On June 14, Lowell, MA city council will hold a public hearing on a proposed breed-specific ordinance. They may vote on the ordinance at the same time. The council members are not unified in their support; the vote on the ordinance is expected to be very close. Locals are encouraged to communicate politely and respectfully with the council, to ask them to vote against the breed-specific law that has failed in Boston and nearby communities.
The public hearing takes place on June 14 at 6:30 PM at City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA.
Councilmembers’ stances on the proposed ordinance
Mayor James L. Milinazzo – supports with the training exemption
Vice Mayor Kevin P. Broderick – unknown
Councilor Edward C. Caulfield – does not support; wants stronger restrictions
Councilor Franky D. Descoteaux – supports with the training exemption
Councilor Rodney M. Elliott – proposed the BSL; supports
Councilor William F. Martin Jr. – unknown
Councilor Joseph M. Mendonça – supports with the training exemption
Councilor Rita M. Mercier – does not support; calls it discriminatory
Councilor Patrick O. Murphy – unknown
Online contact form for the Lowell, MA city council:
http://www.lowellma.gov/contact/council/
Richard Johnson, City Clerk, 375 Merrimack Street, 1st Floor, Room 31, Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 970-4161, voice
(978) 970-4162, fax
Council meeting minutes and agendas: http://www.lowellma.gov/govt
All alerts for Lowell: http://stopbsl.com/?s=lowell
Lowell City Council to bring pit-bull muzzle law to public hearing
By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com
Updated: 05/25/2011 11:04:15 AM EDTLOWELL — After months of debate, the City Council voted last night to forward to a public hearing a pit-bull muzzle law that provides exemptions for dogs that go through training programs.[…]
The ordinance requires that all pit bulls that don’t go through certified training programs must be on a leash and wearing a muzzle when not on their owner’s property. Pit bulls also do not have to wear a muzzle when off their owner’s property if they are in a secure enclosure, such as a dog crate.
A pit bull is defined as any dog that is an American pit-bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog of mixed breed displaying the majority of physical traits of any of the above breeds.[…]
The ordinance also requires that all pit bulls be spayed or neutered to reduce their aggressiveness, and does not let anyone in the city own more than two pit bulls.
Animal-control officers would be required to provide monthly reports about the implementation of the ordinance, and the council would review the effectiveness of the law every six months.[…]
Full article retrieved 5/26/11 from http://www.lowellsun.com/rss/ci_18135599?source=rss#ixzz1NOktWgOB
Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 
Ignorant people make ignorant laws.
You want to stop the breed when it’s not the breed it’s the onwers. I have a Blue American Staffshire Terrier, & I trust him with my 4 grandchildren. As a matter of fact when ever they are playing in my yard my dogs are out there with them protecting them. My pitt loves them so much I know he would always protect them with his life. He was socialized with other dogs & people since he was 5weeks old. We can have a party with 100 people running around & I leave both of my dogs out to party also. I never lock them up so they cann’t be near people. It’s NOT the breed, it’s the OWNERS!
I would like to know how you can stereo type one breed of animal. Its not the dogs fault if they are aggressive it is the person who raised them.If you would have done some homework you would know that the Lab is the most biting dog in the US, not the pitbull. What about other breeds of dogs that no talks about because they are so little and cute, but will attack just like any other animal.Where is the Grandfater Claus for those that have had these animals since they were pups( more then the 2 allowed) and since animals are considered “property” in the state of Mass who are you to violate my 5th admendment right??? Who is it that makes the decission of what breed someones dog is anyways? Animal Control can only make a guess, without DNA you have no right to to tell someone what breed there aniaml is.
If they find a dog that is agressive that is what you have a dangerous dog law for,putting muzzles on dogs that dont have issues will only cause them to have issues…… and getting animals fixed does NOT make them less aggressive……it may calm them down a little and prolong thier life but once a dog has that aggression it is hard to take control of it