Sioux City representatives are a little loopy!

Crazy words from Councilman Jim Rixner out of Sioux City, Iowa:

"Pit bulls tend to become more dangerous as they age, especially in the last years of their life," Rixner stated. "Given the logic we keep spinning, the proposed ban, in fact, increases the risk of attack in the coming years."

I have heard many silly statements about pit bulls (and dogs, in general), but this has to be one of the sillier.

First, there is absolutely no evidentiary material to support the claim that any dog becomes "more dangerous", particularly in the "last years of their life." I mean, none. Zilch. Nada. If anything, older dogs have nubbier teeth, are slower-moving, and generally spend most of their time drooling, farting and, most importantly, sleeping. The geriatric pit bull with arthritis is hardly battle-ready for a terrorist campaign against the neighborhood.

Second, Rixner's use of the term "logic" should truly be preceded with "stupid" or "baseless" or "fallacious". It would thus make his statement true.

It is also creepy that Rixner and company are promoting turning on your friend, family or neighbor for having a dog who *looks* like a pit bull.

After that 60-day period, the city will start a campaign to encourage people to report pit bulls in their neighborhoods. Animal Control officers will follow up on those reports and would seize pit bulls that have not been registered and licensed. Those dogs would be euthanized.

Wow, glad my 9.5 year old pit bull and I live elsewhere, far, far away from Sioux City.

If you want to send polite correspondence or to inquire whether Rixner is actually serious about his claims, contact information is as follows.

As always, we welcome your phone calls and written correspondence. You may send letters by e-mail to the full Council-ccouncil@sioux-city.org or mail to City Hall, P.O. Box 447, 51102, or call 712-279-6102. Individual City Council contact information is as follows:

Mayor Mike Hobart
PO Box 447
Sioux City, IA 51102
ccouncil@sioux-city.org
712-899-6130 (cell)
712-258-1882 (home)

Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Rixner
PO Box 447
Sioux City, IA 51102
jwrx@aol.com
712-490-0245 (cell)
712-258-7855 (home)

Councilman Aaron Rochester
PO Box 447
Sioux City, IA 51102
impactaccounting@cableone.net
712-253-4547 (cell)
712-226-4675 (home)

Councilman Dave Ferris
PO Box 447
Sioux City, IA 51102
ccouncil@sioux-city.org
712-279-6136 (work)

Councilman Brent Hoffman
PO Box 447
Sioux City, IA 51102
www.siouxcitycommunity.com
brent.hoffman@att.net
712-251-5344 (cell)