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BSL - Breed Specific Legislation
We do not believe there is any such thing as a 'bad'
breed of dog, simply a dog that was put into the hands
of a poor owner who failed to provide proper
training and socialization. While it's only common
sense that some dogs have neurological problems from the
beginning and even in the hands of a professional they
can never truly be safe family pets, we believe this is
a low number of the total dogs in the world. Sadly,
some breeds of dog, because of their strength and
natural drive to please their handler, have been used in
very inhumane ways, destroying their breed name. Once a
problem for german shepherd or rottweiler lovers, the
American Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier and
other 'pitbull' type breeds have been attacked in recent
years. We urge everyone to do their research on these
breeds. All dogs are simply what you make of them.
Even Michael Vick dogs in many cases have gone on to
have wonderful lives working as therapy dogs and
educational examples for the public. Once known as
nanny dogs in the 1800s for the countries adoration of
their love of children and the common practice of
bringing one of these dogs home when they brought home a
child, their reputation and loving nature has been
destroyed. We work very hard to bring the truth about
these dogs to public. We urge you to research them and
learn what truly wonderful, loving, affectionate, loyal,
funny dogs they are.
Dandridge, TN has scrapped any plans for a pitbull
ban!!!
Click Here
On October 13th, HART made the trip to Dandridge, TN
to speak on behalf of those that can't speak for
themselves; the bully breeds. I must say that I was
so very impressed with the turn out. Of all the breed
owners in the world, it seems that bully breed owners
are a special lot. This is a group of people that are
so passionate about their breed and will go to any
lengths to keep them safe. It's so tragic and
unfortunate that the criminal element have also found
what loyal and easy to train dogs this breed is.
Appx 50-60 people showed at the council meeting. By
the end of the night almost every single person there
had spoken. Many brought literature showing the
ineffectiveness of breed specific bans. In attendance
was a local vet, a neighboring community's animal
control officer, Jodi Preis of Bless the Bully's
rescue, East TN bully rescue, and many, many loyal and
responsible pit owners. The stories were very moving
and a couple had me next to tears. Among them, an
adorable little blond haired, blue eyed boy holding a
sign saying 'please don't kill my best friend' with a
photo of himself and the dog together. His mother
stated he is only a few years old; too young for
school. His best friend - his only friend at this age
- is his dog, a pitbull. They are inseperable. How
can she tell her son that his best friend that sleeps
in his bed with him at night must be killed because
someone that has never met him says he's aggressive?
Oh, break out the Kleenex!
Most of the council members seemed interested and
wanted to hear the information provided. Points were
made that if they ban a specific breed they leave a
massive hole that the criminal element can climb right
through. They're not stopping them from getting other
breeds of dogs, breeds that can be taught just as
easily to be aggressive. Many of the breeds are much,
much larger and more powerful. Breed bans, other than
being so very unfair, are a huge danger to the
public.
We'll have to wait and see the outcome. But I for one
am very hopeful that the Mayor has gone back and
researched the info himself as requested and will go
back to his community and educate them. Let them know
that he won't ban any specific breed because it will
leave them all in danger and he cares too much to do
that. That he will however be looking into a
dangerous dog law that will keep
all of the community
safe from every breed
of dog. At this point, their safety relies
completely and totally on the decision that will be
made by the commitee.
HART will keep everyone updated on this, that's
for sure!
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From: Ronni Connelly [hilltopanimalrescueteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 11:43 AM
To: Mayor; Rich Dunne; Robert Gilliam; David Kaptain;
John Prigge;
John Steffen; Mike Warren
Subject: BSL laws
It's come to my attention that your city is looking to
enact breed specific
banning of pitbulls. This is a topic I've done a
tremendous amount of
research on and have been going to different town
meetings and city council meetings to speak on.
While there is no doubt that dangerous dogs do exist,
blaming a single dog breed isn't fair and leaves the
public at risk. Pitbulls have a bad
reputation due to media hype and sensationalism. A true
pitbull is nothing
like you'll see in the media. They are loving, loyal
devoted members of
families across the country, as well as dedicated
members of many law
enforcement departments.
Some of the problems with banning a specific breed are:
Identifying a specific breed is virtually impossible,
even for a professional, which leaves your city open for
legal action when their dog of another breed is deemed
to be a pitbull.
Only the law abiding citizens, who are the dog owners
that will properly
train and socialize their pet, will follow your laws.
The criminal element
will still continue to obtain pitbulls, or any other
breed of dog deemed illegal. Those are the owners of the
dogs that are aggressive and dangerous.
This does not stop anyone from obtaining any other breed
of dog that can also inflict harm to the public.
Implementing and trying to enforce breed ban laws are
very expensive.
I will include a list of studies and various information
on laws that
have been enacted in other places, as well as a
tremendous amount of
information that you may find surprising and useful in
your search to
keep your community.
Other towns have enacted and later repealed their breed
ban laws in
favor of a dangerous dog law that is non-breed specific.
Among them,
Calgary in Canada enacted an excellent dangerous dog law
that is now
the reason their dog bite statistics are at a 25 year
low. They have
shown some incredibly impressive numbers.
----------------------------------------------
From:
John Prigge <prigge_j@cityofelgin.org>
To: Ronni Connelly <hilltopanimalrescueteam@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 2:13:11 PM
Subject: RE: BSL laws
Thanks for your concern on this Elgin, Illinois safety
issue.
Clearly, this is an Elgin issue. I assure you I will
represent
the citizens of Elgin to the best of my ability and not
be swayed
by anyone not living and/or working in Elgin - on either
side of
this common sense issue.
Sincerely,
Councilman John Prigge
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From: Ronni Connelly [hilltopanimalrescueteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 3:13 PM
To: John Prigge
Subject: Re: BSL laws
I'm very sorry you feel that way, and I'm quite
distressed t
hat this is something you think of as a "common sense
issue",
as it clearly is not. If it were it wouldn't even be up
for debate.
You've obviously made up your mind and no amount of
facts will sway you.
I certainly hope that's something your citizens think of
when re-election
comes up. I know I'll certainly be forwarding your
e-mail to many of them
to let them know that you already know how you'll vote
on whatever comes before you, regardless of their
feelings or the facts.
--------------------------------------------------------
From: John Prigge <prigge_j@cityofelgin.org>
To: Ronni Connelly <hilltopanimalrescueteam@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 3:24:02 PM
Subject: RE: BSL laws
Thank you.
----------------------------------------------------------
Elgin, if
this is the kind of politicians you're putting in office
you've got big problems headed your way. This man has
obviously taken this position to push the policies
he believes in. He's not willing to even look at facts
or discuss this at all. I've handed him dozens of links
and statistics from other cities and towns showing it's
cost them a fortune in tax money and not only has it not
worked, in many cases their bite stats have gone up!
Calgary Canada has found an excellent bill that holds
the pet owner responsible for their pet. It keeps the
public safer because it's not banning a breed, but it's
banning the deed! If a dog is deemed dangerous they are
able to immediate seize the animal and eliminate any
potential injury or death to the public. But this isn't
something your Councilman is even remotely interested.
He doesn't want to hear facts; his mind is made up.
Kind of a scary thing that should probably be kept in
mind when election day rolls around, don't you think?
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