The breed-specific language was dropped from the proposed dangerous dog ordinance for South Charleston.
The video of the city council meeting is extremely interesting to watch. It seems that the public did an excellent job educating the council. Council cited several interactions with the public which were enlightening.
Watch the video here: http://cityofsouthcharleston.com/media.php
(Click on September 17 Video, then choose Agenda Item 6a.)
All alerts for South Charleston: http://stopbsl.com/?s=south+charleston
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This is pathetic. I own an APBT who is the kindest most friendliest dog I have ever known. YOu can ask several people that may dog has been around, and they will tell you the same. These dogs were the all american dog, until the past decade of publicity of irresponsible owners allowing their dogs to run loose and bite people have given them a bad name. all dogs are the same. They are pack animals. they are territorial, but they are domesticated by humans to be around humans. All dogs can bite, and all attack dogs , and actual fighting dogs will bite if that is what they are trained to do. My APBT however, has not been trained to do anything except run around the yard, lick kids faces, and sleep in my room at night. Oh, yea, she can sit, give you her paw, and high five as well, because I trained her to do that. She will do it for anyone holding a treat. When someone knocks on the door, she barks,and goes to the doors. How many times has she hurt a person? None. How many times will she? I hope none unless she is in danger for her life, or my life is in danger. I have a 5 year old son who plays with her everyday, and falls asleep beside her. She loves every kid in the neighborhood, and none of them are afraid to go right up and pet her, bec ause she has been socialized properly. It is ridiculous to put a ban on all dogs because a few owners are irresponsible. Someone needs to put a ban on politicians who make ignorant laws surrounding things they have not investigated or studied. How many times has a pitbull attacked anyone in south charleston. O.K. How many owners were irresponsible if their dog had the opportunity to do so. The owners are at fault, not the dogs. I wish the city council would let my dog run loose in their building to give them all a hello kiss, and a shake, to realize these dogs are not dangerous, but there owners are idiots who should’nt have control over any animal. Take responsibility for your dogs, don’t let them take the fall you idiots. Breed specific legislation is no different than racism in humans. Now because our dogs can’t speak for themselves, you are being racist to a breed of dog.
JK,
Just to reiterate: the South Charleston ordinance is NOT breed-specific anymore.
I’m assuming when you say “this is pathetic,” you mean BSL generally, not this specific case. South Charleston is actually going the right way.
Thursday September 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m my case was heard in Ceredo WV where I have owned my home for 10 years and been a responsible pet owner. I have a Rottwieler/Pit/Lab looking mix pet. Who was a rescue dog and is about two. NEVER a better mutt have I had and NEVER a complaint against him.
But an outdated City Ordiance date 1994 took me into court last night. (an ordinance that was just recently enforced that NO one knew about) My pet was judged based on his looks. NEVER one complaint against him..He is the sweetest most lovable dog I have ever had, he doesn’t deserve what I have to do which is find him another home.
One can’t vote on something one is unaware of and since I didn’t buy my home until 1998 how would one know of every ordiance concerning mixed breed pound rescue dogs?
If ANYONE can help me please do email me, I have until October 17th or I will be fined and my Bosco euthinized.
Laura
South Charleston did remove the BSL from the 1st amendment to Article 505, BUT — on their ‘revised’ amendment (voted on 9/17) they ADDED “fighting dogs” to the ordinance, essentially leaving themselves a ‘backdoor’ to BSL. Until that language is removed this is still something residents of WV should be responding too!
Laura — please contact me at wvpitubullhaven@yahoo.com.
Thanks to Mike for this update:
http://wvgazette.com/News/200910010216
South Charleston passes dangerous dog ordinance
October 1, 2009
South Charleston passes dangerous dog ordinance
By Esther Hupp
For the Gazette
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — South Charleston City Council voted unanimously to pass the dangerous dog ordinance with only minor corrections Thursday night, even though several dog owners were on hand to object to some of the language.
Amy Hayes, a resident of South Charleston, voiced her concerns that the part of the ordinance that rules fighting dogs as dangerous dogs punishes owners who attempt to rehabilitate these dogs.
“I [know of] a former fighting dog named Georgia that had her teeth pulled,” Hayes said. “According to this ordinance, she would be considered a dangerous dog, even though she doesn’t have any teeth.”
[...]
What Staats and many South Charleston residents are afraid of is the misinterpretation of the vague language in the ordinance by following administrations.
[...]
The ordinance goes into effect immediately. Owners of dangerous dogs, as defined in the ordinance, have 60 days to register for a permit.