Monthly Archives: February 2010

England and Wales: Now the Government wants competence tests before you can be a dog owner

Now the Government wants competence tests before you can be a dog owner

By Jonathan Petre
Last updated at 2:51 AM on 28th February 2010

Every dog owner will have to take a costly ‘competence test’ to prove they can handle their pets, under new Government proposals designed to curb dangerous dogs.

Owners of all breeds would also have to buy third-party insurance in case their pet attacked someone, and pay for the insertion of a microchip in their animal recording their name and address.

The proposals are among a range of measures to overhaul dog laws in England and Wales being considered by senior Ministers, who are expected to announce a public consultation within weeks.[...]

Full article retrieved 2/28/10 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254356/Now-Government-want-competence-test-dog-owner.html#ixzz0gqWfMvqG

Boaz, AL correction: BSL not yet passed

Thanks to Jodi for this correction.

The headline for the article regarding Boaz, AL may not be correct. It seems the proposed BSL may still need another vote by council.

Read the text of the proposed ordinance here (thanks to Jodi and Deb): http://stopbsl.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/boaz_al_proposed_bsl.pdf

Next council meeting is March 8th at the Boaz Senior Center, 112 Church Street.

Mayor Tim Walker
256-593-8105
cityhall@cityofboaz.org

Councilmembers:

David Ellis
256-593-2361
dfellis72@yahoo.com

Billy Faucett
256-593-3709
faucettmtrs@charter.net

Jerry Don Sims
256-593-5091
poppatie@aol.com

Timothy McRae (he is a ‘dog guy’-he may be our best ally)
256-593-0835
thmcrae@bellsouth.net

David Dyar
256-593-3558
ddyar@hotmail.com

Clerk Jill Bright, CMC
Phone: 256-593-9537
FAX: 256-593-9527
jill.bright@cityofboaz.org

Previous alert for Boaz: http://stopbsl.com/2010/02/24/boaz-al-bsl-passed/

Natchez, MS: Aldermen vote to develop pit bull ordinance

Update 6/23/10: A news article indicates that the city attorney has advised against breed-specific laws, and is willing to draw up a non-breed-specific ordinance. http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2010/jun/23/natchez-alderman-discuss-city-animal-ordinance/

City of Natchez, Mississippi
Mayor Jake Middleton
City Hall, 124 S. Pearl St., Natchez, MS 39120
(601) 445-7555
mayor@natchez.ms.us

Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, Alderwoman, Ward One
James “Ricky” Gray, Alderman, Ward Two
Bob Pollard, Alderman, Ward Three, bobpollard@natchez.net
Tony Fields, Alderman, Ward Four
Mark Fortenbery Alderman, Ward Five
Temple Hendricks, Assistant to the Mayor, thendricks@natchez.ms.us

Online contact form: http://www.cityofnatchez.net/contact/

Alderman vote to develop pit bull ordinance

By Cassandra Mickens (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat
Published Wednesday, February 24, 2010

NATCHEZ — [...] Phillip Stokes addressed the Natchez Board of Aldermen Tuesday regarding four neighborhood pit bulls….

Mayor Jake Middleton assured Stokes the board would enact an ordinance to address pit bulls and other vicious animals….

Full article retrieved 2010-02-25 from http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2010/feb/24/alderman-vote-develop-pit-bull-ordinance/

Elgin, IL update: BSL passes first vote

The final vote on the proposed ordinance will be March 10. The last vote by city council will likely be a formality, unless someone changes their mind.

Please continue to send persuasive, intelligent correspondence to council members, and please remember to thank the three council members who voted against the ordinance (noted below).

City of Elgin, Illinois
Diane Robertson, City Clerk
150 Dexter Ct., 2nd Floor, Elgin, IL 60120-5570
Phone: 847-931-5660
Fax: 847-931-6027
robertson_d@cityofelgin.org

Edward Schock, Mayor, mayor@cityofelgin.org (For the ordinance, owns a German Shepherd)
Council Members:
Richard Dunne, rdunne@cityofelgin.org (Against the ordinance)
Robert Gilliam, gilliam_r@cityofelgin.org (For the ordinance)
David Kaptain, kaptain_d@cityofelgin.org (Against the ordinance)
John Prigge, prigge_j@cityofelgin.org (Original proposer of ordinance, voted for it)
F. John Steffen, steffen_j@cityofelgin.org (Against the ordinance)
Mike Warren, warren_m@cityofelgin.org (For the ordinance)

Previous alerts for Elgin: http://stopbsl.com/?s=elgin%2C+il

Pit bull crackdown ‘like racism against dogs’

Elgin council advances tough restrictions on pit bulls

February 25, 2010
By MIKE DANAHEY mdanahey@stmedianetwork.com

By a 4-3 vote, the Elgin City Council Wednesday night approved moving along an amended animal control ordinance that puts tough restrictions on owners of pit bulls, which would be labeled “dangerous dogs.”…

The amended ordinance would put strict requirements on pit bull owners, and those not following the new rules would face fines of $1,000 or more….

Full article retrieved Feb. 25, 2010 from http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/2069319,3_1_EL25_06COUNCIL_S1-100225.article

Another article: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=361843&src=5

Boaz, AL: BSL passed

Boaz passes vicious dog ordinance

Posted: Feb 24, 2010 4:46 PM CST

BOAZ, AL (WAFF) – The city of Boaz is hoping to discourage residents from having potentially vicious or dangerous animals by passing a new ordinance…. [and] pit bulls are named specifically.

Full story retrieved Feb. 24, 2010 from http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=12039217

Worcester, MA: City ordinance would target pit bulls for restraint on public ways

Thanks to Jodi for this info:

City of Worcester, MA
455 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 929-1300

City Manager Michael O’Brien
City Hall Room 309, 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 799-1175, Fax: (508) 799-1208
CityManager@worcesterma.gov

City Clerk David Rushford
City Hall, Room 206, 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 799-1121, Fax: (508) 799-1194
clerk@worcesterma.gov

City Council
City Hall Room 112, 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 799-1049, Fax: (508) 799-1015
council@worcesterma.gov

GermainM@worcesterma.gov, LukesK@worcesterma.gov, PettyJM@worcesterma.gov, RushtonR@worcesterma.gov,
ToomeyK@worcesterma.gov, SmithJA@worcesterma.gov, PalmieriP@worcesterma.gov, ClancyP@worcesterma.gov, HallerB@worcesterma.gov, EddyW@worcesterma.gov

Council Agendas and Minutes:
http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/city-clerk/agendas-minutes

City ordinance would target pit bulls for restraint on public ways

By Nick Kotsopoulos TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
nkotsopoulos@telegram.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

WORCESTER — The City Council has asked the city administration to prepare an ordinance that would require the owners of pit bulls to harness or muzzle their dog when walking them on public ways….

Full article retrieved 2010-02-24 from http://www.telegram.com/article/20100224/NEWS/100229898/1101/LOCAL

Elgin, IL: BSL on agenda, Feb 24

Thanks to Jodi for this alert:

An alert was initially issued for Elgin, Illinois in June 2009. There’s been some back and forth as to whether or not breed specific regulations were, in fact, being considered. Its important to note that Elgin is a “home rule” city.

The amended animal control ordinance is Item “F” on the city council agenda for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Council meetings take place begin at 6 p.m. and are held at the Centre’s Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL.

Accordingly, please send your POLITE AND RESPECTFUL opposition to the Elgin city officials TODAY. Contact information and links to a previous news story and council minutes are below.

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
www.blessthebullys.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

City of Elgin, Illinois
Diane Robertson, City Clerk
150 Dexter Ct., 2nd Floor, Elgin, IL 60120-5570
Phone: 847-931-5660
Fax: 847-931-6027
robertson_d@cityofelgin.org

City Manager Sean Stegall, roder_n@cityofelgin.org
Edward Schock, Mayor, mayor@cityofelgin.org
Council Members:
Richard Dunne, rdunne@cityofelgin.org
Robert Gilliam, gilliam_r@cityofelgin.org
David Kaptain, kaptain_d@cityofelgin.org
John Prigge, prigge_j@cityofelgin.org
F. John Steffen, steffen_j@cityofelgin.org
Mike Warren, warren_m@cityofelgin.org

Item F on tomorrow’s council agenda:
http://www.cityofelgin.org/archives/32/2-24-10%20COW%20Agenda.pdf

Previous alerts for Elgin: http://stopbsl.com/?s=elgin%2C+il

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=361149&src=5

Elgin looks to beef up pit bull laws

by Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 2/23/2010 12:01 AM

Elgin city leaders are considering rules that will require pit bull owners to: pay $100 for a three-year registration of their dogs; have $500,000 worth of insurance; and have their pets leashed and muzzled when they are being walked.

Violators could receive a $1,000 fine if they do not comply with the proposed laws that automatically deem pitbulls “dangerous” dogs….

The earliest the city council can approve these new laws is at the March 10 meeting. Public comments will be limited to 30 minutes Wednesday.If passed, pit bull owners will have until June 1 to register their dogs.