Rottweiller Owner Sharon Anderson http://maddy-me.blogspot.com/
A Rotta Love Plus MN - Google Search

A Rotta Love Plus, MN Rottweiler and Bully Breed Rescue, Rehoming, and Education The Dog Whisperer DVD - Cesar Millan
CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST
JOHN LESCH STATE REP. AND CITY ATTORNEY
COUNT I MS 609.43, MS 609.51SimulatingLegProcess
COUNT II MS 645.08Canons of Construction

COUNT III MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION
ART. III SEPARATION OF POWERS
Minnesota Constitution - Google Search Minnesota Constitution
http://sharon4staterep64a.blogspot.com/ is demanding the Resignation of Rep.John Lesch "Author", Lawyer ,city prosecutor at St. Paul, Minnesota Capitol Rally 20Oct07 Sat. from 4-7pm.
Click here: Twin Cities Article Comments

owner Sharon Anderson is demanding Rep.John Lesch's also City Attorney, double dipping against the taxpayers to pass Unconstitutional Laws, which he then prosecute's for pecuniary gain. Get rid of all Police Dogs, then also. City Attorney John Lesch making over 100thous yrly + his employment at the State Legislature + what he makes as a private lawyer. is obsene,burdonsome, public has a right to know his ulterior evil motives to eliminate our guard dogs, pets,

Dog breeds' defenders rally against ban idea

Rescue groups object to legislator's proposal to outlaw dogs considered dangerous

BY MARICELLA MIRANDA
Pioneer Press

Article Last Updated: 10/20/2007 12:13:44 AM CDT

It started 10 years ago as a safe haven for unwanted Rottweilers.

It later grew to protect another widely reviled breed - the pit bull.

The nonprofit group, A Rotta Love Plus, is now defending the dogs against proposed state legislation aimed to ban Rottweilers, pit bulls and other breeds from Minnesota.

"There clearly are some problems with dogs right now, but it's not a dog problem. It's an irresponsible ownership problem," said Beth DeLaForest, a director for the group.

The national rise in severe dog attacks - mostly involving pit bulls - has prompted the group to share dog-safety tips with more children and adults in the Twin Cities. The volunteers also teach ways to avoid dangerous situations with dogs.

The organization will hold a rally today at the state Capitol.

Their message: There are no bad dog breeds - only bad owners.

Rep. John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, disagrees.

Lesch in February will introduce a bill aimed to ban breeds of dogs deemed dangerous, including the Akita, pit bull, Rottweiler, wolf hybrid and chow chow.

Lesch said the bill targets those specific breeds because insurance agencies widely refuse to cover them due to the costs associated with the severity of their attacks.

If the Legislature approves the bill, owners of those breeds would have to find homes for their dogs outside of Minnesota or face misdemeanor charges, Lesch said.

"It's an effort to reduce the n

This year, there's a long list of dog attacks in the metro, including a pit bull that mauled and killed 7-year-old Zachary King Jr. on Aug. 16 in Minneapolis. The boy's father, Zachary King, 30, was later charged with second-degree manslaughter in his son's death. Prosecutors allege he knew the dog was vicious and failed to confine it properly.

More than 100 jurisdictions across the country have breed-specific legislation, Lesch said.

disfigurement) or kills a domestic animal. Also, a potentially dangerous dog that attacks or endangers again can be labeled as dangerous.

Opponents of breed-specific legislation, such as A Rotta Love Plus, want to strengthen the existing state law to hold owners more accountable - not certain breeds of dogs.

"If you have a good owner that's responsible, chances are you're going to have a pretty good dog on your hands," DeLaForest said. "The problem ... is irresponsible owners."

DeLaForest owns two pit bulls.

The Minnesota Animal Control Association wants to help alter the existing dangerous dog law to hold owners more accountable, said Bill Stephenson, association board member and St. Paul animal control supervisor.

"We feel there really is no need for (breed specific legislation) because we already have this language in place," Stephenson said. "If that were to pass, we would be overwhelmed in less than a day."

Stephenson also questions how shelters would enforce the proposed law - especially faced with mixed-breed dogs and other canines that resemble the five targeted breeds.

Canine supporters argue pit bulls are victims of society.

The American Temperament Test Society, a nonprofit group promoting uniform evaluations of canine shyness, stability, aggression and friendliness, found in 2006 that pit bulls had a temperament about 2 percent superior to the average dog.

Rottweilers had a temperament 1 percent superior to average.

"We agree that there's a problem," DeLaForest said. "There's absolutely no question about that, but how to solve the problem - that's where we disagree."

Lesch said the purpose of his legislation is not to protect people against dog bites. Instead, the ban's purpose would be to prevent severe attacks from powerful dogs, such as pit bulls, which can bite down at more than 600 pounds per square inch.

Lesch supports all legislation aimed to prevent more dog attacks.

"It would be worthwhile for groups like this (A Rotta Love Plus) to actually propose solutions for an epidemic of unsafe neighborhoods because of dangerous dogs," he said.

Maricella Miranda can be reached at mmiranda@pioneer press.com or 651-228-5421.

IF YOU GO

A Rotta Love Plus and BlessTheBullies.com will host a rally from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the state Capitol for National Pit Bull Awareness Day.

HOW CHILDREN CAN AVOID DOG ATTACKS

-- Do not scream or run when a dog approaches. Instead, stand like a tree.

-- Curl up like a rock if a dog knocks you down.

-- Stay away from dogs if owners are not present.

-- Ask an owner for permission before petting a dog.

-- Let a dog sniff your hand before petting it, once the owner gives permission.

-- Do not touch a female dog with puppies.

-- Do not put your fingers through a fence to pet a dog.

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