Category Archives: BSL Passed

Terrell County, GA: Commissioners pass BSL

Posted on February 2, 2012 by | 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 Georgia, BSL Passed

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Village of Amsterdam, OH: BSL passed

Posted on January 17, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Ohio currently defines “pit bulls” as “vicious dogs.” Amsterdam appears to have written this definition into their own ordinance. Therefore, even if Ohio HB 14 passes and the state’s definition of “vicious” changes, Amsterdam’s breed-specific ordinance will remain in place.

Amsterdam is a tiny village. Village phone number: (740) 543-4393

Amsterdam enacts ‘vicious dog’ rules

By Eric Minor
Posted: 9:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

AMSTERDAM, Ohio — Owners of pit bulls and other so-called “vicious dogs” will have to register their pets with the Village of Amsterdam under tough new laws passed Monday night. [...]Dog owners must prove they are carrying $500,000 in liability insurance on their dogs.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/17/12 from http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/amsterdam-enacts-vicious-dog-rules/nGNwZ/

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Fitzgerald, GA: Citizens petition against recently passed BSL

Posted on January 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Support the efforts of these residents to oppose Fitzgerald’s discriminatory ordinance by writing to city officials and respectfully encouraging them to repeal the “pit bull” ordinance. If you are a resident of Fitzgerald, you can also sign the petition: Walmart parking lot, Jan 28.

City Hall, 302 E Central Ave, Fitzgerald, GA 31750
Telephone: (229) 426-5060
Email addresses for city officials:
fitzcity@mchsi.com, fitzgeraldmayor@mediacombb.net, cityclerk@fitzgeraldga.org

Pit bull lovers sign petition

Posted: Jan 14, 2012 4:32 PM CST
By Gianna Caserta

FITZGERALD, GA – [...] Now, pit bull owners are coming together to get signatures on a petition, calling it unfair to single out a certain breed. [...]

The ordinance requires a pit bull be muzzled when they are on a leash and being walked.

All pit bulls must be registered and have liability insurance of up to $50,000. [...]

The law also requires that the dog must be kept in a pen, at least 6 feet long by 6 feet wide and 6 feet tall, with a secured roof and floor. [...]

The group will be back at the Walmart parking lot on January 28th to try to get more signatures. [...]

Full article retrieved 1/16/12 from http://www.walb.com/story/16521718/pit-bull-lovers-sign-petition

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Posted in BSL Passed, Community Initiatives, Georgia

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Dawson, GA: BSL passed

Posted on January 13, 2012 by | 8 Comments

Pit Bull ordinance passed in Dawson

Posted: Jan 13, 2012 12:29 AM CST
By Sharinda Williams

Dawson,GA – [...] The Dawson City Council amended the city’s animal control ordinance to add the breed specifically as a potentially dangerous dog.

Owners must now keep the dogs in pens concrete or wire bottoms to keep them from digging out. The dogs must also be muzzled when let out of the cage. [...]

Pit bull owners in Dawson have 90 days to insure, Microchip, register their dogs and build those cages.

Full article retrieved 1/13/12 from http://www.walb.com/story/16511885/pit-bull-ordinance-passed-in-dawson

Contact info for city officials:
101 S. Main Street, Dawson, Georgia 39842
Phone:(229) 995-4444
Fax: (229) 995-3713

All alerts for Dawson: http://stopbsl.com/?s=dawson

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Bermuda: Govt revises prohibited breeds list, creates new “restricted breeds” list

Posted on December 30, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Bermuda has moved some previously prohibited breeds into a new restricted-breed category. (We last told you about this plan in September 2010, but the official breed list is now finalized.)

Prohibited breeds may not be imported or bred. All of the below breeds were also prohibited under the previous prohibited-breed list.

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Argentine Mastiff / Dogo Argentino
  • Boerboel
  • Brazilian Mastiff / Fila
  • Cane Corso
  • Presa Canario
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Tosa Inu
  • Wolf / Wolf hybrid
  • Any crossbreed of above

Restricted breeds can be imported or bred, but there are restrictions on ownership, such as special enclosures, property inspections, etc. Some of the below breeds were previously on the prohibited breed list, and some of the below breeds were not previously restricted or prohibited. I have noted the changes. Restricted breeds are as follows:

  • Akita (previously prohibited)
  • Australian Cattle Dog (previously unrestricted)
  • Belgian Malinois (previously unrestricted)
  • Bouvier Des Flandres (previously unrestricted)
  • Bull Terrier (previously prohibited)
  • Bullmastiff (previously prohibited)
  • Chow Chow (previously unrestricted)
  • Doberman Pinscher (previously unrestricted)
  • Dogue De Bordeaux (previously prohibited)
  • German Shepherd (previously unrestricted)
  • English Mastiff (previously prohibited)
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (previously unrestricted)
  • Rottweiler (previously prohibited)
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier (previously unrestricted)
  • Any crossbreed of above

News articles with details regarding the new breed lists:
http://bernews.com/2011/12/minister-bean-on-dog-importations/
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20111229/NEWS01/712299932

All alerts for Bermuda: http://stopbsl.com/?s=bermuda

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Posted in Additional Breeds, BSL Passed, Outside of U.S.

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Xenia, OH: BSL / ban kept in revised animal ordinance

Posted on December 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Xenia, OH, has passed a new animal ordinance. Rather than remove the breed-specific language that was already in the old ordinance, the new animal ordinance has clarified the language and increased the restrictions for owners of certain breeds. However, there’s also a twist—due to conflicting language in the ordinance, it appears Xenia may actually have a breed ban, not restrictions.

Section 604 of the ordinance defines and describes the following breeds: American Bulldog, Canary Dog, and pit bull terrier (Am Staff, APBT, Staff Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, mixes of these, and look-alikes). It also defines “vicious dog” as all of the above breeds.

Section 618.02 describes the new requirements for keeping vicious dogs (including American Bulldogs, Canary Dogs, and pit bull terriers). These requirements include special registration, liability insurance, special containment, muzzling, and a limit of 3 ”vicious” dogs.

And then there’s Section 618.15. This is an old section of the code and was not changed by the recent revisions. This section bans the keeping of wild, vicious, and dangerous animals. In particular, the section bans without exception ”vicious domesticated animals.”

Although “domesticated animal” is not defined in the code, we assume it includes dogs; therefore, it seems that vicious dogs cannot be kept or owned in Xenia—to include American Bulldogs, Canary dogs, and pit bull terriers.

See the conflict? The new revisions in 618.02 increase the restrictions on ownership of vicious dogs, but 618.15 bans vicious animals/dogs.

This conflict between the sections leads us to believe that Xenia city council is unaware of the ramifications of 618.15. We also suspect that those charged with enforcing the ordinance are unaware of the ban imposed by 618.15. Although the ban probably isn’t being enforced, if you own any of the aforementioned breeds (including look-alikes and mixes) that are designated as “vicious,” we suggest that you avoid Xenia.

Read the revised ordinance for yourself: http://www.ci.xenia.oh.us/uploads/City%20Clerk%20Documents/2011%20Ordinances%20and%20Resolutions/Ord.%2011-70%20Amend%20XCO%20Chap.%20604%20and%20618%20Animals.pdf

News articles about the recent ordinance changes: http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/local/greene_county/xenia-requires-viscous-dog-registration
http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/community/dangerous-dog-registration-in-greene-co

Contact information for city officials:
Jeanne Mills, Council President, jmills@ci.xenia.oh.us
William (Bill) R. Miller, Vice President, bmiller@ci.xenia.oh.us
Marsha J. Bayless, Mayor, mbayless@ci.xenia.oh.us
John G. Caupp, jcaupp@ci.xenia.oh.us
Michael D. Engle, mengle@ci.xenia.oh.us
Dale Louderback, dlouderback@ci.xenia.oh.us
Wesley Smith, wsmith@ci.xenia.oh.us
City Clerk, (937) 376-7235, mjohnson@ci.xenia.oh.us

Email block for cut and paste: jmills@ci.xenia.oh.us; bmiller@ci.xenia.oh.us; mbayless@ci.xenia.oh.us; jcaupp@ci.xenia.oh.us; mengle@ci.xenia.oh.us; dlouderback@ci.xenia.oh.us; wsmith@ci.xenia.oh.us; mjohnson@ci.xenia.oh.us

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Posted in Ohio, BSL Passed

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Hazel Park, MI: New “pit bulls” banned

Posted on December 21, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Hazel Park has had BSL for “pit bulls” for years. They have now passed an amendment that bans any new “pit bulls” from the city. Current “pit bulls” can stay, but only if they are registered with the city by Feb 1, 2012 (and of course, subject to the breed restrictions already in place).

Contact info for Hazel Park:
City Hall, 111 East Nine Mile Road, Hazel Park, Michigan 48030
Telephone (248) 546-4064
City clerk email: mgieralt@hazelpark.org

Hazel Park bans pit bulls

Exceptions for those already licensed or in vet/shelter care

By Andy Kozlowski, C & G Staff Writer
December 16, 2011

HAZEL PARK — As of Feb. 1, 2012, new pit bulls will be banned from Hazel Park.

Unless they are already licensed with the City Clerk’s office by that date, or are with a qualified shelter, rescue or vet, it will be illegal to “own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell within the city any pit bull,” reads an animal control amendment passed by City Council last month. [...]

Those who want to keep the pit bull they currently have need to make sure it’s registered with the City Clerk’s office by Feb. 1. They must apply for and receive an annual pit bull license before that time, and follow all safety regulations, such as keeping the dog in an enclosure with 6-foot fences and muzzling/leashing the dog while out walking. [...]

Full article retrieved 12/21/11 from http://www.candgnews.com/news/hazel-park-bans-pit-bulls

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Posted in Michigan, BSL Passed

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Rushville, NE: Breed ban passed

Posted on December 7, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Rushville, NE has been having problems with stray dogs. Rather than address their stated problem of stray dogs directly through leash laws and enforcement, and even though “pit bulls” aren’t the ones doing the biting (according to the article below, only one out of ten total dog bites was attributed to a “pit bull” in 2009—yet the council cites “a rash of attacks”…?) the council decided that the solution was a “pit bull” ban. Council members cite the myth that “when a pit bull bites, it does more damage.”

The council claims that the ordinance only affects six families in the city, making it even more senseless, because not only does the ordinance not stop the larger problem of irresponsible dog owners, but the council has also taken advantage of the fact that almost no one in town is going to protest the discriminatory ordinance because it really doesn’t affect them.

The mayor says they’ll listen if people want to talk about the issue. Please send respectful, informative correspondence and reasonable breed-neutral alternatives to city officials and encourage them to repeal their senseless and discriminatory breed ban.

City of Rushville, Rushville, Neb. 69360
Phone: (308) 327-2221
Fax: (308) 327-2399
rushcity@gpcom.net

Town OKs ban on new pit bulls

By Roger Holsinger
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Published Wednesday December 7, 2011

RUSHVILLE, Neb. — If you own a breed of pit bull and want to move to this northern Panhandle community, your dog won’t be welcome. Citing a rash of attacks, City Council members voted unanimously to prohibit pit bulls inside the city limits.[...]

The ordinance, which goes into effect in January, defines pit bulls as several varieties of bull terrier: the Staffordshire bull terrier, American “pit bull” and the American Staffordshire terrier.[...]

Mayor Chris Heiser said some of the problems that prompted the ordinance originated with stray dogs that enter the city from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Although other breeds cause problems, pit bull attacks are often more dangerous, he said.

“In 2009 we had 10 dog bites, and of those only one was from a pit bull,” Heiser said. But he added that, due to the strength of their jaws, a pit bull attack can cause much more harm that a bite from a chihuahua.

“We have talked about (making an ordinance) before, and we currently have a vicious dog ordinance. We’re just trying to catch up with the times,” he said.

Heiser said that during the council meeting a few people opposed the change. He estimated the new ordinance would affect approximately six families.

“We are not making them get rid of their dogs, but we have a problem here with dogs not being licensed and people not keeping their dogs in their yards,” he said. “If people want to talk about this issue more, we’ll listen, but we felt this issue needed to be addressed.” [...]

Full article retrieved 12/7/11 from http://www.omaha.com/article/20111207/NEWS01/712079875/-1

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Posted in BSL Passed, Nebraska

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Overland, MO: Public hearing on “pit bull” ordinance, Nov 7

Posted on November 6, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Overland, MO, will hold a public hearing on November 7 at 6:30 PM regarding their recent passage of a ban on pit bulls. The ordinance passed without much publicity, and caught many citizens by surprise, so the city council has decided to hold this meeting in order to receive feedback from the public—even though the ordinance is officially passed.

This is a critical opportunity for locals and residents to state their opposition to the breed-discriminatory portion of the ordinance, and push for repeal. If you are in the area, please attend this public hearing.

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.”

Although we strongly urge locals to attend the public hearing for maximum effect, you may also voice your (polite) dismay 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

All alerts for Overland, MO: http://stopbsl.com/?s=overland%2C+mo

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Franklin, KY: BSL passed

Posted on October 12, 2011 by | Comments Off

Franklin, KY, has passed BSL that declares “pit bulls” and Rottweilers to be automatically declared vicious dogs. Owners of these breeds are subject to restrictions on vicious dog ownership.

Mayor Ronnie Clark, mayor@franklinky.org
City Commission, Commission@Franklinky.org 

Certain Dogs Now Considered Vicious in Franklin

Posted: 4:41 PM Oct 11, 2011
Reporter: Casey Wheeless

Some Franklin residents are upset over the new animal ordinance, which says Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, along with Wolf-Hybrid dogs are considered vicious animals. [...]

Although the ordinance was passed this morning, the judge says he will review it again in a few months to see if changes should be made.

Full article retrieved 10/12/11 from http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/Certain_Dogs_Now_Considered_Vicious_in_Franklin_131551763.html?ref=763

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Posted in BSL Passed, Kentucky

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