Category Archives: New York

Dunkirk, NY: Council talks about BSL

Posted on October 20, 2011 by | Comments Off

After residents expressed concerns about dangerous dogs in their community, Councilmember Michael Michalski said a breed-specific ban would have his full support.

There followed a bit of back-and-forth between councilmembers about the feasibility of a breed ban. Council seems to be aware that New York state law prohibits them from passing a breed-specific ordinance. Councilmembers generally felt that dog attacks had increased, and they need to do something, but didn’t know what.

Although BSL is not a possibility for Dunkirk, the council may benefit from breed-neutral suggestions and education so that they can choose an effective and appropriate path toward increased public safety.

If you would like to get involved in Dunkirk, please contact the city council here: http://www.cityofdunkirk.com/node/18

News article about this Dunkirk council meeting: http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/564544/Residents-talk-about-dog-attacks-in-Dunkirk.html?nav=5047

 

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Posted in New York, Whispers of BSL

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Schenectady, NY: Council discusses dog problems

Posted on September 14, 2011 by | 1 Comment

A couple of city councilmembers in Schenectady, New York, apparently think that BSL is the most reasonable option to resolve their dog problems. There’s only one problem—state law doesn’t allow them to enact BSL.

There are a number of breed-neutral options on the table for council to consider. Residents and locals may wish to participate in this discussion and offer additional breed-neutral options for the council’s consideration. From the public comments made by two of the councilmembers (in article below), it seems that some gentle education about stereotypes and discrimination are in order as well.

Next city council committee meeting: September 19, 5:30 PM, Room 110, City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York 12305.
Next city council full meeting: September 26, 7:00 PM, Room 209, City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York 12305.
To contact any of the City Council Members via e-mail: cthorne@schenectadyny.gov

Council mulls pit bull issue

Schenectady officials discuss attacks and consider what to do

By LAUREN STANFORTH Staff writer
Updated 07:08 a.m., Wednesday, September 7, 2011

SCHENECTADY — City Council members at their Tuesday night meeting discussed two recent pit bull attacks and came to one conclusion — they don’t know what tack to take to eliminate dangerous dogs roaming city streets. [...]

“People keep saying ‘poor little bit bull,’” said City Councilman Joe Allen. “I’ve never seen a nice pit bull in my life. They’re scary.” And their owners …”are even scarier,” City Councilwoman Denise Brucker said, completing Allen’s sentence. [...]

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Council-mulls-pit-bull-issue-2158290.php#ixzz1Xxf9Thar

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Posted in New York, Whispers of BSL

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Ellenville, NY: City attorney says BSL not allowed

Posted on July 5, 2011 by | Comments Off

Some Ellenville residents and officials raised the possibility of a breed ban or other BSL last month, and hysteria about “pit bulls” (and “other dangerous breeds”) has been on the rise. During a public meeting on the issue of dog control, the city attorney noted that breed-specific regulations are not permitted under state law. Several dog control options were provided, none of which were breed-specific.

Barking For Solutions

Public Vocal For and Against Pit Bulls
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – [... Mayor Jeff] Kaplan distilled the hearing down to two issues: Insuring a dog and hiring a part-time animal control officer. The village calls in the town animal control officer when needed, but Kaplan said he felt it was time for the village to have its own.

Full article retrieved 7/5/11 from http://ellenvillejournal.com/2011/06/30/news/1106302.html

Pit bull attacks worry village

Ellenville looking at ways to curb aggressive dogs
By Michael Novinson, Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM – 06/30/11

ELLENVILLE — [...] Village trustees are considering three ways to curb aggressive behavior, Kaplan said: a ban on dogs in the business district, mandatory muzzles and requiring pet liability insurance.

State law prohibits municipalities from having breed-specific rules, said village Attorney Peter Berger.

Thus, a ban would prevent downtown homeowners from owning any type of dog, while even Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas would be required to get a muzzle, which [Ulster County SPCA Director Brian] Shapiro said can be dangerous. [...]

Full article retrieved 7/5/11 from http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110630/NEWS/106300317&cid=sitesearch

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

 

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Posted in New York, Whispers of BSL

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Ellenville, NY reminder: Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27

Posted on June 26, 2011 by | Comments Off

Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27, 7:15 PM, at the Ellenville Government Center, 2 Elting Court, Ellenville, NY 12428.

A few Ellenville trustees and officials quoted in the article below expressed fear of “pit bulls” and Rottweilers, and they suggest BSL might be an option. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the public hearing and provide effective breed-neutral laws for the council to consider. Respectful correspondence and educational materials may help.

New York state law prohibits breed-specific laws, and we would hope the Ellenville village attorney knows this. We do not know at this time what will be discussed or introduced at the public hearing.

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

Dogs Gone Wild

String of Attacks Prompts Village to Act
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – A public hearing is scheduled for June 27 to gain public input on the ongoing problem of dog attacks in the village, particularly concerning pit bulls. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Village Attorney Peter Berger is drawing up a local law addressing dog control in the village, and it will be discussed during the hearing.[...]

Full article retrieved 6/17/11 from http://www.shawangunkjournal.com/2011/06/16/news/1106161.html

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Posted in New York, Whispers of BSL

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Ellenville, NY: Council may consider BSL

Posted on June 17, 2011 by | Comments Off

New York state law prohibits breed-specific laws, and we would hope the Ellenville village attorney knows this. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the public hearing and provide effective breed-neutral laws for the council to consider.

Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27, 7:15 PM, at the Ellenville Government Center, 2 Elting Court, Ellenville, NY 12428.

A few Ellenville trustees and officials quoted in the article below expressed fear of “pit bulls” and Rottweilers. Respectful correspondence and educational materials may help (as well as a reminder that breed-specific ordinances are not legal in NY).

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

Dogs Gone Wild

String of Attacks Prompts Village to Act
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – A public hearing is scheduled for June 27 to gain public input on the ongoing problem of dog attacks in the village, particularly concerning pit bulls. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Village Attorney Peter Berger is drawing up a local law addressing dog control in the village, and it will be discussed during the hearing.[...]

Mayor Jeff Kaplan said there are “dangerous dog” laws, licensing laws, and leash laws in the village. “The question is A: Do we establish requirements and restrictions that go beyond what’s out there now, and B: How do we go about doing it? It’s not an easy issue but it’s one that we need to discuss.”

He said the village could establish laws that ban certain breeds from the downtown area, but said that dog owners might protest such a ban.[...]

Full article retrieved 6/17/11 from http://www.shawangunkjournal.com/2011/06/16/news/1106161.html

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Posted in New York, Whispers of BSL

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Rockville Centre, NY: Breed ban repealed

Posted on July 21, 2010 by | Comments Off

Previous alerts for Rockville Centre: http://stopbsl.com/?s=rockville+centre

Pit Bull Owners Thrown a Bone in Rockville Centre

By JOHN NOEL
Updated 6:09 PM EDT, Wed, Jul 21, 2010

A controversial law banning certain pets, including pit bulls and rottweilers, has been repealed in Rockville Centre.

Read the rest of the story here: 

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Pit-Bull-Owners-Thrown-a-Bone-on-Long-Island-98921564.html

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Posted in BSL Repealed, New York

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Rockville Centre, NY: Breed ban suspended until July hearing

Posted on June 30, 2010 by | 2 Comments

Massive public outcry can make a difference. The ban is not dead. There will be a public hearing on the ordinance next month to determine the fate of the ban. Please continue to remind Rockville Centre officials that their breed ban is illegal in the state of NY.

Previous alerts for Rockville Centre: http://stopbsl.com/?s=rockville+centre

Contact the Board of Trustees: http://www.rvcny.us/boardoftrustees.html

Long Island’s pit bull ban suspended

ROCKVILLE CENTRE (WABC) — Members voted to suspend implementation of the law until at least next month, when a public hearing on repealing the law will be held.

Read the rest of the story here:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7528808

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Posted in New York, Proposal to Repeal

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