Tag Archives: bite

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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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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Stratham, NH: Selectmen to hear public concerns about dogs, March 12

Posted on March 10, 2012 by | 1 Comment

For locals and residents of Stratham, you may wish to attend this public meeting in order to better assess the situation. We do NOT know if BSL will be suggested, but considering the incident that prompted the public meeting, there’s a possibility.

As always, please be respectful and helpful if you correspond with town officials or speak at the meeting.

Selectmen to hear concerns from public after pit bull attack

March 09, 2012 2:00 AM

STRATHAM — The Board of Selectmen will host a public session at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 12 for residents and dog owners to ask questions and express concerns.

[...] If residents express concerns to change town ordinances regarding animals, depending on the ordinance, it may require a vote at the Town Meeting or at least a public hearing process to be scheduled at a later date. [...]

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. on Monday, preceding the Board of Selectmen meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center on 10 Bunker Hill Ave.

Full article retrieved 3/10/12 from http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120309-NEWS-203090333

Thanks to Kathy for sending us this news item.

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Wagmatcook, NS, Canada: Pit bull ban on agenda

Posted on January 25, 2012 by | Comments Off

According to the news article, the call for a “pit bull” ban was prompted by a bite from a loose dog that had previously bitten another person.

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

Call for pit bull ban after Wagmatcook attack

Girl, 7, bitten by dog while playing

CBC News Posted: Jan 24, 2012 9:20 PM AT

[...] Wagmatcook has a dog bylaw and a control officer visits about three times a week.

The Wagmatcook band council said banning pit bulls is on their agenda.

Full article retrieved 1/25/12 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/01/24/ns-pitbull-attack.html

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Chicago, IL reminder: Council meeting, Jan 18 (possible BSL)

Posted on January 15, 2012 by | Comments Off

Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti has said that he intends to introduce a resolution at the Jan 18 city council meeting, to explore ways to make pet owners more responsible for their pets. Although Fioretti initially suggested that he would support a “pit bull” ban or some other kind of breed-specific law, he has since publicly distanced himself from BSL, and has said that he wants to look at breed-neutral measures.

However, at least one other alderman, George Cardenas, has stated that he intends to pursue breed-specific restrictions or a ban on “pit bulls.”

Residents and locals, please attend the next council meeting, at which Alderman Fioretti intends to introduce a resolution to review current dog ordinances: January 18, 10:00 AM, City Council Chambers, City Hall, Chicago. Whether Fioretti introduces a resolution or not, this is an opportunity for locals to express their opinions about responsible dog ownership, current dog laws, and BSL, and to gauge the council’s intentions regarding BSL.

Contact your alderman here and let him or her know where you stand on breed-specific laws and breed-neutral dog ownership laws: http://chicago.legistar.com/People.aspx
Here is a cut-and-paste list of all email addresses for aldermen (thanks to Kat for compiling it)—please note not all aldermen have published email addresses.
ward45@cityofchicago.org, caustin@cityofchicago.org, jbalcer@cityofchicago.org, ward09@cityofchicago.org, ward21@cityofchicago.org, eburke@cityofchicago.org, wburnett@cityofchicago.org, ward04@cityofchicago.org, info@james46.org, ward12@cityofchicago.org, Willie.Cochran@cityofchicago.org, ward35@cityofchicago.org, Pat.Dowell@cityofchicago.org, jason.ervin@cityofchicago.org, Robert.Fioretti@cityofchicago.org, Toni.Foulkes@cityofchicago.org, lhairston@cityofchicago.org, mharris@cityofchicago.org, ward07@cityofchicago.org, ward18@cityofchicago.org, mlaurino@cityofchicago.org, rmell@cityofchicago.org, emitts@cityofchicago.org, ward49@cityofchicago.org, ward01@cityofchicago.org, Ward22@cityofchicago.org, pjoconnor@cityofchicago.org, harry@48thward.org, info@chicago47.org, jpope@cityofchicago.org, ward30@cityofchicago.org, Brendan.Reilly@cityofchicago.org, service@6thwardchicago.com, info@50thwardchicago.com, yourvoice@ward43.org, info@dannysolis.org, rsuarez@cityofchicago.org, lrthomas@cityofchicago.org, JoAnn.Thompson@cityofchicago.org, ttunney@cityofchicago.org, info@ward32.org, mzalewski@cityofchicago.org

All alerts for Chicago: http://stopbsl.com/?s=chicago

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Buffalo, MO: Resident asks aldermen for breed ban

Posted on January 12, 2012 by | Comments Off

A resident has asked Buffalo city aldermen for a ban on “pit bulls.” This article describes the incidents that sparked the resident’s request; it seems evident that this is not a “pit bull” problem at all, but rather, a lack of enforcement of current laws.

The aldermen agreed to have the city attorney look into the matter, and may consider an ordinance similar to the one in Springfield, MO—a city that recently touted the “success” of their BSL even though their own statistics clearly show that dog bites have not decreased (and meanwhile, they have killed 1500 dogs simply for looking like “pit bulls”).

Contact information for city officials:
City Hall, 102 N. Poplar, Buffalo, MO 65622
ph: 417-345-2701
fax 417-345-2700
Although there is no email contact, you may fax correspondence to aldermen. Some websites, like FaxZero, offer free online fax services.

Buffalo aldermen asked to ban pit bulls in city limits

Posted: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:36 am
Mary Morris marym@buffaloreflex.com

[... Resident Don] Payton addressed the Buffalo Board of Aldermen at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 9, and asked for an ordinance to prohibit the dogs from being present in the city.

“These dogs are vicious. They’re cruel and they don’t belong in the city of Buffalo,” he said.[...]

Mead and alderman Bob Whetsten said the city may consider alternatives similar to Springfield’s regulations to address breed-specific concerns in Buffalo after consulting with the city attorney. [...]

Full article retrieved 1/12/12 from http://buffaloreflex.com/news/buffalo-aldermen-asked-to-ban-pit-bulls-in-city-limits/article_20fa4dac-3c7b-11e1-b32e-001871e3ce6c.html

The Buffalo Reflex has written an editorial opposing a breed ban or breed-specific restrictions: http://buffaloreflex.com/opinion/breed-banning-bites/article_99622eba-3c92-11e1-88ec-0019bb2963f4.html

And there is currently a poll on the homepage of the Buffalo Reflex (and on their Facebook page as well) asking whether aldermen should consider a ban on pit bulls: http://buffaloreflex.com/

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Posted in Missouri, Whispers of BSL

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