Monthly Archives: March 2011

Ohio HB 14 and HB 25: Committee hearing, March 23

Posted on March 19, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Ohio currently has statewide breed-specific legislation that declares all “pit bulls” to be “vicious” dogs. HB 14 and HB 25 are two separate bills that would remove the breed-specific language from state law.

HB 25 and HB 14 are scheduled for hearings in the House Criminal Justice Committee on March 23 at 9:00 AM in Room 114 (Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio 43215). *Per this week’s online House Committee Schedule.*

If you are a resident of Ohio, please make every effort to attend the committee hearing and show your support for the removal of breed-specific language. If you would like to testify at the hearing, please arrive 30 minutes ahead of time and bring 30 copies of your testimony; you will need to complete a Witness Slip and submit your written copies before the hearing begins.

Contact the Criminal Justice Committee members to express support for HB 25 and HB 14:
Lynn Slaby, Chair, district41@ohr.state.oh.us
Bill Hayes, Vice Chair, district91@ohr.state.oh.us
Louis W. Blessing, Jr., district29@ohr.state.oh.us
Danny R. Bubp, district88@ohr.state.oh.us
William P. Coley, II, district55@ohr.state.oh.us
Cliff Hite, district76@ohr.state.oh.us
Joseph W. Uecker, district66@ohr.state.oh.us
Ron Young, district63@ohr.state.oh.us
Roland Winburn, district40@ohr.state.oh.us
Nancy J. Garland, district20@ohr.state.oh.us
Connie Pillich, district28@ohr.state.oh.us
W. Carlton Weddington, district27@ohr.state.oh.us
Sandra Williams, district11@ohr.state.oh.us

Cut-and-paste email block:
district41@ohr.state.oh.us; district91@ohr.state.oh.us; district29@ohr.state.oh.us; district88@ohr.state.oh.us; district55@ohr.state.oh.us; district76@ohr.state.oh.us; district66@ohr.state.oh.us; district63@ohr.state.oh.us; district40@ohr.state.oh.us; district20@ohr.state.oh.us; district28@ohr.state.oh.us; district27@ohr.state.oh.us; district11@ohr.state.oh.us

Read HB 14 here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_14_I_N.html
Read an explanation of HB 14 here:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=129_HB_14&hf=analyses129/h0014-i-129.htm

Read HB 25 here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_25_I_N.html
Read an explanation of HB 25 here:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=129_HB_25&hf=analyses129/h0025-i-129.htm

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Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Illinois HB1080: Re-referred to Rules Committee

Posted on March 19, 2011 by | 1 Comment

October update: HB1080 is most likely dead. There has been no effort to revive it.

Illinois HB1080, which would allow all municipalities to pass BSL in Illinois, was re-referred to the Rules Committee on March 17. Illinois residents should continue to contact their legislators and the Rules Committee legislators to oppose HB1080.

What happened: March 17 was the deadline for all House bills to report out of committee. All bills that did not report out of their assigned committees by the deadline, including HB1080, were returned to the Rules Committee, per Rule 19(a).

What could happen next: Some people call Rules Committee re-referrals “the graveyard where bills go to die.” It is certainly possible that the bill will die here. However, if the Rules Committee perceives that the bill has enough support in the legislature, the Rules Committee may choose to move the bill to the House floor for debate and vote. For this reason, it is critical that Illinois residents continue to contact both their own legislators and the Rules Committee to oppose HB1080.

In your correspondence to legislators, please remain BRIEF and POLITE. Hundreds of bills were re-referred to the Rules Committee on Friday. The committee members aren’t likely to be familiar with every one of these bills.

Find your Representatives here (by address, district or zip code): http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByZip.aspx

Rules Committee members:
Barbara Flynn Currie, (217) 782-8121, FAX (217) 524-1794
Timothy L. Schmitz, info@timschmitz.org
Lou Lang, langli@ilga.gov
David R. Leitch, davidleitch@ameritech.net
Frank J. Mautino, patti76th@ivnet.com

Tracking for HB1080: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1080&GAID=11&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=56892&SessionID=84&GA=97

All alerts for HB 1080: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22hb+1080%22

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Illinois

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Beatrice, NE: BSL to be proposed and voted on, March 21

Posted on March 19, 2011 by | 1 Comment

The first hints of BSL in Beatrice arose exactly one year ago. The proposal categorizes all “pit bulls” as “potentially dangerous” dogs.

Beatrice city council will discuss the proposal during their meeting on March 21 at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, Administration Building, 320 N 5th Street, Beatrice, NE.

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

City Attorney feedback form: http://www.beatrice.ne.gov/feedback.php?d=atty
City Clerk feedback form: http://www.beatrice.ne.gov/feedback.php?d=clrk
City Administrator Neal Niedfeldt, nniedfeldt@beatrice.ne.gov

Council to discuss new animal ordinance

Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2011 6:00 am

[...] While the ordinance wouldn’t ban people from having pit bulls as pets, it will require various breed-specific laws for pit bull owners.

City attorney Tobias Tempelmeyer said a major difference in the proposed ordinance is it would automatically classify pit bulls as “potentially-dangerous” animals.

“The ordinance does state that pit bulls will have the same guidelines that a potentially dangerous animal would have to follow,” Tempelmeyer said. “Basically, there’s a permit you have to get, registration and an insurance requirement.”[...]

Tempelmeyer worked with animal control officer Steve Bragg, City Council member David “Pede” Catlin and Humane Society executive director Gina Grone to put the ordinance together.

Tempelmeyer said Grone was not a supporter of the breed-specific portion of the ordinance.

“The Humane Society has made it clear that they don’t like that part, but they understand it and they’ll make their plea during the council meetings,” Tempelmeyer said. “I expect you’ll have some people that step up and voice their opinion one way or the other. (The ordinance) is by no means in its final form today. There will be an opportunity for council members to amend it. I’m sure somebody else is thinking of something that we maybe just haven’t addressed and it’ll give us an opportunity to amend it as needed.”

Tempelmeyer added the ordinance will likely be read at the next three council meetings before a final decision is made.[...]

In addition to breed-specific legislation, the proposed ordinance has a few other minor changes, most of which are clarifications.[...]

Full article retrieved 3/19/11 from http://www.beatricedailysun.com/news/local/article_13de26a4-51c4-11e0-989f-001cc4c03286.html

All alerts for Beatrice, NE: http://stopbsl.com/?s=beatrice

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Nebraska

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Center Point, IA: Whispers of BSL

Posted on March 17, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Center Point residents may request a breed ban or restrictions during an upcoming council meeting. Please send polite, informative materials to city officials, and attend upcoming council meetings if you are able.

Contact information for city officials:
City Administrator Steve Winger, Cityadministrator@cityofcenterpoint.com
City Clerk Melissa Atkinson, m.atkinson@cityofcenterpoint.com
(You may send correspondence to the city clerk and request that it be distributed to council members.)

City council meetings are held on the second Tuesday and last Wednesday of each month. Next city council meeting: March 30, 7:00 PM, in Council chambers, 200 Franklin Street.

Center Point Dog Attack May Prompt Breed Ban Attempt

Posted March 17, 2011 11:24 am by Dave Franzman/SourceMedia Group News

CENTER POINT- A attack by a pit bull dog Wednesday afternoon will apparently prompt an attempt to get that breed of dog banned in Center Point.[...]

Zach Melton, director of the Cedar Valley Humane Society, said studies show a ban of one breed is not effective in controlling animal attacks. But he also said it is a common community response after an incident like the one in Center Point.[...]

Full article retrieved 3/17/11 from http://easterniowanewsnow.com/2011/03/17/center-point-dog-attack-may-prompt-breed-ban-attempt/

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Posted in Iowa, Whispers of BSL

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Idaho S1143 would prohibit municipalities from passing BSL

Posted on March 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Edit 5/1/11: This bill did not pass the House before the legislative session adjourned; now dead.

Idaho S1143 would, among other things, prohibit municipalities from defining dogs as vicious or dangerous based on their breed.*

Excerpt from S1143:

25-2814. LOCAL REGULATION. The provisions of this chapter shall establish as state law minimum standards and requirements for the control of dogs and to provide for certain state crimes for violations of such minimum standards and requirements. Provided however, this chapter shall not supersede or invalidate existing ordinances of local governments or prohibit local governments from adopting and enforcing ordinances that provide for more restrictive control of dogs, including more restrictive definitions of a dangerous or vicious dog, provided such definitions are not specific to one (1) or several breeds of dogs.

*S1143 does a lot more than this, so it is recommended that you read through the entire bill before determining whether to support or oppose it.

Idaho S1143 may be read and tracked here: http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/S1143.htm

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Posted in Idaho, Non-BSL Proposed

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MA H00562 would prohibit BSL in Massachusetts

Posted on March 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

Edit Dec 2011: Since this bill never got out of committee, we believe it is dead.

Edit 5/27/11: This bill was heard by the joint committee on 5/11/11.

Rep. Bradford Hill has filed MA H00562, which would, among other things, prohibit municipalities from declaring dogs “dangerous” or “at risk” based on breed.

Excerpt from H00562:

Section 157D. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of At Risk or Dangerous Dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control At Risk or Dangerous Dogs, provided that no program shall regulate these dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed.

H00562 has been assigned to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Contact the following legislators to express your SUPPORT for the prohibition of breed-specific laws in Massachusetts.

Bill author:
Rep. Bradford Hill, Brad.Hill@mahouse.gov

Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government members:
Sen. James T. Welch, James.Welch@masenate.gov
Sen. Daniel A. Wolf, Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov
Rep. Michael F. Kane, Michael.Kane@mahouse.gov
Rep. Joyce A. Spiliotis, Joyce.Spiliotis@mahouse.gov
Sen. Gale D. Candaras, Gale.Candaras@masenate.gov
Sen. James E. Timilty, James.Timilty@masenate.gov
Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov
Sen. Richard J. Ross, Richard.Ross@masenate.gov
Rep. Cleon H. Turner, Cleon.Turner@mahouse.gov
Rep. Sean Garballey, Sean.Garballey@mahouse.gov
Rep. Brian M. Ashe, Brian.Ashe@mahouse.gov
Rep. Timothy R. Madden, Timothy.Madden@mahouse.gov
Rep. Gailanne M. Cariddi, gailanne.cariddi@mahouse.gov
Rep. Mark J. Cusack, mark.cusack@mahouse.gov
Rep. Jerald A. Parisella, jerald.parisella@mahouse.gov
Rep. Kevin J. Kuros, kevin.kuros@mahouse.gov
Rep. Ryan C. Fattman, ryan.fattman@mahouse.gov

Email block for cut and paste:
James.Welch@masenate.gov; Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov; Michael.Kane@mahouse.gov; Joyce.Spiliotis@mahouse.gov; Gale.Candaras@masenate.gov; James.Timilty@masenate.gov; Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov; Richard.Ross@masenate.gov; Cleon.Turner@mahouse.gov; Sean.Garballey@mahouse.gov; Brian.Ashe@mahouse.gov; Timothy.Madden@mahouse.gov; gailanne.cariddi@mahouse.gov; mark.cusack@mahouse.gov; jerald.parisella@mahouse.gov; kevin.kuros@mahouse.gov; ryan.fattman@mahouse.gov

H00562 can be read and tracked here: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H00562

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Posted in Massachusetts, Non-BSL Proposed, Proposal to Repeal

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MA H01455 would sanction BSL in Massachusetts

Posted on March 17, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Edit 12/2011: Since this bill never made it out of committee, we believe it is dead.

Edit 5/27/11: This bill was heard by the joint committee on 5/11/11.

Rep. Vincent Pedone has filed MA H01455. This is a refiling of last session’s HB 1997. H01455 provides guidelines for municipalities to ban or restrict breeds of dogs.

View the full text of H01455 here.

Section 174H. (a) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a city or town or district from banning or further regulating a particular breed of dog.

(b) Any city or town may further regulate or ban a particular breed of dog with a majority vote of the governing body.

(c) Upon the vote of a city or town to regulate or ban a particular breed of dog, said city or town shall establish a board consisting of 3 members to identify and determine the breed of dogs in said city or town, subject to the governing regulation. The 3 board members shall consist of: 2 members of the public that are appointed by the city manager or mayor, one of which must be considered an expert in field of animals; and the animal control officer or a designee.

(d) If a particular breed of dog is further regulated or banned, the regulation or ban shall not take effect until 180 days after the vote by the city or town.

H01455 has been assigned to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Contact the following legislators to state your OPPOSITION to H01455.

Bill author
Rep. Vincent Pedone, Vincent.Pedone@mahouse.gov

Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government members:
Sen. James T. Welch, James.Welch@masenate.gov
Sen. Daniel A. Wolf, Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov
Rep. Michael F. Kane, Michael.Kane@mahouse.gov
Rep. Joyce A. Spiliotis, Joyce.Spiliotis@mahouse.gov
Sen. Gale D. Candaras, Gale.Candaras@masenate.gov
Sen. James E. Timilty, James.Timilty@masenate.gov
Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov
Sen. Richard J. Ross, Richard.Ross@masenate.gov
Rep. Cleon H. Turner, Cleon.Turner@mahouse.gov
Rep. Sean Garballey, Sean.Garballey@mahouse.gov
Rep. Brian M. Ashe, Brian.Ashe@mahouse.gov
Rep. Timothy R. Madden, Timothy.Madden@mahouse.gov
Rep. Gailanne M. Cariddi, gailanne.cariddi@mahouse.gov
Rep. Mark J. Cusack, mark.cusack@mahouse.gov
Rep. Jerald A. Parisella, jerald.parisella@mahouse.gov
Rep. Kevin J. Kuros, kevin.kuros@mahouse.gov
Rep. Ryan C. Fattman, ryan.fattman@mahouse.gov

Email block for cut and paste:
James.Welch@masenate.gov; Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov; Michael.Kane@mahouse.gov; Joyce.Spiliotis@mahouse.gov; Gale.Candaras@masenate.gov; James.Timilty@masenate.gov; Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov; Richard.Ross@masenate.gov; Cleon.Turner@mahouse.gov; Sean.Garballey@mahouse.gov; Brian.Ashe@mahouse.gov; Timothy.Madden@mahouse.gov; gailanne.cariddi@mahouse.gov; mark.cusack@mahouse.gov; jerald.parisella@mahouse.gov; kevin.kuros@mahouse.gov; ryan.fattman@mahouse.gov

H01455 may be read and tracked here: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01455

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Massachusetts

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