From: Todd Weiler To: Sen. Weiler, T., Subject: Re: Local Governments Should Not Dictate What Breed of Dog Citizens Can Own Date: 2014-02-08T03:42:49Z Body:
Thanks, Connie. I appreciate you contacting me and sharing your views.
Todd Weiler
801-599-9823
> On Feb 7, 2014, at 8:31 PM, "cscurnow@msn.com" wrote:
>
> Connie Curnow
> 219 Summer Meadow
> Bountiful, UT 84010-5862
>
>
> February 7, 2014
>
> The Honorable Todd Weiler
> Utah Senate
> 320 State Capitol, PO Box 145115
> Salt Lake City, UT 84114
>
>
> Dear Senator Weiler:
>
> Please Pass HB 97 to Protect Property Rights, Save Tax Dollars and
> Increase Public Safety
>
> As a Utah citizen, I believe federal, state and local governments should
> not interfere with a responsible citizen's ability to own whatever dog
> breed or breed mix he or she chooses. Seventeen states have passed
> provisions against breed-discriminatory ordinances because these laws
> violate basic property rights, they focus on the wrong thing, and they
are
> arbitrary, ineffective, expensive and simply not practical.
>
> Any dog can bite, so communities should be protected against any
dangerous
> dog, no matter the breed. The American Bar Association, the National
> Animal Control Association and the American Veterinary Medical
Association
> don't support breed discrimination. They support laws that go after the
> real problem, the behavior of the individual dog and the behavior of the
> reckless owner. Owners should be responsible for their dog's actions: no
> exceptions, no excuses.
>
> Instead of punishing innocent dogs for resembling a specific breed,
> communities should hold reckless owners accountable and responsible if
> their pets are dangerous. Comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous-dog and
> reckless-owner laws should be passed and enforced.
>
> Breed discrimination also wastes tax dollars. According to figures
> provided by economic research firm John Dunham and Associates, if Utah
> enacted a breed-discriminatory law targeting "pit bull terriers," it
would
> cost taxpayers more than $4 million per year to enforce.
>
> Even the conservative Platte Institute for Economic Research in Nebraska
> came out against breed-discriminatory or breed-specific ordinances. In
> reality, there is nothing specific about these laws. Studies show that
> when animal control officers and animal shelter workers try to guess the
> heritage of a mixed-breed dog, they are correct in only 25% of the cases.
>
> In America, every citizen who follows the safety rules as a responsible
> dog owner should be allowed to own whatever breed of dog he or she
> chooses. It's that simple.
>
> Thank you for your consideration of this important bill.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Connie Curnow
>
>