Stop BSL

Previous stories on Fremont, OH: http://stopbsl.com/?s=Fremont%2C+OH

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20091016/NEWS01/910160307

Fremont council hears opinions on pit bulls

Police chief, dog advocates weigh in

BY LESLIE BIXLER • Staff writer • October 16, 2009

FREMONT — City hall was packed Thursday night to hear Fremont police Chief Tim Wiersma, Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates’ Jean Keating and Sandusky County’s deputy dog warden Gina Halbisen debate pit bulls.

Councilman James Melle, who is chairman of the laws, rules and ordinance committee, said before the meeting that the purpose was to gather information before considering any legislation.

“Let’s educate ourselves,” City Law Director Bob Hart said. “We’re here to listen to all points of view.”

Wiersma presented information on dog-related calls since 2005, which was requested on behalf of Mayor Terry Overmyer and council. He said there have been five pit bull attacks in each year. But there has also been other dog attacks with numerous other breeds, which have been more consistent and were in the range between 15 and 18 per year.

Councilman James Weaver asked if the pit bull attacks were to humans or other dogs, and Wiersma said both.

However, not all dog-related calls, which were fewer than 200 a year, were just bites or attacks, but also included dogs running loose and other minor incidents.

“We want safe communities and safety for our children. But we need to balance safety and the rights of a person to own what they want to own,” Keating said.

She said there have been roughly 30 human deaths a year by dogs. She went on to say that 84 people die a year from forklift injuries.

She stressed the importance of dog safety for children.

“We have had people killed in this country from Yorkshire Terriers,” she said.

Keating also said part of the problem is pit bulls get a bad reputation because of the media and people who can’t identify breeds.

“Every dog with a block (shaped) head and broad shoulders isn’t a pit bull,” she said.

She believes the heart of the problem is irresponsible owners.

Halbisen said in her 15 years of experience, she has seen a lot of irresponsible owners, and there have been pit bull attacks in the last few months.

“My job is to protect people of Sandusky County and the people of Fremont from vicious dogs,” she said. “Pit bull attacks are horrendous and nobody should have to go through that.”

She said she goes into the schools about six times a year to talk about dog safety and dog bites.

At another meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5, Ledy VanKavage, of the Best Friends Animal Society out of Illinois, will speak about pit bulls.

[Irrelevant text elided]