Page 1 of 330 The Monthly National Legislation Report 7/5/2010 ...

The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 296 of 3307/5/2010MICHIGANNo report for MichiganMINNESOTANorthfield - (11/18/08) - The Northfield Council met Monday and set up procedures in which dogs can be declared dangerous and put down. This month a dog who had attacked threepeople was declared dangerous. City attorney Maren Swanson said she’s rewriting city ordinances regarding potentially dangerous dogs, those which have shown a willingness to attack.Swanson said she’ll soon present a draft ordinance to the council. Currently, potentially dangerous dogs can’t be removed from their owners. The city has determined a second dog involved inthe three attacks is potentiallydangerous.Savage - (12/7/08) - Changes in the state statute relating to dangerous animal requirements are being incorporated into city ordinances and were approved by the Savage City Council onMonday night (Dec. 1). But the changes resulted in a lot of questions. Councilman Gene Abbott asked about a section of the ordinance that used the term “willful trespass” when consideringan animal as “dangerous.”Verndale - (12/11/08) - Discussion of proposed changes to the city of Verndale public nuisance ordinance at last week’s city council meeting elicited frustrations over trespassing animalsand concerns about restricting trailers stored on private property. Audience members at the meeting asked council members about the possible ordinance changes. “We’ve had nuisanceordinances, but we’ve never had any teeth behind it,” explained Mayor Wayne Stave. “We need to get some teeth.” The mention of public nuisance immediately drew a response of “cats anddogs. The council decided to schedule a public hearing to review the draft ordinance at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 prior to the regular 6 p.m. end-of-the year council meeting. ClerkDawn Nelson gave the draft ordinance to the city attorney for review prior to the public hearing. The draft defines public nuisances in the city of Verndale affecting health, safety, comfort orrepose; morals and decency; and peace and safety. It describes penalties for violating the ordinance such as a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for not morethan 90 days, or both upon conviction. The ordinance is available for review at the Verndale City office. It is also available right here !MISSISSIPPIRidgeland - (11/18/08) - Ridgeland city leaders are expected to discuss a controversial proposal tonight that may call for the banning of certain dog breeds from the city. Mayor GeneMcGee said Monday that the Board of Aldermen and the city's attorneys will review the proposal in a closed session tonight following the board's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in RidgelandCity Hall. The city first presented a proposed amendment to the animal control ordinance in September that called for the banning of pit bulls, Rottweilers, Staffordshire bull terriers,American Staffordshire terriers and their offspring in Ridgeland. UPDATE - (11/19/08) - Ridgeland city leaders met behind closed doors to discuss amending the ordinance to include abreed specific ban. The city attorney apprised aldermen of the possible litigation involved with the ban. No action was taken following the executive session. Mayor McGee hopes to have anamendment to the animal control ordinance presented to the board in January. UPDATE City of Ridgeland is considering putting some teeth into its animal control ordinance. Talks inOctober ended with no changes but were met with outcries from the public on both sides of the issue. Ridgeland city leaders met behind closed doors to discuss amending the ordinance toinclude a breed specific ban. No action was taken following the executive session. Mayor McGee hopes to have an amendment to the animal control ordinance presented to the board inJanuaryWest Point - no formal action was taken on Tuesday (12/09/08), the Board of Selectmen will be considering in future work sessions a proposal by a local group to change the city's currentordinance with respect to "vicious dogs" to include specific breeds, including but not limited to, pit bulls, chow chows, doberman pinschers and German Shepherds.MISSOURIMO SB 63Session: 2009 (1/7/09 thru 5/15/09 Prefiled)Sponsor: RuppSummary:Modifies various provisions relating to dog fighting.History:** 12/1/2008 Prefiled **Fayette - (11/24/08) - The proposed animal ordinance received lengthy public comment at the regular Fayette city council meeting Tuesday. During citizen participation, three personsexpressed disagreement with the prohibition against pit bulls in the proposed dog ordinance. Another objected to the three-dog limit since she owns five coon hunting dogs and feels there areothers who own more than three dogs for hunting purposes. The council went ahead with the first reading of the proposed animal ordinance. A second reading is required before theordinance becomes law. Council members will continue to discuss the issue with constituents before making a final decision. Once signed into law, the following provisions would apply:. Pit bulls will not be allowed within the city limits. . Pit bulls already residing within the city limits must be registered with the city and securely confined or on a leash with a muzzle. . Eachhousehold may have a maximum of three dogs. Households which currently have more than three dogs may keep all pets, but must register pets. . An owner's animal may not impede anygovernmental city,county, state or federal employee in the performance of his or her duty. A violation will result in a fine of not less than $100. . An owner's animal may not impede any person using publicproperty, such asa sidewalk or right of way. Fine for violation: not less than $100. . All dogs must be leashed when off of the owner's property. . All dogs must be licensed with the city. Licenses are renewedannually andrequire rabies vaccination given by a licensed veterinarian. License tags must be attached to the dog's collar. . Dogs of a cross or vicious disposition must be securely confined at all times.(Same restrictions as for pit bulls.) Dogs which are impounded by the city may be redeemed by their owners upon payment of a $5 boarding fee per day and a $25 fine. Second and thirdimpoundments result in higher fines up to $150. Citizens who have concerns with the proposed animal ordinance should contact their council person and attend the next councilmeeting, Dec. 2.Herculaneum - Board of Aldermen is working on an ordinance that would ban the ownership of pit bulls in the city limitsJefferson - (12/8/08) - To create an incentive for residents to spay and neuter their pets, a Jefferson City Council committee is contemplating updating the city's ordinance on animalsrunning loose.Owners of pets caught running free are currently fined $25 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $150 for a third offense. Under the proposed ordinance, the minimum fines wouldbe raised to $150, $250 and $400 for non-spayed and non-neutered animals. However, under the new ordinance, the lower fines would remain in place for animals that are spayed andneutered.Perryville - (11/24/08) - City Council held a public hearing Tuesday (11/18/08) night to discuss the possibility of enacting an ordinance banning pit bulls. The draft of the proposedordinance states that any dog deemed "dangerous" would have to be spayed or neutered in order to remain in city limits, and the owner must maintain a policy of liability insurance to coverany incident with the animal. The draft also reads "it shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city limit anypit bull." The ordinance contains a grandfather clause, meaning anyone who already owned one of these dogs before the ordinance became official, if it is passed, will be exempt provided theymaintain a liability insurance policy on the dog. A pit bill is defined as any dog that is an American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dogdisplaying characteristics recognized by the American Kennel Club as associated with those breeds. UPDATE - (12/02/08) city council moved to discard the breed specific ordinance they wereconsidering, in favor of tougher dangerous dog ordinances. They were in agreement that breed specific ordinances would not serve the best interest of their community.