IN:Elkhart may be Goshen’s role model when it comes to animal control laws

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Elkhart may be Goshen’s role model when it comes to animal control laws

Published: 11/4/2009 12:00:00 AM
Last Updated: 11/3/2009 11:41:06 PM
By: Josh Weinhold
Elkhart Truth

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GOSHEN WILL WAIT AND SEE

The topic of a dangerous animal ordinance came up in discussion among Goshen City Council members Tuesday evening, but the group decided to gather more information and take a wait-and-see approach.

Julia Gautsche brought up the topic, saying “our animal ordinance isn’t, I don’t think, real up to date.”

Tom Stump pointed out there is an ordinance against animals running loose and asked Gautsche what she meant by dangerous animals.

Chic Lantz chimed in, saying he considers pit bulls dangerous, pointing out the scars his granddaughter has from an attack by a pit bull a decade ago. “You become more compassionate when it happens in your own family,” he said.

Stump, though, argued pit bulls are only dangerous when they’re trained to act aggressive.

Gautsche said any ordinance from Goshen shouldn’t focus on a breed but on dangerous behavior.

Everett Thomas suggested before the council spends much time on crafting an ordinance, it needs to see how much of a problem it is by getting data from the police department and the Humane Society of Elkhart County, which handles animal control for the city.

Mayor Allan Kauffman said dangerous animals are a problem.

“There are some neighborhoods in town where people are afraid to walk around outside,” he said.

He suggested, though, that the council may want to see what Elkhart decides “and then modify it for our use.”

Stump agreed with that sentiment. He also argued, “If you’re going to pass a law against dangerous dogs, you ought to pass a law against dangerous people who train them, too.”

Elkhart may be Goshen's role model when it comes to animal control laws - The Elkhart Truth - Elkhart, IN


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Posted on November 5, 2009 by stopbsl.com

City council meets at Council Chambers, 111 E. Jefferson St., Goshen, IN. Next city council meetings: 7:00 PM on November 17 and December 1.

Contact info for city officials:
Mayor Allan Kauffman
202 S. 5th St., Goshen, Indiana 46528
Phone(work) 574-533-9322
Fax: 574-533-3074
Email: allankauffman@goshencity.com

DISTRICT 1, Precincts: 2,4,7,24,114
Darryl Riegsecker
704 Reliance Road, Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 533-6248
Email: djrindiana@verizon.net

DISTRICT 2, Precincts: 1,6,16
Harlan E. “Chic” Lantz
807 W. Plymouth Ave., Goshen, IN 46526-2609
Phone: 533-0160
Email: chiclantz@verizon.net

DISTRICT 3, Precincts: 3,5,17
Dixie Robinson
1106 Highland Dr., Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: 533-4495
DISTRICT 4, Precincts 8,10,13
Julia A. Gautsche
601 S. 7th St., Goshen, IN 46526-4013
Phone: 533-0778
Email: jgautsche@hotmail.com

DISTRICT 5, Precincts: 11,12,14,15,19
Everett J. Thomas
1817 Woodgate Dr., Goshen, IN 46526-6456
Phone: 533-6143
Fax: 535-6050
Email: EvBarbThomas@aol.com

COUNCIL AT LARGE
Thomas Stump
823 S. 7th St., Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 533-8400
COUNCIL AT LARGE
Jeremy Stutsman
212 W. Jackson St., Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 533-0845
Email: stutsmancouncil@verizon.net

[DreaminTexas]

I used to live in that area. The amount of dogs running loose and the lack of minimum care to animals is huge. I hope they don't pass BSL.