Tag Archives: vicious dog

Newark OH – Council May Vote On Vicious Dog Measure Tonight

Posted on November 5, 2012 by | 1 comment

REMINDER:

NEWARK — City Council could take final action tonight on a proposal to change the city’s vicious dog law by removing pit bulls from the automatic status of vicious or dangerous dog, while still establishing special rules for pit bull breeds.

Council will meet at 7:00 P.M. this evening, this is a second reading of the measure that would require pit bull type dogs to be restricted by a kennel with a lid, a tether or behind a 6-foot fence.

The vote is expected to end in a tie, requiring Council President, Don Ellington, to vote.

Councilman Rath introduced the compromised measure for pit bull type dogs, but other Council members, such as Bill Cost have stated they cannot support the measure as written.

The city’s safety director and animal control officer have both recommended keeping Newark’s current law which automatically identifies any dog deemed ‘pit bull’ to be a vicious dog.

Contact info for public officials—please remember to be respectful—and also be aware that resident input will have the MOST impact on this issue.
DEllingt@newarkohio.net;
JRath@newarkohio.net;
BCostjr@newarkohio.net;
rhonda.loomis@newarkohio.net;
MDGuthrie@newarkohio.net;
DFrost@newarkohio.net; RBubb@newarkohio.net; Dmarmie@newarkohio.net; EHoudesh@newarkohio.net;
CFloyd@newarkohio.net;
SStare@newarkohio.net;
DHufford@newarkohio.net

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Posted in BSL, Ohio, Proposal to Repeal

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Gering NE – Pit Bull Ban Considered By Council

Posted on October 25, 2012 by | 3 comments

Gering Councilman Dan Smith told other Council members at their last meeting that other communities have breed specific bans.  He cited pit bulls and rottweilers has having dangerous reputations.

Councilman Larry Gibbs said council had opted not to ban specific breeds in the past, instead focus on vicious and dangerous dogs.  But, he feels the current ordinance does require that a history or incident would have to occur for an animal to be deemed dangerous or vicious.

Gerring’s current Vicious and Dangerous Dog ordinance permits a dog deemed dangerous to be returned to its owner, but the dog must be leashed and muzzled, or an officer responding to an event involving the dog could immediately dispatch the dog.

Questions were raised concerning who determines a dog dangerous under the current ordinance.  According to Police Captain George Holthus, prior City Prosecutors have required that a judge be involved when declaring dogs vicious or dangerous, however current prosecutors believe that police can deem dogs vicious and put into step the next proceedings.

Councilwoman Monette Ross supported the theory that pit bulls are dangerous dogs.  “You can’t count on what it is going to do, one minute it is just sitting there and the next thing, it is a killing machine.”

Smith asked that a proposal for designing a breed-specific ban go before the public safety committee.

Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE correspondence to:

Mayor EDWIN MAYO
Email to:  mayormayo@gering.org

WARD I Council Members:
JOYCE HILLMAN-KORTUM
DAN SMITH
WARD II:
REBECCA SHIELDS
  
DON CHRISTENSEN

WARD III:
LARRY GIBBS
Email to:  lgibbs@gering.org 

JULIE MORRISON
WARD IV:

JILL MCFARLAND
Email to:  jmcfarland@gering.org 
 
MANUEL ESCAMILLA
Email to:  mescamilla@gering.org

CHIEF OF POLICE

Mel Griggs


 

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Posted in BSL, Nebraska, Whispers of BSL

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Sonoma, CA – Vicious Dogs Ordinance on Agenda

Posted on October 12, 2012 by | Comments Off on Sonoma, CA – Vicious Dogs Ordinance on Agenda

Council members will take up a proposed ordinance at the next meeting on Monday, October 15th, 2012.  The ordinance would define a vicious dog as one that without provocation severely injures or kills a person or other animal.  Owners of vicious dogs would be required to keep them locked up or muzzled when out.

While Sonoma does not have a history of vicious dogs or attacks, Mayor Joanne Sanders* sparked a negative response last year when she stated publicly that she would support an outright ban on pit bulls after the death of a pit bull owner in Pacifica.
*Sanders has chosen not to pursue a 3rd term as Mayor

Sanders asked city staff to review Sonoma’s current animal ordinance and draft a new ordinance that residents would support.

The new draft requires that owners of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs would have to obtain liability insurance and show proof they could pay damages up to $50,000.   Bob Edward, President of Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Guardians said that his group supports the proposed changes, adding that the new ordinance provides due process for owners.  “The current ordinance doesn’t even provide for a hearing,” he said.  “Whoever decides the dog is vicious is the decider.”

 

 

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Posted in California, Community Initiatives, Insurance, Non-BSL Proposed

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Kingsford Michigan – BSL Exception

Posted on September 18, 2012 by | Comments Off on Kingsford Michigan – BSL Exception

John Ketola requires a service animal, unfortunately for John, his dog is 25% Staffordshire Terrier.  According to the city of Kingsford’s 1987 ordinance banning all pit bulls, including mixed or partial breeds, that’s a problem.

Mr. Ketola petitioned the Council for exception based on the unique issue relative to information submitted to City Attorney, Bruce Brouillette.  Brouillette examined the federal statute then issued a recommendation to Council to approve the exception for Ketola’s service dog.

Council agreed at Monday evenings public meeting, however they attached severe limitations and requirements for Mr. Ketola, such as requiring the service dog be securely confined within the Ketola home or in a secure outdoor enclosure with sides, top and permanent bottom and that such enclosure be secured to prevent a minor from entering on his or her own accord.  Also when Mr. Ketola has his service dog in public, the dog must be leashed ona harness and under the direct control of Mr. Ketola.

Related to the Kingsford ban, city resident Mark Wiederrecht provided information countering the ban’s constitutionality and argued it is unnecessary as the city has general ordinances dealing with vicious and dangerous dogs.  Several citizens spoke publicly at the last nights meeting opposing the continuation of the 25 year old ban.

However, City Attorney Brouillette contends the ban is constitutional and valid. Council members continue to raise safety issues and Mayor Michael Flaminio said the committee that was formed in June recommended to make no changes to the ban, but they continue to look at the issue.

Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE correspondence to officials in Kingsford at:

Mayor/Councilman Michael Flaminio

Mayor Pro-tem/Councilman Dennis Baldinelli

Councilwoman Cynthia Dixon-Miller

Councilman Jeff Pearson

Councilman Brian Smeester
Email: briansmeester@yahoo.com

All other officials can be contacted with general correspondence directed to:
Phone – 906-774-3526
Email – info@cityofkingsford.com
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/536776/Kingsford-OK-s-pit-bull-exception.html?nav=5002

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Posted in BSL, Michigan, Results of BSL

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