TOLEDO, Ohio - Two of Ohio's largest cities have decided not to label dogs as dangerous simply because they're a certain type of canine, and a proposal being considered by Ohio lawmakers would make a similar change to state law.
Proponents of the changes say some types, such as those known under the general term "pit bulls," have been misrepresented and it's wrong to them single out, but supporters of existing regulations that do just that say it's better to be overly cautious.
The city council in Cleveland has decided to change its vicious dog rules so the animals are classified by their behavior, not because they're a specific breed or type of dog, The Blade in Toledo reported Sunday. Owners of dogs that attempt to or succeed in harming a person or another pet are required to follow strict regulations on how the dog is kept and how much liability insurance they must have.
...John Dinon, executive director of the Toledo Area Humane Society, favors that kind of legislation.
"This whole obsession with `pit bulls' I think is a distraction for truly effective public policy on dangerous dogs," Dinon said. "The fact that people are now looking at dog behavior and owner responsibility is a huge step toward making our communities and Ohio safer places."
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