Monthly Archives: January 2011

Friday Harbor, WA reminder: Council to discuss proposed dog ordinance, Jan 20

Posted on January 20, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Lena for the reminder!

The town council is in the process of updating its dog control ordinance. The proposal is not breed-specific at this time. However, several weeks ago, a citizen called for a “pit bull” ban in Friday Harbor, and news media was supportive. Locals should watch and participate in the dog law update to ensure it does not become breed-specific.

Friday Harbor town council will discuss dangerous dog regulations during their council meeting on Jan 20, 2011, at 5:30 PM in Town Council Chambers, 60 Second Street.

An agenda, including a link to the current proposal, can be found here: http://www.fridayharbor.org/town%20council/TownCouncil.htm

Contact info for Friday Harbor officials: towncouncil@fridayharbor.org
Amy Taylor, Town Clerk, 360-378-2810, amyt@fridayharbor.org

All alerts for Friday Harbor: http://stopbsl.com/?s=friday+harbor

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Posted in Washington State, Whispers of BSL

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Hamden, CT: Whispers of BSL

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Some citizens have asked whether Hamden town council can or will consider banning “pit bulls.” However, the council president has expressed concerns about such an idea.

Locals are encouraged to participate in this town’s dialogue to ensure that any council actions taken are breed-neutral. Please provide polite, productive correspondence that offers reasonable alternatives to breed-specific laws.

Contact info for town officials: http://www.hamden.com/content/7089/7093/7858/default.aspx

Hamden official targets aggressive dogs

Published: Saturday, January 15, 2011
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@nhregister.com

HAMDEN — After listening to concerns from Dunbar Hill area residents, Legislative Council President James Pascarella said he’ll ask town officials if rules can be passed on aggressive dogs.[...]

People said they were concerned about roaming pit bulls, and the topic of banning the dogs was raised.[...]

Pascarella said it would be difficult to ban a specific breed, but it might be easier to codify what constitutes aggressive animals and how the town can regulate them for the public’s safety through an ordinance.[...]

Pascarella said he will talk to Mayor Scott D. Jackson about the issue and ask if the administration can do some research.

“I heard the concerns and I’m concerned, also. I would like to do research before proposing something,” he said.

Full article retrieved 1/17/11 from http://nhregister.com/articles/2011/01/15/news/metro/cc1hadogs011411.txt?viewmode=fullstory

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Posted in Connecticut, Whispers of BSL

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Ogden, UT: Breed-specific language dropped

Posted on January 16, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Ed for this update!

Ogden press release retrieved 1/16/11 from http://citydocs.ogdencity.com/FileGetter/getFile.aspx?Doc=00011928.PDF&Key=A470D7FCDF5D838B700C58E962D05C89B198E863&save=true:

COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ANIMAL ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS WITHOUT BREED SPECIFIC LANGUAGE

After much discussion and public input, the Ogden City Council will consider additions to the City’s dangerous dog ordinance that will not include breed specific language.

A copy of the proposed ordinance is available online (click here).

These changes are being considered as an alternative to regulations previously considered that would have applied specifically to pit bulls.

The Council will consider the proposed ordinance during its January 25, 2011 City Council meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m. The public will have the opportunity to provide input, with comments being limited to three (3) minutes.

Please note new signage has been posted allowing only ADA Service Dogs access to Council meeting rooms.

For any additional information, please contact Janene Eller-Smith, Ogden City Council Policy Analyst, janeneeller@ogdencity.com; 801-629-8165.



All alerts for Ogden: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ogden

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Utah

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Saginaw, MI: BSL proposed (multiple breeds)

Posted on January 16, 2011 by | 7 Comments

A Saginaw committee has presented a dangerous dog law that could restrict ownership of the following breeds (and mixes of these): “pit bull,” Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Great Dane, St. Bernard, and Presa Canario.

The restrictions would include special registration of a dangerous dog breed, special signage, and muzzles in public. Code enforcement would enforce the ordinance through increasing fines for infractions. It is not clear how dog breeds would be determined or whether there is any means of appeal.

The proposal will be considered at the council meeting on February 21 at 6:30 PM. The public is encouraged to speak about the proposal at council meetings, as there will be no special hearing.

Want to speak at the next meeting? Fill out and return this form by 1 PM on the day of the meeting: http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/CityClerk/Forms/Personal%20Appearance%20Request%20Form%20(City%20Council)%20-%20S.pdf

City of Saginaw City Hall, 1315 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601
Phone: (989) 759-1400
Fax: (989) 759-1607

Mayor Greg Branch, anngreg@chartermi.net
Amos O’Neal, amossam@charter.net
Dennis Browning, dbrowning125@charter.net
Dan Fitzpatrick, dlfitz@ameritech.net or danfitzpatrickonline@gmail.com
Larry Coulouris, lcoulouris@yahoo.com
Amanda Kitterman-Miller, akitterman@spsd.net
Dr. William “Bill” Scharffe, drbills@charter.net
Paul Virciglio, Ptvirciglio90@charter.net
Andrew Wendt, wendtmsu93@yahoo.com

As the council seems determined to do something about their dog problems, please provide reasonable alternatives for consideration by the council.

Saginaw crafts ‘dangerous dogs’ ordinance including pit bulls; measure could fine owners, oust pets from animal-heavy homes

Published: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 4:06 AM

By Justin L. Engel | The Saginaw News

SAGINAW — Dog owners may be restricted to no more than three pet pooches, buy licenses for them and face fines if they don’t register dogs that are on Saginaw’s list of the most dangerous canines.

The Saginaw City Council in the coming weeks likely will vote on the “dangerous dogs” ordinance that’s been in the works since August. Council members could review the new rules Feb. 21 meeting and enact them by April 1.[...]

A Saginaw committee organized by Mayor Greg Branch continues to debate which breeds to list.[...]

When the council introduces the ordinance, bylaws rule the council must wait at least two weeks before voting.

While there will be no public hearings, Herman said citizens can sign up to speak in front of the council to voice concerns or show support.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/16/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/01/saginaw_to_consider_dangerous.html

All alerts for Saginaw: http://stopbsl.com/?s=saginaw

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

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Union County and Waxhaw, NC: Commissioner wants breed ban

Posted on January 15, 2011 by | 6 Comments

Union County Commissioner Jon Thomas has called for a ban on “pit bulls” in the wake of a fatal attack in Waxhaw, N.C. However, Thomas then learned that North Carolina state law prohibits breed bans (where he heard this is unclear; state law does not appear to prohibit breed bans). Nevertheless, he says he is determined to find solutions to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

Keep in mind the following facts as explained by the local news media:

  • Waxhaw has no animal control.
  • Without animal control, dog laws (including leash law) are unenforced.
  • The dogs involved in the attack were reported to county animal control as neglected, malnourished, running loose, and mistreated. County animal control did not do anything about the dogs because they cannot enforce city laws.

It is unclear at this time what laws might be considered. However, locals should attend Waxhaw’s council meeting to guide the discussion toward realistic, effective non-breed-specific solutions.

Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting, January 17 at 6:30 PM, at the Museum of the Waxhaws.

Waxhaw officials contact info
Mayor Daune Gardner, 704-843-2195 ext 27, mayor@waxhaw.com
Mayor Pro Tem Martin Lane, 704-843-9606, mlane@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Joyce Blythe, 704-843-2246, jblythe@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Erin Kirkpatrick, 704-843-2195, ekirkpatrick@waxhaw.com
Commissioner Brett Diller, 704-843-2195, bdiller@waxhaw.com
Town Manager Michael McLaurin, 704-843-2195 ext 25, mmclaurin@waxhaw.com

Union County Commissioner Jonathan Thomas, who is calling for a ban or restrictions on “pit bulls”: Jonathan.Thomas@co.union.nc.us

Waxhaw has no animal control

Posted: 01/15/2011 3:41 PM

WAXHAW, N.C.– [...] Waxhaw Mayor Daune Gardner said town leaders will meet on Monday to discuss possible new ordinances, including forcing pet owners to register potentially dangerous animals with the police.

“We will be looking at what we can do to make our community safer,” Gardner said.[...]

Waxhaw stopped providing animal control service five years ago because there were so few complaints, said McLaurin, the town manager.[...]

Union County Commissioner Jonathan Thomas said he looked into whether the county could ban pit bulls. Thomas said he was told state law would prohibit such a measure but he says it would protect residents.

“You should get rid of all of the pit bulls,” Thomas said. “You have to mitigate threats.”[...]

Some Waxhaw leaders indicated they would not support a ban on pit bulls, saying it is too difficult to separate breeds that are dangerous from those that are not.

But Mayor Gardner vowed officials would find out “what we can and cannot do.”

Full article retrieved 1/15/11 from http://m.wcnc.com/wcnc/db_20148/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=F1CD2BE43C864A2E501F499C1C6F8145?contentguid=jwDzaI74&src=cat&full=true#display

A similar article on the topic can be found here: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/26506683/detail.html

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Posted in North Carolina, Whispers of BSL

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Lincoln Park, MI: Study session to consider possible breed ban, Jan 18

Posted on January 14, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Thanks to Jodi for this alert!

The city of Lincoln Park, MI, will hold a study session on Jan 18 at 6:30 PM at City Hall (1355 Southfield) to discuss dangerous dog laws and “pit bulls.” A breed ban is a possibility.

City of Lincoln Park, 1355 Southfield, Lincoln Park, MI 48146
(313) 386-1800 — Ext 231

City Council E-mail Quick List
joekaiserjr@yahoo.com, suzannebmoreno@gmail.com,  mark.kandes@gmail.com, tamurphy56@yahoo.com, mario.disanto@gmail.com, DAMajors1@sbcglobal.net

City Clerk Donna Breeding, dbreeding@citylp.com
Mayor Vaslo, mayorvaslo@sbcglobal.net

LINCOLN PARK: Study session set to discuss dangerous dogs in city

Published: Thursday, January 13, 2011
By Lisa Yensen

LINCOLN PARK — A study session on pit bulls and other dogs considered to be dangerous has been set by the City Council for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1355 Southfield Road.

Councilman Mark Kandes requested the study session to look at the community’s reactions to the issue.[...]

Mayor Frank Vaslo said he is hoping residents will come to the meeting to voice their opinions.[...]

“I don’t believe banning is the answer,” Vaslo said. “We need to strengthen vicious animal ordinances, but I’m open to listening to the testimony by everyone and we’ll make the decision after that.”[...]

Full article retrieved 1/14/11 from http://www.thenewsherald.com/articles/2011/01/13/news/doc4d2f6dda65a84737431151.txt?viewmode=fullstory

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

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Ohio: HB 14 would remove statewide BSL

Posted on January 14, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Ohio state law currently considers all “pit bulls” (defined as “any dog commonly known as a pit bull”) to be “vicious” dogs, and places special ownership restrictions and requirements on all dogs identified as “pit bulls.”

Ohio Representative Barbara Sears has filed HB 14, which would remove the breed-specific language from state law, meaning that “pit bulls” would be treated like any other dog, and “pit bull” owners would be treated like any other dog owner.

This bill was filed last year as HB 79 and passed the state house as HB 55, but did not pass the Senate in time. Sears has refiled the bill for the current legislative session. It must pass hearings, the House, and the Senate to become law.

This bill needs strong, loud public support in order to pass. Please contact your Ohio state legislators and ask them to support this law.

StopBSL will provide updates as this bill moves through the legislative process, but Ohio residents need to be extremely proactive. Similar efforts in previous years have all failed.

You may read the bill here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

You may track the bill here: http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou129.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0014?OpenDocument

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Smithville, OH: Pit bull ban proposal rejected

Posted on January 14, 2011 by | 1 Comment

I recommend following the article link to read the full article. It clearly identifies the numerous reasons why the pit bull ban was rejected by the city council, including loud opposition from the public, unfavorable news media coverage, and statistics that demonstrated that “pit bulls” were not a problem in Smithville.

Remember, however, that state law already considers all “pit bulls” to be “vicious”—and Smithville will enforce the special restrictions placed on pit bulls by state law.

Pit bull ban option hits the bone pile in Smithville

By STEVE HUSZAI

Staff Writer

SMITHVILLE — Council, while not taking an official vote on the matter, nonetheless decided to stop consideration of a pit bull ban within Smithville’s limits after an onslaught from (local and national) opponents of breed-specific legislation.[...]

Instead, the village will enforce the minimum requirements in the Ohio Revised Code regarding pit bulls, such as having liability insurance for owners.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/14/11 from http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4963050

All alerts for Smithville, OH: http://stopbsl.com/?s=smithville%2C+oh

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Ohio

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Winnipeg, MB, Canada: Locals want to overturn pit bull ban

Posted on January 13, 2011 by | Comments Off

Facebook group to repeal the ban: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Repeal-Winnipegs-Pit-Bull-Ban/166789433355315?v=wall

Contact information for Winnipeg City Hall:
City Hall, Council Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1B9
Contact page for Councillors: http://www.winnipeg.ca/council/contact.stm

Dog trainer trying to fight City Hall over pit bull ban

Updated: Thu Jan. 13 2011 07:24:49
ctvwinnipeg.ca

Pit bulls have a bad reputation, earned because people have been mauled in the past. Now, some Winnipeggers are now saying the city should lift its ban on the dogs, which was adopted 20 years ago.[...]

Today, one city councillor says overturning the ban is not something the city is considering.

Full article retrieved 1/13/11 from http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110112/wpg_pitbulls_110112/20110113/?hub=WinnipegHome

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Posted in Canada, Proposal to Repeal

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Vienna, WV: BSL repeal to be considered, Jan 13

Posted on January 12, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jodi for this update!

Back in mid-December, we learned that city officials in Vienna, West Virginia were considering revising their vicious dog ordinance to REMOVE the breed specific language from the law. At that time, the city council agreed to look over a revised ordinance at a later meeting, and the vicious dog ordinance is on the council’s agenda tomorrow, January 13, 2011.

Parks Director Norm Harris is assisting the council in making revisions to the ordinance, and Mr. Harris is opposed to breed specific legislation, believing that owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs. BSL has been in place in Vienna since 1984, and this would be a great win!

The council meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at Vienna City Hall. If you are in the the Vienna area, please try to attend.

Jodi Preis, Bless the Bullys

Previous alert for Vienna: http://stopbsl.com/2010/12/17/vienna-wv-council-asked-to-consider-bsl-repeal/

City of Vienna
City Hall, 609 29th Street, Vienna, WV 26105
Phone: (304) 295-4541

Mayor David Nohe, mayorone@suddenlinkmail.com
Norm Harris, Park Department, normharris@vienna-wv.com

City Council e-mail quick list: rdbibbee@frontier.com, pthornton@vienna-wv.com, jimmiracle@vienna-wv.com, rcrapp@suddenlink.net, rogersb@suddenlink.net, cathy.smith6@va.gov

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Posted in Proposal to Repeal, West Virginia

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