should people with a criminal record be allowed to have pets like pit bulls,rotwillers or poisonous snakes?

Answer 1

Depends on the crime. If the person's offense was violent, then I'd prohibit them from having pets that are dangerous.

Answer 2

Yes, under certain conditions. Just as I know for a fact that practically any vicious dog can be rehabilitated (I've done it over and over as a "pit bull" rescuer and therapy dog trainer/handler), I do believe that people can and do change.

But animal ownership should not be taken lightly. Regardless the breed, these are sentiment beings, living creatures that think, feel pain, and suffer emotionally just like us. It's not a matter of breed but of pet ownership in general and the fact that dogs of all breeds (along with venemous snakes) can be dangerous to the public when in the wrong hands.

It is perfectly natural for parents, rescuers, and ethical breeders to be concerned about the safety of their children and animals. At the same time, I would like to encourage everyone from all walks of life - animal abusers included - to make a fresh start. I will hold their past an indication of my foster babies' future safety until they prove to me that they've changed.

People with criminal records can show their compassion by volunteering for the local shelters or rescues. They can spend time with pets, possibly even foster - at the very least, they can save lives by raising funds. Former criminals pretty much all have one thing in common with abused "pit bulls" and many rescued dogs in general - a hard start in life, for whatever reason. If they're willing to get out there and make changes for the better, then they've shown amazing initiative, responsibility, compassion, and the courage to change. Under these circumstances, yes, they should be allowed to have whatever pets they choose, but there should be a mandatory training level for their dogs (eg: the AKC Canine Good Citizen test) demonstrating responsible ownership.

Answer 3

I don't see the relationship between a convicted shoplifter and his unsuitability to own a dog of ANY breed.

The logic does not fit into the reality of the situation you my be imagining. A more appropriate consideration would be to tie in an ex felon's future to his likelyhood of repeating his crime, or something similar.

Should a convicted drunk driver be allowed to own a car?

Should a child molester be allowed to work in an arcade?

Should an embezzler be allowed to work in a bank?

So, back to your question, the connection could be better made by asking if people with a record of violent assaults be allowed to have pets like rotwielers?

The debate could easily, and appropriatly follow about whether the dog breed is inherently violent or is it the treatment by the owner. I may still not agree with the concept behind the question, but I may be more willing to debate the finer points. Such as, I may offer that a person prone to pass on violent tendencies to a dog could do that just as easily to a German shepherd, or a great Dane, or a St. Bernard, or any other potentially dangerous dog.

Answer 4

I don't know about poisonous snakes, but there is no harm in having a pet. Dogs are great, NO MATTER THE BREED!!

Say this criminal isn't allowed a pit bull or rottie, because ignorant people think these dogs are bad dogs, so they get a well respected German Shepard. If the criminal is as bad as people make him out to be, then that Shepard can be trained to be just a vicious as these so called bully breeds!

Pay attention people.... ITS NOT THE BREED, ITS THE TRAINING!!!

Answer 5

Yes, they've done their time and are now out. Why should they have to pay and pay and pay for the crimes they committed? What does the crime have to do with the creatures named? Unless it has something to do with animal cruelty, they should be allowed to have anything they want, given there is no law in the town where they live. Certain cities do not allow specific animals to be kept as pets including poisonous snakes, sometimes, you need special licensure which would automatically exclude some individuals from keeping such pets.

Answer 6

I dont think people with a history of animal abuse,child abuse,domestic abuse or any form of violent physical activities are fit to be pet owners but we live in America so they can....I belive anyone arrested and charged with dog fighting should NEVER be allowed to own ANY breed of dog again!!!!!! poisonious snakes are not pets anyway and should not be kept as such !!! the breeds you list are no different than any other breed in responsible hands...when will people stop trying to blame a breed and make the irresponsible owners pay for the deed?jail time and very heavy fines should be mandatory along with the dog being taken...

Answer 7

Yes, because you can train ANY dog to be agressive, it has nothing to do with pits and rotts. Plus, a simple criminal record does not make anyone a bad person. This is the United States--we have at least a little shred of freedom left.

Answer 8

Criminal Record Search Database : http://www.SearchVerifyInfos.com/Support

Answer 9

Which police state do you want to live in?

I mean, besides the one that allows chicks to have cute names like, "Sammy". I'd rather live next to an ex con whose done his time and owns a snake than to live next to a perpetual cheer leader who wants to curtail people's liberties without ever having had a single thought sully her brain.

Answer 10

a dog can be trained to be a guard dog or a family dog, but if the criminal record is of animal abuse, then no, because no one ever changes.