White County, TN: Whispers of BSL

Steering Committee B meets at 5:30 p.m., the second Monday of each month, at White County Courthouse. The next meeting will be Aug. 10, 2009.

Gary Dodson, White County attorney
8 West Bockman Way, Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: (931) 836-1010
Fax: (931) 836-1110
Email: gwdodson@blomand.net

White County Board of Commissioners contact information:

Bruce Null
17566 Old Kentucky Road, Walling, TN 38587

Jerry D. Denton
10189 McMinnville Highway, Quebeck, TN 38579

Dewayne Howard
2309 Smithville Highway, Sparta, TN 38583

Jerry E. Austin
3377 Old Bon Air Road, Sparta, TN 38583

Hank D. Clark
645 Betty Lane, Sparta, TN 38583

Marion Bumbalough
2752 Franks Ferry Road, Sparta, TN 38583

Wallace G. Austin
16 W. Brockman Way, Sparta, TN 38583
Email: waustin@blomand.net

Richard L. Lane
322 Mount View Drive, Sparta, TN 38583

Terry Alley
119 Hampton Drive, Sparta, TN 38583
Email: talley3855@yahoo.com

Betty S. Bohannon
8282 Crossville Highway, Sparta, TN 38583

Andy Alley
1933 Blue Springs Road, Sparta, TN 38583

B. K. Luna
332 North Spring Street,Sparta, TN 38583

Joe B. England
175 England Circle, Sparta, TN 38583

Denny W. Robinson
206 N. Spring Street, Sparta, TN 38583
Email: dennywayne@charter.net

http://www.spartaexpositor.com/articles/2009/07/16/news/doc4a5f2c2a7d2e1504622941.txt

County ban on ‘pit bulls’?

Sheriff makes request

By Kim Swindell Wood, Editor
kim@myspartanews.com
Published: Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:47 AM

Incidents ranging from a deputy being bitten in the thigh to other officers being confronted by canines tied up at the entrances of residences belonging to alleged law violators has prompted Sheriff Oddie Shoupe to ask for a ban on ‘pit bull’ dogs in the county.

Shoupe addressed members of Steering Committee B, of White County Board of Commissioners, during a Monday night meeting. Shoupe said the breed of dogs commonly referred to as pit bulls are presenting safety issues not only for his officers, but also for the public.

“Most of these drug dealers are taking these pit bulls and using them to let them know we’re coming, and they have used them against my officers,” said Shoupe. “I think it’s time we started fighting back.”

City of Sparta passed an ordinance in August 2005 banning “pit bulls.” The dogs described include:

•Bull terrier breed of dog, Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dog

•American pit bull terrier breed of dog

•American Staffordshire terrier breed of dogs

•Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds than above listed which breed or mixed breed is known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers; and

•Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers; or a combination of any of these breeds.

Stringent restrictions apply to individuals who already owned ‘pit bulls’ at the time the ordinance was passed.

Shoupe said some insurance companies have clauses that require a property owner to list specific dogs on his/her policy. If these animals are not listed, then the insurance company is not responsible for injuries caused by these animals. Shoupe said some of these breeds include doberman, pit bull mixes, German shepherd and rottweiller.

Richard Lane made a motion to have Gary Dodson, attorney for White County, to research the legality of the county implementing a ban on ‘pit bull’ breeds. The motion was seconded and will be sent to the full court for approval, contingent on Dodson’s legal findings.

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Steering Committee B meets at 5:30 p.m., the second Monday of each month, at White County Courthouse. The next meeting will be Aug. 10, 2009.