"elegy" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:33:04 -0400, "Paul E. Schoen"
wrote:

There seems to have been some previous history of aggression with this
dog.
Perhaps there can be some sort of aggression screening as part of dog
license renewal, to alert owners of possible problems. Maybe offer
discounts if the dog passes the tests, and require an additional fee or
bond if dangerous traits are detected. The test could be performed by a
licensed vet, trainer, kennel operator or shelter. That would be more
fair
than BSL.

what tests? and who is going to do all of this? who is going to
enforce it? where's the money to do all of this going to come from?
will this encompass all dogs, or just certain breeds? if somebody's
fear-aggressive little dog tries to bite, will they be considered as
dangerous as somebody's dominant-aggressive large breed dog?


There must be some way to make this fair and effective. Here in Baltimore
County, a dog license is merely $5(neutered)/$10(intact). I would suggest
this as a minimum, and then adding about $0.25/lb. Then add a $10
temperamant fee, which could be waived if one can present an affidavit from
a vet, rescue, kennel, etc. Of course it could be forged, but it's at least
some precaution. If a dog has had a recorded incident of aggression, an
appropriate surcharge could be added to the license fee. Maybe this could
be reduced or eliminated if the dog has gone through training or behavior
modification.

Something needs to be done, or public outcries will make BSL a reality, and
many dogs and responsible owners will suffer. I'd rather pay more $$ now,
rather than pay later, perhaps by being told I must have one of my dogs
PTS.

Here's the fee schedule for Baltimore County:
http://resources.co.ba.md.us/Documents/Permits/Miscellaneous%20Permits/misc_fee_schedules.pdf

Paul, Muttley and Lucky