Southeast Missouri and Dangerous Dog Laws

Tuesday evening, December 2, the city council of Perryville Missouri, voted to drop the breed specific ordinance they had proposed. They ruled in favor of enacting tougher dangerous animal ordinances. This decision was based on independent research done by the members of the council.

The citizens of Perryville have reason to be proud. They have elected a council that refused to enact ordinances based on media sensationalism and misinformation. This is an example of the changing climate in the issues surrounding animal control ordinances.

When laws and ordinances are enacted because of a perceived threat posed by a certain breed of dog, this allows the actual criminal, the human owner, a free pass. At the root of any animal problem you will find an irresponsible human being. Until the laws and ordinances address the human, there will be no solution to this growing problem of human irresponsibility.

It has become far too easy for states and towns to legislate a breed of dog into extinction. These types of rulings have placed the responsibility for criminal actions on a dog. These types of rulings also do nothing to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Missouri is in the heart of the United States. We have been known as the "Puppy Mill" capital, as well as a state with ineffectual animal cruelty laws. This too is changing.

This past year has seen new state legislature enacted that makes it a felony to torture or abuse animals. There is another bill on the senate floor that will address the issue of enacting ordinances according to dog breed. Missouri is becoming the standard for the rest of the country to follow.

Perryville is another town that has chosen to do what is right, instead of what is easy. It is now up to the pet owners of Perryville to be responsible for their companion animals. Being responsible is the only way we will be free to enjoy the pets of our choice.