Menino pledges strict pit bull muzzle law

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BOSTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The mayor of Boston vowed to revive a city pit bull muzzling law after police shot one of two loose pit bulls that were terrorizing part of the city.

The city's pit bull control law will be nixed next month when a state law takes effect that bans breed-specific legislation, The Boston Herald reported.

"We're going to continue to press for legislation that will deal with the issues of putting pit bulls in the city of Boston. ... They do need a special law. ... Pit bulls have that little strain in them that are vicious," Mayor Thomas M. Menino said Saturday.

The mayor's comments came a day after two pit bulls escaped from an East Boston apartment. It was not reported how the dogs escaped or what they did while on the loose, but one of the dog was shot by a police officer and the other was corralled by other officers.

Backers of the new law against breed-specific legislation argue Boston's pit bull muzzle rule has not reduced dog bites.

"The ordinance is still in place and didn't prevent this incident. Breed-specific ordinances don't work," Kara Holmquit, the MSPCA's director of advocacy, said of Friday's incident. "To truly prevent dog bites, a comprehensive dangerous dog law that is well-enforced needs to be embraced."

Meanwhile, lawmakers in favor of special rules for pit bulls say the dogs are more dangerous because of their breeding.

"I get that poodles bite. But if a poodle or beagle bites me, I can defend myself," said City Councilor Robert Consalvo. "A pit bull's a much more aggressive attack."