Dog Community

Ohio Planning to Ban Pit Bulls Entirely

Posted : 5/20/2008 4:53:50 PM

From the AKC website:

Ohio House Bill 568, introduced by Representative Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati, seeks to prohibit the ownership, keeping, or harboring of a dog that "belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog." Furthermore, if this bill is passed and adopted into law, all such dogs will be seized and euthanized. It is imperative that all concerned dog owners in Ohio contact their elected representatives and express their vehement opposition to this draconian legislation.

The American Kennel Club supports reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of dogs. The AKC believes that dog owners should be responsible for their dogs. We support laws that: establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as "dangerous" based on stated, measurable actions; impose appropriate penalties on irresponsible owners; and establish a well-defined method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be "dangerous" based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs.

HB 568 unacceptably provides that:

No person shall own, keep, or harbor a dog that belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog.
No later than 90 days after the effective date of this bill, a person who owns, keeps, or harbor a pit bull dog will be forced to surrender the dog to a dog warden.
Within ten days of surrender, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.
If an officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull, the officer may apply for a search warrant. After obtaining a search warrant, an officer shall seize the dog and transfer the dog to the dog warden, who shall euthanize the dog within 10 days.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

All concerned Ohio dog owners should contact their elected representatives and express their strong opposition to HB 568. To find your elected representatives, click here.

For more information, please contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

You can actually look up the bill on the representative website.

RidgebackGermansShep

Posted : 5/20/2008 5:27:09 PM

OMG, that is horrifying!! You know what's also very scary?

Suzzie
If an officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull, the officer may apply for a search warrant. After obtaining a search warrant, an officer shall seize the dog and transfer the dog to the dog warden, who shall euthanize the dog within 10 days

I seriously doubt most officers can even correctly identify an APBT! So, that could possible mean no APBTs, boxers, amstaffs, SBTs, dogos, presas, ridgebacks, bull terriers, DDBs, etc etc...

jdata

Posted : 5/20/2008 6:00:39 PM

I have been noticing since the Vick ordeal that cops in Erie Pa will shoot any loose pitbull or any breed for that matter as they also shot a golden retriever when the cause doesn't even call for it.

Said for OH but it also raises the value of the breed to fighters and underground people. Isn't in certain parts of the UK the pitbull banned as well? I recall reading it somewhere. Nevertheless, there was an UK couple that had one and they enjoyed fighting with it.

Suzzie

Posted : 5/21/2008 7:56:57 AM

it was kind of weird because i hardly ever see pit bulls, and last night at petsmart we passed one. I told my SO, if this bill passes, that poor dog will be put to sleep. And any dog that looks like it. :(

I wrote to my representatives already. I cannot condone any action that causes people to go into someone's home and kill their pet that hasn't done anything wrong.

spiritdogs

Posted : 5/21/2008 9:06:33 AM

And the "any dog that looks like it" is quite a problem. I think that dog people should be very scared, even it they don't own a Pit. And, it's one reason why those of us who own other breeds should help law-abiding Pit owners to stop BSL.

tessa_s212

Posted : 5/21/2008 2:51:51 PM

The last time I heard of a bill like this proposed, I acted quickly and aggressively against it, and I am determined to do the same this time. I have the emails of local representatives, and will go ahead and get a large list and send the same email in mass to many representatives in OH. I will try to get an editorial into the local newspapers, and again make flyers and such so that people know about it. I do not own a pitbull, nor do I ever plan on owning one.. but I just don't love one certain breed, I am a dog lover through adn through. And I believe ANYONE that calls themself a dog lover should do the same - we dog lovers need to come together in this battle. Next time it might be your or my breed.

SwifferLips

Posted : 5/21/2008 7:31:55 PM

I just sent an e-mail to my representative. I also plan to send the link to the proposal to all of my friends asking them to do the same. Quite frankly, this scares the crap out of me. I don't own a pit, nor do I plan to, but I've never met one I didn't like. Where will this all end?

sillysally

Posted : 5/22/2008 6:18:21 AM

Here is a crosspost from my pit bull board:

Info on what to do at this time - Please ask all your friends and associates to act
right away.

Read why breed bans don’t work and what will help to reduce bites and improve community safety.

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/breed-bans/article/524

Also please sign the petition
Forward this to everyone you know!

http://www.petitiononline.com/10121985/petition.html

We heard from Webster's Aide earlier today and she indicated that the Bill has been assigned to a committee. Until I am informed of the committee considering the Bill, there are a few things each of us can do. Please DO NOT WAIT to do the following: please remember to be polite and respectful in all correspondence!

Ohio Residents:

Contact Your House Rep as follows:

(1)
Draft a PERSONALIZED LETTER to your house representative. If you do not know who your representative is, please visit:
http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp.

In the letter, indicate that you are a constituent, that you oppose Bill 568, that you will leave Ohio if this passes (if that is the case) and that you want your representative to oppose the Bill.

Please try to send this letter out immediately.

(2)
Call your representative to express your opposition and to urge your representative’s opposition. Tell him/her that you will fight this all the way. Remember to leave your name, city of residence and phone number. You will most probably get your reps voicemail. Please plan what to say prior to making the call.

ALTHOUGH
EMAILS ARE EASIER, PLEASE FOCUS ON SENDING LETTERS AND CALLING. THISIS EXTREMELYIMPORTANT AT THIS POINT!!!!! TAKE 15 MINUTES TO WRITE A LETTER ANDMAKE SURE TO PERSONALIZE IT. OUR REPRESENTATIVES NOTICE WHEN THEYRECIEVEFORM LETTERS.

(3)
Send an e-mail to your representative urging him/her to vote against theBill. Tell him/her that you will leave Ohio if this passes.

***For
additional talking points for your letters, please visit:
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/breed-bans/article/524.

Contact
the Leadership:
(contact information below)

(1)
Use the LETTER you sent to your representative and revise it slightly.
Although you may not be a constituent, leadership has a lot of power and
expects to hear from the residents of Ohio. So, please send letters.

(2)
Call each member of the leadership. You will probably get voicemail but
please leave your name, city of residence and phone number. Please plan
what you will say prior to making the call.

****At this point, we do not want emails sent to leadership.*************

IFYOU CAN, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ONCE YOU'VE SENT THE LETTER, LEFT A VOICEMAIL ANDEMAILED. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT EVERYONE'S DONE AND WE'RETRYING TO FIGHT THIS AS A UNIFIED GROUP SO YOUR COOPERATION ISAPPRECIATED!

Out of State Individuals Wishing to Voice Opposition:

Until we determine to which committee the Bill has been assigned, if you
would like to voice your opposition, the best thing to do is to:

(1)Send LETTERS to House Leaders (contact info below) and voice your
opposition.

(2)Call the leadership and leave messages voicing your opposition.

Leadership Contact Information:

John Husted
Speaker of the House
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 644-6008
Fax : (614) 719-3591
Email Address: district37@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Kevin DeWine
Speaker Pro Tempore
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111

Telephone: (614) 644-6020
Fax : (614) 719-3970
Email Address: district70@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Larry L. Flowers
Majority Floor Leader
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-4847
Fax : (614) 719-6958
Email Address: district19@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Jim Carmichael
Assistant Majority Floor Leader
77 S. High St
12th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-1474
Fax : (614) 719-0003

Email Address: district03@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)
Michelle G. Schneider
Majority Whip
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 644-6023
Fax : (614) 719-3589
Email Address: district35@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Shannon Jones
Assistant Majority Whip
77 S. High St
11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 644-6027
Fax : (614) 719-3967
Email Address: district67@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Joyce Beatty
Minority Leader
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-5343
Fax : (614) 719-3581
Email Address: district27@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

T. Todd Book
Assistant Minority Leader
77 S. High St

14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-2124
Fax : (614) 719-6989
Email Address: district89@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Fred Strahorn
Minority Whip
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-2960
Fax : (614) 719-6940
Email Address: district40@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

Mike Foley
Assistant Minority Whip
77 S. High St
14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-3350
Fax : (614) 719-3910
Email Address: district14@ohr.state.oh.us (state.oh.us)

************************************

IrishSetterGrl

Posted : 5/22/2008 3:47:50 PM

A couple weeks ago I drove out to the humane society as I often do to walk the dogs. I took a mixed dog that was obviously predominantly pit (and part lab) outside and sat in the grass with him. He was about 50lbs and I remember him sitting right on my lap and licking my hands and face. I'll be sure to write my reps and tell them this and why this bill is so incredibly ridiculous.

sillysally

Posted : 5/22/2008 10:38:53 PM

Here is the latest info from my pit bull board:

House Bill 568 was referred to the Committee on State Government and
Elections. To see more detailed information, visit:
http://www.canineadvocatesofohio.org/BSL/Pending_OH_BIlls/H.B._568.htm

In the previous email I sent out regarding H.B. 568, I asked all Ohio
residents to please contact their representative. I must again emphasize
that personalized letters sent in the mail and phone calls make the most
impact. I understand that we are all busy and emails are easier to draft
and get out quickly; however, representatives are aware of this as well.
So, please draft personalized letters and send them via snail mail and
make a phone call. I have identified what all Ohio residents should do on
our website. For detailed information, please visit:
http://www.canineadvocatesofohio.org/BSL/Pending_OH_BIlls/H.B._568_ Action.htm

Now that we know the committee to which H.B. 568 has been referred, please
contact the committee chair.
a.. Draft a PERSONALIZED LETTER.

b.. You can use the letter you sent to leadership.

c.. Although you may not be a constituent, you are an Ohio resident and
should indicate that much.

d.. Change the name and address of the recipient and any other
information that was specific to your representative. Please make sure
to address a separate letter to each member of the committee.

e.. Urge the Chair of the Committee to vote against the Bill.

a.. Call the Chair of the Committee. You will probably get voicemail
but please leave your name, city of residence and phone number. Please
plan what you will say prior to making the call.

Chair Contact Information:

David T. Daniels, Chair (R)
77 South High Street
11th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-3506
Fax : (614) 719-6986
Email Address: district86@ohr. state.oh. us

ALL OHIO RESIDENTS SHOULD TRY TO SEND ALL LETTERS AND MAKE ALL PHONE
CALLS, AS DESCRIBED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN PREVIOUS EMAILS, BY THE END OF
THE WEEK. WE WILL BE ASKING YOU TO DO OTHER THINGS IN THE COMING WEEKS
AND WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO GET TOO FAR.

TO STOP THIS BILL FROM MOVING FORWARD, WE NEED TO BOMBARD OUR
REPRESENTATIVES. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME NOW!!!

************ ********* ********* ******
Shana Klein, President
P.O. Box 19081
Cleveland, Ohio 44119
www.canineadvocates ofohio.org

agilebasenji

Posted : 5/23/2008 5:08:43 PM

spiritdogs

And the "any dog that looks like it" is quite a problem. I think that dog people should be very scared, even it they don't own a Pit. And, it's one reason why those of us who own other breeds should help law-abiding Pit owners to stop BSL.

Yep. You think your dog doesn't look like a pittie? Think again. I had someone ask me if my AKC CHAMPION brindle basenji was part pit. Evidently short hair brindle = pitX.

SwifferLips

Posted : 5/27/2008 9:42:32 AM

Last week I e-mailed my representative, Jeff Wagner, and have already received a favorable response - shown below. While I consider it more than "a little extreme" I do appreciate that he will be voting against the bill. I will continue to make others aware of this bill by following the guidelines above but I am guardedly encouraged by the response that I received.

Leslie,

Thank you for the e mail about HB 568. This bill was recently introduced by Rep Yates a democrat from Cincinnati. The bill does seem a little extreme. I will be happy to oppose the bill as you requested.

Jeff Wagner

rwbeagles

Posted : 5/27/2008 10:36:26 AM

good response...hope he means it! Yes

dyan

Posted : 5/28/2008 3:51:28 PM

I'm finally getting my life together a bit....and just saw this. Geez...from Ohio,,,can't figure out how it got by me. But you better believe I will be spending my next day or so writing and doing what I can.

I hope others will do the same. Not just us Ohio people....but rather us "dog people!" Because if this goes thru...it will be your state next....or perhaps your breed. I don't have a bully breed and probably won't...but we need to get together to fight this fight to save all of our breeds!

Thank you Sillysally for making it easier by providing names and addresses.

Anonymous

Posted : 5/30/2008 8:25:51 AM

spiritdogs
And the "any dog that looks like it" is quite a problem. I think that dog people should be very scared, even it they don't own a Pit. And, it's one reason why those of us who own other breeds should help law-abiding Pit owners to stop BSL.

Definitely! I had a few people ask if Teddi was part pit Tongue Tied If they can't get it right who's to say an officer will..I would NEVER give my sweet dog up, they'd have to take me to jail honestly. I also don't want to see any dogs taken away from their owners in general, I think its very very sad that this is going on.