Monthly Archives: May 2011

Cleveland, OH: Opportunity to repeal BSL

Posted on May 19, 2011 by | 7 Comments

Cleveland, OH, will consider a repeal of their breed-specific laws on June 1. Although I have not read the text of the proposal, I expect it still has restrictions on vicious dogs, and as such, “pit bulls” will still be restricted as vicious dogs in Cleveland until Ohio’s state law is finally changed. But this is nevertheless a step forward, and residents are encouraged to attend the meeting below to show support for the repeal of BSL. I will post additional details and issue a reminder as we get closer to the date.

Thanks to Jodi, Jean, and Dawn for getting the word out about this potential repeal.

On Monday, May 16th, Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone introduced an ordinance that will repeal Cleveland’s breed specific vicious dog law. It has been referred to the Safety Committee where it will be heard on June 1st. Councilman Zone asked for a big turn out to the committee meeting, so those that live in the area please consider attending. The meeting will be at:

Cleveland City Hall
601 Lakeside Ave. Rm 217
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
June 1, 10:00 am

A big THANK YOU to Jean Keating of the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates for her hard work and expert input in helping Councilman Zone and Chief Animal Control Officer Baird put a sound breed neutral law together!

We are through step one, now we just need to get it out of the Safety Committee!

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Castlegar, BC, Canada: Council will not change pit bull bylaw

Posted on May 19, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Castlegar city council has decided not to make any changes to their breed-specific bylaw. Last month, Castlegar city council agreed to review their pit bull bylaw after being made aware that the prohibitive cost of owning a “pit bull” in Castlegar ($1000 annual registration fee) has discouraged people from moving to Castlegar, has discouraged resident “pit bull” owners from registering their dogs, and has been difficult for bylaw officers to enforce due to breed identification issues.

All alerts for Castlegar: http://stopbsl.com/?s=castlegar

CITY PIT BULL LICENSING FEE TO REMAIN $1,000

by Kyra Hoggan on 18 May 2011

Pitbull owners in Castlegar will not enjoy a reduction in the cost of dog licensing, as council voted Monday night to maintain the status quo.[...]

The bylaw was reviewed by council’s Public Safety committee at councillor Deb McIntosh’s request.

“It’s an ineffective bylaw,” she said. “We know there are pit bulls in the community, they’re just not being licensed, or they’re being licensed as some other breed. [...]

McIntosh voted against leaving the fee as-is, while the rest of council voted in favour.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/19/11 from http://castlegarsource.com/news/politics/city-pit-bull-licensing-fee-remain-1000-11501

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Posted in Canada, Proposal to Repeal

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Madison, SD: Council moves toward breed-neutral ordinance revisions

Posted on May 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Madison, SD appears to be moving away from a proposed breed-specific law after receiving negative feedback from the public. The revised proposal may be presented at the next council meeting, May 23, at 5:30 PM, Commission Room, City Hall, 116 W Center Street, Madison, SD 57042.

All alerts for Madison: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22madison%2C+sd%22

City, residents hold discussion on dog behavior

By: CHUCK CLEMENT, Staff Reporter 05/16/2011

Dog owners argue that problems not limited to specific canine breed

About 25 persons attended Monday’s city commission meeting with most of the visitors interested in what typically serves as a highly-charged topic — the regulation of vicious and/or dangerous animals and the special regulation of pit bull dog breeds.

The Madison City Commission was reviewing two proposed ordinances dealing with prohibitions against vicious and diseased animals in proposed Ordinance 1506 and with registration and regulations regarding pit bull breeds in Ordinance 1507.[...]

The commissioners supported having Jencks revise the two proposed ordinances into one that would provide regulations for all dangerous and/or vicious animals. Jencks told the commissioners that he should have the amended ordinance ready for next Monday’s meeting and a first reading by the commissioners.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/17/11 from http://madisonet.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20461662&BRD=1302&PAG=461&dept_id=181987&rfi=6

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Posted in BSL Proposed, South Dakota

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Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, Montreal, Canada: BSL proposed

Posted on May 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jodi and Mirelle for the heads up.

The Montreal borough of Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles has proposed breed-specific regulations for “pit bulls.” The next borough meeting is June 7, at 19 h, at Centre Roussin, 12125, rue Notre-Dame East. Residents are encouraged to attend and voice opposition to the proposed breed-specific law.

Contact information for borough officials
chantal.rouleau@ville.montreal.qc.ca; giovanni.rapana@ville.montreal.qc.ca; caroline.bourgeois@ville.montreal.qc.ca; mariacalderone@ville.montreal.qc.ca; gilles.deziel@ville.montreal.qc.ca; mario.blanchet@ville.montreal.qc.ca; suzannedecarie@ville.montreal.qc.ca

Translated by Google Translate.

Rivière-des-Prairies wants crackdown

Agency QMI, 13/05/2011 8:19 p.m.

MONTREAL – The Borough of Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montreal, intends to adopt new regulations to prevent attacks by dangerous dogs or potentially dangerous.

“The muzzle will be mandatory for the pitbull. To breed and crosses of pitbull dogs and potentially dangerous, “said Suzanne Décarie, city councilor of the district.[...]

View original article in French here: http://fr.canoe.ca/infos/quebeccanada/archives/2011/05/20110513-201959.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Canada

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Trinidad and Tobago: AG revising dangerous dog law

Posted on May 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Trinidad and Tobago has had BSL in place since 2000 (regulating “pit bulls,” Japanese Tosa, and Fila Brasiliero), but the Act has never been enforced. A recent spate of highly-publicized dog attacks has brought the issue of dangerous dogs to the forefront.

T&T’s high crime rate, particularly violent crime, has encouraged individuals to acquire and keep large, unaltered, unsocialized, untrained yard dogs for guarding and protection. These large dogs include “pot hounds” (local term for a mutt), “pit bulls,” Rottweilers, Akitas, German Shepherds, and so on. Compounding the problem, the large guard dogs get loose and roam around in neighborhoods. As you can imagine, when one combines weak laws, poor enforcement, misuse of dogs, and irresponsible dog ownership, the outcome hasn’t been safe or pleasant.

The government of T&T now plans to revise their dangerous dog law. Unfortunately, the Attorney General indicates that the revisions are likely to be breed-specific.

“If the dog is there to warn when a bandit coming then that is one thing,” he said, adding that one didn’t need a pit bull for that. “A pompek [a Pomeranian-Pekingese crossbreed that is popular in T&T ] can be used for that. So those who wish to own dangerous dogs they would really have to face some onerous restrictions in my view,” he said.

The full article about the dog law revisions can be read here: http://news.barbadostoday.bb/barticlenew.php?ptitle=AG%20promises%20′dangerous%20dog%20bill’&article=5624

For residents of T&T and others who wish to weigh in on the dog law revisions, the Attorney General stated that a review team chaired by the Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Samraj Haripaul, had been receiving submissions and correspondence from the public. The AG hopes to have the revisions brought to Parliament by June 13.

The Attorney General’s office contact information:
Ministry of the Attorney General, Cabildo Chambers, 23-27 St. Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: 868-623-7010
Fax: 868-624-1986
Email: communication@ag.gov.tt
Website with feedback form: http://www.ag.gov.tt

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Outside of U.S.

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Shanghai, China: Over twenty breeds banned

Posted on May 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Lower fees encourage owners to register dogs

China Daily, 10:34, May 17, 2011

[...] Breeds, such as Rottweiler, German Shepherds and several types of mastiffs and bulldogs are also banned under the new regulation.

A police post on the Internet reads: “Any of these fierce dogs kept by private households will be taken away”.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/17/11 from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7382191.html

Here is the police post from the Internet, roughly translated by Google translate, that names the specific breeds banned:

Individuals on the city banned dog breeding directory potent Notice
To protect the public safety, and prevent loss of control caused by sudden strong dogs cause casualties, according to “Regulations of Shanghai Dog” (February 23, 2011, Shanghai People’s Congress Standing Committee of the thirteenth section 25 meeting), the prohibition of individual breeding dogs with the relevant provisions of potent, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai Municipal Agricultural Commission, the Urban Pet Industry Association study determined the “Shanghai potent against people keeping dogs directory”, is hereby published as follows :
Potent against individuals raising dogs in Shanghai directory:
1, the Tibetan Mastiff (Tibetan Mastiff), Mastiff (Mastiff), Rottweiler (Rottweiler), Italy twisted Boli Dayton (Neopolitan Mastiff, Italian Mastiff alias Napoleon Mastiff), Bordeaux Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux, French Mastiff alias), Bull Mastiff (Bull Mastiff), the Spanish Mastiff (Spanish Mastiff), Caucasian dogs (Caucasian Vcharka), Pyrenean Mastiff (Pyrenean Mastiff), Brazil Rockefeller (Fila Braziliero , alias the Brazilian Mastiff Brazilian Mastiff), Dogo Argentina Mastiff (Argentinean Dogo Mastiff), 丹麦布罗荷 horse mastiff (Danish Broholmer) and other Mastiff Mastiff descent, and hybridization with dogs;
2, France Dog (Beauceron Wolfdog), Kunming Dog (Kunming wolfdog, alias China Dog), German Shepherd Dog (German Shepherd Dog) Dog and a Dog descent such as hybrid dogs;
3, the British Bulldog (English Bulldog), the old British Bulldog (Old English Bulldog), American Bulldogs (American Bulldog), Tosa (Japanese Tosa), Bull Terrier (Bull Terrier), Germany, Doberman (German Doberman ) and other dogs and has the potent hybrid dog breed ancestry.
Violation of the provisions pursuant to article XII of the individual dog breeding potent, the public security departments accept dogs.

The police post can be read in its original Chinese here: http://www.police.sh.cn/shga/gweb/zfgkxx/gkxx_view.jsp?pa=6873a50917f316de234f66b780d4809c50b8b3b7c8861aa7156e0e34c1f0e68e8fa0f7bef7bf3297

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Posted in BSL Passed, Outside of U.S.

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Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, Montreal, QC, Canada: Mayor says borough may consider BSL or breed ban

Posted on May 15, 2011 by | Comments Off

En français.

Réal Ménard, mayor of the Montreal borough Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, spoke on a local talk radio about “the problem of pit bulls” in the borough. The mayor suggested that the borough may re-examine a breed-specific law or breed ban.

A translated transcript of the radio show can be read here: http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=87795
The original French audio can be heard here: http://www.985fm.ca/audioplayer.php?mp3=100327

Residents and locals are encouraged to send polite, educational correspondence about the failures of BSL to their borough mayor and board. Ontario provides a close and significant example of a breed ban’s failure and devastating fallout (and more fallout, and more fallout).

Residents are also encouraged to attend upcoming board meetings to voice their opposition to BSL. Next borough board meeting: June 7, 2011 at 19:00, House of Culture Maisonneuve, 4200, rue Ontario Est. Information: 514 872-4228. Persons wishing to participate must register under the reception desk to ask questions of their elected representatives. There are two question periods: the first deals with issues on the agenda, the second is general in nature and limited to 30 minutes. View upcoming agendas here.

Contact information for borough mayor and board:
Réal Ménard, Borough Mayor, real.menard@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Lawrence Blanchard, laurentblanchard@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Louise Harel, louise.harel@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Gaëtan Primeau, gaetanprimeau@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Lyn Thériault, lyn.theriault@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Monique Comtois-Blanchet, monique.comtois-blanchet@ville.montreal.qc.ca

Email block for cut and paste:
real.menard@ville.montreal.qc.ca; laurentblanchard@ville.montreal.qc.ca; louise.harel@ville.montreal.qc.ca; gaetanprimeau@ville.montreal.qc.ca; lyn.theriault@ville.montreal.qc.ca; monique.comtois-blanchet@ville.montreal.qc.ca

Many thanks to PBC user Mirelle for the transcript and notification, and to BSL Updates for the alert.

French translation courtesy of Google Translate:

Réal Ménard, maire de Montréal de l’arrondissement Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, est intervenu sur une radio locale parler à propos de “le problème des pit-bulls” dans l’arrondissement. Le maire a suggéré que l’arrondissement peut réexaminer une loi spécifique à la race ou l’interdiction de race (BSL).

Une transcription en anglais de l’émission de radio peut être lue ici: http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=87795
L’audio original en français peut être entendu ici: http://www.985fm.ca/audioplayer.php?mp3=100327

Les résidents et les habitants sont encouragés à envoyer politesse, de la correspondance d’enseignement sur les échecs du BSL à leur maire de l’arrondissement et le conseil. L’Ontario fournit un exemple proche et significative de l’échec d’une interdiction race et les retombées dévastatrices (et plus de retombées, et plus les retombées).

Les résidents sont également invités à assister aux réunions du conseil d’administration à venir pour exprimer leur opposition à BSL. Suivant réunion du conseil d’arrondissement: 7 Juin 2011 à 19h, Maison de la Culture Maisonneuve, 4200, rue Ontario Est. Renseignements: 514 872-4228. Les personnes désirant participer doivent s’inscrire en vertu de la réception de poser des questions à leurs représentants élus. Il ya deux périodes de questions: la première traite des questions sur l’ordre du jour, la seconde est de nature générale et limitée à 30 minutes. Voir l’ordre du jour à venir ici.

Coordonnées de maire de l’arrondissement et le conseil:
real.menard@ville.montreal.qc.ca; laurentblanchard@ville.montreal.qc.ca; louise.harel@ville.montreal.qc.ca; gaetanprimeau@ville.montreal.qc.ca; lyn.theriault@ville.montreal.qc.ca; monique.comtois-blanchet@ville.montreal.qc.ca

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Posted in Canada, Whispers of BSL

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Madison, SD: BSL proposed, will be discussed May 16

Posted on May 13, 2011 by | Comments Off

This has moved from a whisper to a reality. Madison city commissioners will discuss proposed BSL during their meeting on May 16 at 5:30 PM, Commission Room, City Hall, 116 W Center Street, Madison, SD 57042.

Agenda page.
Contact page for city commissioners.

Gene Hexom, mayor.hexom@cityofmadisonsd.com
Scott Delzer, commissioner.delzer@cityofmadisonsd.com
Dick Ericsson, commissioner.ericsson@cityofmadisonsd.com
Karen Lembcke, commissioner.lembcke@cityofmadisonsd.com
Nicholas Abraham, commissioner.abraham@cityofmadisonsd.com

Email block for cut and paste:
mayor.hexom@cityofmadisonsd.com; commissioner.delzer@cityofmadisonsd.com; commissioner.ericsson@cityofmadisonsd.com; commissioner.lembcke@cityofmadisonsd.com; commissioner.abraham@cityofmadisonsd.com

Previous alerts for Madison: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22madison%2C+sd%22

Commission to discuss registering pit bulls

By CHUCK CLEMENT, Staff Reporter 05/13/2011

The Madison City Commission will discuss enacting new municipal laws that would require the registration of all purebred or mixed-breed pit bull dogs, whether they already live within city limits or arrive in the future.

On Monday at 5:30 p.m., the commissioners will discuss the registration of new pit bull dogs within 10 days and of existing pit bulls within 30 days of the proposed ordinance’s passage. The commission meeting will be held in City Hall.

The proposed ordinance includes requirements that pit bulls remain securely confined either indoors, in a locked pen or kennel, or within a fenced area. The dog owners will need to erect signs announcing the presence of a pit bull on their property and obtain $250,000 in liability insurance against any injuries or deaths that the dogs could cause. They will also need to provide city officials with color photographs showing the color and size of any pit bulls.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/13/11 from http://madisonet.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20461549&BRD=1302&PAG=461&dept_id=181979&rfi=6

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Posted in BSL Proposed, South Dakota

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Saginaw, MI: Council delays discussion on proposed BSL

Posted on May 12, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Saginaw city council was to discuss proposed BSL at the May 9 council meeting, but the discussion was delayed. The proposed BSL would restrict ownership of five breeds.

According to the badly written ordinance, the five breeds to be restricted are to be determined annually by an unknown entity using a vague and poorly defined data set. This year’s “top five breed list” consists of “pit bull,” Bull Mastiff, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd, and all mixed breed dogs that resemble one of these breeds. Alaskan Malamute has inexplicably been removed from the list based on the most recent correspondence from the city.

You may read the latest revisions here: http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/CityCouncil/Agendas/2011/2011-05-09/Dangerous%20Dog%20Ordinance.pdf

Council plans to discuss the proposed ordinance and revisions during a future meeting. The next council meetings are May 23 and June 6.

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

Email quicklist
anngreg@chartermi.net; amossam@charter.net; dbrowning125@charter.net; dlfitz@ameritech.net; lcoulouris@yahoo.com; akitterman@spsd.net; drbills@charter.net; Ptvirciglio90@charter.net; wendtmsu93@yahoo.com

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

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

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Santa Clara County, CA: Board rejects breed-specific MSN

Posted on May 12, 2011 by | Comments Off

County says no to mandatory spay/neuter of pit bulls, other dogs

May 11, 2011 By Lindsay Weaver

Pit bulls and other large dogs residing in unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County won’t be subject to a mandatory spay and neutering ordinance after the county board of supervisors Tuesday pulled back the leash on a strict ordinance proposed last August.

The board accepted the report by county staff and an independent advisory committee that decided the feasibility and challenges of enacting a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for pit bull-like dogs would not “achieve the desired public safety outcome,” according to the staff report.

Instead, the board agreed at Tuesday’s meeting to change some of the language used in an ordinance that will expand the free and low-cost spay/neuter program and explore starting a pilot program at elementary schools to inform students on how to act around dogs to decrease dog bites.

The ordinance will come back to the board for a first and second reading, then a vote for approval. The language changes had to do with attacks that happen on the dog owner’s property. [...]

Full article retrieved 5/12/11 from http://www.morganhilltimes.com/news/275649-county-says-no-to-mandatory-spayneuter-of-pit-bulls-other-dogs

All alerts for Santa Clara County: http://stopbsl.com/?s=santa+clara

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Posted in BSL Defeated, California

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