Post by RealPitBull on Feb 10, 2015 9:43:50 GMT -5
Ok, "Alaskan Huskies" had more bites than "pit bulls"? Um...what?
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2015/02/09/des-moines-pit-bull-law-ineffective-arl-chief-says/23130593/
Pit-bull breeds will still be set apart under a revised animal ordinance aimed at holding pet owners more accountable for misbehaving pets in Des Moines.
However, the new ordinance would require that all dogs identified as pit bulls be registered as "high risk," replacing the term "vicious" in the current ordinance.
The City Council approved a first reading of the divisive ordinance 6-1, with a request that officials evaluate its effectiveness and progress within the next 12 months. The future of breed-neutral language in the city's animal ordinance may also be reconsidered at that time.
"The original intent was how to best deal with habitual violators," Councilwoman Chris Hensley said of the recommendation for a new animal ordinance. A group of city officials and community stakeholders helped produce the final version after meeting for several months.
"The breed-specific language really took on a life of its own and that was never the original intent," Hensley said.
Four residents, including a representative with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, requested further consideration to remove breed-specific language at Monday's City Council meeting and work session. One resident advocated for language that identifies pit-bull breeds as "high risk," as is the case under the new ordinance.
The ARL voiced support for breed neutrality.
"Breed-specific language for Des Moines requires tremendous time and effort and only scratches the surface in doing what it is intended to do (enhance public safety) by restricting the ownership of a particular breed," Tom Colvin, the ARL's executive director, wrote in an email to council members Monday morning. "We strongly urge you to remove the breed-specific language in the ordinance that focuses on a dog's appearance so we can instead redirect those efforts to focus on a dog's behaviors and pet-owner responsibility."
The new Des Moines ordinance requires that all dogs identified as pit bulls be registered as "high risk," even if they have never had a reported incident. It replaced the current term "vicious."
Under both ordinances, owners of pit bull-type dogs must register their pet with the city and pay for special liability insurance.
Although pit bull breeds had more bites reported last year in Des Moines than other breeds, they had a lower bite rate than Alaskan huskies, only one of which is registered as vicious.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2015/02/09/des-moines-pit-bull-law-ineffective-arl-chief-says/23130593/
Pit-bull breeds will still be set apart under a revised animal ordinance aimed at holding pet owners more accountable for misbehaving pets in Des Moines.
However, the new ordinance would require that all dogs identified as pit bulls be registered as "high risk," replacing the term "vicious" in the current ordinance.
The City Council approved a first reading of the divisive ordinance 6-1, with a request that officials evaluate its effectiveness and progress within the next 12 months. The future of breed-neutral language in the city's animal ordinance may also be reconsidered at that time.
"The original intent was how to best deal with habitual violators," Councilwoman Chris Hensley said of the recommendation for a new animal ordinance. A group of city officials and community stakeholders helped produce the final version after meeting for several months.
"The breed-specific language really took on a life of its own and that was never the original intent," Hensley said.
Four residents, including a representative with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, requested further consideration to remove breed-specific language at Monday's City Council meeting and work session. One resident advocated for language that identifies pit-bull breeds as "high risk," as is the case under the new ordinance.
The ARL voiced support for breed neutrality.
"Breed-specific language for Des Moines requires tremendous time and effort and only scratches the surface in doing what it is intended to do (enhance public safety) by restricting the ownership of a particular breed," Tom Colvin, the ARL's executive director, wrote in an email to council members Monday morning. "We strongly urge you to remove the breed-specific language in the ordinance that focuses on a dog's appearance so we can instead redirect those efforts to focus on a dog's behaviors and pet-owner responsibility."
The new Des Moines ordinance requires that all dogs identified as pit bulls be registered as "high risk," even if they have never had a reported incident. It replaced the current term "vicious."
Under both ordinances, owners of pit bull-type dogs must register their pet with the city and pay for special liability insurance.
Although pit bull breeds had more bites reported last year in Des Moines than other breeds, they had a lower bite rate than Alaskan huskies, only one of which is registered as vicious.
I look forward to learning much here