Hays City, KS: BSL proposed

Hays City Commission meets to discuss the proposed ordinance (below) tonight, 11/5, at 6:30 PM.

Previous alerts for Hays City: http://stopbsl.com/?s=hays+city

City Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 490, Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-7320
Fax: (785) 628-7323

Ron Mellick, Mayor of Hays
rdcc@swbell.net

Christopher Channell, Vice Mayor
cchannell@media-net.net

Barbara K. Wasinger
barbwasinger@ruraltel.net

Troy Hickman
troy.hickman@hotmail.com

Henry Schwaller IV
hschwaller4@yahoo.com

http://www.hdnews.net/Story/city110409

Commission going to the dogs

By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net

Pit bulls still might be allowed within city limits, but owners soon could face stricter restrictions for keeping the particular breed.

When the Hays City Commission meets for a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, it will consider an amended dog ordinance that automatically classifies pit bulls as “dangerous.”

“It’s not a ban,” City Manager Toby Dougherty said. “The commission was reluctant to enact a ban the last time they discussed it, but they did recognize that there was a need for possibly some further regulations other than what we have right now.”

This distinction would require pit bull owners to take additional precautions, such as providing the dog with an identification microchip, keeping the animals in secure confinement areas, and strict leash and muzzle requirements. Owners would be required to obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000.

If these guidelines are not adhered to, the dog could be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner could be fined or lose the license required to keep the pet in town.

Currently, dogs can be deemed “dangerous” only in court, usually following a biting incident or behavior issue. Dogs with a known propensity to attack or those trained for dog fighting also fall into this category.

This standard still would apply, but pit bulls would be the first breed automatically deemed dangerous. The ordinance lists several breeds of dogs commonly identified as a pit bull.

Another amendment would impose stricter penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals annually by March 1. The delinquency fine would increase from $1 to $10 per month, with a maximum $50 fine.

The issue of regulating pit bulls in city limits surfaced in April after a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog, which was on a walk with its 10-year-old owner.

The proposed ordinance: http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/3506971/pitbullrdinance.pdf

Dangerous dog means:

5) Any “Pit Bull Dog” which is defined as any and all of the following dogs:

a) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog;

b) The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;

c) The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;

d) Any other breed commonly known as Pit Bull, Pit Bull Dog, or Pit Bull Terrier;

e) Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.

Goshen, IN: Elkhart may be role model for animal control laws (whispers of BSL)

City council meets at Council Chambers, 111 E. Jefferson St., Goshen, IN. Next city council meetings: 7:00 PM on November 17 and December 1.

Contact info for city officials:

Mayor Allan Kauffman
202 S. 5th St., Goshen, Indiana 46528
Phone:(work) 574-533-9322
Fax: 574-533-3074
Email: allankauffman@goshencity.com

DISTRICT 1, Precincts: 2,4,7,24,114
Darryl Riegsecker
704 Reliance Road, Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 533-6248
Email: djrindiana@verizon.net

DISTRICT 2, Precincts: 1,6,16
Harlan E. “Chic” Lantz
807 W. Plymouth Ave., Goshen, IN 46526-2609
Phone: 533-0160
Email: chiclantz@verizon.net

DISTRICT 3, Precincts: 3,5,17
Dixie Robinson
1106 Highland Dr., Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: 533-4495

DISTRICT 4, Precincts 8,10,13
Julia A. Gautsche
601 S. 7th St., Goshen, IN 46526-4013
Phone: 533-0778
Email: jgautsche@hotmail.com

DISTRICT 5, Precincts: 11,12,14,15,19
Everett J. Thomas
1817 Woodgate Dr., Goshen, IN 46526-6456
Phone: 533-6143
Fax: 535-6050
Email: EvBarbThomas@aol.com

COUNCIL AT LARGE
Thomas Stump
823 S. 7th St., Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 533-8400

COUNCIL AT LARGE
Jeremy Stutsman
212 W. Jackson St., Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 533-0845
Email: stutsmancouncil@verizon.net

http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?id=497423

Elkhart may be Goshen’s role model when it comes to animal control laws

Published: 11/4/2009 12:00:00 AM
Last Updated: 11/3/2009 11:41:06 PM
By: Josh Weinhold
Elkhart Truth

[Irrelevant text elided]

GOSHEN WILL WAIT AND SEE

The topic of a dangerous animal ordinance came up in discussion among Goshen City Council members Tuesday evening, but the group decided to gather more information and take a wait-and-see approach.

Julia Gautsche brought up the topic, saying “our animal ordinance isn’t, I don’t think, real up to date.”

Tom Stump pointed out there is an ordinance against animals running loose and asked Gautsche what she meant by dangerous animals.

Chic Lantz chimed in, saying he considers pit bulls dangerous, pointing out the scars his granddaughter has from an attack by a pit bull a decade ago. “You become more compassionate when it happens in your own family,” he said.

Stump, though, argued pit bulls are only dangerous when they’re trained to act aggressive.

Gautsche said any ordinance from Goshen shouldn’t focus on a breed but on dangerous behavior.

Everett Thomas suggested before the council spends much time on crafting an ordinance, it needs to see how much of a problem it is by getting data from the police department and the Humane Society of Elkhart County, which handles animal control for the city.

Mayor Allan Kauffman said dangerous animals are a problem.

“There are some neighborhoods in town where people are afraid to walk around outside,” he said.

He suggested, though, that the council may want to see what Elkhart decides “and then modify it for our use.”

Stump agreed with that sentiment. He also argued, “If you’re going to pass a law against dangerous dogs, you ought to pass a law against dangerous people who train them, too.”

Elkhart County, IN: Animal control ordinance revision proposed (not BSL)

**Not to be confused with the city of Elkhart, IN where a “pit bull” ban has just been proposed.**

Although this article references “restrictions on dangerous breeds of dogs,” the actual proposed ordinance at the link provided does NOT reference specific breeds, nor does it appear to be breed-specific in any way.

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/69122182.html

Elkhart Co. working on proposed animal ordinance

Posted: 12:58 PM Nov 4, 2009

Elkhart County is working on a proposed animal ordinance which would increase restrictions on dangerous breeds of dogs.

According to our reporting partners at the Elkhart Truth, you could keep your dog if it bit or attacked someone, but it would cost big bucks.

In order to get a dog back after an attack, you would have to pay a $500 “dangerous animal” registration fee, get $300,000 in liability insurance in case it attacks again, and confine the dog to your home or a secure kennel.

The ordinance also mandates that people clean up after their dogs, owners can’t leave an animal inside their car when the weather constitutes a health hazard, and you would not be able to transport a pet in an unenclosed truck bed.

You can have your say on the proposed animal ordinance on Tuesday at 6:00 pm in the Elkhart County Public Services building in Goshen.

To look at the complete ordinance, click here.

As further evidence of poor reporting on the part of WNDU, see the original article, cited as a source of WNDU’s article, at the Elkhart Truth: http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?id=497435

The proposal, however, does not ban pit bulls or otherwise single out any specific breed for particular treatment, as do some ordinances around the country.

“The thinking was that a dangerous animal is a dangerous animal and that can be any breed,” said Byers. Dangerous animals, under the proposal, include critters that have bitten, attacked or attempted to attack people without provocation and animals that have attacked other animals while off their owner’s property.

Elkhart, IN: Pit bull ban proposed

**Not to be confused with Elkhart County, IN**

On Nov. 2, Elkhart, IN city council was presented with the first draft of a proposed animal control ordinance that bans “pit bull” type dogs from the city.

Read the proposed ordinance here: http://www.elkhartindiana.org/egov/docs/1256847720_300140.pdf

Most relevant points of the ordinance are as follows:

(c) “American Pit Bull Terrier” means any dog or crossbreed of dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics that:

(i) Substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers; or

(ii) Substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club (U.K.C.) for American Pit Bull Terriers; or

(iii) Substantially conform to the standards established by the American Dog Breeder’s Association (A.D.B.A.) for American Pit Bull Terriers.

Technical deficiencies in the dog’s conformance to the standards established by the A.K.C., U.K.C., and A.D.B.A, for American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or American Pit Bull Terriers shall not be construed so that the subject dog is not considered an American Pit Bull Terrier.

Section 8. American Pit Bull Terriers.

(a) Except as provided in Subsection 8(b), it shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, maintain, or harbor on any property within the corporate boundaries of the City any American Pit Bull Terriers. The Animal Control Officer shall impound and dispose of any American Pit Bull Terriers found within the corporate boundaries of the City.

(b) A person may own, possess, maintain, or harbor within the corporate boundaries of the City an American Pit Bull Terrier if:

(i) Within 180 days of the effective date of this Ordinance, the person who owns, possesses, maintains or harbors an American Pit Bull Terrier properly licenses such dog as a vicious or dangerous animal under this Ordinance;

and (ii) complies with all the requirements in this Ordinance for maintaining or harboring a vicious or dangerous animal.

Contact info for City of Elkhart officials:

Mayor Dick Moore
Municipal Building, 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516
Telephone Number: (574) 294-5471 ext. 240
Fax Number: (574) 293-7964

City Clerk Sue Beadle
229 S. Second Street, 3rd Floor, Elkhart, IN 46516
Telephone Number: (574) 522-5272
Fax Number: (574) 296-9811
sue.beadle@coei.org

1st District Councilman Dave Osborne
1102 McPherson St., Elkhart, IN 46514

2nd District Councilman Brian A. Thomas
914 Strong Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514

3rd District Councilman David E. Henke
1752 Crabtree Ln., Elkhart, IN 46514

4th District Councilman Ron Troyer
1105 Princeton Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516

5th District Councilman Brent Curry
2312 Hawthorne Dr., Elkhart, IN 46516

6th District Councilman Tonda Hines
710 S. Ninth St., Elkhart, IN 46516

At-Large Councilwoman Mary M. Olson
1632 Brookstone Ct., Elkhart, IN 46514

At-Large Councilman Ralph Bean
1135 Kenmore Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514

At-Large Councilman Rod Roberson
146 Los Angeles Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516

E-mail addresses for city council:
dave.osborne@coei.org; brian.thomas@coei.org; david.henke@coei.org; ron.troyer@coei.org; brent.curry@coei.org; thines@elkhart.k12.in.us; mary.olson@coei.org; ralph.bean@coei.org; rodregina@comcast.net

Previous alerts for Elkhart: http://stopbsl.com/?s=elkhart

Independence, KY: Dog law stiffened in Kentucky town (not BSL)

Independence rejected breed-specific legislation. Previous alerts for Independence: http://stopbsl.com/?s=independence

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/bizarre/6700432.html

Dog law stiffened in Kentucky town

Associated Press
Nov. 3, 2009, 8:56AM

INDEPENDENCE, Ky. — Dogs will no longer get a “free bite” in Independence.

Officials in the northern Kentucky city put more teeth into the animal control ordinance on Monday by removing a provision that a dog couldn’t be declared vicious until after it bit someone.

The Kentucky Enquirer reported City Attorney Jed Deters said officers can now issue citations and the court will determine if the animal is vicious.

The new ordinance doesn’t specify any breed, but comes after complaints that pedestrians had taken to carrying sticks and, in one case, a gun because of two pit bull dogs that had run loose and had reportedly attacked people.

The reworked law also now bars people keeping exotic or wild animals. A baboon was removed from a home in Independence last month under a Kenton County law.

Roseville, CA: Placer SPCA offers spay/neuter vouchers for pit bulls in November

http://auburnjournal.com/detail/133969.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=

Placer SPCA offers spay, neuter vouchers for pitbulls

Responsible ownership key to good behavior, experts say

By Jenifer Gee Journal Staff Writer

In an effort to encourage responsible pet parenting, a Placer animal shelter is offering free birth control.

For the month of November, the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering free spay and neuter surgery vouchers for pitbull and pitbull mix pets.

Leilani Vierra, CEO of Placer SPCA, said that the number of bully breed dogs in the Roseville shelter – and shelters nationwide – is “disproportionally higher” than other animals.

The shelter asked for a grant to target pitbull and pitbull mix dogs as well as cats but said the grant comes at good time given a recent pitbull attack in Downtown Auburn.

“With everyone talking about it in the Auburn community, we wanted to focus on responsible pet ownership,” Vierra said. “For us, as it relates to cats and dogs, that means spaying and neutering all animals.”

In September, a 17-year-old Weimar teen was attacked and severely injured by four pitbulls in a parking lot off of Lincoln Way.

The attack sparked a debate as to whether a dog’s breed or its owner is to blame for aggressive pet behavior.

Vierra and Mike Winters, program manager of Placer County Animal Services, both said they believe pet behavior is based on the kind of care it receives from its owner.

He pointed out that pitbulls have a history of being friendly to humans.

“I think it’s the people that are essentially the problem,” Winters said. “The pitbull itself has a potential to perhaps be more aggressive toward other dogs in its history, but not toward human beings.

“What you’re seeing now are bad characteristics being bred into them.”

Vierra said that shelters everywhere are noticing a large amount of pitbull and pitbull mixes in their centers because of the popularity of the breed at this time.

She said she’s noticed trends in dog popularity throughout the years. In the 1970s, cocker spaniels filled shelters and later on German shepherds and doberman pinschers were breeds produced in large numbers.

While Vierra said the pitbull adoption numbers have not fluctuated too much over recent months, Winters said public perception can be swayed by stories or films.

He said when movies like “101 Dalmatians” were in theaters, those kinds of dogs were adopted quickly.

With news of the attacks in Downtown, Winters said sometimes it can make it difficult to adopt out well-behaved pitbulls and pitbull mixes.

“We screen our animals on their individual behavior and not by breed,” Winters said. “We could have a very nice, very friendly pitbull (to adopt) but that becomes difficult when bite cases involving pitbulls are in the paper.”

Vierra added that spaying and neutering a companion animal is only one element of pet ownership.

She said pet owners should also immerse their pet in ongoing socialization, exercise, obedience training and microchipping. She added that pet owners should not let their dogs or cats roam free and should make sure they have regular veterinary care and vaccinations.

What Vierra and Winters both said is important is for pet owners to thoroughly research the type of dog they want to adopt and consult a behavior specialist about the particular animal they’re interested in taking home.

“We evaluate all animals’ behaviors before they are placed up for adoption,” Vierra said. “We want to make sure people are matched with an animal that meets their criteria.”

Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.

———-

Free spay and neuter

The Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering free spay and neuter surgery vouchers to pitbull and pitbull mix owners for the month of November. There are reduced-cost vouchers to spay and neuter cats and rabbits.

For more information, call Placer SPCA at (916) 782-7722 ext. 201 or apply online at placerspca.org

Mobridge, SD: Council resurrects the dog ordinance (BSL proposed)

Crossposted from BSL Updates

City of Mobridge
City Hall, 114 1st Ave E, Mobridge, SD 57601-2604
(605) 845-3555
(605) 845-3521
FAX: 605-845-3309
steveg@westriv.com (City Administrator Steve Gasser)

Mayor – Kyle Jensen
Ward I – Thomas O’Connell
Ward I – Jamie Dietterle
Ward II – Dennis Wheeler
Ward II – Tony Yellow Boy
Ward III – Rick Godkin
Ward III – Gene Cox

City council meets at 6:30 PM on the first and third Monday of each month. Next city council meeting: Nov. 16, 6:30 PM.

Previous alerts for Mobridge: http://stopbsl.com/?s=mobridge

http://www.mobridgetribune.com/articles/2009/10/23/local_news/news01.txt

Council resurrects the dog ordinance

By Katie Zerr
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 4:03 PM CDT

Ongoing problems in the city were the focus of the Mobridge City Council Monday, Oct. 19, as the dog ordinance was resurrected and nuisance properties discussed.

[Irrelevant text elided]

Dog Ordinance

Jensen told the council he had put the first reading of Ordinance 881 (concerning pets), that died for lack of majority at the Oct. 5 meeting, back on the agenda.

“We started this discussion a few months ago and gave to the Police Advisory Board. They put a lot of work into this,” he said. “We need to get something done on this.”

Councilman Tony Yellow Boy said he voted against the first reading because he disagreed with the requirement that a licensed veterinarian must administer the required vaccinations in order for an owner to be able to get a pet license in Mobridge.

The license specification was written into the ordinance to cover any legal action taken if an incident should occur. According to Cain and the PAB, if a licensed veterinarian does not inoculate a dog, the state veterinarian would not recognize the vaccinations as legal.

The requirement is for the city’s protection in a legal action.

Cox said his disagreement with the ordinance is that it only requires pit bull owners to adhere to the special requirements for ownership that includes a six-foot fence, with signage noting the presence of the dog and proof of $250,000 in liability insurance. He said other breeds should be included in those restrictions and that is why he voted against the first reading.

“What everybody is misunderstanding here is that this is just the first reading,” said Councilman Tom O’Connell. “Stopping this ordinance from moving on was just stupid.”

Cain told the group who had problems with the ordinance or with a specific paragraph of the ordinance should contact himself or Nehls.

“We will have the opportunity to make some changes and offer alternatives to the council,” he said.

In a vote on the first reading of the ordinance, the council approved it by a three to one vote, with Cox voting against the ordinance and Ward III Councilman Rick Godkin absent from the meeting.

[Irrelevant text elided]

–Katie Zer

London, England: Assembly member suggests adding breeds to ban

London assembly member and deputy mayor for policing Kit Malthouse has written an editorial suggesting that the Dangerous Dog Act (which bans four types of dogs) has failed because not enough breeds/types of dogs are included.

He points to the “success” of Ontario’s breed ban (I am not sure where he got data that indicates Ontario’s ban has been successful, since everything I’ve seen has indicated the opposite) and believes that all “bull breeds” and their derivatives need to be included in the UK’s ban. He specifically names the Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier in his editorial. It’s not clear whether he realizes that “bull breed” derivatives also include breeds like the Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and the Boxer.

Read the editorial and see what you think Kit Malthouse is suggesting. Full editorial is here:
Muzzles are not enough: Dogs are weapons
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6898663.ece

Contact information for Kit Malthouse:
GLA
City Hall
The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 2AA

Telephone: 020 7983 4099
Email: kit.malthouse@london.gov.uk

 

Kingston, NY: Free training available for pit bulls, owners

Free training means a safer community. I’m not sure what the article means when it says the free training is for ”young people.”

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/10/30/news/doc4aea6ca8d5f8d291246174.txt

Free training available for pit bulls, owners

Published: Friday, October 30, 2009
By ARIEL ZANGLA
Freeman staff

KINGSTON — Starting Monday, young people in the city who own pit bulls can take part in a free training program geared at teaching the dogs basic manners and the owners responsibility.

Called “Train-A-Bull,” the program was put together by Merle Borenstein, the owner of the Armadillo Bar & Grill on Abeel Street. She said she wanted to offer the training as a way to keep the dogs in their homes instead of in a shelter where they might not get adopted. Borenstein said many young people are attracted to these dogs but, for many reasons, do not train them.

“The goal is to train these dogs and develop a relationship between the owners and these dogs that will last a lifetime,” Borenstein said. She said the training would teach the dogs basic commands, such as “sit” and “stay,” and show the owners how to handle their canine companions.

Borenstein, who has two Mastiff mix-breed dogs named Tank and Sunny, said she is providing the financial backing for the training program and that Kate Fraser of Kingston is volunteering her time as trainer. Fraser has worked with pit bull-type dogs for 11 years and trains shelter and rescue dogs, Borenstein said.

Additionally, the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church has agreed to allow the training to take place in its building, Borenstein said. She said she would pay the utility costs for the church and is working under the auspices of the Paws Unlimited Shelter to provide insurance.

Participants in the program will undergo different levels of training and graduation, Borenstein said. She said the training will include opportunities for the dogs and their owners to compete in friendly sports.

Free rabies vaccinations, which will be administered by a volunteer veterinarian, and free spaying and neutering also will be available for owners who desire those services, Borenstein said. She said she also will provide proper collars and leashes and any other materials needed for the training.

Borenstein said all participants who finish the course will receive gift cards or gift certificates.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Kingston Police Chief Gerald Keller said of the training. He said his department supports the program and believes it is important for both the dogs and their owners, no matter what breed the dog is.

City Dog Warden Shaun MacCreery also supports the program. He said he owns two pit bulls and has four such dogs in the city kennel waiting for adoption. MacCreery said there is an overpopulation of pit bulls in the city, many of which are unlicensed, but that he gets no more complaints about that breed than any other type of dog.

Borenstein said pit bulls have gone from being a family dog to having an undeserved bad reputation.

Keller said his department has not gotten many pit bull complaints, though there was a recent incident in which two boys were bitten by two pit bulls after they entered their relative’s home while she was away. The woman was charged with not having the dogs licensed.

The chief noted there was a movement many years ago by some local officials to ban pit bulls in the city but that an outcry from the public quashed the plan.

Train-A-Bull will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. the next six Mondays at the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church, which is at 122 Clinton Ave. in Midtown Kingston.

The training is free. To sign up, call (845) 399-6136.

Nov. 3 is Election Day

Don’t forget to vote!

Our lawmakers, who decide whether or not to pass breed-specific legislation, are elected to positions of power by “we the people.”

 

Although this is an off-year for many of us, some areas are voting lawmakers in and out of office.

Do you know where your local lawmakers stand on BSL? Are they up for re-election this year?
Do you know what issues are being voted on this year?

The method for getting the answers to these questions is a little bit different from place to place, but you can almost always get a starting point with a simple Google query like “2009 elections [your state]“.

You may need to personally call or e-mail incumbents and their opponents to find out whether they support BSL; this issue isn’t usually covered in standard media interviews.

Feel free to post your lawmakers’ feelings about BSL here (don’t forget to include their name and location).