From ANIMAL PEOPLE, May 2005:

Bob Carr, prime minister of New South Wales state,
Australia, announced on May 3, 2005 that his government will
introduce mandatory sterilization of all pit bull terriers, American
pit bulls, Japanese tosas, Fila Brasieros, and Dogo Argentinos.
“If you are thinking of getting a pit bull, don’t,” commented Royal
SPCA of NSW chief executive Bernie Murphy to Gerard Noonan and Bonnie
Malkin of the Sydney Morning Herald. “These are fighting dogs. They
are totally inappropriate animals to have in a residential community.”
The Connecticut House of Represent-atives on May 4, 2005
approved a bill to bar insurers from refusing to cover specific
breeds of dog, 77-70–a surprising upset in “The Insurance State.”
The state capitol in Hartford is within blocks of the head offices of
several of the largest insurance firms in the world. “The bill does
allow insurers to use breed when underwriting a homeowner’s or
renter’s policy,” explained Susan Haigh of Associated Press.
“Insurers could require owners of particular breeds to have their
dogs neutered or take them to obedience training.”

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, May 2005:

SAN FRANCISCO–The California First District Court of Appeal
on May 5, 2005 reinstated the March 2002 second degree murder
conviction by jury of former San Francisco attorney Marjorie Knoller,
49, for the January 2001 fatal mauling of neighbor Diane Whipple,
after Knoller lost control of two Presa Canario dogs in the hall of
the apartment house where both lived. The jury also convicted
Knoller, and her husband and law partner Robert Noel, 63, of
involuntary manslaughter. Knoller and Noel both drew four-year
prison sentences. Both are now out on parole.
Trial judge James Warren of the San Francisco Superior Court,
threw out the second degree murder conviction. The appellate court
said he erred.
“Justice James Lambden, writing for a three-judge panel,
said Knoller knew that the dog who killed Whipple was a ‘frightening
and dangerous animal: huge, untrained, and bred to fight,”
summarized Associated Press legal writer David Kravets.
“The ruling could send Knoller to prison for 15 years to
life,” added San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Bob Egelko–after
all appeal possibilities are exhausted.

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