Monthly Archives: June 2011

Ohio HB 14 passes House, heads to Senate

Posted on June 29, 2011 by | Comments Off

Ohio HB 14 passed the state house yesterday, 69-29. How did your house representative vote on HB 14?

HB 14 gained several co-sponsors in the house, and the state’s dog wardens are also supportive of the bill. HB 14 now goes to the Senate, and will likely be dealt with in the fall. Last year’s similar HB 79 died at this stage. It is vital that Ohio residents communicate to their senators the importance of this bill and the need for it to be heard and voted on. Don’t let it die again!

Existing state law does not protect the public, discriminates against dog bite victims, and compounds the struggles of no-kill groups, animal welfare advocates, and public safety advocates. HB 14 is a badly-needed rework.

Find your state senator’s contact information here: http://www.ohiosenate.gov/

Link to the text of HB 14:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

Senate also gets ‘pit bulls’ proposal

BY JIM PROVANCE, BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

COLUMBUS — [...] The chamber gave almost as strong support to a separate bill to eliminate Ohio’s distinction as the only state that automatically labels the ”pit bull” a “vicious dog” by virtue of its breed.

[The bill heads] to the Senate, which, except for an expected brief return in two weeks, left town for the summer Tuesday.[...]

Last session’s ”pit bull” bill died without a vote in the Senate, in part because it lacked support from dog wardens. This time, the dog wardens have signed on to the effort.[...]

Comments Off

Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Webb City, MO extends breed ban registration deadline

Posted on June 29, 2011 by | Comments Off

Webb City passed a ban on “pit bulls” earlier this month, with a grandfather clause for dogs that are already registered with the city. The city has decided to extend the registration deadline for “pit bulls” until July 12 to allow residents to register their dogs.

No new “pit bulls” will be allowed in the city after July 12. Owners of grandfathered “pit bulls” must follow several special restrictions.

Webb City council grants extension for pit bull owners

By Andra Bryan Stefanoni, news@joplinglobe.com
June 28, 2011

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The City Council on Monday night amended its newly approved pit bull ban to establish a grace period for current residents or those now moving to the city. [...]

Full article retrieved 6/29/11 from http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x236811257/Webb-City-council-grants-extension-for-pit-bull-owners

All alerts for Webb City, MO: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22webb+city%2C+mo%22

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Passed, Missouri

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Cornell, WI: Committee to discuss BSL, July 6

Posted on June 28, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Cornell, WI will discuss possible restrictions on “pit bulls and other dangerous dog breeds” during the Public Health and Safety committee meeting on July 6 at 5:00 PM in the council chambers. This is definitely on the agenda, per the city office.

There is no official proposal yet, so I do not know whether they are going to consider restrictions or a ban, nor which dog breeds specifically will be targeted.

Residents and locals are encouraged to contact the city council and attend the committee meeting to provide respectful, educational dialogue about the dangers of BSL and the need for effective breed-neutral solutions.

City of Cornell, 222 Main Street, Cornell, WI 54732
715-239-3710
cornellcityoffice@centurytel.net

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Whispers of BSL, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , ,

Ohio HB 14 on House floor for vote today

Posted on June 28, 2011 by | Comments Off

Update 6/28/11: Heard that HB 14 passed the House. Next, it will have to go through the Senate process. Updates to come.

Today, June 28, the Ohio House will vote on HB 14, a bill that would repeal Ohio’s statewide BSL and comprehensively revise and strengthen the state dog control laws.

Ohio residents, please write your House Representatives, who will be the ones to vote—and urge them to pass HB 14!

Existing state law does not protect the public, discriminates against dog bite victims, and compounds the struggles of no-kill groups, animal welfare advocates, and public safety advocates. HB 14 is a badly-needed rework.

Find your state senator and representative using the legislator locator:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

Link to the text of HB 14:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

Comments Off

Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Fulton, MO reminder: Council to hear from dog committee, June 28 (possible BSL)

Posted on June 26, 2011 by | Comments Off

During a city council meeting in March, council discussed possible revisions to Fulton’s animal control ordinance. The possibility of BSL was raised at that time, and the council formed a dog ordinance committee.

Council is scheduled to receive an update on the dog ordinance committee on June 28. It is not clear at this time what that update will cover. Residents and locals may wish to attend in order to express continued opposition to BSL and to monitor the progress and intentions of the dog ordinance committee.

From the June 28 agenda:

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Update by Councilman Pautz on the Dog Committee meeting held on Thursday, June 16th

The city council meeting will take place on June 28 at 6:30 PM, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 18 E. 4th Street, Fulton, MO.

All alerts for Fulton: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22fulton%2C+mo%22

Comments Off

Posted in Missouri, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Ellenville, NY reminder: Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27

Posted on June 26, 2011 by | Comments Off

Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27, 7:15 PM, at the Ellenville Government Center, 2 Elting Court, Ellenville, NY 12428.

A few Ellenville trustees and officials quoted in the article below expressed fear of “pit bulls” and Rottweilers, and they suggest BSL might be an option. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the public hearing and provide effective breed-neutral laws for the council to consider. Respectful correspondence and educational materials may help.

New York state law prohibits breed-specific laws, and we would hope the Ellenville village attorney knows this. We do not know at this time what will be discussed or introduced at the public hearing.

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

Dogs Gone Wild

String of Attacks Prompts Village to Act
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – A public hearing is scheduled for June 27 to gain public input on the ongoing problem of dog attacks in the village, particularly concerning pit bulls. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Village Attorney Peter Berger is drawing up a local law addressing dog control in the village, and it will be discussed during the hearing.[...]

Full article retrieved 6/17/11 from http://www.shawangunkjournal.com/2011/06/16/news/1106161.html

Comments Off

Posted in New York, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

New Zealand: Presa Canario added to import ban

Posted on June 24, 2011 by | Comments Off

The New Zealand parliament has recently added the Perro de Presa Canario to Schedule 4.

New Zealand’s Dog Control Act 1996 prohibits the import of any dog believed to be of a breed listed in Schedule 4. Such dogs already in New Zealand are also classified as “menacing.” Menacing dogs must be leashed and muzzled in public; they may also be required to be neutered.

The breeds and types of dogs that are listed on Schedule 4 are now currently as follows: American Pit Bull Terrier (type), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Brazilian Fila, and Presa Canario.

The committee report on Dog Control (Perro de Presa Canario) Order 2010 may be read here: http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/2B34A146-823B-47C2-B582-3C38B8D291A4/164778/DBSCH_SCR_4928_DogControlPerrodePresaCanarioOrder2.pdf

 

Comments Off

Posted in Additional Breeds, Outside of U.S.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Haskell, AR: Breed ban proposed

Posted on June 24, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jodi for this alert! According to the news article I found, the proposed “pit bull” ban would include American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bulldog.

The City of Haskell, Arkansas is currently considering an ordinance that would ban “pit bulls.” I am trying to obtain a copy of the proposed ordinance, but it is my understanding it would NOT include a grandfather clause.

Haskell is a small town of approximately 2,000 people. The town has an employee that acts as the animal control officer, but performs many other duties for the city, as well. The “shelter” is small, open-sided shed that holds approximately 5 crates.

It is extremely important to note that a rescue is located in the Haskell city limits. Should this ordinance pass, not only will the dogs currently residing in Haskell be prohibited, but its passage has the potential to affect countless dogs that could otherwise be pulled by this rescue, and deny those dogs the second chance at a new life. Members of this rescue are pleading for help to stop this ordinance from passing.

The first reading and vote will be held on July 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. It is imperative that we have a full house at this meeting!

In the meantime, please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE opposition to breed specific legislation to the Haskell officials listed below. Please also send your viable suggestions and alternate ordinances for their consideration.

Arkansas has some hard-hitting BSL supporters, and you can bet they will be making their voice heard on this issue. PLEASE act on this regardless of where you live!

Haskell is very small and does not have its agendas or minutes posted online. If there is a local nearby who can help keep StopBSL updated on this issue, it would be appreciated.

City of Haskell, AR
Phone: 501-776-2666
Fax: 501-776-1201

Jeff Arey, Mayor, mayor@cityofhaskell.org
Laura Dempsey, Administrative Assistant, administrative@cityofhaskell.org
Josh Meadows, Animal Control, animalcontrol@cityofhaskell.org
City Council members
Ronnie Ballard, bfd_ballard@yahoo.com
Rose Marie Wilkinson, romawilkins@wmconnect.com
Brad Graham, coachbdg@yahoo.com
Allan Nash, nash@hp-link.net
Dwayne Hippensteel, hippensteelCD@aol.com

Council members Gary Vice, Hal Baker, and Ray Bennett do not make their e-mail address available. However, you may send your correspondence via the Mayor’s fax number with a polite request to forward it on to them.

Email block for cut and paste (note not all city council members have email)
mayor@cityofhaskell.org; administrative@cityofhaskell.org; animalcontrol@cityofhaskell.org; bfd_ballard@yahoo.com; romawilkins@wmconnect.com; coachbdg@yahoo.com; nash@hp-link.net; hippensteelCD@aol.com

Haskell City Council to discuss pit bull ban

June 13, 2011
BY HOLLAND DORAN, newseditor@bentoncourier.com

An ordinance banning pit bulls within the Haskell city limits will be the main item on the agenda at Haskell City Council’s meeting today.[...]

Specifically, the ordinance specifies these as American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Bull Dog.[...]

Full article retrieved 6/24/11 from http://www.bentoncourier.com/content/haskell-city-council-discuss-pit-bull-ban

Comments Off

Posted in Arkansas, BSL Proposed

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Lakewood, OH: Breed ban language to be clarified

Posted on June 22, 2011 by | Comments Off

In response to a lawsuit, Lakewood city council intends to “clarify”—not repeal—the language of their two-year-old breed ban. Ironically, the Public Safety Committee will rewrite the language, but does not intend to examine the effectiveness of the ban in terms of public safety.

Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the city council meetings, and ask difficult and important questions about the ban: How much safer are we? Where are the bite statistics? Why aren’t you considering a repeal, especially in light of HB 14 and Cleveland? How do you justify the breed misidentification issues that are occurring?

City Council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, at 7:30 PM, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH. Next council meeting: July 5.

Public Safety Committee Members: Monique Smith, Shawn Juris, Brian Powers
shawn.juris@lakewoodoh.net; monique.smith@lakewoodoh.net; brian.powers@lakewoodoh.net
Contact entire council: council@lakewoodoh.net
City Council, Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 529-6055 

Lakewood City Council Revisits Pit Bull Legislation

Measure before council aims to clarify language in 2008 ordinance.

By Colin McEwen, June 21, 2011

Pit bulls are illegal in Lakewood, along with other dogs that are deemed dangerous.

That legislation passed Lakewood City Council nearly two years ago after some heated debate and a divided city.

On Monday, council brought up the issue again — but this time to clarify the language in the ordinance.

Specifically, the legislation before council seeks to outline the appeals process and the obligations of the city — as well as the rights and obligations of dog owners. [...]

Full article retrieved 6/22/11 from http://lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/lakewood-city-council-revisits-pit-bull-legislation

Comments Off

Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Saginaw, MI: BSL passed

Posted on June 21, 2011 by | Comments Off

Saginaw, MI, city council voted 5-3 in favor of a breed-specific ordinance at last night’s meeting. This was the final vote on the ordinance.

The newly passed ordinance restricts ownership of “pit bulls” (undefined term), Bull Mastiffs, Presa Canarios, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds—and any mixed-breed dog that resembles one of these. Owners of these breeds must pay for a special “dangerous dog” license, must post special signage, and must follow special containment rules, among other things. The Code Enforcement department is in charge of breed identification and enforcement.

Currently, the full ordinance can be read here: http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/CityCouncil/Proposed%20Dog%20Ordinance.pdf

Saginaw City Council passes ‘Dangerous dogs’ ordinance 5-3

Updated: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 7:25 AM
By Gus Burns | The Saginaw News

[...] The measure passed 5-3, with Councilman Dennis Browning, Councilman Andrew Wendt and Counclman Larry Coulouris dissenting.

Browning and Wendt took issue with the breed-specific language, while Coulouris said he wished an advocate for responsible dog owners had been on the committee.[...]

Residents who own a dog that is deemed “dangerous” are required to register their animal at the City Clerk’s office, 1315 S. Washington in Saginaw, by June 30 to be in compliance.

Full article retrieved 6/21/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/06/dangerous_dogs_ordinance_and_o.html

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

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Passed, Michigan

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,