thedrifter
04-17-09, 07:47 AM
Lejeune bans certain dogs from base housing
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 17, 2009 6:12:48 EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune banned dogs including pit bulls and Rottweilers from military housing Thursday nearly a year after a young boy was bitten to death, joining 12 states and several cities and towns that have adopted bans on specific breeds deemed dangerous.
A 24-page order issued by base commander Col. Richard Flateau Jr. prohibits full or mixed breeds of pit bulls, Rottweilers or wolf dogs and any breed with “dominant traits of aggression.” New base residents can’t keep the dogs and visitors can’t bring them in.
The ban comes after a 3-year-old boy was fatally bitten last May in base housing by a pit bull owned by a family friend from off base who was visiting.
Flateau said the “brutal, violent attack” prompted the change and added that in the past year there have been 12 reported dog attacks on base.
“To the extent possible, we want to prevent unnecessary injuries resulting from dangerous or potentially dangerous animals,” Flateau said. “These specific breeds present an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of our residents.”
The order allows current Lejeune residents who have the breeds to keep them if they have an approved pen. A fenced yard is not enough. New residents can’t bring the banned animals.
“Eventually, within three to four years, we wouldn’t have any banned breeds on base because people changes duty stations,” said base spokesman 1st Lt. Craig Thomas.
A proponent of pit bulls said the attitude at Lejeune and elsewhere results in overburdened public animal shelters and private adoption services.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” said Dawn Capp, an attorney and director of the Chako Rescue Association in Sacramento, Calif. “Breed bans target dogs instead of the owners who are ultimately responsible.”
“The military should help people keep pets. There are organizations that would be happy to help bases educate owners, but right now there just isn’t that interest.”
Lejeune isn’t the only base to ban dogs by breed, although all have regulations governing dogs that individually have been ruled dangerous.
The Marine base at Quantico, Va., also banned pit bulls and Rottweilers. Several Army bases and at least one Air Force base have done the same.
Twelve states prohibit specific breeds and several cities and towns have regulations on pit bulls and other specific breeds.
At Lejeune, owners of other breeds must follow the base leash law and health laws. Pets are not allowed in barracks and residents in other housing are limited to two animals, which could be any combination of dogs or cats.
Ellie
By Estes Thompson - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 17, 2009 6:12:48 EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune banned dogs including pit bulls and Rottweilers from military housing Thursday nearly a year after a young boy was bitten to death, joining 12 states and several cities and towns that have adopted bans on specific breeds deemed dangerous.
A 24-page order issued by base commander Col. Richard Flateau Jr. prohibits full or mixed breeds of pit bulls, Rottweilers or wolf dogs and any breed with “dominant traits of aggression.” New base residents can’t keep the dogs and visitors can’t bring them in.
The ban comes after a 3-year-old boy was fatally bitten last May in base housing by a pit bull owned by a family friend from off base who was visiting.
Flateau said the “brutal, violent attack” prompted the change and added that in the past year there have been 12 reported dog attacks on base.
“To the extent possible, we want to prevent unnecessary injuries resulting from dangerous or potentially dangerous animals,” Flateau said. “These specific breeds present an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of our residents.”
The order allows current Lejeune residents who have the breeds to keep them if they have an approved pen. A fenced yard is not enough. New residents can’t bring the banned animals.
“Eventually, within three to four years, we wouldn’t have any banned breeds on base because people changes duty stations,” said base spokesman 1st Lt. Craig Thomas.
A proponent of pit bulls said the attitude at Lejeune and elsewhere results in overburdened public animal shelters and private adoption services.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” said Dawn Capp, an attorney and director of the Chako Rescue Association in Sacramento, Calif. “Breed bans target dogs instead of the owners who are ultimately responsible.”
“The military should help people keep pets. There are organizations that would be happy to help bases educate owners, but right now there just isn’t that interest.”
Lejeune isn’t the only base to ban dogs by breed, although all have regulations governing dogs that individually have been ruled dangerous.
The Marine base at Quantico, Va., also banned pit bulls and Rottweilers. Several Army bases and at least one Air Force base have done the same.
Twelve states prohibit specific breeds and several cities and towns have regulations on pit bulls and other specific breeds.
At Lejeune, owners of other breeds must follow the base leash law and health laws. Pets are not allowed in barracks and residents in other housing are limited to two animals, which could be any combination of dogs or cats.
Ellie