I'm bringing this up not to jack the thread, but Senghe's post made me think I needed to share it. I, Ang, Dog lover, basher of BSL extraordinaire, am included in a civil case to have a dog put to sleep. This is the dog across the street that I've posted about before that's vicious, runs loose, has been called about to the city over 150 times, and nothing has been done about it. Well recently this dog got out, crossed 2 streets and attacked a little boy who was playing in his yard. The little boy saw the dog, got up and went to walk towards his mother and the dog (Named "Cutie") attacked him. He's in critical condition. When the police were called (Our police force SUCKS) we were told that it's a civil matter as the owners said that it wasn't their dog that did it and said that the neighborhood as a whole has it out for them.
We are pursuing two options right now (I don't know much about this stuff, the lawyer just calls and rattles off a mile a minute to me). The criminal option, whereas the owners are held responsible for their actions. The civil option where the dog would be put down, and if it isn't, or if it disapears there will be monetary compensation to everyone who was wronged ie property damage, hospital and vet bills, missed work (She wouldn't let a guy out of his house one day) ect.
I hate it because the people are saying that we're only after their dog because of her breed (She's a shepherd/rottie/pit/something mix who's been bred like at least 5 times), then because we don't like them as neighbors, which is totally true but not the reason we're pursuing this. You guys KNOW how much I love dogs, even the "Vicious" ones. But it isn't right that there is no comuppance for this. If the dog hadn't had this history it would be different. But it does, and it's not. As much as it sucks, sometimes the dog has to be punished.