By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-968508.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A bill that would no longer automatically classify fighting dogs as dangerous is on its way to the Governor. But, as Sascha Cordner reports, the measure is getting a mixed response from animal control agencies.
These dogs may not be dogs used in illegal dogs fights, but a new measure heading to the Governor will give dogs that are a fighting chance. Tallahassee Animal Control Supervisor Jeff Doyle says the bill would change the definition of what is considered to be a "dangerous dog" under state law.
One is a dog that attacks a person, one is a dog that is more than wants severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property, one was a dog that was trained or used for dog fighting, and then the other reason a dog could be classified as a dog that basically approaches a person in a public place or street in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack."
Dogs used mainly for the purpose of illegal dog fighting are sometimes seen as dangerous and are either euthanized or kept in kennels with warning signs, and may not get a chance to find a home. But, the measure would allow animal control officials to have more flexibility in determining what should happen to each dog. Bay County Animal Control Manager Bill Olasin says though they do evaluate dogs that come into the shelter, they are one of the shelters that do put down fighting dogs.
"Currently, if a dog that was documented a fighting dog came into the shelter, then that dog would certainly be euthanized. Under any new type of program or any new regulations, an adoption could be processed, but it would only be to special dog trainers who are capable and understand the situation they're getting into."
One of the measure's co-sponsors, State Representative Jeff Brandes of Saint Petersburg cited a widely-known case as an example of why Senate Bill 7-22 is necessary.
"We know with the Michael Vick case, only a small amount handful of those dogs were put down, and a lot of those dogs were able to be evaluated by local shelters and adopted out. "
But, Representative Charles Van Zant of Palatka says he had a huge problem with the bill.
"We would take dangerous dogs that are trained for dog fighting which is against the law and classify them as not dangerous. This makes absolutely no sense, ZERO! This bill needs to die the death of the fighting dog."
Tallahassee Animal Control Supervisor Jeff Doyle says the measure is just a way to for these dogs to become more adoptable.
"I think it's a good thing because what it allows is for shelters and animal control agencies to evaluate the dogs on a one and one basis and actually test them for temperament and look at them as individuals and make decisions as to whether or not they're good candidates for adoption. So, they don't have the stigma if you will associated with the dangerous dog classification to cause them to balk at giving these animals [dogs] a second chance."
The measure would also give shelters the option of adopting out fighting dogs without informing new owners of their history, which is a part of the provision that Bay County Animal Control Manager Bill Olasin had a problem with.
"It has to be done in the open. I don't think concealing that type of information would be fair to anyone, the community, the adopter, or anyone else involved. That has to be shared and it has to be In the open. And, I think that it would be a very dangerous situation if that type of information was concealed."
Doyle says it differs from agency to agency, but he says he does not see his agency going out of their way to deprive an owner of that dog's history.
"I guess from my perspective when we do adoptions, we want them to be forever homes, I mean we want them to be a good fit. And, there's enough variables and questions when you're adopting an animal, that I think if we had information, I don't see where we would want to intentionally withhold that."
The repeal is not a mandate, but allows the shelter to look into the possibility of evaluation.