Category Archives: Wisconsin

Fond du Lac, WI update: Breed ban proposal dropped

Posted on January 26, 2012 by | 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

→ 2 Comments

Posted in BSL Defeated, BSL Proposed, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , ,

Fond du Lac, WI: Councilman to propose breed ban, Jan 25

Posted on January 22, 2012 by | 1 Comment

City councilman Rob Vande Zande will propose a breed ban at the next city council meeting: Jan 25, 7:00 PM, Legislative Chambers, 160 South Macy Street, City-County Government Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

You may also contact city council and express your opposition to breed-discriminatory laws. Please do so RESPECTFULLY. Many councilmembers have responded that they will oppose this proposal. Please keep them on our side.

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

This long news article gives more details of Vande Zande’s proposal. Recommended reading.

Fond du Lac considers ban on pit bulls

‘Dangerous pet’ ordinance in FdL will be topic of discussion at Wednesday’s meeting

10:36 PM, Jan. 21, 2012

City Councilman Rob Vande Zande will discuss his plan Wednesday night for ordinances that would add rules for pit bull owners and prohibit new pit bulls from being licensed. [...]

Full article retrieved 1/22/12 from http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20120122/FON0101/201220372/Fond-du-Lac-considers-ban-pit-bulls?odyssey=tab

→ 1 Comment

Posted in BSL Proposed, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , ,

Fond du Lac, WI: Whispers of BSL

Posted on January 20, 2012 by | 6 Comments

Update 1/21/12: I have confirmed with Councilman Vande Zande that one of the proposals he intends to introduce is a breed ban with a grandfather clause. No new “pit bulls” will be allowed. Current owners of “pit bulls” will face discriminatory restrictions such as: $300K in liability insurance, special containment requirements, muzzle in public. Vande Zande mentioned that he also plans to introduce a breed-neutral ordinance. Please correspond respectfully with all councilmembers, including Vande Zande, to express your opposition to breed-specific laws and your support for reasonable breed-neutral dog laws.

Fond du Lac Humane Society has advised that city councilman Rob Vande Zande may intend to propose a breed ban or BSL at the next city council meeting: Jan 25, 7:00 PM, Legislative Chambers, 160 South Macy Street, City-County Government Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Item 10 on the Jan 25 council agenda is:

10. PETITIONS OR COMMUNICATIONS
Councilperson Vande Zande
Subject: Proposed Dangerous Animal Ordinances

HOWEVER, we have no further details on this issue at this time. As it is now the weekend and city offices are closed, I won’t be able to find out more directly from the city council office for several days.

If you live in or around Fond du Lac, please make every effort to attend this council meeting so that we can determine exactly what Councilman Vande Zande is proposing—and so that you can object to a breed ban or BSL if that is indeed what is discussed.

You may also contact city council and express your opposition to breed-discriminatory laws. Please do so RESPECTFULLY, as we do not know exactly what is being proposed, nor where the rest of the council stands on the issue.

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

Many thanks to Cindi at Wisconsin Voters for Companion Animals for passing this on to us!

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Whispers of BSL, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , ,

Niagara, WI: Breed ban fines increased

Posted on January 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Niagara Ups Dog Fines

[...] Niagara already has an ordinance prohibiting pit bulls but some residents continue to keep them at their residences. The amendment was adopted in the hope that larger fines will consider residents to reconsider keeping pit bulls or other types of dangerous dogs.

Full article retrieved 1/6/12 from http://www.peshtigotimes.net/?id=18286

Maybe city council could be respectfully encouraged to repeal their ineffective breed ban?
City of Niagara, 1029 Roosevelt Road, PO Box 24, Niagara, WI 54151
715-251-3235
FAX 715-251-3122
info@cityofniagara.com

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Results of BSL, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Chippewa Falls, WI: Committee will discuss animal ordinance, Oct 17

Posted on October 16, 2011 by | Comments Off

Is Chippewa Falls considering BSL, or is it not? In early October, the Leader-Telegram published an article that claimed a “pit bull ordinance” was being discussed by the council. However, StopBSL was later forwarded an email from Councilmember Hicks, the chair of the Public Safety Committee. Hicks stated that BSL was not under consideration by council or committee, and that the committee intends to look at ways to strengthen existing ordinances and hold owners responsible.

The Chippewa Falls Committee on Public Safety will meet on October 17 to discuss the current animal ordinance and possibly make a recommendation to council. Since StopBSL has heard two very different stories about what will be discussed or proposed, we encourage locals and residents to attend the committee meeting and continue to respectfully encourage Chippewa Falls officials to pursue effective breed-neutral measures.

Committee on Public Safety meeting
October 17, 9:00 AM
City Hall Council Chambers, 30 W. Central Street, Chippewa Falls, WI

Mayor Gregory S. Hoffman, ghoffman70@aol.com
Michael Hanke, mhanke@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Brian Flynn, bflynn@chippewafalls-wi.gov
C W King, cwking@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Chuck Hull, chull@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Jane Lardahl, jlardahl@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Bill Hicks, bhicks@chippewafalls-wi.gov
George Adrian, gadrian@chippewafalls-wi.gov

Email block for cut-and-paste
ghoffman70@aol.com; mhanke@chippewafalls-wi.gov; bflynn@chippewafalls-wi.gov; cwking@chippewafalls-wi.gov; chull@chippewafalls-wi.gov; jlardahl@chippewafalls-wi.gov; bhicks@chippewafalls-wi.gov; gadrian@chippewafalls-wi.gov

All alerts for Chippewa Falls: http://stopbsl.com/?s=chippewa+falls

Thanks to Hank for forwarding the councilmember email. Thanks to Gina for the meeting agenda notification.

Comments Off

Posted in Whispers of BSL, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Chippewa Falls, WI: City may consider BSL

Posted on October 5, 2011 by | Comments Off

Nothing official has been proposed in Chippewa, but the council has asked the public safety committee to look into BSL. Please encourage Chippewa Falls officials to reject breed-discriminatory laws in favor of effective breed-neutral measures. Wondering what prompted the city to think about BSL? Click the article link below to read the full story.

Mayor Gregory S. Hoffman, ghoffman70@aol.com
Michael Hanke, mhanke@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Brian Flynn, bflynn@chippewafalls-wi.gov
C W King, cwking@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Chuck Hull, chull@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Jane Lardahl, jlardahl@chippewafalls-wi.gov
Bill Hicks, bhicks@chippewafalls-wi.gov
George Adrian, gadrian@chippewafalls-wi.gov

Email block for cut-and-paste
ghoffman70@aol.com; mhanke@chippewafalls-wi.gov; bflynn@chippewafalls-wi.gov; cwking@chippewafalls-wi.gov; chull@chippewafalls-wi.gov; jlardahl@chippewafalls-wi.gov; bhicks@chippewafalls-wi.gov; gadrian@chippewafalls-wi.gov

Next council meeting: Tuesday, October 18, 6:30 PM at City Hall, second floor, 30 W. Central Street. (The Public Safety Committee, which will be taking up the issue next, appears to meet once a month and has already met in October.)

Chippewa Falls pondering ordinance governing pit bulls

Posted: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 12:00 am
By Chris Vetter Chippewa Falls News Bureau

CHIPPEWA FALLS – Chippewa Falls could become the latest municipality to create an ordinance to regulate pit bulls.[...]

Police Chief Wendy Stelter said the city doesn’t have an ordinance that specifically addresses pit bulls. Stelter told the council the only applicable ordinance is for dogs running at large.

City attorney Bob Ferg said he wanted to read state statutes on the topic before commenting.

Councilman Brian Flynn recommended the matter be sent to the Public Safety Committee for further review.[...]

Full article retrieved 10/5/11 from http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front_page/article_3fb3c7be-2f2a-54e8-a6e8-bb694fa65b68.html

Comments Off

Posted in Whispers of BSL, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Marinette, WI update: Breed ban proposal nixed

Posted on August 11, 2011 by | Comments Off

Several attendees of yesterday’s Marinette Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee meeting have reported that the committee voted against a proposed breed ban. The proposal is unlikely to move forward.

The committee also stated an interest in enforcing or strengthening the breed-neutral dog ordinances they already have in place.

Thanks to the many people who took the time to update StopBSL on Marinette, including Cindi and the Lakeshore Bully Club.

All alerts for Marinette: http://stopbsl.com/?s=marinette

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Defeated, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Marinette, WI: Committee to meet, may recommend breed ban, Aug 10

Posted on August 7, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Kathy for this Marinette update!

In July, the Marinette, WI, Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee wrote up a proposal to ban ”pit bulls.” Their decision to advance the ordinance to council was delayed by public protest.

The Committee will again discuss and possibly recommend a breed ban or breed-specific restrictions on Wednesday, August 10, at 4:45 PM, in Council Chambers, Marinette City Hall, 1905 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WI.

In addition to sending correspondence to council to oppose breed-discriminatory laws, residents and locals are urged to attend the Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee meeting on August 10 to reiterate public opposition to the proposed ban.

Marinette City Hall, 1905 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WI 54143-1716
Mayor Robert M. Harbick, mayor@marinette.wi.us
Elected officials’ contact information may be viewed here (emails not available): http://www.marinette.wi.us/government/elected_officials.php

The Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee meets on the second Wednesday of  each month at 4:45 PM. City Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. Call 715.732.5120 for more information.

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Proposed, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Waukesha, WI: Alderman claims to be working on BSL or ban

Posted on July 15, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Waukesha alderman Kathleen Cummings has stated that she is working with the city attorney and police to draft an ordinance that would restrict “pit bulls and other dangerous breeds.” Please send polite, respectful correspondence to city officials, explaining the failings of BSL, and provide reasonable, effective breed-neutral options for their consideration.

Contact info for Waukesha officials
City Hall, 201 Delafield St, Waukesha, WI 53188
Mayor, 262-524-3700, jscrima@ci.waukesha.wi.us or mayor@ci.waukesha.wi.us
City Administrator, cityadmin@ci.waukesha.wi.us
Common Council
Terry Thieme, tthieme@sbcglobal.net
Kathleen M. Cummings, kcummings@ci.waukesha.wi.us (proposed BSL or ban)
Eric Payne (no email provided)
Steve Johnson, sgjohnson10@hotmail.com
Christopher Hernandez, alddist3@ci.waukesha.wi.us (does not support ban)
Roger Patton, revroger.patton2@gmail.com (proposed BSL / ban)
Joe Pieper, joseph.pieper@sbcglobal.net
Richard Hastings, alddist12@ci.waukesha.wi.us
Paul Ybarra, paulrybarra@gmail.com
Andy Reiland, Andy.Reiland@safway.com (does not support ban)
Brian White, bwhite@ci.waukesha.wi.us
Joan Francoeur, jfrancoeur@ci.waukesha.wi.us
John W. Kalblinger, alddist7@ci.waukesha.wi.us
Duane Paulson, alddist15@ci.waukesha.wi.us (supports ban or BSL)
Vance Skinner, alddist8@ci.waukesha.wi.us

Email block for cut and paste
jscrima@ci.waukesha.wi.us; mayor@ci.waukesha.wi.us; cityadmin@ci.waukesha.wi.us; tthieme@sbcglobal.net; kcummings@ci.waukesha.wi.us; sgjohnson10@hotmail.com; alddist3@ci.waukesha.wi.us; revroger.patton2@gmail.com; joseph.pieper@sbcglobal.net; alddist12@ci.waukesha.wi.us; paulrybarra@gmail.com; Andy.Reiland@safway.com; bwhite@ci.waukesha.wi.us; jfrancoeur@ci.waukesha.wi.us; alddist7@ci.waukesha.wi.us; alddist15@ci.waukesha.wi.us; alddist8@ci.waukesha.wi.us

Next city council meeting: July 19, 2011, at 7:30 PM. City Hall, Council Chambers, 201 Delafield Street, Waukesha, WI 53188  (Note, however, that the public comment section of the council meeting is reserved for “city residents and taxpayers only.”)

Humane Official: Biting Animals Ordinance Would Be Positive Outcome of Sad Situation

By Amy Gilgenbach

[. . . Alderman Kathleen Cummings] will be working with the city attorney and police to craft a city ordinance which may include restricting pit bulls or other breeds that are considered dangerous. In talking to people about the situation, even other dog owners are concerned about the reputation of pit bulls, she said.

“It’s obvious we need stronger legislation when it comes to certain breeds,” she said.

She said that they would also be considering how other communities address this issue and proceeding with caution. [...]

Full article retrieved 7/15/11 from http://waukesha.patch.com/articles/humane-official-biting-animals-ordinance-would-be-positive-outcome-of-sad-situation

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Whispers of BSL, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , ,

Marinette, WI: Council committee proposes breed ban

Posted on July 13, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Thanks to Tiffany for the heads up about Marinette!

Marinette, WI, Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee has written up a proposed ordinance to ban ”pit bulls”; the committee considered the proposal during a meeting today. The committee has decided to perform additional research on the issue before advancing the proposed ordinance to city council.

Residents and locals, please send polite, respectful, informative correspondence to the city council as they prepare to look into the issue further. You may wish to demonstrate the ethical, financial, and public safety failures of BSL and breed bans; you may also wish to provide reasonable, effective, and fair breed-neutral ordinances for their consideration.

Marinette City Hall, 1905 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WI 54143-1716 
Mayor Robert M. Harbick, mayor@marinette.wi.us
Elected officials’ contact information may be viewed here (emails not available): http://www.marinette.wi.us/government/elected_officials.php

The Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee meets on the second Wednesday of  each month at 4:45 PM. City Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. Call 715.732.5120 for more information.

Pit bull ban?

Marinette is considering banning pit bulls

Published : Wednesday, 13 Jul 2011, 9:42 PM CDT
Reporter: Becky DeVries

MARINETTE – Should people be allowed to own pit bulls? Marinette is considering an ordinance that would keep all pit bulls out of the city. [...]

According to the Marinette public safety and code enforcement committee chair, Marinette’s mayor asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance banning residents from owning pit bulls. [...]

Ten people spoke up at the committee meeting, all against an ordinance banning pit bulls. [...]

The committee unanimously voted to put the idea on hold and look into more research, before making a recommendation to the full city council.[...]

Full article retrieved 7/13/11 from http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/north_counties/marinette-considers-pit-bull-ordinance

→ 2 Comments

Posted in BSL Proposed, Wisconsin

Tagged , , , , , , , ,