Monthly Archives: December 2010

Denver, CO: Council rejects service dog exemption to pit bull ban

Pit-bull service-dog exemption rejected by Denver City Council

By Patricia Calhoun, Tue., Dec. 7 2010 @ 6:44AM

[...]Still, Denver’s twenty-year-old ordinance continues to specifically ban pit bulls — which means that on March 15, when the revised ADA takes effect, Denver law will be in conflict with the feds. But by a 9 to 4 vote last night, council members rejected an exemption to the ban for pit bulls serving as service animals.[...]

Full article retrieved 12/7/10 from http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2010/12/pit_bulls_service_dogs_rejected_denver.php

Van, TX reminder: Council to discuss breed ban, Dec 9

A resident of Van, TX has asked city council to ban “pit bulls” and Rottweilers.

Texas state law prohibits breed-specific laws, but Van city council says they will give his request “serious consideration.” They plan to discuss the issue during the December 9th council meeting.

Van City Hall, 189 S. Maple Street, Van, TX 75790
(903) 963-7216
Fax 903-963-5643

All alerts for Van: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22van%2C+tx%22

Kirksville, MO: Proposed ban now breed-specific restrictions

Kirksville has been considering a ban on “pit bulls.” The study session agenda for December 6 indicates Kirksville has revised the ban. It is now breed-specific restrictions on “pit bulls.” (Specifics not known at this time.)

Locals may attend the study session (Dec. 6 at 4:30 PM). Locals should plan to attend the city council meeting on Dec. 20 at 6 PM, when the city council will vote on the proposal.

http://www.kirksvillecity.com/filestorage/767/779/781/2471/December_6_2010.pdf

DANGEROUS ANIMAL ORDINANCE REVIEW

The Council has met and discussed issues concerning dangerous animals during four (4) Study Sessions and met with citizens in a separate public meeting. Based upon those conversations and input from the citizens an ordinance has been drafted and is ready for one final review of the City Council before it is placed on the formal agenda for adoption.

A significant change was made to the previous draft ordinance that would no longer prohibit pit bulls from being within the city limits, but would rather establish guidelines for pit bull ownership. This change can be found in the draft ordinance under “Restricted Animals.”

This ordinance was intended to be placed on the Council Agenda for Monday evening for possible consideration. However, there are a few revisions that still need to be made to properly incorporate this ordinance into the existing chapter, Chapter 5 Animal and Fowl of the Code of Ordinances.

The Council should be aware that letters were sent out to residents who attended the public meeting, the local veterinarians, Adair County Humane Society and the Field of Dreams Rescue asking that each work with the City on compliance and encourage everyone to license their pets.

Recommended Action:

Aside from fundamental opinions about whether or not to allow pit bulls, the draft ordinance that has been provided should address the direction of the City Council and will be placed on the December 20 agenda.

City of Kirksville, 201 South Franklin Street, Kirksville, MO 63501
660-627-1225
Toll Free: 888-299-1223
660-665-0940 (fax)

City Council:
Todd Kuhns, Mayor, tkuhns@kirksvillecity.com [Against ban, would support "compromise"]
Richard Detweiler, rdetweiler@kirksvillecity.com [Strongly for ban]
Carolyn Chrisman, cchrisman@kirksvillecity.com [Against ban, suggested alternatives]
Tony Fajkus, tfajkus@kirksvillecity.com [Against ban, for "compromise" including insurance, training]
Martha Rowe, mrowe@kirksvillecity.com [Previously for ban, now unsure, but still wants to "get rid of pit bulls"]

City Manager Mari Macomber, mmacomber@kirksvillecity.com
City Clerk Vicki Brumbaugh, vbrumbaugh@kirksvillecity.com

All alerts for Kirksville, MO: http://stopbsl.com/?s=kirksville

Denver, CO: Council set to consider service dog exemption to pit bull ban, Dec 6

The Denver city council is set to consider a service dog exemption to their pit bull ban. The Department of Justice recently issued an opinion that service dogs could not be restricted or banned based on their breed. Denver is also facing several lawsuits from people with pit bull service dogs.

Will Denver actually consider the exemption this time? Or will they continue to put the discussion off?

http://www.denvergov.org/citycouncil/DenverCityCouncil/tabid/436352/mid/489055/newsid489055/4315/Default.aspx

This week at City Council: highlights for the week of 12-6-10
Mon. Dec. 6, Regular meeting of City Council, 1437 Bannock St., Rm. 451, 5:30 PM
CB10-0724 exemption of pit bulls that are service animals from Denver’s ban on the breed

Previous alerts for Denver: http://stopbsl.com/?s=denver

Barstow, CA: City council to discuss vicious dog ordinance, Dec 6

Barstow has been considering breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter. The agenda for December 6 states:

Staff Reports
4. UPDATE OF VICIOUS DOG ORDINANCE
Recommended Action: Information item.

It is not known at this time what the staff report will contain. Concerned residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The council meeting will take place on December 6, 7:30 PM, in City Council chambers, 220 E. Mountain View, Barstow.

All alerts for Barstow: http://stopbsl.com/?s=barstow

Dearborn, MI: Ban proposal dropped

City officials back away from pit bull ban

Published: Friday, December 03, 2010
By J. Patrick Pepper, Press & Guide Newspapers

Plan to put stronger teeth into vicious dog rules

DEARBORN — Facing a mobilized and well-organized opposition, city officials announced Thursday that a plan to ban pit bull terriers is off the table.

Instead, current dog control codes will be overhauled to a two-tier system that will have more teeth and come with tougher enforcement.[...]

Full article retrieved 12/4/10 from http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2010/12/03/news/doc4cf95bc341ea0022688370.txt

All alerts for Dearborn, MI: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22dearborn%2C+mi%22

Sterling Heights, MI reminder: Council to consider BSL, Dec 7

New information 12/3/10: The city has decided to proceed with BSL, according to Detroit Free Press. They may vote on the proposal on Dec. 7.

Sterling Heights proposal would set strict rules for pit bull owners

By Tammy Stables Battaglia
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

[...] The city announced the proposed regulations today, and they would not apply to current owners who have their dogs licensed prior to Jan. 1. According to the proposal, the dogs also must pass a temperament/training program every two licensing cycles; dogs licensed after Jan. 1 must be embedded with a microchip; someone must be home when the dog is outside, and the dogs must be spayed or neutered unless they are to be bred.

Owners of new pit bulls will have 14 days to comply with the new rules. Those that don’t could face $500 in fines for the first offense, $750 for the second, and $1,000 for ensuing infractions.

Article retrieved 12/3/10 from : http://www.freep.com/article/20101203/NEWS04/101203023/Sterling-Heights-proposal-would-set-strict-rules-for-pit-bull-owners#ixzz1744wpfo1

City manager Mark Vanderpool intends to present his recommendations to city council regarding whether the city should ban or restrict “pit bulls,” or simply strengthen existing ordinances. Vanderpool declined to state what his recommendations would be. The city has been considering BSL or a ban since at least June.

Vanderpool will present his recommendations during The regular city council meeting will be held on Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Hall council chambers at 40555 Utica Road.

Mayor and City Council
Mayor Richard Notte, rnotte@sterling-heights.net
Joseph Ramano, cityhall@sterling-heights.net
Yvonne Kniaz, ykniaz@sterling-heights.net
Deanna Koski, dkoski@sterling-heights.net
Maria Schmidt, mgschmidt@sterling-heights.net
Michael Taylor, mctaylor@sterling-heights.net
Barbara Ziarko, bziarko@sterling-heights.net

All alerts for Sterling Heights: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22sterling+heights%22