Monthly Archives: January 2010

Memphis, TN reminder: Public meeting to discuss breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter, Jan. 26

Posted on January 24, 2010 by | 2 Comments

Edit 2/11/10: This discussion has been delayed until mid-March. Councilmember Flinn is apparently reworking the ordinance with the assistance of animal welfare groups.

Memphis City Council is considering an ordinance that would require the mandatory spay/neuter of all “pit bulls” during their city council meeting on Jan. 26, at City Hall, 125 North Main Street.

It is important to remember that breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter (MSN) is breed-specific legislation. Breed-specific MSN is fraught with all of the problems associated with breed-specific laws–including unequal treatment of dog owners, subjective identification of dog breed based on appearance alone, and no evidence that such laws improve public safety.

Additionally, mandatory spay/neuter is not supported by No-Kill advocates, as it has not been shown to reduce shelter populations. MSN is a financial hardship on many people. Low-cost voluntary spay/neuter is a much more effective alternative.

Councilmembers:
Bill Morrison
William C. Boyd
Harold B.Collins
WandaHalbert
Jim Strickland
Edmund Ford, Jr.
Barbara Swearengen Ware
Joe Brown
Janis Fullilove
Myron Lowery
Kemp Conrad
Shea Flinn
Reid Hedgepeth

Contact all members at once by mailing, calling, or faxing the City Council office:
125 North Main Street, Room 514, Memphis, TN 38103
Ph: (901) 576-6786
Fax: (901) 576-6796
Or visit the website and view contact info for each member:
http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=690

Previous alert for Memphis: http://stopbsl.com/2010/01/13/memphis-tn-breed-specific-mandatory-spayneuter-proposed/

Memphis City Council Considers Pit Bull Law

Reported by: Jeni DiPrizio
Email: jdiprizio@myeyewitnessnews.com
Last Update: 1/18 7:55 pm

MEMPHIS, TN – Memphis City Council [is] considering passing a law [to] require all pit bulls be spayed or neutered…. Pit bull owners would have to get a special license….

It will be discussed at the council’s next meeting January 26, 2010.

Full article retrieved 2010-01-24 from http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story/Memphis-City-Council-Considers-Pit-Bull-Law/F1VrekSz2kKVF554Qcx8ug.cspx

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Tennessee

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Tyler, TX: Editorial calls for BSL

Posted on January 22, 2010 by | Comments Off

A newspaper in Tyler, TX, has issued a public demand for BSL. This is the latest in a string of calls to allow Texas municipalities to pass BSL, something currently prohibited by state law.

StopBSL has a policy against reprinting editorials on the site. However, you may wish to read the editorial for yourself and comment at the link.

http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20100119/OPINION01/1180321

Of note is the article writer’s suggestion that “an expert — such as an animal control officer — can make a judgment call on what is and what isn’t a pit bull. It’s hard to mistake that crushing jaw.” First, animal control officers are not “experts” in breed identification. In most places in Texas, the job requirements for an animal control officer or an animal shelter worker are: high school diploma (or GED) and ability to drag 50 pounds of dead weight. Scientific studies have proven that even people with years of experience handling dogs cannot correctly identify a dog’s breed nor identify a “pit bull” in the vast majority of cases. BSL is subjectively enforced, sweeping up all kinds of innocent dogs based on little more than someone’s opinion about whether it looks “pit bull enough.”

To combat the media and groups who are pushing for BSL in Texas, Love-A-Bull has started a petition that will be delivered to legislators twice in the next year. In the last three months, Love-A-Bull and petition supporters have collected 1300 signatures. Texans may contribute to this effort by downloading signature sheets and collecting signatures for the petition. More information can be found here: http://love-a-bull.org/2009/10/petition-against-breed-discriminatory-legislation-in-texas/

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Posted in Texas, Whispers of BSL

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Toledo, OH: Judge says Toledo’s “pit bull” law flawed

Posted on January 22, 2010 by | Comments Off

Judge says Toledo’s ‘pit bull’ law flawed

Some aspects cited as unconstitutional

By JC REINDL

BLADE STAFF WRITER

Article published January 21, 2010

[...] Toledo Municipal Court [Judge Michael Goulding] yesterday found numerous aspects of the city’s “vicious dogs” law unconstitutional, countering a ban on owning more than one “pit bull” and excluding “pit bull” mixed breeds as inherently vicious.

The ruling … involved the case of a Toledo man, Hugh Smith, who was charged with 13 violations of the city’s dog laws in October.

That month, the Lucas County Dog Warden’s Office seized what it deemed to be three “pit bull” dogs from Mr. Smith’s home….

Judge Goulding yesterday dismissed 10 of the charges against Mr. Smith, asserting that the city’s muzzle requirement and one-only limit for “pit bulls” are unconstitutional as they conflict with home-rule doctrine….

Contact JC Reindl at: jreindl@theblade.com or 419-724-6065.

Full article retrieved 2010-01-22 from http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100121/NEWS16/1210344/0/SRMAIN

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Posted in Court Cases, Ohio, Results of BSL

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Victoria, Australia: Dangerous dog law survey

Posted on January 21, 2010 by | Comments Off

The government of Victoria, Australia, has put out an online survey regarding their plans to introduce tighter legislation for so-called “dangerous” dogs (which includes “pit bulls”).

The proposed legislation includes a clause that allows authorities to immediately kill any “dangerous” dog (read: “dog that looks sort of pit bull-ish”) that is found running loose. Considering the difficulty most people have in correctly identifying dog breeds, this opens the door for the killing of pretty much any short-haired dog (Lab mix, Boxer mix) that is running loose–all the authorities have to do is say that it was a “pit bull.” Another possibility is an all-out ban on “pit bull” type dogs. Read up on the proposal here: http://stopbsl.com/2009/10/19/victoria-australia-brumby-gives-councils-a-licence-to-kill-dogs/

The government has created a public survey at the link below. The survey is free response, so you can write whatever you want.

For this reason, please read and consider the questions carefully, and compose your answers clearly and with proper grammar. Also beware of “trick” questions such as the second-to-last one, wherein it gives you two bad options to choose from. In such cases, you may state that both options are bad, and make a better suggestion.

http://dpidangerousdogs.questionpro.com/

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Outside of U.S.

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City of Elkhart, IN: Pit bull ban fails to pass

Posted on January 21, 2010 by | Comments Off

Previous alerts for City of Elkhart, IN: http://stopbsl.com/?s=elkhart%2C+IN **Not to be confused with Elkhart County, IN, where dangerous dog laws have also recently been revised.**

Elkhart pit bull ban falls just short

A motion to ban the breed failed on a tie vote of 4 to 4.

Published: Thursday, January 21, 2010 — The Truth, A
Last updated: 1/21/2010 12:00:46 AM
By Stephanie Gattman
Truth Staff

ELKHART — It came down to one vote.

The Elkhart City Council met Wednesday to continue its discussion on the proposed animal control ordinance…. Councilman Brent Curry, D-5th, wanted to get back to the original discussion that began more than 18 meetings ago.

He attempted to ban pit bulls in the city limits after July 1…

His motion failed on a tie vote of 4 to 4. A tie vote defeats the amendment….

Full article retrieved 2010-01-21 from http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=503606

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Indiana

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Gardendale, AL: “Pit bull” ban passed

Posted on January 20, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Thanks to Jodi for this alert:

Gardendale passes ban on pit bulls

By Adam Smith The North Jefferson News
January 20, 2010

Gardendale — Two months after first appearing on an agenda, the Gardendale City Council passed an ordinance Monday night to ban pit bulls and other dangerous dogs from the city limits.

[...] A complete copy of the ordinance can be found on the city’s Web site at www.cityofgardendale.com or at city hall.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/20/10 from http://www.njeffersonnews.com/local/x1085945813/Gardendale-passes-ban-on-pit-bulls

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Posted in Alabama, BSL Passed

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Sioux City, IA: Mayor expresses regret over pit bull ban

Posted on January 20, 2010 by | Comments Off

Hobart expresses regret over pit bull ban

By Lynn Zerschling lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:00 am

SIOUX CITY — Mayor Mike Hobart said Tuesday he regrets voting to ban pit bulls in 2008 and would consider lifting that breed ban.

[...] Radig said he would support continuation of the pit bull ban, noting he’s worried his children would be bitten by pit bulls running free at Headid Park.

Padgett said, “I’m not a breed specific person. I think a lot of it has to do with responsible owners. I would like to see the data.” Fitch agreed, saying he would like a report on the impact the ban has had.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/20/10 from http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/article_e29ec904-057a-11df-9fc3-001cc4c002e0.html

Previous alerts for Sioux City: http://stopbsl.com/?s=sioux+city

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Posted in Iowa, Results of BSL

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