Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Landmark1st amendment case


An Ohio court ruled today that barking and hissing at an attack dog is not protected free speech.

MASON, Ohio, July 24 (UPI) -- A judge has ruled that barking and hissing are not protected by the First Amendment.

Mason, Ohio, Judge Andrew Batsche ruled Friday that when Ryan Stephens barked and hissed at a police dog in April, he was not protected by a constitutional right, The Cincinnati Inquirer reported.

Yes, but what about barking in a crowded theater? The best part of this story is how the man actually had the nerve to blame the dog...

"Even if there was a communicative value to the defendant's barking and hissing, it is clear that this ordinance is directed toward prohibited conduct and impairment of a First Amendment right is incidental," Batsche wrote.

Stephens claimed "the dog started it," police reports said.


I disagree with the judge's ruling and I'd like to submit this scene as evidence...

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