Post by michele5611 on Sept 12, 2013 10:41:42 GMT -5
www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/09/flint_city_councilman_sheldon_1.html
FLINT, MI – Flint City Councilman Sheldon Neeley wants pit bull owners charged with a crime if the dogs attack people.
The new ordinance would force pit bull owners to register their dog with police. If the dog gets runs free and attacks someone, the dog owner could get a $500 fine and face 90 days in jail.
“It’s probably going to get me a lot of criticism,” Neeley said. “We need to hold dog owners accountable for their pet’s action.”
Neeley said the proposal comes after multiple attacks throughout the city this summer. He previously failed at getting similar legislation approved during his first term in office.
Earlier this month, a postal worker was attacked by two pit bulls while delivering mail to a home on Arlene Avenue near Stocker Avenue, Flint police reported.
“First, we’re looking at pit bulls and then broaden (the ordinance) as needed,” Neeley said.
He hopes to introduce the measure to Flint City Council’s meeting in September or October.
Neeley said he’s received assistance from the Michigan Municipal League and looked at laws in other parts of Michigan and the country that regulate pit bulls.
The licensing fee rates aren’t finalized, but Neeley said residents would pay between $20 and $30 to register the dogs at the police department.
“We as a community, we need to know where these dogs are and who owns these dogs,” he said. “This is to promote a safer community for all.”
Phil Hogendyk operates “Bruised But Not Broken” canine rescue in Grand Blanc – and while the facility is open to all breeds – it primarily deals with pit bills and American bull dog mixes.
Hogendyk said he’s rescued about 200 pit bills since 2009 and only one wasn’t able to be rehabilitated and adopted by a new family.
He says he understands why Neeley wants an ordinance.
“I can understand the reason for it, because there are a lot of neglectful owners in Flint,” he said. “It’s like it’s a status symbol to have a bulked-up pit bull.”
But Hogendyk doesn’t support what Neeley’s trying to do.
“It’s discrimination – it’s not the dog – it’s the owner,” Hogendyk said. “I think something like (Neeley’s proposal) would lead to more breed-specific legislation throughout the county, which is scary. It sets a bad precedent.”
Tyrone Croom is a state employee who lives and works in Flint. He told city council last month about the two times he had run-ins with pit bulls that had gotten loose.
In 2009, Croom said he was charged by a pit bull while walking. Croom fell down and hit his head. The head injuries he sustained required brain surgery.
Croom said in May he was attacked by a pit bull while working in Flint and fell and broke his elbow. In that instance, Croom said, a little girl at the home let the dog out.
“I’m hoping that it will make the owners more responsible, not try and make people get rid of their pets,” Croom said. “In my situation, when I sued, both dog owners were renters and there wasn’t anything I could do because they didn’t have insurance.”
Flint resident Sarah Razak said she would follow the law if Neeley’s ordinance were approved.
Dog owners who allow their dogs to run loose usually don’t license their dog or spay or neuter the animal either, she said.
“Realistically, most people won’t do that,” Razak said. “They’re trying to hold people responsible who don’t follow the law anyway.”
The attempt at breed-specific legislation would reinforce the misconception that pit bulls are aggressive and that they attack people, she said.
“Just like people – dogs have to be judged individually,” Razak said.
City ordinance requires vicious dogs to be kept on a leash or muzzle outside of a kennel, pen or house and mandates that owners display signs reading “beware of dog,” keep insurance in case of injury or death caused by the dog and register the animal with the city clerk.
City Clerk Inez Brown said said the ordinance was written in 1987 and no one has registered a vicious dog with her office.
Emergency manager Michael Brown would have to allow the city council to take up the matter. Under the state’s emergency manager law, city council can do only what Brown designates.
He could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
“First we have to have a standard,” Neeley said, adding that enforcement for not registering a pit bull could include confiscating the animal and fining the owner.
FLINT, MI – Flint City Councilman Sheldon Neeley wants pit bull owners charged with a crime if the dogs attack people.
The new ordinance would force pit bull owners to register their dog with police. If the dog gets runs free and attacks someone, the dog owner could get a $500 fine and face 90 days in jail.
“It’s probably going to get me a lot of criticism,” Neeley said. “We need to hold dog owners accountable for their pet’s action.”
Neeley said the proposal comes after multiple attacks throughout the city this summer. He previously failed at getting similar legislation approved during his first term in office.
Earlier this month, a postal worker was attacked by two pit bulls while delivering mail to a home on Arlene Avenue near Stocker Avenue, Flint police reported.
“First, we’re looking at pit bulls and then broaden (the ordinance) as needed,” Neeley said.
He hopes to introduce the measure to Flint City Council’s meeting in September or October.
Neeley said he’s received assistance from the Michigan Municipal League and looked at laws in other parts of Michigan and the country that regulate pit bulls.
The licensing fee rates aren’t finalized, but Neeley said residents would pay between $20 and $30 to register the dogs at the police department.
“We as a community, we need to know where these dogs are and who owns these dogs,” he said. “This is to promote a safer community for all.”
Phil Hogendyk operates “Bruised But Not Broken” canine rescue in Grand Blanc – and while the facility is open to all breeds – it primarily deals with pit bills and American bull dog mixes.
Hogendyk said he’s rescued about 200 pit bills since 2009 and only one wasn’t able to be rehabilitated and adopted by a new family.
He says he understands why Neeley wants an ordinance.
“I can understand the reason for it, because there are a lot of neglectful owners in Flint,” he said. “It’s like it’s a status symbol to have a bulked-up pit bull.”
But Hogendyk doesn’t support what Neeley’s trying to do.
“It’s discrimination – it’s not the dog – it’s the owner,” Hogendyk said. “I think something like (Neeley’s proposal) would lead to more breed-specific legislation throughout the county, which is scary. It sets a bad precedent.”
Tyrone Croom is a state employee who lives and works in Flint. He told city council last month about the two times he had run-ins with pit bulls that had gotten loose.
In 2009, Croom said he was charged by a pit bull while walking. Croom fell down and hit his head. The head injuries he sustained required brain surgery.
Croom said in May he was attacked by a pit bull while working in Flint and fell and broke his elbow. In that instance, Croom said, a little girl at the home let the dog out.
“I’m hoping that it will make the owners more responsible, not try and make people get rid of their pets,” Croom said. “In my situation, when I sued, both dog owners were renters and there wasn’t anything I could do because they didn’t have insurance.”
Flint resident Sarah Razak said she would follow the law if Neeley’s ordinance were approved.
Dog owners who allow their dogs to run loose usually don’t license their dog or spay or neuter the animal either, she said.
“Realistically, most people won’t do that,” Razak said. “They’re trying to hold people responsible who don’t follow the law anyway.”
The attempt at breed-specific legislation would reinforce the misconception that pit bulls are aggressive and that they attack people, she said.
“Just like people – dogs have to be judged individually,” Razak said.
City ordinance requires vicious dogs to be kept on a leash or muzzle outside of a kennel, pen or house and mandates that owners display signs reading “beware of dog,” keep insurance in case of injury or death caused by the dog and register the animal with the city clerk.
City Clerk Inez Brown said said the ordinance was written in 1987 and no one has registered a vicious dog with her office.
Emergency manager Michael Brown would have to allow the city council to take up the matter. Under the state’s emergency manager law, city council can do only what Brown designates.
He could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
“First we have to have a standard,” Neeley said, adding that enforcement for not registering a pit bull could include confiscating the animal and fining the owner.