Thanks to Jodi for this alert!
The City of Kirksville, Missouri is currently considering an ordinance that would regulate the ownership of “pit bulls” and “other animals deemed vicious.” While the ordinance being drafted includes a grandfather clause, Councilman (and Mayor Pro Tem) Richard Detweiler is pushing for a total ban with no grandfather clause.
The article is confusing in that it indicates that Kirksville already has a vicious dog ordinance that includes pit bulls. However, a review of the city code does not support that statement. Kirksville has a generic vicious dog ordinance which, if properly enforced, would adequately address any vicious dog – not only those labeled as “pit bulls.”
Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE letters in opposition to breed specific legislation to the Kirksville, Missouri officials listed below. Please also list viable alternatives and suggestions for their consideration, as well.
According to the article, the next possible time this issue could come up is June 7, and a public hearing will be held to gauge the community’s opinion on the ordinance. The city council meets the first & third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers. City Council Study Sessions are held the first & third Monday of every month at 4:30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers
Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
www.blessthebullys.com
City of Kirksville, 201 South Franklin Street, Kirksville, MO 63501
660-627-1225
Toll Free: 888-299-1223
660-665-0940 (fax)
City Council:
Todd Kuhns, Mayor, tkuhns@kirksvillecity.com
Richard Detweiler, rdetweiler@kirksvillecity.com
Carolyn Chrisman, cchrisman@kirksvillecity.com
Tony Fajkus, tfajkus@kirksvillecity.com
Martha Rowe, mrowe@kirksvillecity.com
City Manager Mari Macomber, mmacomber@kirksvillecity.com
City Clerk Vicki Brumbaugh, vbrumbaugh@kirksvillecity.com
Breed ban a polarizing issue
By Taylor Muller
Daily Express
Fri May 21, 2010, 12:37 PM CDTKirksville, Mo. – The Kirksville city council will continue to examine the possibility of a breed specific ban on dogs….
The possible ordinance has its supporters and opponents, with city officials waiting to hear public response before moving forward.
Council member Richard Detweiler … said he believed steps short of a total ban, with a grandfather clause allowing for current pit bulls to remain, would not accomplish what was necessary.
“The insurance isn’t going to work,” he said. “Those people aren’t going to get liability insurance for their own vehicles, much less their dog.”
Full story retrieved May 23, 2010 from http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/news/x1070020465/Breed-ban-a-polarizing-issue
stopbslcom
weigoba
Thanks for the alert. The following e-mail sent:
BSL is a bad idea. A dog is not dangerous because of how it looks, because of it’s ‘type’ but only by it’s actions.
Law abiding citizens with well mannered dogs should not be punished and made to suffer legal, financial & emotional harm.
Laws need to be general and not unfairly discriminatory.
Go after the real causes of the problem: the misuse and abuse of dogs, Puppy Mills, and owners that really are allowing their dogs (of any breed) to be a danger.
Advocate for anti-cruelty, for more education and spay/neuter clinics.
BSL doesn’t work and it is unconstitutional, it will not stop the problem and is sure to lead to litigation against the city.
I completely agree…ban the bad breeders, not the breed.