The O-HELL-O Supreme Court

In an unbelievable move today, the Ohio Supreme court rendered their decision in the Tellings v. Toledo case. Their decision has dog owners across the USA stunned in disbelief as they decided against Tellings and supported Toledo.

I have never in my life seen such a display of ignorance by a State level Supreme Court. Back in April when the case was presented to the Justices I, like hundreds of you, sat and listened to testimony. While Tellings' attorney was lacking in knowledge regarding the dogs, Justice O'Conner seemed to not only understand arguments, but greatly assisted our side in presenting arguments against another Justice. After all was said and done, I spoke with some very well-respected fellow BSL fighters and we all felt good about the case and its out come.

Then some 3 months later we were shot down. Shocking-- given the evidence, prior court cases. Heck, they had ruled in 2 other cases that non-pit bull specific that laws based on a breed were unconstitutional. So why the change? All of the scientific evidence supports our position, all of the national canine organizations support our position, there are several cases that support our position. What is wrong with the O-HELL-O Supreme court?

As for Justice O'Conner, I have a complete lack of respect for her now. Justice Maureen O'Connor concurred in judgment only, and entered a separate opinion expressing her "disapproval" of the provision of state law classifying all pit bulls as "vicious dogs." She wrote that data cited by the trial court regarding pit bull attacks did not reflect inherent violent characteristics of the breed but rather arose from deliberate efforts by some owners, including drug dealers, to increase a dog's aggression and lethal-ness through abuse or aberrant training."

What is that? If you stand against something, don't believe it to be right, why would you vote for it? Very disappointing.

If you would like to read the written decision you can by clicking here