Monthly Archives: May 2011

Lima, OH: Pit bull law changes coming

Posted on May 31, 2011 by | 4 Comments

Lima struggles to enforce the state’s breed-specific law, despite a lack of resources.

Pit bull law changes coming

May 30, 2011 4:23 PM
Heather Rutz

LIMA — [...] Law Director Tony Geiger expects to have legislation for City Council at its Monday meeting that would change the current court summons to a citation with fines. [...]

Previously officers didn’t always evenly enforce the pit bull laws because an arrest meant impounding a dog and that wasn’t always possible. [...] That is not a legal issue, but one of a lack of resources and capacity to deal with the dogs.

Full article retrieved 5/31/11 from http://www.limaohio.com/news/law-66226-lima-pit.html

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Cleveland, OH reminder: Opportunity to repeal BSL, June 1

Posted on May 31, 2011 by | Comments Off

Cleveland, OH, will consider a repeal of their breed-specific laws on June 1. I have requested a copy of the proposal but they have not yet made it available. Remember that Ohio has statewide BSL that targets “pit bull” owners, and until state law is changed, even “pit bull” owners in Cleveland will still be subject to discriminatory regulations. But this is nevertheless a step forward, and residents are encouraged to attend the meeting below to show support for the repeal of BSL.

Thanks to Jodi, Jean, and Dawn for getting the word out about this potential repeal.

On Monday, May 16th, Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone introduced an ordinance that will repeal Cleveland’s breed specific vicious dog law. It has been referred to the Safety Committee where it will be heard on June 1st. Councilman Zone asked for a big turn out to the committee meeting, so those that live in the area please consider attending. The meeting will be at:

Cleveland City Hall
601 Lakeside Ave. Rm 217
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
June 1, 10:00 am

Comments Off

Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Butte-Silver Bow, MT: BSL to be considered, June 1

Posted on May 31, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Commissioner Terry Schultz has once again proposed regulations for “pit bull” owners. Shultz defines “pit bull” as American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, American Bulldog or any dog that looks like one of these.

It has been less than a year since the previous breed-specific proposal quietly died. The commission will consider the new proposal and likely send it to the Judiciary Committee for further discussion.

Please contact Butte-Silver Bow city officials and politely express your opposition to breed-specific laws.

This item is on the agenda for the June 1 council meeting, 7:30 PM, Courthouse, Room 312, 155 West Granite Street, Butte, MT 59701.

Send an email to the entire council of commissioners here:
http://www.bsb.mt.gov/employees/EmpDetail.asp?emp_id=372

Pit bull ordinance proposal returns

By Justin Post of The Montana Standard | Posted: Friday, May 27, 2011 12:15 am

Recent dog attacks in the area have renewed a Butte-Silver Bow commissioner’s efforts to enact laws targeting pit bull breeds.[...]

It specifically addresses pit bulls, which may not be outdoors unless confined in a fenced yard or restrained by a harness and leash no longer than 6 feet by someone at least 19 years old.

Muzzles also would be required for pit bulls 6 months and older, according to his proposal.[...]

His proposal further would require the owners of any pit bull or animal that is determined to be dangerous by a court, or any animal administratively determined as potentially dangerous to purchase public liability insurance of at least $100,000.

The insurance would be required to license the animal in Butte-Silver Bow.

But even before the issue reached the full council, Schultz’s proposal was met with criticism by Ed Randall, director of the Butte-Silver Bow Animal Services Department.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/31/11 from http://www.mtstandard.com/news/local/article_c0f4a640-8812-11e0-aeed-001cc4c03286.html

All alerts for Butte-Silver Bow: http://stopbsl.com/?s=butte-silver+bow

Thanks to Jodi for the heads up.

 

→ 1 Comment

Posted in BSL Proposed, Montana

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Ohio HB 25 no longer repeals BSL; HB 14 stands alone

Posted on May 27, 2011 by | 4 Comments

Ohio has statewide breed-specific language that declares all “pit bulls” (defined as “any breed commonly known as a pit bull”) in the state to be “vicious” and places restrictions on ownership.

Ohio HB 25 and HB 14 both contained language that would repeal Ohio’s BSL. HB 25 has been revised so that it no longer repeals BSL. HB 14 stands alone as the only bill that would repeal BSL. Unlike HB 25, which revises the state’s animal control laws in various ways, HB 14 is a very short bill and its sole purpose is to repeal BSL.

Ohio residents, please write your state legislators and urge them to pass HB 14. The statewide BSL has been a nightmare for citizens, animal control, and humane organizations alike. Repeal is vital if Ohio hopes to move forward and improve public safety and humane treatment of animals.

Contact the Criminal Justice Committee and urge them to pass HB 14 out of committee:
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

Find your state senator and representative using the legislator locator:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Lowell, MA: Public hearing on proposed BSL, June 14

Posted on May 26, 2011 by | 3 Comments

On June 14, Lowell, MA city council will hold a public hearing on a proposed breed-specific ordinance. They may vote on the ordinance at the same time. The council members are not unified in their support; the vote on the ordinance is expected to be very close. Locals are encouraged to communicate politely and respectfully with the council, to ask them to vote against the breed-specific law that has failed in Boston and nearby communities.

The public hearing takes place on June 14 at 6:30 PM at City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA.

Councilmembers’ stances on the proposed ordinance
Mayor James L. Milinazzo – supports with the training exemption
Vice Mayor Kevin P. Broderick – unknown
Councilor Edward C. Caulfield – does not support; wants stronger restrictions
Councilor Franky D. Descoteaux – supports with the training exemption
Councilor Rodney M. Elliott – proposed the BSL; supports
Councilor William F. Martin Jr. – unknown
Councilor Joseph M. Mendonça – supports with the training exemption
Councilor Rita M. Mercier – does not support; calls it discriminatory
Councilor Patrick O. Murphy – unknown

Online contact form for the Lowell, MA city council:
http://www.lowellma.gov/contact/council/
Richard Johnson, City Clerk, 375 Merrimack Street, 1st Floor, Room 31, Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 970-4161, voice
(978) 970-4162, fax
Council meeting minutes and agendas: http://www.lowellma.gov/govt

All alerts for Lowell: http://stopbsl.com/?s=lowell

Lowell City Council to bring pit-bull muzzle law to public hearing

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com
Updated: 05/25/2011 11:04:15 AM EDT

LOWELL — After months of debate, the City Council voted last night to forward to a public hearing a pit-bull muzzle law that provides exemptions for dogs that go through training programs.[...]

The ordinance requires that all pit bulls that don’t go through certified training programs must be on a leash and wearing a muzzle when not on their owner’s property. Pit bulls also do not have to wear a muzzle when off their owner’s property if they are in a secure enclosure, such as a dog crate.

A pit bull is defined as any dog that is an American pit-bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog of mixed breed displaying the majority of physical traits of any of the above breeds.[...]

The ordinance also requires that all pit bulls be spayed or neutered to reduce their aggressiveness, and does not let anyone in the city own more than two pit bulls.

Animal-control officers would be required to provide monthly reports about the implementation of the ordinance, and the council would review the effectiveness of the law every six months.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/26/11 from http://www.lowellsun.com/rss/ci_18135599?source=rss#ixzz1NOktWgOB

→ 3 Comments

Posted in BSL Proposed, Massachusetts

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Montgomery, AL: Council to revise vicious dog ordinance

Posted on May 23, 2011 by | Comments Off

Montgomery, AL, plans to revise its vicious dog ordinance after receiving citizen complaints about vicious dogs. The city will hold a committee meeting on June 21 at 2 PM. The committee meeting will be open to the public. For additional information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (334) 241-2096.

Some residents have asked council for BSL or a breed ban. At this time, it is unclear what direction the city will take. City officials have not publicly mentioned BSL or a breed ban. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the committee meeting and council meetings to ensure that any revisions to the vicious dog law are breed-neutral.

Talks to resume on dog ordinance

2:15 AM, May. 18, 2011
Written by Jill Nolin

A committee of the Mont­gomery City Council has agreed to resume discus­sions on how to curtail the escalating problem of vicious and nuisance dogs in the city.[...]

Spear called the commit­tee meeting for 2 p.m. June 21. The meeting will be open to the public.

At the center of the debate on how to address the prob­lem is whether the city’s existing laws should be more aggressively enforced or if the laws should be changed.[...]

Full article retrieved http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105180328

Comments Off

Posted in Alabama, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Jasper, AL: Council hears first reading of breed ban

Posted on May 23, 2011 by | 6 Comments

Mayor Sonny Posey of Jasper, AL, has proposed a breed ban that would include “pit bulls,” Dobermans, Rottweilers, Chows, mixes of these, and any mutt that “looks like” one of these.

The council may take the first vote on the ordinance during the next council meeting on June 7. Please send polite, respectful, educational correspondence to city council members to encourage them to pursue a breed-neutral dog ordinance. Next city council meeting: June 7, 10 AM(?), Jasper City Hall Council Chambers, 400 West 19 th Street, Jasper, AL.

Contact info for city council members:
City of Jasper, Alabama, P. O. Box 1589, Jasper, Alabama 35502-1589
City Hall/Mayor Phone 205-221-2100
Mayor, sposey@jaspercity.com (Mayor Posey requested the ban)
City Hall, cityhall@jaspercity.com

Council examines ordinance to collar city’s pet problem being examined

by David Lazenby, 5/22/11

[...] Currently, [city attorney Russ] Robertson said there is little restrictions on dogs in Jasper “until one is declared vicious.”

“In order to be declared, it must have bitten, or without provocation bite or fiercely attack a person or other animal. Once a dog is declared vicious, we have pretty good procedures,” Robertson said.

Robertson added that until a dog is declared vicious, the city’s leash law is the only control the city maintains in regard to dogs.

Along with a proposed ban on the purebred dogs is a prohibition on “any mixed breed of dog, which contains as an element of its breeding” the breeds of dogs that may be banned in Jasper.

However, Robertson said mixed breed dogs would only be outlawed if they “look enough like” the breeds that may be banned.[...]

Full article retrieved 5/23/11 from http://www.mountaineagle.com/view/full_story/13364323/article-Council-examines-ordinance-to-collar-city%E2%80%99s-pet-problem-being-examined?instance=latest_articles

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Alabama, BSL Proposed

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,