Category Archives: Whispers of BSL

Carmi, IL: Residents ask for BSL

Posted on May 25, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Illinois state law prohibits municipalities from passing BSL, so Carmi cannot legally pass BSL or a breed ban despite residents’ requests. City officials are aware of this. (Illinois “home rule” municipalities can pass BSL despite state law, but Carmi is not a “home rule” city.)

Residents and locals may wish to get involved in Carmi to help city officials make the community safer and more educated about dog behavior and responsible dog ownership.

Dog owners urged to obey leash laws

By Braden Willis, Carmi Times
Posted May 24, 2012 @ 10:03 AM

[...] The attacking dog was a pit bull breed and Port acknowledged at Monday’s meeting there has been a call from neighbors in that area for the council to enact breed-specific prohibitions against pit bulls.

The mayor said such an ordinance has been considered, but the council learned state law prohibits breed-specific prohibitions. [...]

Full article retrieved 5/25/12 from http://www.carmitimes.com/news/x1898611450/City-realizes-34K-profit-despite-losses

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Wagmatcook, NS, Canada: Whispers of BSL

Posted on May 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Back in January, Wagmatcook First Nation reserve band council had a “pit bull” ban on their agenda. That effort did not succeed, but after a recent dog bite(involving a dog that was tethered), some in the community are apparently calling for a breed ban again.

Wagmatcook First Nation is a reserve. This is all the contact information I have.

Council of Wagmatcook Band, P.O. Box 30001, Wagmatcook, NS B0E 3N0
Chief Norman Bernard, Wagmatcook First Nation
Tribal Council: Union of Nova Scotia Indians, P.O. Box 237 Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0
Phone: (902) 295-2598
Fax: (902) 295-3398

Pit bull attacks Cape Breton woman

New calls to ban the breed on Wagmatcook reserve

CBC News Posted: May 18, 2012 7:47 PM AT

[...] The January attack sparked calls for a ban on pit bulls on the reserve. Peck seconded that call, adding there are a lot of them in the community.

“They should ban the dogs around here, because the owners are making them more aggressive. They’re already aggressive anyway,” she said. [...]

Full article retrieved 5/20/12 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/05/18/ns-woman-bit-pitbull.html

All alerts for Wagmatcook: http://stopbsl.org/?s=wagmatcook

 

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Laurel, MT: Public asked for input on possible dog ordinance revisions

Posted on May 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Laurel, MT, Emergency Services Committee will discuss Laurel’s dog ordinance on May 21 at 5:30 PM in the council chambers, 115 W 1st St, Laurel, MT 59044.

During an earlier council meeting, residents expressed concerns about dogs and some of the concerns were breed-specific. Other residents said any ordinance changes should be breed-neutral.

If you are a resident or local, please consider attending the Emergency Services Committee meeting to help guide Laurel to a safe, effective dog ordinance that is breed-neutral.

Dog owners take their complaints, concerns to city council

Posted: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9:55 am

[...] Again and again, people called for pet owners to take responsibility for their pet’s behavior on city streets and on their private property.

[...] Others said the focus shouldn’t be on breed, but on behavior.

[...] “I think it would be wonderful if we took the opinions … to the emergency services meeting and help give some guidance. When people help to change these rules and ordinances, there’s ownership. Ownership would yield a continuum of responsibility,” said [Laurel Municipal Judge Jean] Kerr.

The Emergency Services Committee will review the dog ordinance at its May 21 meeting at 5:30 pm. in council chambers.

Full article retrieved 5/17/12 from http://www.laureloutlook.com/news/article_8f79a816-9f6f-11e1-9855-0019bb2963f4.html

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Bloomington, IL: City may consider BSL

Posted on May 16, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Although Illinois state law prohibits municipalities from passing BSL, Bloomington is a “home rule” city and therefore does not have to follow the state law.

We are seeing, more frequently, the statement that BSL is necessary because “responsible dog owners are in the minority.” (Particularly, responsible owners of commonly targeted breeds.) There is no scientific data to back up this assertion—to my knowledge there haven’t been any studies done on this at all. It is purely myth and stereotype.

Advocates, please be aware of the generalizations and stereotypes you’re using when talking about dog owners. In some cases, as we see in Bloomington, this stereotype helps officials feel justified in considering or passing BSL.

Contact information for Bloomington, IL officials
citycouncil@cityblm.org
City of Bloomington, 109 E. Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Ph (309) 434-2240
The City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays every month at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers on the 2nd Level. Next council meeting: May 28.

After attack, city to look at rules for dogs

By: Ryan Denham

BLOOMINGTON – Aldermen may revisit tougher rules for dangerous pit bulls and their owners after a recent attack on Bloomington’s west side.

[...] Bernie Uszcienski said it’s time for the city to consider stiffer penalties for vicious dog owners. He said he’s observed more pit bulls – and more of them controlled by irresponsible owners – in his neighborhood and citywide.

“I feel bad for the ones that are certainly responsible owners,” Uszcienski said. “But in my opinion, they are certainly far in the minority.”

Ward 6 Karen Schmidt said she wants to know if the 2006 change has made a difference, and what the impact has been in other communities that have banned pit bulls, such as Denver. (That ban was upheld in court, city officials say.) [...]

Full article retrieved 5/16/12 from http://wjbc.com/after-attack-city-to-look-at-rules-for-dogs/

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Waterbury, CT: Alderman may discuss animal ordinance revisions (possible BSL), May 7

Posted on May 5, 2012 by | Leave a comment

After a dog attack on an elderly resident in March, Alderman Ernest Brunelli, a family friend, announced his intention to revise the city’s animal control ordinances. He has not clearly stated whether those revisions will include BSL.

Alderman Brunelli has declined to make public a copy of his proposal, so we are unsure at this time whether the proposal contains BSL. Alderman Brunelli might bring up his proposal per the agenda of the Waterbury council meeting on May 7 at 7:00 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers, City Hall, 235 Grand Street, Waterbury.

Brunelli has advised us via email that there will be a public hearing on his proposal on May 21.

Residents and locals, please plan to attend the council meeting to monitor the situation in Waterbury and to see if you can get any more information about whether the proposal will be breed-specific or breed-neutral.

All alerts for Waterbury: http://stopbsl.com/?s=waterbury

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Wareham, MA: Dog bylaws will be revised (whispers of BSL)

Posted on May 2, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Wareham, MA, was considering breed-neutral revisions to their breed-neutral dog bylaws. The revisions failed to pass, and the council decided to create a committee to look at the proposal further. However, some of the residents and the animal control officer expressed concerns about the danger of specific breeds. We are concerned that the committee may consider or add breed-specific restrictions to the proposal while they are looking at it.

Residents of Wareham are encouraged to inquire and get on the committee that will discuss the revisions further. This is an opportunity to provide reasonable breed-neutral solutions and education to guide the direction of the town’s dog ordinance revisions.

Dog laws postponed for Fall 2012 Town Meeting

By Rishi Sidhu | May 02, 2012

Town Meeting decided on Tuesday to further study a proposed bylaw aimed to prevent dog bites and excessive dog barking after voters expressed concern that the regulations were too restrictive to individual dog owners. [...]

Ultimately, the proposed bylaw failed, though voters OK’d the creation of a “Dog Regulation By-law Committee,” which will meet once per month and draft a bylaw for approval at Town Meeting in the fall.

The five-member committee will consist of the Animal Control Officer, one member of the Board of Selectmen, and three citizens-at-large.

Full article retrieved 5/2/12 from http://wareham-ma.villagesoup.com/news/story/dog-laws-postponed-for-fall-2012-town-meeting/818394

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Posted in Massachusetts, Non-BSL Proposed, Whispers of BSL

Hammond, LA: Whispers of BSL

Posted on May 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Hammond, LA, does not currently have BSL. However, the council has asked the city attorney to look into vicious dog laws, especially as they pertain to “pit bulls.”

Please send respectful, informative correspondence to city council. Ask them to protect all residents through enforcement and enhancement of their current breed-neutral laws. (Current dog laws may be read here.)

Contact information for mayor and city council:
williams_ma@hammond.org; marshall_lf@hammond.org; martin_rj@hammond.org; hood_jc@hammond.org; blount_jc@hammond.org; kirylo_aa@hammond.org; foster_mh@hammond.org

Hammond to review dog laws

BY VIC COUVILLION, Special to The Advocate
May 02, 2012

HAMMOND — The City Council instructed City Attorney Andre Coudrain to review Hammond’s ordinances and laws regarding the keeping of vicious dogs, especially pit bulls, within the city’s limits. [...]

Full article retrieved 5/2/12 from http://theadvocate.com/news/2721851-123/hammond-to-review-dog-laws

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Posted in Louisiana, Whispers of BSL

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