Tuesday, January 25, 2011

We Need Your Help

     Many people have heard the Makayla Woodard story.  Her life was taken by a vicious attack from 2 Pit Bulls.  Her great grandmother threw herself over Makayla, trying to cover & protect her from these attacks, while being attacked herself.  All of this occurred in her own back yard by the neighbor's dogs.  Since this attack on January 12, 2011, there have been several dog attacks in our area.  Most of these attacks have come from Pit Bulls and all have been to children.
     As we began to study the NC law & looking at statistics on dog attacks, we found a need for change in the law.  For instance, NC law gives a dog one free bite.  This needs to be changed.  We also found the nationwide statistics concerning pit bull attacks.  These dogs make up over 60% of all dog attacks.  The other thing that we found, is that NC has a law against banning any specific breed of animal.  It is a kind of animal discrimination law.
     At the very minimum, we would like to see tighter laws for those owning such dogs.  I'm not sure exactly what could be done, but would like to offer some suggestions:
     1. Remove the law & ban the dog. Several cities in the US have an ordinance against dangerous animals
        & have pit bulls name specifically on the ordinance
or  2. There be a registration law for anyone wanting to own these dogs
         - This could be like a license that a person would have to earn
         - Maybe, the potential owner would have to go through a class (similar to handguns) In which they 
            would have to pass before they could own the dog
        - Maybe, they have to pay a special tax for owning a pit bull or their homeowner insurance be higher
        - The registration law would give the right for local law enforcement to seize the dog if the owner was
           not licensed & registered    
       - The owner would understand his/her liability & responsibility if their dog was to bite anyone.  If there
          be a fatal attack, the owner could be convicted of man slaughter

-  These may sound ridiculous to some people but they are just suggestions.
-  The right kind of law put in order would make someone think twice before owning a dog of this nature.

HERE IS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP. We need as many names on a petition as possible to get the ball rolling in Raleigh.  They won't move if we don't move them.  The only way that we can move them is by getting together.  Many of you have voiced your opinion against these dogs.  Don't let it stop with just words.  Put your name on the dotted line to show your full support.  There is a link entitled "PETITION"
on the right hand side of this blog.  Click on it & you will be linked to the website that has this petition.  Once you have signed it, you can place a check beside the items that you would like to see changed.

Please let us know that you have signed it.  Don't let Makayla's death be in vain.  We have the power to help another family from having to go through such a tragedy!  Will you help us institute "Makayla's Law"?

20 comments:

  1. Pam Stroupe,Monroe,N.C.

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  2. Eddie Lowery, Mount Pleasant, N.C.

    Stop the madness; pass Makayla's Law now!

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  3. Cleo Lambert, Kannapolis, N.C.

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  4. Loretta Hurlocker, Mount Pleasant, N.C.

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  5. Wayne and Julie Thompson
    Monroe, NC 28110

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  6. Kassie Thompson
    Monroe,NC 28110

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  7. Ryan and Katie Haywood
    Monroe,NC 28110

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  8. Mary Stewart Duffy
    Charlotte, NC

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  9. so very sorry for your loss, words cant express
    Daniel Higgins
    Cameron, NC 28326

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  10. Luther and Tene Ross
    Monroe, NC

    We love you.

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  11. James and O'Lita Jordan
    Waxhaw, NC

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  12. Ronnie and Gail Sturgis
    Waxhaw, NC

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  13. getting back at dogs is ridiculous. Sorry but the loss of one human compared all the animals killed in a world that is OVER POPULATED is just wrong on so many levels. go out and adopt a kid who needs a parent and move on.

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  14. I love all animals and all breeds of dogs. I do not agree that any dog should be banned because of their breed. I do however think that there should be stricter spay and neuter laws. I am a mother and I cannot even begin to imagine how this would feel. I would probably hate the world to. But if it was a person that killed this girl would you want to ban all people of that one persons race? I'm not saying that this is ok by no means I am just wondering was these dogs spayed or neutered? What kind of owners did they have? I'm sure your not going to consider any of this and like I said I cannot totally blame you givin your circumstances. But what it really takes is a responsible owner for any dog. May your beautiful girl rest in peace I'm am truely sorry for your loss. No one should have to burry their child.

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  15. This is ridiculous and discrimination against a certain breed. It's the owners fault not the dogs. The dogs are innocent. Killing innocent dogs won't bring anybody back. I own 3 pit bulls and they play with my young cousins all the time. They have never hurt them. I hate discrimination, especially towards innocent dogs. Anyone who agrees with this doesn't have a heart.

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  16. I am for Makayla's Law!
    Cee Bee
    Riverton, Utah

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  17. Had to add that comparing the life of a child with the life of a dog is just ridiculous. I LOVE my dog and consider her family but she is not a human and can in no way compare! The ridiculous person who posted to "just move on" needs to get a reality check and apologize for such a horrible thing to say to someone.
    My deepest sympathy for the loss of Makayla and for having to deal with such ignorant people!

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  18. I met Makayla mother today. This lady has been through a lot the last 5 years. I hope that one day some ammendment of Makayla's law goes into place. Ad me being a owner of a 3 year old pit, I still believe if u want to own one, you should be educated on the breed. I love Hoss but he has been raised with a lot of love. So he is a gentle pit, but not all our raised with love. That's when they become a dangerous breed, they are trained to fight.
    So even as a pit owner I support Makayla'sLaw.

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  19. The cited statistics are a myth. Any short haired dog with a large head is called a 'pit bull mix'. Visual identification of 'pit bulls' has been demonstrated repeatedly as unreliable. Further, pure bred Bullie Breeds have not been shown to be excessively aggressive. Breed specific legislation has never reduced overall dog bite rates and is opposed by animal welfare organizations. This law would do nothing to protect children, and would result in the needless deaths of thousands of dogs. Look at the results in Denver. Look at statistics from sources other than those who are anti 'pit bull'.

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