[ SHOWGSD-L ] ILLINOIS NEEDS HELP !!!
- From: RihadinK9@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005 15:04:58 EST
CROSSPOSTED FROM DOG LEGISLATION
Illinois Dog Owners Face Multiple BSL Threats [Friday, December 02, 2005]
AKC and dog owners in Illinois are organizing against state and city
measures that ban or severely restrict specific breeds of dogs. Phone calls,
e-mails, and letters to legislators are urgently needed to stop these unfair
proposals:
State of Illinoisâ??
HB4212: Introduced by Rep. Shane Cultra on December 1st, HB4212 would permit
cities to regulate dogs based on their breed, effectively repealing a state
law passed only two years ago that prohibits such legislation. The bill
further allows an outright ban of "scheduled breeds," defined as American Pit
Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, "pit bulls," Pit Bull
Terriers,
Rottweilers and Staffordshire Terriers.
SB1790: Sen. Martin Sandoval backed away from his support of this
breed-specific bill early in 2005. However, he has recently stated his intent
to take
up the bill again, perhaps with amendments. As currently written, SB1790 would
automatically deem the following breeds dangerous dogs, regardless of any
prior aggressive behavior: "Pit bull," Rottweiler , German Shepherd, Siberian
Husky , Alaskan Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Great Dane, St.
Bernard, Akita. Owners would be required to spay or neuter their dogs and
abide by
strict care conditions.
The American Kennel Club wholeheartedly supports legislators' desire to
protect their constituents and prevent tragic incidents from occurring.
However,
breed specific dangerous dog laws are ineffective at keeping communities
safe. Rather than hold all dog owners accountable for their behavior, these
laws
place restrictions only on the owners of certain breeds of dogs. If specific
breeds are banned, owners intent on using their dogs for malicious purposes,
such as dog fighting or criminal activities, will simply change to another
breed of dog and continue to jeopardize public safety.
HB4212 and S1790 will do little to address the root cause of dangerous dog
problemsâ??irresponsible owners. Rather, strongly enforced dog control laws
such
as leash laws, generic guidelines for dealing with dangerous dogs, and
increased public education efforts to promote responsible dog ownership are
all
positive ways to protect communities from future dog attacks.
What You Can Do:
* Contact the sponsors of HB4212 and SB1790 to express your concerns.
It is particularly important for legislators to hear from their constituents.
To find out who represents you in Illinois, visit:
_http://www.elections.il.gov/District
Locator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1_
(http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1)
Rep. Shane Cultra
230-N Stratton Office Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706
217/558-1039
Sen. Martin Sandoval
118 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5304
_sandoval@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:sandoval@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
* Watch AKC's web site. We will share news of developments, including
committee referrals and hearing dates, as they become available. In the past,
dangerous dog bills have been assigned to the Agriculture Committees in
their respective houses, and that is likely to happen again.
Chicago
Alderman Virginia Rugai has again introduced a proposal that would restrict
ownership of "pit bulls" in Chicago and prohibit new "pit bulls" from being
brought into the city. The proposal defines "pit bulls" as American Pit Bull
Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers or any
mixed breed containing these breeds. Violators would face fines up to
$1,000, possible jail sentences of up to six months and impoundment of their
animals.
Owners of "pit bulls" currently residing in the city would be required to
have their dogs microchipped, spayed or neutered and kept in specified pens
when they are outside. They would further be required to and erect fences and
post warning signs on their property. Additionally, no owner would be allowed
to have more than two dangerous dogs, including "pit bulls."
Although Illinois state law prohibits local governments from enacting
breed-specific ordinances, the city attorney's office argues that Chicago can
pass
such a proposal because of its home rule authority. Home rule gives larger
municipalities additional powers to establish laws and impose taxes.
What You Can Do:
* Contact Ald. Rugai and voice your opposition. Ask her to withdraw
the proposal in favor of a strongly-enforced dangerous dog ordinance.
Alderman Virginia Rugai
Email: _vrugai@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:vrugai@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Phone: 312-744-3072
Fax: 773-238-9049
* Contact your local Alderman and ask him or her to oppose this
measure. To find out who represents you on the Board of Alderman, _click
here_
(http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/find.html) . It is critical
that officials hear from their own constituents!
Chicago City Council
City Hall
121 N. Lasalle Street, Rm 209
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-744-6800
Fax: 312-744-6824
Points to Address:
* Breed-specific laws are not the best way to protect communities. An
owner intent on using his or her dogs for malicious purposes will simply be
able to switch to another type of dog and continue to jeopardize public
safety. The list of regulated breeds or types could grow every year without
ever
addressing responsible dog ownership. Deeds, not breeds, should be addressed.
* Breed-specific laws are hard to enforce. Breed identification
requires expert knowledge of the individual breeds, placing great burden on
local
officials.
* Breed-specific laws are unfair to responsible owners.
* Breed-specific laws increase costs for the community. Shelter costs
for the community could rise as citizens abandon targeted breeds and
adoptable dogs of the targeted breeds could be euthanized at the shelter.
* Some communities have had their breed-specific laws overturned on
constitutional grounds. Because proper identification of what dogs would be
included is difficult or impossible, the law may be deemed unconstitutionally
vague.
* Strongly enforced animal control laws (such as leash laws), generic
guidelines on dealing with dangerous dogs and increased public education
efforts to promote responsible dog ownership are all better ways to protect
communities from dangerous animals.
* Breed-specific legislation is opposed by the AKC, the American
Veterinary Medical Association, the National Animal Control Association, the
ASPCA, and a host of national animal welfare organizations that have studied
the
issue and recognize that targeting breeds simply does not work.
For more information please contact:
Illinois Dog Clubs and Breeders Association
_Lotzadots101@xxxxxxxx (mailto:Lotzadots101@xxxxxxx)
AKC's Canine Legislation department
919-816-3720
_doglaw@xxxxxxxx (mailto:doglaw@xxxxxxx)
Ginger Cleary, Rome, GA
a rumor flies around the world while the truth is still putting it's shoes
on..
_http://www.rihadin.com_ (http://www.rihadin.com/)
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