KS-Hays City: BSL Proposed

[3MTA3]

Commission going to the dogs

By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net

Pit bulls still might be allowed within city limits, but owners soon could face stricter restrictions for keeping the particular breed.

When the Hays City Commission meets for a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, it will consider an amended dog ordinance that automatically classifies pit bulls as “dangerous.”

“It’s not a ban,” City Manager Toby Dougherty said. “The commission was reluctant to enact a ban the last time they discussed it, but they did recognize that there was a need for possibly some further regulations other than what we have right now.”

This distinction would require pit bull owners to take additional precautions, such as providing the dog with an identification microchip, keeping the animals in secure confinement areas, and strict leash and muzzle requirements. Owners would be required to obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000.

If these guidelines are not adhered to, the dog could be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner could be fined or lose the license required to keep the pet in town.

Currently, dogs can be deemed “dangerous” only in court, usually following a biting incident or behavior issue. Dogs with a known propensity to attack or those trained for dog fighting also fall into this category.

This standard still would apply, but pit bulls would be the first breed automatically deemed dangerous. The ordinance lists several breeds of dogs commonly identified as a pit bull.

Another amendment would impose stricter penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals annually by March 1. The delinquency fine would increase from $1 to $10 per month, with a maximum $50 fine.

The issue of regulating pit bulls in city limits surfaced in April after a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog, which was on a walk with its 10-year-old owner.

The proposed ordinance: http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/pr...llrdinance.pdf

Dangerous dog means:
5) Any “Pit Bull Dog” which is defined as any and all of the following dogs:
a) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog;
b) The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
c) The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;
d) Any other breed commonly known as Pit Bull, Pit Bull Dog, or Pit Bull Terrier;
e) Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.

The Hays Daily News

*****

Posted on November 5, 2009 by stopbsl.com


Hays City Commission meets to discuss the proposed ordinance (below) tonight, 11/5, at 6:30 PM.


Previous alerts for Hays City: http://stopbsl.com/?s=hays+city

City Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 490, Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-7320
Fax: (785) 628-7323

Ron Mellick, Mayor of Hays
rdcc@swbell.net

Christopher Channell, Vice Mayor
cchannell@media-net.net

Barbara K. Wasinger
barbwasinger@ruraltel.net

Troy Hickman
troy.hickman@hotmail.com

Henry Schwaller IV
hschwaller4@yahoo.com

[3MTA3]

Hays considers tighter rules on pit bulls

Associated Press - November 9, 2009 5:14 AM ET

HAYS, Kan. (AP) - City commissioners in Hays could vote this week on strict new rules for pit bull owners.

Pit bulls would not be banned in the northwest Kansas community.

But a proposed ordinance would declare the dogs to be "dangerous" - a designation that would trigger several requirements.

Owners would have to keep any pit bulls confined securely, obtain insurance and provide identification microchips. They would also have to pay a registration fee of $50 a year, and keep the dogs muzzled and leashed if they're out in public.

The commission is expected to take up the proposal at its meeting Thursday night.

Hays considers tighter rules on pit bulls - KOAM TV 7 Joplin and Pittsburg News Weather Sports |

[Arizona_GameTime]

Wow. That's f'd up. How can you automatically call a dog dangerous just because its of a certain breed?.....On the flip side, if owners don't take the necessary steps to keep their
dog(s) secure, then shit like this is ALWAYS going to happen.

[Adivina]

This passed - however the insurance requirement was thrown out of it.

[3MTA3]

City passes pit bull ordinance

Published on -11/13/2009, 12:20 PM

Emotions ran high at Thursday's Hays City Commission meeting, as commissioners voted 4-0 to pass stricter regulations for pit bull owners.

The new ordinance automatically classifies pit bulls as "dangerous," meaning owners must keep them securely confined at all times, pay an increased registration fee of $50 annually, keep them muzzled in public and provide an identification microchip.

Another provision that would have required owners to obtain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least $100,000 was removed by a 3-1 vote. Vice Mayor Chris Channell objected. Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV said he contacted local insurance providers and found policies to cover pit bulls are not readily available.

"Nobody wants to insure a pit bull because ... it's just too risky," Schwaller said. "Insurance companies do not want to touch this."

Channell said the Kansas Supreme Court has declared pit bulls represent a public health hazard not posed by other breeds of dogs.

The Hays Daily News

[outrightmike]

kansas is one of the worst states ive ever lived in.every town that starts that ends up baning them all together.in salina they made me have a 8 high 8by 10 concrete floor pin even though mine was inside dog.they would come atleast twice a month and talk to me like a piece of crap and warn me of this and that and mine was a lab/pit.if your dog any breed atacks someone you go to jail,forget to retag you go to jail.i want ever go there again i drive around kansas,and thats my home state.