Monthly Archives: November 2010

Belfast, Ireland, UK: Dog on death row because of its leg and muzzle measurements

Posted on November 15, 2010 by | 2 Comments

Breed identification, which must be performed in places with breed-specific legislation, is a subjective process. In this case, the owners of Lennox not only have a DNA breed-ID test that proves Lennox’s genetic makeup, the city had licensed Lennox (meaning, they did not consider him a banned breed) for over five years. Dog owners living in places with BSL can never be sure that their dog won’t be targeted.

To learn more about how to save Lennox, visit http://www.savelennox.co.uk

Owner of death row dog Lennox tells of her family’s agony

Monday, 15 November 2010

Family fight to save their pet seized by wardens

The heartbroken owner of a pet dog which has been living on ‘death row’ for six months is still waiting to learn its fate after it was seized because it was deemed to be a dangerous breed.

Caroline Barnes said that six-year-old Lennox is a cross between an American bulldog and a Labrador crossed with a Staffordshire bull terrier.

However, staff from Belfast City Council called at her home in May, using what she alleges was a warrant for a different address, and impounded him after he was deemed to be a banned American pit bull terrier-type because of his leg and muzzle measurements.[...]

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/owner-of-death-row-dog-lennox-tells-of-her-familyrsquos-agony-15004210.html

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Posted in Breed Identification, Outside of U.S., Results of BSL

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Ellis, KS: Breed-neutral dog law under consideration

Posted on November 15, 2010 by | Comments Off

Ellis, KS was considering BSL against owners of “pit bulls” and Rottweilers a couple months ago. It appears that due to community feedback, they have decided to go with breed-neutral measures instead.

All alerts for Ellis, KS: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22ellis%2C+ks%22

Ellis to consider dangerous dog ordinance

Published on -11/14/2010, 8:40 PM
By KALEY CONNER, kconner@dailynews.net

ELLIS — The Ellis City Council will consider enacting a stringent “dangerous dog” ordinance when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at city hall.

Discussion began this summer, but one major change has been made along the way — the proposed regulations do not include breed-specific legislation.

Mayor David McDaniel said the council opted to remove those provisions after many community members spoke in opposition to singling out specific dog breeds, such as pit bulls.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/15/10 from http://www.hdnews.net/Story/dogs111410

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Kansas

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Singapore: Changes to breed-specific dangerous dog laws

Posted on November 14, 2010 by | Comments Off

In Singapore, Presa Canarios have been moved from the Second Schedule Part II list to Part I list, and new restrictions on Part I and Part II dogs have been added.

Second Schedule Part I dog breeds include the following: ”pit bull” (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog), Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Presa Canario, Boerboel, and any mixes of these breeds.

Part I dog restrictions include the following (includes new changes to dog law):

  • Muzzled and leashed in public
  • Microchipped
  • Spayed/neutered
  • Liability insurance of $100,000 minimum
  • Only one Part I dog may be kept on a premises (new restriction)
  • Obedience training (new restriction)
  • A $5,000 deposit that is forfeited (and must be renewed) if the owner fails to comply with any of these restrictions
  • May not be imported

Second Schedule Part II dog breeds include the following: Mastiffs (Cane Corso, Bull Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux), Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd and related breeds (Belgian Shepherd Dog, East European Shepherd Dog), Rottweiler, and mixes of these breeds.

Part II dog restrictions include the following (includes new changes to dog law):

  • Muzzled and leashed in public
  • Microchipped (new restriction)
  • Liability insurance of $100,000 minimum (new restriction)
  • Obedience training (new restriction)
  • Only one Part II dog may be kept on a premises (new restriction)
  • A $2,000 deposit that is forfeited (and must be renewed) if the dog owner fails to comply with any of these restrictions (new restriction)

Restrictions similar to those in Part II will also apply to any dog that has engaged in an unprovoked attack that causes injury to a person or animal. (New restriction)

The changes to Singapore’s dog law can be viewed here: http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/9253E7B2-E57D-4992-982C-1304E73748D6/18191/CHANGESTOTHEANIMALSANDBIRDSDOGLICENSINGANDCONTROLR.pdf

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Posted in Additional Breeds, BSL Passed, Outside of U.S., Results of BSL

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Texas: Pit bull ban to be presented to legislators

Posted on November 11, 2010 by | 72 Comments

Contact info for the Texas senator and representative who will (according to the article) be receiving the ban proposal on Friday–ask them not to file or support breed-specific legislation.
Senator Kevin Eltife: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist1/dist1.htm#form
Representative Chuck Hopson: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=11&session=81

East Texans push for ban on Pit Bulls

Posted: Nov 11, 2010 5:50 PM CST
By Sara Story

TYLER, TX (KLTV) – [...]A group of East Texans are pushing for a state-wide ban on Pit Bulls, and a first draft of the legislation will be presented to state senators on Friday.[...]

Kent also said if a ban is not enacted, a provision would allow people to own Pit Bulls only if they’re kept secure.

“We are talking about 8 foot fences, covered on the top that go one foot into the ground. Secure locks, so children can’t get into them,” Kent said.[...]

Kent said she will present the first draft of the legislation to State Senator Eltife and State Representative Hopson on Friday.

Full article retrieved 11/11/10 from http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13488499

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Texas

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Blair, NE: BSL passed

Posted on November 11, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Per the city clerk: “The ordinance passed and will become law (10) days from November 16, 2010.”

All alerts for Blair: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22blair%2C+ne%22

Read the ordinance here: http://www.blairnebraska.org/Pages/DangerousDog.htm

Sec. 6-132 PIT BULLS; LEASH AND MUZZLE REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful for any persons owning, harboring or having the care of a pit bull to permit such dog to be outdoors unless confined in a securely fenced yard or unless the dog is under the control of a person 19 years of age or older, restrained securely by a harness and leash no longer than six feet and properly muzzled to reasonably prevent the dog from biting. For purposes of this section, pit bull shall be defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentina, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, or any dog displaying the majority of such physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds (more so than any other breed), or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds. The A.K.C and U.K.C standards for the above breeds are on file at the City office.

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Posted in BSL Passed, Nebraska

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Bristol Borough, PA: Whispers of BSL

Posted on November 10, 2010 by | 1 Comment

PA state law prohibits breed-specific laws.

BRISTOL BOROUGH MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 250 POND STREET, BRISTOL, PA 19007
Fax Number: 215-788-5366
Borough Office Phone Number: 215-788-3828

Borough Council contact info:
Lorraine Cullen, lcullen@bristolboro.com
James Lutz, 215-788-2647
Anthony Muccie, amuccie@bristolboro.com
Patrick Sabatini, 215-781-9003
Ralph DiGuiseppe, rdiguiseppe@bristolboro.com
Leo Plenski, Jr., lplenski@bristolboro.com
Robyn Trunell, rtrunell@bristolboro.com
Betty Rodriguez, brodriguez@bristolboro.com

Council work sessions are held on the 1st Monday of every month. Council agenda meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of every month. The meetings are held in Borough Hall and begin at 7pm.

Council president urges muzzles for pit bulls

By: GEORGE MATTAR
Bucks County Courier Times
November 09, 2010 02:05 AM
BRISTOL

With that, council President Ralph DiGuiseppe ordered borough solicitor William Salerno to draft a proposed ordinance that would require all pit bulls to wear muzzles on borough property.[...]

DiGuiseppe, himself a dog owner, said he would be devastated if something happened to his dog, but he added he has had enough of pit bulls and wants them muzzled.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/10/10 from http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times/courier_times_news_details/article/28/2010/november/09/council-president-urges-muzzles-for-pit-bulls-1.html

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Posted in Pennsylvania, Whispers of BSL

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Gold Coast, NSW, Australia: BSL sparks lawsuit

Posted on November 10, 2010 by | 1 Comment

In April 2010, the owners of an American Staffordshire Terrier named Tango were told that their dog was a banned “pit bull.” Tango had not behaved badly–he was just guilty of looking like a “bad dog.”

Tango’s owners spent $500,000 in their effort to prove that their dog was an American Staffordshire Terrier, not an American Pit Bull Terrier. The court ultimately accepted that their dog was an American Staffordshire Terrier, then ruled that AmStaffs were “pit bulls,” and therefore the dog was banned. Tango was at risk for being killed by the city, so he was relocated.

In September 2010, the local goverment issued a clarification that AmStaffs were not banned “pit bulls.” This meant that Tango and other AmStaffs were allowed to be registered in Gold Coast again. Tango’s owners intend to sue Gold Coast in order to recoup their expenses.

All alerts for Gold Coast: http://stopbsl.com/?s=gold+coast

Dogfight continues despite freedom

Jessica Johnston | November 10th, 2010

[...]Tango’s owners John Mokomoko and Kylie Chivers plan to sue the Gold Coast City Council to recover the $500,000 they have spent proving their dog’s breed.[...]

”We’ve spent over $40,000 in kennel fees alone and we didn’t break the law.”[...]

She said they would be attempting to recover costs from Council for the botched banishment.

”They owe us… for six years AmStaffs were allowed to live here, he was registered, desexed, microchipped.

”They really singled us out.”[...]

Full article retrieved 11/10/10 from http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/11/10/269731_gold-coast-news.html

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Posted in Breed Identification, Outside of U.S., Results of BSL

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Batesville, AR: Final reading on breed ban, Nov 9

Posted on November 9, 2010 by | Comments Off

The city of Batesville, AR, will hold a final reading on a proposed breed ban tonight, Nov. 9, at 5:30 at Batesville Municipal Building, 500 E. Main Street, Batesville, AR 72501.

You can read the entire proposed ordinance here:

http://www.cityofbatesville.com/assets/files/Animal%20Control%20pitbull10%207%2010.doc

Contact info for city officials:
Rick Elumbaugh, Mayor, mayor@cityofbatesville.com
Tommy Bryant, Ward #1, Position #1, w1p1@cityofbatesville.com
Margarett Henley, Ward #1, Position #2, w1p2@cityofbatesville.com
David Shetron, Ward #2, Position #1, w2p1@cityofbatesville.com
Douglas Matthews, Ward #2, Position #2, w2p2@cityofbatesville.com
Fred Krug, Ward #3, Position #1, w3p1@cityofbatesville.com
Richard O’Neal, Ward #3, Position #2, w3p2@cityofbatesville.com
Davy Insell, Ward #4, Position #1, w4p1@cityofbatesville.com
Matt McDonald, Ward #4, Position #2, mailto:w4p2@cityofbatesville.com

Previous alerts for Batesville: http://stopbsl.com/?s=batesville+ar

Council to hear final animal readings

November 8, 2010

The Batesville City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at city hall to hear the third and final readings of ordinances regarding fowl within the city limits, the tethering of dogs and vicious or dangerous animals.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/9/10 from http://guardonline.com/content/council-hear-final-animal-readings

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Posted in Arkansas, BSL Proposed

McMinnville, TN: Breed ban proposed

Posted on November 9, 2010 by | 2 Comments

Update 11/10/10: Thanks to Jodi for keeping tabs on this! The city received a LOT of public feedback, including breed-neutral options. As a result, they are postponing discussions until they can review all of the material. A breed ban does not seem likely. Thanks to everyone who wrote and spoke to the city–you all made a difference!

The first reading of an animal control ordinance is on the agenda for TONIGHT’S (November 9, 2010) city council meeting. While the below article indicates the city is considering a breed specific ordinance, the agenda is not specific as to what the proposed ordinance being discussed consists of. Regardless, anyone in the area is encouraged to attend tonight’s meeting. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 101 E. Main Street, Second Floor, Board Room.

November 9, 2010 Agenda
(d.) Ordinance No. 1630, an ordinance to amend Title 10 Animal Control of the McMinnville Municipal Code by repealing and deleting it in its entirety and enacting and adopting a new Title 10 Animal Control; to repeal any provision in the Code of Ordinances in conflict with this ordinance; to provide for a severability clause; and to set the time when the ordinance becomes effective. First reading.

In the meantime,please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE letters in opposition to breed specific legislation to the city officials below. E-mail information is not available for all the city officials, however, you can send your correspondence to the City Recorder with a polite request to please forward to the mayor and aldermen.

Please also encourage the city officials to reach out to nearby Tullahoma who chose to enact an excellent generic dangerous dog ordinance rather than pass BSL a few years ago. Tullahoma has had great success with their ordinance.

Jodi Preis, Bless the Bullys
www.blessthebullys.com

City of McMinnville, 101 East Main Street, PO Box 7088, McMinnville, TN 37111
City Recorder Shirley Durham, sdurham@mcminnvilletenn.com
ity Administrator David Rutherford, drutherford@mcminnvilletenn.com
ayor Norman Rone, 931-473-1200
Vice Mayor Bobby Kirby, bobbykirby@blomand.net
lderman Rick Barnes, 931-473-1200
Alderman Everitt Brock, 931-473-7155
Alderwoman Clair Cochran, cccochran@blomand.net
lderman Jimmy Haley, 931-668-5858 ext 249
Alderman Billy Wood, 931-473-1200
Public Works Bill Brock, publicworks@mcminnvilletenn.com

McMinnville Seeks Strict Pit Bull Ordinance

Ordinance Would Ban Breed Within City Limits

Reported By Cynthia Williams
POSTED: 5:13 pm CST November 8, 2010
UPDATED: 7:24 pm CST November 8, 2010

McMINNVILLE, Tenn. — Pit bull owner Jennifer Barrickman, of McMinnville, said her 4-month-old rescue pit bull is playful and gentle, but McMinnville city officials are considering breed-specific-legislation that would place strict regulations on pit bull owners like her.[...]

If the ordinance passes, it will be illegal for people to own a pit bull other or so-called vicious dogs within the McMinnville city limits.[...]

Full article retrieved 11/9/10 from http://www.wsmv.com/news/25676950/detail.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Tennessee

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Greenwood, AR update: Group to present BSL proposal to council in Jan

Posted on November 5, 2010 by | 1 Comment

All alerts for Greenwood: http://stopbsl.com/?s=greenwood%2C+ar

Greenwood City Hall, 30 Bell Road, Greenwood, AR 72936
Main: 479-996-2742
Fax: 479-996-2743

Jim Gossett
Rod Powell
Lance Terry
Tim Terry
Jim Newcomb
Dr. Lee Johnson

Online contact form for city clerk:
http://www.greenwoodar.org/Government/ClerkTreasurer/ContacttheClerk/tabid/269/Default.aspx

Greenwood Residents Passionate About Dog Ban

Mallory Cooke Reporter
10:20 PM CDT, November 4, 2010

[...] A handful of residents gathered Thursday night to discuss the possibility of banning vicious animals, including pit bulls, in the city limits.[...]

Both sides agree pet owners with vicious animals need more restrictions, tougher fines, and harsher punishments.

Community members say there have been about 20 bites in the last two years, and four of those were pit bulls. The group hopes to take their recommendation to the city council in January.

Full article retrieved 11/5/10 from http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-greewood-animal-ordinance,0,2954142.story

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Posted in Arkansas, Whispers of BSL

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