Upland, CA: Committee recommends BS-MSN

The Upland, CA, Advisory Committee has recommended BS-MSN for “pit bulls.”

Please encourage city officials to drop the breed-specific language in their proposal. Breed-specific MSN—like any other breed-specific law—discriminates against people and their dogs based on whether the owner or dog have a “desirable” or “undesirable” physical appearance.

Whether you support or oppose MSN, it doesn’t need to be breed-specific. If you think MSN is good for dogs that look like “pit bulls,” then it is good for any dog. By removing the breed-specific focus, Upland can avoid the expense and inequality that goes with BSL.

Also of note, committee members did not choose BS-MSN in order to control overpopulation. (If so, Chihuahuas would also be named.) Rather, committee members voted for BS-MSN because, as committee member and councilor Tom Mitchell says, there’s a “problem” with “pit bulls” according to “a preponderance of the evidence.” What evidence? We’re not sure. According to city statistics, Labs and Chihuahuas racked up the most dog bites in 2011. “Pit bulls” and German Shepherds came in next. As we would expect from the most popular breeds / types of dogs in Upland.

Upland City Hall, 460 N. Euclid Ave., Upland, Ca 91786
(909) 931-4100
City Clerk, smendenhall@ci.upland.ca.us
Mayor and City Council, citycouncil@ci.upland.ca.us
City Manager, citymanager@ci.upland.ca.us

Upland committee recommends mandatory spay/neuter of pit bulls

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/05/2012 02:00:37 PM PDT

UPLAND – The City Council Advisory Committee is recommending the City Council move forward on implementing a mandatory spay and neuter ordinance for pit bulls and pit bull mixes.[…]

The ordinance mirrors the ordinance implemented by San Bernardino County in 2010. […]

Committee Member Mark Creighton voted against the recommendation and is against breed specific legislation. […]

Chihuahuas, like pit bulls, also make up the majority of dogs in shelters, Creighton said.

“We should have mandatory spay and neuter for them as well, but we’re not arguing that because Chihuahuas aren’t rabidly aggressive dogs,” he said. “Obviously this conversation is only because of people’s fear of a specific breed.” […]

Full article retrieved 5/7/12 from http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_20556996/upland-committee-recommends-mandatory-spay-neuter-pit-bulls