Beware of BSL - may be coming in Lubbock, TX / already happening in Madisonville, TX

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BSL is currently against state law in Texas...

 

Notice in the first news story, it's a "pit bull-boxer mix", but the headline only says "pit bull."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*************************************************Boy critical after pit bull mauling in LubbockBy Logan G. Carver | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Sunday, February 17, 2008Story last updated at 2/17/2008 - 2:10 amA 3-year-old boy was in critical condition Saturday night after beingmauled by a pit bull-boxer mix earlier in the day in front of his home.The boy, whose name has not been released, was in surgery late Saturdayevening, and animal services was holding the dog.The child and his mother were walking to the front door of their homeshortly before 1 p.m. in the 4200 block of 37th Street when the dogcharged toward them from the road and attacked the child as the mothertried to protect him, said Kevin Overstreet, Lubbock 's director ofanimal

services.The child's grandfather came out and beat the dog until the dog releasedthe boy."We're very thankful the child wasn't injured worse than he was,"Overstreet said. "But he did have some serious injuries to his face."Overstreet said he spent the afternoon working the attack and locatedthe dog's owner around 4 p.m.The owner voluntarily spoke with investigators and identified the dog ashis, after investigators contacted him, Overstreet said, adding he couldnot release his name, nor could he comment on what the owner said duringhis talks at the Police Department.Police detectives will investigate the case before any criminal chargescan be filed, Overstreet said.The dog will remain in the custody of animal services for at least 10days - the mandatory period required by law in the instance of adog-bite attack.A dangerous-dog hearing will be scheduled within 20

days to determinethe dog's future."In this particular case, if the evidence shows they were notresponsible pet owners, it's likely the dog will be put down,"Overstreet said.He stressed, however, the case is still under investigation and hisdepartment will allow due process.A state law that went into effect in September says if prosecutors canshow a pet owner was negligent and a dog killed or seriously injured aperson, then the owner can face felony charges.Even in light of increased efforts by the city to raise awareness aboutthe potential danger pit bulls present, attacks have become morefrequent in the last several weeks. Pit bulls attacked five miniaturehorses, killing one, and killed 12 goats in two separate attacks."It does appear we've had an increase in attacks, Overstreet said. "Thisis just totally unacceptable and there's no reason for it."

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<http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/15652522.html>

<http://www.madisonvillemeteor.com/articles/2008/02/16/news/news02.txt>

Council outlaws pit bulls in townBy Dave Lewis with The MeteorPit bulldogs are being virtually outlawed in Madisonville following a unanimous vote by the city council Monday night, approving a 14-page ordinance severely restricting ownership.The ordinance also defines "vicious" dogs and owners' responsibilities to control those as well.Current pit bull owners may continue to own the animals provided they comply with all the provisions of the ordinance within 30 days of its approval."Basically, this ordinance tries to do away with pit bulls inside the city," City Attorney John Bankhead told the council and those present Monday at the council's regular monthly meeting at City Hall."We will average one complaint a week on pit bulls,"

interim city manager Dave Ward added.Named specifically in the ordinance are American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers or "any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of any one or more of the aforementioned breeds©."From here on, each pit bull owner must obtain a $30 annual permit from the city to keep the dogs, must keep the dog in a locked, secure pen, must keep it restrained when outside the pen, must properly muzzle the animal when outside the pen, must post a highly readable "Beware of Dog" sign on their premises, must obtain a $100,000 personal injury/death insurance policy and must provide the city a photograph of the animal.In addition, dogs of these types may not be sold nor their ownership transferred in any way to another resident of Madisonville, and all offspring from such dogs must be

removed from the city within six weeks of birth.Similar restrictions will be applied to other dogs determined to be "vicious."Copies of the ordinance are available at City Hall.

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