Multiple breed BSL proposed in Monroe, WA--urgent

papillon806

Posted : 10/30/2008 6:14:57 PM

 From another forum who got this via email and lives in the area:

Greetings,

My name is Mitch Ruth; I am a Councilman for the City of Monroe. I
need your help in rallying those who may also be in opposition to
breed specific laws. Currently before the City Council of Monroe is a
new ordinance which would list the following breeds as "Potentially
Dangerous";
· Akita
· American Pit Bull Terrier
· Cane Corso
· Dogo Argentino
· Dogue de Bordeaux
· Kuvasz
· Pit Bull Terrier
· Presa Carnario
· Staffordshire Bull Terrier
· Tosa Inu
· Or, any mix of dog which contains as an element of its
breeding, any of the afore mentioned breeds.

By ordinance, the definition of "potentially dangerous" would mean; "...
any dog which inflicts bites upon humans or domestic animal, or
chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any
public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack,
or any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack
unprovoked, to cause injury or otherwise threaten the safety of
humans or domestic animals. Potentially dangerous dog also means any
dog that is known by the owner or should be reasonably be known by
the owner to be an... [Insert above list of breeds]".

In other words, by owning a dog on this list, you understand
that "it" has a propensity for unprovoked attacks and is a danger to
humans and domestic animals. This law would be very similar to that
of Auburn, Washington; which in my opinion is the worst in our state,
and one of the worst in the country.

This has come about because of several recent back to back incidents
involving one single irresponsible pit bull owner. I do not contest
in any way that decisive action is needed in these incidents. But to
penalize every innocent dog/dog owner on this list is unwarranted and
unjust. I vigorously oppose this law as proposed. But I am only one
vote. I need your help, and the help of others to prevent this from
becoming the first step in a breed specific ban. I have proposed that
any reference to specific breeds be stricken, and the individual
behavior of the dog be sole the guiding factor in determining whether
a dog is potentially/ actually dangerous. I support stiff penalties
and strict liability for those dog owners whose irresponsible actions
threaten the public safety, or cause actual harm/damage others and/or
their property. This should be of concern to all dog owners, not just
the owners of those breeds who have arbitrarily and capriciously made
the above list. Unjust and unwarranted laws that trample upon the
rights of owners of specific dog breeds diminish the rights of all
dog owners.

Please spread the word. This is likely to become law within the next
30-45 days. Feel free to post this email anywhere it might help and
to share my contact information as well. I will share any/all emails
and letters of opposition with the entire council. Rather than allow
this to fly under the radar and be passed without public hearing or
comment, I have demanded a public hearing before this goes to the
final vote of the council. I encourage as many as possible to attend
the public hearing. If attendance is out of the question, please make
your feelings known through emails and phone calls. I will ensure
that each and every email becomes a part of the public
record/testimony against the passage of this law. If you wish to
address the entire council in one email, please use; councilmembers@
ci.monroe. wa.us .

Mitch Ruth
Councilman
City of Monroe, WA

I may be individually contacted via email at either my personal acct
at; Rott01@earthlink. net or at my city acct at; mruth@ci.monroe.
wa.us

PS: The above email address list is simply what I was able to come up
with in a few minutes to get this moving forward. No offense or
slight should be taken at not being on the first batch to be emailed.