Monthly Archives: June 2011

Haskell, AR: Breed ban proposed

Posted on June 24, 2011 by | Comments Off

Thanks to Jodi for this alert! According to the news article I found, the proposed “pit bull” ban would include American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bulldog.

The City of Haskell, Arkansas is currently considering an ordinance that would ban “pit bulls.” I am trying to obtain a copy of the proposed ordinance, but it is my understanding it would NOT include a grandfather clause.

Haskell is a small town of approximately 2,000 people. The town has an employee that acts as the animal control officer, but performs many other duties for the city, as well. The “shelter” is small, open-sided shed that holds approximately 5 crates.

It is extremely important to note that a rescue is located in the Haskell city limits. Should this ordinance pass, not only will the dogs currently residing in Haskell be prohibited, but its passage has the potential to affect countless dogs that could otherwise be pulled by this rescue, and deny those dogs the second chance at a new life. Members of this rescue are pleading for help to stop this ordinance from passing.

The first reading and vote will be held on July 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. It is imperative that we have a full house at this meeting!

In the meantime, please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE opposition to breed specific legislation to the Haskell officials listed below. Please also send your viable suggestions and alternate ordinances for their consideration.

Arkansas has some hard-hitting BSL supporters, and you can bet they will be making their voice heard on this issue. PLEASE act on this regardless of where you live!

Haskell is very small and does not have its agendas or minutes posted online. If there is a local nearby who can help keep StopBSL updated on this issue, it would be appreciated.

City of Haskell, AR
Phone: 501-776-2666
Fax: 501-776-1201

Jeff Arey, Mayor, mayor@cityofhaskell.org
Laura Dempsey, Administrative Assistant, administrative@cityofhaskell.org
Josh Meadows, Animal Control, animalcontrol@cityofhaskell.org
City Council members
Ronnie Ballard, bfd_ballard@yahoo.com
Rose Marie Wilkinson, romawilkins@wmconnect.com
Brad Graham, coachbdg@yahoo.com
Allan Nash, nash@hp-link.net
Dwayne Hippensteel, hippensteelCD@aol.com

Council members Gary Vice, Hal Baker, and Ray Bennett do not make their e-mail address available. However, you may send your correspondence via the Mayor’s fax number with a polite request to forward it on to them.

Email block for cut and paste (note not all city council members have email)
mayor@cityofhaskell.org; administrative@cityofhaskell.org; animalcontrol@cityofhaskell.org; bfd_ballard@yahoo.com; romawilkins@wmconnect.com; coachbdg@yahoo.com; nash@hp-link.net; hippensteelCD@aol.com

Haskell City Council to discuss pit bull ban

June 13, 2011
BY HOLLAND DORAN, newseditor@bentoncourier.com

An ordinance banning pit bulls within the Haskell city limits will be the main item on the agenda at Haskell City Council’s meeting today.[...]

Specifically, the ordinance specifies these as American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Bull Dog.[...]

Full article retrieved 6/24/11 from http://www.bentoncourier.com/content/haskell-city-council-discuss-pit-bull-ban

Comments Off

Posted in Arkansas, BSL Proposed

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Lakewood, OH: Breed ban language to be clarified

Posted on June 22, 2011 by | Comments Off

In response to a lawsuit, Lakewood city council intends to “clarify”—not repeal—the language of their two-year-old breed ban. Ironically, the Public Safety Committee will rewrite the language, but does not intend to examine the effectiveness of the ban in terms of public safety.

Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the city council meetings, and ask difficult and important questions about the ban: How much safer are we? Where are the bite statistics? Why aren’t you considering a repeal, especially in light of HB 14 and Cleveland? How do you justify the breed misidentification issues that are occurring?

City Council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, at 7:30 PM, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH. Next council meeting: July 5.

Public Safety Committee Members: Monique Smith, Shawn Juris, Brian Powers
shawn.juris@lakewoodoh.net; monique.smith@lakewoodoh.net; brian.powers@lakewoodoh.net
Contact entire council: council@lakewoodoh.net
City Council, Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 529-6055 

Lakewood City Council Revisits Pit Bull Legislation

Measure before council aims to clarify language in 2008 ordinance.

By Colin McEwen, June 21, 2011

Pit bulls are illegal in Lakewood, along with other dogs that are deemed dangerous.

That legislation passed Lakewood City Council nearly two years ago after some heated debate and a divided city.

On Monday, council brought up the issue again — but this time to clarify the language in the ordinance.

Specifically, the legislation before council seeks to outline the appeals process and the obligations of the city — as well as the rights and obligations of dog owners. [...]

Full article retrieved 6/22/11 from http://lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/lakewood-city-council-revisits-pit-bull-legislation

Comments Off

Posted in Ohio, Results of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Saginaw, MI: BSL passed

Posted on June 21, 2011 by | Comments Off

Saginaw, MI, city council voted 5-3 in favor of a breed-specific ordinance at last night’s meeting. This was the final vote on the ordinance.

The newly passed ordinance restricts ownership of “pit bulls” (undefined term), Bull Mastiffs, Presa Canarios, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds—and any mixed-breed dog that resembles one of these. Owners of these breeds must pay for a special “dangerous dog” license, must post special signage, and must follow special containment rules, among other things. The Code Enforcement department is in charge of breed identification and enforcement.

Currently, the full ordinance can be read here: http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/CityCouncil/Proposed%20Dog%20Ordinance.pdf

Saginaw City Council passes ‘Dangerous dogs’ ordinance 5-3

Updated: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 7:25 AM
By Gus Burns | The Saginaw News

[...] The measure passed 5-3, with Councilman Dennis Browning, Councilman Andrew Wendt and Counclman Larry Coulouris dissenting.

Browning and Wendt took issue with the breed-specific language, while Coulouris said he wished an advocate for responsible dog owners had been on the committee.[...]

Residents who own a dog that is deemed “dangerous” are required to register their animal at the City Clerk’s office, 1315 S. Washington in Saginaw, by June 30 to be in compliance.

Full article retrieved 6/21/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2011/06/dangerous_dogs_ordinance_and_o.html

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

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Passed, Michigan

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Vancouver, WA: Council decides against breed ban

Posted on June 21, 2011 by | Comments Off

Although city council has called off an outright ban, locals should remain involved in the process to ensure that any ordinance revisions are breed-neutral.

Vancouver calls off talk of ban on pit bulls

By Andrea Damewood, Columbian Staff Reporter
Monday, June 20, 2011

[...] During city council communications Monday night, a majority of the council’s seven members said they’re not interested in hearing about breed-specific legislation to ban pit bulls. Rather, the council said its interest lies in adding more bite to the city’s dangerous dog laws.[...]

Most of the councilors said that updating Vancouver’s vicious and dangerous dog laws first would probably address the problem, and if not, they could readdress the issue. The city council will talk about the code updates during an Aug. 8 workshop.

Full article retrieved 6/21/11 from http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jun/20/city-calls-off-talk-of-ban-on-pit-bulls/

All alerts for Vancouver, WA:  http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22vancouver%2C+wa%22

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Defeated, Washington State

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Montgomery, AL reminder: Committee meeting on dog control, June 21

Posted on June 20, 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, in Council Chambers, 1 Dexter Plaza, 103 North Perry St., Montgomery, Alabama. The committee meeting will be open to the public. The subsequent council meeting takes place at 5 PM. Should you have any questions concerning meetings, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (334) 241-2096.

The head of the committee has stated that the committee intends to discuss, and possibly pass to council, a proposal that will “increase fines on dogs that bite, do not have shots and are running loose.” I have confirmed with the head of committee that the proposal is NOT breed-specific.

Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the committee meeting and council meeting to ensure that any revisions to the vicious dog law are breed-neutral.

Regarding recent rumors: City council will NOT be voting on a “pit bull” ban tomorrow. BSL is not part of the proposal being discussed now.

All alerts for Montgomery, AL: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22montgomery%2C+al%22

Comments Off

Posted in Alabama, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Porterdale, GA: Council still considering BSL

Posted on June 19, 2011 by | Comments Off

Porterdale, GA city council is still considering BSL of some kind after a work session during which councilmembers discussed dog control options. At this time it is not clear exactly which breeds are targeted (initial reports suggested “pit bulls,” most recent article cited “breeds traditionally considered dangerous”) nor what type of law might be proposed. It is also unknown when the council will discuss the issue again.

However, the council has also expressed interest in breed-neutral laws. In correspondence to council members, please emphasize the benefits of breed-neutral laws over those of breed-specific ones, and encourage the council to pursue and enforce nondiscriminatory measures.

Contact info for mayor and council:
porterdalemayor@gmail.com; RFoxworth@cityofporterdale.com; LFinger@cityofporterdale.com; AChapman@cityofporterdale.com; MHarper@cityofporterdale.com; LChambers@cityofporterdale.com

Regular scheduled council meetings are the 1st Monday each month. Work sessions are on the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday each month. All meetings are at City Hall at 6:30 PM, 2400 Main Street Porterdale, GA.

Dog talks continue in Porterdale

Posted: June 17, 2011 4:02 p.m.
By AJ Archer, ajarcher@covnews.com

[...] During its work session Thursday, the council discussed options for controlling dangerous dog breeds.[...]

The council discussed revisions of the ordinance, including a definition of who can legally walk a dog weighing more than 25 pounds and a requirement of owners to spay and neuter their dogs that are of a breed traditionally considered dangerous.[...]

Full article retrieved 6/19/11 from http://www.covnews.com/section/1/article/20785/

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Proposed, Georgia

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Saginaw, MI reminder: Final vote on BSL, June 20

Posted on June 19, 2011 by | Comments Off

Saginaw city council will hold a final vote on proposed BSL during the council meeting on June 20. The first vote was held on June 6, and passed 7-2.

The proposed BSL would restrict ownership of five breeds. According to the badly written ordinance, the five breeds to be restricted are to be determined annually by an unknown entity using a vague and poorly defined data set. This year’s “top five breed list” consists of “pit bull,” Bull Mastiff, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd, and all mixed breed dogs that resemble one of these breeds.

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 [against, does not like BSL]
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 [against, does not like 3-dog limit]

Email quicklist
anngreg@chartermi.net; amossam@charter.net; dbrowning125@charter.net; dlfitz@ameritech.net; lcoulouris@yahoo.com; akitterman@spsd.net; drbills@charter.net; Ptvirciglio90@charter.net; wendtmsu93@yahoo.com

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

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,