Tuttle boy attacked by pit bull dog

The Tuttle Times
May 04, 2007

TUTTLE — After another pit bull attack on an innocent child, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft said the citizens of Oklahoma should decide whether these dangerous dogs live in their areas.

The face of three-year old Larry Williams, of Tuttle, is now covered with bruising and stitches after he was attacked over the weekend by a neighbor's pit bull while playing outside.

Williams was attacked by a neighbor’s dog on Sunday afternoon. The dog was restrained with a six-foot chain, but attacked the toddler when he approached it.

"As I have continued to say over and over again, legislators need to step up to the plate and do something about these dangerous dogs before another Oklahoman falls prey to these vicious dogs," said Wesselhoft, R-Moore. "It is time they stop ignoring the proof right in front of them."

Wesselhoft has continued to fight to protect citizens from dog attacks.

One motivation has been the increase in attacks over the years. Wesselhoft became engaged in the issue after four-year old Cody Yelton of Moore lost his arm after a pit bull attack when the boy allegedly tried to pet the animal.

This year Wesselhoft filed House Bill 1082, which would have returned the right to outlaw certain dogs to cities and towns.

It would have also given county governments the authority to approve ordinances regulating dangerous dogs considered a public health risk. The bill never made it to the House floor for a hearing.

In 2006, Wesselhoft introduced House Bill 2658, which would have essentially banned pit bulldogs from Oklahoma and created a statewide registry of pit bulls, imposing reporting duties on pit bull owners, and placing additional burdens on pit bull owners.

A statewide survey conducted in August 2005 by the polling firm Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates found that a 55 percent majority of Oklahomans favor a pit bull ban, as opposed to a 35 percent minority who don't.

The Moore Republican plans to file legislation next year to allow voters the chance to decide if cities should have the authority to restrict what types of dogs may live in an area.

"The people need to have a voice in this decision-it is their loved ones being harmed," sad Wesselhoft. "I hope my fellow members support this effort. This is not banning any type of dog but allowing the people to make the decision on what is in their best interest. Lawmakers should want to keep the citizens safety as number one priority.”