Alderman James Romlein
James Romlein is running for his second term as the 9th District Alderman. Here are his comments on proposed Breed Discriminatory Legislation in Watertown.
What is your position on the issue of controlling certain breeds of dogs in the community as a safety measure?
This is an easy question for me. I see dogs and all animals in the city like I see other possessions of city residents. If we have a series of drunk driving fatalities, we don't legislate a ban on automobiles, and heaven forbid, if we have a stray Rhode Island Red loose on the streets we don't single out chickens for special action.
I believe that the actions of dogs are the responsibility of their owners and we should hold the pet owners accountable for actions of their pets. With liberties there are responsibilities. Often there is an attempt to legislate the tool since it is easier than confronting the tool holder. In the well known Commandment "Thou shall not kill," the responsibility rest with "Thou." If the commandment were to read "Thou shall not kill with a chicken, pit bull dog, or gun" then we could have some reason to follow a different legislative course. In short, make the pet holder responsible for the actions of their pets, then the legislation will be applicable for all pets, even those pesky Rhode Island Reds.
(reprinted from the Watertown Daily Times, Saturday March 23, 2013)
What is your position on the issue of controlling certain breeds of dogs in the community as a safety measure?
This is an easy question for me. I see dogs and all animals in the city like I see other possessions of city residents. If we have a series of drunk driving fatalities, we don't legislate a ban on automobiles, and heaven forbid, if we have a stray Rhode Island Red loose on the streets we don't single out chickens for special action.
I believe that the actions of dogs are the responsibility of their owners and we should hold the pet owners accountable for actions of their pets. With liberties there are responsibilities. Often there is an attempt to legislate the tool since it is easier than confronting the tool holder. In the well known Commandment "Thou shall not kill," the responsibility rest with "Thou." If the commandment were to read "Thou shall not kill with a chicken, pit bull dog, or gun" then we could have some reason to follow a different legislative course. In short, make the pet holder responsible for the actions of their pets, then the legislation will be applicable for all pets, even those pesky Rhode Island Reds.
(reprinted from the Watertown Daily Times, Saturday March 23, 2013)
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