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.
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
Merrillville council worried about pit bulls
By Karen Caffarini Post-Tribune correspondent October 11, 2011 8:32PM
MERRILLVILLE — Town officials are looking at giving the town’s animal ordinance more teeth after learning Monday that owners of pit bulls and veterinarians are getting around the current one.[...]
Councilwoman Carol Miano, D-3rd, said under the current ordinance pit bulls and other dogs deemed dangerous are supposed to wear a muzzle and the owner is supposed to have $300,000 liability insurance. “The problem is, when people find out they need $300,000 in insurance, they go to their vet and the vet reclassifies the dog as a Staffordshire terrier. They’re not the same,” Miano said.[...]
Councilman Richard Hardaway, D-2nd, said the town needs to change its ordinance to include Staffordshire terriers as a vicious animal and require their owners to have the same insurance. Other council members agreed with Hardaway.[...]
Full article retrieved 10/12/11 from http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/8154703-418/merrillville-council-worried-about-pit-bulls.html
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