This is the moment a pit bull owner whose dogs fatally mauled a 63-year-old grandmother was sentenced to at least fifteen years in prison on murder charges. Alex Jackson, 31, cast his eyes to the floor in despair as he was handed the sentence - which could extend to life in prison - after being convicted of second-degree murder for his dogs' attack on Pamela Devitt.Wow! Second degree murder!
A Michigan couple is facing trial on second-degree murder charges for the mauling death of a jogger in July by two cane corsos, an Italian mastiff-type breed, near their home about 45 miles outside Detroit.
To be convicted, it must be proven the accused did something so reckless they had to know it was dangerous enough to kill someone — even without intending harm.What we’ll see in UK cases like these are probably the refusal of that justice system to even consider charges.
It will be felt to be ‘not in the public interest’, even should the dog prove to be an actual banned breed, rather than just a chav’s vicious beast.
Just as the indolence of the State’s overpaid employees in the face of repeated complaints will be overlooked:
Locals said they had lodged multiple complaints with council officials and dog wardens about the “pitbull-type” breed and another similar animal living with it but no action was taken.Who’s surprised at this? Anyone?
If you are, you’ve clearly not been reading this blog for long!
Yesterday a neighbour said: “People have been complaining to the district council and dog wardens since May.
“They have complained multiple times but nothing has been done. You could hear the dogs killing each other fighting non-stop in the house from 100ft away.
“They were screeching, growling and barking all the time. It was terrifying. They were known as the devil dogs.
“One lady who complained said she was worried her two young children would be killed if they escaped.”Instead, for once the innocent neighbours dodged a bullet and the only one to suffer was the family who left their child in the care of a relative who owned these four-legged mantraps.
And the justice system will no doubt have it that they have ‘suffered enough’. Their punishment – if any – will be light. Idiot politicians will call for licensing as a magic wand to wave over the situation, because collective punishment seems to be the only sort they really like.
They do things differently in America. Isn't it about time we did, too?
A completely different strategy is required to counteract this mounting problem. Far better to parallel UK firearms legislation by eliminating the hazard almost entirely, or failing that, through responsible ownership combined with assurance of 'substantial' risk reduction.
ReplyDeleteA dog is a possession and if someone orders their dog to attack someone, then they are using it as a weapon and should be treated accordingly (ABH, GBH, manslaughter, murder). If they are unable to control their dog and it attacks someone, then perhaps Clarkson's law should apply, partly for their negligence and partly because they are so stupid they don't deserve to breed.
ReplyDeletePenseivat
One of the questions that were asked during the clampdown on firearms, post Hungerford, was "who should have access to an assault rifle?". Now the question should be "who should have a dog capable of killing someone?".
ReplyDeleteDD she was worried her two young children would be killed if they escaped.” DD
ReplyDeleteThen do not allow your bastards to escape. Simple.
"Far better to parallel UK firearms legislation by eliminating the hazard almost entirely..."
ReplyDeleteThe number of people getting shot is hardly 'nil', MTG...
"A dog is a possession and if someone orders their dog to attack someone, then they are using it as a weapon and should be treated accordingly..."
Spot on!
"Now the question should be "who should have a dog capable of killing someone?""
Pretty much all large breeds are 'capable'. though.