Tag Archives: city council

Slater, MO: City decides against BSL

Posted on February 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Please THANK Slater officials for their smart decision to drop the breed-specific language in their proposed animal ordinance revisions.

Contact info for Slater officials:
Slater City Hall, 232 N. Main St., Slater, MO 65349
Ph: 660.529.2271
Fax: 660.529.2593
info@cityofslater.com

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

Slater Council workshops pending animal laws

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

By MAGGIE MENDERSKI/Staff Writer

The Slater City Council workshopped the pending animal ordinance on Feb. 21, immediately following the regularly scheduled city council meeting.[...]

The council heeded several citizen recommendations during the latest workshop.

Breed-specific laws have been a source of deep controversy in each of the animal hearings. While the council has decided to write a strict vicious animal clause, it has decided against placing restrictions on specific breeds.

“The vet and the lawyers and everyone seems to say it shouldn’t be breed specific,” Allegri said. [...]

Full article retrieved 2/22/12 from http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1818623.html

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Missouri

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Mount Clemens, MI: Commissioners vote to repeal BSL

Posted on February 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Please THANK the Mount Clemens commissioners for their smart decision:
bdempsey@cityofmountclemens.com; lhill@cityofmountclemens.com; gblash@cityofmountclemens.com; rbunton@cityofmountclemens.com; rcampbell@cityofmountclemens.com; mdreger@cityofmountclemens.com; jrheker@cityofmountclemens.com

Mount Clemens removes pit bulls from dangerous animal ordinance

Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

By Mitch Hotts, mitch.hotts@macombdaily.com

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted 5-1 Monday night to remove language targeting pit bulls from a dangerous animal ordinance, a move that will alleviate pit bull owners from a number of regulations.

Commissioners said the breed specific wording that was included in the law back in 2009 was discriminatory because it assumed all pit bulls were dangerous, and made the ordinance difficult to enforce. [...]

Full article retrieved 2/22/12 from http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2012/02/22/news/doc4f445dc2054de356797997.txt?viewmode=fullstory

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Posted in BSL Repealed, Michigan

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Wentzville, MO: BSL repeal to be discussed, Feb 22

Posted on February 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The animal ordinance is finally on Wentzville’s agenda. The proposal completely rewrites Wentzville’s animal control ordinances, and it repeals Wentzville’s current BSL. A draft of the ordinance can be read here: http://wentzvillemo.iqm2.com/citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=10169

Locals and residents, please attend the Board of Aldermen meeting, Feb 22 at 6:30 PM, at City Hall, 310 W. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385 to show your support for repeal of BSL. Sign up to speak at the meeting via the link at the top of the agenda page: http://wentzvillemo.iqm2.com/citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1415

Contact city officials: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/mayor-and-alderman.aspx

All alerts for Wentzville: http://stopbsl.com/?s=wentzville

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Posted in Missouri, Proposal to Repeal

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Springfield, MO: Task force forming to discuss animal issues, possible BSL repeal

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Thanks to Jodi at Bless the Bullys for this update!

Springfield, MO, has had BSL since 2006. The pit bull ordinance has not been successful at reducing dog bites, but it has resulted in the death of over 1,500 dogs. Occasionally, the city council has considered making changes to the ordinance, but so far, it’s been all talk and no action.

Springfield is now in the process of forming a task force to discuss animal issues in the city, including the animal shelter, feral cats, and the possible repeal of the pit bull ordinance.

We would like to encourage BSL-opposing citizens of Springfield to join the task force and to continue to persuade officials to repeal the breed-specific ordinance. You can call the City Clerk’s office at (417) 864-1653 to find out how to join the task force. Contact the city council: citycouncil@springfieldmo.gov

Springfield City Council Aims To Tackle Animal Issues With New Task Force

Members say updating the animal shelter is top priority

by Jonah Kaplan, KSPR News
4:18 a.m. CST, February 13, 2012
SPRINGFIELD, Mo— [...] Second, it’s been five years since an ordinance took effect requiring pit bull owners to register their dogs, but it hasn’t really changed anything. The task force could recommend the ordinance drop the pit bull language. [...]

Council members hope to appoint as many as 15 people on the task force, and are asking members of the greater community to pitch in their time and join the effort.

If you’d like to join the discussion, you can call the Springfield City Clerk’s office at (417) 864-1653

Full article retrieved 2/13/12 from http://www.kspr.com/news/local/kspr-springfield-city-council-aims-to-tackle-animal-issues-with-new-task-force-20120213,0,497143.story

All alerts for Springfield, MO: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22springfield%2C+mo%3A%22

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Posted in Missouri, Proposal to Repeal

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Shreve, OH considers BSL repeal

Posted on February 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Shreve, OH, may soon repeal their BSL, thanks to a local’s efforts. The village council, with the encouragement of the police chief, have agreed to repeal their BSL when HB 14 passes.

We would like to keep things low-key and encouraging. If you contact city officials, please THANK them for being leaders in the movement toward modern, effective dog laws and away from breed-specific laws.
Contact page for Shreve: http://www.shreveohio.com/village.htm
Please keep correspondence brief and positive. We don’t want to overwhelm them and potentially upset them.

Many communities instituted BSL years ago simply because the state did it. In fact, a large number of municipalities copied the state vicious dog law directly into their own ordinances, BSL and all. The success of HB 14 has sent a strong message to OH municipalities: the state’s BSL has been a failure and there are better options out there. We expect to see many more municipalities in Ohio re-think their BSL when the state law changes.

Many thanks to Robin for letting us know!

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Wentzville, MO: Council may discuss BSL repeal, Feb 8

Posted on February 5, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Wentzville, MO has another Board of Alderman meeting on Feb 8 at 6:30 PM. We were previously told that the BSL repeal would be introduced at this meeting, but it does not appear to be on the agenda. However, they discussed this issue extensively at the last meeting even though it was not on the agenda last time either. If you are a resident, please make every effort to attend the board meeting and show your support for BSL repeal.

You can read the draft ordinance here. It is breed-neutral and, if passed, would repeal the city’s current “pit bull” restrictions. However, it is not unanimously favored and there is some opposition to BSL repeal.

Locals and residents, please attend the Board of Aldermen meeting, Feb 8 at 6:30 PM, at City Hall, 310 W. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385 to show your support for repeal of BSL. Sign up to speak at the meeting via the link at the top of the agenda page: http://wentzvillemo.iqm2.com/citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1414

Contact city officials: http://www.wentzvillemo.org/mayor-and-alderman.aspx

All alerts for Wentzville: http://stopbsl.com/?s=wentzville

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Posted in Missouri, Proposal to Repeal

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Wentzville, MO update: Proposed ordinance would repeal BSL

Posted on January 26, 2012 by | 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 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

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Posted in BSL Defeated, BSL Proposed, Wisconsin

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Trail, BC, Canada: Advocates want to repeal BSL

Posted on January 25, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Please respectfully encourage Trail city officials to repeal their long-standing BSL in favor of an effective breed-neutral ordinance.

Trail City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at Trail City Hall, which is located at 1394 Pine Avenue.

Contact info for city officials:
1394 Pine Ave, Trail, BC V1R 4E6
250.364.1262
Fax: 250.364.0830
info@trail.ca
Mayor and Council E-mail
dbogs@trail.ca; rcacchioni@trail.ca; gderosa@trail.ca; egattafoni-robinson@trail.ca; rgeorgetti@trail.ca; kjolly@trail.ca; smackinlay@trail.ca

Trail dog lovers want city to review breed-specific dog bylaw

By Val Rossi – Trail Daily Times
Published: January 19, 2012 4:00 PM

[...] The city’s bylaw introduced in 1999 lumps pitbulls into its vicious dog category, regardless of the animal’s nature, which puts additional requirements on dog owners like ensuring their pet is muzzled off their property.

[...] Davis would like Trail to take a hard look at what cities like Calgary or Delta have in place, where a responsible pet ownership bylaw is taken on. [...]

Full article retrieved 1/25/12 from http://www.traildailytimes.ca/news/137684873.html

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Posted in Canada, Proposal to Repeal

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Lima, OH: Council resolution opposes state-level repeal of BSL

Posted on January 24, 2012 by | 2 Comments

The Lima, OH, city dog ordinance defines “pit bulls” as vicious dogs, using the same language that Ohio state law currently uses. Ohio HB 14, which has a good chance of passing, would repeal this breed-specific language in the state law.

However, even if HB 14 were to pass, Lima is under no obligation to repeal their own BSL in their local ordinances. Therefore, Lima council’s newly-passed resolution to oppose HB 14 is entirely unnecessary. They can continue to discriminate against “pit bull” owners within their own city limits, as long as their ordinance remains in place.

One of the councilmembers, Kurt Neeper, sees HB 14 as support for repeal of Lima’s BSL. After all, if the state feels that its breed-specific “vicious dog” definition is not working, Lima’s BSL is probably not working either. Neeper suggests that if HB 14 passes and the state-level BSL is repealed, he will push for Lima to repeal its own BSL. We suspect the rest of the council felt the need to pass a resolution against HB 14 because HB 14′s passage would force Lima council to reconsider the validity of their own discriminatory law.

Lima City Council dogged by pit bull issue

January 23, 2012 9:12 PM
Bart Mills

LIMA — [...] Council voted 6-1 to pass a resolution opposing an effort in the state Senate to eliminate dogs belonging “to a breed commonly known as a pit bull dog” from the definition of vicious dog contained in the Ohio Revised Code.

[...] Councilman Kurt Neeper was the sole vote opposing the [resolution]. He said he voted in favor of the city’s current law, but has since studied the issue and changed his mind.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/24/12 from http://www.limaohio.com/articles/dog-78221-pit-bull.html

Please be respectful and informative when writing city officials. Tell them why you support Ohio HB 14 and demonstrate how Lima can become safer and more humane by removing the breed-specific language in the local ordinance.
Contact info for city officials:
Sally Clemans, Council Clerk, sally.clemans@cityhall.lima.oh.us
John Nixon, Council President, jmnixon@wcoil.com
Kurt Neeper, kurt.neeper@gmail.com (supports repeal of BSL)
Sam McLean, smclean@allstate.com
Jesse Lowe, jjlowe@drugsbringdeath.us
Tom Tebben, ttebben@woh.rr.com
Teresa Adams, 518adams@bright.net
Derry Glenn, (419) 221-5107 Option 6
Paige Townsend, ptownsend62@hotmail.com
David Adams, dsadams@wcoil.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
sally.clemans@cityhall.lima.oh.us; jmnixon@wcoil.com; kurt.neeper@gmail.com; smclean@allstate.com; jjlowe@drugsbringdeath.us; ttebben@woh.rr.com; 518adams@bright.net; ptownsend62@hotmail.com; dsadams@wcoil.com

Lima’s vicious dog ordinance: http://www.limapolice.com/City%20of%20Lima%20Ordinance%20-%20Vicious%20Dogs.pdf

Lima was in the news last year because their vicious dog ordinance was causing too much of a burden on the local court system. http://stopbsl.com/2011/05/31/lima-oh-pit-bull-law-changes-coming/

Thanks to Amber for the heads up about Lima!

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Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

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