Tag Archives: adoption

Ashtabula, OH: Council exempts adopted dogs from breed ban

Ashtabula council has passed a revised dog ordinance that allows residents to keep “pit bulls” in town IF and ONLY IF the dog was adopted from the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (APL). Additionally, APL must attest that the “pit bull” is and has never been human or animal aggressive; and the “pit bull” must be neutered, microchipped, and registered with APL and with the county.

All other “pit bulls” will continue to be banned in Ashtabula. We are sorely disappointed that the council did not completely repeal the breed ban. This “compromise” is unnecessarily complicated and arbitrary.

We believe this is the version of the ordinance that passed: Ashtabula Proposed Vicious Dog / Pit Bull Law

Please RESPECTFULLY contact Ashtabula city council, thank them for taking the first step, and ask them to please fully repeal the city’s breed ban.

City Council, 4717 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
Phone: (440) 992-7119
Fax:(440) 998-4457
Council Clerk email: lavetteh@cityofashtabula.com
PLEASE ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL WHEN YOU CORRESPOND WITH COUNCIL.

City Council lifts ban on pit bulls if they are adopted from APL

By SHELLEY TERRY – Star Beacon
August 21, 2012

ASHTABULA — City Council on Monday lifted a ban on owning or harboring a pit bull, but only if the dog is adopted from the Animal Protective League, and has been determined by that organization to be neither people-aggressive nor animal aggressive. […]

Full article retrieved 8/26/12 from http://starbeacon.com/locvid/x257412694/City-Council-lifts-ban-on-pit-bulls-if-they-are-adopted-from-APL

Ashtabula, OH: Council will consider breed ban semi-repeal, Aug 20

This issue (below) will be discussed and possibly voted on during the August 20 council meeting. It failed to pass during the August 6 council meeting.

Ashtabula, OH, has a breed ban on “pit bulls,” defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and any mixed breed of such, and any dog that looks like a pit bull.

Rather than repeal their ban completely, Ashtabula will consider allowing residents to keep “pit bulls” in town IF and ONLY IF the dog was adopted from the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (APL). Additionally, APL must attest that the “pit bull” is and has never been human or animal aggressive; and the “pit bull” must be neutered, microchipped, and registered with APL and with the county.

While we appreciate the efforts that APL has made to try to repeal the ban and improve “pit bull” adoption rates, the city’s “compromise” falls seriously short in many ways: enforcement will be a bureaucratic nightmare, residents won’t grasp the superficial distinction between a “legal pit bull” and a “banned pit bull,” and, when it’s all said and done, it’s STILL BSL, it’s STILL a breed ban, and people are STILL being discriminated against based solely on what their dog looks like.

The current draft of Ashtabula’s proposed dog ordinance can be read here (received from city clerk, 7-17-2012, and subject to change): Ashtabula Proposed Vicious Dog / Pit Bull Law

Please RESPECTFULLY contact Ashtabula city council, thank them for taking the first step, explain why their “compromise” falls short, and ask them to please fully repeal the city’s breed ban.

City Council, 4717 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
Phone: (440) 992-7119
Fax:(440) 998-4457
Council Clerk email: lavetteh@cityofashtabula.com
PLEASE ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL WHEN YOU CORRESPOND WITH COUNCIL.

Pit bull decision to wait

August 7, 2012
By SHELLEY TERRY – Star Beacon

ASHTABULA — […] City Council failed by a 4-3 vote to repeal an ordinance which outlaws pit bulls. As a result, the measure must go at least one more meeting, taking it to Aug. 20.

[…] The new legislation, if it passes Aug. 20, will more broadly define a vicious dog as “any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals.”

[…] Pit bulls would still be banned from the city, unless the pit bull is adopted from the APL and has been determined to be a non-aggressive canine.

Full article retrieved 8/19/12 from http://starbeacon.com/local/x1402348350/Pit-bull-decision-to-wait

Ashtabula, OH: City to keep breed ban, except for adopted dogs

Ashtabula, OH, has a breed ban on “pit bulls,” defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and any mixed breed of such, and any dog that looks like a pit bull.

The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (APL) has been pushing the city to repeal its breed ban so that APL can adopt out “pit bull”-looking dogs throughout the county. The city of Ashtabula has agreed to compromise with APL… sort of.

Rather than repeal their ban completely, Ashtabula has agreed to allow residents to keep “pit bulls” in town IF and ONLY IF the dog was adopted from APL. Additionally, APL must attest that the “pit bull” is and has never been human or animal aggressive; and the “pit bull” must be neutered, microchipped, and registered with APL and with the county.

While we appreciate the efforts that APL has made to try to repeal the ban and improve “pit bull” adoption rates, the city’s “compromise” falls seriously short in many ways: enforcement will be a bureaucratic nightmare, residents won’t grasp the superficial distinction between a “legal pit bull” and a “banned pit bull,” and, when it’s all said and done, it’s STILL BSL, it’s STILL a breed ban, and people are STILL being discriminated against based solely on what their dog looks like.

The current draft of Ashtabula’s proposed dog ordinance can be read here (received from city clerk, 7-17-2012, and subject to change): Ashtabula Proposed Vicious Dog / Pit Bull Law

Please RESPECTFULLY contact Ashtabula city council, thank them for taking the first step, explain why their “compromise” falls short, and ask them to please fully repeal the city’s breed ban.

City Council, 4717 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
Phone: (440) 992-7119
Fax:(440) 998-4457
Council Clerk email: lavetteh@cityofashtabula.com
PLEASE ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL WHEN YOU CORRESPOND WITH COUNCIL.

Cumberland County, NC: Breed-specific no-adopt policy proposal dropped

We encourage residents and locals in Cumberland County to remain engaged and involved with the Animal Control Board in order to address the problems that prompted this proposal in the first place.

The board’s new suggestion that animal control do a better job of vetting people who want to adopt “bully breeds” is still breed-specific and potentially discriminatory. There’s no reason why more careful vetting of adopters shouldn’t be done for all dogs, regardless of their appearance, to ensure they are all being placed with responsible owners.

Sarge Wolf-Stringer also makes some excellent points about adoption processes that are breed-specific:

When we make dogs like pit bulls “special,” we make them different. Different becomes deviant. Adopters don’t want “deviant” dogs, they want family pets, so those dogs are less likely to get adopted. […] If the issues facing Cumberland County are reckless owners who fail to control/contain/maintain their dogs, then why are they punishing responsible people who want to adopt a shelter dog (chances are, the reckless owners who allow their dogs to behave dangerously did NOT adopt those dogs from shelters in the first place)? […] Here is some info to get started: http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/pages/RESOURCES_FOR_HUMANE_COMMUNITIES

No Kill Nation has expressed similar concerns, noting that more restrictive adoption policies are likely to decrease adoptions without actually addressing the irresponsible dog owners that created this problem.

Bully breed proposal dropped; Cumberland board urges better vetting of dog owners

By Gregory Phillips
Staff writer

Faced with a 100-strong crowd who condemned the demonizing of certain dog breeds, the Cumberland County Animal Control Board backed away Monday night from a move to limit adoptions of some breeds from the county shelter.

Instead, the board directed Dr. John Lauby, the animal control director, to look into ways the county can more carefully vet the people who adopt animals from the shelter to ensure they’ll be responsible owners.

[…] After hearing from some 15 speakers, Chairman Cris Berry-Caban moved to amend the board’s recommendation from October to instead suggest that animal control start checking into the suitability of people seeking to adopt so-called “bully breeds” of dogs. […]

Full article retrieved 12/6/11 from http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/12/06/1142020?sac=Local

All alerts for Cumberland County: http://stopbsl.com/?s=cumberland+county

Effects of BSL: Rescue groups struggle to save targeted dogs

Two recent articles examine the effects that BSL has had on adoption and rescue efforts for homeless dogs, in Ohio and Ontario respectively.

Ohio state law considers all “pit bulls” to be “vicious” dogs. Ohio shelters and rescue groups have a difficult time finding new homes for “pit bulls” because of the added restrictions on “pit bull” ownership.

‘Pit bull’ status at pounds often means death

BY CLAUDIA BOYD-BARRETT
BLADE STAFF WRITER

WASHINGTON — […] Strict state laws regarding ownership of “pit bulls” coupled with widespread public mistrust of the general breed have made it extremely difficult to find homes for these animals. That, together with an overabundance of “pit bulls” because of overbreeding and abandonment, means that when such dogs enter a pound they are the least likely to leave. […]

Full article retrieved 8/1/11 from http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/07/31/Untitled-BR81C7OU-07S.html

In Ontario, Canada, “pit bulls” are banned, but banned dogs can be moved out of Ontario into areas of Canada where they are not banned. The result is a sort of “underground railroad” for dogs. Calgary groups have put forth notable efforts to get dogs out of Ontario and into new homes.

Calgarians help rescue banned Ont. pit bulls

Michael Wood, Calgary Sun
First posted: Sunday, July 31, 2011 3:08:32 MDT PM

For the huddled masses of pitbulls yearning to breathe free from Ontario’s strict breed ban, Alberta might just be their Liberty Island.

Canine refugees — victims of Breed Specific Legislation that has effectively banned their kind since 2005 — have been finding new homes in the prairies where they are welcomed with open arms.[…]

Full article 8/1/11 from http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/07/31/calgarians-help-rescue-banned-ont-pit-bulls

Both articles share a common theme: breed-specific laws are not only ineffective at improving public safety, they also condemn innocent pets to death. BSL adds another layer of difficulty onto the struggles of shelters and rescue groups who are trying to save adoptable dogs.

Des Moines, IA: “Vicious pit bulls” okayed for adoption

Previous alerts for Des Moines: http://stopbsl.com/?s=des+moines

In Des Moines, all “pit bulls” are subject to “vicious dog” regulations. While I am always supportive of efforts to save the lives of innocent dogs, I find it extremely hypocritical that Des Moines is saying all “pit bulls” are vicious (per the law), and also saying not all “pit bulls” are vicious (because they are suitable for adoption).

Des Moines ordinance tweak spares some vicious dogs

By JARED STRONG • jstrong@dmreg.com • July 27, 2010

The Des Moines City Council unanimously approved Monday a change to the city’s vicious dog ordinance that would spare some of the animals from being euthanized.

Read the rest of the story here: 

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100727/NEWS/7270366/Des-Moines-ordinance-tweak-spares-some-vicious-dogs

Toledo, OH: “Pit bull” adoption approved by Humane Society

A small step forward, but state law complicates matters significantly. The Humane Society will only allow two “pit bulls” for adoption at any one time, and adopting one of these dogs costs more, takes more time, and comes with extra steps and requirements.

Pit bull adoption approved by Humane Society

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Reversing a policy in place for many years, the Toledo Area Humane Society (TAHS) has decided to begin adopting out pit bulls.

Article retrieved 4/22/10 from http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7398893