In Chapter 6 of the Vinton City Ordinances, under "Dangerous and Vicious Animals" number 1 on the list that is prohibited are animals like liions, tigers and bears (oh my)you also can't havejaguars, leopards, cougars, lynx, bobcats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunk, mink, raccoons, monkeys, chimpanzees, alligators, crocodiles, scorpions, snakes that are venomous, or constrictors,Gila monsters (I had to google this one, it's a venomous lizard) or bats. So I guess if you have bats in your belfry or attic you have to get rid of them.

The second section lists "Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being of the breed of Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers, or a combination of any of these breeds." So we have one breed that is targeted in our county and city. I suspect it is a result of some story where a dog attacked a kid somewhere, no doubt raised by someone who didn't love and train their dog. OR a kid was being mean to the dog and the dog had no other way to fight back. I don't know why, but I have a feeling that is the case. So as a result, we heard something scary and had a knee-jerk reaction.

Call me crazy, but I think any dog is subject to its upbringing and will behave if it is raised lovingly, like any other dog. There are only 10 states that have varied restrictions concerning Pitbulls. Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Arkansas, Michigan, Louisiana, and Kentucky. Vinton and Benton County is one of those locations in the state of Iowa.

Now, to be honest I absolutely HATE Chihuahuas. Hate them! Why? because as a kid I was bitten by one. Right here in Vinton. And yet those little monsters aren't on the list of "vicious or dangerous." But who listens to little kids that are bitten by a Chihuahua?

I've had dogs around most of my life (biting back a snarky remark right here). I never had one that was vicious or dangerous. Unless you count licking your face and cutting off oxygen from snuggling. And one of the most loving dogs did turn vicious and dangerous one time. My dad wanted to test our laid-back, never-hurt-a-flea kind of dog. So he explained that he wanted to make sure that this dog would protect us while he was gone on the road during the week. He put on a few layers of pants, and his winter coat and then smacked the couch near my mom. Did some yelling and made the dog think he was attacking my mom. The dog tore into him.

Of course, he was leery of my dad after that for a couple of days, but he was soon, crawling back into dad's lap for attention. This was a golden lab, so not a small dog. We also made sure to assure the dog that he was a good dog, and gave him treats after "protecting" my mom.

I had NEVER seen any of our dogs behave that way. But after that demonstration, I did feel a bit safer knowing that this dog would have our back. I suspect that all dogs are like that, except Chihuahuas. Those dogs are just insane.

If you agree, and believe that pit bulls are like any other dog, sign the petition below.

Petition * Don't Bully Our Breeds * Change.org

P.S.

As I type this, I just received an email fromPreston Moore who is theIowa State Director of State Affairs for theHumane Society of the United States. Apparently, 10 families in Keystone have been told to have their dogs removed as a result of what I think is a crazy law.Apparently, the Humane Society of the United States disagrees with this decision...his letter can be read here.

Comments

Submit a Comment

Please refresh the page to leave Comment.

Still seeing this message? Press Ctrl + F5 to do a "Hard Refresh".

AB July 26, 2022, 7:53 pm Good heavens! How is something like this even allowed to continue as official public policy? I challenge all council members to strike this as soon as possible.