State Specific Legislation

[BlackSeal]

I live in Louisiana and I would like to find all of the information on legislation pertaining to all dogs as well as APBT's. If anyone konws of an online source that contains State-by-State legislation for dogs, a link would greatly be appreciated.

[Marty]

Do a goggle search!!!
hope this helps:)

[GaDog]

Try and contact the American Canine Foundation they may can help

[miakoda]

I typed this info in a few months back, but I'm "bumping" it into this thread. Hope it helps. :)

Breed Specific Legislation

BSL Updates for April, 2005
These updates are brought to us by Dani Alexander (pdxk9res_q@hotmail.com)

Arizona, Show Low
Considering strict pit bull legislation, banning ownership and the selling of new pit bulls. Currently owned dogs will be grandfathered in, but not without tough restrictions. “Pit bulls” will be defined as American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog “displaying the majority of physical traits” of those breeds. Ownership of “pit bulls” would be restricted to people 21 or older, the animals would have to be spayed or neutered and registered with the city for an annual $50 fee, and owners would have to have at least $100,000 liability insurance. Pit bull puppies born after the law takes effect will be killed.
The ordinance will probably be voted on by the council next Tuesday, January 18th.

Arkansas
• Hot Springs ~ Ordinance has passed which prohibits the adoption of pit bulls and pit bull mixes from shelters, as well as preventing the purchase of pit bulls or pit bull mixes from breeders or pet stores.
• North Little Rock ~ Approved new dangerous dog legislation, which includes "pit bulls". Current owners of these breeds must register them with the city and obtain $100,000 liability insurance.

Colorado, Denver
Has repealed the statewide law banning BSL on "homerule" grounds. The ban on pit bulls is now legal again and will be enforced.

Connecticut
• H6543 Prohibits insurance companies from denying insurance coverage based on breed of dog owned.
• Sponsored by Rep. Nafis, Bill H5709 prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on breed.

Florida, Pembroke Pines
Approved an ordinance that classifies dogs as vicious after one bite and requires owners of dangerous dog to hold $300,000 in liability insurance. The legislation does not differentiate between an animal bite or human bite, nor aggressive bites versus accidental bites.

Georgia H78 – In the house committee. This bill prohibits the ownership of “pit bulls”, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog displaying a majority of traits of those breeds. The bill makes it unlawful for any person to sell, transport, or keep any of the breeds mentioned in the state. Certain exemptions are provided for non-pet based ownership or transportation.

Hawaii
Sponsored by Rep. Sonson, Bill H870 holds the owners of “pit bulls” strictly liable for any injuries or damages if their dog bites or attacks without provocation. Pit bulls are defined as Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers.

Illinois
Sponsored by Sen. Martin Sandoval, Bill SB1790 ~ Would label these breeds as dangerous: “pit bull”, Rottweiler, German Shepherd dog, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Great Dane, St. Bernard and Akita. Any dog owned of these breeds will have to be spayed or neutered. There is no exemption for conformation dogs. Owners are required to license their dogs with the state and hold “canine liability insurance”.

Indiana, Crown Point
In November a new ordinance was passed that defined dangerous dogs as all American Pit bull Terriers and dogs with a history of attack. The ordinance was not enforced, so the city council has begun working on new legislation, which does not include breed. Latest news was that the city council was to vote on December 6th. Please show your support by praising the Crown Point City Council for eliminating breed from their legislation.

Iowa, Carter Lake
BSL has been passed with no opposition. The ordinance allows current pit bulls to be kept as long as regulations are followed. $100,000 in liability insurance must be obtained; the dog must be spayed or neutered and kept in specific enclosures. When your pit bull dies, you are prohibited from getting another one.

Kansas, Mission Hills
Defined their classification of dangerous dogs as one who inflicts severe injury on a person or kills another domestic animal without provocation. “Pit bulls” have now been reclassified as “potentially dangerous dogs”. The standard requirement of muzzling and a 4-foot leash have been instilled.

Maine
Sponsored by Senator Mitchell, Bill S169 prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on breed of dog owned.

Mississippi, Starkville
Officials are considering a breed-specific ordinance to regulate “pit bulls”.

Nebraska, Seward
Voted 8-0 against a breed specific law. Are currently working towards stronger dangerous dog laws. Keep an eye out and locals support the city council and the writing of non-breed specific laws. Might be looking to Council Bluffs to determine if/how effective BSL is.

New Jersey
Bill A3578 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Law and Public Safety. It requires the confiscation of any animal that has been trained, tormented, badgered, baited or encouraged to attack people or domestic animals from it’s owner or trainer. The owner or trainer of such an animal cannot own, harbor, adopt or reside with an animal for a period of two years without posting a $550,000 bond. Violating this act is subject to a $2,000 fine.

New Mexico
• SB 188 (Sen. Beffort) – This bill died in session
• Edgewood ~ May soon consider a breed specific dangerous dog ordinance.

New York
• Asm. Glick’s A1824 prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on breed.
• Rep. Asm. Kirwan has sponsored A4858, which would prohibit felons, or those convicted of drug related offenses, from owning a “pit bull”, Rottweiler or any mix of those breeds that weighs over 10lbs.

North Carolina, Charlotte
City council recently voted to strengthen the city’s dangerous dog law. Animal control officers may now spay or neuter any dog that is deemed dangerous. Animal related fines more than 30 days overdue may now be doubled.

Oklahoma, Newkirk
Officials have currently tabled their BSL in order to research the decision further. They are looking for your input NOW, please contact them and share your opinion with factual information in a positive way.

Oregon
HB 844 puts stricter fines on the owners of dangerous dogs. It also requires the breeders of pit bulls or pit bull mixes to register with the state.

Pennsylvania
• Hazelton ~ Officials are considering an ordinance which would label “pit bulls”, Rottweilers, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terriers, Akitas, Chow Chows or any mixed breed which resembles any of the aforementioned breeds, as dangerous dogs. Owners would have to pay $10 annually for registration and post signs, which declare the presence of a dangerous dog on their property. The dog must be housed in a fully secure structure when outside, and kept on a 6-foot (or less) leash and muzzled when off the owner’s property.
• Tarentum Borough and West Chester ~ May consider drafting a dangerous dog law that would target specific breeds. The state’s current dangerous dog legislation prohibits against breed specific legislation.
• Rep. Daley is sponsoring H2951. This is a bill that forces stiffer penalties for the owners of dangerous dogs who don't properly restrain their dogs. It also provides for increases in penalties for the owners of dogs who injure or kill humans. There are also provisions for individuals who injure or kill companion animals, making them liable for damages as well as allowing owners to sue if their dog is injured or killed willfully, recklessly or negligently.

Texas
• HB1096 – Texas currently has legislation which prohibits BSL statewide. This bill would allow cities with a population of other 1.9 million to enact breed bans or restrict certain breeds. It passed the House vote with NO OPPOSITION. It is in the Senate and needs to be stopped. Please contact the Senate Criminal Justice Committee members and state your opposition to this bill.
• HB326/S172 would criminalize the act of “training or conditioning” one animal to fight with another. Potentially, the mere ownership of a treadmill, flirtpole, etc. would provide officials with the evidence that the owners are training dogs to fight.

• Rep. Edwards plans to draft a dangerous dog legislation which regulates "vicious" breeds of dogs (including Rottweilers and "pit bulls".) The bill would be introduced in 2005. Texas's currently dangerous dog law precludes labeling a dog vicious based on breed. Please contact Rep Edwards and share your opinion with factual information and in a positive manner.

Washington
• H1150 – Prohibits municipalities from enacting breed-specific dangerous dog legislation. The bill would also exempt liability in the event that a dog attacks out of provocation, torment or defense of it’s owner and/or property.
• Pasco ~ Passed a breed specific ordinance, requiring the owners of “pit bulls”, Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers to purchase an annual $250 permit and $250,000 liability insurance. Exemption for dogs who pass the CGC test. Nighboring city Kennewick already has some breed-specific regulations against pit bulls

Wisconsin, Cudahy
Officials are considering a ban on “pit bulls”.

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Are now focusing on a "Dog Owner Responsibility Act", and not working towards BSL. The new ordinance will hold owners of dogs who attack liable, and will force tough penalties for negligent owners. The new bill will likely be introduced this month, during the next session of legislature.

[miakoda]

And BlackSeal, here's the information on BSL in Louisiana.


For those of you Louisianians (like myself), BSL has already been presented but failed back in 2001. But don't think for ONE SECOND that the idea has been "put to rest". The state representative who proposed it & was and still so outspoken against pit bulls is CURRENTLY in office! So it's has NOT disappeared.


Quote:
http://house.legis.state.la.us/houselogo2K_1.jpg




Agenda


WS0512MP1 Weekly Committee Schedule




HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs
Friday, May 12, 2000
Committee Room No. 6
9:00 A.M.



INSTRUMENTS TO BE HEARD:


HCR 5 FAUCHEUX (http://www.legis.state.la.us/bills00rs/avail_docs.asp?insttype=HCR&billid=5) — CRIME: Urges and requests the parishes and municipalities of Louisiana to enact ordinances prohibiting ownership and possession of pit bull terriers











And here is the man who hates our dogs so. He is the man who we should worry about as word has it that he hopes to put it back into proposal in the next 4 years. 4 years....sounds like a long time away, huh? It's not! In fact, it's a ver short time in which we have to prove that our dogs are not vicious or our dogs will be extinct. Extinction is a very long time......................

http://house.louisiana.gov/H-Reps/RepPics/rep57.jpg


Representative Robert R. "Bobby" Faucheux, Jr.
Democrat - District 57






http://house.louisiana.gov/H-Reps/icn_eml6.gif E-Mail Rep. Robert R. "Bobby" Faucheux, Jr. Member Dist Map (2003 Census (http://house.louisiana.gov/mapspdf/census2003Maps/district57.pdf)) http://house.louisiana.gov/H-Reps/ver_pdf.gif (http://house.louisiana.gov/mapspdf/census2003Maps/district57.pdf)DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS
P. O. Box 1960
LaPlace, LA 70069-1960
(985)651-3886
(985)651-0151 (Fax)

Committee Assignments
Insurance
Judiciary
Ways and Means
Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay

Parish(es) Represented In District
St. James and St. John the Baptist

Corresponding Senate District(s)
18 and 19

Year Elected
1995

Final House Term Eligibility
2003



LEGISLATIVE AIDE
Greta Nassar

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA
Occupation
Attorney/Counselor

Education
Lutcher High School; B.S., LSU; J.D., Loyola University; Fellow of Institute of Politics (1979)

[BlackSeal]

Mia, thank you for this information. The Faucheux problem is just the sort of thing I would have overlooked, as I am unfortunately uninterested in politics (especially in Louisiana). However, when it comes down to my own, I have a different attitude. I know you are active in these matters, and anthing I can do (besides keeping a respectable yard) let me know.

[BlackSeal]

Marty, I google'd too and came up with this page for LA:

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stuslars14_102_14_2771_2778.htm

it also has other states as well, and though it is unofficial, it is informative and seems to be updated frequently by the MSU college of law (Michigan State University) NOT McNeese State University, where I go to school. LOL