Topeka Poised to Repeal Breed Discrimination

Update: On September 28, 2010, Topeka's new animal control ordinance was unanimously passed by the mayor and the city council. Thanks to everyone who voiced their support of repealing the city's breed discrimination.

Topeka could make Toto and all Kansas dogs proud tomorrow night ... if the city council passes a new comprehensive animal control ordinance. Yes, the capitol of Kansas is considering repealing its breed discriminatory ordinance. One of the main reasons for the change is money. Discriminating against an entire breed of dog is not only inhumane, it is costly. According to an economic study done for Best Friends Animal Society by John Dunham and Associates, if pit bulls were restricted in the United States, it would cost taxpayers $459,138,163 annually to enforce. That's a huge chunk of change.

Topeka's animal control has run over budget an average of $30,000 per year for nine years — a whopping total of $272,751.55, plus vet bills. According to a memo from Topeka's City Attorney's office, the main reason for the increase in animal control costs was their breed discriminatory law — dogs seized from their owners and held as unlicensed pit bulls.

Helping Hands Humane Society, who houses the canines, has to kill hundreds of adoptable dogs of other breeds in order to comply with the law regarding "held" pit bulls. The dogs are held, for the most part, not because they attacked anyone, but simply because they resemble pit bull terriers. Unbelievable.

Topeka's ordinance, passed in 1981, is a prime example of panic policy making. Panic policy making is defined as the speedy creation of new laws and regulations or new duties for governmental and private institutions in a situation of sudden, unreasoning, and excessive fear and anger. The Topeka breed specific ordinance was indeed enacted because of several high profile cases.

At that time, the city didn't do any real research into whether such laws were effective; they simply passed a measure without thinking of the ramifications. This time, the city attorneys, Jackie Williams and Kyle Smith, are to be commended. They did their research and produced a comprehensive document, declaring that the proposed ordinance would improve safety, save tax dollars, and save animals. To combat any residual breed hysteria that may still exist, they cite a scientific study that found pit bull terriers and other suspect breeds, such as Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers, are no more aggressive than Golden Retrievers.

I hope the city council does the right thing and passes the new ordinance tomorrow night. Change.org readers can help by sending the city councilmembers an email, politely asking them to support this initiative. Maybe the capitol of Kansas can serve as a shining example of reason to other cities like Denver and Aurora who still discriminate against dog breeds. Let's help stop the pit bull witch hunt.

Photo Credit: Katie Barnett, Arturo, a pit bull type dog rescued from Topeka