Legislation

On January 14, 2008, Senator Tommy Kilby, of Tennessee, introduced Senate Bill 2738. SB2738 bans owning Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes of 50% or more in this state. Ownership would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor. Here is a snip of the bill:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, relative to pit bull dogs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, is amended by adding the following new section thereto:

§ 39-14-215. (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Own" means to harbor, keep or exercise control over the dog, and "owner" means a person who, at the time of the offense, regularly harbors, keeps or exercises control over the dog; (2) "Pit bull dog" means any pit bull terrier; and (3) "Pit bull terrier" means any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as fifty percent (50%) of its breeding the breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier, so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier. (b) It is an offense for any person to knowingly own a pit bull dog in this state. (c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

To view the legislative action on this bill so far, click HERE. To view the bill in it's entirety, click HERE. I think people are quick to ban the Pit Bull. We've all heard the stories. Heck, even our "spare dog" was attacked by a Pit Bull, but I refuse to judge an entire breed by the actions of a few. I KNOW there a good, well-mannered Pits out there. I've even seen one in action at work. He works as a special assistance dog for a disabled patron. He's wonderfully sweet, and he does his job well. I really think that Tennessee should look at Dangerous Dog legislation, instead of breed banning legislation. They should hold the owners of dangerous dogs accountable, instead of dooming thousands of innocent dogs.

Also, the bill proposes the surrender of the illegal Pits to the humane associations, but provides no funding for the enforcement or care of these animals to the humane associations. We all know these organizations are VERY overworked and undercrowded. This bill essentially shifts the responsibility and manpower to these organizations, and it isn't right. I believe they are taking as someone close to me says, "a shotgun approach, when a rifle would do a better job", approach. I feel this law would only punish the owners that do what they are supposed to in the first place. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't feel this legislation is well thought out at all.

To all of my friends in Tennessee, we can't let this happen. Let's instead push for Dangerous Dog legislation that is enforceable. To find out who your reps are and how to contact them, click HERE.