Maple Ridge, BC, Canada: BSL proposed

MEETING REMINDER:

Today a City Council Workshop focusing on proposed breed specific legislation will take place at City Hall in the Blaney Room, 9:00 a.m.

UPDATE:

Owners protest breed-specific bylaw in Maple Ridge

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News
Published: October 03, 2012 5:00 AM

More than 50 pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Dachshunds and even Shih Tzus took to the streets of downtown Maple Ridge with their owners Sunday afternoon to protest a proposed bylaw that would single out certain breeds as aggressive.

Two months ago, District of Maple Ridge staff recommended a bylaw that would single out pit bull breeds, such as Staffordshire terriers and American pit bull terriers, as “aggressive” and charge their owners a $200 licensing fee annually, four times that of other breeds. Pit bulls would also be required to be muzzled when off the owner’s property and would also be subject to higher impound fees.

[…]

Bylaws director Liz Holitzki said singling out pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls, in particular.

[…]The bylaw comes back before Maple Ridge council for discussion at a workshop meeting on Oct. 15, and Munz hopes councillors will have a change of heart and steer clear of any breed-specific language.
http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/172370101.html

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Proposed Maple Ridge bylaw to single out pit bulls

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News

Published: July 17, 2012 4:00 PM

District of Maple Ridge staff are recommending a new dog bylaw that singles out pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners a licensing fee four times that of other breeds.

The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.

Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees. […]

Full article retrieved 7/17/12 from http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/162800096.html

Please send your RESPECTFUL correspondence to city council in opposition to a breed-specific bylaw. Please also include viable breed-neutral alternatives.

Contact info for Maple Ridge:
Mayor and Council, District of Maple Ridge, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 6A9
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329
mayorandcouncil@mapleridge.ca
Council meeting dates and agendas: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/council_meetings.html
To speak at the next council meeting, read the info on this page: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/contact_council.html