FW: [UAOA] *BSL Alert: Farmington, IL

Cross posted…Thanks

From: UAOA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:UAOA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bpensgard
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:54 PM
To: UAOA@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [UAOA] *BSL Alert: Farmington, IL

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/121807/REG_BF86R865.053.php

Farmington may say no to pit bulls

Proposed rule would keep new members of the breed out of city

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

BY BRENDA ROTHERT

OF THE JOURNAL STAR
FARMINGTON - A proposed ordinance heard by the Farmington City Council
for the first time Monday would make pit bulls a dying breed in the city.

Recent close calls with the dogs have prompted city officials to draft
the ordinance barring new pit bulls from being located within
Farmington city limits, among other measures, according to City
Administrator Roger Woodcock.

The ordinance says that no new pit bulls can be brought into the city
and that current pit bull owners will have to apply for a special
license within 60 days of the ordinance passing. The ordinance was
read for the first time Monday and will be presented for a full vote
early next year.

The license would require proof of ownership of the pit bull, a copy
of health and immunization records, a certificate of insurance for
injury or damages by the dog for at least $500,000 and two photographs
of the dog. The license also will cost $100.

The measure is in response to recent incidents involving pit bulls,
police and a dog on a walk with its owners.

"We've not had a vicious attack," Woodcock said. "We've had some close
calls."

Woodcock said a husband and wife were recently walking their
eight-week-old puppy in the city when a pit bull broke out of a fenced
yard and attacked the small dog. The couple and the pit bull's owner
were able to prevent the puppy from being injured.

"What would have happened if that had been a 3-year-old child?"
Woodcock asked.

In another incident about a year ago, a city police officer was called
to a neighborhood where residents felt threatened by a loose pit bull.
The officer didn't think he could make it back to his car without
being attacked and shot the dog, killing it.

Under the draft rules, pit bulls would have to be kept in kennel-type
enclosures, even in fenced yards. Pit bulls outside such enclosures
would have to wear muzzles unless they were being treated by a
veterinarian.

The ordinance proposed Monday, in addition to forbidding new pit bulls
from being brought into the city, also would prevent pit bull puppies
from being kept in Farmington, even if they are born there. The pups
would have to be removed after six weeks.

The council will vote on the ordinance at a meeting Jan. 7.

Brenda Rothert can be reached at 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.
http://www.farmingtonil.com/index.php?doc=doc/government/citycouncil.php&navconfig=1

Elected Officials

Mayor

Cyril A. Stobaugh (Term Ending 2009)
454 E. Prospect St.
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (Home): 309-245-2341
Phone (Office): 309-245-4277

City Clerk
Donna DeGroot (2009)
75 W. Vernon St.
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (Home): 309-245-4544

Aldermen:

Ward 1
Sarah Veach (2007)
87 N. Hickory St.
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (Home): 309-245-2342

Michael King (2009)
334 North West Street
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (City): 309-245-2011

Ward 2
Todd Strohmaier (2007)
463 E. Fort St.
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (Home): 309-245-0125

Dave Varnes (2009)
300 N. Cone St.
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (Home): 309-245-2486

Ward 3
June Whitmer (2007)
510 Idlewhile Ct.
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (City): 309-245-2011

Casey Cline (2009)
24 East Prairie Street
Farmington, IL 61531
Phone (Home): 309-245-2237