Category Archives: Louisiana

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Considering Breed Discriminatory Legislation

Posted on September 30, 2013 by | Comments Off on Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Considering Breed Discriminatory Legislation

The Tangipahoa Parish Council discussed requiring pit bull owners to have their dogs licensed, vetted and micro-chipped at their last meeting. Animal Control Director Chip Fitz said he’s leaning towards such regulation because “If we have an animal able to do damage, we want to be able to track it.”

According to Fitz, the ordinance has not been finalized and no timetable was set for it to be brought before the parish council for consideration.

Fitz admitted that overall bite counts had remained constant over the last two years: 55 in 2011 and 53 in 2012. His concerns with pit bulls, however, were irresponsible ownership and level of strength. “My concern is traditionally when a pit bull bites, it’s bad.” Pit bulls have also become a lot more popular in the last year.

It is inconceivable that regulation of pit bulls in Tangipahoa Parrish is even being considered without some kind of objective evidence it is needed. Bite data remains the same, despite the observation that pit bulls “have become a lot more popular.” No evidence has been produced as to the number of pit bulls, nor any evidence that pit bulls have been involved in bites more than any other breed. And, of course, there has been nothing shown that indicates pit bull bites have been more severe than any other type of dog.

Please send objective, polite, and respectful communication to the Council members below to let then know you are against this potential pit bull regulation.

Hon. Trent Forrest
19334 Hwy 38
Kentwood, LA 70444
(M) 985-514-1955

Hon. Ronnie Bankston
43229 Sweetpea Lane
Hammond, LA 70401
(O) 225-567-2350/985-320-6159

Hon. Greg Varnado
59467 Dummyline Rd.
Amite, LA 70422
(O) 985-748-9320

Hon. Lionel Wells – Chairman
1700 Mooney Avenue
Hammond, LA 70403

Hon. Louis Nick Joseph
279 Highway 40 West
Independence, LA 70443

Hon. David Vial
47162 Oak Creek Trace
Hammond, LA 70403
(M) 985-974-0570

Hon. Carlo S. Bruno
P.O. Box 1274
Independence, LA 70443

Hon. Harry Lavine
21145 Esterbrook Rd.
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
(M) 985-222-5325

Hon. Nicky Muscarello, Sr.
105 Abingdon Way
Hammond, LA 70401

Hon. Bobby Cortez
42102 Jefferson Drive
Hammond, LA 70403
(O) 985-542-1581

Kristen Pecararo
P. O. Box 215
Amite, LA 70422
(O) 985-748-3211/748-7041

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Posted in BSL, BSL Proposed, Louisiana

Hammond, LA update: Proposed dog laws will not be breed specific

Posted on July 12, 2012 by | Comments Off on Hammond, LA update: Proposed dog laws will not be breed specific

Earlier this year, Hammond, LA, was looking at some new dog laws with a special focus on “pit bulls.” The city has now written up some proposed dog laws that, according to the article below, are not breed-specific.

We are waiting to receive the actual proposal to confirm that this is the case. But for now, Hammond appears to have rejected BSL.

All alerts for Hammond: https://stopbsl.org/?s=%22hammond%2C+La%22

Hammond council to consider toughening dog ordinances

Posted on July 11, 2012 at 6:55 PM

Ashley Rodrigue / Eyewitness News

HAMMOND, La. — A committee in Hammond charged with creating new elements to the city’s vicious dog ordinance has finalized its recommendation for the city council.

[…] The current ordinance does not outline any specific breed […]

Full article retrieved 7/12/12 from http://www.wwltv.com/news/northshore/Hammond-council-to-consider-toughening-dog-ordinances-162145925.html

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Posted in BSL Defeated, Louisiana, Non-BSL Proposed, Whispers of BSL

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Covington, LA: Proposed BSL will target “a group of breeds”

Posted on May 13, 2012 by | Comments Off on Covington, LA: Proposed BSL will target “a group of breeds”

A recent news article reports that Covington will consider BSL that targets not just “pit bulls” but “a group of breeds considered vicious.”

Contact information for Covington city council:
lalexius@bellsouth.net; rsokeefe@bellsouth.net; jcallahan50@bellsouth.net; jconer@covla.com; markalexanderwright@hotmail.com; rollingdistrictd@aol.com; rsmith@covla.com
City Council Office, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, LA 70433
Phone: (985) 898-4722
Fax: (985) 898-4723
council@covla.com

Next city council meeting: May 15, 6:00 PM, in Council Chambers at 222 Kirkland St., Covington, LA. 70433. This item is not explicitly on the agenda; however, residents and locals are encouraged to attend and speak up about the proposal. (Contact the city clerk at (985) 898-4722 to find out how to speak at the meeting.)

Current animal ordinances can be read here.

Covington Council will put dog bites back into crime

Posted: Sunday, May 13, 2012 1:00 am
By Debbie Glover St. Tammany News

[…] They would not single out pit bulls as a breed, but may include a group of breeds that are considered vicious. […]

The first order of business is to review what is currently in the city’s ordinances, then to see what can be done to strengthen the current ordinances or enact new ones to keep the public safe and prevent, or at least make owners more accountable, for attacks in the future.

The process is not going to be immediate, but will take a few months to examine all phases of the problem. Some suggestions so far have included microchipping certain breeds so that owners can be located. However, that can be expensive and some dogs don’t even have licenses as it is. […]

Full article retrieved 5/13/12 from http://www.thesttammanynews.com/news/article_3e2d1152-9c57-11e1-a8c8-001a4bcf887a.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Louisiana

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Bastrop, LA: Public meeting to discuss “pit bull” ordinance, May 14

Posted on May 13, 2012 by | Comments Off on Bastrop, LA: Public meeting to discuss “pit bull” ordinance, May 14

There will be a public meeting on May 14 at 5:00 PM at City Hall so Bastrop city officials can talk to the public about enforcement of the “pit bull” ordinance. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend, speak against the ordinance, and try to convince city officials to put something breed-neutral, workable, and effective in place.

Bastrop, LA, City Hall, 202 East Jefferson Avenue, Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
City Clerk Sandra Goleman, sgoleman@cityofbastrop.com
Telephone: 318-283-0250

City responds to complaints about pit bulls

By Andrew Bell, Bastrop Daily Enterprise
Posted May 05, 2012 @ 09:30 AM

BASTROP — On May 14, there will be a public meeting at City Hall at 5 p.m. to discuss how the city is aiming to more closely follow to its authority regarding pit bulls.

“It’s going to be an informative meeting, letting residents know that we are going to start enforcing the ordinance,” explained Public Works director Willie McKee.

[…] In April 2009 the mayor and aldermen approved an amendment to the city’s animal and fowl ordinance that specifically categorizes pit bulls as a “dangerous dog.” […]

Full article retrieved 5/7/12 from http://www.bastropenterprise.com/news/x1809303690/City-responds-to-complaints-about-pit-bulls

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Posted in BSL Passed, Louisiana, Results of BSL

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Bastrop, LA: City to start enforcing BSL

Posted on May 7, 2012 by | Comments Off on Bastrop, LA: City to start enforcing BSL

There will be a public meeting on May 14 at 5:00 PM at City Hall so city officials can talk to the public about enforcement of the “pit bull” ordinance.
Bastrop, LA, City Hall, 202 East Jefferson Avenue, Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
City Clerk Sandra Goleman, sgoleman@cityofbastrop.com
Telephone: 318-283-0250

City responds to complaints about pit bulls

By Andrew Bell, Bastrop Daily Enterprise
Posted May 05, 2012 @ 09:30 AM

BASTROP — On May 14, there will be a public meeting at City Hall at 5 p.m. to discuss how the city is aiming to more closely follow to its authority regarding pit bulls.

“It’s going to be an informative meeting, letting residents know that we are going to start enforcing the ordinance,” explained Public Works director Willie McKee.

[…] In April 2009 the mayor and aldermen approved an amendment to the city’s animal and fowl ordinance that specifically categorizes pit bulls as a “dangerous dog.” […]

Full article retrieved 5/7/12 from http://www.bastropenterprise.com/news/x1809303690/City-responds-to-complaints-about-pit-bulls

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Posted in BSL Passed, Louisiana, Results of BSL

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Covington, LA: BSL under consideration

Posted on May 2, 2012 by | 1 comment

Covington considered BSL some ten years ago, but ultimately decided against it. Now they’re considering it again.

Contact information for Covington city council:
lalexius@bellsouth.net; rsokeefe@bellsouth.net; jcallahan50@bellsouth.net; jconer@covla.com; markalexanderwright@hotmail.com; rollingdistrictd@aol.com; rsmith@covla.com
City Council Office, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, LA 70433
Phone: (985) 898-4722
Fax: (985) 898-4723
council@covla.com

Next city council meeting: May 15, 6:00 PM, in Council Chambers at 222 Kirkland St., Covington, LA. 70433

Current animal ordinances can be read here.

Covington council to consider tougher pit bull restrictions

Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2012, 3:58 PM
By Claire Galofaro, The Times-Picayune

[…] On Tuesday night, [Covington City Councilman Lee] Alexius suggested the City Council consider creating a law to restrict pit bull ownership. Other Louisiana cities, he said, have strict requirements for pit bull owners: from mandating the size of kennels to requiring owners to carry hefty insurance policies and have their pit bulls registered and microchipped.[…]

Now, the Covington Council’s public safety committee, including Councilmen Sam O’Keefe, Jerry Coner and Larry Rolling, will consider other jurisdictions’ ordinances, then fashion a law for Covington’s pit bull owners. The committee will present its decision to the Council, hold a public meeting, then vote on its passage. […]

Full article retrieved 5/2/12 from http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/05/covington_council_to_consider.html

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Posted in BSL Proposed, Louisiana

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Hammond, LA: Whispers of BSL

Posted on May 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on Hammond, LA: Whispers of BSL

Hammond, LA, does not currently have BSL. However, the council has asked the city attorney to look into vicious dog laws, especially as they pertain to “pit bulls.”

Please send respectful, informative correspondence to city council. Ask them to protect all residents through enforcement and enhancement of their current breed-neutral laws. (Current dog laws may be read here.)

Contact information for mayor and city council:
williams_ma@hammond.org; marshall_lf@hammond.org; martin_rj@hammond.org; hood_jc@hammond.org; blount_jc@hammond.org; kirylo_aa@hammond.org; foster_mh@hammond.org

Hammond to review dog laws

BY VIC COUVILLION, Special to The Advocate
May 02, 2012

HAMMOND — The City Council instructed City Attorney Andre Coudrain to review Hammond’s ordinances and laws regarding the keeping of vicious dogs, especially pit bulls, within the city’s limits. […]

Full article retrieved 5/2/12 from http://theadvocate.com/news/2721851-123/hammond-to-review-dog-laws

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Posted in Louisiana, Whispers of BSL

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