COOKIE!

COCO

What does BSL do? It targets and demonizes certain breeds of dogs and who doesn’t have to bear the burden? Chronically irresponsible dog owners. I’m opposed to breed bans and responsible pit bulls guardians should be aware that these breed ban proposals continually pop up in different cities/states…it would be a nightmare for me to wake up one day and get a notice or knock on my door telling me that my staffie mix Blacken may have to be taken away or put down because of a law that just passed. I would hate to have to put signage in front of my duplex stating there was a dangerous dog in the premises or have my life be made miserable by financially crippling me to own Blacken due to insurance requirements. Thankfully, I can only complain about this hypothetically in a blog but this is the reality for many other people in other states!

Take the case of what’s going on in Elgin, Illinois…just so you can see what local city council’s are proposing:

From a BEST FRIENDS NETWORK EMAIL:

Illinois residents, especially in or around Elgin- please sign the petition to oppose the BSL being attempted by city council.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/stop-unfair-dog-law-in-Elgin

Only one of the requirements proposed in the ordinance is to obtain a special transport permit to travel through Elgin with ANY “Pit Bulls” or “Pit Bull TYPES”, in addition to muzzling while in public.

Additionally, all rules pertaining to a dog designated as “Dangerous” by committing an aggressive act will automatically be applied to “Pit Bulls” and dogs deemed by the city as “Pit Bulls”.

Excerpts from the proposed new ordinance:

A Pit Bull shall be and is hereby deemed as per se a Dangerous Dog and is hereby designated as a Dangerous Dog.

1. license fee for a three year license in the amount of $100

2. (From Definitions): “Pit Bull” means any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds

3. The Owner of a Pit Bull may temporarily transport through the city a Pit Bull without registering and licensing such Pit Bull only if such Owner has obtained a valid transport permit from the Chief of Police. At all times when the Pit Bull is being transported within the city, it must be securely muzzled … and be restrained on a non-retractable Leash no longer than six (6) feet; or alternatively, confined in a Secure Temporary Enclosure. Temporary transport permits shall be valid for a period not to exceed one (1) hour when the Pit Bull is being transported from a point outside the city to a destination outside the city and not to exceed two (2) hours when the Pit bull is being transported from a point outside the city to a train station or bus station within the city.

4. Confinement.

a. A Dangerous Dog on private premises must be kept indoors or outdoors either within an Enclosure or within a fully-fenced yard enclosed on all sides by fencing that:

i. is at least six feet in height

ii. locks securely

iii. has secure sides that prevent the dog from extending any portion of its body through any part of the fence; and

iv. is anchored to the ground so that the dog cannot escape by digging under the fence

b. A Dangerous Dog on public premises must be directly controlled and supervised by an adult at least 18 years of age. Such control and supervision shall require, at a minimum that the dog be:

i. restrained on a non-retractable Leash no longer than six feet; and

ii. securely muzzled

5. Required signage.
The Owner must display in a prominent place on the premises where the Dangerous Dog is kept, and at each entrance to any outdoor Enclosure where the dog is kept, clearly visible signage stating that a Dangerous Dog is kept on the premises. The text of such sign shall read: “WARNING:DANGEROUS DOG KEPT ON THE PREMISES”

6. Evaluation and training.
(a) an evaluation of the Dangerous Dog by a certified applied behaviorist, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, or another recognized expert in the field of dog behavior, and (b) obedience training or other training or treatment as deemed appropriate by the behaviorist or expert
Insurance Coverage.
Within 14 days, the Owner of the Dangerous dog must obtain and maintain and provide the City with satisfactory evidence of liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least $100,000, which coverage includes without limitation coverage for animal bites. In lieu of liability insurance, the Owner of a Dangerous Dog may obtain a surety bond in the value of at least $100,000

7. PENALTY:

A. Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply any of the mandatory requirements of this Chapter shall be guilty of an offense. Any person convicted of an offense for violating, in addition to other legal and equitable remedies available to the City, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000).

8. Failure to comply.

Upon finding that a Dangerous Dog has not been so kept or maintained, the Hearing Officer or court may, in addition to requiring the payment of the penalties, order that the license issued be revoked, that the Dangerous Dog be Altered and Microchipped at the Owner’s expense, if not already Altered and Microchipped, and be permanently removed from the corporate limits of the City within 14 days, with the Owner of the Dangerous Dog being responsible for all fees and costs incurred or charged by the city or the animal control facility utilized by the city