All dogs should be muzzled in public. Also, dog fouling in public should be prohibited. It's all about health and safety.

I'm not a fan of pit bulls, but more so because of some of the people who own them and not the dogs themselves. I've happened upon mostly friendly pit bulls while walking the streets of Boston. All dogs should be restrained with leashes when out of their homes...and the owners have to have total control over their animals in public.

This is crazy. Pit bulls are no more dangerous than other breeds. It just happens to be that a lot of people train them to be vicious. All dogs need to be trained. They are actually a very sweet, protective breed. It's unfair to single them out.

it's the jerk at the end of the leash that makes any dog bad.

I don't believe in breed specific bans. Dogs should be under their guardian's control in public. That might mean muzzles for some, leashes for most and maybe just voice controls for a few rare pups. But just to make the humans err on the side of caution, maybe all guardians should be held responsible for any acts of violence by their furry charges as if they committed the acts themselves. Those kinds of repercussions would get folks' attention.

To make it fair and safe, all dogs should be muzzled. To many incidents with people getting hurt. I hope the boy is doing well.

I walked by a pitbull withh a muzzle on..tried to come after me..scared the sh** out me
still

Hate to be the bearer of factual national data but between 1998 and 2012, pit bulls and pit bull mixed breeds are responsible for 70 plus % of dog attack on human fatalities. That is...during every single year during that time frame. In fact Boston alone, the number of pit bull attacks versus other dog type attacks...has doubled since the years late 2010 and 2012.

Possible solution...just like Pawtucket, R.I. has a regulation requiring any pit bull owner hold $100,000 in liability insurance and that every pit bull neutered and spaced, so should Boston and the rest of the nation. Additionally, owners who pit bull is involved in assaulting, injuring or maiming to any degree, and, killing a human, should face felony charges if they trained or inspired their pit bull in any manner to attack a human. For those whose pit bull commits the same violations but where the owner was not home or did not train or inspire that pit bull to commit those violations, then a civilian penalty of a severe fine and up to 90 days in jail for failing to take any and all steps to protect the rest of from their pit bull.

For those among you that somehow want to equate pets with humans and want to instill no discrimination regs protecting your nationally known to be dangerous pit bull, regs could be applied to the second and third dog type ranked under pit bulls for attacking or killing humans. To be fair to the pit bull and their owners.

Thank you aVet. I'm a dog lover but also understand that the pit bull breed is the most likely breed to be taught to fight and attack. Your stats support my understanding. I too have met many lovely Pits, but there's way too many aggressive ones out there and I don't seeing it changing any time soon. I'm with Menino on this one.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/pit-bull-facts-and-myths.htm Prince George spends almost a quater of million dollars a year to enforce BSL... yet they admit public safety has not improved since implementing BSL

Anyone useing dogbite.com should know who this website is run by. It is run by Collen Lynn who claims to have been bitten by a pit bull type dog...however she has never supplied the police report and changed her story a number of times about the incident. She received a monteray award from the dogs owners.. yet the dog had never bitten before. She know runs a website that gathers info. from goggle searches and relies on nothing but reporting by the news media. She however will accept donations...

C'MON FOLKS LETS LOOK AT THE NUMBERS HERE . IM A DOG PERSON BUT IM SORRY PIT BULLS CHANGE . ONE DAY THEY ARE FRIENDLY THE NEXT DAY THEY ARE ATTACKING YOU. PIT BULLS SHOULD EITHER BE NEUTURED OR MUZZLED . WHEN YOU DO GET YA DOG FIXED IT DOES PROLONG THEIR LIFE ALSO ,AND IT DOES CALM THEM DOWN A LITTLE.

This might be off-topic but does anybody want to buy my monkey?

Jack Russel Terriers - They're another dog that needs a muzzle. Those little rats are vicious!! I'm not even joking. They are about as protective as they get.

This is funny...kind of like the no texting while driving law. This causes everyone to argue over a potential law that's unenforceable. Do you people really think that 'bad' or irresponsible pitbull owners care about leash laws or muzzle laws? Do you really think BPD is going to give someone a ticket for not having a muzzle on their pitbull? How does BPD determine if it's a pitbull or not? Why would a police officer want to approach someone with a non-muzzled pitbull when there are so many other problems to address? Let call it what it is...something bad (and very rare) happened in the city and the mayor wants to sign a piece a paper making him look good. This is about votes. This is about politics. If you think this piece of paper is going to save you from your next dog bite i don't know what to tell you.

Pulled from an article published October 7. 2012... "I get that poodles bite. But if a poodle or beagle bites me, I can defend myself," said City Councilor Robert Consalvo. "A pit bull's a much more aggressive attack." Do you really think that Councilor Consalvo has comparative experiences - i.e. both defending himself against a poodle (standard or miniature by the way?), beagle, and a pit bull to make a reasonable comparison? Does anyone? Statements like this only serve to confound rational dialog and add emotion to the mix.

By the way, Boston already has a pit pull muzzle law but I have yet to see a pit bull with a muzzle in the South End. Clearly the law hasn't been enforced and is not needed.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/10/07/Menino-pledges-strict-pit-bull-muzzle-law/UPI-14151349625151/#ixzz28tg3Goea

I am reposting this from a previous Patch article about BSL ban in Mass. There was a study conducted actually measuring bite strength of different dog breeds. Please note, in contradiction to some of the comments posted above, that pitbull bite strength is less than other breeds (http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/Fear%20versus%20fact_1.pdf) so, if bite strength is the concern, then GSDs and Rotties should also be subject to the muzzle law. Or, perhaps the city could start testing the bite strength of each dog during license application and require muzzles for individuals with a bite above a certain threshold. Sounds kind of ridiculous, doesn't it?

I repeat (from the previous Patch article), I am glad to see the state law banning BSL go into effect.

I hope that boy is going to be alright. I have children and love animals. Bottom line: ALL animals can be unpredictable. Unfortunately the dog behaves in the manner in which it's trained. There are a handful of dog owners who abuse their dogs and this raises the 'unpredictable' factor quite a bit. I have walked the Arboretum, Millenium Park and the local and not so local ponds and it's a fine day when a dog doesn't come running up to sniff/jump up on me and my children. If it's a large dog, I get nervous & upset. Then the owner says 'he 's friendly or he won't bite' etc. Cool, please get your dog off me, thanks. This is frustrating & maddening. There is a leash law and not everyone abides by it. I'm comfortable when dogs are leashed. Their owners are in control. When I go for a walk I want to relax & enjoy the park/nature, not get annoyed & tensed up that someone's dog (unleashed) has free reign of the park. We all have to share it and respect it and each other. I feel a muzzle on certain breeds would be best. Now, if they will be worn is a whole other issue. Those that do own these breeds again there is a small handful who may not take that responsibility seriously. I'm sure majority of people will do the right thing but it's all down to the owners and taking responsibility.

I have the same experience as 'bostadelphian'! I am tired of trying to walk around the city and having peoples dogs come at me because they are not on a leash! I have almost been attcked by a rotweiler and a pit bull- they approched and stood infront of me growling and staring at me. I love dogs and those are the only 2 breeds that I have had a harrowing experience with. I agree thay should be muzzled unless they are at home INSIDE- too many people/children have paid the devastating price of some fool saying "he's such a great pit!!"

I would rather see the savages that turn Pit Bulls into weapon dogs muzzled. as we can't do that, unfortunately the dogs must be muzzled.

Propose to muzzle all dogs and we can all support you. Until then no one dog owner should be singled out from any other dog owner for special treatment. it's discriminatory and un-American. do it on the basis of the owner's color, religion or type of dog they like. it's all the same thing: Discrimination.

Check this out. http://www.beyondthemythmovie.com/
Open your mind. Learn more about pit bulls and the effects of breed specific legislation.

betty the real morons are the ones who cant keep their pants up and fight those poor dogs,the more I know people like you the more I love my pitbull.

First off I'd like to say "Welcome" to our two week late (or is it more than a month late?) newcomer, Karen V. Stefanini. Second I'd love to ask that she simply crawl back under whatever rock she emerged from under since none of what she posted is TRUE much less justifies singling out a segment of the population for "special treatment" that no one else is subject to, simply because of the type of dog they choose to own.

Remember, Karen V. Stefanini, that we folks who own these types of dogs have the very same rights and responsibilities that you do. And therefore we desire and DESERVE the very same treatment under the law. Your weak, non-factual verbal diarrhea does nothing to negate our rights. Sorry.

You have yourself an awesome day. :-)

Take hold of yerself, Laura. You are starting to sound like the kind of person I don't want owning a pitbull.

Really? That's great because you don't get to choose. It's my right as a citizen to do what I please, when I please. As long as I don't break any laws and don't intrude on your rights - you got nothin' to say. Have a great day!! :-)

The information I submitted is online - I can't see why people would post lies about these magnificent dogs. If what you say about how all the statistics are lies, great. I love all dogs. I have donated thousands of dollars via Facebook dog rescue threads to save countless dogs from euthanasia including several pit bulls.

Because no citizen needs to be singled out for "special treatment" from any other citizen. If you want to muzzle "dogs" - I support you 100%. That is a non-discriminatory judgement by the community for the community that applies to all citizens equally. When you single out certain citizens for undue burden than other citizens - that is discrimination. I don't care if you love me or hate me. Your feelings about me don't factor into my life. If I don't break any laws and I don't intrude on your rights then you should have no right to tell me (through Government) how to manage my own property. That is simply none of your business.

Laura Prowicz, you are a bully. Karen seems like a very nice and thoughtful person. I am sure she will feel very sorry when your dogs eat you up.

Logic and reason are always met with : "You are mean and a bully." Last refuge of the ignorant. People are just too predictable in this very consistent reaction to the truth. Truth is my dog is of no more interest to me or the Government than a table or a chair. Private property. Sugary packed patronising prose intended to make it more doesn't change the fact. That you can't get jiggy with it is your stuff, not mine. Does that make me a bully? Guess it depends which end of the conversation you're viewing from: the logical end or the touchy-feely I-want-to-tell-you-how-to live-your-life-so-its-standards-match-mine end. That you think touchy feely patronising prose is "thoughtful" is laughable but I do thank you for the entertainment.

Well then if you're such a believer then press for a muzzle law for ALL dogs. Anthing else is discriminatory and violates the rights of the citizens separated out for special treatment under the law.
Meanwhile your anecdotes about treating your dogs like children while warm and cozy feeling are irrelevent and immaterial.

The problem is the owner(s) not the breed, but unless you are going to prevent certain people from owning them (good luck!) we need a muzzle law if not an outright ban.

Finally someone willing to say what no one else will! As always it's not about "the dogs" it's about "those kind of people who own those kind of dogs .... they don't deserve the same rights as the rest of us. they are not like us. they are not responsible like us. they don't manage their animals like we do. they need to be restricted, legislated, monitored."

Of course herein is the implied message: In the class of people designated as "pit bull lovers / owners" there are NO respectable, responsible citizens and that is why it is justifiable to set them apart and apply special rules just to them. To Discriminate against them.

But please tell me if you can, does that mean in the class of people designated as "pit bull owners / lovers" there are NO:
- Doctors
- Lawyers
- School teachers
- Celebrities
- Professional sports players
- Engineers
- PhD holders
- Authors
- Architects

... and if there are, are these people ALSO assumed to be irresponsible, below standard as well? No? Then why would you support treating them so simply because of the Type of Dog they Choose to Own??

Ben: thank you for saying what everyone is thinking and no one says so that these important questions could be asked.

Well, we tried to provide you with a sort of internet comment thread group intervention but you rejected it. I guess you can just go ahead and be as crazy sounding as you want to--it's a free country. It is your inalienable right to do so unlike your imaginary 'right' to walk around with an unmuzzled menace to society--which pitbulls undoubtedly are.

What Whit says about Laura says more about Whit than it does about Laura. :-)

I love playground wisdom. So applicable.

Opposing muzzles is so far fetched it is beyond my comprehension. So many people, especially children, and pets have been seriously injured with many fatalities by the bully breeds and other dangerous dogs that to risk it in future is totally lacking in normal emotional response, especially compassion and empathy. The arguments against muzzles are absolutely repulsive and obnoxious. Case closed.

While we're on the topic of dogs in in the city, can people please stop using the area around the Bunker Hill Monument as a dog park? People sit on the grass there when it's nice. They sit on the same grass where a dog's poop might have been hours before. Above all it's sacred ground, national heritage wise. No one should be using it as a toilet.

"The truth is not located in the single voice, but emerges from the conversation as a whole. Within this form of heterotopic discourse, one can play devil’s advocate, have one’s tongue in one’s cheek, purposefully overstate one’s case, or attack positions that one agrees with. The point of the discourse is to expose the strengths and weaknesses of various positions through rigorous challenge, not to provide a balanced position in a single monologue. Those familiar with such discourse will be accustomed to hyperbolic and unbalanced expressions. They will appreciate that such expressions are seldom intended as the sole and final word on the matter by those who utter them, but as a forceful presentation of one particular dimension of or perspective upon the truth, always presuming the existence of counterbalancing perspectives that have no less merit and veracity." - Alastair's Adversaria

I guess I am repeating myself. Opposing muzzles is so far fetched it is beyond my comprehension. So many people, especially children, and pets have been seriously injured with many fatalities by the bully breeds and other dangerous dogs that to risk it in future is totally lacking in normal emotional response, especially compassion and empathy. The arguments against muzzles are absolutely repulsive and obnoxious. Case closed.

Karen: because you are advocating a change in behavior for only ONE segment of the population and everyone can see that making special rules and having the Government pay special attention to only "one class" of citizen based on some ridiculous arbitrary thing (like what kind of dog they like) is wasteful in time and money and Discriminatory against those citizens.

If you are such a big believer in muzzles and really convinced that is the way to go then commit yourself to a law for ALL dogs to be muzzled. That way all citizens are subject to the same scrutiny and the same restrictions. That would be an example of a FAIR law. Maybe not pleasant maybe not good but fair.

I think the reason you don't is because you know that the thousands of dog owners would howl in protest. Much easier to just go after the relatively small population of people who happen to like blocky-headed dogs - they won't make as much noise when they howl in protest about you changing how they have to live their lives.

Good thing some of us out here don't get distracted by your consistent penchant for labeling us and our dogs and taking the bait to debate your touchy-feely feelings about us. What you advocate is Discrimination is plain and simple and those of us who recognize it for what it is will fight it and people like you all day every day where-ever you appear.

Laura, I mention that all dogs deemed dangerous, and there are several, should be muzzled when in public. My pup's muzzle is very comfortable and humane and he can eat treats, drink water, pant which is vital, and most importantly to my 13 lb vicious morkie Rexie, he can bark and growl at passersby to his heart's content. No damage done, but he has nipped three people and that is a red flag. My insurance agent won't allow us to increase our umbrella policy because of him. Evidently 1/4 of all insurance claims are for dog bites. Amazingly, I read a plastic surgeon's report that stated small dogs' bites require the most extensive plastic surgeries to repair damaged faces. If it prevents tragedy, then their owners owners of the dogs that have been found to be dangerous should be more than willing to comply with muzzles. It surely isn't just pit bulls or bullies who have wreaked havoc in so many lives with their often unprovoked attacks. The vast majority of pit bulls are loving caring dogs and actually make terrific therapy dogs in hospitals and nursing homes. (My personal opinion is that all dogs should be muzzled when in public, but no one would pay any attention to this, although it is a sensible suggestion).

Laura, if you are on Facebook, do try to get active in dog rescue and then you will see how tens of thousands of pit bulls and other dangerous dogs are euthanized (it runs into the millions annually I believe). It is horrifying and if muzzles would prevent this slaughter, I am all for it.

You keep saying this, like it's supposed to mean something. Karen make any case you like based on your thoughts and feelings and how much you want to prevent dog slaughter, how your poopsie gets the muzzle in public, etc. Doesn't matter. What matters is what you propose is Discrimination. That all dog owners of a Certain Type of dog should go to all of this trouble, change their lives as dictated by Government, subject themselves to special treatment and restrictions by the Government only because of the type of dog they choose to own. Everything else is just your attempt to Justify why it should be OK and why I should be OK with it. No. It is not ok, will not ever be ok and I reject it. As should any thinking citizen who values our Constitution and our civil rights.

It is my Personal opinion that if a dog bites a human, it should be put down. Immediately. No trial, no thought, no debate. I'll shoot it myself if it's mine. So there should be no need for muzzles, period. If your dog is vicious enough to need a muzzle or has ever bit a human being it should be gone, not muzzled. In my book there should be no need for muzzles at all.

Taking your arguments apart is so easy it's almost not even fun.

You state that if a dog bites a human, that dog should immediately be killed, thus making muzzles moot. However, if a muzzle is worn, then biting isn't really a factor anymore. You can imagine how people could be left scratching their heads trying to figure out what, exactly, you're trying to say. Furthermore, a dog doesn't have to be Cujo to trip offline and do something bad. They are animals. Domesticated, yes. But animals nonetheless. I love certain dogs that I deal with regularly, and detest others (just like humans). And I think that muzzles would give many people peace of mind.

I'm starting to think that you're maintaining your stance on this out of stubornness.

Right. and my response was "Muzzle ALL dogs" - an example of a Fair and Non-Discriminatory law. Don't single out certain citizens by a judgement call as to who is worthy who is not. Just muzzle them all. Done.

It's just my opinion that dogs that bite should be put down. Maybe Boston wants to pass that law instead of a muzzling law. If your dog bites a person then it is put down no appeal. IMO also another good example of a Fair, Non-Discriminatory law. One which I would move to support before a mass muzzling law but that's just me.

Owen? where'd you go. Waiting for you to take my arguments apart, cause that's so fun! LOL :-)

Rexie is anything but my poopsie, believe me. He is and was since a tiny tot a natural born killer but he is exceptionally cute so everyone loves him and can't get enough of him. He is the consummate guard dog and attacks anyone who comes near me. He was vicious as a puppy. He is all terrier - the Yorkies were bred to hunt and kill for ages in England. Rexie is one tough little fur dude and he has the terrier strength and can pull me down the sidewalk. Bulls were bred with terriers for just this reason. They are often aggressive and exceptionally strong. I have read this in several articles and I tend to believe it. Why would people lie about bully breed dogs? Plus this is a world where we all meet with discrimination, often based on our appearance. I was always considered an Elizabeth Taylor look-alike when young and was treated with acceptance and welcomed but other peers who weren't blessed with beauty were shunned and ostracized. Appearance is also what is causing the bullies to be so quickly condemned and ostracized and euthanized. It is tragic.

Sifting, sifting, sifting for data or something actionable here. Karen. Have a point.

Although I am giggling about the stuff you posted. A vicous Yorkie who bites and terrorizes your neighbors and community and you're worried about making sure only pit bull owners have to muzzle their dos? You look like Elizabeth Taylor? You think someone getting treated different because they are not pretty like you is Discrimination?

You can't even be real. Please.

Laura, I am merely trying to explain that discrimination is just a part of life. I read that around half of our population dislikes dogs intensely. And most of those people find the bullies and other dangerous breeds downright repulsive. These dangerous dogs don't stand a chance unless protections are put into place. Wearing muzzles would protect them from continuous slaughter. I won't post in future as I have said just about all I can think of to convince Laura and others that muzzles will protect the dangerous breeds from continuous rampant slaughter.

Being discriminating and using the Government to Discriminate against Citizens are two VASTLY different and non-comparable things. They are not in the same ball park or even the same sport.

Muzzle all dogs Karen. That is the only way to have your dream and have it be fair.

Laura, I mentioned that all dogs should be muzzled in my opinion in a prior post since they are all potentially dangerous. I have told neighbors that I will have Rexie put in a shelter where he will be euthanized if they are annoyed by his barking and carrying on and they all say that he is such a cupcake and the cutest dog they have ever seen and they can't get enough of him. They all love Rexie and are very protective of him based on the morkie cuteness factor. They all know that they aren't in danger since Rexie wears a cute muzzle. Everyone loves Rexie because of his beauty. In the past I had been considered beautiful and discrimination was in my favor. There is so much discrimination based on looks it shocks me even. I read that two equally qualified people applying for a job meet with discrimination based on looks generally. The better looking applicants get the job. This is true with dogs also. The bully breeds and other dangerous dogs don't stand a chance and slaughtering millions of these poor dogs over the years will continue unless they wear muzzles.

There is no logic here. Karen, good luck.

Laura, I am just trying to share what goes on in this world and it often isn't very logical.This is a democracy and if the Government decides to discriminate it is based on the wishes of the majority of the citizens.

Why don't you all call it a day and take the time to pray for the families on Newtown, CT. God bless those families and to all those affected by this senseless tragedy. G'day

Joseph, I am shocked at this tragedy and hadn't known about it till you mentioned it. I honestly blame this country's becoming more and more secular and less respectful of God and life. We are in a downward spiral and at this point none of us are safe. We should pray for everyone in this country since but for the Grace of God there go any of us. These vicious tragedies are heinous and I am in tears of despair as I type this.