Monthly Archives: November 2009

Youngstown, OH: Results mixed in Youngstown’s pit bull ban

Posted on November 23, 2009 by | Comments Off

Unfortunately, this is another poorly researched, poorly reported news article that fails to address the bigger picture of non-pit-bull-related bites and lacks any hard numbers. Youngstown already had BSL in the form of Ohio’s vicious dog law (wherein all “pit bulls” must be treated as “vicious” dogs) before they instituted the ban.

Results mixed in Youngstown’s pit bull ban

Published: November 23. 2009 1:15AM

[...] The ban outlawed all pit bulls in the city that had not been registered in prior years.

The ban has had mixed results, Macejko said.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/23/09 from http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091123/NEWS02/311239966

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Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

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London, Ontario, Canada: Pit bull complaints still high (results of BSL)

Posted on November 22, 2009 by | 3 Comments

The article is poorly written, but the gist is this: stereotypes about ”pit bulls”–not any real behavior or incident–prompt the vast majority of calls to animal control about “pit bulls.” To quote the city environment director: “The issues with pit bulls do not support the number of investigations. But it’s the fear of pit bulls that’s still with us.”

The statistics provided by the article are relatively worthless in terms of assessing the ban’s effect on public safety, as they don’t cover overall dog population or dog bite trends–they are focused entirely on “pit bulls.”

And I have no idea why there’s a list of bullmastiff “facts” at the very end of the article, but I will try to find out.

Pit bull complaints still high

By PATRICK MALONEY

Last Updated: 21st November 2009, 3:47am

Four years after Ontario slapped a ban on new pit bulls, concerns about the squat, muscular dogs still prompt nearly one in every five animal complaints in London.

[...]“Over the last couple of years, the issues with pit bulls do not support the number of investigations. But it’s the fear of pit bulls that’s still with us,” [city environment director Jay Stanford] said yesterday.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/22/09 from http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2009/11/21/11848396-sun.html

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Posted in Canada, Results of BSL

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Fremont, OH update: Dog law discussion continues at council (BSL under consideration)

Posted on November 20, 2009 by | Comments Off

Previous alerts for Fremont: http://stopbsl.com/?s=fremont%2C+oh

Remember: Ohio state law already considers pit bulls to be “vicious” dogs, with special regulations for owners.

Dog law discussion continues at council

BY LESLIE BIXLER • Staff writer • November 20, 2009

FREMONT — No decision was made Thursday regarding pit bulls and other dog breeds in the city, but the consensus from residents and city officials is that owners should be responsible for their dogs.

Several residents voiced their opinions and talked about their experiences with pit bulls and other breeds during the laws, rules and ordinance committee meeting before City Council met. This was the third city discussion of the topic.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/20/09 from http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20091120/NEWS01/911200310

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Posted in Ohio, Whispers of BSL

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Prescott, AR: Pit bulls banned

Posted on November 20, 2009 by | Comments Off

Prescott, Ark.: Council:No pit bulls in town

By: Jim Williamson – Texarkana Gazette – Published: 11/20/2009

PRESCOTT, Ark.—[...] The council was going to consider the ordinance banning pit bull dogs in the December meeting, but decided to declare an emergency and approved the ordinance Monday night.

Full article retrieved 11/20/09 from http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2009/11/20/prescott-ark-council-no-pit-bulls-in-tow-39.php

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Posted in Arkansas, BSL Passed

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Lucas County, OH: Dog warden Tom Skeldon resigns

Posted on November 20, 2009 by | Comments Off

Lucas County dog warden Tom Skeldon, who has pushed for and supported BSL not only in Ohio but across the U.S., and whose policies were very anti-animal and pro-killing, has resigned, effective January 31.

A lengthy article on Skeldon’s resignation and the next steps to fill the vacant position can be found here: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091119/NEWS16/911199999/-1/NEWS

Lucas County commissioner Ben Konop was the only county commissioner that wanted Skeldon out.

Please thank Commissioner Konop for standing up for the animals of Lucas County, and please encourage all of the commissioners to hire a new dog warden who is progressive, proactive, life-affirming, safety-conscious, and logical.

Commissioners’ Contact Info:
One Government Center, Suite 800, Toledo, OH 43604

Ben Konop
bkonop@co.lucas.oh.us
(419) 213-2155

Tina Skeldon Wozniak
(419) 213-4817
twozniak@co.lucas.oh.us

Pete Gerken
(419) 213-4084
pgerken@co.lucas.oh.us

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Posted in Community Initiatives, Ohio

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Ontario, Canada: NDP MPP wants Ontario pit bull ban overturned

Posted on November 18, 2009 by | Comments Off

Contact info for Ontario MPPs: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

Previous alerts for Ontario: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ontario

NDP MPP wants Ontario pit bull ban overturned

Updated: Wed Nov. 18 2009 3:38:31 PM
ctvtoronto.ca

An NDP MPP has introduced a private member’s bill that seeks to repeal the provincial ban on pit bulls.

[...] In a news release issued Tuesday, DiNovo said: “In the four years since the legislation passed, fatal dog attacks have gone up in Ontario although they’re still extremely rare.

“In none of the reported cases have there been attacks involving pit bulls,” she added.

[...] With the Liberals holding the majority of seats in Ontario’s legislature, DiNovo’s bill is unlikely to pass.

Full article retrieved 11/18/09 from http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091118/ont_pitbulls_091118/20091118/?hub=TorontoNewHome

Similar news article on this topic can be found here: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2237935

And another: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/11/19/11804711-sun.html

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Posted in Canada, Court Cases, Proposal to Repeal

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City of Elkhart, IN: Council to discuss proposed ordinance, Nov 19 (BSL whispers)

Posted on November 18, 2009 by | Comments Off

Important things to know about the Elkhart proposed ordinance:

  • City council could ditch the committee recommendations and go with breed-specific rules or a breed ban instead. An ordinance with a “pit bull” ban has already been written and can be quickly substituted if the city council so desires. The city council president still badly wants BSL.
  • The current proposed ordinance limits the number of “large” dogs to four. (No additional details at this time.)
  • We have not actually seen the language of the revised proposed ordinance. While everyone is saying it’s not a ban, that doesn’t mean it’s also not breed-specific in some way.
  • City council will meet with the committee to discuss the proposed ordinance on Thursday, November 19, at 5 PM in council chambers (229 S. Second Street). Public comment is allowed.

Elkhart committee doesn’t support ban on pit bulls

By TOM MOOR, Tribune Staff Writer

Story Created: Nov 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM EST

ELKHART — An ad hoc committee will not recommend banning pit bulls when Elkhart City Council overhauls its animal control ordinance in the coming weeks.

The 6-3 vote by the committee this month does not mean the council cannot still vote for the measure. [...] “It could still be part of the final draft if indeed council members are for it,” Roberson said.

[...] Robertson added the ordinance, even without a ban on pit bulls, could still limit how many pit bulls are in Elkhart.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/18/09 from http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/70298102.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Indiana

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Toronto, Ont., Canada: MPP to present bill to remove “pit bull” ban

Posted on November 16, 2009 by | 1 Comment

When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Queens Park Front Doors
Who: Cheri Di Novo, Parkdale-Highpark MPP

What: MPP Cheri Di Novo will present a bill to remove the breed-specific portion of the Ontario Dog Owner’s Liability Act.

From www.dogsneedavoice.com:

We are inviting all supporters to join us at Queen’s Park, Toronto to show visible support for Cheri and her quest. United, we can (and will!) make a difference! Let’s support Cheri in her quest to remove BSL from Ontario. Attend, Write Letters, Contact YOUR local MPP.

Contact info for Ontario MPPs: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

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Posted in Canada, Proposal to Repeal

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Charlotte, NC: Pit Bulls Taken To Charlotte Shelter Costing Taxpayers

Posted on November 15, 2009 by | Comments Off

Breed-specific no-adopt policy in the Charlotte shelter results in a lot of innocent dead dogs at a high expense to taxpayers.

Animal Care and Control would like to hear opinions from the public about their breed-specific no-adopt policy:
8315 Byrum Drive
Charlotte, NC 28217
Phone-Local……………..311
Out of County- 704-336-7600

City Council would need to vote to change the shelter’s policy. Contact them through this handy online form:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/City+Council/Forms/home.htm

Charlotte itself does not have breed-specific legislation.

9 Investigates: Pit Bulls Taken To Charlotte Shelter Costing Taxpayers

Posted: 3:50 pm EST November 13, 2009
Updated: 6:34 pm EST November 13, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — About 2,500 pit bulls come through pit bull row at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control each year.

[... Shelter spokeswoman Melissa Knicely] said that poses a special challenge at Charlotte’s facility because pit bulls can’t be adopted out.[...]

To change the policy about not adopting out pit bulls, the department would need city council approval and extra staff. But before it even got that far, they’d want to hear from the public because they realize some people might be very opposed.

Full article retrieved 11/15/09 from http://www.wsoctv.com/news/21608988/detail.html

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Posted in Community Initiatives, North Carolina, Results of BSL

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Puerto Rico: Ban on pit bulls to be repealed

Posted on November 13, 2009 by | 3 Comments

Translated with Google Translate, with edits for sense.
(Alert from BSL Workshops/Updates)

http://www.elnuevodia.com/avanzalalegalizaciondelospitbulls-637470.html

The legalization of pitbulls advances

The College of Veterinarians welcomes the Legislature’s move to repeal the ban on the breed of dogs

By Pedro Bosque Pérez

The possession of pitbulls or dogs born from crosses with that race took a step toward legalization after the Legislature approved the repeal of Act 158 of 1998, which prohibits possession, importation and breeding the dogs of the breed Pitbull Terrier, their hybrids and crosses in Puerto Rico.

“At last we got these dogs equal with other races which may also be potentially dangerous,” said Dr. Victor Oppenheimer, past president of the College of Veterinarians of Puerto Rico. [...]

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Posted in Outside of U.S., Proposal to Repeal

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