Monthly Archives: February 2011

Denmark: Breed “watchlist” implemented

Posted on February 27, 2011 by | Comments Off

In summer of 2010 in Denmark, a long list of banned breeds was implemented. The 13 banned breeds included

  • Pit Bull Terrier (banned since 1991)
  • Tosa Inu (banned since 1991)
  • American Staffordshire (Terrier)
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Dogo Argentino
  • American Bulldog
  • Boerbel
  • Kangal Dog
  • Central Asian Ovcharka (Central Asian Shepherd Dog)
  • Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog / Mountain Dog)
  • Southern Russian Ovcharka (South Russian Sheepdog)
  • Tornjak (Bosnian Shepherd Dog)
  • Sarplaninac (Yugoslav Shepherd Dog)

It was not clear why these breeds were singled out. Many of these breeds are rare or nonexistent in Denmark, and the dog bite statistics that were available did not indicate that any of these breeds were biting in significant numbers (or at all).

Denmark Ministry of Justice has now issued a breed “watchlist” that comprises an additional 12 breeds of dogs:

  • Anatolian Shepherd Dog
  • Bull Mastiff
  • Cane Corso
  • Cao Fila de Sao Miguel (Sao Miguel Cattle Dog)
  • Dogo Canario (Presa Canario)
  • Iberisk dogge (Danish term–unknown what breed this is)
  • Maremma Sheepdog
  • Mastin Espanol (Spanish Mastiff)
  • Mastin Napoletano (Neapolitan Mastiff)
  • Polski Owczarek Podhalanski (Polish Tatra Sheepdog)
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The watchlist is intended to denote dog breeds that may be added to Denmark’s breed ban in the future (presumably, in 2013, when the law is reviewed). Again, it is not clear what criteria, if any, were used to select these breeds for the watchlist.

Thanks to KC Dog Blog for the tip.

Although I always try to find primary source material, info from Denmark is very difficult to obtain, and the language barrier makes it even harder to find primary sources. Unfortunately, I was not able to find the original Ministry-of-Justice-issued watchlist.

The article in which the watchlist is discussed can be found here: http://hundenyheder.dk/hundelovens-observationsliste/

A translated version of this article can be found here: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fhundenyheder.dk%2Fhundelovens-observationsliste%2F&act=url

All alerts for Denmark: http://stopbsl.com/?s=denmark

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Posted in Additional Breeds, Outside of U.S.

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Aberdeen, SD: Council to discuss options, including BSL, Feb 28

Posted on February 25, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Aberdeen, SD city council will be presented with various animal control ordinance options on Feb 28, from a breed ban (multiple breeds suggested, including “pit bulls,” Dalmatians, Chows, and more), to breed-specific restrictions, to breed-neutral revisions, to relaxing the ordinances. The agenda page 62-63 goes over the council’s options: http://www.aberdeen.sd.us/archives/52/2-28-2011.PDF

Some councilmembers are known to be supportive of a breed ban or restrictions. Please contact city councilmembers with polite, informative correspondence that encourages breed-neutral measures. (Councilmember Clint Rux has been very good about keeping us updated, and supportive of breed-neutral options, so please thank him.)

All alerts for Aberdeen, SD: http://stopbsl.com/?s=aberdeen+sd

Next city council meeting: Monday, Feb 28, at 5:30 PM at 123 South Lincoln Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Contact info for city officials:
Mayor Mike J. Levsen, mayor@aberdeen.sd.us
Phone: (605) 626-7025
City Manager Lynn Lander, lynn.lander@aberdeen.sd.us
Ph: (605) 626-7025
Fx: (605) 626-7039
Jim Kraft, NE District Council Member, james.kraft@aberdeen.sd.us
Jeff Mitchell, NE District Council Member, jeff.mitchell@aberdeen.sd.us
Todd Campbell, NW District Council Member, todd.campbell@aberdeen.sd.us
Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, NW District Council, jennifer.slaight-hansen@aberdeen.sd.us
Clint Rux, SE District Council Member, clint.rux@aberdeen.sd.us
Laure Swanson, SE District Council Member, laure.swanson@aberdeen.sd.us
Tom Agnitsch, SW District Council Member, tom.agnitsch@aberdeen.sd.us
David Bunsness, SW District Council Member, david.bunsness@aberdeen.sd.us

Email block for cut-and-paste:
mayor@aberdeen.sd.us; lynn.lander@aberdeen.sd.us; james.kraft@aberdeen.sd.us; jeff.mitchell@aberdeen.sd.us; todd.campbell@aberdeen.sd.us; jennifer.slaight-hansen@aberdeen.sd.us; clint.rux@aberdeen.sd.us; laure.swanson@aberdeen.sd.us; tom.agnitsch@aberdeen.sd.us; david.bunsness@aberdeen.sd.us

Thanks to Jason for the updates!

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Posted in BSL Proposed, South Dakota

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Winnipeg, MB, Canada: Locals push to repeal “pit bull” ban

Posted on February 25, 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

This issue will be discussed at the Protection and Community Services meeting, Monday, Feb. 28, at 9 AM, in the North Committee Room, Council Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg.

All alerts for Winnipeg: http://stopbsl.com/?s=winnipeg

As can be seen by the language chosen by the Winnipeg Sun journalist, the news media is taking this opportunity to create sensation and controversy about “dreaded pit bulls,” rather than have a meaningful discussion about the issue.

Pit bull proponents look to overturn 1990 city prohibition

By ROSS ROMANIUK, Winnipeg Sun
Last Updated: February 24, 2011 10:10pm

Banned in Winnipeg for the past 21 years, widely dreaded pit bulls might be about to reappear legally in the city.

After launching an e-mail campaign, advocates for ownership of the reputedly vicious dog breed are expected to urge a group of councillors Monday to repeal the municipal prohibition that began in 1990. Coun. Gord Steeves, who met with some of the pit bull supporters in December, says he’ll listen with an open mind when they come before the protection and community services committee.

“They have certain feelings on the breed, and feel that it’s been unfairly treated over time with this ban,” said Steeves (St. Vital), the committee’s chairman. “It’s probably fair that we have the discussion. And then we can ask our people to review it.” [...]

Full article retrieved 2/25/11 from http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/winnipeg/2011/02/24/17401631.html#/news/winnipeg/2011/02/24/pf-17401631.html

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Posted in Canada, Proposal to Repeal

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Kalamazoo, MI: Whispers of BSL

Posted on February 24, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Over the last week, the media and a few authorities have continually raised the question of whether “pit bulls” should be banned in Kalamazoo. This follows a recent tragic infant death by dog in Kalamazoo.

Locals are encouraged to reach out to lawmakers in Kalamazoo and guide the discussion toward effective, reasonable breed-neutral measures.

The City Commission meets on the first, third and fifth Monday of the month. This issue is currently NOT on the agenda. Next city commission meetings: Feb 28 (special meeting), Mar 7 (business meeting).

View all agendas here: http://www.kalamazoocity.org/portal/government.php?page_id=922

City Commissioners Contact Info
Correspondence can be sent to City Hall at 241 W. South St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
Mayor Bobby J. Hopewell, bobbyhopewell@borgess.com
Vice Mayor Hannah J. McKinney, mckinneyh@kalamazoocity.org
Don Cooney, donald.cooney@wmich.edu
David Anderson, andersondavid@kalamazoocity.org
Barbara Hamilton Miller, millerb@kalamazoocity.org
Stephanie Bell, bells@kalamazoocity.org
Bob Cinabro, cinabrob@kalamazoocity.org

Email Quicklist
bobbyhopewell@borgess.com; mckinneyh@kalamazoocity.org; donald.cooney@wmich.edu; andersondavid@kalamazoocity.org; millerb@kalamazoocity.org; bells@kalamazoocity.org; cinabrob@kalamazoocity.org

Should Pit Bulls Be Outlawed

Posted Wednesday February 23, 2011

KALAMAZOO (WKZO) — The tragic death of a newborn mauled by a pit bull in Kalamazoo over the weekend has some city officials asking the question, should Kalamazoo follow other cities like Denver and outlaw pit bulls? [...]

Full article posted 2/24/11 at http://wtvbam.com/news/articles/2011/feb/23/should-pit-bulls-be-outlawed/

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Posted in Michigan, Whispers of BSL

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Illinois HB 1080 committee hearing, March 1

Posted on February 24, 2011 by | 8 Comments

Illinois state law currently prohibits municipalities from passing breed-specific laws. HB 1080 would undo this prohibition and permit any municipality to declare dogs dangerous based on breed.

HB 1080 will be heard again by the Agriculture & Conservation Committee on March 1. Residents, please attend the committee meeting on Tuesday, March 1, and express your opposition to House Bill 1080.
When: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Room 122B, Illinois State Capitol Building, Springfield, Illinois

Contact info for committee members:
http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=922&GA=97
Lisa M. Dugan, (217) 782-5981, FAX (217) 558-4553
Patrick J. Verschoore, (217) 782-5970, FAX (217) 558-1253
Jim Sacia, JimSacia@aeroinc.net
Kelly Burke, (217) 782-0515, FAX (217) 789-4899
Mary E. Flowers, flowersme@ilga.gov
Brandon W. Phelps, bphelps@yourclearwave.com
Dan Reitz, repreitz@egyptian.net
Jason Barickman, jason@jasonbarickman.org
John D. Cavaletto, (217) 782-0066, FAX (217) 782-1336
Norine Hammond, (217) 782-0416
Chad Hays, (217) 782-4811
Jack McGuire, jmcguire86@sbcglobal.net
Donald L. Moffitt, moffitt@grics.net
Wayne Rosenthal, (217) 782-8071

All alerts for Illinois HB 1080: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22hb+1080%22

The bill may be read and tracked here: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1080&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=56892&SessionID=84&GA=97

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Illinois

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Ohio: Committee to hear HB 25 on Feb 23

Posted on February 21, 2011 by | Comments Off

Ohio currently has statewide breed-specific legislation that declares all “pit bulls” to be “vicious” dogs. HB 25 would remove the breed-specific language from state law.

HB 25 is scheduled for a second hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee on February 23 at 9:00 AM in Room 114 (Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio 43215).

If you are a resident of Ohio, please make every effort to attend the committee hearing and show your support for the removal of breed-specific language. If you would like to testify at the hearing, please arrive 30 minutes ahead of time and bring 30 copies of your testimony; you will need to complete a Witness Slip and submit your written copies before the hearing begins.

Contact the Criminal Justice Committee members to express support for HB 25:
Lynn Slaby, Chair, district41@ohr.state.oh.us
Bill Hayes, Vice Chair, district91@ohr.state.oh.us
Louis W. Blessing, Jr., district29@ohr.state.oh.us
Danny R. Bubp, district88@ohr.state.oh.us
William P. Coley, II, district55@ohr.state.oh.us
Cliff Hite, district76@ohr.state.oh.us
Joseph W. Uecker, district66@ohr.state.oh.us
Ron Young, district63@ohr.state.oh.us
Roland Winburn, district40@ohr.state.oh.us
Nancy J. Garland, district20@ohr.state.oh.us
Connie Pillich, district28@ohr.state.oh.us
W. Carlton Weddington, district27@ohr.state.oh.us
Sandra Williams, district11@ohr.state.oh.us

Cut-and-paste email block:
district41@ohr.state.oh.us; district91@ohr.state.oh.us; district29@ohr.state.oh.us; district88@ohr.state.oh.us; district55@ohr.state.oh.us; district76@ohr.state.oh.us; district66@ohr.state.oh.us; district63@ohr.state.oh.us; district40@ohr.state.oh.us; district20@ohr.state.oh.us; district28@ohr.state.oh.us; district27@ohr.state.oh.us; district11@ohr.state.oh.us

Read HB 25 here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_25_I_N.html
Read an explanation of HB 25 here:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=129_HB_25&hf=analyses129/h0025-i-129.htm

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Terrebonne Parish, LA: Pit bull law to be discussed, Feb 21

Posted on February 20, 2011 by | 1 Comment

This BSL proposal has gone from a “whisper” to a reality. Possible BSL will be discussed Feb 21 at 6:15 PM at the Policy, Procedure, and Legal Committee meeting, Parish Council Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Government Tower. In this proposal, all “pit bulls” would be declared “vicious dogs” and would be subject to heavy ownership restrictions.

The agenda for this meeting, including documents from the parish attorney (including sample ordinance), can be read here: http://novus.tpcg.org/MeetingView.aspx?MeetingID=657&MinutesMeetingID=-1

All alerts for Terrebonne Parish: http://stopbsl.com/?s=terrebonne

Terrebonne Parish Council, 8026 Main Street, Suite 600, Houma, LA 70360
Phone: (985) 873-6519
Fax: (985) 873-6521

Mr. Alvin Tillman, atillman@tpcg.org
Ms. Arlanda J. Williams, ajwilliams@tpcg.org
Mr. Billy Hebert, bhebert@tpcg.org
Ms. Teri C. Cavalier, tcavalier@tpcg.org
Mr. Johnny Pizzolatto, jpizzolatto@tpcg.org
Mr. Kevin M. Voisin, kevin@kevinvoisin.com
Mr. Clayton Voisin, cjvoisin@tpcg.org
Mr. Joey Cehan, jcehan@tpcg.org
Mr. Pete Lambert, plambert@tpcg.org

Parish Council Quicklist
atillman@tpcg.org; ajwilliams@tpcg.org; bhebert@tpcg.org; tcavalier@tpcg.org; jpizzolatto@tpcg.org; kevin@kevinvoisin.com; cjvoisin@tpcg.org; jcehan@tpcg.org; plambert@tpcg.org

– Pit-bull law. Terrebonne Parish Councilman Billy Hebert, who represents Bayou Cane and Broadmoor, researched the possibility of a breed-specific dog law after a 4-year-old was mauled last month in Houma. The issue will be discussed at the Policy, Procedure and Legal Committee meeting at 6:15 p.m. Monday. Any change to parish law must also go to a public hearing, which has not been scheduled in this case, according to council documents.

Parish Attorney Courtney Alcock drafted a set of rules, similar to those used in other Louisiana parishes, that would require pit bulls and other pit breeds to be housed in a fence or structure at least 6 feet high that children cannot enter. If the dog is outside that structure or the owner’s premises, it must be restrained by a strong leash or chain and muzzled or have another device to restrict it from biting a person or other animal.

These laws require the owner or keeper to have a license from parish animal-control officials and show proof of at least $100,000 of liability insurance to cover any damage or injuries caused by the dog. The owner must also permanently ink or tattoo a registration number to the dog’s inner ear and post signs “warning that there is a vicious dog on the premises,” the proposed law says.

Full article retrieved 2/20/11 from http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20110220/ARTICLES/110219340/1211/news01?Title=Council-considers-museum-expansion-injection-wells

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Louisiana

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Saginaw, MI: Proposed animal ordinance still under revision

Posted on February 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

The text of the proposed ordinance is not yet publicly available. This was a breed-specific proposal, and based on the description of “dog types” given below, it probably hasn’t gotten any better—but having the official text will be helpful, and you can count on seeing it here, when I am able to get it.

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

‘Dangerous dogs’ ordinance proposal still evolving, officials say

Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 10:01 AM
By Justin L. Engel | The Saginaw News

SAGINAW — [...] Since The Saginaw News reported about an early version of the proposal, officials say the document has been modified, eliminating some elements while adding others. A City Council vote is likely weeks away.[...]

City Councilman Daniel Fitzpatrick, a member of the ordinance-drafting committee, said the group could submit a copy of the law to the council before its Monday meeting, but there likely won’t be a vote until after March.[...]

Saginaw’s language could point to the CDC list — and others like it — as a way to determine which dogs qualify as “dangerous,” but won’t list dog breeds, Fitzpatrick said.

The law instead will identify which animals are considered dangerous based on “dog types rather than dog breeds,” Fitzpatrick said.

For example, the city could consider dogs dangerous if they have “man-stopping power,” “the ability to do grievous injury with biting and tearing power” or possess the strength to “lock its jaws” during an attack, Fitzpatrick said.

“That will be more palatable for some people,” he said. “We want to, as much as possible, be more generic in our language instead of being so breed-specific. It will be self-explanatory.”[...]

[...] Fitzpatrick said he understands the concerns of the dog-loving community but wants to protect residents from the sorts of dog-mauling incidents that have made headlines in recent years.

“No matter what gets said — ‘Well, my dog has these traits but it would never …’ — well, you can’t say, ‘it would never,’ ” he said. “There has been so much documented proof that dogs like that will attack members of their own family for no provocation.”

Fitzpatrick said he owns a German shepherd/husky mix that would require him to abide by the ordinance.[...]

Full article retrieved 2/17/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/02/dangerous_dogs_ordinance_propo.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

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Illinois HB 1080 committee hearing, Feb 22

Posted on February 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Update 2/23/11: HB 1080 will be heard in committee on March 1 at 2 PM.

Illinois state law currently prohibits municipalities from passing breed-specific laws. HB 1080 would undo this prohibition and permit any municipality to declare dogs dangerous based on breed.

HB 1080 will be heard by the Agriculture & Conservation Committee on February 22, 2011. Residents, please attend the committee meeting on Tuesday, February 22, and express your opposition to House Bill 1080.
When: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Room 122B, Illinois State Capitol Building, Springfield, Illinois

Contact info for committee members:
http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=922&GA=97
Lisa M. Dugan, (217) 782-5981, FAX (217) 558-4553
Patrick J. Verschoore, (217) 782-5970, FAX (217) 558-1253
Jim Sacia, JimSacia@aeroinc.net
Kelly Burke, (217) 782-0515, FAX (217) 789-4899
Mary E. Flowers, flowersme@ilga.gov
Brandon W. Phelps, bphelps@yourclearwave.com
Dan Reitz, repreitz@egyptian.net
Jason Barickman, jason@jasonbarickman.org
John D. Cavaletto, (217) 782-0066, FAX (217) 782-1336
Norine Hammond, (217) 782-0416
Chad Hays, (217) 782-4811
Jack McGuire, jmcguire86@sbcglobal.net
Donald L. Moffitt, moffitt@grics.net
Wayne Rosenthal, (217) 782-8071

All alerts for Illinois HB 1080: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22hb+1080%22

The bill may be read and tracked here: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1080&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=56892&SessionID=84&GA=97

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Illinois

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Friday Harbor, WA: Breed-specific proposal to be discussed, Feb 17

Posted on February 16, 2011 by | Comments Off

Edit 2/24/11: Friday Harbor voted against BSL in a close vote of 3-2.

Thanks, Jodi! This BSL alert has gone from a “whisper” to a reality.

The town council of Friday Harbor, Washington will be discussing revisions to its animal control ordinance in a work session Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers located at 60 Second Street in Friday Harbor.

According to Town Attorney Adina Cunningham’s February 11, 2010 memo to town officials, the discussion will likely include breed specific language that could target several breeds of dogs (as per the request of the council).

http://www.fridayharbor.org/PDF/Council%20Packet/021711/dog.pdf

The public is welcome to attend and speak at the meeting during the designated public access time. Speakers are asked to provide their name and address for the record. Comments should be limited to three minutes per individual and five minutes if representing a group.

It should be noted that Friday Harbor DOES NOT have an animal control officer.

If you are in or near the Friday Harbor, Washington area, please make every effort to attend the town meeting tomorrow afternoon. Please politely and respectfully remind the town council of the many problems associated with breed specific ordinances, in addition to the town’s lack of anyone to enforce such a discriminatory ordinance.

Jodi Preis, Bless the Bullys, www.blessthebullys.com

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

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

Note that the “pit bull” ban imposed by the city of Yakima, WA, is cited as a model ordinance by the Friday Harbor city attorney. Read more about the “effectiveness” of the Yakima breed ban here (and note that Yakima has an animal control officer–Friday Harbor does not): http://stopbsl.com/2009/08/15/yakima-wa-is-pit-bull-ban-working/

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Washington State

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