Posted: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 SIOUX CITY -- Several pit bull owners urged city lawmakers Monday night to repeal the ban on new pit bull ownership, pointing out that it's not just their breed that bites people.
The group referred to Councilman Aaron Rochester's Labrador retriever. Sioux City Animal Control declared the 3-year-old dog, Jake, vicious for biting a neighbor who was walking by the Rochesters' home on June 27.
Rochester appealed the designation, but last week, Police Capt. Pete Groetken upheld Animal Control's ruling.
Rochester, who initiated the pit bull ban last year, said he intends to appeal to a special master in an effort to save Jake from a death sentence.
The ban, which took effect in September, includes regulations for microchipping, leashing and kenneling pit bulls and pit-bull mixes. Owners were allowed to keep pets they already had but may not replace any that die.
"I think it's been proven that any breed can bite," Andy Bagshaw said at Monday's City Council meeting. "I commend the City Council for wanting to keep citizens safe. ... This ordinance only hurts responsible pet owners. If my dog has to be behind a 6-foot fence, all dogs should be behind a 6-foot fence."
Rochester has said Jake was wearing a collar to shock him if he strayed across the underground electric fence in his yard, but said he didn't know whether the animal got shocked when he ran onto the sidewalk and bit the neighbor. The man, who has not been identified, received five stitches in his left thumb. Groetken's report on the incident indicates the attack was unprovoked.
Rochester has said he believes Jake was protecting his daughter, who was playing with a friend in the yard.
"I do not believe in these electric fences," Rick Borg, a pit bull owner, said at Monday's meeting. "They aren't worth a darn. ... I'm sorry for you, Mr. Rochester. If the fence had been there, your kids wouldn't have to worry about losing their dog."
If a special master appointed by the council upholds the vicious designation, the Lab will have to be euthanized. Rochester would have the option of appealing the master's decision to district court but said Monday he does not plan to do so.
On Feb. 4, 2008, the council appointed retired Police Capt. Glen Hanson to serve as special master in such appeals. Hanson, a 34-year veteran of the department serves as a volunteer and is not reimbursed.
Amanda Gardner, another pit bull owner, said she and others started Justice for Pit Bulls, which finds out-of-state homes for pit bulls that can't be licensed in the city but haven't been declared vicious or high risk.
"I'm sorry anybody has to go through this," she told Rochester. "If it comes to that (euthanization), maybe we can place your dog."
Rochester replied, "I really appreciate that."
It's most likely a vain hope, however. Cindy Rarrat, owner of Sioux City Animal Control, said Monday night that the city's vicious animal ordinance no longer allows animals that have been declared vicious to be placed in other jurisdictions.
"I have 11 dogs all waiting who have been determined high risk or vicious," Rarrat said.
Among them, in addition to Jake, is Jeri Dillavou's dog. Dillavou also has appealed her case to the special master. She urged the council to redefine vicious animals to give Groetken and the special master more authority to consider the circumstances of each dog bite.
Councilman Jim Rixner told her, "I strongly disagree. If a dog bites someone, we have Animal Control to protect the public. I believe these hearings are done in a fair way."
Mayor Mike Hobart, who owns three dogs, said, "My heart goes out to you if your dog ends up being euthanized."
Irresponsible pet owners
The City Council gave final approval Monday to beefing up the penalty for someone convicted of animal abuse or animal torture.
The new definition of an irresponsible pet owner makes it illegal for someone who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to abusing or torturing a pet to own another animal. Existing law required two convictions before the person was banned from pet ownership in Sioux City.
The change came as a result of a case involving a man charged with killing his puppy. Bobby Loggins of Sioux City is charged with animal torture, an aggravated misdemeanor, and filing a false police report, a serious misdemeanor.
Police say he killed his American bulldog puppy by punching it about 30 times in the face for urinating on the carpet at a party. Loggins has denied it, saying the 5-month-old puppy's death was an accident.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Owners lobby for repeal of pit bull ban Incident with Rochester's Lab proves any breed can bite, they say
Sunday, June 28, 2009
CA: Fight Cuts to Holding Period at Animal Shelters! CA Budget Proposal to Shorten Animal Holding Periods at Shelters ASPCA Position
| CA: Fight Cuts to Holding Period at Animal Shelters! CA Budget Proposal to Shorten Animal Holding Periods at Shelters Because of the $24 billion budget deficit facing the State of California, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting state funding to city and county animal shelters. In 1998, California passed a law that made the minimum, statewide stray animal holding period six days per animal. This “animal adoption mandate” allows pet owners time to locate lost animals and gives unclaimed animals more time to either be adopted or transferred to rescue organizations. Governor Schwarzenegger wants to suspend the mandate and drastically cut the holding period, giving animals in shelters three days or less to be claimed or adopted. By shortening the animal holding period, the state will relieve its budget deficit by a mere one-tenth of one percent (0.1%). If state funding is reduced, shelters will be put in a very difficult position. The tidal wave of home foreclosures has dramatically increased the number of surrendered and abandoned animals, placing a tremendous financial burden on these already overwhelmed shelters. Suspending the “animal adoption mandate” will have life-or-death consequences for California’s neediest animals. What You Can Do When you call, you will most likely speak to a staff member who will offer to pass your message along to your senator and assemblymember. Here are a few suggestions that may help you when speaking to a legislative staffer:
Afterwards, please fill out your zip code information and log your call. Thank you for your help, California. | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
so close....V-I-C-T-O.....
Appellate court revives pit bull lawsuit
DENVER (AP) Opponents of a Denver ordinance that calls for euthanizing pit bulls found living in city limits have another chance at challenging the law in court.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday revived a lawsuit filed by three former Denver residents who moved out the city to avoid losing their dogs. A federal judge had dismissed their lawsuit in March 2008.
Denver banned pit bulls in 1989 after dogs mauled a minister and killed a boy in separate attacks. After years of legal challenges, the city began enforcing the law in May 2005.
A three-judge panel of the appellate court said the residents could proceed on their claim that Denver's breed-specific prohibition is irrational.
Opponents of the ban claim Denver lacks evidence that pit bulls pose a threat to public safety or constitute a public nuisance. They argue that the same canine organizations used to set standards for establishing whether a dog is a pit bull also describe the breeds as stable, friendly and good with children.
A message left at the Denver's city attorney's office was not immediately returned.
''The vast majority of dogs killed under this law haven't done anything wrong,'' said Karen Breslin, an attorney who argued on behalf of the former residents. ''There are dogs out there that do pose a danger, but killing dogs just for how they look? How stupid is that?''
At least 1,100 dogs had been killed under the law when opponents filed the lawsuit in March 2007.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sonya Dias and Hillary Engel, who said they were forced to move out of Denver because of the pit bull ordinance, and Sheryl White, whose dog allegedly was seized under the city ban.
''My dog is a big old dork,'' Dias said of her copper-colored pet, which has patches of black and white and is named Gryffindor. Dias rescued Gryffindor from a Georgia dogfighting ring in 2004.
''I think they've gotten a bad name because it's the perception that it's gangbangers' dogs, and they're not,'' Dias said.
Pit bull typically describes three kinds of dogs the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. But Denver's ban applies to any dog that looks like a pit bull.
The appellate court upheld a federal judge's dismissal of a claim that the law is vague and did not rule on the merits of the opponents' remaining claim that singling a specific breed is irrational.
The Legislature passed a law in 2004 that prohibited breed-specific bans, but Denver sued and a judge ruled in April 2005 the law was an unconstitutional violation of local control.
Other cities have banned pit bulls, including Aurora, Commerce City, Lone Tree, and Pueblo. Other cities have beefed up vicious-dog ordinances without singling out pit bulls.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. In the interest of timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain occasional typographical errors. )
Friday, May 1, 2009
Teens Allegedly Burn Dogs in Texas
This article was forwarded to us today.
We have set up a memorial fund for these dogs, if you would like to donate in their honor.
This kind of thing is why we cannot stop doing what we do.
We have set up a memorial fund for these dogs, if you would like to donate in their honor.
This kind of thing is why we cannot stop doing what we do.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Vote For Deirdre! Do Good, Feel Good!
Hero of the Year?
Nominate Little Darling!
Animal Planet has opened their 2009 Hero of the Year contest; You can win $1000 if your nominee is chosen! We've decided to try and get Little Darling nominated as much as we can. The grand prize, among other things, is that the winner gets to donate $10,000 to the cause he or she likes best!
Over the past three years, Little Darling has built the concept of Pinups for Pitbulls from the ground up, volunteering 20-60+ hours a week. We feel the contest description is pretty much the definition of the work she's done for Pit bulls. (We've listed how they judge the contest below.)
To nominate Little Darling, please use this info:
Her Name:
Deirdre Franklin
Her Address:
P.O. Box 1235
Morrisville, PA 19067
Her Phone Number (note, this is a false number, to protect her privacy. Close friends have already nominated her and entered a correct number.)
267-555-1234
Her Email:
littledarling@pinupsforpitbulls.com
There is an up-to-250-word entry to write at the end about her and her impact. In our entries, we've cited her hard work, her wide-reaching impact with examples from our press coverage and calendars sold, and also cited the networking she has done to bring so many different people together worldwide to help Pitbulls and Bully-breeds.
If you'd like to know more about Little Darling, her bio is here. Or there is a bio written in the front of the 2009 calendar.
Our press page is here.
We've listed the guidelines and what they are judging below. Remember, if your nomination makes her the winner, you can win $1000! Good luck!!! :)
Animal Planet Contest Info:
Click here for general info about the contest
Click here to fill out the Entry Form
The nomination statement must include:
* A description of the cause the Nominee supports;
* The activities and actions that demonstrate the Nominee's commitment to the cause;
* The accomplishment and impact of the actions;
* How the Nominee's actions may have inspired others to get involved with the cause.
JUDGING: Initial judging will be conducted by a panel of judges under the supervision of the Contest Administrator, an independent judging organization, and based on the following judging criteria:
* Level of commitment to the cause, including time devoted - 30% of total score;
* Level of accomplishments and impact of the actions - 30% of total score;
* Inspirational value of the actions on others - 20% of total score;
* Sincerity and credibility of the statement - 20% of total score. The ten Nominees receiving the highest scores will be declared the potential Finalists. In the event of a tie, the Nominee with the most unique story, in the judges' sole opinion, will be named a Finalist.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
BSL in Pennsylvania? Not on our watch!!
Hello friends,
BSL is a topic in Pennsylvania, where we are based. Little Darling, Founder, was born and raised there. Keeping her "furkids" Carla Lou and Baxter safe from BSL is the inspiration behind Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc.
Pennsylvania Representative John T. Galloway (D-140) has proposed H671; an Act which will amend the current dog law and allow individual local governments to classify ANY breed of dog as dangerous. This amendment will put ALL breeds at risk. Most commonly affected by such laws are Pit Bulls and Pit Bull type dogs, but many other breeds have suffered due to breed-discriminatory laws such as: American Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Shar Peis, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and German Shepards.
Basically it gives lawmakers room to begin Breed Banning wherever they see fit; even "safe" dogs like Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Chihuahuas could be at risk. As we've seen before, every decade seems to spawn a new prejudice against a certain breed.
Please sign this petition against BSL for PA. You do not have to be a PA resident to add your signature. We often sign other State petitions letting them know we're not interested in visiting their State as long as BSL exists there.
Additional Resources on this Law:
The Bill
Bless the Bullys Blog explains the wording changes
Best Friends Animal Blog
Stop BSL's blog about the bill
BSL isn't just in PA! Recent blogs have been posted about proposals inMontana and Hawaii. It is our job to stop these laws as they are in the beginning stages.
Here is a sample letter to give you some ideas about what to say to the legislators in question.
Dear Pennsylvania Representatives,
I write to you on behalf of Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based International organization 3 years running. Pinups for Pitbulls raises and donates money toward rehabilitating "Pit Bulls" (American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pitbull Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers), who have been abused in dog-fighting rings and "backyard breeding", among other abusive situations.
We are a growing network of educated, responsible "bully-breed" owners and advocates. With over 160,000 visitors to our website annually, plus extensive media coverage (including Discovery.com and CN8), and with thousands of annual calendars sold throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, we strive to make a difference in the public's opinion and treatment of these maligned animals.
We also seek to propose alternative solutions to legislators such as yourself as you consider Breed Bans as a way to handle the problem of reported pit bull attacks, "backyard" breeding, and the various criminal activities involved with dog-fighting.
We have many resources on the breed's history available through our website.
Here are a few facts:
-The American Temperament Testing Society does temperament testing throughout the year at breed clubs and complies the statistics. The 2002 statistics show APBTs, AMSTAFFs, and Rottweilers in the 82 percentile (meaning non-aggressive). Comparative results include: Golden Retrievers, Bichon Frise 77%, Chihuahua 71%, Greyhound 81%, Lhasa Apso 71%.
(These test results are available at www.atts.org)
-Contrary to popular belief, pit bulls do not have locking jaws.
-All dogs bite. All sizes, breeds, and mixes. Not just "pit bulls".
-The AKC, ASPCA, UKC, SPCA, AVMA and the HSUS, all highly-respected organizations, have all written position statements against BSL.
Pit Bulls have the same temperament test results as a Labrador Retriever. When not trained to fight, they are loyal, loving family pets. "Pit-bulls" and bully breeds are NOT aggressive by nature, no matter how "purebred" they are. In fact, their loyalty to humans is why they are used in dog fighting. They are highly trainable.
Breed-banning is in no way an effective means for protecting anyone. You are hurting responsible owners who license and tag their family pets, and you are killing innocent dogs. It is also not a cost-effective way to deal with the fighting of aggressive dogs. You will lose revenue as people who own the breed of dog elect to not travel through your state,or have to leave the state rather than give up their dog. Additionally, Dog Club shows or competitions may elect to hold conferences and shows in NON-BSL locations. Dog-fighters and breeders will just go underground and continue to abuse the dogs and contribute to the problem at hand.
Prince George County Maryland did very intensive research into their current ban on Pit Bulls. They formed a large task force to review their vicious dog law. After months of research they produced a 300+ page report; one recommendation issued was to lift the ban because it is costly and ineffective. (The report can be found here:
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL/Research/PGCMD/PGCMTOC1.htm)
We ask that you reconsider your position on passing a statewide Breed-Specific Ban. Please propose laws that instead crack down on backyard breeders, irresponsible owners, dog abusers, and dog fighting rings; they are not only the true source of dog-aggression, but they will continue to breed and fight these dogs regardless of the breed ban.
Additional Resources on Pit Bulls
http://www.realpitbull.com
http://atts.org/stats1.html
http://www.understand-a-bull.com
http://www.pinupsforpitbulls.com/#/fans/4530202898
______________
Before we sign off today, we have a closing note about comments:
If you are commenting to spread negativity about us, our posts, pitbulls, or how inaccurate our posts are, your comments will not be posted.
If you have a comment or an article link to add to our blog or to enlighten us on a subject as it develops, we welcome your POSITIVE input. You don't have to be rude to share what you know.:)
Negative energy is something we fight every day to keep dogs safe and bullies from being slandered; that said, negativity has no place on our blog. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping the bullys.
xoxoxo
The Pinups for Pitbulls 2009
BSL is a topic in Pennsylvania, where we are based. Little Darling, Founder, was born and raised there. Keeping her "furkids" Carla Lou and Baxter safe from BSL is the inspiration behind Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc.
Pennsylvania Representative John T. Galloway (D-140) has proposed H671; an Act which will amend the current dog law and allow individual local governments to classify ANY breed of dog as dangerous. This amendment will put ALL breeds at risk. Most commonly affected by such laws are Pit Bulls and Pit Bull type dogs, but many other breeds have suffered due to breed-discriminatory laws such as: American Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Shar Peis, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and German Shepards.
Basically it gives lawmakers room to begin Breed Banning wherever they see fit; even "safe" dogs like Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Chihuahuas could be at risk. As we've seen before, every decade seems to spawn a new prejudice against a certain breed.
Please sign this petition against BSL for PA. You do not have to be a PA resident to add your signature. We often sign other State petitions letting them know we're not interested in visiting their State as long as BSL exists there.
Additional Resources on this Law:
The Bill
Bless the Bullys Blog explains the wording changes
Best Friends Animal Blog
Stop BSL's blog about the bill
BSL isn't just in PA! Recent blogs have been posted about proposals inMontana and Hawaii. It is our job to stop these laws as they are in the beginning stages.
Here is a sample letter to give you some ideas about what to say to the legislators in question.
Dear Pennsylvania Representatives,
I write to you on behalf of Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based International organization 3 years running. Pinups for Pitbulls raises and donates money toward rehabilitating "Pit Bulls" (American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pitbull Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers), who have been abused in dog-fighting rings and "backyard breeding", among other abusive situations.
We are a growing network of educated, responsible "bully-breed" owners and advocates. With over 160,000 visitors to our website annually, plus extensive media coverage (including Discovery.com and CN8), and with thousands of annual calendars sold throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, we strive to make a difference in the public's opinion and treatment of these maligned animals.
We also seek to propose alternative solutions to legislators such as yourself as you consider Breed Bans as a way to handle the problem of reported pit bull attacks, "backyard" breeding, and the various criminal activities involved with dog-fighting.
We have many resources on the breed's history available through our website.
Here are a few facts:
-The American Temperament Testing Society does temperament testing throughout the year at breed clubs and complies the statistics. The 2002 statistics show APBTs, AMSTAFFs, and Rottweilers in the 82 percentile (meaning non-aggressive). Comparative results include: Golden Retrievers, Bichon Frise 77%, Chihuahua 71%, Greyhound 81%, Lhasa Apso 71%.
(These test results are available at www.atts.org)
-Contrary to popular belief, pit bulls do not have locking jaws.
-All dogs bite. All sizes, breeds, and mixes. Not just "pit bulls".
-The AKC, ASPCA, UKC, SPCA, AVMA and the HSUS, all highly-respected organizations, have all written position statements against BSL.
Pit Bulls have the same temperament test results as a Labrador Retriever. When not trained to fight, they are loyal, loving family pets. "Pit-bulls" and bully breeds are NOT aggressive by nature, no matter how "purebred" they are. In fact, their loyalty to humans is why they are used in dog fighting. They are highly trainable.
Breed-banning is in no way an effective means for protecting anyone. You are hurting responsible owners who license and tag their family pets, and you are killing innocent dogs. It is also not a cost-effective way to deal with the fighting of aggressive dogs. You will lose revenue as people who own the breed of dog elect to not travel through your state,or have to leave the state rather than give up their dog. Additionally, Dog Club shows or competitions may elect to hold conferences and shows in NON-BSL locations. Dog-fighters and breeders will just go underground and continue to abuse the dogs and contribute to the problem at hand.
Prince George County Maryland did very intensive research into their current ban on Pit Bulls. They formed a large task force to review their vicious dog law. After months of research they produced a 300+ page report; one recommendation issued was to lift the ban because it is costly and ineffective. (The report can be found here:
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL/Research/PGCMD/PGCMTOC1.htm)
We ask that you reconsider your position on passing a statewide Breed-Specific Ban. Please propose laws that instead crack down on backyard breeders, irresponsible owners, dog abusers, and dog fighting rings; they are not only the true source of dog-aggression, but they will continue to breed and fight these dogs regardless of the breed ban.
Additional Resources on Pit Bulls
http://www.realpitbull.com
http://atts.org/stats1.html
http://www.understand-a-bull.com
http://www.pinupsforpitbulls.com/#/fans/4530202898
______________
Before we sign off today, we have a closing note about comments:
If you are commenting to spread negativity about us, our posts, pitbulls, or how inaccurate our posts are, your comments will not be posted.
If you have a comment or an article link to add to our blog or to enlighten us on a subject as it develops, we welcome your POSITIVE input. You don't have to be rude to share what you know.:)
Negative energy is something we fight every day to keep dogs safe and bullies from being slandered; that said, negativity has no place on our blog. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping the bullys.
xoxoxo
The Pinups for Pitbulls 2009
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