Category Archives: Pennsylvania

Olyphant, PA – Attack Victim Approaches Council

On September 18th, 2012 while out walking her mother’s small dog, Jackie Blazek, 35, witnessed a loose ‘pit bull’ attack and kill her mother’s dog.  She believes she too would have been killed had neighbors not responded and shot the attacking dog.

Reports claim the woman was bruised and bloody, and she still walks with a limp as was evident when she entered the Council work session Tuesday along side her mother, Jill Kidwell.  The pair came to ask Council about laws that would prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.  Five other neighbors joined them.

While Borough Manager and SOlicitor C.J. Mustacchio assured residents and Council that police are investigating the matter, he said “Our ordinance really isn’t about criminal punishment, it’s a nuisance ordinance.  The dog law is state law.”

Pennsylvania is one of the 13 states that currently prohibit breed-specific-legislation in the U.S.  State law fines up to $5000 and jail time in PA for negligence leading to a loose dog, Mustacchio stated.

“If we enforce the laws on the books, they are very adequate,” he said.

Ms. Blazek and Ms. Kidwell both questioned how the law(s) were being enforced, and Ms. Blazek went further to reference other state’s laws that ban certain breeds. 

NOTE:  There are no state level laws in the U.S. that bans any breed of dog.

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dog-attack-victim-speaks-out-at-olyphant-meeting-1.1379032

At this time no action is required, monitoring of this developing situation will continue.

Shenandoah Borough, PA – Council Receives Complaints

At a Council meeting on Monday, September 17th, a resident addressed Council with several complaints including ‘pit bulls’ roaming the streets on the West End of the Borough.

Councilman Paul Holland noted that the borough allows only three dogs per property through an ordinance.  The complaining resident had a list of properties with multiple pit bulls from the Vine Street area.

Borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky assured the resident that the state dog law enforcement officer had received the addresses and would ‘check into that’.

Mayor Andrew Szczyglak mentioned a ‘situation that occurred near the post office with a pit bull’ earlier in the day on the 17th, and assured the resident that police were aware of it and taking the necessary action.

Within the borough of Shenandoah, these dogs have to be leashed, no matter what breed of dog,” Palubinsky said. “Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to blame the animal, but many times it’s not the animal’s fault.”

REMINDER:  Pennsylvania State Law Prohibits Breed Specific Legislation.

East Coast bike relay event to protest BSL, Aug 29–Sept 2

Bless the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue & Education and Southern Ontario Animal Rescue (SOAR) invite you to take part in a unique effort to bring awareness to breed specific legislation, rescue, and responsible dog ownership.

Bikers and Bullys Without Borders” is a bike ride from Miami, Florida to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is an effort to demonstrate a united stance against BSL. Just as BSL has no borders, the effort to stop it knows no borders, as well.

The ride is taking place from August 29 to September 2, 2012. It starts in Miami, FL and goes up the east coast finishing in Toronto, Canada.

We are dedicating the ride to Lennox and the Barnes family, the people who loved and fought to save his life. After a two year battle, Lennox was killed last week by the Belfast, Ireland council simply because he looked like a “pit bull.” We are having a stuffed Lennox made, and along each stop on the route, he will be handed off to the next group of riders, along with any notes of condolence and support to the Barnes family. After the ride, both the stuffed Lennox and all the cards and letters will be sent to the Barnes family to show that although we are separated by thousands of miles, we stand united with them in their fight, and we all mourn the death of an innocent animal.

You don’t need to be part of an animal welfare organization to take part in the ride…you only need to have a desire to see BSL come to an end so that no dog and no family ever face the heartbreak and anguish of breed specific legislation again.

SOAR is organizing the troops for a vote on the Ontario pit bull ban in September, and using the bike rally as a fundraiser for their efforts to end BSL there. However, those taking parts in the states can simply use the ride to bring awareness to the fight against BSL, and to promote rescue and responsible dog ownership.

We need every leg of the ride filled – even if its just one bike – so that Lennox and our messages to the family can make it to Canada. Please consider taking part in this very special event, and share this with your friends and bike clubs who may be interested in taking part. Just like the effort to stop BSL, we really need YOU to make this happen!

More information on the ride can be found at the SOAR website, or you can contact me at jodi@blessthebullys.com. The route for the ride can be found here.

Pottsville, PA: City admin says council will not consider BSL

Despite earlier public comments suggesting that the council was going to consider breed-specific restrictions or a ban, the Pottsville city administrator now says that BSL is not an option. Officials acknowledge that Pennsylvania state law does not permit municipalities to pass breed-specific laws.

They will be considering other ways to strengthen their dog ordinance. The council intends to discuss this issue further during their council meeting on Monday, July 11, at 6:30 PM at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 401 North Centre Street, Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Residents and locals are encouraged to attend this and subsequent meetings to ensure that any selected revisions are reasonable, humane, enforceable, and effective.

Send an email to the entire city council: citycouncil@city.pottsville.pa.us

All alerts for Pottsville: http://stopbsl.com/?s=pottsville

Pottsville, PA: Council to consider BSL, July 11

Pennsylvania state law does not permit municipalities to pass breed-specific laws. The council intends to discuss this issue further during their council meeting on Monday, July 11, at 6:30 PM at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 401 North Centre Street, Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Send an email to the entire city council: citycouncil@city.pottsville.pa.us

In light of recent pit bull attacks, Pottsville considers dog law changes

BY STEPHEN J. PYTAK (STAFF WRITER SPYTAK@REPUBLICANHERALD.COM)Published: July 6, 2011

The recent rash of pit bull attacks – there have been three in Pottsville in the past two weeks – has encouraged city officials to improve its dog laws, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Tuesday.

While city code addresses issues including “animal bites” and “vicious and destructive animals,” Palamar said the city is looking into the possibility of developing a special section related to certain breeds.[…]

“A lot of states do have breed-specific ordinances in place which require you to register certain breeds of dogs. They are quite controversial. We have a lot of questions,” Palamar said.

These questions involve which breeds of dogs are considered pit bulls, he said.[…]

Full article retrieved 7/6/11 from http://republicanherald.com/news/in-light-of-recent-pit-bull-attacks-pottsville-considers-dog-law-changes-1.1171626

Bristol Borough, PA reminder: Council to discuss BSL in February

Pennsylvania state law prohibits breed-specific legislation. Bristol Borough, PA council is considering a muzzle law for “pit bulls.” They will discuss the issue during the February meeting. Unfortunately, there are two February meetings and it is not clear at this time which meeting they were referring to.

Borough council meetings take place on Feb. 7 (work session) and Feb. 14 (agenda meeting) at 7:00 PM in Borough Hall, 250 Pond Street, Bristol Borough, PA 19007.

The council meeting video for the January 10 agenda meeting reveals the following important pieces of information.

Councilmember James Lutz has been adamantly against the proposed BSL. He advised council that breed-specific laws are not legal in PA.

Borough attorney William Salerno replied that PA state law prohibition against BSL only applies to dangerous dog laws. He stated that the muzzling proposal would be a containment law, not a dangerous dog law, and, therefore, the prohibition against BSL would not apply. He stated he was familiar with the Reading case and argued that the situation was dissimilar. He did not appear averse to the idea that he may have to fight for the law in court.

Council president Ralph DiGuiseppe said that he was prepared to give a presentation at the February meeting that would prove that a muzzle law for “pit bulls” was necessary.

Councilmember Betty Rodriguez claimed that she did not know “what else to do,” implying that the council had no alternative but to mandate the muzzling of “pit bulls.”

Please keep this info in mind when corresponding with council; please keep correspondence respectful and productive. Breed-neutral alternative laws may be very helpful, considering Councilmember Rodriguez’s comment. Council is also considering a breed-neutral leash law.

BRISTOL BOROUGH MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 250 POND STREET, BRISTOL, PA 19007
Fax Number: 215-788-5366
Borough Office Phone Number: 215-788-3828

Solicitor William Salerno, 220 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007
Phone : 215-788-5450

Borough Council contact info:
Lorraine Cullen, lcullen@bristolboro.com
James Lutz, 215-788-2647
Anthony Muccie, amuccie@bristolboro.com
Patrick Sabatini, 215-781-9003
Ralph DiGuiseppe, rdiguiseppe@bristolboro.com
Leo Plenski, Jr., lplenski@bristolboro.com
Robyn Trunell, rtrunell@bristolboro.com
Betty Rodriguez, brodriguez@bristolboro.com

All alerts for Bristol Borough: http://stopbsl.com/?s=bristol+borough

Bristol Borough, PA: BSL may pass as soon as Feb.

State law clearly prohibits breed-specific laws, and Bristol Borough is fully aware of this, but they intend to proceed.

Next Bristol Borough council meeting:
Work session meeting February 7, 7 PM, Borough Hall

BRISTOL BOROUGH MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 250 POND STREET, BRISTOL, PA 19007
Fax Number: 215-788-5366
Borough Office Phone Number: 215-788-3828

Solicitor William Salerno, 220 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007
Phone : 215-788-5450

Borough Council contact info:
Lorraine Cullen, lcullen@bristolboro.com
James Lutz, 215-788-2647
Anthony Muccie, amuccie@bristolboro.com
Patrick Sabatini, 215-781-9003
Ralph DiGuiseppe, rdiguiseppe@bristolboro.com
Leo Plenski, Jr., lplenski@bristolboro.com
Robyn Trunell, rtrunell@bristolboro.com
Betty Rodriguez, brodriguez@bristolboro.com

All alerts for Bristol Borough: http://stopbsl.com/?s=%22bristol+borough%22

Bristol may pass dog muzzle law next month

By: George Mattar, phillyBurbs.com

Bristol Borough council authorized advertising two proposed ordinances Monday which would require all pit bulls to be muzzled on public property and that all dogs must be on a leash.

The proposals could become law at next month’s meeting.

Full article retrieved 1/12/11 from http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times/courier_times_news_details/article/2463/2011/january/10/bristol-may-pass-dog-muzzle-law-next-month.html