Predictably, his talk of banning pit bulls from the Big Apple met with a cool reception. Many New Yorkers fondly remember former Animal Care and Control Director Ed Boks' comments on pit bulls. Ed famously suggested renaming the dogs "New Yorkies" and quipped:
New Yorkers, like pit bulls, are sometimes perceived as a standoffish and mean breed - but are actually some of the most generous and open-hearted people I've ever met.
And here's Ed with a New Yorkie. Yup. "Pit bulls" have plenty of advocates in the City of New York. Including outspoken members of the "animal protection" business, like New York's ASPCA, the Mayor's Alliance for Animals, the Humane Voters League, and others. But politics abhors a vacuum. The momentum Vallone created is going someplace.
If NYC doesn't ban pit bulls, what will it do? Gotta do something about the ruckus he kicked up. Right? Blame gamesmanship in the Big Apple I think Vallone is looking to nail someone. Anyone. He has to. Otherwise he's just a wussy that started something he couldn't finish. Not the image he wants to cultivate. So let's look at his remaining options for spinning that pit bull-inspired media blitz, and maybe saving his political rear end while he's at it. Resolution 156, Vallone's call to the New York State legislature to reverse state law and allow him to ban pit bulls and other breeds reads:
. . .dogs are often the weapon of choice of drug dealers and gangs seeking to intimidate and terrorize neighborhoods
That language is remarkably similar to what Humane Society of the United States' Pam Rogers used to stampede the Louisville City Council. In Louisville they passed what may be the worst animal control ordinance in the country.
Pam Rogers wrote:
["pit bulls"] are likely the most popular dog in the country, but unfortunately, they are also the dogs of choice for drug dealers, gang members, and anyone else who is looking for a dog to be a status symbol."
Pointing the finger at. . .us?
Oh, yeah.
Its not the dogs. Duh. We knew that.
Its us. Nasty, mean, criminal, vicious, drug-dealing spiteful dog owners.
Dog owners need regulation. Supervision. Rules and boundaries. Lots and lots of them. Maybe 100 page's worth, like they got in Louisville. It will serve us right.
Sound like a plan? It will take a little more spinning, of course, but I'm thinking Peter Vallone will have some help with that.
What do you want to bet something very similar to that Louisville ordinance is going to hit Peter Vallone's desk with a thud?
Any takers? I'll give you good odds.
2 comments:
Where are all these dogs tied up in
their yards that Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance,
finds in New York City? Almost everyone here lives in apartment
housing, therefore no yards, therefore no dogs tied up in yards.
Is there no one in city government or responsible for animal control who bothers to verify his or her
assertions with FACTS?
Roberta Pliner
Like humans, even dogs react differently to different situations
Post a Comment