February 24, 2013
Dear Broward County Commissioner,
I am writing to encourage you to OPPOSE agenda item #52, which is on this
Tuesday's commission agenda. The American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA) has opposed breed specific dangerous dog legislation for many years.
I know of few veterinarians who would support such legislation. Those of us
in the trenches of private veterinary practice have seen too many happy,
pleasant, docile pit bulls and pit bull crosses to support such legislation..
Breed-specific legislation cuts too wide a swath through the lives of
responsible owners who own non-dangerous animals who happen to be of the
tainted species.
I am attaching a report from Ohio, which eliminated its state breed specific
legislation in 2012. I support the opinion of the majority of the Ohio state
legislature.
The issue of dangerous dogs is one of responsible ownership. The AVMA policy
on dangerous dogs is as follows:
The AVMA supports dangerous animal legislation by state, county, or
municipal governments provided that legislation does not refer to specific
breeds or classes of animals. This legislation should be directed at
fostering safety and protection of the general public from animals
classified as dangerous.
I served on the Broward County Pet Overpopulation Committee for many years
and as its chair for most of that time. On several occasions the committee
addressed breed-specific legislation, rejecting it every time. In addition,
the Florida Veterinary Medical Association opposed state legislation last
year that would encourage breed-specific dangerous dog legislation.
I appreciate the Commission's desire to address the dangerous dog problem in
our community, but I encourage you to oppose this simplistic approach and to
support those recommendations from the AVMA and other knowledgeable animal
lovers that address this multi-factorial issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Dee DVM
Diplomat, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
Canine/feline practice.
Fellow, National Academies of Practice, veterinary medicine
AVMA Executive Board, District IV
Hollywood Animal Hospital
Dear Broward County Commissioner,
I am writing to encourage you to OPPOSE agenda item #52, which is on this
Tuesday's commission agenda. The American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA) has opposed breed specific dangerous dog legislation for many years.
I know of few veterinarians who would support such legislation. Those of us
in the trenches of private veterinary practice have seen too many happy,
pleasant, docile pit bulls and pit bull crosses to support such legislation..
Breed-specific legislation cuts too wide a swath through the lives of
responsible owners who own non-dangerous animals who happen to be of the
tainted species.
I am attaching a report from Ohio, which eliminated its state breed specific
legislation in 2012. I support the opinion of the majority of the Ohio state
legislature.
The issue of dangerous dogs is one of responsible ownership. The AVMA policy
on dangerous dogs is as follows:
The AVMA supports dangerous animal legislation by state, county, or
municipal governments provided that legislation does not refer to specific
breeds or classes of animals. This legislation should be directed at
fostering safety and protection of the general public from animals
classified as dangerous.
I served on the Broward County Pet Overpopulation Committee for many years
and as its chair for most of that time. On several occasions the committee
addressed breed-specific legislation, rejecting it every time. In addition,
the Florida Veterinary Medical Association opposed state legislation last
year that would encourage breed-specific dangerous dog legislation.
I appreciate the Commission's desire to address the dangerous dog problem in
our community, but I encourage you to oppose this simplistic approach and to
support those recommendations from the AVMA and other knowledgeable animal
lovers that address this multi-factorial issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Dee DVM
Diplomat, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
Canine/feline practice.
Fellow, National Academies of Practice, veterinary medicine
AVMA Executive Board, District IV
Hollywood Animal Hospital
