Dog Community

Tennessee BSL Alert!!!!

Posted : 1/16/2008 11:14:01 AM

For you folks in Tennessee a bill has been submitted to make it illegal to own a pit bull.

Better get your organizations together to fight this.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2738.pdf

SENATE BILL 2738

By Kilby

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,

Chapter 14, relative to pit bull dogs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, is amended by

adding the following new section thereto:

§ 39-14-215.

(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Own” means to harbor, keep or exercise control over the dog, and "owner” means a person who, at the time of the offense, regularly harbors, keeps or exercises control over the dog;

(2) "Pit bull dog" means any pit bull terrier; and

(3) "Pit bull terrier" means any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as fifty percent (50%) of its breeding the breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier, so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier.

(b) It is an offense for any person to knowingly own a pit bull dog in this state.

(c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) In addition to the penalty imposed in subsection (c), the court making the sentencing determination for a person convicted under this section shall order the person convicted to surrender custody and forfeit the pit bull dog or pit bull dogs if the person convicted is the owner of the pit bull dog or dogs. Custody shall be given to a humane society incorporated under the laws of this state.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit prosecution under any other provision of law.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2008, the public welfare requiring it.

spiritdogs

Posted : 1/16/2008 2:55:28 PM

That's disgusting. I cannot for the life of me ever figure out why lawmakers do not consult behaviorists and knowledgeable dog professionals before filing this ridiculous crap.

Pomeranian <3

Posted : 1/16/2008 3:00:49 PM

LOL what?! Illegal to OWN a certain BREED?! That's almost as silly as California not allowing ferrets (if they want to be stinky, let them be stinky too!! hehe i had three ferrets once... god did they smell; but any way...)

Hopefully this is some type of temp. ban...?? they must have really bad abuse and fighting issues there...

Pomeranian <3

Posted : 1/16/2008 3:03:03 PM

spiritdogs

That's disgusting. I cannot for the life of me ever figure out why lawmakers do not consult behaviorists and knowledgeable dog professionals before filing this ridiculous crap.

Yeah the government does tend to do it "through the back door" I mean we are technically allowed to see every bill, and oppose to things, yada yada. BUT you have to really be aware of your state stature & laws and attend those state meetings. Just like at a town meeting, they always host one before a bill is passed BUT no one bothers to show up then complains that taxes were raised; its like GO TO THE MEETINGS!!!

I wonder if this law will make a big fuss...

spiritdogs

Posted : 1/16/2008 3:11:50 PM

Pomeranian <3
spiritdogs

That's disgusting. I cannot for the life of me ever figure out why lawmakers do not consult behaviorists and knowledgeable dog professionals before filing this ridiculous crap.

Yeah the government does tend to do it "through the back door" I mean we are technically allowed to see every bill, and oppose to things, yada yada. BUT you have to really be aware of your state stature & laws and attend those state meetings. Just like at a town meeting, they always host one before a bill is passed BUT no one bothers to show up then complains that taxes were raised; its like GO TO THE MEETINGS!!!

I wonder if this law will make a big fuss...

Most BSL makes "a big fuss" - how would you like to be told to take your Pom off to the pound so they could kill it??? That's what this bill would do to Pit Bull owners, even responsible owners whose dogs have never hurt anyone or done anything wrong. I'm sure that ADOA and other groups are already gathering up their membership in Tennessee to fight.

Pomeranian <3

Posted : 1/16/2008 3:15:54 PM

spiritdogs

Most BSL makes "a big fuss" - how would you like to be told to take your Pom off to the pound so they could kill it??? That's what this bill would do to Pit Bull owners, even responsible owners whose dogs have never hurt anyone or done anything wrong. I'm sure that ADOA and other groups are already gathering up their membership in Tennessee to fight.

At first I was like wait no that's against the law... but then I remembered it was okay and a state law (in Tennessee) to have kill shelters. Ya see that whole thing is just wrong... for animals & humans... ugh I can't believe that state disposes of animals that easily. I wonder if the supreme court would step in a some point??? Probably not... I bet the activists have tried though... I wish there was something I could do to help. My aunt in florida has a pitbull and it wouldn't hurt a flee! It actually played with Kayla, my Pom, over Christmas break!! :o( If anyone gets more news of this keep me posted, I'm going to forward this to my Aunt.

spiritdogs

Posted : 1/16/2008 3:49:27 PM

Actually, I believe that a BSL law in Alabama was recently declared unconstitutional. There are kill shelters in every state, including Massachusetts. In Tennessee, the kill rate is higher because people down there are not as conscientious about spay/neuter as in New England. There are still too many good dogs dying every day.

timsdat

Posted : 1/16/2008 3:56:32 PM

spiritdogs
Actually, I believe that a BSL law in Alabama was recently declared unconstitutional.

And BSL in Ohio was upheld by the state supreme court. Denver has withstood the legal challenges so far and so has Miami-Dade. It doesn't look good unless the supremes decide to hear the Ohio appeal and overturn the Ohio decision.

Pomeranian <3

Posted : 1/16/2008 4:07:39 PM

AHHHH in MA too? Okay I was mis informed then. I was told by people that in MA it is illegal to have kill shelters, most dogs will be sent to Conneticut for matters like this... idk either way YES its wrong...

poor pitbulls... :o( I will buy a farm and they can come cuddle with Kayla and me :o(

sillysally

Posted : 1/19/2008 11:59:22 AM

From what I understand the guy who wrote the bill is backing down on it being breed specific and just wants dangerous dog legislation. It's definitely a situation to keep an eye on though--you never know with these things....

Thank you for posting this Timsdat--they had not heard on this on my pit bull board when you posted it so you allowed them to get the heads up....

Janet808

Posted : 1/22/2008 10:44:56 AM

This is why you need to pay attention to who you elect into your local governments. With laws like these, we're getting closer and closer to a communist country...being dictated as to what we can and can not do. It's a shame, and ignorance on the parts of these people who come up with this stuff. I don't feel Pitbulls are anymore, or less, dangerous than any other breed of dog. But unfortunately, we're moving into the direction where no one wants to be responsible for his/her actions so, lets just ban the animals, etc.

Bullymom

Posted : 1/22/2008 5:14:35 PM

Oh good grief. This is so stupid. I thought that in the USA, we were supposed to be free. Shouldn't that mean that we are free to own the breed of our choice?? Granted "some" people should not own the breed but don't punish everyone for the mistakes that a few make. Pit Bulls are no more dangerous than any other breed. My dad's Lab could do some serious damage if she wanted but I don't see people trying to ban Labs.