Good News! Washington State Might Be Next to Prohibit Breed-Specific Legislation

A state representative introduces a bill to override dozens of local ordinances aimed at certain breeds.

Here's some good news in dog-related law: Washington state is considering banning breed-specific legislation.

Under HB 2117, introduced by Rep. Sherry Appleton, cities would no longer be allowed to use the breed of a dog to determine whether the animals should be declared "dangerous." Only the dog's behavior could be considered. Right now, about two to three dozen cities in Washington have ordinances that target specific breeds.

A lot of breeds have been targets by breed-specific legislation, or BSL, but Pit Bull owners probably feel the brunt of it most often. Thanks to the news media image of Pits as being violent, and their association with dog fighting, they're easy targets. In Dec., I even wrote about a city attorney in North Chicago who rationalized a policeman's fatal shooting of a dog because "Many drug dealers have a Pit Bull and this was a Pit Bull." That kind of fear makes it easy to target an entire breed based on the actions of a few.

Appleton made a pointed and evocative argument against this image of "dangerous" dogs: "I had a friend that was attacked and disfigured by a Beagle. That's Snoopy," she said. "It just depends on how a dog is treated."

That's a great point, although it does leave me with the image of Snoopy, my beloved childhood icon, as Cujo rattling around in my head.

Sometimes, breed-specific legislation can seem like an easy sell for politicians. It has the benefit of offering a simple, clear solution to a public problem, and it can make a politician seem unafraid to stand up and take clear and decisive action. But as H.L. Mencken once said, "There is always a well-known solution to every human problem -- neat, plausible, and wrong."

More states are coming to recognize this, with regard to breed-specific legislation. Last June, Nevada became the 14th state to outlaw BSL. Late last year, President Obama publicly opposed BSL in response to a petition submitted via the White House's website.

It would be great to see Washington join that list, and congratulations to Rep. Appleton for bringing the issue to the table.

But please -- can I have cute Snoopy back in my head now?

Read more on Breed-Specific Legislation:

Via Seattle Times and Examiner.com

View the original article here

“Pet ID for Me” State Driver License Pet Tag

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Bliss Approved, Dog Accessories, Dog Tags & Jewelry

Bliss and her Pet ID for Me magnet

So, Bliss was driving around the city the other night (as she does), checking out the studs at Dolores Park, blaring Snoop Dogg, and was pulled over by SFPD for rolling through a stop sign (or as we like to call it, a “California stop”).

This might have been a problem for any other dog, but Bliss whipped out her Pet ID for Me, a pet ID made to look like your home state’s driver license. The creators, Jason Harnum and Andrew Gallagher, have crafted these pet tags out of durable waterproof laminate, and all states are available. The ID includes your little rebel’s name, address, phone number (I’ve blurred those bits out), date of birth, and other identifying information. A 2 x 3 magnet with the same design is included free with your pet tag order, so you can post your pet’s outstanding traffic tickets on the refrigerator.

The cops let Bliss off with a warning, but I think I’ll take her keys away just to teach her a lesson. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Pet ID for Me
$20
P.S. Keep refreshing their home page until you see someone familiar.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: Featured

View the original article here

“Pet ID for Me” State Driver License Pet Tag

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Bliss Approved, Dog Accessories, Dog Tags & Jewelry

Bliss and her Pet ID for Me magnet

So, Bliss was driving around the city the other night (as she does), checking out the studs at Dolores Park, blaring Snoop Dogg, and was pulled over by SFPD for rolling through a stop sign (or as we like to call it, a “California stop”).

This might have been a problem for any other dog, but Bliss whipped out her Pet ID for Me, a pet ID made to look like your home state’s driver license. The creators, Jason Harnum and Andrew Gallagher, have crafted these pet tags out of durable waterproof laminate, and all states are available. The ID includes your little rebel’s name, address, phone number (I’ve blurred those bits out), date of birth, and other identifying information. A 2 x 3 magnet with the same design is included free with your pet tag order, so you can post your pet’s outstanding traffic tickets on the refrigerator.

The cops let Bliss off with a warning, but I think I’ll take her keys away just to teach her a lesson. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Pet ID for Me
$20
P.S. Keep refreshing their home page until you see someone familiar.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: Featured

View the original article here

Cairn Terrier (Toto’s Breed) May Become Kansas State Dog – Does Your State Need an Official Dog?

Toto, a Cairn terrier, will forever be linked to Kansas.

Alaska has the Alaskan Malamute, Massachusetts has the Boston Terrier, and nine other states also have official dogs (including New Hampshire’s Chinook, which I thought was just a kind of salmon until I saw that the yellow sled dog is decidedly not a fish).

But 39 states don’t yet have state canines. They may have state reptiles, birds, and even insects, but no dogs. Kansas is getting set to lower that number to 38 soon, if a state bill calling for the Cairn terrier (the kind of dog Toto was) to become the official state dog passes.

“I do realize that this isn’t the most important piece of legislation or issue we’re dealing with, but I hope we can take this legislation as what it is, a symbolic piece of legislation, and move it through,” Rep. Ed Trimmer, who last week introduced House Bill No. 251, said in an ABC News story.

Cairns are a good choice for Kansas, since the state will forever be linked to the canine co-star of The Wizard of Oz. But most states don’t have clearcut ties with dogs. It’s not like they’re native mammals stomping around the woods, or local birds flitting about the flowers.

Last year Dogster wrote about New York’s attempt to make “shelter rescue dog” the official state dog. I’ve checked for updates, but I don’t see anything about that legislation happening. It was a great idea, though.

Dogsters, if your state doesn’t have a state dog, what do you think yours should be? Or is this even something you’d want to see, since it tends to promote certain breeds? Jake thinks California’s should be a yellow (aka blond) Lab, of course.

Should the yellow/blond Lab be California's state dog, as Jake seems to be hinting at?

View the original article here

“Pet ID for Me” State Driver License Pet Tag

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Bliss Approved, Dog Accessories, Dog Tags & Jewelry

Bliss and her Pet ID for Me magnet

So, Bliss was driving around the city the other night (as she does), checking out the studs at Dolores Park, blaring Snoop Dogg, and was pulled over by SFPD for rolling through a stop sign (or as we like to call it, a “California stop”).

This might have been a problem for any other dog, but Bliss whipped out her Pet ID for Me, a pet ID made to look like your home state’s driver license. The creators, Jason Harnum and Andrew Gallagher, have crafted these pet tags out of durable waterproof laminate, and all states are available. The ID includes your little rebel’s name, address, phone number (I’ve blurred those bits out), date of birth, and other identifying information. A 2 x 3 magnet with the same design is included free with your pet tag order, so you can post your pet’s outstanding traffic tickets on the refrigerator.

The cops let Bliss off with a warning, but I think I’ll take her keys away just to teach her a lesson. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Pet ID for Me
$20
P.S. Keep refreshing their home page until you see someone familiar.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: Featured

View the original article here

The BIG Bus Tour rolls into Dr. Becker’s home state!

So near, and yet, so far!

The BIG Bus tour still has three weeks to go, but it just rolled into Dr. Marty Becker’s home state of Idaho.

It’s all part of a celebration of the release of “Your Dog: The Owner’s Manual: Hundreds of Secrets, Surprises, and Solutions for Raising a Happy, Healthy Dog.” Dr. Becker, Gina Spadafori and McKenzie the Dog will be at the PETCO at 179 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise, Idaho, on Monday, May 23, from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. Come on down! Bring your dogs!

First, though, local viewers can catch Dr. Becker live on KBOI-TV 2 News at 6:30 AM, followed by a live radio interview at 7:35 AM on KIZN Kissin’ 92.

And through the miracle of modern digital pre-recording, Dr. Becker will also be making one of his regular appearances as part of Core Team Oz on “The Dr. Oz Show.” Check your local listings for time and station.

The entire tour schedule is at DrMartyBecker.com. You can also follow Dr. Becker on Facebook and Twitter, and McKenzie on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: Dr. Becker’s wife, Teresa, took this photo in Salt Lake City. The BIG Bus Team: Chris, Gina, Phil, Dr. B and Jimmy, with McKenzie the official tour dog in front of the BIG Bus!

View the original article here

“Pet ID for Me” State Driver License Pet Tag

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Bliss Approved, Dog Accessories, Dog Tags & Jewelry

Bliss and her Pet ID for Me magnet

So, Bliss was driving around the city the other night (as she does), checking out the studs at Dolores Park, blaring Snoop Dogg, and was pulled over by SFPD for rolling through a stop sign (or as we like to call it, a “California stop”).

This might have been a problem for any other dog, but Bliss whipped out her Pet ID for Me, a pet ID made to look like your home state’s driver license. The creators, Jason Harnum and Andrew Gallagher, have crafted these pet tags out of durable waterproof laminate, and all states are available. The ID includes your little rebel’s name, address, phone number (I’ve blurred those bits out), date of birth, and other identifying information. A 2 x 3 magnet with the same design is included free with your pet tag order, so you can post your pet’s outstanding traffic tickets on the refrigerator.

The cops let Bliss off with a warning, but I think I’ll take her keys away just to teach her a lesson. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Pet ID for Me
$20
P.S. Keep refreshing their home page until you see someone familiar.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: Featured

View the original article here

“Pet ID for Me” State Driver License Pet Tag

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Bliss Approved, Dog Accessories, Dog Tags & Jewelry

Bliss and her Pet ID for Me magnet

So, Bliss was driving around the city the other night (as she does), checking out the studs at Dolores Park, blaring Snoop Dogg, and was pulled over by SFPD for rolling through a stop sign (or as we like to call it, a “California stop”).

This might have been a problem for any other dog, but Bliss whipped out her Pet ID for Me, a pet ID made to look like your home state’s driver license. The creators, Jason Harnum and Andrew Gallagher, have crafted these pet tags out of durable waterproof laminate, and all states are available. The ID includes your little rebel’s name, address, phone number (I’ve blurred those bits out), date of birth, and other identifying information. A 2 x 3 magnet with the same design is included free with your pet tag order, so you can post your pet’s outstanding traffic tickets on the refrigerator.

The cops let Bliss off with a warning, but I think I’ll take her keys away just to teach her a lesson. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Pet ID for Me
$20
P.S. Keep refreshing their home page until you see someone familiar.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: Featured

View the original article here