Category Archives: New York

Some Ellenville residents and officials raised the possibility of a breed ban or other BSL last month, and hysteria about “pit bulls” (and “other dangerous breeds”) has been on the rise. During a public meeting on the issue of dog control, the city attorney noted that breed-specific regulations are not permitted under state law. Several dog control options were provided, none of which were breed-specific.

Barking For Solutions

Public Vocal For and Against Pit Bulls
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – [… Mayor Jeff] Kaplan distilled the hearing down to two issues: Insuring a dog and hiring a part-time animal control officer. The village calls in the town animal control officer when needed, but Kaplan said he felt it was time for the village to have its own.

Full article retrieved 7/5/11 from http://ellenvillejournal.com/2011/06/30/news/1106302.html

Pit bull attacks worry village

Ellenville looking at ways to curb aggressive dogs
By Michael Novinson, Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM – 06/30/11

ELLENVILLE — […] Village trustees are considering three ways to curb aggressive behavior, Kaplan said: a ban on dogs in the business district, mandatory muzzles and requiring pet liability insurance.

State law prohibits municipalities from having breed-specific rules, said village Attorney Peter Berger.

Thus, a ban would prevent downtown homeowners from owning any type of dog, while even Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas would be required to get a muzzle, which [Ulster County SPCA Director Brian] Shapiro said can be dangerous. […]

Full article retrieved 7/5/11 from http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110630/NEWS/106300317&cid=sitesearch

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27, 7:15 PM, at the Ellenville Government Center, 2 Elting Court, Ellenville, NY 12428.

A few Ellenville trustees and officials quoted in the article below expressed fear of “pit bulls” and Rottweilers, and they suggest BSL might be an option. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the public hearing and provide effective breed-neutral laws for the council to consider. Respectful correspondence and educational materials may help.

New York state law prohibits breed-specific laws, and we would hope the Ellenville village attorney knows this. We do not know at this time what will be discussed or introduced at the public hearing.

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

Dogs Gone Wild

String of Attacks Prompts Village to Act
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – A public hearing is scheduled for June 27 to gain public input on the ongoing problem of dog attacks in the village, particularly concerning pit bulls. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Village Attorney Peter Berger is drawing up a local law addressing dog control in the village, and it will be discussed during the hearing.[…]

Full article retrieved 6/17/11 from http://www.shawangunkjournal.com/2011/06/16/news/1106161.html

New York state law prohibits breed-specific laws, and we would hope the Ellenville village attorney knows this. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend the public hearing and provide effective breed-neutral laws for the council to consider.

Public hearing on dog ordinance, June 27, 7:15 PM, at the Ellenville Government Center, 2 Elting Court, Ellenville, NY 12428.

A few Ellenville trustees and officials quoted in the article below expressed fear of “pit bulls” and Rottweilers. Respectful correspondence and educational materials may help (as well as a reminder that breed-specific ordinances are not legal in NY).

Contact information for Ellenville officials:
Village Manager Mary Sheeley, msheeley@villageofellenville.com
Village Clerk Noreen Dechon, ndechon@villageofellenville.com
Mayor Jeff Kaplan, jkaplan@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Francisco Oliveras, foliveras@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Raymond Younger, ryounger@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Patricia Steinhoff, psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com
Trustee Efrain Lopez, elopez@villageofellenville.com

Email block for cut-and-paste
msheeley@villageofellenville.com; ndechon@villageofellenville.com; jkaplan@villageofellenville.com; foliveras@villageofellenville.com; ryounger@villageofellenville.com; psteinhoff@villageofellenville.com; elopez@villageofellenville.com

Village Attorney Peter Berger
130 South Main Street, PO Box 509, Ellenville NY 12428
(845) 647-4000
(845) 647-6029 (fax)

Dogs Gone Wild

String of Attacks Prompts Village to Act
By Jane Anderson

ELLENVILLE – A public hearing is scheduled for June 27 to gain public input on the ongoing problem of dog attacks in the village, particularly concerning pit bulls. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The hearing is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Village Attorney Peter Berger is drawing up a local law addressing dog control in the village, and it will be discussed during the hearing.[…]

Mayor Jeff Kaplan said there are “dangerous dog” laws, licensing laws, and leash laws in the village. “The question is A: Do we establish requirements and restrictions that go beyond what’s out there now, and B: How do we go about doing it? It’s not an easy issue but it’s one that we need to discuss.”

He said the village could establish laws that ban certain breeds from the downtown area, but said that dog owners might protest such a ban.[…]

Full article retrieved 6/17/11 from http://www.shawangunkjournal.com/2011/06/16/news/1106161.html