TENNESSEE
03-29-2007, 01:13 PM
BSL passed in Fayetteville, TN
Body: Heads up bull breed owners in Fayetteville, Tennessee.... your constitutional right to due process is being violated!
After reading a very vague article this morning regarding a new ordinance in Fayetteville, I contacted Kevin Helms, the city administrator for Fayetteville. BSL has been passed, and it targets bull breeds. It is based on a modified version of Denver's ordinance. (However, any dog can be deemed dangerous and be subject to the same regulations if it exhibits dangerous tendencies.
The suggestion to research and implement BSL was at the request of the local humane society.
City Administrator Helms advised that after meeting with several resident Pit (http://www.registerofmerit.com/forums/glossary.php?do=viewglossary&term=210) bull owners, the city is considering additional modifications to the ordinance, including relieving owners of the insurance requirement and lowering the registration fee.
Because the ordinance is based on Denver's, I advised him that Denver animal control issued a statement in December 2006 that their ban has little or no effect on the number of Pit (http://www.registerofmerit.com/forums/glossary.php?do=viewglossary&term=210) bulls in Denver. I also advised him that in Tennessee, dogs are considered "property" and, therefore, subjecting owners to regulations and penalties by deeming their dog dangerous without the benefit of a hearing is a violation of due process.
Mr. Helms advised that at this time, there are no plans to remove the breed specific language from the ordinance. I don't know that educating the city would do any good, but perhaps it might be worth a shot. They seem to be listening to their citizens in modifying the law, so... never hurts to try and contact information is below.
The ordinance goes into effect in 90 days.
If you live in Fayetteville or know a bull breed owner who lives there, or near there PLEASE encourage them to challenge this ordinance!
Jodi
Kevin Helms, City Administrator
helmsk@fpunet.com
Steven Broadway, City Attorney
sbroadway@fpunet.com
Gwen Shelton, Mayor
gshelton@fpunet.com f
Body: Heads up bull breed owners in Fayetteville, Tennessee.... your constitutional right to due process is being violated!
After reading a very vague article this morning regarding a new ordinance in Fayetteville, I contacted Kevin Helms, the city administrator for Fayetteville. BSL has been passed, and it targets bull breeds. It is based on a modified version of Denver's ordinance. (However, any dog can be deemed dangerous and be subject to the same regulations if it exhibits dangerous tendencies.
The suggestion to research and implement BSL was at the request of the local humane society.
City Administrator Helms advised that after meeting with several resident Pit (http://www.registerofmerit.com/forums/glossary.php?do=viewglossary&term=210) bull owners, the city is considering additional modifications to the ordinance, including relieving owners of the insurance requirement and lowering the registration fee.
Because the ordinance is based on Denver's, I advised him that Denver animal control issued a statement in December 2006 that their ban has little or no effect on the number of Pit (http://www.registerofmerit.com/forums/glossary.php?do=viewglossary&term=210) bulls in Denver. I also advised him that in Tennessee, dogs are considered "property" and, therefore, subjecting owners to regulations and penalties by deeming their dog dangerous without the benefit of a hearing is a violation of due process.
Mr. Helms advised that at this time, there are no plans to remove the breed specific language from the ordinance. I don't know that educating the city would do any good, but perhaps it might be worth a shot. They seem to be listening to their citizens in modifying the law, so... never hurts to try and contact information is below.
The ordinance goes into effect in 90 days.
If you live in Fayetteville or know a bull breed owner who lives there, or near there PLEASE encourage them to challenge this ordinance!
Jodi
Kevin Helms, City Administrator
helmsk@fpunet.com
Steven Broadway, City Attorney
sbroadway@fpunet.com
Gwen Shelton, Mayor
gshelton@fpunet.com f