America Against BSL Newsletter
January 7, 2006
Top Story
Wheeling, WV Needs your Help!!
Wheeling, West Virginia, a city of about 28,800, is located near both the Ohio, and
Pennsylvania borders. With Interstate-70 running directly through it, and its beautiful
Victorian Buildings, and famous Parks, it’s a great place to live, and a tourist destination.
I am a resident of Wheeling. There is NOT a Vicious Dog, "pit bull," or "criminals
using dogs" problem here, but January 3rd we had a twelve page ordinance proposal
introduced and had its first reading at Wheeling City Council meeting.
This ordinance proposal: Article #508: "Dangerous and Vicious Dogs" could possibly
pass Tuesday, January 17, at the next Wheeling City Council Meeting.
The two incidents inciting this proposal was an elderly gentleman falling on our public
walking trail,(over a year ago) and breaking his hip when a loose Rottweiler knocked him
over, (not a bite or attack incident), and the other was when a loose pit bull in a wealthy
neighborhood killed a pet rabbit. Both were clearly leash law violations, but the owners
were not cited.
The Team of West Virginia PetLaw have provided a link to the ordinance, and it
appears below, but in short this is an attempt to regulate ALL DOGS of breeds, OR
appearance described in the ordinance proposal as AUTOMATICALLY deemed
"Dangerous and Vicious." Dogs mentioned are Bulldogs, American Staffordshire
Terriers, Pit Bulls etc, and MIXES of that appearance, & Presa Canarios. (I doubt if there
is one Presa in the State of WV! )Keep in mind that once a List of Breeds is established,
it is easy to add more breeds at any time.
Some Requirements include:
Special license and red tag on collar. Tag not displayed results in FIVE HUNDRED
DOLLAR a day fines.
Muzzles at all times when not in locked, topped enclosure.
Signage on residence: "Beware of Dog".
Mandatory spay/neuter.
Liability Insurance of at least One Hundred Thousand Dollars.
Wheeling has ONE Animal Control Officer for the entire County.
The City also is struggling to rebuild population, and be friendly to new business, yet this
ordinance will discourage pet owners from moving to Wheeling. Ironically, Wheeling is
known as "The Friendly City"!
** All we are seeking is that all Breed Profiling ,and Breed Specific Language be
REMOVED from Article 508, and that this ordinance be targeted as a GENERIC
Dangerous Dog Law for Wheeling. **
That serves the public safety, and displays good local government.
Breed Profiling and Breed Specific ordinances are ones that every reader can
unite AGAINST despite personal philosophy in other areas regarding dogs. From the
AKC, to the AVMA, from National Animal Control Association, to HSUS; ALL of
these, and many more, are AGAINST Breed Specific Legislation.
Wheeling City Councils final decision regarding this ordinance will affect not one, but
two counties, as a neighboring county is watching closely!
Emails to the Wheeling City Council, The Mayor, Nicholas Sparachane, & the City
Solicitor, are URGENTLY requested to be sent via the City of Wheelings website
BEFORE January 17!! Remember as you write to tell City Council that even if you don’t
live here, you might be passing through...and anti-dog cities wont get your tourist or
travel dollars!!
(Letter to the local newspapers would help, too. The Wheeling News-Register often
runs good letters. Check their website for requirements. )
(PLEASE CUT AND PASTE and HIGHLIGHT LINKS WHEN CROSSPOSTING)
The City of Wheeling, West Virginia - Official Web Site
http://www.cityofwheelingwv.org/index.htm#top
Here is the link to the ordinance proposal:
http://www.dogblog.us/wheeling_bsl.htm
Please be courteous, and keep your emails from becoming too lengthy. Don’t forget to
target your subject line to this ordinance.
We need your help to keep a large part of West Virginia BSL-free. Your time, and
participation IS very important, no matter where you are. Thank You!!
Colby Homer
Owner of West Virginia PetLaw, member NAIA
AABSL Group Info
There are some good articles posted on the site regarding responsible ownership, house
and crate training, health issues and more. Check out the bottom of the page. We will be
adding more over the next few days, and of course over time. If there is an article you
think should be added, please use the easy submit box on the home page.
Also, if you have any comments on your training techniques, send them in and I will post
them online!
What do you think of the new logo? I have been working really hard on something that
looks professional and appealing. If you have a website, please post it and link it to the
main site!
http://americaagainstbsl.tripod.com/AABSL_logo.jpg
News Summaries
1. Dangerous animals law upgrade proposed, Chicago, IL
After discussing a possible ban on pit bulls in Bloomingdale, village trustees on
Wednesday decided instead to look at the village's current ordinance on
dangerous animals.
Village Administrator Dan Wennerholm called the current ordinance "more
reactive than proactive" and suggested officials see if it can be strengthened.
"I'm somewhat reluctant to see a ban on the pit bulls, as they are certainly not the
only dogs that are dangerous," Wennerholm said Thursday. "My research had
indicated that a ban on that one breed is probably not the way we should go, and
that was my recommendation to the board. Not all pit bulls are dangerous and
they are not the only breed that bites."
At its first committee of the whole meeting this year, the Village Board discussed
a possible pit bull ban in the village. The issue was brought up in reaction to an
incident that occurred Nov. 5 in Cary where four adults and two children were
attacked by two dogs.
Bloomingdale officials will also study a new program proposed in McHenry
County.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/west/chi0601060209jan06,1,6958180.story?coll=chi-newslocalwest-hed
2. New SF Pit Bull Law Takes Effect January 7
... What's the connection between having a pit bull and losing your homeowners
insurance? ... And now the pit bull owners won't be protected either... ...
http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_006213350.html
3. Pit bulls on the move in Colorado
DENVER, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Denver's ban on pit bulls is forcing surrounding cities
to pass similar laws or be overrun as pit bull owners scramble to find homes for
their pets.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060105-012201-7655r
4. Estes Park eyes banning pit bulls, CO
Town fears that population will grow as more cities boot dog
http://www.lovelandfyi.com/region-story.asp?ID=3520
5. Johnson: No just ending to pit bull's tale, CO
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_437085
4,00.html
6. Leona Helmsley 'vicious' dog lawsuit tossed, NY
…against Leona Helmsley by one of her employees, who claimed the real estate
queen's "fierce and vicious" pet dog, Trouble, bit her.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/01/05/helmsley.ap/index.html?section=cnn_lates
t
7. Pound's pit bull population spikes, Toledo, OH
Dog warden collars complaints in 2005
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS03/601050354
8. Who's the real bull-y? DePaulina - Chicago, IL
... As the woman was pushed to the ground by the dog, an off-duty police
detective was ... WGN, "I had to pull my weapon out of my holster and shoot the
dog. ...
http://www.thedepaulia.com/story.asp?artid=1081&sectid=1
9. Police report pit bull attack Alamogordo, NM
... with Daniel Cordova, of 800 Eighth St., who said two pit bulls had gone under
the fence in his yard and attacked another dog, this one a young pit bull on a ...
http://www.alamogordonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS0
1/601050310/1001
10. Keeping Tabs on PETA: What's Up With That?
By _MICHAEL JANOFSKY_
http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?ppds=bylL&v1=MICHAELJANOFSKY
&fdq=19960101&td=sysdate&sort=newest&ac=MICHAELJANOFSKY&inline=
nyt-per
11. Louisville KY - Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance
Monday, January 9, 20006 Louisville - Jefferson County Metro Government
Louisville Metro Hall - 3rd Floor Council Chambers
527 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2814
4:00PM - 6:00PM
Speakers must sign up in person from 3:00 - 4:00. Speakers are limited to 3
minutes.
12. Weekly BSL Broadcast Available
The video broadcast of a synopsis of this past week is now ready. There is an
audio version for those that do not have a high speed connection. I am still
working to get the files smaller to make it easier for everyone. I shall master this
effort yet! Please cross post and share this link with others...I am doing this so that
those of you who do not have the time or the energy to weed through copious
amounts of email can still keep up to date on what is happening in the world of
BSL. We need to be aware so that we can combat this insidious cancer that is
growing ever so rapidly and it will take our dogs if we do not stop it. www.rott-nchatter.com/bsl_broadcasts
13. Animal welfare officers seize 60 pit bull terriers in Co. Down ... - Bray,
Ireland
Pit bull terriers were among the dogs recovered during the operation in Co Down,
about a mile from a puppy farm which was raided last night in Katesbridge. ...
http://www.unison.ie/breakingnews/index.php3?ca=9&si=85020
14. Pet registration fees fund new shelter –IN
http://www.newslinkindiana.com/news/00000009818.html
A new Winchester ordinance requires that pet registration fees be used to fund the
town animal shelter.
15. Pit bull shot by police after fatal attack on dog
Auburn police shot and killed a pit bull on Lea Hill after it critically mauled
another dog and threatened neighbors.
http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/227058
16. Livingston County, MI Police and Livingston County health officials shuttered a
home in Green Oak Township on Friday as part of an ongoing animal cruelty
investigation. http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news16/1136632270126050.xml&coll=2
17. City will pay $185,000 in dog-mauling case
Lancaster city will pay a teenage girl $185,000 to settle a 3-year-old lawsuit filed
against the police department after its dog mauled the girl on a school playground.
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/19810
18. Dogs provide ears for deaf, OK
Kaysi Smith will be carrying more than a book bag across campus when she
returns to college this semester. She also will tote a 2-pound Chihuahua named
Jinger. http://www.newsok.com/xml/rss/1726717/
19. Blind dog found in trash bin; animal control investigating
HARBOR SPRINGS - She's known to those who found her simply as the
Dumpster dog. A small, blind toy poodle, found wet and cold in a Dumpster in
Harbor Springs, has stolen the hearts of all of those who have helped to rescue her
from a sure death sentence.
http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2006/01/07/news/local_regional/news02.t
xt
20. Brave dog pounces to save girl from late-night attack, Scotland
A TEENAGE girl who was attacked while out for a late-night walk was saved
from a serious assault when her dog pounced on her assailant.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=29772006
21. Pit bull angers resident
The Herald News Fri, 06 Jan 2006 1:41 AM PST
WILMINGTON — John Tamblyn of Towpath Lane said there has been a
recurring problem of a pit bull running loose in his neighborhood. Recently, the
pit bull stole a hambone out of his bird feeder.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/city/4_1_JO06_WILM_S1.ht
m
22. Pit bulls in hands of law, Vancouver, Canada
The fates of three pit bulls that attacked and killed a 13-year-old cat on Christmas
Eve will be determined today as North Vancouver district officials meet with the
dogs' owners.
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2006/01/06/1381206-sun.html
23. White Bluff, TN - Considering proposed dog law
http://www.dicksonherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060106/MTCN0201
/301060070/1298/MTCN02
24. Pit bulls attack dog
Two pit bulls will be euthanized after attacking a neighbor’s dog in his South
Worcester Street yard last Friday, according to Norton Animal Control Officer
Brian Plante.
http://www.townonline.com/norton/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=403112
25. Family Dog Attacks 2-Year-Old Girl Birmingham,AL,USA
A Birmingham family's dog is now in the hands of Animal Control after it
reportedly mauled their 2-year-old daughter. ...
http://www.nbc13.com/news/5893842/detail.html
26. Pit bull shot by police after fatal attack on dog
Auburn police shot and killed a pit bull on Lea Hill after it critically mauled
another dog and threatened neighbors.
http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/227058
27. Sign petition - 15 yr old blind dog kicked to death
Roxie was a 15 year old blind dog who was kicked to death by a man in New
York last year. He is being sentenced on Jan. 12 for his cruelty. Please be a voice
for Roxie as she deserves justice for her agonizing death. Please sign petition on
link below. We need lots of signatures quickly.... If you haven't signed the
petition yet, please do so now. Don't let Roxie's death go unheeded.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/339420032?ltl=1121166977
28. Steubenville, Oh - Local Dog Warden and Attack Victim Talk about Pit Bull
Controversy
This week News9 told you about a local woman who claims she took two dogs to
the Jefferson County Dog Pound, and one of them was euthanized because it was
a pit bull mix. Thursday News9 spoke with the dog warden in Carroll County to
find out what he thinks about the woman's claims, and we also heard from a
family who says pit bulls should be put to sleep the second they are taken to the
pound.
Eight-year-old Nathan Elo was attacked by a pit bull on Christmas Eve. His
family says the dogs are vicious animals that should be contained whenever
possible. "It could've been a tragedy for both of us that day, and I'm just glad that
we survived it," says Dave Elo, Nathan's grandfather. The Elo's say pit bulls need
to be closely watched, and they say they agree with the recent decision of one
local pound to euthanize a dog simply because it was part pit bull. Earlier this
week, Estelle Hillale told News9 she took two dogs to the Jefferson County
Pound, and one of them was killed because it was a pit bull mix, and that is their
policy. Hillale says it wasn't a mix, and she wouldn't have dropped it off it she
knew it would be killed.
Thursday News9 spoke with Ken Ohler, who has been the dog warden in Carroll
County for the past 16 years. He says he wouldn't have taken the dog's life just
because it looked like a pit bull. "If it didn't cause anybody harm, and if it didn't
attack me when I picked the dog up, I wouldn't think it would be fair to euthanize
that dog." Ohler says there is a misconception that all pit bulls are dangerous
animals, and that's just not the case. "Every situation is different, every dog is
different, not all pit bulls are vicious."
But after Nathan was attacked last month, the Elo family says the pit bulls need to
be controlled. "If they have to euthanize them, that's fine with me," says Dave
Elo. "Because I knew in another few minutes, I wouldn't have had a grandson."
Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Graham says Estelle Hillale signed papers
at the pound allowing the euthanization to take place. Graham says he is looking
into the incident to find out if the pound was indeed allowed to euthanize the dog
that quickly or even at all.