Monthly Archives: September 2009

Denver, CO: Excellent article examining pit bull ban

Posted on September 23, 2009 by | Comments Off

There is an excellent article in Denver Westword News about the Denver breed ban. It is too lengthy to reprint here. Please follow the link; it is well worth the read.

For two decades, pit bulls have been public enemy #1 in Denver. But maybe it’s time for a recount.
http://www.westword.com/2009-09-24/news/for-two-decades-pit-bulls-have-been-public-enemy-1-in-denver-but-maybe-it-s-time-for-a-recount/

A photo tour of Denver’s “pit bull death row” accompanies the article.

Inside Denver’s “Pit Bull Row”
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2009/09/inside_denvers_pit_bull_row.php

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Posted in Colorado, Community Initiatives, Court Cases, Criminal Activity, Results of BSL, Studies

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Fremont, OH: Pit bull ban suggested

Posted on September 23, 2009 by | 1 Comment

Nothing official has been proposed. However, city councilmembers are discussing the possibility of a ban on “pit bulls” in Fremont. Remember: the state of Ohio already considers all “pit bulls” to be legally classified as “vicious dogs.”

There will be a town meeting on the issue at City Hall on October 15 at 6:30 PM.

Fremont Law Director Bob Hart, who is pushing for the ban: 419-334-2908

City Councilmembers’ Contact Info:
Mike Koebel, 419-334-4231 home, 419-332-5300 work
Jim Melle, jmelle@fremontohio.org
Larry Jackson, ljackson@fremontohio.org
O. Duane Simmons, odsimmons@fremontohio.org
Rick Root, rroot@fremontohio.org
Jim Weaver, jweaver@fremontohio.org
Karen Wagner, pwags43@yahoo.com
Don Nalley, nalley1stward@aol.com

A transcript of the city council meeting can be found here: http://mypetrescueblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/town-hall-meeting-on-pit-bull-ban-in.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Ohio

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Sarnia, Ontario, Canada: Dogs to be released by city

Posted on September 22, 2009 by | Comments Off

Sarnia is having quite a bit of trouble identifying banned dogs; this is an example of why appearance-based laws don’t make sense. Identification of a “pit bull” is arbitrary and subjective.
This is a followup to previous story: http://stopbsl.com/2009/09/04/sarnia-ontario-canada-pit-bull-law-unevenly-applied/

Dogs to be released by city

SHAWN JEFFORDS
The Observer

Three dogs mistakenly believed to be pit bulls, and sentenced to death by the city, will be set free this week.

Puppies Maddi and Carter and their father, all three boxer mixes, were seized by city animal control officers in early September. According to a provincial law, any dog resembling a Staffordshire bull terrier must be destroyed because the breed is banned.

[...] “I wouldn’t put it as a mistake,” he said. “Animal control staff are vigilant about what they perceive as similar characteristics. For those that aren’t actual breeders it probably isn’t an exact science.”

Full article retrieved 9/22/09 from http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1762615

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Posted in Breed Identification, Canada, Results of BSL

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Salem, AR reminder: Draft ordinance for breed ban to be reviewed by city council, Sept. 24

Posted on September 22, 2009 by | 1 Comment

Salem, AR, city council will review a draft ordinance, which would ban “pit bulls” and Rottweilers from the city, during their city council meeting on September 24.

City of Salem, P.O. Box 619, Salem, AR 72576
Phone: (870) 895-3478
Fax: (870) 895-4540

Previous alert for Salem: http://stopbsl.com/2009/09/10/salem-ar-bsl-under-consideration/

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Posted in Arkansas, BSL Proposed

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Mass SB 406 to be taken up by Senate (support needed now)

Posted on September 21, 2009 by | Comments Off

Massachusetts SB 406, which would prohibit municipalities in Massachusetts from declaring a dog “dangerous” based on breed, will be taken up by the state Senate very soon–possibly as soon as Wednesday (9/23).

Massachusetts residents, please contact your senator and let him or her know that you support SB 406.

Find your Massachusetts senator here: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php
or here: http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm

Previous alerts on SB 406:
http://stopbsl.com/2009/07/16/ma-sb-406-approved-by-committee/
http://stopbsl.com/2009/03/27/massachusetts-sb-406-moved-to-committee/
http://stopbsl.com/2009/03/21/massachusetts-sb-406-would-prohibit-bsl/

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Posted in Massachusetts, Non-BSL Proposed

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Royal Oak, MI: Dangerous dogs on agenda (BSL mentioned)

Posted on September 21, 2009 by | 1 Comment

Although BSL is mentioned, there doesn’t seem to be a strong push for it. Concerned residents may wish to attend the city council meeting tonight, September 21, 7:30 p.m. in City Hall, 211 Williams St.

City Mayor Jim Ellison, cmellison@ci.royal-oak.mi.us
City Commissioners:
Michael Andrzejak, ccandrzejak@ci.royal-oak.mi.us
Terry Drinkwine, ccdrinkwine@ci.royal-oak.mi.us
Carlo P Ginotti, ccginotti@ci.royal-oak.mi.us
Gary Lelito, cclelito@ci.royal-oak.mi.us
Charles Semchena, ccsemchena@ci.royal-oak.mi.us

ROYAL OAK: Dangerous dogs on agenda

COMPILED FROM REPORTS BY BILL LAITNER AND FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
Posted: Sept. 21, 2009

[...] The report, with input from City Attorney David Gillam, suggests that the city’s best approach to pit bulls may be to stiffen its existing ordinance “in regards to all vicious animals” rather than regulating one or more troublesome breeds.[...]

Full article retrieved 9/21/09 from http://www.freep.com/article/20090921/NEWS05/909210314/1007/Local-news–Dangerous-dogs-on-agenda-in-Royal-Oak

Previous alert for Royal Oak: http://stopbsl.com/2009/02/22/royal-oak-mi-whispers-of-bsl/

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Posted in Michigan, Whispers of BSL

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Fort Dodge, IA: FD council likely to review animal laws Monday

Posted on September 20, 2009 by | 1 Comment

It’s not clear what, exactly, is being proposed–if anything.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S.

FD council likely to review animal laws Monday

Owners must be responsible, says committee chairman

By BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writer
POSTED: September 20, 2009

The rules governing animals in the city will be reviewed by the Fort Dodge City Council Monday.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S.

[...] Olson said he is opposed to banning any specific breed of dog in the city.[...]

Full article retrieved 9/20/09 from http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/518650.html?nav=5010

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Posted in Iowa, Whispers of BSL

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