Oklahoma BSL - Good news!

For those who don't know, Wesselhoft has apparently withdrawn his Pit Bull ban. I was at the state capitol today with some other dedicated dog folks, and we sat in on the committee hearing for Wesselhoft's other bill. The other bill allowed cities to define potentially dangerous dogs as those of a certain breed, and those posessing physical strength, muscular build, jaw strength, etc. It also had provisions for targetting dogs kept in enclosures where a child could stick their arm in, like chain link fencing.

Very relieved to report, the committee voted down this measure 18-1. They voted instead in favor of a bill by Rep Denney which addresses dangerous dogs generally. (The bill even prevents people from suing for emotional, punitive, basically non-economic damages in the event of a dog attack. She said something like "We want people to be put back right. We don't want them to come away worse off, or better off.")

Big thanks to everyone who was there to help support the cause. Rob and Marlene McCabe (Green Country APBT Club), Joan Morrison (EBA), The Flamingo , and everybody else who was able to make it on a work day. Additional thanks to everybody who wrote or called voicing opposition to Wesselhoft's bills, and to all the reps who voted in favor of common sense. Good job everyone!

 

Thank you for your work on this issue! One small victory is still a victory. However people, it's a huge war & everyone must fight for our side.

 

That's Awsome, Good job everybody..... Thank you

 

Made my day a little brighter. Good job to everybody who worked on that.

 

Yay! I must spread the word. Do you know if there have been any announcements in writing?

Thank you so much for helping us out!

 

congrats. I think that a case by case basis is a good thing..

 

It ended up being a good day, even if we didn't get to speak at it and the bills got pushed to the last ones. :p There was a pretty good turn out I thought. Almost 20 of us I think, I actually expected less and was plesently surprized!

The part of Wesslehoffs speech that got me was when he said, "The people of Oklahoma want a breed ban." Where were his people? ONE person was there in support of him compared to 20 of us in opposion. If the they WANT this bad why don't they come out and say so? Alot of the Reps. took the bill very personally as well, asking how it would affect their dogs, and their family's dogs.

I do think that is how Denny said it. She put it quite nicely. I was very happy that it passed.

Thank you to all the 89er Club members that showed up too! Can't forget them. As well as all the others with varying breeds. THANK YOU!!!

 

it was a long day but well worth it i think...sorry i missed the look on wesselhofts face but my 4 yr old gave out on us..lol. woohoo is what comes to my mind. glad to see everyone there that could be there

 

[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial]Here's an article for those who are interested:[/font]


[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial]http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=4533995[/font]
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Committee kills pit bull ban, passes higher penalties for owners




OKLAHOMA CITY A proposed ban on pit bull terriers and other dogs considered dangerous was overwhelmingly defeated by a state House committee.

The House Health and Human Services Committee killed the measure by Moore state Representative Paul Wesselhoft 18-to-1. The bill would ban dangerous dogs with no registration certificate and require dogs with certificates to be placed in secure areas.

Wesselhoft named the measure Cody's Law after 3-year-old Moore resident Cody Yelton, whose left arm was amputated at the shoulder following an attack by a pit bull in June.

In a separate incident six months later, 4-year-old Cody Tyler Adair died when he was attacked by a pit bull at his uncle's home in Bartlesville.

Committee members expressed misgivings about the bill, particularly its definition of a dangerous dog, which is described as one that is characterized by physical strength, a muscular body, and powerful jaws.

The committee voted 15-to-4 for a separate measure that increases penalties for dog owners whose pets attack people.

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