Category Archives: Georgia

Savannah, GA – Officials Focus on Irresponsible Owners

Posted on September 26, 2012 by | 3 Comments

We reported last July that a group in Savannah had rallied 1000 signatures on a petition seeking breed-specific legislation.

Officials are assuring residents that ‘bully breed’ dogs are not the subject of their foreseeable changes to the current policy.

Savannah City Council is reviewing the dog policy in effort to strengthen Animal Control ordinances.   According to Lt. Brenda Boulware of Animal Control, “We want to strengthen ordinances, making owners more responsible.”

After several dog attacks in the area, stricter guidelines on owners of dogs declared dangerous is a community-safety necessity.  While the proposed changes to the ordinance is not targeting a breed, it is targeting temperament.

According to Boulware, the misconception that there is one free bite is incorrect.  A dog can be classified as dangerous or potentially dangerous after the first bite, or before it bites.  The changes to the ordinance would make a court appearance mandatory for owners who are cited for ‘dogs at large’ as well as making failure to register their animal with the city an offense resulting in a citation.

Chatham County (where Savannah is located) has already adopted the proposed changes that Savannah officials are considering.  That ordinance can be viewed here.

http://www2.wsav.com/news/2012/sep/25/changes-dog-ordinance-city-council-vote-ar-4626261/

SAVANNAH, GA –

It’s a possible policy change that could affect all Savannah dog owners.

Several dog attacks in the area, including a vicious one in Treat Park last year that left a little boy severely injured, some concerned neighbors in the community have asked for a crack down on certain breeds.

But supporters of the changing city ordinance are more focused on the behavior of the dog, not the breed of the dog.

Savannah City Council is currently reviewing their dog policy, and many of you—our viewers– were worried that they will pass breed specific legislation, targeting “bully breeds” — that is any kind of bull mix, including pit bulls.  Lt. Brenda Boulware of Animal Control sets the record straight.

“We want to strengthen Animal Control ordinances, making owners more responsible.”

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Community Initiatives, Georgia, Non-BSL, Non-BSL Proposed

Tagged , , , , , ,

Hinesville, GA update: Council will not pursue BSL

Posted on August 2, 2012 by | Comments Off

The Hinesville, GA, city council rejected BSL at a weekend planning retreat and appears disinclined to bring the subject up again.

BSL was a discussion item after a resident made repeated requests for BSL to council, but council never formally drew up a proposal and they unanimously killed the idea after discussion.

Pit-bull issue elicits strong emotions

POSTED: July 27, 2012 11:17 a.m.
By Randy C. Murray Staff writer

A proposed ordinance to ban pit bulls in Hinesville was among 38 issues considered by city leaders during their recent planning workshop, but it quickly was shot down by all five council members, Mayor Jim Thomas and other city officials.

(Remainder of article is subscription only) Retrieved 8/2/12 from http://coastalcourier.com/section/6/article/46207/preview/

You can THANK the city council through this online form: http://ga-hinesville.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?fid=41

Many thanks to Johanna over at Stubby’s Heroes for providing the update!

All alerts for Hinesville: http://stopbsl.org/?s=hinesville

Comments Off

Posted in BSL Defeated, Georgia

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Hinesville, GA: Whispers of BSL

Posted on July 15, 2012 by | 1 Comment

We last reported on Hinesville in 2011, when a resident approached city council and requested a “pit bull” ban. Things were pretty quiet in Hinesville after that, until now. Rumors that the city is considering a breed ban have resurfaced.

Update 7/16/12: Per the city clerk, “This subject of a pit bull ban will be a discussion item only at the City of Hinesville Planning Workshop.  No ordinance has been drafted and no decision has been made to ban pit bulls.“

The workshop will take place on July 19 – 21 at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, and interested citizens are invited to attend. Click for city notice of retreat. We do not know exactly what city officials plan to say about a possible breed ban.

We also know that locals are organizing to speak against a possible breed ban at the August 2 council meeting. Council meetings begin at 3 PM at the City Hall Main Conference Room, 115 East M.L. King, Jr. Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313.

There is NOT currently an official proposal for a breed ban or BSL. The idea is in the discussion stage. This is a good time for residents to get involved in the discussion and respectfully guide council away from breed-specific measures.

Contact the city council through this online form: http://ga-hinesville.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?fid=41

Want to join a local group? Stubby’s Heroes – Fighting BSL in Georgia is one possible group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377106945637822/

If you are a resident or local, and you attend either of these meetings or have additional information (primary source if possible) about this issue, please send us an email at stopbsl.org@gmail.com.

Many thanks to Christa for this alert!

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Georgia, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

East Coast bike relay event to protest BSL, Aug 29–Sept 2

Posted on July 15, 2012 by | 2 Comments

Bless the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue & Education and Southern Ontario Animal Rescue (SOAR) invite you to take part in a unique effort to bring awareness to breed specific legislation, rescue, and responsible dog ownership.

“Bikers and Bullys Without Borders” is a bike ride from Miami, Florida to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is an effort to demonstrate a united stance against BSL. Just as BSL has no borders, the effort to stop it knows no borders, as well.

The ride is taking place from August 29 to September 2, 2012. It starts in Miami, FL and goes up the east coast finishing in Toronto, Canada.

We are dedicating the ride to Lennox and the Barnes family, the people who loved and fought to save his life. After a two year battle, Lennox was killed last week by the Belfast, Ireland council simply because he looked like a “pit bull.” We are having a stuffed Lennox made, and along each stop on the route, he will be handed off to the next group of riders, along with any notes of condolence and support to the Barnes family. After the ride, both the stuffed Lennox and all the cards and letters will be sent to the Barnes family to show that although we are separated by thousands of miles, we stand united with them in their fight, and we all mourn the death of an innocent animal.

You don’t need to be part of an animal welfare organization to take part in the ride…you only need to have a desire to see BSL come to an end so that no dog and no family ever face the heartbreak and anguish of breed specific legislation again.

SOAR is organizing the troops for a vote on the Ontario pit bull ban in September, and using the bike rally as a fundraiser for their efforts to end BSL there. However, those taking parts in the states can simply use the ride to bring awareness to the fight against BSL, and to promote rescue and responsible dog ownership.

We need every leg of the ride filled – even if its just one bike – so that Lennox and our messages to the family can make it to Canada. Please consider taking part in this very special event, and share this with your friends and bike clubs who may be interested in taking part. Just like the effort to stop BSL, we really need YOU to make this happen!

More information on the ride can be found at the SOAR website, or you can contact me at jodi@blessthebullys.com. The route for the ride can be found here.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Canada, Community Initiatives, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia

Tagged , , , , , ,

DeKalb County, GA: County approves repeal of BSL

Posted on May 8, 2012 by | 1 Comment

DeKalb County commissioners have unanimously voted to repeal the breed-specific language in their county zoning ordinance. Residents and locals, please write the county commissioners and THANK them for making a smart decision.

Contact information for county commissioners
Board of Commissioners, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030
Fax: 404-371-7004
ecboyer@dekalbcountyga.gov; jrader@dekalbcountyga.gov; larryjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov; sbsutton@dekalbcountyga.gov; lmay@dekalbcountyga.gov; kgannon@dekalbcountyga.gov; stanwatson@dekalbcountyga.gov

DeKalb lifts pit bull ban

By April Hunt , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The DeKalb County Commission unanimously agreed Tuesday to lift the ban on pit bulls — part of the county’s zoning code, not animal control ordinances — after more than a year of weighing the issue.

No other metro county has a ban on pit bulls, and DeKalb’s was less a ban than a source of confusion. Code enforcement officers cited owners who simply had to point out “pit bull” is not a breed of dog to have their tickets tossed.

“It has not been an effective tool for being able to get rid of dangerous animals,” said Commissioner Jeff Rader, who had championed the change. “We are better served relying on the criminal code.” [...]

Full article retrieved 5/8/12 from http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-lifts-pit-bull-1433546.html

All alerts for DeKalb County: http://stopbsl.org/?s=dekalb

→ 1 Comment

Posted in BSL Repealed, Georgia

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Gainesville, GA: City council decides against breed ban

Posted on May 2, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Gainesville city council says they won’t ban “pit bulls.”

The reason? The city attorney says state law prohibits breed bans. We’re actually not aware of any GA state law that prohibits GA municipalities from passing BSL. Plenty of municipalities in GA have BSL. But we’re happy not to correct the city attorney and council in this case.

All alerts for Gainesville, GA: http://stopbsl.org/?s=%22gainesville%2C+ga%22

Gainesville won’t ban pit bulls

Georgia law prohibits breed-specific prohibition

By Ashley Fielding,afielding@gainesvilletimes.com
POSTED: May 1, 2012 11:30 p.m.

[...] But after the first of them, Gwinnett County resident Johanna Falber, spoke, City Attorney James E. “Bubba” Palmour said the city could not, under Georgia law, exclude the ownership of a specific breed.

Palmour had looked into the request after a woman called on the City Council at its April 17 meeting to initiate a citywide ban on the breed. [...]

After the city attorney’s statements, however, Mayor Danny Dunagan said the council won’t be taking any more action on pit bulls — a decision that drew praise from those present. [...]

Full article retrieved 5/2/12 from http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/66937/

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Georgia, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Georgia: Effort to ban breeds reaches state legislature

Posted on April 30, 2012 by | 14 Comments

A resident of Gainesville, GA, has turned to state legislators to request a statewide breed ban. State representative Carl Rogers has agreed to help this resident pursue a statewide breed ban.

Please make sure your correspondence with Rep. Rogers and all other lawmakers is RESPECTFUL and informative!
Rep. Carl Rogers, Room 417, State Capital, Atlanta GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-5146
Email: carl.rogers@house.ga.gov
Find your other state representatives here (yeah, Georgia Assembly does not have their own legislator finder): http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress/

Residents have mixed feelings on pit bull breed

Advocates say bad owners are the problem

By Aaron Hale ahale@gainesvilletimes.com
POSTED:April 28, 2012 11:30 p.m.

[... Gainesville resident] Brannon has since written the governor and spoken to state Rep. Carl Rogers on the issue, with Rogers promising to put the issue of dangerous dogs, specifically pit bulls, before the state legislature.

“We’ve got to do something to be protective of (potential) victims, especially children, before they become victims,” he said. [...]

One local elected official said he is poised to take that a step further.

“What I promised Ms. Brannon,” Rogers said, “is we would certainly look at trying to ban the breed.”

The representative said he believes pit bull attacks are happening enough to draw the state legislature to act.

Before doing so, Rogers said he’ll bring in experts on animals and breeding, as well as victims of pit bull attacks, to talk about the problem and garner possible solutions. [...]

Full article retrieved 4/30/12 from http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/66835/

→ 14 Comments

Posted in Georgia, Whispers of BSL

Tagged , , , , , , ,