FW: Stop BSL, GA, Puerto Rico, TX, AR

Stop BSL


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• Puerto Rico: Ban on pit bulls to be repealed
• Lubbock, TX: Residents urge tougher dog laws after horses killed
• Peachtree City, GA: PTC man wants rules for pit bull dogs
• Stuttgart, AR: Vicious dogs to be monitored (existing BSL to be enforced)
Puerto Rico: Ban on pit bulls to be repealed
Posted: 13 Nov 2009 09:41 PM PST

Translated with Google Translate, with edits for sense.
(Alert from BSL Workshops/Updates)
http://www.elnuevodia.com/avanzalalegalizaciondelospitbulls-637470.html
The legalization of pitbulls advances
The College of Veterinarians welcomes the Legislature’s move to repeal the ban on the breed of dogs
By Pedro Bosque Pérez
The possession of pitbulls or dogs born from crosses with that race took a step toward legalization after the Legislature approved the repeal of Act 158 of 1998, which prohibits possession, importation and breeding the dogs of the breed Pitbull Terrier, their hybrids and crosses in Puerto Rico.
“At last we got these dogs equal with other races which may also be potentially dangerous,” said Dr. Victor Oppenheimer, past president of the College of Veterinarians of Puerto Rico.
“The ban and prosecution of a particular race is a biased and very wrong act that contradicts the laws in most states” in the U.S. and in European countries, the veterinarian said in a news release.
It is estimated that in Puerto Rico there are more than 50,000 pitbulls and more than 3,000 have been killed in the past two years – in compliance with Law 158 – according to the Veterinary Medical Association, which advocates equality among all breeds of dogs.
If the measure which passed the Legislature is signed into law by Gov. Luis Fortuño, several lawmakers are seeking to draft a bill that will define what is a potentially dangerous dog or dangerous, and make the owner of the dog liable in any incident.
The move to repeal Rule 158 was also supported by Pitbull Association of Puerto Rico.
The College of Veterinarians manages several projects for the welfare of animals in Puerto Rico and promotes a culture of responsible pet owners, according to the press release.
Posted in Outside of U.S., Proposal to Repeal

Lubbock, TX: Residents urge tougher dog laws after horses killed
Posted: 13 Nov 2009 09:13 PM PST

Texas state law prohibits BSL, so Lubbock cannot consider BSL an option.
http://lubbockonline.com/stories/111309/loc_515862312.shtml
Residents urge tougher dog laws after horses killed
By Robin Pyle | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Friday, November 13, 2009
Story last updated at 11/13/2009 – 10:15 am
A Lubbock resident who recently witnessed two pit bulls killing his brother’s miniature horses urges the city to strengthen its dog laws.
Ray Summers said Lubbock continues to have a problem with loose dogs nearly two years after former city leaders vowed to find a solution following a rash of dog attacks on animals and people.
The 2008 attacks, which led to intense media attention and public outcry, included two miniature horse deaths, goats and other animals. A child also was injured.
Animal services officials say they have stepped up enforcement efforts since early 2008, but agree issues remain.
“It’s still out there and it’s still a problem,” said Shawn Byrd, the city’s shelter supervisor.
In recent weeks, police officers have shot and killed two pit bulls – one case where a pit bull attacked a smaller dog in the dog’s backyard, and another where a pit bull charged at officers as they tried to serve a drug warrant, police reports show.
In August, a local officer fatally shot a pit bull when it lunged at him. The officer suffered injuries.
“It’s a problem; it’s going to continue to be a problem,” Summers said. “Until the city does something, it’s going to continue.”
Summers returned home about 7:30 a.m. Nov. 3 to find his brother’s two miniature horses under attack.
“They chewed a big hole in the cedar fence,” he said.
The retired firefighter chased one of the dogs away, grabbed a tree limb and tried to get the other dog off one of the horses.
“The dog kept trying to attack me,” Summers said.
Both horses had severe throat and head injuries and had to be put down. Animal services officials caught one of the dogs. It was put down early this week. He said the other dog remains loose.
Summers said he believes a stiff fine for irresponsible dog owners would put a stop to the problem.
He suggests a $5,000 fine each time a dog gets loose.
Now residents face a Class C misdemeanor citation with up to a $500 fine.
Owners whose dogs attack a human and cause serious bodily injury could face felony charges after a 2007 state law.
Melanie Tatum, who was involved with Hearts and Hooves when two of its miniature horses were killed by pit bulls, is disappointed by what she feels is a lack of action on the city’s part.
She recently pleaded in front of City Council members to strengthen the dog laws.
“They’re not doing anything about it,” Tatum said.
The council did recently pass an ordinance to address loose dogs.
The ordinance will require all pets be spayed or neutered if authorities catch them loose on two occasions, said Quincy White, assistant city manager.
“That’s a major change,” he said of the ordinance, which goes into effect in January.
White thinks it will improve the problem in Lubbock and reduce the number of unwanted animals.
“I think people will be more careful in how they secure their animals,” he said.
Meanwhile, animal control officers have been trying to increase response times to animal calls and are setting large traps to catch more loose dogs.
And Byrd said officials have been more aggressive in pursuing dangerous-animal hearings – there are generally two to three a month.
County Commissioner Bill McCay said the commissioners court has worked with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office to strengthen efforts to address the problem in the county.
He said while officials have not increased the number of animal control officers – the county has one – they have made a change in personnel and worked to better utilize resources.
“We have seen, from our perspective, some improvement,” McCay said, noting he hasn’t received any complaints lately.
Commissioners plan to look into the issue again during the next budget cycle this summer, he said. Once the new detention facility is open, they will be able to shift focus to law enforcement, he added.
“There continues to be more and more demands in the county because the county continues to grow,” McCay said. “We’re very aware of the increased demand for services in the county.”
He urges residents to be responsible pet owners.
“Good fences make good neighbors,” he said. “That’s the best defense by far is to have a good sturdy fence.”
Posted in Non-BSL, Texas

Peachtree City, GA: PTC man wants rules for pit bull dogs
Posted: 13 Nov 2009 07:21 PM PST

Contact info for Peachtree City
Mayor Harold Logsdon
Post 1 – VACANT
Post 2 – Doug Sturbaum
Post 3 – Steve Boone
Post 4 – Cyndi Plunkett
City Hall
151 Willowbend Road
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-487-7657
Fax: 770-631-2505
council@peachtree-city.org
The Mayor and Council meet on the first and third Thursdays each month, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road.
http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/40562
PTC man wants rules for pit bull dogs
Fri, 11/13/2009 – 4:41pm
By: John Munford
Request comes from resident bitten by 2 dogs last year
A Peachtree City resident has asked the City Council to look into creating special requirements for owners of pit bull dogs.
Dan Brown wants the city to require pit bull dogs to be muzzled and held under leash by an able bodied person whenever the dog is on a public street, path, sidewalk, park or any public place in the city.
Brown also wants pit bull owners to obtain a special license from the city once a year, have proof of liability insurance for the animal up to $100,000 and be required to show proof of required vaccinations.
He is also asking the city to limit residents to owning no more than one pit bull within the city limits.
At the request of council, City Attorney Ted Meeker will look into the matter and prepare a recommendation for council at a later date. Brown provided Meeker with data on what other cities have adopted to regulate pit bulls.
If anybody has reason to be suspicious of pit bull dogs, it’s Brown. Last fall, Brown and his dog were attacked by two pit bulls that had escaped a fenced area. The attack happened near Flat Creek Golf Club west of north Peachtree Parkway.
Brown suffered puncture wounds to his leg, and police officers ultimately killed both pit bulls due to fear they would attack other people.
Brown and his golden retriever were also attacked a month ago by another pit bull dog, which was on a leash, on the cart path near the McDonald’s on Ga. Highway 54. Brown used pepper spray on the pit bull, which eventually left the area, he said.
Posted in Georgia, Whispers of BSL

Stuttgart, AR: Vicious dogs to be monitored (existing BSL to be enforced)
Posted: 13 Nov 2009 04:50 PM PST

BSL is already in place in Stuttgart; animal control is stepping up efforts to enforce it.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/x687821456/Vicious-Dogs-to-be-monitored
Vicious Dogs to be monitored
By Leigh Kreimeier
Daily Leader
Fri Nov 13, 2009, 09:47 AM CST
Stuttgart, Ark. – Stuttgart Animal Control will be cracking down on vicious dogs. Although City Ordinance 1729 controlling dangerous dogs is already on the books, Stuttgart Animal Control Officer Jason Whiteside has received numerous complaints and observed several animal owners not controlling their animals according to city law.
While Whiteside has been advising owners of the law, many were not blatantly disregarding the law, just were unaware of the actual restrictions. He will now be taking this information to owners and allowing them 20 days to comply with Ordinance 1729, which was passed in December of 2004.
According to the ordinance, dangerous dogs include Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Stafforshite terrier or any dog that has the appearance or characteristics of the listed breeds. Also, any dog that bites or attempts to bite will be considered a dangerous breed of dog. Any breed of dog may be added to this list if deemed necessary.
Anyone having a vicious dog outside its kennel or pen will have to keep the animal on a heavily constructed leather leash or heavily-braided construction leash no longer than four feet, with a muzzle in place.
Dogs have to be kenneled or penned and cannot be chained to any inanimate object like a tree, post or building. The pen or kennel has to be securely enclosed and locked with a key. A porch does not count. The structure also has to have a secure bottom.
‘Beware of Dog’ signs have to be placed on the owners property and also on the kennel or pen where it can be easily read and seen. Permits with the city are also required that includes information such as:
• Photos of the animal
• a copy of the shots record
• rabies vaccination
• city license
• address of where the dog will be kept
• owners name and photo identification
The permits issued will set the owner back $25 an will have to be with the dog any time the animal is out in public. No one under 18 can handle the dog or anyone lacking the physical strength to handle the animal.
Failing to comply with this ordinance can land anyone a fine of no less than $200 and no more than $1,000 with possible jail time and removal of the animal. For a copy of this ordinance contact Stuttgart City Hall at (870) 673-3535 or for more information contact Whiteside at (870) at the Stuttgart Police Station at (870) 673-1414.
Posted in Arkansas, Results of BSL