Bill Introduced to Ban Automatic Euthanasia of Fighting Dogs In Florida
Rehabilitation of Michael Vick Dogs a Factor
The press release on this bill is copied below. Once this bill opens the door to consideration of the dangerous dog law, it will be interesting to see what other changes are proposed. Thus far the Florida Animal Control Lobby has stymied any dog friendly changes to Florida's Dangerous Dog law.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2011
CONTACT: Matthew Monica
January 25, 2011
CONTACT: Matthew Monica
(305) 325-2501
PRESS RELEASE
STATE REPRESENTATIVE LUIS R. GARCIA, JR. FILES HOUSE BILL 4075
TO REPEAL THE ARBITRARY DANGEROUS DOG DESIGNATION
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State Representative Luis R. Garcia, Jr. (D-Miami) has filed legislation to stop the arbitrary euthanizing of innocent canines simply because the dogs had the terrible misfortune of being confiscated from a property where illegal dog fighting took place.
House Bill 4075 would assist canines that are victims of cruelty once they have been taken from properties where animal fighting has taken place. Under the legislation, a seized canine would have a better chance of adoption and survival. A companion bill is expected to be filed soon in the state Senate.
Current law states that dogs seized from property used for illegal fighting are to be deemed dangerous, which makes adoption of these dogs nearly impossible.
HB 4075 would repeal the arbitrary dangerous designation and allow local authorities the option to conduct behavioral evaluations to determine if any of the dogs can be adopted or rehabilitated. Most states do not arbitrarily deem victims of cruelty as dangerous.
“As we have seen from the Michael Vick case, as well as other cases, many dogs seized in these busts can make good pets. Some former fighting dogs have even gone on to be therapy dogs for nursing homes and hospice centers,” said Representative Luis Garcia, (D-Miami), sponsor of the bill.
The legislation is supported by Best Friends Animal Society, a national companion animal rescue and advocacy group. Ledy Vankavage, senior legislative attorney for Best Friends, stated “The automatic deeming of all dogs seized from property used for fighting penalizes the canine victims. This means that all puppies, bait dogs, and breeding dogs that are seized are destroyed. All dogs are individuals and should be judged by their behavior not breed or where they are housed. Florida is one of only a handful of states that automatically declares these victims as dangerous resulting in a death sentence.”
Many Florida animal control agencies have expressed support for HB 4075, as it will allow those agencies to take a more humane approach with the abused dogs.
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Mark Hollis
Communications Director
Democratic Office, Florida House of Representatives
tel: 850-488-9622 | cell: 850-385-8573 | email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Visit FLHOUSEDEMS| Find on Twitter |
Communications Director
Democratic Office, Florida House of Representatives
tel: 850-488-9622 | cell: 850-385-8573 | email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Visit FLHOUSEDEMS| Find on Twitter |
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I hope people start to realize these dogs are the victims. Taking them from one cruel situation only to not allow them the same opportunity their torturers will have is obscene. The people who fight these dogs have more rights than the dogs. They have representation, they are allowed to defend their actions, and the mediocre time they have to serve gives the the opportunity, if they choose, to start over. What happens to the dogs? They are taken and killed. No trial, no apology, no chance.