Monthly Archives: September 2011

Lake City, AR: Breeds added to breed ban

Posted on September 28, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Lake City, AR has added American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, and mixes to their “pit bull” ban, which has been in place since 1991. This was done at the request of citizens, and no one spoke in opposition during any of three readings. I have found no news coverage of the proposal prior to its passage, and Lake City’s agendas are not available online. I do not know to what extent city officials informed the public about the proposal.

City Council meets the third Monday night of each month, at 6:30 p.m., at City Hall. Residents desiring to present an issue on the agenda must do so by noon on the Friday preceding the scheduled Monday meeting. If residents can request expansion of the ban, it seems reasonable that residents may also request elimination of the ban. Individual contact information for the city council may be found here: http://lakecityar.com/?page_id=17

Lake City expands vicious dog restrictions

Posted: Sep 28, 2011 9:11 AM CDT
Updated: Sep 28, 2011 7:28 PM CDT
By Brandi Hunter, Video Journalist – email

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) – The city council in Lake City expanded an existing animal ordinance that bans pit bulls to include more breeds.

Since 1991, Lake City ordinance 135 has prohibited residents from owning pit bulls. The city council unanimously approved ordinance 253-11, an amended ordinance that includes a ban on Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American bulldogs and mixed breeds that are offspring of bulldogs. [...]

Full article retrieved 9/28/11 from http://www.kait8.com/story/15568028/lake-city-expands-vicious-dog-restrictions

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Posted in Additional Breeds, Arkansas

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Union, MS: Breed ban passed

Posted on September 24, 2011 by | 9 Comments

The town of Union, MS, has passed a ban on “the breed of dog commonly known as a pit bulldog” as well as “pit bulldog mixes,” according to the front page of the Newton County Appeal from Wednesday, September 21. The city may consider banning other breeds in addition to the vague and undefined “pit bulldog.”

Pit bulls banned in Union

by Jack Tennehill, Appeal Editor

Pit bulls have been outlawed in Union.

Meeting in a specially called meeting last Tuesday night, the aldermen voted unanimously to pass an ordinance that would ban “the breed of dog commonly known as the ‘Pit Bulldog.’”

The new measure would also ban what it terms as a “Pit Bulldog Mix.”

The ordinance which would go into effect in October, does not make any provision for the dogs to be penned or leashed. It is specific in calling for their removal from the city limits. [Remainder of article not available online.]

You may view the Appeal front page here: http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297979_154019594688446_105485776208495_278577_1111925815_n.jpg

Union is a very small town with no website. This is the only city contact information I can find.
404 Bank St., Union, MS 39365
Phone: (601) 774-9422

Thanks to Rayanne (Twitter @agilitylabs) for the notification!

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Posted in BSL Passed, Mississippi

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Overland, MO: Breed ban passed

Posted on September 23, 2011 by | 6 Comments

Overland, MO, has passed a ban on “pit bulls.” The ban will go into effect in January 2012.

It is unclear how this ban came about. Overland’s old animal ordinance specifically prohibited dogs from being declared dangerous based solely on breed. With the passage of the new ordinance, the city has made an abrupt 180 degree turn. According to the only news article I could find about this, “Officials say this ban is not a result of any particular incident, but rather is the city being proactive based on what other cities across the country have adopted concerning pit bull laws.”

There has been no media coverage, and StopBSL received no advance notification that Overland was considering a breed ban, so it’s unclear how much publicity the animal ordinance revisions actually got. The agendas and minutes on Overland’s city website are not kept current, so at this time, I do not know when the council met on this issue, what was discussed, or what the new animal ordinance looks like.

Thanks to Mike for sending me the news article, which is all of 4 sentences long and can be read here: http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Dog-breed-to-be-banned-in-Overland-130456223.html

The City Council shall hold regular meetings on the second (2nd) and fourth
(4th) Mondays of each month with the exception of the months of July, August and December wherein there shall be one (1) meeting per month held on the second (2nd) Monday of the month.  Next council meeting: September 26. Although it sounds like this is a done deal, residents and locals who were unaware that this dialogue was taking place may wish to voice their opinions during the council meeting.

You may voice your disappointment to city officials with this contact info:
City Hall, 9119 Lackland Road, Overland, MO 63114
(314) 428-4321
Fax (314) 428-3515
Directory (phone and email) for mayor and council: http://overlandmo.org/Directory.aspx?did=7

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Posted in BSL Passed, Missouri

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Topeka, KS: Repeal of BSL results in fewer shelter euths

Posted on September 23, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Topeka, KS repealed BSL in September 2010; this year, the local humane society reports a drop in euthanasia. BSL has shown to be a drain on local animal shelter resources and to increase euthanasia rates, so this result after BSL repeal is expected.

Note: The headline is a little bit misleading because Topeka no longer has BSL. The headline should probably say “A year later, no pit bull rules means less euthanasia.”

A year later, pit bull rules mean less euthanasia

Posted: September 23, 2011 – 5:25pm
By Tim Hrenchir, THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The Helping Hands Humane Society has seen a 24 percent drop in the number of dogs it euthanizes since a city ordinance was approved nearly a year ago changing animal control rules, says humane society executive director Bill Acree.

Most euthanasia at the shelter now takes place because of health and behavior, with “very little” resulting from a lack of space, Acree said Friday.

He said the decrease came about after the city’s governing body voted Sept. 28, 2010, to revise city rules for stray cats and dangerous dogs, including loosening up regulations regarding pit bulls.[...]

The ordinance also changed the previous rules by allowing for Helping Hands to adopt out pit bulls picked up by the city. [...]

Full article retrieved 9/23/11 from http://cjonline.com/news/local/2011-09-23/year-later-pit-bull-rules-mean-less-euthanasia

Previous alerts for Topeka: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22topeka%2C+ks%22

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Posted in Kansas, Results of BSL

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Egelston Township, MI: BSL rejected

Posted on September 23, 2011 by | Comments Off

Egelston Township council has rejected a proposal that would have placed restrictions on ownership of “pit bulls.”

Pit bull ordinance rejected by Egelston Township board

Published: Friday, September 23, 2011, 11:32 AM
By Lynn Moore | The Muskegon Chronicle

[...] The township board has rejected a proposed vicious animal ordinance that targeted pit bull terriers, requiring them to be kept indoors or in a covered kennel and walked with a muzzle.

The ordinance had been proposed by the township planning commission, which now has been charged with reworking the ordinance so it is not “breed specific,” said township Supervisor Mike Thompson.[...]

Thompson said he received about 20 emails from residents opposed to the proposal, and just one in support of it.

Several members of a crowd that turned out for the board’s meeting Sept. 19 agreed to help draft a more appropriate ordinance for the township, Thompson said.[...]

Full article retrieved 9/23/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/09/pit_bull_ordinance_rejected_by.html

All alerts for Egelston Township: http://stopbsl.com/?s=egelston

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Michigan

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New at StopBSL: Find a Local Group

Posted on September 22, 2011 by | 2 Comments

“Is there a local group I can join to stop proposed BSL in my town?”
“Is anyone else trying to get this law repealed?”
“How do I find other people near me who want to stop BSL here?”

StopBSL gets this kind of question frequently—and until now, we’ve relied on memory, post comments, and Google Search to provide an answer.

We would like to invite you to help us create a list of local groups (and individuals) that are focusing their efforts on a particular breed-specific law in a particular municipality, state, or region.

If you

  • want to start a local group to oppose a breed-specific proposal or law in your area
  • or know about or are part of a local group that is opposing a breed-specific proposal or law in your area
  • and want your neighbors to join you in opposition to a local breed-specific proposal or law

please fill out this short form so that we can add your group to our public list.

As the list grows, you and I can quickly refer interested individuals to this list so they can find and join local opposition to BSL. A well-organized and vocal community group is an invaluable tool for fighting local BSL—they can attend council and board meetings, contact local news media, educate the community, and more.

The list of local groups can be found here. (Since we’ve only just started gathering data, please be aware that this list is basically empty right now. We hope it will fill up quickly!)

Please share this new resource with your fellow BSL opponents! The more groups we can add to the list, the easier it will be for people to find and get involved directly in their community.

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Posted in Administrative, Community Initiatives

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Waterloo, IA: Whispers of BSL

Posted on September 22, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jodi for this heads up! We fully agree—Waterloo residents, please speak up now to ensure that Waterloo council makes breed-neutral choices.

A resident of Waterloo, Iowa has requested the city council revise its animal control ordinance in the wake of a dog-on-dog attack. One of the requested revisions is a ban on “pit bulls” in the city limits.

Read more at Bless the Bullys: http://blessthebullys.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/residents-of-waterloo-iowa-take-an-active-role-in-your-community/

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Posted in Iowa, Whispers of BSL

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Tupelo, MS: BSL proposed (additional breeds)

Posted on September 19, 2011 by | Comments Off

Edit 10/15/11: Tupelo apparently already has BSL for “pit bull” owners. “Pit bulls” are automatically considered “dangerous animals” and are specially regulated. The news article below was not very specific, but I would guess that Tupelo is either considering adding breeds to their BSL, or instituting a whole new breed-specific law.

Tupelo, MS, is looking at a breed-specific ordinance that will affect “pit bulls” and may also include Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans. StopBSL has not received exact wording or seen the proposal, so it is unclear at this time what the ordinance will require and what types of dogs will be targeted.

Tupelo councilmembers will introduce the ordinance in the near future. According to the city website, Tupelo city council has a meeting tomorrow, September 20, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 71 East Troy Street. This item is NOT on the agenda. If you wish to make a public comment at the meeting for an item not on the agenda, I think there is a special process you must follow; please contact Kim Hanna, City Clerk, Kim.Hanna@tupeloms.gov , 662-841-6509

Contact info for city officials:
City Hall, 71 East Troy Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1485, Tupelo, MS 38802-1485
662-841-6513
Mayor Jack Reed Jr., Jack.Reed@tupeloms.gov
Markel Whittington, markel.whittington@comcast.net
Fred Pitts, rfred@sguard.net
James (Jim) Newell, jimwnewell@comcast.net
Nettie Davis, nettiedavisward4@bellsouth.net
Jonny Davis, jstuartdavis@yahoo.com
Mike Bryan, mike.bryan@comcast.net
Willie Jennings, wljennings@yahoo.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
Jack.Reed@tupeloms.gov; markel.whittington@comcast.net; rfred@sguard.net; jimwnewell@comcast.net; nettiedavisward4@bellsouth.net; jstuartdavis@yahoo.com; mike.bryan@comcast.net; wljennings@yahoo.com

Tupelo is looking at mean-dog ordinance

By EMILY LE COZ – Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

TUPELO — Large-breed dogs with dangerous reputations could come under stricter control if a proposed ordinance passes the City Council.[...]

In addition to pit bulls, other breeds could be singled out in the proposal, said the subcommittee’s chairman, Ward 5 City Councilman Jonny Davis. He wants to recommend mandatory registration and annual permit fees for owners of Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers, too.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/09/17/3436943/tupelo-is-looking-at-mean-dog.html#ixzz1YQcJwDEL

Thanks to KCDogBlog and Kathy for the heads up!

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Posted in Additional Breeds, BSL Proposed, Mississippi

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Charles County, MD: Public forum on possible BSL, Sept 20

Posted on September 19, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Charles County, MD, has been working on animal ordinance revisions that currently include breed-specific language. Although public forums don’t have formal agendas, we’ve been advised that the ordinance will probably be discussed during the Public Forum on Sept 20 at 5:30 PM in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Charles County Government Building, First Floor, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646.

One of the major revisions would declare all “pit bulls” to be “potentially dangerous” dogs, thereby placing numerous special restrictions on ownership of dogs identified as pit bulls. “Pit bull” is defined as American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, any dog that has ever been identified at any time (including in adoption or veterinary paperwork) as a “pit bull” type dog, and any dog that resembles one of these breeds.

You may read the full ordinance here: http://www.boarddocs.com/md/chrlsco/Board.nsf/files/8JZNZM625FC5/$file/Bill%20Number%202011-07%20Animal%20Control%20Regulations.pdf

The purpose of a public forum is to allow the public to speak to the commission, so we encourage residents and locals of Charles County to attend this meeting and continue speaking against BSL.

Contact information for Charles County Commissioners:
Attn: Charles County Board of Commissioners
Post Office Box 2150
La Plata, Maryland 20646-2150
301-645-0550 or 301-870-3000
Entire Commission: commissioner@charlescounty.org
President Candice Kelly, KellyC@charlescounty.org
VP Reuben Collins, CollinsR@charlescounty.org
Ken Robinson, RobinsonK@charlescounty.org
Debra Davis, DavisD@charlescounty.org
Bobby Rucci, RucciB@charlescounty.org

Email block for cut-and-paste
commissioner@charlescounty.org; KellyC@charlescounty.org; CollinsR@charlescounty.org; RobinsonK@charlescounty.org; DavisD@charlescounty.org; RucciB@charlescounty.org

All alerts for Charles County: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22charles+county%2C+md%22

Thanks to Twitter follower @MdDogFed for the reminder!

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Maryland

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Lakewood, OH: Council to discuss breed ban amendments, Sept 19

Posted on September 18, 2011 by | Comments Off

A Lakewood city council committee has ”clarified”—but did not repeal—the language of their two-year-old breed ban on “pit bulls” and “canary dogs.” The city council will now discuss the committee amendments during the council meeting on September 19 at 7:30 PM, Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue.

The public may comment at the meeting; please see the agenda to find out how you can make a public comment on this agenda item:

7. Public Safety Committee Report regarding Ordinance No. 35-11 – amending sections within Chapter 506 to clarify the definitions and hearing processes related to dangerous and vicious dogs. (Pg.22)

8. ORDINANCE NO. 35-11 – AN ORDINANCE amending Section 506.03 of the Codified Ordinances, Pit Bull Dogs or Canary Dogs; Section 506.08, Alternative Confinement; Section 506.09, Hearing by Director of Public Safety; Notice; Section 506.10, Evidence; Section 506.11, Decision of the Director of Public Safety; and Section 506.13, Disposition of Dangerous Animals, for the purpose of clarifying the definitions and hearing processes related to pit bull dogs, canary dogs, other dangerous dogs and vicious dogs. PLACED ON 1ST READING & REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 6/20/11, 2nd READING 7/5/11, DEFERRED 7/18/11) (Pg. 23)

The amended ordinance can be read here (last known version in July; unclear if it has been changed since then): http://stopbsl.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/lakewood_amended_animal_ord.pdf

For more information about Lakewood, please read previous alerts. All alerts for Lakewood, OH: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22lakewood%2C+oh%22

Thanks to Mel for keeping tabs on this!

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Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

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