Owners are already limited to one pit bull per household in Canton, and apparently the state will be considering cracking down on the breed this month. Apparently the state proposal would involve either banning pit bulls or requiring training for their owners and registration of all pitties as dangerous dogs.

Not sure what the plan would be for all of the pit bulls currently in shelters, who go through extensive temperament testing before being adopted out...

Don't we all know wonderful pit bulls, and not-so-wonderful dogs of other breeds? Maybe owners who train dogs of any breed to fight should be the target of the crackdown rather than any particular breed! An education campaign about proper dog socialization and how to approach unknown dogs could be a helpful adjunct to this...

According to the Herald Article, "Scott Giacoppo, deputy director of advocacy for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said laws that target certain breeds don’t work. Pit bulls and other so-called dangerous breeds such as rottweilers have the potential to be dangerous if inappropriately trained, Giacoppo said, but he argued that many of these dogs are “model citizens.”

“Anyone who wants a dangerous dog, they’ll just get another dog,” he said. “We want to reduce the number of children being bitten and the number of dogs attacking other dogs. That we can get behind. A ban on pit bulls just gives a false sense of security.”

[State Rep Martin] Walsh said he and his fellow lawmakers are mindful of the pitfalls of singling out specific breeds. “Otherwise you’re penalizing an animal, in some regards, for what the owner lacked in training,” he said."

Yup.

In addition, the state will be considering mandating seat belts for dogs. This might not be a terrible idea, although there are certainly instances in which dogs tethered to cars become scared and lash out after accidents, resulting in emergency personnel being unable to save them. On the other hand, there are plenty of instances of disoriented dogs wandering roads after accidents, an equally horrifying prospect. Certainly drivers must be responsible for dogs in their cars much as they are responsible for kids and for themselves. What do you think about mandated canine seat belts? Do you crate your dog in your vehicle, keep it gated in the back, or does it ride free? Do you already use a doggie seat belt?

See the full article in May 3rd's Boston Herald. See also the May 13 article in the Hartford Courant.

Update: See the review of the May 14 meeting in the Metrowest Daily News and the May 15 Boston Globe