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KENTUCKY
Independence - city council has decided to amend their current animal ordinance to one of breed specific restrictions of 'pit bulls' by: 1. Spaying/neutering. 2. Microchipping. 3. Muzzling whenever outside of home or kennel and on a 3 foot leash. 4. Obtaining $100,000 insurance. 5. Registering each year with at least 2 photos on file. 6. Outside enclosure specifically defined. 7. Signage visible from nearby road. 'Pit bulls' are defined as "Any dog that exhibits those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or substantially conform to the standards established by the United States Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers, including any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding as the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or American Pit Bull Terrier."
Independence - UPDATE - dog owners are advised to maintain close supervision of their pets following city council's first reading on a vicious dog ordinance. Ordinance, which will go into effect following a second reading during the Dec. 3 meeting, owners will be fined $500 if a dog bite is reported. The animal must also be registered with the city as a vicious animal. Council elected to remove specific dog breeds from the ordinance in hopes of avoiding court challenges. Ordinance lists four criteria in defining a vicious dog, including: Any dog that has caused death or serious injury to a person engaged in lawful activity. Any dog that has attacked or bitten, without provocation, a person engaged in lawful activity. Any dog that has killed or injured another animal after the owner has been given written or verbal notice to keep the animal confined or muzzled. Any dog that has been declared to be vicious by a physician attending to a person who has been bitten or attacked by said dog. Passed 11/05/07
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge - proposed ordinance would allow animal control officers to use their own judgment as to whether a dog poses a threat to public safety even if the dog is in a fenced yard and even further by giving animal control officers probable cause to investigate any resident's complaint about fenced dogs that in their opinion, could pose serious and imminent threats. The proposed ordinance allows a dog owner to be charged with a misdemeanor if it severely bites or mauls a person or animal while it is in a fenced yard.
MARYLAND
Baltimore County - considering a proposal to impose significant restrictions on pit bull owners that requires the dogs to be kept in a locked cage or muzzled. The proposal includes any animal deemed menacing by the county's animal control office and requires pit bull owners to post warning signs. Proposal Failed 6-1 vote 1015/07
Frostburg - new proposed ordinance to classify a dog as a nuisance or as a danger. When a dog receives the nuisance moniker, it has been determined to pose a threat to public safety by: Chasing or menacing a person or domestic animal in an aggressive manner without being provoked, Running at large or being impounded no less than two times within 12 months. Having the owner cited two or more times within 12 months by the Allegany County Animal Control, Acting in a highly aggressive manner within a fenced yard or enclosure and appearing to be able to jump over the fence or leave the enclosure. Damaging the property of anyone other than the owner. Dogs that are behaving even worse may be declared dangerous by: Attacking, though unprovoked, a person or domestic animal and causing serious injury, Continuing to break nuisance dog rules after already being classified as such, Having been classified by Allegheny County as a vicious animal. Owners of dogs declared nuisances must provide evidence to the city that the pet has been licensed, vaccinated, and neutered or spayed. In addition, the dog will be allowed outdoors only within an enclosure or on a 4-foot or shorter leash and muzzled. A public meeting on Nov. 15. - the mayor and council will decide whether to require owners of dangerous dogs to have liability insurance policies for their pets. A dog declared dangerous is a life sentence for the animal, with no pardons no matter how much time passes. A first violation of the rules brings a minimum fine of $500. A second violation carries a $1,000 fine. Subsequent violations have fines of $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail, for the owner, that is. Any dogs already in the city are grandfathered in meaning that a dog that broke the rules before the ordinance is enacted won’t be declared a nuisance or dangerous. Ordinance is based upon one provided by the Humane Society of the United States
Wicomico County - new ordinance rules a dog can be considered dangerous after one bite. Old legislation allowed a dog to bite twice before it was considered dangerous. Passed 10/16/07 and goes into effect immediately when signed
MASSACHUSETTS
Lynn - City Council President Timothy Phelan said last week's brutal dog attack has stirred up a range of emotions and has resurrected the debate on a possible pit bull ban in Lynn. Phelan said he met with City Solicitor Michael Barry and Animal Control Officer Kevin Farnsworth on Thursday and plans to meet with members of the police and the City Council next week to strategize ways to either ban the particular breed, or enforce stricter muzzle laws for safety measures. Aggressively pursue ways to increase fines, change ordinances and also attempt to ban pit bulls from the city.
MICHIGAN
Lansing - one-page petition asks for state and/or federal legislation that regulates dog ownership, rather than a breed-specific ban on dogs.
Hazel Park - City Council held a study session recently to consider whether to adopt a new ordinance aimed at modifying the definition of a "dangerous animal" and whether homeowners can keep them in their yards. Proposed ordinance is an attempt to keep the owners of pit bulls from ever taking their animals out of a confined space without a leash and muzzle. Under the proposed ordinance, any resident that owns a pit bull, or other dangerous animal as defined by law, would be required to register with the city and keep liability insurance worth $1 million. The ordinance would also require that pit pull owners hang a "beware of dog" sign, fit the dog with a brightly colored collar and keep them in an enclosed pen when they are outdoors. The pit bull permit would cost $50 if the ordinance were approved. City Council did approve a different animal ordinance that aims to keep residents from feeding stray animals. It is now illegal to place a container on the ground to offer nourishment to stray animals, the ordinance reads. "That can draw rodents," said Parisi. "That was driven by complaints by residents. We live so close. There are so many houses close together, things like that cause more problems. They made us aware that it was a problem." Feeding stray animal ordinance was passed 10/23/07
North Muskegon - ordinance is NOT breed-specific, has a definition of “dangerous dog”, “vicious dog”, and “cruelty” and a limit of three dogs and four cats. The ordinance also allows a dog owner whose dog was declared “dangerous” an opportunity to prove otherwise, and also allows a 21-day period where this decision can be appealed. Passed 10/15/07
Van Buren Township - proposal/discussion to change the number of dogs allowed in a home.