Author Archives: stopbslcom

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 on committee agendas, Feb 7

Posted on February 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

FL HB 997 / SB 1322 will each be heard by their respective committees on Feb 7. These bills will repeal Miami-Dade’s breed ban.

SB 1322

Florida Senate Bill 1322 will be heard by the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on February 7 at 4:00 PM in Toni Jennings Committee Room, 110 Senate Office Building, Florida Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.

Read the hearing notice and/or make a request to appear at the meeting here: http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/GO/

You can write the following committee members and urge them to pass SB 1322: ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

Status page for SB 1322: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1322

HB 997

Florida House Bill 997 will be heard by the Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee on February 7 at 8:00 AM in Webster Hall, 212 Knott Building, Florida Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.

Read the hearing notice and/or make a request to appear at the meeting here: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/meetingnotice.aspx?MeetingId=8986&SessionId=70&CommitteeId=2605

You can write the following committee members and ask them to pass HB 997:
Ritch.Workman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jose.Diaz@myfloridahouse.gov; Lori.Berman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Brandes@myfloridahouse.gov; Jason.Brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; Daphne.Campbell@myfloridahouse.gov; Fred.Costello@myfloridahouse.gov; Ed.Hooper@myfloridahouse.gov; John.Julien@myfloridahouse.gov; Mark.Pafford@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Randolph@myfloridahouse.gov; Ronald.Renuart@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmie.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov; Charles.VanZant@myfloridahouse.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

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Posted in Florida, Proposal to Repeal

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Terrell County, GA: Commissioners pass BSL

Posted on February 2, 2012 | 3 Comments

Terrell County commissioners voted to approve BSL; “pit bulls” are now considered “potentially dangerous” dogs. Owners of potentially dangerous dogs must comply with a number of restrictions. This is basically the same ordinance that passed in the city of Dawson.

The ordinances for both city of Dawson and Terrell County may be read here (PDF):
Dawson and Terrell County Ordinances

Contact info for Terrell County officials
Terrell County Courthouse, 235 E Lee Street, Dawson, GA 39842
P.O. Box 525, Dawson, GA 39842-0525
Phone: (229) 995-4476
Fax:(229) 995-4320
County Clerk: Beth001@windstream.net

[Note: Obviously, the title of the below news article is sensational rather than realistic.]

Pit Bulls may be a breed of the past in Terrell County

by Ashley Knight
Posted: 02.01.2012 at 10:36 AM

TERRELL COUNTY, GA — Terrell County unanimously passed an ordinance that includes pit bulls in their “Dangerous Dogs” ordinance.

The ordinance calls for keeping the dogs in a 10X10 enclosure, keeping the dog on a leash when it’s outside the enclosure as well as muzzled. [...]

Full article retrieved 2/2/12 from http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=714374#.TyqzPlz2ZpV

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Posted in BSL Passed, Georgia

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Ohio HB 14 passes Senate

Posted on January 31, 2012 | 4 Comments

Ohio HB 14 has passed the Senate!

Because the bill was amended in the Senate committee, HB 14 now goes back to the House (or a conference committee) so that the House can approve the amendments. If and when the House approves the Senate version, the bill will go to the governor.

We do not know at this time where the bill is going to land in the House. However, you may wish to contact the governor, in anticipation of the bill reaching his desk, and ask him to sign HB 14 into law: http://governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

Wondering how your Senator voted on HB 14?
The Senate vote was 27-5.
Voted FOR HB 14: Balderson, Brown, Burke, Cafaro, Coley, Eklund, Faber, Gentile, Hite, Jones, Jordan, Kearney, LaRose, Lehner, Manning, Obhof, Oelslager, Sawyer, Schiavoni, Seitz, Skindell, Smith, Tavares, Turner, Wagoner, Widener, Niehaus.
Voted AGAINST HB 14: Bacon, Beagle, Hughes, Patton, and Schaffer.

Wondering how your House Representative voted on HB 14?
The House vote was 69-29.
Voted FOR HB 14: Adams R., Amstutz, Ashford, Balderson, Beck, Blair, Blessing, Brenner, Bubp, Budish, Burke, Butler, Carey, Celeste, Combs, Conditt, Damschroder, Derickson, Dovilla, Duffey, Fedor, Fende, Gardner, Garland,Gentile, Gerberry, Gonzales, Goodwin, Goyal, Grossman, Hackett, Hagan C., Hayes, Hottinger, Huffman, Johnson, Kozlowski, Landis, Letson, Luckie, Lundy, Maag, Mallory, McClain, McGregor, McKenney, Milkovich, Murray, O’Brien, Okey, Patmon, Peterson, Phillips, Pillich, Rosenberger, Ruhl, Schuring, Sears, Slaby, Sprague, Stautberg, Stebelton, Stinziano, Szollosi, Uecker, Wachtmann, Winburn, Young, Batchelder
Voted AGAINST HB 14: Adams J., Anielski, Antonio, Baker, Barnes, Boose, Buchy, Carney, Clyde, DeGeeter, Driehaus, Foley, Hagan R., Hall, Heard, Henne, Hollington, Martin, Mecklenborg, Newbold, Ramos, Reece, Roegner, Slesnick, Sykes, Thompson, Weddington, Williams, Yuko

Tracking page for OH HB 14: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

All posts about Ohio HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 passes initial subcommittees

Posted on January 31, 2012 | 1 Comment

This week, Florida House Bill 997 and companion Senate Bill 1322 were approved by their initial subcommittees. These bills would repeal Miami-Dade’s breed ban.

SB 1322 will be considered next by the Governmental Oversight and Accountability committee. You can write the following committee members and urge them to pass SB 1322:
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

HB 997 will either be considered next by the Community and Military Affairs subcommittee, or the State Affairs committee. You can contact the following committee members and ask them to pass HB 997:

Community and Military Affairs
Ritch.Workman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jose.Diaz@myfloridahouse.gov; Lori.Berman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Brandes@myfloridahouse.gov; Jason.Brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; Daphne.Campbell@myfloridahouse.gov; Fred.Costello@myfloridahouse.gov; Ed.Hooper@myfloridahouse.gov; John.Julien@myfloridahouse.gov; Mark.Pafford@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Randolph@myfloridahouse.gov; Ronald.Renuart@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmie.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov; Charles.VanZant@myfloridahouse.gov

State Affairs
Seth.McKeel@myfloridahouse.gov; Debbie.Mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Clemens@myfloridahouse.gov; Joseph.Abruzzo@myfloridahouse.gov; Leonard.Bembry@myfloridahouse.gov; Rachel.Burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov; Clay.Ford@myfloridahouse.gov; Clay.Ingram@myfloridahouse.gov; Rick.Kriseman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmy.Patronis@myfloridahouse.gov; Keith.Perry@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Plakon@myfloridahouse.gov; Elizabeth.Porter@myfloridahouse.gov; Dwayne.Taylor@myfloridahouse.gov; Alan.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov; Trudi.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov; Dana.Young@myfloridahouse.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

Status page for SB 1322:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1322

Read the text of the proposed bill: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0997__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0997&Session=2012

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Posted in Florida, Proposal to Repeal

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Terrell County, GA reminder: Board will consider breed ban, Feb 1

Posted on January 28, 2012 | 1 Comment

Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the next Terrell County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 1 at 8:30 AM to voice their opposition to a possible breed ban.

The city of Dawson, GA—the county seat where Terrell County commissioners meet—passed “pit bull” restrictions earlier this month, with very little public opposition or discussion. We feel that the ease with which Dawson passed BSL will encourage Terrell County commissioners to do the same.

Contact info for Terrell County officials
Terrell County Courthouse, 235 E Lee Street, Dawson, GA 39842
P.O. Box 525, Dawson, GA 39842-0525
Phone: (229) 995-4476
Fax:(229) 995-4320
Thanks to Kat for digging up this e-mail address. She was told it is the email for the Commissioners: Beth001@windstream.net

Terrell Commissioners consider ban on Pit Bulls

Posted: Jan 04, 2012 10:35 AM CST
By Ryan Houston

Terrell County, GA – The Terrell County Commissioners is considering a countywide ban on Pit Bulls.[...]

The board will vote on a final ordinance at the next County Commission meeting. The next meeting will take place Wednesday February, 1 at 8:30am.

Full article retrieved 1/4/12 from http://www.walb.com/story/16444612/terrell-county-commissoners-consider-ban-on-pit-bulls

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Georgia

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Ventura County, CA: Breed-specific MSN proposal approved by commission

Posted on January 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Ventura County Animal Regulation Commission has unanimously voted in support of mandatory spay/neuter for all ”pit bulls.”

[...] The commission, made up of elected officials from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and city councils, unanimously voted to support a mandatory spay-neuter policy for pit bulls, which means each city and the county will consider such an ordinance.

If the ordinances are adopted as proposed, owners of any of the three terrier breeds commonly referred to as pit bulls would get what amounts to a “fix-it ticket” if they are discovered with an unaltered adult dog. [...]

Full article retrieved 1/28/12 from http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jan/26/activists-push-for-no-kill-animal-shelter/

Remember, breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter (BS-MSN) is based on appearance alone, and is as flawed, unequal, and subjective as any other law that is based on what a dog “looks like.” It is entirely up to an animal control official, based on his or her subjective visual assessment of your dog’s physical appearance, to determine whether you and your dog fall under this ordinance.

The ordinance presumably now goes to the county board, and all of the city councils within the county, for consideration. Because there are now so many areas to watch with respect to this issue, and because we do not know whether or when the cities will consider the ordinance, we would definitely appreciate assistance from locals who are able to monitor the agendas in these areas and alert us if the issue comes up for discussion.
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Cities: Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Moorpark, Ventura, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Port Hueneme

All alerts for Ventura County: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ventura+county

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Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 on committee agenda, Jan 31

Posted on January 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Florida House Bill 997 will be heard by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on January 31 at 3:30 PM in Reed Hall (Room 102 House Office Building), Florida Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.

Read the hearing notice and/or make a request to appear at the meeting here: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/meetingnotice.aspx?MeetingId=8958

HB 997 and its companion Senate Bill 1322 are very simple bills that will force Miami-Dade to repeal its longstanding breed ban and comply with Florida state law (which prohibits municipalities from having BSL).

Please contact the committee members and urge them to pass HB 997. (Email block for cut-and-paste.)
Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov; Rachel.Burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; Michelle.Rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov; jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov; jason.brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; dwight.bullard@myfloridahouse.gov; matt.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; luis.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov; richard.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov; tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov; steve.perman@myfloridahouse.gov; ray.pilon@myfloridahouse.gov; elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov; franklin.sands@myfloridahouse.gov; jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov

You can also contact your Florida legislators and ask them to support this bill.

Please thank the sponsors for filing this important bill.
HB 997 filed by Rep Carlos Trujillo, carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov
SB 1322 filed by Senator Jim Norman, norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

Read the text of the proposed bill: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0997__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0997&Session=2012

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Posted in Florida, Proposal to Repeal

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Wentzville, MO update: Proposed ordinance would repeal BSL

Posted on January 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Wentzville, MO, has finally made public a draft of the proposed dog ordinance. You can read the draft here. It is breed-neutral and, if passed, would repeal the city’s current “pit bull” restrictions.

The police department is revising some sections (should remain breed-neutral) and the proposal will be officially introduced on Feb 8.

Although this proposal is a positive step forward for Wentzville, public reaction to repeal of BSL has been mixed. Some residents are opposed to BSL repeal, and the local news media has been covering the story inaccurately and somewhat negatively.

Please keep up the positive and respectful correspondence with councilmembers and encourage them to repeal their breed-discriminatory ordinance.
Wentzville City Hall, 310 West Pearce Boulevard, Wentzville, MO 63385
636-327-5101
636-639-2017 fax
Online contact forms for aldermen: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/mayor-and-alderman.aspx

Join a Facebook group that is working on this issue: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Change-Breed-Specific-Laws-in-Wentzville-Missouri/227898083944306

Alderman, Residents Talk About Pit Bull Ordinance

Police chief to make changes before presenting the board with the legislation Feb. 8.

By Brian Feldt

[...] More than 60 concerned residents waited nearly three hours until the Wentzville Board of Alderman began discussing its new animal control ordinance, which will likely seek to put the onus of harsh or vicious dogs on the owners rather the pets.

The city has long had certain restrictions on pit bulls. Now, officials and concerned residents are pushing to repeal those restrictions and replace them with a new policy that would enact harsher penalties on owners of any dog that displays vicious characteristics. [...]

Full article retrieved 1/26/12 from http://wentzville.patch.com/articles/alderman-residents-talk-about-pit-bull-ordinance

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Posted in Missouri, Proposal to Repeal

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Fond du Lac, WI update: Breed ban proposal dropped

Posted on January 26, 2012 | 2 Comments

The public stood up and said “no” to BSL tonight in Fond du Lac. City councilman Rob Vande Zande dropped his proposed breed ban after overwhelming public opposition to the idea.

Most city council members were also opposed to BSL. Please take a moment to thank the city council for standing up against discrimination.
Contact info for city officials (cut and paste):
rgudex@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; jruedinger@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; mburroughs@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; gmiller@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; rlunde@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; jsabel@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; rvandezande@ci.fond-du-lac.wi.us; lagnew@fdl.wi.gov

If you were one of the many who attending the meeting, wrote the councilmembers, collected petition signatures, and spread the word–then, here’s to you! Congratulations, and thank you, for a job well done.

Great coverage and photos of the meeting from FDL Reporter: http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20120126/FON0101/201260446/Fond-du-Lac-residents-attack-pit-bull-proposal

Additional coverage from FOX: http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/fox_cities/pit-bull-ban-proposal-in-fond-du-lac

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Posted in BSL Defeated, BSL Proposed, Wisconsin

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Wagmatcook, NS, Canada: Pit bull ban on agenda

Posted on January 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

According to the news article, the call for a “pit bull” ban was prompted by a bite from a loose dog that had previously bitten another person.

Wagmatcook First Nation is a reserve. This is all the contact information I have.

Council of Wagmatcook Band, P.O. Box 30001, Wagmatcook, NS B0E 3N0
Chief Norman Bernard, Wagmatcook First Nation
Tribal Council: Union of Nova Scotia Indians, P.O. Box 237 Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0
Phone: (902) 295-2598
Fax: (902) 295-3398

Call for pit bull ban after Wagmatcook attack

Girl, 7, bitten by dog while playing

CBC News Posted: Jan 24, 2012 9:20 PM AT

[...] Wagmatcook has a dog bylaw and a control officer visits about three times a week.

The Wagmatcook band council said banning pit bulls is on their agenda.

Full article retrieved 1/25/12 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/01/24/ns-pitbull-attack.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Canada

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