HALP!!!

Well, it appears Senator Starr's proposed "pit bull" ban was only a diversionary tactic to try and distract the public while HB 2852 was slipped in under the radar. Proposed by Rep. Vicki Berger, HB 2852 requires owners of APBTs, AmStaffs, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or owners of any dog resembling any of these breeds to carry liability insurance to the tune of one million dollars.

The senate was evidently flooded with phone calls, letters, and emails regarding Starr's proposed ban. We need to make even MORE noise about this issue--let them know we ARE paying attention and that we mean what we say. The fact of the matter is breed specific legislation is ineffective, misguided, unfair, and totally unacceptable. If the issue were TRULY about public safety, we'd be talking about fair and effective dangerous dog legislation that places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of irresponsible pet owners, REGARDLESS of breed or type.

Please, contact our representatives. Let them know that HB 2852 will do nothing to improve public safety. Responsible owners will handle their dogs responsibly, while irresponsible owners will continue to put the public at risk, no matter what breed or type of dog they own. Irresponsible owners will not purchase these insurance policies; victims of dog attacks will still have been attacked... mandating insurance policies will not stop these occurrences. Mandatory insurance and the social stigma around it will drive responsible owners away from adopting and caring for shelter dogs that even vaguely resemble pit bulls to avoid the embarrassment and hassle, leaving millions of dogs a year to die in shelters. It will lead to pet abandonment and unfairly target low-income and working-class dog owners and be nearly impossible to enforce. Add to that the near-impossibility of identifying a pit bull on sight (recent DNA testing of mixed breeds shows even the experts can't do it) and the fact that they temperament test as more stable than nearly all breeds and you can see that mandating insurance on the basis of
external appearance is sheer stupidity.

A far more appropriate piece of legislation would require dogs with bite histories or previous complaints about aggression to be insured. A far more effective piece of legislation would resemble Calgary, Alberta, Canada's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw (warning: PDF), a smart and effective piece of legislation that puts the onus of responsible ownership squarely with the dog owner, themselves.

...but of course we all know this isn't about public safety. Write now!

Say NO to HB2852!

rep.juleskopelbailey@state.or.us
rep.jeffbarker@state.or.us
rep.philbarnhart@state.or.us
rep.brentbarton@state.or.us
rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
rep.terrybeyer@state.or.us
rep.deborahboone@state.or.us
rep.scottbruun@state.or.us
rep.peterbuckley@state.or.us
rep.kevincameron@state.or.us
rep.bencannon@state.or.us
rep.brianclem@state.or.us
rep.jeancowan@state.or.us
rep.michaeldembrow@state.or.us
rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us
rep.davidedwards@state.or.us
rep.timfreeman@state.or.us
rep.larrygalizio@state.or.us
rep.billgarrard@state.or.us
rep.chrisgarrett@state.or.us
rep.saragelser@state.or.us
rep.vicgilliam@state.or.us
rep.georgegilman@state.or.us
rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us
rep.brucehanna@state.or.us
rep.chrisharker@state.or.us
rep.paulholvey@state.or.us
rep.johnhuffman@state.or.us
rep.davehunt@state.or.us
rep.bobjenson@state.or.us
rep.nickkahl@state.or.us
rep.billkennemer@state.or.us
rep.bettykomp@state.or.us
rep.tinakotek@state.or.us
rep.waynekrieger@state.or.us
rep.gregmatthews@state.or.us
rep.ronmaurer@state.or.us
rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us
rep.marynolan@state.or.us
rep.andyolson@state.or.us
rep.tobiasread@state.or.us
rep.dennisrichardson@state.or.us
rep.chuckriley@state.or.us
rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
rep.mikeschaufler@state.or.us
rep.chipshields@state.or.us
rep.gregsmith@state.or.us
rep.jeffersonsmith@state.or.us
rep.sherriesprenger@state.or.us
rep.judystiegler@state.or.us
rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us
rep.jimthompson@state.or.us
rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us
rep.suzannevanorman@state.or.us
rep.jimweidner@state.or.us
rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us
rep.mattwingard@state.or.us
rep.bradwitt@state.or.us