)

Furthermore, a 1-800 "hotline" to report suspected illegal dogs and breeders should be established and could be funded by the fees for registration.

Also, as with gun owners who are required to have a "trigger lock" on their weapon whenever it is not being fired, Pit bull owners would be required to have a muzzle secured on the animal any time that it is not being fed and replaced immediately upon completion. Failure to do so would be an automatic proof of negligence on the part of the owner.

I feel that following these guidelines Pit bull owners could continue to own and enjoy this breed of dog responsibly.