FW: [RDOWS] SOMERVILLE, TN BSL!!!

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It appears that someone, or some organization is supplying the language, as this does so resemble the language in the Baltimore County Proposed Act!!
http://suburbancommunitynews.com/articles/2007/10/05/fayette_county_review/news/doc4706d0864197c330295548.txt
Friday, October 5, 2007 11:27 PM CDT
Ordinance prohibits pit bull ownership
The Somerville Board of Mayor and Aldermen has unanimously passed an ordinance on final reading that prohibits ownership of pit bull dogs within the city.

Board members took the action during their Sept. 10 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Alton Feathers and seconded by Alderman Ronnie Neill.
The ordinance states that the breeds of dogs known as "pit bulls" include any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog that predominantly has the appearance and characteristics of one or more of those breeds.

It notes that the characteristics "selectively bred into" or otherwise commonly found in those dogs include:

(a) a strong fighting instinct, along with a low level of fighting inhibitions that make pit bulls a hazard to humans, as well as other animals;

(b) a strong chase instinct that experts believe causes pit bulls to be a danger around running children;

(c) a tendency to attack even those who exhibit no provocative behavior;

(d) a diminished tendency to bark, growl or otherwise warn their prey of an intent to attack;

(e) a tendency to fight to the death and never quit a fight once engaged, which results in more severe injuries than those inflicted by other breeds;

(f) the ability to withstand great pain, which makes it difficult for a person or animal to fight off a pit bull attack;

(g) powerful jaws capable of hanging onto victims, even while the animal withstands infliction of injury or pain;

(h) a tendency to tear flesh, which has resulted in grotesque injuries to human victims; and

(i) a combination of agility, stamina and strength, along with a "genetic predisposition to aggressiveness" that makes pit bulls "uniquely dangerous," even to their owners, especially where improperly raised or trained.

Mayor Bob Morris said the board is "well aware" that there are "a lot of good pit bull dogs out there." He acknowledged that he does not know anything about them, except what he has read and heard.

"That leads me to believe that they could be a very dangerous animal," he said. "I won't say vicious, but like all dogs, there are a lot of dogs that could be made to be vicious."

While noting that Somerville has a vicious dog ordinance in place, Morris said it does not contain this much detail.

The new ordinance states that other cities consider pit bulls so dangerous to humans and other animals that special legislation restricting or prohibiting their ownership has been enacted. It notes that current methods of control by pit bull owners in Somerville have proved to be "insufficient in protecting the public."

Individuals owning pit bull dogs at the time the ordinance was adopted are allowed to keep them, if they comply with the following provisions within 30 days of the ordinance's effective date:

(a) Register the dog with the city administrator.

(b) Do not allow the dog to go outside its kennel, pen or other proper enclosure unless secured with a leash no longer than 4 feet.

(c) A 2-inch leather collar must be used when the dog is on a leash and must buckle, not snap, onto the dog.

(d) Do not keep the dog on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen, unless a person of suitable age and discretion is in physical control of the leash. The dog cannot be leashed to inanimate objects, such as trees, posts, buildings or structures.

(e) When it is necessary for the dog to receive veterinary care, it must wear a properly fitted muzzle sufficient to prevent it from biting humans or other animals. The muzzle cannot interfere with the dog's breathing or vision.

At the request of Fayette County Animal Control Officer Thomas Petrowski, the board added a requirement that, while transported to any facility with veterinarians, the dog be enclosed in a portable kennel with a lock. Noting that the dogs are frequently transported in pickup trucks, Petrowski said they are not "tied in" or in cages and can easily come out of the trucks.

(f) Except when leashed and muzzled, the dog must be securely confined indoors or in a locked pen, kennel or other secure enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of children and designed to prevent the dog from escaping. The kennel must have a concrete floor, with its post set in concrete, be locked with a key or combination lock when the dog is inside, comply with the city's zoning and building ordinances and other regulations, include shelter and protection from the elements, adequate exercise room, lighting, ventilation and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

(g) The dog cannot be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow it to exit the building on its own volition, when the windows are open or when screen windows or doors are the only obstacles preventing it from exiting the structure.

Owners must:

(a) display on the kennel or pen and in a prominent place on their property a sign easily readable by the public containing the words, "Beware of Dog."

(b) provide the city administrator proof of public liability insurance in a single-incident amount of $100,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person or for damage to property owned by any person that may result from owning the dog.

(c) provide the city administrator two color photographs of the dog that clearly show its color and approximate size.

(d) report to the city administrator within 10 days after the removal from the city or death of the dog, the birth of offspring or the new address of the owner within the city limits.

No person can sell, barter or in any other way transfer possession of the dog to any person within the city who does not permanently reside in the same household and on the same premises.

All offspring born of the dog within the city must be removed from the corporate limits within six weeks of the birth.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the ordinance will result in immediate seizure and impoundment of the dog. Violators will be subject to a fine prescribed in the general penalty clause of the Somerville Municipal Code.

Each day the violation continues will constitute a separate offense. Violators will pay all expenses, including sums for shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and expert testimony, that are necessitated by their failure to abide by the provisions of the ordinance.