Dog Attacks Raise Concerns About Pit Bulls, Power Breeds
Dog attacks have put lives in danger in Selma and in Opp.
The attacks have some wondering if some dog breeds should be restricted.
Just this week in Texas, a mother bit off a pit bull’s ear to stop it from attacking her two year old daughter.
That child is okay but now many people are talking about the dangers of some dog breeds.
A 4-year-old was the victim of a brutal pit bull attack in Selma. Attacked while she was playing in her own back yard. It was the neighbor’s dog, one of eight pit bulls he owned.
And in Opp, three American bull dogs attacked Ceara Schofield, someone they’d known for four years.
“You know, I thank the Lord that I’m alive and here with everybody,” she says.
Steven Tears with the Montgomery Humane Society says the organization is against banning some dog breeds. He says a ban would lead to more euthanasia.
“Maybe the focus should be more on the farming of animals and getting who’s actually doing this breeding under control,” he says.
Montgomery Councilman Jon Dow wants a ban on pit bulls, but says it’s not likely.
“The city, our legal department seems to think that the city cannot be breed specific when it comes to the banning of large animals.”
But Dow says the council is trying to put in some restraints.
“We’re trying to do a better job of tracking and keeping in place who the owners are and make them responsible, that if the dog does bite somebody, hold the owner responsible.”
Though some pit bull owners say the restrictions would be unfair.
“I’m against it,” Alesia Butler says. “I feel like most dogs are aggressive if you train them that way but I’ve had him since he was a puppy and he’s never bit a soul.”
“Evidently some are trained to be fighters and some are trained to be lovers,” says Tom Phillips.
And Tears says because power breeds are known to attack, not everyone should own one.
“Does it happen? Sure. I mean they are a terrier breed so if provoked, they don’t necessarily start the fight but they’re not going to run from it.”
In some Alabama cities, like Anniston, pit bulls have official been declared dangerous or vicious. While other cities, like Mountain Brook have passed complete bans on the breed.
Montgomery city councilman Jon Dow says the city’s public safety committee will soon start to meet again to finalize what recommendations have been made on a dog ordinance.
