2012/07/25 Council Agenda Packet

Platte Institute for Economic Research • F.Laud l . X11.1 z1114,L D,us, • lionie • A i-) • I::._{'iits • l e.s earth • • Li• Conia.0, June 16, 2010 Pit Bull Ban a Waste of Taxpayer Dollars Jessica Strutzel Platte Institute In 2008, the Omaha City Council passed an ordinance which included breed-specific legislation directed towards Pit Bulls in order to reduce Pit Bull bites in the city. This ordinance went into effect in 2009, and a report on its success is due to the City Council before October ls'of this year.' ! : A potential response to the evaluation of this ordinance could be the consideration of a Pit Bull ban by the City Council. A Pit Bull ban will most likely have no effect on dog bites in the city and cost hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars. Dog bites are a serious problem in the United States, with approximately 350,000 injurious bites reported per year. In order to deal with this threat to public safety, many cities around the country have introduced breed bans. Pit Bulls are often the target of breed-specific legislation due to their reputation as vicious, powerful, fighting dogs. However, breed-specific legislation aimed at Pit Bulls is ineffective. It punishes responsible dog owners and allows reckless dog owners to continue to violate dog ownership responsibilities without decreasing the number of overall dog bites. Many factors play into situations that lead to dog aggression and biting. In most cases, dogs that bite have histories of being tethered or running loose, suffering abuse, malnourishment or dehydration, and are unaltered(not neutered or spayed) and poorly socialized. 82 percent of fatal bites result from loose dogs.I j Tethering dogs also increases aggression, and tethered dogs are