An amendment to the City of Chesterfield’s laws could soon allow pit bulls at an off-leash dog park, and the debate is raging as to whether to allow the change, with Council members both advocating for breed-specific language and opposing it.
The City Council will vote on December 3 to amend its dog leash laws by removing breed-specific language targeted at pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Eberwein Park is currently open to off-leash animals but current language in the city’s laws forbids “dangerous breeds,” of which pit bulls are considered one. This language effectively bans the breed from the off-leash park. Removing the breed-specific language will allow pit bull owners the same park privileges as those of other dogs.
Currently, the majority of city council members believe breed-specific language should be used and dog owners should be targeted who train dogs to be aggressive or do not keep them under control. However, Mayor Bruce Geiger is a proponent of the language, having witnessed a pit bull attack on another dog. “It’s intense . . . not pretty,” he is quoted as saying.
City Administrator Mike Herring said that city police had conducted research that led to the conclusion that pit bulls are as safe as any other breed if raised properly. He believes that the language has barred people from adopting dogs from local shelters.
Breed Statistics Tell The Story
While the argument continues over breed-specific legislation, the statistics on dog attacks tell their own story. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 4.7 million dog bites each year in the United States, and at least 386,000 require emergency medical treatment. Of those treated, 16 victims die per year on average.
Of the 238 deaths from dog bites reported to the CDC in the years 1979-1988, 66 were pit bull attacks. This means that 28 percent of all fatal dog attacks, or more than one in four, were by pit bulls. Rottweilers made up 39 of these attacks, or 16 percent. Together, these two breeds were responsible for nearly half of all fatal dog attacks in the United States during the relevant time period.
Liability Issues in Dog Attacks
While detractors of breed-specific legislation point to decreasing numbers of pit bull attacks, they may fail to note that breed-specific laws may have done some good in reducing the number of these attacks, especially in public. On the other hand, any dog can be potentially dangerous, and many dog bites occur even with “friendly” breeds such as labs or spaniels.
For the victims of dog bites, it is important to remember that most state’s laws hold the owner accountable unless the victim was illegally on the owner’s property. This means that the victim of a dog bite can collect damages from the owner of the dog including medical bills and pain and suffering. A dog bite injury attorney can assist these victims in holding owners accountable for their dog’s behavior.
The City Council will vote on December 3 to amend its dog leash laws by removing breed-specific language targeted at pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Eberwein Park is currently open to off-leash animals but current language in the city’s laws forbids “dangerous breeds,” of which pit bulls are considered one. This language effectively bans the breed from the off-leash park. Removing the breed-specific language will allow pit bull owners the same park privileges as those of other dogs.
Currently, the majority of city council members believe breed-specific language should be used and dog owners should be targeted who train dogs to be aggressive or do not keep them under control. However, Mayor Bruce Geiger is a proponent of the language, having witnessed a pit bull attack on another dog. “It’s intense . . . not pretty,” he is quoted as saying.
City Administrator Mike Herring said that city police had conducted research that led to the conclusion that pit bulls are as safe as any other breed if raised properly. He believes that the language has barred people from adopting dogs from local shelters.
Breed Statistics Tell The Story
While the argument continues over breed-specific legislation, the statistics on dog attacks tell their own story. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 4.7 million dog bites each year in the United States, and at least 386,000 require emergency medical treatment. Of those treated, 16 victims die per year on average.
Of the 238 deaths from dog bites reported to the CDC in the years 1979-1988, 66 were pit bull attacks. This means that 28 percent of all fatal dog attacks, or more than one in four, were by pit bulls. Rottweilers made up 39 of these attacks, or 16 percent. Together, these two breeds were responsible for nearly half of all fatal dog attacks in the United States during the relevant time period.
Liability Issues in Dog Attacks
While detractors of breed-specific legislation point to decreasing numbers of pit bull attacks, they may fail to note that breed-specific laws may have done some good in reducing the number of these attacks, especially in public. On the other hand, any dog can be potentially dangerous, and many dog bites occur even with “friendly” breeds such as labs or spaniels.
For the victims of dog bites, it is important to remember that most state’s laws hold the owner accountable unless the victim was illegally on the owner’s property. This means that the victim of a dog bite can collect damages from the owner of the dog including medical bills and pain and suffering. A dog bite injury attorney can assist these victims in holding owners accountable for their dog’s behavior.
October 15, 2012—San Bernardino, CA—CBS News reports that authorities are still searching for a hit-and-run driver who killed a man and injured a teenage girl in San Bernardino on Tuesday.
The accident occurred at the intersection of West Highland Avenue and North California Street in San Bernardino around 9:30 p.m. on October 9, according to the California Highway Patrol. Armulfo Antonio and an unidentified 16-year-old girl were crossing the street when they were hit by a dark sedan that fled the scene. Antonio was pronounced dead at the scene while the girl, who was possibly under the influence of alcohol, was treated at an area hospital.
The driver’s side mirror apparently came off in the accident and police are attempting to match it to the vehicle. Anyone with information about a dark sedan with extensive front-end damage and a missing side mirror is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol.
Would-be informants can also call the tip line sponsored by Bisnar | Chase, the WeTip crime hotline, at 800-6-Hit-N-Run (800-644-8678).
Hit-and-Run Remains a Large Problem
According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in 2010 there were a total of 147 people killed and 19,009 people injured in hit-and-run accidents. This represents about five percent of all traffic fatalities and about 12 percent of all traffic injuries. Pedestrians were four times more likely to be affected by hit-and-run drivers than any other category of victims, with 83 pedestrians making up more than half of the hit-and-run fatalities for the year.
These statistics show us that hit-and-run is not an isolated or uncommon phenomenon. The drivers who perpetrate these crimes are showing callous disregard for the lives and safety of others, and everyone should make it a priority to hold these drivers accountable, not just the victims of the accidents. Even if you are not the victim of a hit-and-run yourself, the numbers show that you could well be affected in the future, and you are also paying the costs of these accidents through higher insurance premiums whether you are a victim or not.
How Can I Help Stop Hit-and-Run Drivers?
The number one-thing you can do to help stop hit-and-run is to report any accidents that you witness. Take a moment and note the license plate number if possible. If not, get as many details about the car as possible. Immediately write these details down and report them to the police. Cooperate with officers who may want to question you or have you identify a driver at a later time.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, seek the professional advice of a California accident injuries attorney.
A driver’s side mirror fell off during the collision and authorities are trying to match it to a specific make and model.
Investigators say the driver did not appear to be speeding at the time of the accident.
Officials are looking for a dark colored sedan with heavy front end damage that is also missing a driver’s side mirror. Anyone with information should call the California Highway Patrol.
Press Enterprise
The accident occurred at the intersection of West Highland Avenue and North California Street in San Bernardino around 9:30 p.m. on October 9, according to the California Highway Patrol. Armulfo Antonio and an unidentified 16-year-old girl were crossing the street when they were hit by a dark sedan that fled the scene. Antonio was pronounced dead at the scene while the girl, who was possibly under the influence of alcohol, was treated at an area hospital.
The driver’s side mirror apparently came off in the accident and police are attempting to match it to the vehicle. Anyone with information about a dark sedan with extensive front-end damage and a missing side mirror is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol.
Would-be informants can also call the tip line sponsored by Bisnar | Chase, the WeTip crime hotline, at 800-6-Hit-N-Run (800-644-8678).
Hit-and-Run Remains a Large Problem
According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in 2010 there were a total of 147 people killed and 19,009 people injured in hit-and-run accidents. This represents about five percent of all traffic fatalities and about 12 percent of all traffic injuries. Pedestrians were four times more likely to be affected by hit-and-run drivers than any other category of victims, with 83 pedestrians making up more than half of the hit-and-run fatalities for the year.
These statistics show us that hit-and-run is not an isolated or uncommon phenomenon. The drivers who perpetrate these crimes are showing callous disregard for the lives and safety of others, and everyone should make it a priority to hold these drivers accountable, not just the victims of the accidents. Even if you are not the victim of a hit-and-run yourself, the numbers show that you could well be affected in the future, and you are also paying the costs of these accidents through higher insurance premiums whether you are a victim or not.
How Can I Help Stop Hit-and-Run Drivers?
The number one-thing you can do to help stop hit-and-run is to report any accidents that you witness. Take a moment and note the license plate number if possible. If not, get as many details about the car as possible. Immediately write these details down and report them to the police. Cooperate with officers who may want to question you or have you identify a driver at a later time.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, seek the professional advice of a California accident injuries attorney.
A driver’s side mirror fell off during the collision and authorities are trying to match it to a specific make and model.
Investigators say the driver did not appear to be speeding at the time of the accident.
Officials are looking for a dark colored sedan with heavy front end damage that is also missing a driver’s side mirror. Anyone with information should call the California Highway Patrol.
Press Enterprise
