Ogden city council has planned a work session for a proposed pit bull ordinance for September 28.
The proposed ordinance is posted online here (or scroll down to read the breed-specific portion).
COUNCIL TO HOLD FACT FINDING WORK SESSION REGARDING PROPOSED PIT BULL REGULATIONS
News Advisory
For Immediate Release: September 14, 2010
Office of the Ogden City Council
2549 Washington Blvd Suite 320
Ogden, Utah 84401
Contact: Amy Sue Mabey
Phone: (801)629-8629
Fax: (801)629-8733The Ogden City Council will hold a Fact Finding Work Session on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 to discuss a proposed ordinance regulating pit bulls.
The meeting will begin directly after the City Council Meeting which begins at 6:00 p.m. It will be held in the Ogden City Council Chambers, Room 340, at the Ogden Municipal Building on 2549 Washington Boulevard.
This Fact Finding session is designed as a forum for education and discussion regarding the proposed ordinance. Presenters from the Administration and the community will share their varying perspectives and experience on the subject. Four (4) presenters will address the Council:
- Bob Geier, Ogden City Animal Services Manager, who will highlight the purpose and need for the regulations based on the Administration’s experience
- Mara Brown, Chief Deputy City Attorney, who will describe the proposed ordinance and how it addresses the Administration’s issues and concerns
- Hank Greenwood, President of the American Dog Breeders Association, Inc., who will discuss the potential impacts of the proposed ordinance and identify any specific concerns or recommendations he may have based on his professional experience
- Melissa Lipani, Campaign Coordinator Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dog, who will also discuss the potential impacts of the proposed ordinance and identify any specific concerns or recommendations she may have based on her professional experience
At the conclusion of the presentations the Administration will provide any needed clarification and respond to questions the Council may have.
Citizens will then have the opportunity to express their ideas and views, with comments being limited to three (3) minutes. Comment cards will also be available and submitted comments will be distributed to members of the City Council.
A copy of the proposed ordinance is available online (click here). As additional information regarding this topic becomes available it will be posted on the Council’s microsite at http://councilmeetings.ogdencity.com.
For any additional information, please contact Janene Eller-Smith, Ogden City Council Policy Analyst, janeneeller@ogdencity.com ; 801-629-8165. ###
The breed-specific portion of the proposed ordinance reads as follows:
13-2-11: [PIT BULL TERRIERS:]
A. [Definitions:]
PIT BULL TERRIER: “Pit bull terrier,” or “pit bull,” as used in this section, means any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, “Red Nose” Pit, “Blue Nose” Pit, or any dog of mixed breed displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds; any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds; or any dog identifiable as having those traits and or characteristics by a licensed veterinarian, Ogden City Animal Control officer, or other knowledgeable person whose identification is deemed credible by Ogden City Animal Control Services. The standards for the above breeds are available from the Ogden City Animal Control Services office. Excepted from this definition is any dog with proof by written certification or written notice from a veterinarian licensed in the state of Utah that the dog does not contain in its lineage any American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
B. [Requirements for Pit Bull Terriers:]
1. The owner of a pit bull, or the owner of the premises on which the pit bull is usually kept, shall obtain and maintain liability insurance in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), proof of which shall be furnished to the City at the time of licensing.
2. In the event the pit bull is usually kept on premises owned by someone other than the owner of the pit bull, the owner of the pit bull must obtain written permission from the landlord or property owner to keep the pit bull on such premises, which shall be filed with the City at the time of licensing.
3. The owner, keeper, or harborer of a pit bull shall agree to inspection of the pit bull and the premises where such pit bull is being kept to ensure compliance with this section.
4. The owner, keeper, or harborer of a pit bull shall notify the division immediately if such dog is loose, is unconfined, or has attacked another animal or a human being. If the pit bull has died, been sold or given away, the owner shall notify the division by the end of the next business day and shall also provide the division with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner of the pit bull.
5. A pit bull shall be implanted with microchip identification at the owner’s expense as a requirement of licensing.
6. A pit bull shall be confined securely indoors, or if outdoors, shall be confined in a secure kennel of adequate dimensions, or in a yard completely enclosed by proper fence materials, with secured gates, and of sufficient height and condition to restrain any dog contained therein. When not confined indoors, or in a secure kennel or yard, a pit bull shall at all times be under the control of a person capable of restraining the dog, and shall be restrained by a chain or leash adequate for the breed and behavior of the dog.
7. Signs shall be displayed in prominent places where the pit bull is owned, kept, or harbored, with a minimum size of ten (10) inches high by fourteen (14) inches wide, using the words “Beware of Dog.”
8. Any owner, keeper, or harborer of a pit bull who violates any requirement of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor subject to penalty as provided in Title 1, Chapter 4 of this Code.
C. [Grandfather Provision:]
The requirements enacted for pit bulls in section 13-2-11 shall not be applicable to any pit bull licensed in Ogden City as of [insert the date of passage of this ordinance] if such pit bull is continuously licensed in accordance with the provisions of this title for the lifetime of the pit bull, and there are no violations of the provisions of this title involving such pit bull.
SECTION 4. Effective date. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon posting after final passage.
A big thank you to Lena for the info!
City Council contact information
Council Office Main Line (801) 629-8153
Email the entire city council: http://www.ogdencity.com/contact_us.aspx?subject=City Council Microsite Correspondence&did={49F5D794-D021-415F-80C3-C1E6FA8C10E6}
Previous alerts and info about Ogden:
http://stopbsl.com/2009/07/11/reminder-ogden-ut-council-will-not-vote/
http://stopbsl.com/2009/06/19/ogden-ut-pit-bull-owners-say-ordinance-discriminates/
http://stopbsl.com/2009/04/15/ogden-ut-pit-bull-ban-to-be-discussed-by-city-council-june-18-530-pm/
http://stopbsl.com/2009/04/02/ogden-ut-ogden-delays-pit-bull-debate/
http://stopbsl.com/2009/03/29/ogden-ut-bsl-proposed/
Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 