[Tazqoaap]

If you could, or have, attended a BSL hearing? I thought this could be an interesting topic, so here is what I would say (maybe change a few things)
And yes I have tried to attend the one that was in Florida not long ago but I had a crazy work schedule.

"Look into your heart and truly ask yourself, what if this was my breed or more importantly what if this was my dog? Imagine the feeling of thousands of people who want to murder your dog for the actions of irresponsible owners. Imagine loosing your dog because all those people got their way. Imagine what it is like to loose your best friend and know there was nothing you could have done to stop it, but stand here and ask you these questions. If this bill passes you will hurt more then dogs, you be hurting a child's pet, a disabled person's companion, a lonely girl's friend, a part of the family. Could you destroy those for simply being a breed of dog? Could you watch the tears that they will shed?"




I know it's kinda corny but I like it lol

[RLRWai4B]

My biggest piece of advice is to leave your emotions at the door.

You aren't going to beat B.S.L. with statements of "...but my dog has never hurt anyone." and "My dog wouldn't hurt a fly." and "My dog loves people!" and "He's such a sweet dog." And definitely don't EVER use the statement, "It's all in how you raise them." Nothing makes a 'pit bull' owner sound more ignorant or more desperate.

Go in with the facts. Study up beforehand.

Does the area considering B.S.L. already have a leash law? No? Then propose one and explain why. Yes? Then why is it not being enforced?

Do they already have cruelty and neglect laws? No? Then propose some. Yes? Then talk about further enforcement.

If there is a problem with the number of off-leash dogs and/or cruelty, ask why. Is there a funding shortage? Is there a lack of man-power? Are the penalties for such laws just too lax?

Suggest that penalties be increased. For example, in Baton Rouge it is merely a $25 for the 1st offense of dog roaming at large. I proposed a $100 fine. For 2nd offense, I proposed a $300 fine and dog will be spayed/neutered at owner's expense as well if not already done. For 3rd offense, I proposed a $500 and the euthanization of the dog or the dog be put up for adoption. The owner owes money AND looses his dog. (Honestly, I preferred that that happened on the 2nd offense, but for practical reasons I had to suggest it this way)

You also need to explain that there is no such breed as a "pit bull" and that "pit bull type" can refer to more than 20 different breeds and countless mixed breeds. Make a poster board with all the "pit bull" dogs you can find and others similar. Visuals are great in proving to people that they do not know about that of which they speak.

Ask, if B.S.L. were to be put into place, who would make the decision that such dog is a "pit bull"? Would there be an appeals process? Would a DNA test be called into play? (which would help these dogs )

Overall, you need to point out that:
a) laws already exist to prevent dogs from roaming at large
b) laws already exist to punish those who neglect and/or abuse their dog
c) a lack of funding and/or man-power that allows the above-mentioned laws to not be properly enforced will definitely not allow for B.S.L. to be enforced
d) there is no such thing as a "pit bull"....not in today's general definition of the term
e) that ALL dogs can and will bite

[2CNWXAqN]

excellent post guys. I have no idea how would I go about it if I went to a hearing,but I enjoyed reading what you guys had to say.

[JediReturns84]

I did attend a BSL meeting, and sadly, I'm young and inexperienced with public speaking. Thankfully, a ton more people came and made excellent points. I merely was only able to talk about the common breeds that are misidentified as "pit bulls", the organizations that are against BSL, and the fact that we needed laws that targeted irresponsible owners, not the dogs themselves (and the whole time I was shaky and felt totally stupid and unprepared, even though I had written up a two page paper about it).

Sadly, the BSL was still passed. And while it didn't outlaw the dogs, it's a stepping stone for it (it was MSN). We lost because a local humane society purposed the legislation and literally had a parade of their employee's at their whims to make emotional speeches regarding pit bulls and "putting them down". They even showed a video. It was pathetic.

[allachakb]

SO MUCH...

I am not old enough yet, but when I turn 18 the city council is gonna get an earfull!

[RLRWai4B]

I did attend a BSL meeting, and sadly, I'm young and inexperienced with public speaking. Thankfully, a ton more people came and made excellent points. I merely was only able to talk about the common breeds that are misidentified as "pit bulls", the organizations that are against BSL, and the fact that we needed laws that targeted irresponsible owners, not the dogs themselves (and the whole time I was shaky and felt totally stupid and unprepared, even though I had written up a two page paper about it).

Sadly, the BSL was still passed. And while it didn't outlaw the dogs, it's a stepping stone for it (it was MSN). We lost because a local humane society purposed the legislation and literally had a parade of their employee's at their whims to make emotional speeches regarding pit bulls and "putting them down". They even showed a video. It was pathetic.

I'm so sorry.

Michigan is one of the worst states in the U.S. for B.S.L. As you mentioned, it doesn't help that many of the local human societies are for it for their own political and ignorant reasons. It's hard to fight the government when lower levels bring in their ignorant experts (and fools) to push for the legislation.

My suggestion is to maybe come up with a good letter and mail it out to all the local veterinarians. Not all vets want to get involved, but some will. And even more, you may hit a nerve with some of the staff that had no idea such legislation was being pushed.

Write editorials to your local newspapers. Be vocal. Whatever you do, don't quit. Your dogs depend on it.

[TZtrDuso]

I went to one of the bSL hearings in Hollister.It was for mandatory spay and neutering of Chihuahuas and pit bulls.I did not say any thing just went to listen.

San Benito county is one of the poorest county's.monetarily and they way it`s run.I understand the over population thing.And that Chihuahua~s are supposed to comprise 56% of the dogs in shelters in Ca.The dogs that are number two is pit type dogs.Thats why they were singled out.A few people I talked to there said they would not or could not afford to spay or neuter there dogs and would take the chance of them being picked up and fined.

San Benito county, city of Hollister fails by not getting grants for and or offering low cost spay and neutering.I should have followed up on the meetings and found out the out come but never did.

[JediReturns84]

I'm so sorry.

Michigan is one of the worst states in the U.S. for B.S.L. As you mentioned, it doesn't help that many of the local human societies are for it for their own political and ignorant reasons. It's hard to fight the government when lower levels bring in their ignorant experts (and fools) to push for the legislation.

My suggestion is to maybe come up with a good letter and mail it out to all the local veterinarians. Not all vets want to get involved, but some will. And even more, you may hit a nerve with some of the staff that had no idea such legislation was being pushed.

Write editorials to your local newspapers. Be vocal. Whatever you do, don't quit. Your dogs depend on it.

Yes, sadly, the president of the City Council bluntly stated that they were going to listen to the "experts", aka, the humane society, and not the dozens of community members that came in and gave very convincing arguments against it. Only one council member voted against it, he was the only one that realized that MSN doesn't fix overpopulation or anything else associated with "pit bulls".

I did write to my local news paper, but it was never published, because the local news paper is in bed with the humane society, so of course they wouldn't publish an opposing view to this "heave on Earth, savior of animals" humane society (people think highly of this place but they're no good).

The mailing of a letter to local vets is a good idea, I may do that as well. There's quite a few in the area and most of them love the pits they see. I know every time we bring Dylan to our vet, the techs are just beside themselves with how cute he is and how affectionate he acts.

I definitely will keep fighting. I fear that when the MSN fails, even though they stated they "aren't interested in a ban" that I can see it leading to one anyway. I mean, a few years ago, this humane society didn't even adopt out pit bulls, they only recently started doing that. So they aren't really in favor of pit bulls, but of the money they can get from siding with the township.

Since we're moving into where the BSL MSN was passed, I seriously fear for my dog.

[lalffibra]

I went to one with Red. She sat right beside me the whole time was very well behaved and greeted everyone with a tail wag and a kiss. I was armed with handouts, ton of handouts on APBTs and then talked about the current laws and how the AC can't enforce them due to enough man power. The extra cost that BSL would add to their budgets etc. I relayed more handouts about other breeds attacking and things like that.

Right at the end, I was asked some questions about Red. I did get a little emotional talking about her to the council. They asked if they could see some of her tricks which she gladly obliged at doing for them.

Overall, holding it together and sticking to the facts is what matters and what opens people's eye's in the end.

This proposal was brought about by a dog attack on another DOG. Both sets of dogs were off leash EXCEPT for one APBT. The guy had Boxers and the woman SWORE they were pit bulls. Her little Dachsunds were actually deemed to be the cause of the fight and they were fined.

Red was in the local paper as well as on the news after she attended this council meeting. The AC director is working to overturn the BSL in kennewick and she wants to use Red and a shelter dog as the spokesdogs for it. I'm a little leary about it at this point cause of Red's unstableness around kids. However, I've been working with the shelter dog and he is going to be AWESOME at it.

That is my experience with BSL meetings. Whatever you do, do NOT stoop to the supporters levels. At the meeting I went to, one even threatened to shoot Red if he ever saw her off leash, threat or no threat. The BSL supporters can be scary and very insulting, but if you are the bigger person and walk away from them, it looks better for the breed.

[Tazqoaap]

Great posts everyone! Loved reading them and taking up ideas for the next time someone tries to push BSL in Florida or parts of Florida.

[JediReturns84]

At the meeting I went to, one even threatened to shoot Red if he ever saw her off leash, threat or no threat. The BSL supporters can be scary and very insulting, but if you are the bigger person and walk away from them, it looks better for the breed.

At the meeting I was at, and older gentlemen got up and told a big long story about some BYB next door to him. The whole of his story was that every time he goes outside now, he carries a shovel with him and bluntly stated to the council members that he wouldn't hesitate using it on a loose dog.

Those people are the craziest. Sometimes dogs get loose, despite EVERYTHING we've done to keep them from not. You know, we're humans, and accidents and mistakes happen. Knowing that even if my dog wasn't a threat and that somebody would kill him because of how he looks really fucking scares me.
I know a lot of people don't like this comparison, but it honestly, reminds me of all of the shit that happened with people and their race. Killing somebody just because of how they looked.... it's fucked up. I don't think I could kill any body or animal just "because". There better be a DAMN good reason I'm killing something, but that's just me.

[Salliter]

That is my experience with BSL meetings. Whatever you do, do NOT stoop to the supporters levels. At the meeting I went to, one even threatened to shoot Red if he ever saw her off leash, threat or no threat. The BSL supporters can be scary and very insulting, but if you are the bigger person and walk away from them, it looks better for the breed.

No kidding! About 3 weeks after adopting Socrates my aunt's boyfriend saw me in town with him. Apparently he has big issues with pit bulls, something I didn't know considering he was about the last thing on my mind when it came to my decision. He followed me home, got out of his car, and started screaming at me threatening to shoot him. It was absolute insanity. I was terrified, and still am terrified of leaving Socrates alone. Because it was on my property I was able to call the police and do something about it. But all said and done, he looked like the crazy one, not me. The police were on my side because of the way it was handled. Had I handled it differently, I'm sure the cops would have left with a far different opinion of me, my dog, and the whole situation.

[freddyujnf]

I would try to do some research on areas with BSL vs areas without it and see if there is empiral evidence that it does in fact have the desired results.

My mom, also a pitbull owner, was telling me about a study that she was reading that indicated that in areas without BSL, the most frequent bite offenders were mixed breed dogs and labs.

In a meeting like that, you have to site empirical evidence...your opinion (even it's is correct) doesn't really sway opinion.

I live in Ohio where there is BSL for the entire state along iwth lots of city and municipality bans. From what I see, irresponsible owners will get the dogs whether there is a ban or not....it moreso makes it difficult for good owners to rescue the dogs that need it. Not to mention, the stipulations of our BSL would likely actually make ANY breed of dog aggressive. Cage them up outside and muzzle them isn't exactly ideal socialization.