Sioux City councilman learns the hard way that pit bulls aren't the only dogs that bite people

The shoe is on the other foot for a Sioux City, Iowa, city councilman who spearheaded a campaign to ban pit bulls in the city.  Despite vocal opposition from defenders of the maligned breed, the ban passed a city council vote last September.  (It allows owners to keep pit bulls they currently own, provided they are registered with the city, but prevents future pit bull ownership.)

Now the councilman, Aaron Rochester, is appealing a decision by the Sioux City animal control department branding his own dog -- a yellow Labrador retriever -- as vicious following an attack on a neighbor.  The dog, named Jake, will be euthanized if the decision stands.

Sioux City police say Jake attacked a neighbor who was walking on the sidewalk past Rochester's house.  The man suffered bite wounds on his thumb, which required five stitches, and scratches as a result.  The hospital where he received treatment called police to report the incident, prompting animal control to seize and impound Jake.

Rochester says he believes the dog attacked in an effort to protect his children, telling the Sioux City Journal that he is "a great watchdog."  Sioux City's police captain is expected to make a decision on whether to uphold or overturn the vicious dog ruling by the end of the week.

The city's pit bull ban was buoyed by animal control reports cited by Rochester showing that pit bulls were the breed most apt to bite humans, the Journal reported. 

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: A pit bull waits for adoption at the Alameda County Animal Shelter in Oakland.  Credit: Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jason Collins]

Dear Aaron Rochester,

BREED BANS DON'T WORK! This is because there are no breeds that are more likely to bite than any other. You neighbor being bitten is 100% YOUR FAULT. You pushed this ban through which gave the citizens a false sense of security and your neighbor likely thought that because your Lab was not a Pit that he was safe.

Also, WHY, Mr. Councilman, was your dog off leash?

[M]

Aye. If you ban "pit bulls," then stupid people will just get another breed of dog. A German Shepherd, Doberman, Rottweiler, Husky or other type of dog can (and has) do just as much damage as a "pit bull."

I also like how they are acting like five stitches is no big deal, yet if a pit snapped at this man and didn't even break the skin, people would be clamoring for its death. What if this had been a child and it bit their face?

I wouldn't really be surprised if in the future we're only allowed to own small yappy dogs. Too many spineless morons out there who need the government to protect them from anything potentially "dangerous" out in the world.

[Susan]

"I wouldn't really be surprised if in the future we're only allowed to own small yappy dogs. Too many spineless morons out there who need the government to protect them from anything potentially "dangerous" out in the world."

Hear Hear! I have been thinking the same thing.

[karma]

Karma comes back for this idiot Rochester....

[Ross]

I wish I could say that karma was coming around to bite this idiot in the butt. But unfortunately, another dog must be euthanized because it's owner didn't have it under proper control.

[Adiopink]

In the Sioux City news today: Rochester's dog was stolen from Animal Control, where it was being held for euthanization... http://bit.ly/1iOW4n

[Chad Benson]

Interesting how some people use demeaning terms like "idiot" when they have never met this gentleman, and probably don't live in the area. Here's some advice. Don't believe everything you read in the newspaper as more often then not things are left out. Unfortunately in this city most owners of pit bulls have not trained their pets or properly socialized them. As a result of this most pit pulls here are very aggressive. On more than one occassion I have had pitbulls jump a fence and try to attack my small dog which was on a leash. Too bad we can't ban "stupid" and "irresonsible" people from owning dogs. That might solve the problem.