Monthly Archives: October 2011

Burton, MI: City may consider BSL

Posted on October 31, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Burton, MI, will be examining Saginaw’s breed-discriminatory ordinance as it decides whether its own ordinance needs to be changed. Saginaw’s ordinance currently restricts ownership of “pit bulls,” Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Bull Mastiffs, and Presa Canarios.

Burton’s current animal ordinances include a leash law and some general prohibitions against cruelty, but not much else. Residents and locals are encouraged to speak to city officials about the many problems with breed-discriminatory laws, and offer effective breed-neutral solutions instead.

Contact info for Burton city officials
City Hall, 4303 S. Center Road, Burton, MI 48519
810.743.1500
Contact form for Mayor: http://www.burtonmi.com/extras/emailForm.asp?Contact=Mayor
*If a local is able to track this issue, StopBSL would appreciate updates.*

Burton to look at strengthening its dog ordinance after recent incidents in city

Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 3:50 PM
By Roberto Acosta | Flint Journal

BURTON, Michigan — Some dog breeds could be in the doghouse in Burton soon as city leaders look at ways to strengthen its dog ordinance after incidents of attacks and threats by dogs.

City Attorney Richard Austin said he will review Saginaw’s dangerous dog ordinance to see if Burton could formulate an ordinance of its own. [...]

Councilman Duane Haskins said any dog can be dangerous, but “pit bulls always seem to have that knack to be unpredictable.”

Full article retrieved 10/31/11 from http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/10/burton_to_look_at_strengthenin.html

Thanks to KC Dog Blog for this tip!

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Michigan

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UK: Bill to repeal breed-specific law moves to next House

Posted on October 30, 2011 by | Comments Off

In the UK, the Dangerous Dog Act of 1991 bans four breeds of dogs: “Pit bulls,” Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Braziliero. Lord Redesdale has introduced a private members’ bill, Dog Control Bill [HL] 2010-11, that would replace the DDA. Lord Redesdale’s bill is breed-neutral.

The bill has been moving slowly through the necessary stages; it has just successfully cleared the House of Lords and is now in the House of Commons.

The bill may be tracked here: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/dogcontrolhl.html

Private members’ bills evidently rarely become law. Rather, such bills serve as a “test,” with the hope that the government will be inspired to take up and pass a similar bill. Although Lord Redesdale’s private member’s bill has come a long way and has considerable support from major animal organizations, the government does not support Lord Redesdale’s bill. The government appears to be making plans of its own.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): [...] I hope that I can reassure all noble Lords that I understand their concerns about dog control. However, the Government cannot support this Bill. My noble friend Lord Henley had been working on a comprehensive package of measures to deal with dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog ownership. I continue to carry on his good work, including meetings with key stakeholders, and I hope to announce this package shortly.

The government has been extremely reluctant to repeal the breed-specific portion of the DDA, and rumor has it that the government’s proposal will change the DDA without repealing the BSL. However, it remains to be seen what will happen with Lord Redesdale’s bill now that it has reached the House of Commons.

The Kennel Club (UK) has further information and a link to a petition: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=4018

I encourage UK residents to reach out to their national lawmakers and the government to show support for Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill [HL] 2010-11—in particular, the portion of the bill that removes the breed discriminatory language.

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Posted in Outside of U.S., Proposal to Repeal

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Lithuania: Ten breeds will be banned

Posted on October 30, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Lithuania currently classifies the following breeds as “aggressive” or “fighting” breeds, and the government is now working on a law that will ban dogs of these breeds:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Bandogas (American Mastiff) [ED note: This refers to a bandog type. Not the English Mastiff cross that Americans call an American Mastiff.]
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
  • Kangal (Turkish Shepherd)
  • Caucasian Ovtcharka
  • South Russian Shepherd Dog

Various drafts of the law are being considered, so at this time, it’s not clear how they intend to address the dogs of these breeds that are currently living in the country. It has been suggested that currently-existing “aggressive” breeds will be allowed to live out their lives with their owners, but they may not be bred, and any such dogs that become homeless (i.e. end up in a shelter) would be killed rather than rehomed.

The following links are in Lithuanian. If you don’t know Lithuanian, you can use Google Translate to get the gist of things, but the translation isn’t great.

A group in Lithuania that opposes the breed ban (rough translation “Against Dog Racism”) can be found on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/265365626833937/266727803364386/

An article about the proposed Lithuanian law can be read here. http://www.grynas.lt/gyvenimas/agresyvus-sunys-lietuvoje-drausti-negalima-pasigaileti.d?id=51038443

This is a link to the official Lithuanian government proposal page. I’m afraid I don’t understand it well, due to poor translation: http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=403129

Thank you to Arvydas for this information!

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Outside of U.S.

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New Mexico: Senator pushing for statewide BSL

Posted on October 25, 2011 by | 22 Comments

12/13/11: Update on this proposal can be found here: http://stopbsl.com/2011/12/13/new-mexico-senator-pushing-for-statewide-bsl-2/

Thanks to Jodi for this alert!

New Mexico State Senator Sue Wilson Beffort is reportedly pushing for harsher penalities for “pit bull” and “pit bull mix” owners. As of right now, no such bill is listed on the New Mexico legislature’s website, nor is any such bill linked to Senator Beffort as a bill she is sponsoring.

As such, New Mexico residents are encouraged to reach out to Senator Wilson Beffort and voice their opposition to any such bill being brought to the floor. Please limit your polite, respectful, and informative correspondence to Senator Wilson Beffort only as we do not know at this time if a bill is forthcoming. Should the bill actually be presented on the Senate floor, we will advise you of the steps to take at that time.

Senator Sue Wilson Beffort
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4395
E-mail: sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov

State Sen. Seeks Tougher Laws For Pit Bull Owners

October 24, 2011

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico senator is pushing for harsher penalties for pit bull owners. [...]

“We feel that the mixed breed pit bulls are a very, very dangerous dog and potentially easily provoked,” [Senator Sue] Beffort said. [...]

The proposed bill would force mixed breed pit bull owners to register their pet as a dangerous dog. It would also eliminate proof that a dog was provoked, so charges could be filed faster.

Full article retrieved 10/25/11 from: http://www.koat.com/news/29573329/detail.html

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Posted in New Mexico, Whispers of BSL

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Morgan County, UT: County repeals 15-year-old breed ban

Posted on October 22, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Morgan County, UT, had a breed ban in place since 1996. After a resident in the county adopted a mixed-breed dog from a shelter, and was subsequently told by animal control that he had to get rid of the “pit bull” or produce DNA evidence that showed otherwise, the resident took his case to the county council and asked them to repeal the breed ban.

The county council has now decided to repeal the ban, in part citing difficulties with enforcement and breed identification, and acknowledging that the definition of “pit bull” is subjective and vague.

Please thank the county council for doing the right thing!
Contact info for council:
tkelley@morgan-county.net; lnelson@morgan-county.net; hhansen@morgan-county.net; rkippen@morgan-county.net; dmathews@morgan-county.net; rkilmer@morgan-county.net; nmecham@morgan-county.net

Man fights Morgan County rule outlawing pit bulls

By Deanne Winterton
Standard-Examiner correspondent
Sat, 10/08/2011 – 10:43pm

MORGAN — When Morgan resident Braydon Deru got a dog from the Davis Animal Shelter, he didn’t think a Morgan County animal control officer would come knocking on his door, telling him he had to get rid of it.[...]

“Recent legal research says there is no such thing as a recognized pit bull breed,” said County Attorney Jann Farris. “We don’t want to fight it if there’s no such thing as a pit bull. It’s hard to enforce (with) the way ours is written.” [...]

Full article retrieved 10/22/11 from http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/10/08/man-fights-morgan-county-rule-outlawing-pit-bulls

Morgan changes rule banning pit bulls

By Deanne Winterton
Standard-Examiner correspondent
Fri, 10/21/2011 – 11:16pm

MORGAN — The Morgan County Council has voted to change breed-specific language in its animal control code.

“It doesn’t take any teeth out of our ordinance for things such as dog bites,” said Morgan County Attorney Jann Farris. “It takes away breed-specific rules we have for pit bulls.” [...]

Full article retrieved 10/22/11 from http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/10/21/morgan-changes-rule-banning-pit-bulls

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Posted in BSL Repealed, Utah

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Merrillville, IN: Council may add breed(s) to BSL

Posted on October 22, 2011 by | Comments Off

Merrillville currently has BSL that affects “pit bull” owners. Rather than repeal their currently ineffective BSL and institute an ordinance that applies to all dogs, regardless of breed, the town council is considering adding “Staffordshire Terrier” to the ordinance.

The council and officials are mired in the idea that some “breeds” are inherently dangerous, while others are not. Please help the council understand that by taking the law’s focus off a dog’s appearance, they can craft effective laws that regulate all dogs, no matter what breed label they may be given.

Town council emails:
tgoralczyk@merrillville.in.gov; asylwestrowicz@merrillville.in.gov; rhardaway@merrillville.in.gov; cmiano@merrillville.in.gov; cbarron@merrillville.in.gov; spettit@merrillville.in.gov; rwiding@merrillville.in.gov

Town meetings: Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 7820 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410
Next council meeting:  October 11

Merrillville considers changes to dangerous dog laws

By Karen Caffarini Post-Tribune correspondent
October 20, 2011 10:30AM

MERRILLVILLE — [...] Kenneth Woodside, who runs the town’s small claims court, told council members at a Wednesday workshop that some residents who have received tickets for their pit bulls have had the case thrown out in court because they get a letter from their veterinarian saying the dog is a Staffordshire terrier, not a pit bull.

He said it is difficult to tell the difference between the two breeds, one of which is dangerous and the other that is not. [...]

Councilwoman Carol Miano, D-3rd, suggested they eliminate all breeds in the ordinance and just say it deals with all dangerous dogs, but it was pointed out that would eliminate the need for pit bull owners to carry the additional insurance.[...]

Full article retrieved 10/22/11 from http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/8318974-418/merrillville-considers-changes-to-dangerous-dog-laws.html

Town seeking assistance with dangerous animals ordinance

By Chas Reilly chas.reilly@nwi.com, (219) 662-5324
Posted: Thursday, October 20, 2011 9:15 pm

MERRILLVILLE  [...] Woodside and other town officials said they want to work with a veterinarian to determine if Staffordshire bull terriers and other breeds should be added to an ordinance that requires owners of pit bulls and other dangerous pets to have liability insurance coverage of at least $300,000 and to obtain a license for the animals.[...]

Full article retrieved 10/22/11 from http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/article_b0ee60c2-8430-53cb-9a35-3d01a3edc064.html

All alerts for Merrillville: http://stopbsl.com/?s=merrillville%2C+in

 

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Posted in Additional Breeds, Indiana

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Buchanan, MI update: City decides not to pursue new ordinances

Posted on October 20, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Buchanan, MI city manager Bill Marx says the city has decided not to pursue any new animal ordinances. This decision was made after a public workshop earlier this week where the public and council discussed options regarding dangerous dogs. Buchanan currently has a barking dog ordinance, but no other animal laws. BSL was mentioned in the news after a dog bite incident.

The October 24 council agenda confirms this decision:

A. Consider authorization to the Buchanan Police and Code Enforcement Department’s to prioritize and enforce the Berrien County Ordinance as our response to the recent and reoccurring dog issues

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

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Michigan

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