Monthly National Legislation Report - July 18, 2008

ARIZONA

Payson - police now have a lot more options when it comes to dealing with scary dogs.
A recent change in the town code created several new categories of problem dogs, so police don't have to wait until a dog bites someone before they can take action, according to Chief Don Engler. In dealing with a dog off his leash that was a pretty low level of enforcement. This gives us a step to help the owner get the dog under control," said Engler. First off, the new law made it clear that dogs must be on a leash anytime they're outside of their yards, said Engler
In addition, the new law created new categories. Previously, the only category of dog listed was a "vicious dog," which was a dog that had at some point attacked a person. The ordinance required owners to keep such dogs locked up, post signs on their property and notify the town any time the dog was sold or moved. However, police got reports of dogs attacking other animals, chasing kids or threatening people several times a month.
The police department spent months meeting with people and studying dog ordinances in other towns before proposing a comprehensive rewrite of the dog control laws. So the new law creates two new categories for problem dogs.

Tucson - An animal welfare group pushing for changes as to how dogs are treated in South Tucson says it has collected sufficient signatures to put the matter to voters in November. It would make it illegal to feed a dog raw and diseased meat, to give a dog anabolic steroids or other artificial performance enhancement drugs, and it would require that dogs be in a minimum size cage and for no more than 18 hours.

ARKANSAS

Bono - will vote on Tuesday July 22 whether to repeal section 3 on Ordinance 95-1 that bans Pit Bulls.

Colt - council also heard second reading on a vicious dog ordinance. The existing county ordinance governing vicious dogs. According to the ordinance, any dog that has bitten someone or appears aggressive can be considered vicious and be removed. Owners of vicious dogs face a $500 fine. The proposed ordinance is more detailed city ordinance which sets several requirements for how vicious dogs must be kept and restricts the keeping of some breeds

CALIFORNIA

AB1634 - Here is the full text for the Current Bill Status (07/15/2008) for Assembly Bill 1634. You will note that the Committee Action taken is "Senate Rule 28.8 and amended." The Official California Bill Information does not include Assembly Member Levine's most recent amendments nor does it include an official analysis by the Senate Appropriations Committee Consultant (Mark McKenzie). The only "new" information provided is the Committee Action. AB1634 will next go to the Senate floor. Date to be announced.

Pasadena - City Council on May 5 referred to the Council's Public Safety Committee for further discussion a proposed SB 861 (2005) authorized breed specific ordinance 'Council Public Safety Committee will hold a public meeting July 15 in regard to the proposed Breed Specific Mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance which would require American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers or mixes thereof to be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks of age.

Ripon - Vicious dog law ordinance - in compliance with California's SB 861 Dangerous Dog Breed Bill - sparked somewhat of a controversy with certain dog owner groups that didn't agree with it, Police Chief Richard Bull says that everything has been pretty much status quo in terms of compliance of the mandatory spaying and neutering of pit bull breeds.

COLORADO

Delta - Prodded by concerned citizens, the city of Delta has begun crafting solutions to its pet overpopulation and feral cat problems. Possible changes in the works for the city include amendments to the municipality’s animal control laws and beginning education efforts, Delta Police Department officials said. Police Chief Robert Thomas, animal welfare advocate Melissa Heinzen and city staff met July 1 to talk about animal control issues, particularly ones related to the area’s feral cats. The group plans to meet again Aug. 14. Aside from mandatory spay/neuter discussion, the city is also drafting a letter to educate businesses about the Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act, which sets standards for groups and businesses that raise and care for animals. This legislation requires entities such as boarding and training facilities, pet animal dealers and breeders to become state licensed. “It is unlawful to sell or distribute animals without proper licensing ...

CONNECTICUT

Bethlehem - voters reject by a tally of 36-17, a proposed dog ordinance which would have limited to 20 the number of dogs older than 4 months permitted to be housed on any property.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Bill B17-89 - amended by adding the following: “The Mayor shall impound any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets, the combination of which exceeds 4 animals, or any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets beyond the number authorized in an animal hobby permit issued pursuant to section 10. No exemption for rescuers and breeders. Pet breeders are defined as a commercial animal breeder as ... any person, firm, organization or corporation engaged in the operation of breeding and raising more than 25 animals per year for sale or in return for consideration. A business license would be required. Defines rescuers as: (a) No person shall operate a commercial pet care facility without first obtaining a basic business license with an Inspected Sales and Services license endorsement pursuant to Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code. The Mayor shall issue rules to establish the standards for the care and management of animals in a commercial pet care facility. (b) For purposes of this section, 'commercial pet care facility' means a facility that provides day or overnight boarding, or provides pet-related services including feeding, exercise, training, bathing or grooming, but does not include an animal facility as defined in section 3(2) of the Veterinary Practice Act of 1982, effective March 9, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-171; D.C. Official Code 3-502), or a licensed pet shop. The pet license fee structure: The annual license fee for dogs and cats are as follows: (1) No fee for a dog trained as a service animal and actually used for the purpose of assisting a person with a physical or sensory impairment, such as a vision or hearing impairment; (2) $15 for a male or female dog certified by a licensed veterinarian as neutered or spayed or certified as incapable of enduring spaying or neutering; (3) $50 for all other dogs; (4) $10 for a male or female cat certified by a licensed veterinarian as neutered or spayed, or certified as incapable of enduring spaying or neutering; and (5) $40 for all other cats

FLORIDA

Flagler Beach - A revision of the city's animal control ordinance could clearly define the role Flagler Beach police officers play when they get calls about dangerous dogs -- very little. When a resident makes a complaint -- especially if it's an emergency like a dog attack -- animal control officers from the Flagler Humane Society should begin an investigation as soon as possible. But the extent of the involvement of Flagler Beach police should be limited to duties such as patrolling the residences of owners who were cited to be sure they are complying with orders to keep dogs properly restrained. Those are some of the guidelines city commissioners said Thursday they want emphasized in a rewrite of the ordinance they hope to pass in the near future. Meanwhile, the commission voted to continue the city's contract with the society's animal control services for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The city will pay $5,030 -- a savings of $12,426 from the previous year's contract.

Walton County - A newly revised animal control ordinance will go into effect August 1 for all dog and cat owners in the unincorporated areas of Walton County, Florida. The ordinance will not impact dog and cat owners within the cities of Paxton, DeFuniak Springs or Freeport unless the individual municipalities adopt the ordinance for their cities, nor does it reference pet owners of any other kind of animal. It only applies to dog and cat owners. Emergency Response Director Ed Baltzley, who oversees the county’s Animal Control operations, says the revised ordinance, passed by county commissioners on July 8, is more definitive on the definitions of nuisance animals, pet dealers, fees and penalties related to impounded dogs and cats and pet owner violations. “This newly revised ordinance is a step in the right direction,” he says, “because our animal control officers can now take statements from witnesses of ordinance violations and protect residents from dangerous animals.” He says the revised ordinance also provides more protection for dogs and cats from animal abuse.

GEORGIA

Macon - A Macon City Council committee wants to redirect revenue from dog and cat licensing so that the fees are used to support animal control operations before they are spent on anything else. By approving the ordinance Monday,(7/14/08) the Public Safety Committee hopes to persuade veterinarians to resume their former role in collecting the tax that is supposed to be assessed against city pet owners. Vets soured to the task in 2002 and eventually stopped participating after the city raised the license fees without consulting them.

ILLINOIS

Chicago - An update regarding the proposed Chicago Ordinance on Mandatory S/N status as of July 15th, 2008.

From Alderman Burke's aide today and also Alderman Schulter's policy person: they have both stated that there was no discussion of the animal ordinance at the last total Chicago City Council meeting July 9th. The next full City Council meeting is at the end of July.
Alderman Burke's aide stated that there have been many emails to the office re the ordinance and people have 'misunderstood the meaning' (intent) of the ordinance. (a puzzlement since what people were against was what was plainly written on the ordinance)
Also Burke's aide told stated that there have been several changes to the ordinance and those have not been finalized in a document as of this date. The revised document should be made available by July 18th.
Alderman Schulter's Aide stated that she cannot say which way Alderman Schulter is leaning...( initially he was against the ordinance ) and that she will not have a copy of the ordinance up for discussion in the committee hearing until Burke's office offers it. They have no idea at this time what it has morphed into.
The original statement from Burke's office was that they were consulting with specific people (ie the vets connected with the shelters in the city) and getting input. The input appears to be from people who support mandatory s/n and no opposing views were seriously being considered.
The aide did not believe that it would be discussed before the next total council meeting at the end of July and that the City Council is off session in August and will take up again in September. They are in the process of scheduling the three alderman involved (Burke, Rugai--the sponsor and co sponsor, and Schulter) with a time when they can all meet for a joint hearing on the ordinance.
It should be noted that the City Council of Chicago has 50 Alderman.
Alderman Burke's committee on Finance has 39 members and Alderman Schulter's Committee on License and Consumer Protection has 14 members of which only three are NOT on Burke's committee. This is going to be very difficult fight.
A list of emails for both committees is available for writing opposing letters and helping Chicago stop the mandatory spay and neuter ordinance . Please email Karen Perry ASAP at Ouilmette4@sbcglobal.net for the information.
The animal task force that was formed in Chicago a few years ago to fight the pit bull ban may have some compromises to suggest and at this time a written statement of the ideas that will be possibly proposed has not been obtained. ED NOTE: THANK YOU, KAREN PERRY FOR THE UPDATE !

Murphysboro - Carbondale - City officials have tried to balance the rights of pet owners with safety concerns posed by potentially dangerous animals, Cole said. In the code, a dangerous dog is defined as one that "poses an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a reasonable person" when not leashed, muzzled or under the owner's watch. Three dogs in Carbondale have been deemed dangerous since the city adopted code revisions to define the term in March 2007, said City Attorney Michael Kimmel. In each case, he said, the animal was either moved out of the city or euthanized voluntarily by its owner. The current policy also allows the city attorney to file action with the court to make a dog classified as vicious, which is defined as one that either bites a person or another animal, attacks a human or domestic animal without justification, or has been deemed "dangerous" three times. When a dog is classified as vicious, its owner can come under felony charges for any incidents under state law, something Cole said the city should pursue. City staff will review the code to vote on any changes as early as the next City Council meeting Aug. 5.

O'Fallon - City Council to re-examine the city's animal control ordinance after little dog was killed by the neighbor's two pit bulls. The dog was in the neighbors yard at the time. The city ordinance, an animal can only be defined as vicious if it attacks and kills an animal "off its owner's property." The city attorney to amend the ordinance.

KENTUCKY

Maysville - City Commission approved the second reading of an ordinance prohibiting pit bulls within city limits, during a special meeting Wednesday (07/02). The ordinance will require any pit bull found within city limits after September 1, 2008, to be seized and impounded. A pit bull seized will only be released to an owner producing evidence the animal will be permanently taken out of the city. If such proof is not provided, the dog shall be destroyed.

Newport - City Commission may have a first reading tonight (6/23/08) of a proposed ordinance to regulate vicious dogs, particularly pit bulls, that would require pit bulls and pit bull mixes to have implanted microchips with the owner's information and require the owner to have $500,000 liability homeowner's insurance coverage.

Worthington - City council members voted unanimously to approve an amended version of an animal control ordinance early Monday evening (06/30/08) that will make Rottweilers, chow chows and variations of the bull terrier officially be unwelcome in Worthington. As adopted, the ordinance prohibits city residents from owning any dog defined as "vicious" according to Kentucky law, and requires owners of "potentially vicious dogs," including specific canine breeds, to be registered with the city. Vicious dogs include any dog in the city "that has attacked or attempted to attack a human being or other domestic animal without provocation" and "any dog with a known propensity or tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked" a human being or domestic animal, or cause injury to property.

LOUISIANA

Union Parish - Wild dogs roaming the streets of Union Parish has been a problem for years and a group of concerned citizens has had enough. Thirty Union Parish residents packed the Union Parish Police Jury meeting room last Tuesday and pressed the Police Jury to do something about the animal control problem in the parish during the Police Jury’s regular meeting. Several residents spoke before the Police Jury and implored them to come up with a solution. Union Parish does not currently have an animal control ordinance, nor does it have an animal shelter to take stray dogs.

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston - Opponents of dog racing in Massachusetts are hailing a decision by the state's highest court today (7/15/08) that clears the way for a dog racing ban proposal to appear on the November ballot. George Carney, who has owned the Raynham-Taunton dog track for the past 40 years, sued in March, challenging Attorney General Martha Coakley's certification of the ballot question proposed by the Committee to Protect Dogs. Carney argued, among other things, that the law would amount to an uncompensated "taking" of his property.
But the Supreme Judicial Court today rejected that argument, noting that gambling on dog races is a heavily regulated industry that only exists because the Legislature has carved out narrow exceptions in the law.
The court, citing an earlier decision, also said that racing "can be abolished at any time that the Legislature may deem proper for the safeguarding and protection of the public welfare."

Manchester - Dog owners and beachgoers may be facing some new rules next year through a compromise aimed at resolving who gets to use Singing Beach — and when. The town's Singing Beach Committee has recommended that the beach be segregated during the months of April and October — with some space set aside for visitors to enjoy the beach pet free, while much of it would still be open for people to bring their canines. Committee members told the town's selectmen last week that there are a number of temperate days in the months of October and April when people would like to visit the beach without dealing with dogs and their calling cards. Presently, dogs are not allowed on Singing Beach between May 1 and Sept. 30, but are permitted on the beach between October and April. If ultimately approved at Town Meeting next spring, according to the newest proposal, one quarter of the beach would be reserved for beachgoers.

Stoughton - Town officials plan to revamp a dog control bylaw proposal tabled at town meeting in May because voters thought it unfairly targeted pit bulls. Dog Control Officer Kristin Bousquet, a co-author of the proposal, said there appeared to be “too many glitches” and that more research needs to be done.

Rochester - A regular meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was called to order on Monday, July 14 at 7:01 pm. At 7:05 pm the board opened a Dog Hearing upon a complaint against Ed Rose and his dogs located in a kennel on his property on Walnut Plain Road.
Resident and abutter Tim Scholz noted that he and his fellow neighbors are seeking relief under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 140, Section 157, with regard to dogs being a nuisance. I think the number of people here pretty much constitutes a public nuisance," Mr. Scholz said. While this hearing was convened solely to consider alleged violations under Chapter 140, Section 157, some residents like Mark Collins wanted to know if other issues could be addressed regarding Mr. Rose's dog breeding hobby. This is a quasi-legal judicial hearing," said Town Counsel Blair Bailey. "Any other issue discussed outside the particular statute as advertised ... would require another hearing." Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested closing the hearing to public comment and ask that Mr. Rose and his attorney draft a proposed solution for submittal to the board prior to their next regular meeting on July 28. "Mr. Rose, can you come up with a solid plan with a timetable and budget to solve this problem by July 28?" Chairman McGaffey asked. When Mr. Rose and Mr. Perry agreed, the board unanimously voted to continue the hearing to July 28 at 7:00 pm.

Waltham - State Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, is pushing a bill that would allow judges to include pets in temporary restraining orders in domestic abuse cases. That bill, which he and state Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton introduced last year, now sits in the House Ways and Means Committee awaiting approval. Under the proposed bill, if a judge finds reason to include a pet in an order of protection, then the petitioner would be given exclusive custody of the animal.

MICHIGAN

HB5263 - An act to license and regulate dealers in and research facilities using dogs and cats for research purposes; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts, by amending sections 1, 8, and 9 (MCL 287.381, 287.388, and 287.389) Status: House Committee on Regulatory Reform

Pine Grove Township -Board of Trustees has decided to drop the matter of controlling barking dogs. Supervisor Paul Root said he didn't think an ordinance was needed. ``I don't think that we need to be overregulated regardless of the individual problems in certain pockets of the township that should be taken care of by neighbors interacting with neighbors''

MINNESOTA

Albert Lea - City Council will be voting on an ordinance to have all landlords licensed in the city. This ordinance if passed, requires all landlords to turn over names and phone numbers of all tenants with no just cause. These city officials will go into your dwelling and take pictures of all rooms without your consent. The landlords have to allow the city officials access to the premises or be charged with a misdemeanor. The fine would be 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine.

MISSISSIPPI

Vardaman - Board of Aldermen tabled the dog ordinance at a meeting of the board Monday night.The board has been working on a dog ordinance for a couple of months, but Mayor James Casey said after talking to Bruce and Calhoun City Mayors, they planned to join a discussion with the county supervisors to possibly adopt one ordinance for the entire county.

NEBRASKA

Hastings - considering breed selective legislation. Hastings City Council is expected to hear from a man Monday night who says pit bulls need to be banned. The man told News 5 he was attacked and injured by a pit bull.The Heartland Pet Connection in Hastings said pit bull attacks are not rare.It said the dog's aggressive instinct is due to hundreds of years of bad breeding and poor environments. But officials with the Pet Connection said there are an equal amount of well-behaved pit bulls.With such an even split in the animals personalities, the Pet Connection believes residents will be divided on a possible ban."You are going to see people that are thrilled that the breed is banned. And you are going to see people who are extremely upset because they own that good pit bull, and they are either no longer allowed to keep it or some families will even move to keep their dog," said Lynn Jasnoch, Heartland Pet Connection.The city of Osceola has recently banned pit bulls, Omaha is also looking into a ban.

Holdredge - Considering dog ban. Community forum discussion

Omaha - Mayor Mike Fahey formed a committee to look at pit bull law and to create legislation regarding pit bulls and other breeds. Nothing is off the table, including an outright ban on the dogs.

Ralston - City Council is exploring a possible ban on dogs. There haven't been any recent reports of pit bulls attacking Ralston residents, and the City Council is looking to keep it that way. Ralston has an ordinance regarding any dog or other animal "of a cross, dangerous, or fierce disposition or that habitually snaps, bites or manifests a disposition to snap or bite." The misdemeanor, which requires a court appearance, is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in jail. City Council Agendas & Minutes

NEW YORK

S8546 - AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the general business law, in relation to the care of animals by pet dealers and the sale of dogs Status: Senate Rules committee

Argyle - Town Board a proposed town dog control law was proposed to the board. The law states that all dogs must be restrained by a leash or be under the full control of the owner whenever on public property. Also addressed in the law are other forms of harassment including barking dogs, chasing and property desecration. The law also states that dogs 4 months of age or older must wear a valid dog license and rabies tags while off the owner's property, whether or not they are restrained by a leash. A violation of the law would result in a $25 fine for a first offense, a $50 fine for a second offense and a $250 fine for a third offense or a term of imprisonment not to exceed five days. The law will take effect 20 days after being adopted

Ellicott - Residents in Ellicott will be better protected from unruly and dangerous dogs after town board members adopted a somewhat controversial ordinance Monday toughening the town's restrictions on dog owners.

NORTH CAROLINA

Moore County - Mandatory sterilization, the definition of a critically injured animal and restrictions on keeping exotic or nondomestic animals were among the contentious issues debated by the County Board of Commissioners. Spaying/neutering is not carried out on animals under the age of six months, and the ordinance had been revised to require issuance of vouchers to assure that adopted kittens and puppies will be altered when they reach six months. Mandatory spay/neuter provision remains in the ordinance. It applies to any group, organization or entity offering animals for adoption in Moore County., Vouchers were to be sufficient to cover sterilization costs, and the ordinance had been revised to require the new owner to provide proof of sterilization within 30 days after the animal reaches age six months. The committee finally agreed to delete the provision requiring vouchers for people adopting pets under the age of six months.

OHIO

Hamilton - City Council will vote tonight, July 9, on an expanded vicious dog ordinance intended to help the police department control the pet population. The ordinance comes a few weeks after City Council voted to cut funding for animal control as it cuts its budget because of a projected financial crisis. The city was paying about $85,000 per year to the county for a dog warden to patrol the city and to the county's shelter. Council opted to discontinue payment because the city is in financial straits and the county is required by state law to serve all areas within its borders. Rather than allowing police to cite residents under the new ordinance, a more effective solution would be to mandate dog breeds classified as vicious to be spayed or neutered.

New Whitehall - City Council passed the new dog law tonight (6/30) after dealing with a flurry of complaints about vicious dogs roaming neighborhoods. Under the law, even the owner of a dog that kills a person would have a chance to tell an appeals board why the dog isn't vicious. Then that board, which will be chosen by Mayor John Wolfe, will be asked to decide: Is the dog a threat? If the board labels any dog vicious, the owner will have to meet a number of requirements including having a microchip inserted into the dog to identify its owner. The owner also will have to neuter or spay the animal and get $100,000 in liability insurance to cover injuries should the dog attack again. The state automatically considers pit bulls vicious, so they must have the microchip, and their owners must attain the insurance and pen the dog up when it's not on a leash.

St. Marys - members of a city committee Monday (6/30) night were briefed on possible options for tweaking the city’s ordinance regarding dangerous dogs and dogs running-at-large. City Law Director Kraig Noble presented St. Marys Safety Committee members with examples of possible ordinance ranging from dangerous dogs to dog litter during Monday’s meeting. The proposed ordinance regarding dogs running-at-large would remove the criminal charges of the offense in favor of administrative fines. Under the sample ordinance, a first offense would be a $50 fee with subsequent fees climbing to $150. Owners also would have the option of appealing the decision to the administrative appeals board.

PENNSYLVANIA

Manheim Twp - A resident's complaints have West Manheim officials talking about stepping up enforcement of an existing ordinance that forces dog owners to clean up after their pets. Mayne asked the supervisors to begin enforcing an existing township ordinance that requires all dog owners to keep their dogs from wandering onto other people's properties. The same ordinance also requires owners to clean up after dogs that defecate. Supervisor Scott Barnhart, the board's chairman, said the issue will be brought back to the supervisors meeting on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. at the township building on Baltimore Pike.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Spartanburg - City council will take a look at some of these issues before an animal control ordinance is implemented. -- Rules on tethering -- Dog and cat licenses -- How to handle permits for owners of more than five dogs and/or cats older than 4 months -- Regulations on vicious animals -- Ownership of goats and pot-bellied pigs. Input and concerns from animal activists and owners have prompted changes in an animal control ordinance first proposed nine months ago. A public hearing won't be held during today's meeting, and staff did not notify the parties involved of today's discussion. City Manager Mark Scott and City Attorney Cathy McCabe said in a memo to council that they wanted suggestions from council and direction on how to proceed before it is placed on a meeting's agenda for public hearing and council's consideration. The ordinance that council will review today prohibits tethering for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period, but it is more flexible than the previous restrictions. The ban on all tethering was deleted. All dog owners now must have a license for their pets, showing proof of rabies vaccination and a $6 payment. The initial proposal added cats to the ordinance, requiring owners to purchase a pet license. Another concern for owners of multiple animals was a provision in the initial draft requiring permits for those who own more than five dogs and/or cats more than 4 months old. A proposal allowed inspections of the premises where the animals reside, either outdoors or inside a resident's home. According to the memo, staff would only inspect premises where the animals are held if a complaint is received or a health or safety issue is observed. Owners of more than five dogs and/or cats must purchase licenses for each animal in addition to the multiple animals/breeder's permit fee.

TENNESSEE

Knox County - Knoxville's dangerous dog laws just got harsher. There's two levels of dangerous dogs. Your dog becomes level one if it attacks someone unprovoked and causes minor injury and level two label, and for now, the only mandatory spay and neuter restriction. Mandatory spay/neuter was rejected for all dangerous dogs. New ordinance passed 07/01 and takes effect in 30 days.

Lebanon - city considering vicious dog registry so Lebanon Animal Control would know if the dog they are dealing with is dangerous. Lebanon currently has a leash law, but Mayor Don Fox said there’s no way to identify vicious or intimidating dogs. Fox said the state tracks sex offenders, so why not the same strategy for a dog that bites? The proposed law has two levels, of which the second is most serious. A dog that bites will be caged and wear a special tracking device. Fox said the legislation is not breed specific and that in the end, the measure would save more dogs by preventing euthanasia in the case of a bite. The proposal still has to pass through two council readings.

Nashville - Animal advocates trying to eliminate puppy mills are calling on Nashville-area flea markets to forbid the sale of puppies.

Paris - city council discussed "vicious dogs" at the city council meeting on Tuesday evening (07/08/08). The city has decided to focus on strengthening their current vicious dog ordinance and NOT target specific breeds.

TEXAS

Aubrey - The Aubrey City Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would restrict the ownership of pit bull terriers inside city limits. The hearing begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (7/15/08) at City Hall, 107 S. Main St. 76227

Cedar Hill - city council passed Resolution R08-257 which requests the introduction, passage, and implementation of state legislation at the upcoming Texas legislative session permiting local regulations to prohibit the ownership, possession, harboring, maintenance, transportation or sale of breed specific dogs within a local municipality and/or support the repeal of legislation which prohibits breed specific legislation by home rule municipalities and local municipalities on Tuesday night (07/08/08).


Dallas - City Council passed measures to strengthen its animal control ordinances. The changes include mandatory spaying or neutering of most pets, stop owners from leaving their dogs tethered outside. Mandatory spay/neuter for household pets. Limit on the number of dogs and cats per household PASSED 06/25/08

Duncanville - According to their agenda, city council will be discussing pit bull attacks and their dangerous dog ordinances at their 7/15/08 meeting. Public comments will be allowed.

Georgetown - ordinance to outlaw dog chaining was approved by the City Council (07/01/08) Effective 12/24/08

Madisonville - The Madisonville City Council has repealed a heavily debated article of an ordinance that will ease the minds of certain dog owners.Ordinance 650, also known as the "pit bull" ordinance, was voted by the council this past Monday, July 14, to be shortened and exclude Article 1 from the order.The article had put several restrictions on pit bulls and pit bull owners, including permits, holding pens and the prohibition of any new pit bulls in the city.Article 2 of the ordinance remains. It levies restrictions on dogs deemed vicious, which is determined by factors in the ordinance. Many people had said that this part of the order was the only one needed to protect public safety.

UTAH

Provo - holds off on bad dog ordinance (7/01). The proposed ordinance would create two categories of dogs, at-risk and dangerous dogs. At-risk dogs would be those that display physical aggression and tend to menace people or attack domestic animals. A dangerous dog would be either a dog that has injured a person or was used to commit a crime.

Sandy - new proposed ordinance would put vicious dogs in three classes: prohibited, restricted and dangerous. Prohibited dogs would include coyotes, wolves, dingos, and wild hybrids ­ animals already outlawed in the city. Breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers would be in the restricted class. The city could require their owners to take out insurance policies, build escape-proof kennels and pass an inspection by animal control officers. Restricted dogs could be upgraded to dangerous dogs if they showed a tendency for violence or were classified dangerous by a judge. Those dogs could only be taken in public with short leashes and muzzles, according to the proposed ordinance. Attorneys are considering adding insurance requirements to the proposed breed-specific ordinances. Sandy Update: (7/16/08) Council agreed unanimously to delay making a decision on the code amendment. Council Chairman Scott Cowdell suggested creating an advisory committee with some of the canine professionals to help refine the proposed rules. Punish the deed, not the breed. That message was carried by close to 200 dog lovers Tuesday night who packed the Sandy City Council Chambers to protest a plan to place restrictions on owners of pit bulls and Rottweilers.

VIRGINIA

Scott County - Board of Supervisors decided Wednesday (06/25) to table an issue related to local regulation of commercial dog breeding kennels.

WASHINGTON

Spokane - Animal control officers could euthanize unlicensed cats as soon as they're picked up, if an ordinance on the Spokane City Council's agenda today passes. Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is due to take over animal control in the city by 2010. The Spokane City Council tonight (7/14/08) will decide whether to approve an emergency ordinance that would allow animal control officers to euthanize unlicensed cats as soon as they're picked up. Citizens can air their concerns during the meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the lower level of City Hall at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post Street

WISCONSIN

Brown County - Proponents of an ordinance to regulate the housing of outdoor dogs in the County have decided to drop their efforts to have it enacted. Sheriff Dennis Kocken said he was told by town officials that they would prefer to set their own rules on tethering and housing dogs instead of having the county set the rules. The issue was scheduled to be discussed by the county’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. The committee approved the proposed ordinance last month but the county board sent it back for more discussion after numerous dog owners protested.

Cudahy - will once again be considering a pit bull ban and breed-specific legislation at the July 9 meeting.

Racine - The City Council will not be creating a stricter vicious dog ordinance, at least for now, said 7th District Alderman Ray DeHahn. After hearing about too many people getting bitten by dogs, DeHahn proposed creating a stricter dog ordinance in March. His proposal included mandatory muzzles for dogs in public who have bitten someone. But after reviewing the proposal with the city attorney, DeHahn said it would be too hard to enforce. The city already has a “vicious animal” ordinance that forbids an animal from living in the city if, unprovoked, it bites or injures a person or pet twice in a year. Racine also has an ordinance that prohibits animals from running loose on public property. The Racine Board of Health tabled the suggestion Tuesday night until new information can be found.

Weston - The Village of Weston is considering a proposal that would limit the number of animals in each home and require dogs and cats to be licensed. The Village Administrator Dean Zuleger says the plan would protect the children in the village and reduce the number of stray animals. He says the village pet ordinance hasn't changed since 1991 and if this new proposal goes through the biggest change would be requiring cats to be licensed. Zuleger says issues like puppy mills and stray cats prompted the village to revise their pet ordinance. He says they worked on the proposal with the Marathon County Humane Society. It would limit the number of dogs to two per home and the number of cats to three.

Weston - UPDATE: The Weston Village Board tabled a revised animal ordinance at its meeting Monday night after several residents spoke out against a provision that would limit the number of pets allowed in a home. The proposed ordinance sets new limits on how many cats and dogs homeowners and renters can possess, depending on their living arrangements

COUNTRIES OF OTHER INTEREST

AUSTRALIA

Under Port Augusta City Council's current by-laws, the proposed dog patrols in parts of the city would be prohibited. This would mean the council would be breaching its own by-laws.

Yarriambiack -The Yarriambiack Shire is asking its residents if they would like the municipality's animal laws tightened. The shire's Ray Campling says the council has been inundated with complaints from people about wandering and stray animals at Murtoa and Minyip. Yesterday, the shire decided to send out a survey to about 400 residents at Minyip to gauge community opinion on changing the local animal by-laws."Then we'll do the analysis and come to some conclusions [about] whether we extend the survey throughout the municipality or we use this as a random selected survey to generate some sort of direction for council's consideration

ITALY

Welfare Undersecretary Francesca Martini on Tuesday launched a campaign to scrap Italy's blacklist of dangerous dogs, replacing it with a law making owners more responsible for their pet's training and behavior.

SCOTLAND

A man’s best friend is his dog, unless you are a Muslim councillor in Scotland who found this advertisement so offensive he complained, received an apology, and was assured that no ‘unclean animal’ would feature again in such a campaign. Is this what the Lord Chief Justice had in mind when he advocated Shari’a law in the UK? But now one police story has been overtaken by another of such startling absurdity that even the Lord Chief Justice must be regretting his ill-considered words. Apparently, police sniffer dogs will have to adhere to Shari’s Law and wear ‘bootees’ (with rubber soles, no less) when searching the homes of Muslims so as not to cause offence. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has drawn up ‘guidelines’ on ‘religious sensitivities’ when using dogs to search for drugs and explosives.

Winner of the "Moron of the Month" has to go to the following:

MAN BITES MAN (Dog was Puzzled)

NURENBERG — A 21-year-old man involved in a brawl at a Nurenberg pub apparently tried to teach his "Pit Bull" (Staffordshire Terrier) how to bite people by demonstrating the technique.
After beating a man to the ground, the 21-year-old got down on his hands and knees and repeatedly sunk his teeth into the unconscious victim's legs and buttocks, allegedly trying to show the dog what to do.

He was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm.

(Ed.note:) The dog stayed at the pub - thankful that his ex-owner was hauled off - no doubt tipping a few while discussing training techniques and the banning of dangerous humans.