Monthly Archives: March 2010

Beatrice, NE: Whispers of BSL (“pit bull” ban)

Thanks to Jodi for this alert:

Beatrice, Nebraska city councilman Jason Moore brought up the issue of banning “any dog that is part pit bull” in the city limits. His suggestion was not well received, however, Moore says he plans to draft an ordinance and present it to the council at some time in the future.

No ordinance has been formally proposed or presented at this time. We may want to send the city officials some factual information to refute the information provided by Councilman Moore, and perhaps some strong generic dangerous dog ordinances for their consideration, as well.

Jodi

Beatrice City Council, 400 Ella Street, Beatrice, Nebraska 68310
(402) 228-5200
FAX (402) 228-2312

City council member suggests pit bull ban

By Scott Koperski/Daily Sun staff writer
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 9:55 am

At Monday night’s work session for the Beatrice City Council, council member Jason Moore brought up … pit bulls within the city.

Moore suggested … the council impose a citywide ban on any dog that is part pit bull.

Full story retrieved March 23, 2010 from http://www.beatricedailysun.com/news/local/article_82d2bdda-368c-11df-afb3-001cc4c03286.html

Sioux City, IA update: Proposals to be submitted to city attorney (still BSL)

Council mulls possible changes to animal laws

By Lynn Zerschling lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 12:00 am

SIOUX CITY — After another discussion on whether to redefine the city’s vicious dog law and lift the ban on pit bulls, Mayor Mike Hobart asked his City Council colleagues Monday to submit the ideas they favor to the city attorney.[...]

From the discussion, it appeared Councilman John Fitch and Hobart favor eliminating the ban on pit bulls and pit bull mixes enacted by the council in 2008. Rochester and Councilman Keith Radig said they would keep the prohibition. Councilman Tom Padgett said generally he didn’t favor breed bans but did not indicate how he would vote on this ban. He said after the meeting he is willing to consider lifting the ban with conditions recommended by Hobart.[...]

Article retrieved 3/23/10 from http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_5c10b313-1534-59f2-9718-75475dbd0e62.html

Sioux City, IA: Proposal to repeal “pit bull” ban (would not eliminate BSL)

Under one possible scenario, Sioux City could repeal their “pit bull” ban, but “pit bulls” would instead be automatically considered “high risk” animals, subject to a host of special restrictions.

City council will consider the proposals on Monday, March 22, at 4:00 PM.
Council Chambers, 5th Floor of City Hall, 405 6th Street

You may send letters by e-mail to the full Council-ccouncil@sioux-city.org or mail to City Hall, P.O. Box 447, Sioux City, IA 51102, or call 712-279-6102.

Hobart, Rochester proposals to be considered Monday

Council may change vicious animal laws

Lynn Zerschling – lzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com
Posted: Saturday, March 20, 2010 1:00 am

SIOUX CITY — [...] Hobart’s proposal calls for repealing the pit bull ban and adding pit bulls to the city’s “high risk” animal category. He would increase the penalties for animals declared to be at high risk and hike the fees for high risk animals, City Attorney Andrew Mai said.[...]

Article retrieved 3/21/10 from http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_7f454860-40ea-531a-afc6-cfa597c3d597.html

Elgin, IL: Councilman says pit bull laws inevitable

Terms expire in 2011:
Edward Schock, Mayor, originally voted for BSL
David Kaptain, voted against BSL
F. John Steffen, voted against BSL
Mike Warren, originally voted for BSL

Terms expire in 2013:
Richard Dunne, voted against BSL
Robert Gilliam, originally voted for BSL
John Prigge, major force behind BSL

Something to keep in mind when you’re at the polls this year and in 2012.

Elgin councilman says pit bull laws inevitable

By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 3/16/2010 12:39 PM | Updated: 3/16/2010 12:44 PM

[...]John Prigge, an Elgin councilman who pushed for a grandfathered pit bull ban … predicted a serious incident would occur this year.

And that, Prigge told the South West Area Neighbors group Monday night, would give himself and three other council members reason to revisit and pass pit bull-only laws….

Full story retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=366341

Yucaipa, CA: Resident asks for “pit bull” ban

California state law prohibits breed-specific laws, except for mandatory spay/neuter. City council will hear from the resident who is asking for a ban, and any others who wish to speak on the matter.

March 22, 6 PM
Council Chambers of City Hall, 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399

Mayor Dick Riddell, driddell@yucaipa.org
Mayor Pro Tem Allan Drusys, DVM, adrusys@yucaipa.org
Councilmember Denise Hoyt, dhoyt@yucaipa.org
Councilmember Tom Masner, tommasner@yucaipa.org
Councilmember Diane Smith, dsmith@yucaipa.org

Owner of dog killed by pit bull seeks regulations

By NOELLE KIELY
Staff Reporter
Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:11 PM PST

An angry dog owner contacted the Yucaipa News Mirror along with the Yucaipa City Council to relay concerns….

Greene reported he would like to see more stringent regulations on the breed and has been invited by the Yucaipa City Council to speak at the next meeting.

“I would like to see a ban on pit bulls,” Greene said….

Council will listen to the issue at the March 22 meeting and anyone with an opinion on the subject is invited to attend and share their concerns.

Full story retrieved March 16, 2010 from http://www.newsmirror.net/articles/2010/03/12/news/doc4b99496ad0589428140630.txt

Kennett, MO: Kennett looks to expand dangerous dog ordinance (BSL)

Thanks to Jodi for this alert. “Pit bulls” are already banned in Kennett. Licensed “pit bulls” were allowed to remain at the time that the ordinance was passed, but it’s likely that the licenses have since expired; the city wants more power to go into people’s homes and remove the dogs, whether they are causing problems or not.

I have posted Kennett’s current ordinance below the article. The ordinance is breed specific, and prohibits the keeping of “pit bulls” in the city limits without a license. Not quite sure what they intend to change unless, of course, pursuant to Section 210.030 (which was removed at the direction of the city), they intend to “adjust” the expiration periods of current license holders.

No timeline on when to expect a change.

Jodi

City of Kennett Missouri
info@kennettmo.org
Municipal Building, 200 Cedar Street, Kennett, MO 63857
Ph: 573-888-9001 • Fax: 573-888-4011

Kennett looks to expand dangerous dog ordinance

Posted: Mar 15, 2010 3:57 PM PDT Updated: Mar 15, 2010 5:08 PM PDT

KENNETT, MO (KFVS) – Under the current Kennett dangerous dog ordinance, pit bull owners face fines ranging between $50-500 for having their pet in city limits.

Mayor Roger Wheeler wants the power to impound the dogs and euthanize any vicious animals.[...]

Article retrieved 3/16/10 from http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=12145882

SECTION 210.035: DANGEROUS DOGS — UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS

No person shall possess, own, keep, harbor, allow to be upon in or upon his premises or otherwise have custody of a “dangerous dog” within the City limits of the City of Kennett. (Ord. No. 2774 §§1–2, 7-6-06)

Editor’s Note–All those who hold valid licenses for dangerous dogs issued pursuant to previous Section 210.030 of the Municipal Code shall be allowed to keep said dogs until the expiration of the present license period.

SECTION 210.030: RESERVED

Editor’s Note–Section 210.030 “licensing of dangerous dogs” was superseded by ord. no. 2774 which is set out in Section 210.035 below. This section has been removed at the direction of the city. Former section 210.030 derived from ord. no. 2023 §3, 8-18-87; ord. no. 2441 §1, 8-1-95; ord. no. 2700 §§1–2, 1-20-04. At the editor’s discretion, this section has been reserved for the city’s future use.

DANGEROUS DOG

7. Any pit bull dog, “pit bull dog” being defined to mean:

a. The bull terrier breed of dog;

b. The Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dog;

c. The American pit bull terrier breed of dog;

d. The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog;

e. Dogs of mixed breed or other breeds than above listed which breed or mixed breed is known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terrier; or

f. Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers; or a combination of any of these breeds.

Maryland: HB 1314 amendment to prohibit BSL proposed

For immediate action: Maryland HB 1314 rewrites the statewide dangerous dog law. The Maryland Dog Federation has proposed an amendment to HB 1314 that would prohibit municipalities from passing BSL.

The Maryland Dog Federation has presented Baltimore Delegate Cheryl Glenn with an amendment to House Bill 1314. Should the amendment be accepted, the bill, which seeks to strengthen the state’s dangerous dog law, would also provide that:

“Nothing…shall…prevent a municipality from adopting or enforcing its own more stringent program for the control of dangerous dogs provided, however, that no such program shall ban, regulate or address dogs in a manner which is specific as to breed.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Concerned responsible dog owners in Maryland are strongly encouraged to do the following:

* Contact Delegate Cheryl Glenn. Tell her specifically that you “Support HB 1314 with Amendments.”
PHONE: (301) 858-3257
FAX: (301) 858-3019
E-MAIL: Cheryl.glenn@house.state.md.us

* Attend the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing in support of Delegate Glenn submitting the amendment to HB 1314 on Thursday, March 18.
House Judiciary Committee
Thursday, March 18, 1:00 PM
Room 100, House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org; or contact Adrianne Lefkowitz of the Maryland Dog Federation at marylanddogfederation@yahoo.com.