News
UPDATE: Proposed Pit Bull Ordinance Tabled
April 13, 2009, 6:10PM MT
By Cheri Moon
Breed Discrimination Defeated in Indianapolis
Breed Discrimination Defeated in Indianapolis
UPDATE May 13, 2009
The proposed ordinance mandating owners of pit bulls and other "fighting breeds" to spay/neuter their dogs, carry special insurance and adhere to specific restrictions and regulations has been tabled.
Thanks you to everyone who contacted council members to oppose this proposed ordinance. A special thank you to Councilor Angela Mansfield for her tireless efforts to defeat breed discrimination.
Original article appears below
To Indianapolis/Marion County Residents
Republican councilor Mike Speedy plans to introduce an at-risk dog ordinance in Indianapolis mandating pit bulls and other “fighting breeds” to be spayed or neutered.
Speedy also wants pit bull owners to post "at risk dog" signs outside their homes, sterilize the pet and carry $1 million in liability insurance if cited for a non-bite violation, such as letting their dogs run loose.
Highlights of proposed changes to the ordinance:
531-340 Described Potentially Dangerous Breeds, including pit bulls
• Permit and registration required
• Window sticker required
• Microchip required
• Photograph of dog taken by Animal Care and Control
• Sterilization required
• Proof of $1 Million liability insurance coverage required
• Limit of 2 potentially dangerous breed dogs per owner
The proposed ordinance is projected to be introduced in Indianapolis next month.
Contact the Members of The Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council Today!
An effective email/phone call to Councilors needs only three things:
1. Your name and address
Legislators want to know that you are one of the people they represent.
2. Ask for specific action
Ask members to oppose Councilor Speedy’s proposed changes to chapter 531.
3. Give reasons and examples
Chose from the list below or share your own. Remember to be always be respectful and avoid being emotional. This is your chance to educate someone about truly effective ways to manage and restrict irresponsible dog owners.
• It is often difficult for even experts to determine the breed of a dog-particularly with mixed breed dogs. Click here to find the pit bulls. Many dogs are misidentified and confiscated simply for their appearance.
• Breed discriminatory laws cause unintended hardship to responsible owners of friendly dogs that happen to fall within the regulated breed category. In this economic climate, many people cannot afford to sterilize their pets. Is the city going to pay for the sterilization so people don’t have to give up their dogs?
• Breed-discriminatory laws compromise public safety by requiring officers to enforce regulation on dogs that may or may not be dangerous instead of investing resources into proven, effective tactics that make the community safer.
• A dog is an individual with its own personality. It should be judged on its temperament and not its appearance.
• Studies of pre and post breed ban dog-bite-rates in the United Kingdom and Spain concluded that their pit bull breed ban had no effect whatsoever on reducing dog bites.
• Italy recently revoked its breed discriminatory legislation citing the bans were not scientifically sound.
Contact Your Legislators Today!
Thank you for taking action for animals!
• Locate the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council.
Additional Information and Resources
• Join the Stop BDL community for more information on how you can help put an end to breed discrimination.
• Learn more about breed bans and dog bite facts at the National Canine Research Council.
Photograph by Clay Myers, Best Friends Staff
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff
**Best Friends Animal Society opposes this ordinance.