Monthly Archives: January 2011

North Carolina: Parent calls for pit bull laws

Posted on January 21, 2011 by | 6 Comments

A man in North Carolina intends to ask state lawmakers for laws regulating “pit bulls.”

Father of pit bull attack survivor speaks about tougher dog laws, education

Posted: Jan 21, 2011 4:19 PM CST

[...Thomas] Clark says his mission now is to educate others and lobby for stiffer dangerous dog laws.

“There are many ways to go about it. My preference is to treat it like a lion, tiger or bear. If you want a lion, tiger or bear bad enough you can get one but there are sorts of restrictions, special permits and insurance to get one,” Clark said.

Clark says he’s seen an outpouring of support from the community and plans to write legislators to see what stance they’ll take on the issue.

Clark disputes claims by pit bull advocates that just like any dog, pit bulls need the proper training and socialization.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/21/11 from http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13886533

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Posted in North Carolina, Whispers of BSL

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Aberdeen, SD: Work session to discuss breed-specific ordinances, Jan 24

Posted on January 21, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jason for this alert!

*Not to be confused with Aberdeen, MS*

Aberdeen, SD city council has scheduled a “pit bull ordinance” work session on Jan 24 at 4:00 PM in council chambers, 3rd floor of the municipal building, 123 South Lincoln Street. The public may attend and speak at the work session.

The work session is described as “a police dept. report and ordinance suggestions for dangerous animals (pit bulls).” The council proceedings of Jan 18th stated that “City Manager Lander reminded the Council of the January 24, 2011 work session regarding pit bull ordinances…”

At this time, I do not know whether they are considering a ban or restrictions. News coverage has been nonexistant; please cross-post this to raise awareness.

Contact information for city officials:
Mayor Mike J. Levsen, mayor@aberdeen.sd.us
Phone: (605) 626-7025
City Manager Lynn Lander, lynn.lander@aberdeen.sd.us
Ph: (605) 626-7025
Fx: (605) 626-7039
Jim Kraft, NE District Council Member, james.kraft@aberdeen.sd.us
Jeff Mitchell, NE District Council Member, jeff.mitchell@aberdeen.sd.us
Todd Campbell, NW District Council Member, todd.campbell@aberdeen.sd.us
Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, NW District Council, jennifer.slaight-hansen@aberdeen.sd.us
 Clint Rux, SE District Council Member, clint.rux@aberdeen.sd.us
Laure Swanson, SE District Council Member, laure.swanson@aberdeen.sd.us
Tom Agnitsch, SW District Council Member, tom.agnitsch@aberdeen.sd.us
David Bunsness, SW District Council Member, david.bunsness@aberdeen.sd.us

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Posted in BSL Proposed, South Dakota

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Shelby, NC: Councilmember suggests BSL

Posted on January 21, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Thanks to Jodi for this alert!

City Councilman Joel Shores has raised the possibility of breed restrictions to the Shelby, North Carolina city council.

Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE letters in opposition to breed specific legislation to the Shelby city officials listed below. Please also include the many problems associated with breed specific ordinances, as well as viable alternatives for the council’s consideration.

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
www.blessthebullys.com

City of Shelby, P O Box 207, Shelby, NC 28151-0207
Phone: 704 484-6800

City Manager Rick Howell, rick.howell@cityofshelby.com
Main: 704 484 6801 Fax: 704 484 6871
City Clerk Bernadette Parduski, bernie.parduski@cityofshelby.com

Mayor W. Ted Alexander, ted.alexander@cityofshelby.com
Councilman Chris Mabry, chris@alphamail.com
Councilman Stan Anthony, santhony@mbaj.com
Councilwoman Jeanette Patterson, jeanettedpatterson@yahoo.com
Councilman Dennis Bailey, denniscarl@carolina.rr.com
Councilman Joel Shores (suggested BSL), joelshores@yahoo.com
Councilman Andrew Hopper, andrew.hopper1@clevelandcounty.com

Shelby councilman suggests restricting pit bull ownership

Thursday, Jan 20 2011, 2:44 pm
Rebecca Clark

SHELBY — [... Joel] Shores said he has been researching the issue and said some cities require muzzles when walking the dogs, keeping them in a certain-sized cage and even requiring an insurance policy in order to own the animals.

“I don’t know what council would look into, but I want us to take a hard look at it and see if it’s something we need to do,” he said.

Shores said he has asked the city attorney to look into ordinances that are constitutional.

[...] Sam Lockridge, coordinator of health services, said he wants to make sure an ordinance would be constitutional and feels the current ordinances already in place are enough.

[...] He said he does not feel banning a particular breed is the answer.

Full article retrieved 1/21/11 from http://www.shelbystar.com/news/shelby-52954-councilman-ownership.html

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Posted in North Carolina, Whispers of BSL

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Friday Harbor, WA reminder: Council to discuss proposed dog ordinance, Jan 20

Posted on January 20, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Lena for the reminder!

The town council is in the process of updating its dog control ordinance. The proposal is not breed-specific at this time. However, several weeks ago, a citizen called for a “pit bull” ban in Friday Harbor, and news media was supportive. Locals should watch and participate in the dog law update to ensure it does not become breed-specific.

Friday Harbor town council will discuss dangerous dog regulations during their council meeting on Jan 20, 2011, at 5:30 PM in Town Council Chambers, 60 Second Street.

An agenda, including a link to the current proposal, can be found here: http://www.fridayharbor.org/town%20council/TownCouncil.htm

Contact info for Friday Harbor officials: towncouncil@fridayharbor.org
Amy Taylor, Town Clerk, 360-378-2810, amyt@fridayharbor.org

All alerts for Friday Harbor: http://stopbsl.com/?s=friday+harbor

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Posted in Washington State, Whispers of BSL

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Hamden, CT: Whispers of BSL

Posted on January 17, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Some citizens have asked whether Hamden town council can or will consider banning “pit bulls.” However, the council president has expressed concerns about such an idea.

Locals are encouraged to participate in this town’s dialogue to ensure that any council actions taken are breed-neutral. Please provide polite, productive correspondence that offers reasonable alternatives to breed-specific laws.

Contact info for town officials: http://www.hamden.com/content/7089/7093/7858/default.aspx

Hamden official targets aggressive dogs

Published: Saturday, January 15, 2011
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@nhregister.com

HAMDEN — After listening to concerns from Dunbar Hill area residents, Legislative Council President James Pascarella said he’ll ask town officials if rules can be passed on aggressive dogs.[...]

People said they were concerned about roaming pit bulls, and the topic of banning the dogs was raised.[...]

Pascarella said it would be difficult to ban a specific breed, but it might be easier to codify what constitutes aggressive animals and how the town can regulate them for the public’s safety through an ordinance.[...]

Pascarella said he will talk to Mayor Scott D. Jackson about the issue and ask if the administration can do some research.

“I heard the concerns and I’m concerned, also. I would like to do research before proposing something,” he said.

Full article retrieved 1/17/11 from http://nhregister.com/articles/2011/01/15/news/metro/cc1hadogs011411.txt?viewmode=fullstory

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Posted in Connecticut, Whispers of BSL

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Ogden, UT: Breed-specific language dropped

Posted on January 16, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Ed for this update!

Ogden press release retrieved 1/16/11 from http://citydocs.ogdencity.com/FileGetter/getFile.aspx?Doc=00011928.PDF&Key=A470D7FCDF5D838B700C58E962D05C89B198E863&save=true:

COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ANIMAL ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS WITHOUT BREED SPECIFIC LANGUAGE

After much discussion and public input, the Ogden City Council will consider additions to the City’s dangerous dog ordinance that will not include breed specific language.

A copy of the proposed ordinance is available online (click here).

These changes are being considered as an alternative to regulations previously considered that would have applied specifically to pit bulls.

The Council will consider the proposed ordinance during its January 25, 2011 City Council meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m. The public will have the opportunity to provide input, with comments being limited to three (3) minutes.

Please note new signage has been posted allowing only ADA Service Dogs access to Council meeting rooms.

For any additional information, please contact Janene Eller-Smith, Ogden City Council Policy Analyst, janeneeller@ogdencity.com; 801-629-8165.



All alerts for Ogden: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ogden

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Saginaw, MI: BSL proposed (multiple breeds)

Posted on January 16, 2011 by | 7 Comments

A Saginaw committee has presented a dangerous dog law that could restrict ownership of the following breeds (and mixes of these): “pit bull,” Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Great Dane, St. Bernard, and Presa Canario.

The restrictions would include special registration of a dangerous dog breed, special signage, and muzzles in public. Code enforcement would enforce the ordinance through increasing fines for infractions. It is not clear how dog breeds would be determined or whether there is any means of appeal.

The proposal will be considered at the council meeting on February 21 at 6:30 PM. The public is encouraged to speak about the proposal at council meetings, as there will be no special hearing.

Want to speak at the next meeting? Fill out and return this form by 1 PM on the day of the meeting: http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/CityClerk/Forms/Personal%20Appearance%20Request%20Form%20(City%20Council)%20-%20S.pdf

City of Saginaw City Hall, 1315 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601
Phone: (989) 759-1400
Fax: (989) 759-1607

Mayor Greg Branch, anngreg@chartermi.net
Amos O’Neal, amossam@charter.net
Dennis Browning, dbrowning125@charter.net
Dan Fitzpatrick, dlfitz@ameritech.net or danfitzpatrickonline@gmail.com
Larry Coulouris, lcoulouris@yahoo.com
Amanda Kitterman-Miller, akitterman@spsd.net
Dr. William “Bill” Scharffe, drbills@charter.net
Paul Virciglio, Ptvirciglio90@charter.net
Andrew Wendt, wendtmsu93@yahoo.com

As the council seems determined to do something about their dog problems, please provide reasonable alternatives for consideration by the council.

Saginaw crafts ‘dangerous dogs’ ordinance including pit bulls; measure could fine owners, oust pets from animal-heavy homes

Published: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 4:06 AM

By Justin L. Engel | The Saginaw News

SAGINAW — Dog owners may be restricted to no more than three pet pooches, buy licenses for them and face fines if they don’t register dogs that are on Saginaw’s list of the most dangerous canines.

The Saginaw City Council in the coming weeks likely will vote on the “dangerous dogs” ordinance that’s been in the works since August. Council members could review the new rules Feb. 21 meeting and enact them by April 1.[...]

A Saginaw committee organized by Mayor Greg Branch continues to debate which breeds to list.[...]

When the council introduces the ordinance, bylaws rule the council must wait at least two weeks before voting.

While there will be no public hearings, Herman said citizens can sign up to speak in front of the council to voice concerns or show support.[...]

Full article retrieved 1/16/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/01/saginaw_to_consider_dangerous.html

All alerts for Saginaw: http://stopbsl.com/?s=saginaw

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

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