Animal ban dies at board meeting





By: Don Thomason - The Sentinel-Record -
Published: 12/02/2009
 
Dog breeds commonly known as “pit bulls” received a reprieve from the Hot
Springs Board of Directors Tuesday night when an ordinance that would have
banned them from the city died for lack of a second.

After the ordinance was read, District 1 Director Peggy Maruthur made a motion
to adopt the ordinance, but Mayor Mike Bush’s request for a second was greeted
by silence from the board members.

A second request by Bush for a second to Maruthur’s motion drew the same
response and when he declared the ordinance dead, the crowd of about 100
citizens on hand to voice their opinions.
 
http://www.hotsr.com/news/Hot-Springs-FYI/2009/12/02/animal-ban-dies-at-board-me\
eting-26.php


Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys 
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Please send your POLITE AND RESPECTFUL opposition to breed specific legislation
to the Clinton officials listed below.  E-mail addresses are not available for
the majority of the city officials.  However, your letters, suggestions,
and alternatives may be sent via fax to the city clerk, Patricia Van Loo, with
a polite request to forward to the individual council members and the mayor.
 
Jodi Preis
www.blessthebullys.com
 
 
City of Clinton
City Hall
611 South 3rd Street
P.O. Box 2958
Clinton, IA  52733-2958
 
Phone: (563) 242-2144    
Fax: (563) 242-3215
 




Administration

(563)242-2144

Mayor
Rodger Holm

City Administrator
Jeffrey Horne

City Attorney
Paul Walter

City Clerk
Patricia Van Loo
 
City Councilman Mike Kearney
kearney@...
 
City Councilman Mark Vulich**
councilmanmark@...
 
Councilmember Robert Soesbe
Councilmember Darrell Smith
Councilmember Paul Gassman
Councilmember Ronald Mallicoat
Councilmember Bette Oakley
 
**Councilman Vulich is the official proposing the study of a breed specific
ordinance.
 
 
Councilman wants to study possible pit bull ban
By Jason Nevel
Herald Staff Writer

CLINTON — A report last month that two pit bulls killed a Clinton
resident’s dog has sparked Clinton officials to consider banning the breed in
town.

At-Large Councilman Mark Vulich requested the measure for today’s Rules and
Regulations Committee in response to the death of Hailey, Connie Crandall’s
dog.

At this point, Vulich said the council is a long ways from banning pit bulls but
he wanted to put the measure on the agenda to direct city staff to see what
other municipalities across Iowa are doing to monitor the issue.

“I thought in fairness to her it was worth discussing what we can do and what
other cities have done,” said Vulich, who added that he was not sure if the
measure was even possible. “The first thing I want to do before I form an
opinion is I want to see what has been done and what can be done.”

The issue would likely head back to the committee next month before being voted
on by the full council, which is set to change in January.

The information obtained from the review would help the council decide what to
do with current pit bulls owners.

Vulich said he was unsure if other towns forced owners to get rid of their pit
bulls or if they’re grandfathered in and the ban would apply to all future
dogs.

“We're going to gather information and the new members will have it to decide
if they want to do anything with it,” he said.

Police Chief Brian Guy said he has noticed the number of pit bulls in Clinton
increase in the past decade but added it is up to the council to decide if a ban
is needed.

Crandall could not be reached for comment but in a letter to the editor
published in the Clinton Herald she wrote that the terrible accident may have
been prevented with laws that prevent the ownership of vicious breeds of dogs
such as pit bulls.

Jean Regenwether, administrator at the Clinton Humane Society, said not all pit
bulls are vicious animals but owners need to pay close attention to them.

“People own pit bulls, and they’re wonderful breeds to have around,”
Regenwether said. “But people need to be aware of the activity in their
neighborhood.”

In other action, the committee will review a plan to scale back the burning
schedule for leaves and other items growing on residents’ property. The time
frames proposed would be March 15 to May 1 and Oct. 1 to Nov. 30.

At its last meeting, the committee also discussed limiting recreational burning
to between noon and midnight and that all recreational burns be contained in a
3-foot fire bowl or metal ring.

The committee will meet at City Hall on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
 
http://www.clintonherald.com/local/local_story_335105713.html




Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys 
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The�Board of Directors of Hot Springs, Arkansas�will consider an ordinance
TONIGHT ---�December 1, 2009 ---�that, if adopted, would ban ownership of "pit
bulls" within the city limits.
�
Board meetings begin�at 7:00 p.m. and are held at�Board Chambers in the Hot
Springs�Municipal Building.


�

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys�
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Permission to Cross-Post

 

--- On Tue, 11/24/09, Michele Smith <msmith@...> wrote:


From: Michele Smith <msmith@...>
Subject: FW: Possible appointment to Director position of Chicago Animal Care
and Control
To: "Dropfred13@..." <Dropfred13@...>, "jodi_preis@..."
<jodi_preis@...>
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 11:46 PM













This message below is from the Alliance of Chicagoland Pet Owners, and concerns
a potentially critical decision regarding the choice for Chicago's new Director
of Animal Care and Control. Permission to forward and crosspost granted.

Margo Milde

 




A message from the Alliance of Chicagoland Pet Owners - Please read, phone, and
crosspost widely!
 
Permission to Crosspost WIDELY….NOW!!!!! Time sensitive material!!!!
 
CHICAGO ALERT: Tuesday November 24, 2009  5:30pm

We have just been notified that the Mayor of Chicago is in the process of
placing a name for appointment to the position of Chicago Director of Animal
Care and Control.  The position is presently being held by Acting Director
Sandra Alfred.  The information we have is that the new appointment Mayor Daley
is about to present to the city council for approval, possibly as early as
tomorrow November 25th, 2009 is Ms. Cherie Travis JD.  She is Associate
Director, Center for Animal Law at DePaul University .  Her Bio states that she
has an extensive background in animal welfare (we know it is Animal RIGHTS) and
animal law.
 

It is well known that she has worked very closely with PAWS and HSUS in their
initiatives to push Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Chicago in the past.  A credible
source has stated that the mayor’s office could have taken anyone from across
the country to fill this position in animal control, and Mr. Craft who works in
the Animal Care and Control department at this time would be the right and most
logical person to be appointed to fill the position, SO WHY CHERIE TRAVIS???
There are Animal Rights related politics at work and we MUST get this stopped if
we want to keep Chicago as the pet-friendly city that we know it to be!
 

Anyone in the city of Chicago and anyone who can help must call/ FAX/ EMAIL the
numbers below tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. If you own a pet, and
live in the City, you definitely should call! If you work or shop in City, or
visit friends or relatives in the City, or attend dog shows, training class, or
a vet clinic in the City, you also should call!!! Finally, if you live outside
the city, but have a friend or relative in the City, please pass this message on
to them. The most important number to call is definitely the MAYOR of Chicago,
Richard Daley.
 

We need help now!!!  This appointment if it is approved will mean that
Mandatory Spay/Neuter might be a very real possibility in the City of Chicago in
the near future, since Cheri is politically close to the backers of Mandatory
Spay/Neuter in the City of Chicago.  PLEASE CALL TOMORROW MORNING!
 

Thank you in advance,

ACPO- Alliance of Chicagoland Pet Owners
 

Below are numbers to phone or Fax, and email addresses, to say NO to Cheri
Travis as Director of Chicago Animal Care and Control!
 
MAYOR DALEY
312 744 3300
Direct to His Honor’s Office
 
Alderman Gene Schulter
312-744-4021
312-744-1509 FAX
ward47@...
 
Alderman Ed Burke
312-744-3380
312-744-5932 FAX
Email to aide:  vmirabelli@...
 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I had to share this.....A friend and I were stopped once just because
he could see the crates in the van.  And then said we had went over
the line. (which did not happen)

Stacy Young
Select Kennel
Ordway, Colorado

permission to cross post widely PLEASE


Marie A Fiore
Brookhaven KC LI, NY

The 10 Year Celebration Magnolia Classic

Jack Russell Terrier Trial I and II
November 14 and 15, 2009
Germantown Charity Horseshow Grounds
Germantown, Tennessee
Everyone needs to know that a dog club member was stopped by police near
Birmingham, AL on the way to the Magnolia Classic Trial. The actual law
enforcement officer was a sheriff's captain for Jefferson County.
They held her
for 45 minutes on the side of the road with 6 patrol cars flashing red
lights. She was treated like a criminal. She and her daughter were both very
frightened by the way they were treated. The policeman asked her if she knew
why she was stopped and she told them, "No I don't". He said, "I stopped
you because I saw you had dogs in your truck". Her dogs were in secured
kennels elevated by a table in the back of her truck to be near the topper
windows. Equipment was then stored under the table.

They said she didn't have water in the dog crates. She explained she had
just stopped at a rest stop, let all the dogs go to the bath room, offered
them water and they didn't do well with water in the cups while the truck
moved. Then she poured water in the cups and none of the dogs drank. He then
said that the back of the truck was not air-conditioned. She pointed out
that the temps were 58 at the time. Then he said she had inadequate
ventilation. She told him the dog's hair was moving as they traveled
and there was
plenty of ventilation.

He wanted to know where she was taking the dogs and why they were in her
truck. She told him she was headed to a dog show. He asked where the show
was taking place. She stammered and he was sure she was lying. He asked for
documentation to prove she was attending a dog show and proof that she was
entered as a contestant. She didn't have a flyer so she told him to go the
JRTCA web site and the trial would be listed. He called his main office and
had someone go on line to view the site. He told her if she was going to a
dog show why didn't' she have entry forms with her. She told him that she
was going to enter when she arrived.

He looked in the van and asked about the research foundation equipment.
She told him what it was and he stated it looked like drug paraphernalia to
him. She showed him paper work for the DNA study to prove the equipment was
for legitimate purposes.

He told her he wasn't convinced that it was a proper way to carry her dogs
and he was going to call animal control to come and investigate. When he
called them they said they couldn't come for an hour and a half so he took
photos of her truck and dogs to show to animal control so animal control
could decide if her set up is acceptable or not. They informed her they had
all her information and knew how to contact her if animal control decided her
set up was inadequate. Fortunately, animal control couldn't come
immediately so they let her go.

She had forgotten her brief case with her rabies certificates in them. It
was the greatest good fortune that they failed to ask. You all need to know
that in many areas animal terrorist (nothing they do is right) groups are
in control of animal welfare and of animal control.

During this event they would not let her daughter get out of the car to
smoke a cigarette. One officer went to the side of the car after she asked
and stood there to prevent her from leaving the vehicle. She became very
frightened and called her father. Then she heard them tell the others to turn
off the cameras and she became even more afraid. Both were made to feel like
they were in a third world country because they had dogs in the car.


********************************************************************************\
****************************************************
The following are some of the things that are critical to know to keep you
& your animals safe:

1. Dog owners need to be alerted to the current climate. Please understand
this current outrage may be the direct result of the influence of animal
activist groups disguised as animal welfare groups. Law enforcement is on
board with them in many areas because they view them as experts. HSUS gives
law enforcement positive press. HSUS donates money to many reelection
campaigns. Some officials have been given nice jobs with HSUS when
they retired
from public office.

Animal Terrorists are succeeding in getting laws passed that restrict our
freedoms of animal ownership. Their influence is sometimes apparent among
public officials at every level including law enforcement and animal
control.

If you read Saul Alinsky - "Rules for Radicals" you will see the method
they use to enact new laws that seem so warm-and-fuzzy but in reality are
aimed directly at each of us. They don't want us to have (pet owners you are
not exempt) or breed animals and they are willing to do anything to stop us
- lie, cheat, steal.

According to Alinsky "Rules for Radicals", to affect radical change,
First: you create a problem (out of thin air). Animal Terrorists have created
the language which includes the term "puppy mill", "back yard Breeder", "hobby
breeder", "vanity breeder", "basement breeder". The uninformed jump on the
band wagon and the next thing you know commercial breeders just breed
another litter of pups to offset new costs while you and I are forced
to become
criminals, give up our dogs, or to sign away our constitutional rights in
order to have a dog.

2. Keep your dog papers in your vehicle when you travel with your animals.
I can't stress this enough. I've been guilty of driving without them but
no more. It could cost you thousands of dollars, or worse you could lose
your dogs. Your dogs could be taken into custody to a pound till you could get
your papers to show authorities. You would be powerless to stop them.
Meanwhile, no telling what they would be subjected to in that environment.
Further, some communities/ states have laws that state any animal
confiscated and
taken to a shelter must be spayed or neutered before it is returned. These
things might be fought against in court but your animals would already be
spayed or neutered, or even euthanized, before you could win in court. It
has happened to others. Eventually some others have won in court but their
animals were all already dead, spayed, neutered, and/or sold to pet people
that "rescued" them from the shelter (who happened to make a chunk of change
off your stolen dogs and from the PR of having "rescued" them).

3. Stay Street-Legal. Make sure your car is travel worthy before any trip.
No lights burned out, no out-of-date inspection sticker, etc. Give them no
reason to stop you for a minor infraction. The constitution still protects
us against illegal search and seizure without probable cause. Above all DO
NOT SPEED. If you are in a big hurry, leave earlier. Giving the police a
right to stop you under color of law has officially just gotten way more
expensive.

Apparently our fellow club member was stopped unconstitutionally - IMO.
Right or wrong, she was victimized only because they could see her dogs in
her car. It is a sad state of affairs when our constitutional rights can be
violated because we have a visible dog in the car. Sadly, you might have to
consider this when you get your next vehicle.

4. Buy or borrow a video camera. Video tape your dogs kennels, the
condition of the kennel, your dogs' condition, water containers, bedding, etc.
Have a video of your dogs competing at a dog show. If animal control shows up
video tape the entire event. If they take your dogs, go to the shelter &
video tape the place they take them if possible. One fellow in AL with show
pit bulls did this and he got his dogs back.

5. Keep a contact person's number in your cell phone. If you get into a
situation like the one that happened near Birmingham you might need someone
to call that can send help. We need to develop a system of hot lines through
out the country so a volunteer in each state or area could come to help in
an emergency.

6. JRTCA members and the Magnolia Group should join with the My Dog My
Choice members and contact the elected state officials for AL and the
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce &/or Jefferson County officials to
lodge a formal
written complaint. We need to organize a letter writing campaign. I will
create a sample letter and get us addresses to use. Email me at
<mailto:_mbyrd@...>_mbyrd@centurytel. net_
(mailto:mbyrd@centurytel.. net) for this information.

If an area gets the reputation of being in an unsafe place for dog owners
to travel, exhibitors will not attend events in that area. The person that
had been victimized went home through Birmingham after dark and went to a
different town to spend the night because she was afraid. Even then she was
afraid in the motel so close to the area.

It is bad for the local economy to lose a source of revenue. How many
people would go to the GA trial, for instance, if they worried about traveling
through AL? Dollars spent in a community roll over 9 times in that area.

Having a dog in the car does not automatically make us criminals and
remove our 4th amendment rights against illegal search and seizure.

7. Just so you know, TN is the state where police shot a man's dog and
victimized his family when he accidentally left his wallet on top of his car.
They thought the money blowing off was evidence that he was a robber. The
man has won a suit in court over it but his dog is dead, his wife and
children are traumatized and his knee is permanently injured.

In LA a man's pit bulls were taken and killed within 24 hours. He proved
he was innocent in court but all his animals were already dead. He is suing.

The newest hype they are introducing as another "First create a problem"
is the idea that dogs have a larger carbon foot print than an SUV. Think that
is too far out to be believed or to matter? Will you still think so if
they pass a law which requires you to pay a Cap and Trade tax to keep your
dog, or a national limit on the size and number of dogs you can own?

You can't begin to imagine the things I'm reading about the victimization
of animal owners & the loss of our freedom of animal ownership in
communities all over the USA. We must all wake up and become
proactive before it
gets any worse.

Don't be sucked into any of the animal terrorists' agendas (like puppy
mill bills etc). And for heaven's sake don't send money to any of them or let
your families and friends do so. It's not just the commercial breeder. It's
not just the pit bull people. It is not just the other guy. It is your
personal freedom of quiet enjoyment with your animals and it is happening
TODAY. We can stand together or we can all fall one by one. Think about it
please.

--

Seems to me that we are going to have another incident of swatting flies instead
of going after the manure pile!!  The village needs to go after the owners with
big fines and jail!  Manadatory education goes along with this fine.  But, that
is nice thinking....the village will go after the breed mix and another ban is
taking place before our very eyes.  These villages cannot see past their noses,
but then that is government "for the people" not by the people.  The government
doesn't get paid to think!   Enough said!!!
Jan D sadly without Luke
Riverview, FL

-------------- Original message from Jodi Preis <jodi_preis@...>:
--------------



Nothing has been proposed at this time, but the Commission has instructed the
City Manager to compare notes with a nearby town regarding a "vicious breed
ordinance."  Locals need to reach out to the Sturgis officials and offer
educational materials, suggestions, and alternatives before this gets off the
ground.
Jodi


Post office, commission urge review of ordinances






By Terry Katz katz@...
Sturgis Journal
  Tue Nov 24, 2009, 04:18 AM EST

Sturgis, Mich. -

  Residents of West Congress Street from Nottawa to South Clay Street are not
getting mail delivery until two pit bulls leave the neighborhood.

That’s what Tom Picker, delivery supervisor for the Sturgis post office, told
Sturgis city commissioners Monday.

Picker said a few dog owners are getting too lax about their dogs and something
must be done.

Mail deliveries on that block of West Congress were suspended immediately after
a  Nov. 14 pit bull  attack on mail carrier Sherry Hansman of Bronson.

She was mauled by the dog as she crossed a yard during her delivery rounds.

Since the incident, the 3-year-old pit bull belonging to Kipp VanZile has been
quarantined at home.

Surgery onHansman’s right hand was performed last Monday at SturgisHospital.
Picker saidHans­man’s doctor said it’s too early to tell if there’s
permanent damage.

âCœ The bite was to the bone but it did not break the bone,” Picker said.

Hansman must wear a cast for several weeks.

Picker said this wasn’t the first time they have had encounters with the
VanZile dog.

Other carriers have complained and fear for their safety delivering mail.

“ We suspended their mail deliv­ery earlier,” he said. “ They were told
to keep the dogs (two pit bulls) in­side their home with the door shut. This
attack was totally un­provoked.”

When 911 got the call, Picker was notified immediately by dispatch­ers. He
arrived at the scene before the ambulance arrived.

Picker, a former Tri-Township as­sistant fire chief, said, Hansmanwas
“bleeding profusely from her hand.” There was blood on the ground, her
clothes and on the mail that still had to be delivered, he said.

Picker said Rick Sweitzer, the city animal control officer, was off-duty that
day and could not be reached. An attempt to reach Animal Con­trol in
Centreville also failed.

“ Vicious animals don’t take the weekend off,” Picker said. “ This
problem needs to be addressed.”

Public Safety Director Dave Northrop said charges will be filed against the
VanZiles. He also said the police department was un­aware of problems the
carriers were having with dogs.

“ We’re going to start working together on these complaints,” he said.

Sweitzer said last week the VanZiles had been cooperative with authorities after
the incident, and had proof of the dog’s rabies shots.

City commissioners agreed unan­imously to start looking at dog or­dinances
with teeth.

Commissioner Karen Stephens brought copies of ordinances she found through
Michigan Munici­pal League while attending a meet­ing in Lansing.

For the past two years, Stephens said she has received complaints from residents
being chased by dogs.

Commissioners also directed City Manager Mike Hughes to check with the City of
Elkhart about types of enforcement, including a vicious breed ordinance that’s
been under discussion.

“ On that same day, another car­rier had to mace two dogs,” Picker said.
“ Sherry was fortunate that a family member next door was able to pull that
dog off of her by the col­lar. This could have been a much worse situation
today.”


http://www.sturgisjournal.com/news/x2072218547/Post-office-commission-urge-revie\
w-of-ordinances

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Nothing has been proposed at this time, but the Commission has instructed the
City Manager to compare notes with a nearby town regarding a "vicious breed
ordinance."  Locals need to reach out to the Sturgis officials and offer
educational materials, suggestions, and alternatives before this gets off the
ground.
Jodi
 
 
Post office, commission urge review of ordinances



 

 

 
By Terry Katz katz@...
Sturgis Journal
 Tue Nov 24, 2009, 04:18 AM EST
 
Sturgis, Mich. -
 
 Residents of West Congress Street from Nottawa to South Clay Street are not
getting mail delivery until two pit bulls leave the neighborhood.
 
That’s what Tom Picker, delivery supervisor for the Sturgis post office, told
Sturgis city commissioners Monday.
 
Picker said a few dog owners are getting too lax about their dogs and something
must be done.

Mail deliveries on that block of West Congress were suspended immediately after
a  Nov. 14 pit bull  attack on mail carrier Sherry Hansman of Bronson.
 
She was mauled by the dog as she crossed a yard during her delivery rounds.

Since the incident, the 3-year-old pit bull belonging to Kipp VanZile has been
quarantined at home.

Surgery onHansman’s right hand was performed last Monday at SturgisHospital.
Picker saidHans­man’s doctor said it’s too early to tell if there’s
permanent damage.

“ The bite was to the bone but it did not break the bone,” Picker said.

Hansman must wear a cast for several weeks.

Picker said this wasn’t the first time they have had encounters with the
VanZile dog.

Other carriers have complained and fear for their safety delivering mail.

“ We suspended their mail deliv­ery earlier,” he said. “ They were told
to keep the dogs (two pit bulls) in­side their home with the door shut. This
attack was totally un­provoked.”

When 911 got the call, Picker was notified immediately by dispatch­ers. He
arrived at the scene before the ambulance arrived.

Picker, a former Tri-Township as­sistant fire chief, said, Hansmanwas
“bleeding profusely from her hand.” There was blood on the ground, her
clothes and on the mail that still had to be delivered, he said.

Picker said Rick Sweitzer, the city animal control officer, was off-duty that
day and could not be reached. An attempt to reach Animal Con­trol in
Centreville also failed.

“ Vicious animals don’t take the weekend off,” Picker said. “ This
problem needs to be addressed.”

Public Safety Director Dave Northrop said charges will be filed against the
VanZiles. He also said the police department was un­aware of problems the
carriers were having with dogs.

“ We’re going to start working together on these complaints,” he said.

Sweitzer said last week the VanZiles had been cooperative with authorities after
the incident, and had proof of the dog’s rabies shots.

City commissioners agreed unan­imously to start looking at dog or­dinances
with teeth.

Commissioner Karen Stephens brought copies of ordinances she found through
Michigan Munici­pal League while attending a meet­ing in Lansing.

For the past two years, Stephens said she has received complaints from residents
being chased by dogs.

Commissioners also directed City Manager Mike Hughes to check with the City of
Elkhart about types of enforcement, including a vicious breed ordinance that’s
been under discussion.

“ On that same day, another car­rier had to mace two dogs,” Picker said.
“ Sherry was fortunate that a family member next door was able to pull that
dog off of her by the col­lar. This could have been a much worse situation
today.”

 
http://www.sturgisjournal.com/news/x2072218547/Post-office-commission-urge-revie\
w-of-ordinances



Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys 
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Results mixed in Youngstown's pit bull ban

A series of violent attacks in Youngstown, Ohio, led that city to prohibit pit
bulls in 2007.


Advertisement


			 OAS_AD('Middle');


"We certainly had an initial backlash when it was proposed," said Jay Macejko,
the city prosecutor. "Now people seem to accept it."

The ban outlawed all pit bulls in the city that had not been registered in prior
years.

The ban has had mixed results, Macejko said.

"When it's used, it's very effective," he said. "Unfortunately, it's only used
when something bad happens. We don't have dog wardens or police out actively
looking for these animals, so we only encounter them in cases of complaints or
attacks."

But when there is an attack or complaint, the ban has been enforced, he said.

Macejko said recently a man's pit bull, one of three, attacked a woman's dog
near the man's house.

"We told him he was staring down the barrel of major fines and jail time and he
had to come into compliance," he said. "He agreed to get rid of the dogs."

A first-time offender of the law could receive six months in jail and a $1,000
fine, Macejko said.

Macejko said the frequency of attacks has been reduced since the ban went into
effect.

"But not to the extent any of us are happy," he said. "One is too many."

-- Kara Murphy

�
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091123/NEWS02/311239966


�

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys�
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Minister asked to rethink position on BSL by BVA President:



Bruce
Bruce, a family pet kept on 'canine death row'  has been held since seized
from his family in September 2007 for looking the wrong shape and size as
outlawed under breed specific legislation in Northern Ireland. Now top vet
Professor Bill Reilly has spoken out against the legislation and urged a
rethink on the Government's position.

For Bruce a staggering two years has passed whilst his legal case is ongoing
even though he has never put a paw wrong in his life and he's not alone in
this legal nightmare where life hangs in the balance and Bruce and others
are confined to a concrete cell and cruelly denied the family homes they
once knew.  This surely cannot be the actions of a civilized society when in
fact it is irresponsible and uneducated breeders and owners who are the
problem, not breeds or 'types' of dogs?

The annual BVA North of Ireland Dinner held at the Parliament Buildings in
Stomont, Northern Ireland took place on the 29th October 2009, addressing
the Dinner was the recently newly appointed  President of the BVA; Professor
Bill Reilly.

Speaking before guests including the Northern Ireland Minister for
Agriculture & Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, Jim Nicholson
MEP and several other politicians as well as veterinary professionals, Bill
Reilly covered several "core topics" including that of breed specific
legislation (BSL).

A copy of the full speech can be found on the BVA web site, in relation to
BSL, Professor Reilly said:

"Dogs are also hitting the headlines through the recent announcement of new
control measures. I was shocked to read that one third of all dogs destroyed
in the UK are in Northern Ireland - clearly the dual problems of dangerous
and stray dogs are an enormous drain on your resources.

We welcome your commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership, but we
are disappointed with the proposal to retain breed-specific legislation.

The manner in which a dog behaves is both a result of its inherited
characteristics and, more importantly, the rearing and training provided by
its owner.

We know that aggression is a normal behaviour and can be shown by any dog of
any breed, type or mixed breeding. Breed-specific legislation therefore
engenders a false and dangerous perception that breeds not banned will not
show aggression.

  I would urge the Minister to rethink her position on this issue and shift
the focus of control to 'deed not breed', alongside a concerted campaign to
promote responsible pet ownership."

Minister Michelle Gildernew has given a written response to the BVA
President's speech at the BVA Dinner and in relation to the comments on BSL
has stated:

"I note your comments on my proposals for dog control legislation and in
particular on the issue of breed specific legislation. Subject to Executive
approval, I plan to begin consultation in November on my proposals. I will
ensure that the BVA receives a copy of the consultation document and I would
clearly value the Association's input on my full proposals at that stage."

It is heartening to hear that the leader of the BVA has spoken out against
breed specific legislation and has urged the Minister to rethink her
position on this issue.

Breed bans do simply not work and are costing millions of pounds to
implement whilst failing dismally to protect the public whilst innocent
adult dogs and puppies are being held in kennels at huge public expense
awaiting court hearings to determine their fate with a tape measure or being
automatically put to death and all based solely on their appearance.

Please support the President of the BVA and write to Minister Gildernew and
urge her to repeal breed specific legislation in Northern Ireland and to
spare the life of Bruce and other family pets currently caught up in this
unjust and unworkable legal nightmare:

* Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD):

Email: <Mailto:dardhelpline@...> dardhelpline@... &
<mailto:private.office@...> private.office@...

* Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development - Michelle Gildernew, MP
MLA:

Email: <Mailto:Michelle.Gildernew@...>
Michelle.Gildernew@...

* British Veterinary Association - Presidents Office:

  <mailto:presidentsoffice@...> presidentsoffice@...



Further details at  <http://www.endangereddogs.com/BruceAppeal.htm>
www.endangereddogs.com/BruceAppeal.htm







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

New Pit Bull Regulations in Hays
�

By Grant Meech (HAYS, Kan.)
�
"He is a good dog..."
�
Dunbar likes being outside and being around people, but Kayleen Geist's
13-year-old pit bull is now a dangerous dog in Hays.
�
The Hays city council voted to define pit bulls as dangerous Thursday night.
�
"$50 is a little steep for registering your pet, but to actually have him in the
house and have him still - they could have banned pit bulls altogether," said
Geist. "I feel lucky they are even trying to compromise."
�
Hays defines dangerous as any dog with a tendency to attack or cause injury to
people, has a vicious or threatening manner or kept solely for the purpose of
dog fighting.
�
"It is sad to say but there is a typical type of person that could own a pit
bull and you think they have a bad reputation which is not true at all," Geist
said. "It is all in how you raise a dog."
�
The biggest complaint owners had was the singling out of pit bulls against other
dogs.
�
"I am not opposed to this ordinance," said one pit bull owner at the meeting.
"If my dog got out and bit another dog or even killed another dog; there should
be stiff fines for that. That is what this ordinance against dogs should be
about, not trying to pick out one specific breed."
�
Hays would also require owners to keep the dog on a leash at all times and build
a fence or an enclosure at least six feet tall.
�
Geist said she wasn't thrilled about it�but�it could be worse.
�
She added, "at least they are going to let us still have our pets."
�
The Hays city council voted down an idea that would have required Pit Bull
owners to buy insurance for their dogs.


�
http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=11497219



Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys�
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

City Eyes New Dog Rules After Attack


Advocates: Blame Owners, Not Dogs


POSTED: 7:21 am PST November 9, 2009
UPDATED: 5:31 pm PST November 9, 2009

�

IBSYS.application.Application.registerComponent('IBSYS.hrst.commentCount','N2F61\
6C6D1926',{

});




�
AUBURN, Calif. -- The Auburn City Council might increase restrictions on certain
dogs after a teenager was attacked by four pit bulls almost two months ago.

�
�
"Something snapped. They started biting and attacking," JoJo Kerschner said.

Kerschner had to get 40 stitches after the attack.

�
Councilman Kevin Hanley is getting the rest of the City Council talking about
adding some new regulations to the city's animal codes for the first time in 12
years.
�
�
He said he hopes additional restrictions on certain dogs will prevent an attack
such as the one Kerschner suffered.

�
Hanley and other City Council members will discuss ways to restrict certain
breeds such as pit bulls at Monday night's meeting. One consideration Hanley
mentioned is requiring pit bulls to be spayed and neutered.

�
"I've asked the police department to look at a number of options of what other
jurisdictions in California do," Hanley said.

�
Dawn Capp, an advocate for pit bulls, and other pit bull owners fear will the
changes would do more harm than good.

�
"Breed-specific legislation doesn't work," Capp said. "It targets the wrong end
of the leash. The only thing discriminating against breeds does is harm
responsible people."

�
Capp grew up around pit bulls and she said her dog, Savy, is the furthest thing
from vicious.

�
About a dozen people in Auburn voiced similar opinions Sunday afternoon for a
video testimonial.

�
"I'm trying to show the City Council that pit bull owners come from all walks of
life," Capp said.

�
Capp plans to present the stories to the City Council Monday in defense of dogs
such as Savy, who Capp said would be the undeserving victims of a new ordinance.

�
Capp said attacks could come from any dog, not just pit bulls.

�
"It's just about how they're bred and raised," Capp said.
�
http://www.kcra.com/news/21560325/detail.html
�
�
�
�
Pit Bull Restrictions May be Considered in Auburn
Written for the web byPosted By: Wendy Poon, Multimedia Journalist �







AUBURN, CA - The Auburn City Council will vote Monday night on whether to begin
the process of amending the current animal ordinance with harsher restrictions
in light of recent pit bull attacks.

In�September, a�17-year-old was attacked by four pit bulls and severely injured
in a parking lot in downtown Auburn.

Auburn city council members have learned that a�state law prohibits�the
city�from banning the breed within city limits. But there are a number of other
options�the city council�can consider.

Among them,�requiring that pit bulls be spayed or neutered,�putting restrictions
on ownership, and adding pit bulls to the dangerous dog registry. Another idea
is limiting owners to one pit bull�per household.

Auburn Council Member Kevin Hanley, who proposed the pit bull ordinance, said
that he wants the community's opinion. The city council meeting is�Monday at�6
p.m. at 1225 Lincoln Way in Auburn.

By Wendy Poon, wpoon@...
�
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=70070&catid=2






Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys�
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys 
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.



From: Jean Keating <amstafflover3@...>
Subject: [fightBSL] go Skeldon go
To: fightbsl@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 9, 2009, 9:03 PM


 








Tomorrow (11/10) at 9:30am Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop will call for the
termination of Tom Skeldon.  Please send him your heartfelt thanks for standing
up for the dogs of Lucas County.  Please send out asap emails to Commissioners
Tina SKELDON-Wozniak and Pete Gerken and ask them to do the right thing.  We
need one of them to join with Ben in order to remove Skeldon.
 
Tina Skeldon-Wozniak  twozniak@co. lucas.oh. us  419-213-4817
Pete Gerken  pgerken@.... oh.us  419-213-4084
Ben Konop bkonop@.... oh.us  419-213-2155
 
Thanks! Jean







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hays city commissioners will meet this Thursday, November 12, 2009,  at 6:30
p.m.  Meetings are held at City Hall which is located at 1507 Main Street,
Hays, Kansas.   All commission meetings are open to the public.
 
 
 
 
 
Hays commission weighs 'dangerous' label, but no outright ban, for pit bulls


By Associated Press
4:01 AM CST, November 9, 2009

 
HAYS, Kan. (AP) — City commissioners in Hays could vote this week on strict
new rules for pit bull owners.

Pit bulls would not be banned in the northwest Kansas community.

But a proposed ordinance would declare the dogs to be "dangerous" — a
designation that would trigger several requirements.

Owners would have to keep any pit bulls confined securely, obtain insurance and
provide identification microchips. They would also have to pay a registration
fee of $50 a year, and keep the dogs muzzled and leashed if they're out in
public.

The commission is expected to take up the proposal at its meeting Thursday
night.

 
http://www.fox4kc.com/news/sns-ap-ks--hays-pitbulls,0,1425755.story


 

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys 
Education...Awareness...Advocacy
Because preaching to the choir makes a small church.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]