For canine legislation information and other links visit:
BSL Information 2000-2002 http://www.voy.com/63218/
www.rott-n-chatter.com
United Kennel Club
http://www.ukcdogs.com
Washington Animal Foundation https://members.tripod.com/waf4/index.htm
Poul Poulsen EUROWAF www.eurowaf.org
The Alabama Supreme Court / Hunstsville vs Shelia Tack, Kay Nagel/WAF
http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/News/September2002/News060902/bsl.htm
Pontiac Michigan/ WAF filed a 500,000,00 dollar lawsuit against Pontiac on Decmeber 13th 2001 for passing a breed ban, the ban was repealed in 2002.
http://www.dogsatriskusa.org/Pontiacpitbull.htm
In Ohio ACF is fighting two constitutional challenges against Ohio RC 955:11/22 which declares the American Pit Bull Terrier "vicious."
Toledo Blade News Story 4/28/03
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=TO&Date=20030428&Category=NEWS08&ArtNo=104280100&Ref=AR&SectionCat=ARCHIVES30
Seattle PI News Paper " Pit Bulls are not a problem in Seattle" http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/123505_dogs24.html
ACF presents expert testimony in Ohio:
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030718/NEWS16/107180147/-1/ARCHIVES30
On August 30, 2002 the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed a Trial Court decision that American Pit Bull Terriers are not vicious. The American Pit Bull Terriers were born at the Huntsville Animal Shelter, after more than two years the Alabama Supreme court gave them their freedom.
Reported by Attorney S. Zendorf
On August 30, 2002 the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed a Circuit Court Decision that four American Pit Bull Terriers born at the Huntsville Animal Control Shelter "did not lack any usefull purpose" as required by the local ordinance. Huntsville v. Four Pit Bull Puppies (Ala. 08-30-02), No. 1010459, unreported. The court determined that the puppies were not trained to fight and were not vicious. In addition, it held that three women who wanted to adopt them had a right to intervene. The City of Hunstville claimed the Pit Bull puppies were genetically dangerous, used expert witness testimony, and appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court after the lower court rejected its arguments and evidence.
The Alabama Supreme Court granted the Washington Animal Foundations's petition to participate in the proceedings as Amicus Curiae because the Foundation is an expert on canine genetics. The Foundation provided expert testimony to prove that Pit Bulls and other breeds are not inherently genetically dangerous and must be trained to fight .
By S. Zendorf (Attorney at Law)
In New Jersey 2002/2003 Assemblyman Burzichelli sponsored A2906 which was for placing restrictions on Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. The Bill did not pass.
ACF worked with New Jersey Attorney Jane Kelly in changing the Assemblymans understanding of breed specific legislation. Below is a letter from Jane Kelly to the Assemblyman.
Subject: FAX A-2906
Mark and Lisa, per my conversation with Mark today, I will shortly
be faxing Mark the following for consideration as he works with the
Assemblyman on drafting amendments to A2906. Since it is somewhat
lengthy, I will forward a separate packet to you and the Assemblyman
also, by mail if that is acceptable.
1. A Law enacted by the State of Washington and some pending amendatory language: This statute might serve as a model state law. It is not breed specific, addresses not only dangerous dogs but also potentially dangerous dogs, and gives municipalities the ability to craft non BSL ordinances tailored to meet their particular needs. I believe there are even more amendments in the planning stages in Washington which we might wish to explore.
2. An article which I believe was drafted by the Humane Society: I do NOT endorse all of the material contained therein (specifically p.8) Also, I think it is out of date in referencing the status of certain BSL ordinances it cites (e.g. Ohio). Nonetheless, the article may be useful in providing sample language which might be used in drafting non-BS legislation, for example in the definitions section. The basic thrust of the article clearly favors non BSL as more effective than SL and provides a good blueprint to follow when a town is seeking to adopt a non BSL ordinance to address perceived problems.
Finally, be aware of a recent (Sept. 2002) case in which the Supreme Court of Alabama (7-2) rejected the City of Huntsville's attempt to prevent the adoption of 4 pit bull puppies. Significantly, the Court affirmatively accepted scientific evidence demonstrating that no breed of dog is genetically dangerous. A due process challenge had been put forward in the case. Let me know if you need more information relative to that ruling which is a significant one.
I also have the names of a State Senator and a Town Attorney (Walla Walla) whom Assemblyman Burzichelli may wish to contact. I am advised that the non BSL ordinance adopted by Walla Walla has been extremely effective in addressing the dangerous dog problems experienced there.
If the Assemblyman would like me to forward the names and phone
numbers, please let me know.
I hope this will be helpful to the Assemblyman. Once he has had a chance to consider these materials and if he wishes to discuss non breed specific amendments to A-2906, please let me know. We would be happy to come to Trenton to meet with him again at his convenience and will help in any way that we can. Happy New Year to you both and all the best,
Jane
Never released information, documents and transcripts including information not accessable to the general public without consent by ACF is now availiable by contacting ACF at legislation2002.tripod.com
See evidence and motions used in the Jeffery Harris case were two American Pit Bull Terriers killed the neigbors dog in LA and were sententenced to death. After several appeals the dogs were released under the provocation laws of California.
See evidence and speeches prepared by WAF for a Ponitac residence who in the beginning months took on the city by herself in a battle to repeal a breed ban passed in Pontiac Mi. which included national oppostion, protests and heavy news coverage and ended in a law suit which resulted in the city repealing 2119.
Alabama, see evidence used in the Alabama Supreme Court case not available to the public, including strategies, personal notes, and information on genetics.
See evidence and case law presented to New Jersey's A2906 distributed to the entire General Assembly, including notes from the phone call from Assemblyman Burzicelli in the end of the bill. Also e-mails between organizations, memo notes from the meetings with assemblyman, lawyers notes and strategies used to assist the dog owners residing in New Jersey.
