GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS ON PROPOSED PIT BULL BAN

Alyssa - former Marion Animal Shelter pup - now beloved family member

We want to send out a big "thank you" to all of the dog lovers that attended the Marion City Council meeting last Tuesday to speak out against the proposed ban of Pit Bull Terriers. You really made a difference!

The meeting was a little confusing to say the least. The input from tax-paying constituents that were in attendance was not received with the enthusiasm that you would hope for from public service representatives. But that said - hopefully the door is now open to better communications between the tax payers of Marion, AR and the people they have chosen to represent their interests.

The good news is that Mayor Fogleman and City Attorney, Jimbo Hale, stated that a ban on Pit Bulls would not move forward. There were several other council members that stated they would like to pass the ban which apparently had not even been drafted (?) Just one of the more confusing aspects of the evening.

What we took away from the meeting was that a ban of Pit Bull Terriers in Marion is off the table.

The bad news is that the council is now looking into revising the current Dangerous Dog ordinance. That alone - of course - is not bad news - as it is important for every community to have strong rules regarding dangerous dogs - individual dogs with a proven history of bite incidents and aggression. Holding irresponsible dog owners accountable is critical to creating a safer community but there are more effective options than BSL to accomplish this goal.

The negative part of this revision is that the City is considering imposing the same restrictions placed on dogs in Marion with a history of aggression - on all Pit Bull Terriers (with or without a history of aggression).

Meaning that even if you have a Pit Bull Terrier that has done nothing more than give big kisses, or that is a certified therapy dog - you, as a dog owner could be subjected to the same restrictions as a dog owner whose dog has bitten someone.


Dixon - Former Marion Animal Shelter resident - now service Dog

Some of the proposed restrictions mentioned in The Evening Times article (9/30/10 - Marion revises breed-specific ordinance) - include requiring owners of a dangerous dog or of a Pit Bull Terrier to have a fenced in yard and to purchase an expensive insurance policy.

Despite the fact that the Evening Times article makes it sound as if these changes to the Dangerous Dog ordinance are already in place - communication with City Attorney, Jimbo Hale this week (thank you Shaunnah) revealed that the changes to the ordinance have not been drafted or voted on yet (more good news!)

Punishing responsible dog owners just because they may own a dog that is classified as or looks similar to a Pit Bull Terrier is unfair and discriminatory. As with all "breed-specific" legislation - by restricting one breed the door is open to include other breeds in the future. This is not an issue that solely impacts people who own and love Pit Bull Terriers - it is an issue that all dog owners need to take a stand on.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Write a letter, make a phone call, send an email to Mayor Frank Fogleman and the other City Council members. Have you adopted a Pit Bull/mix from us? Be sure to include pictures and share the happiness that your Pit Bull Terrier brings to your life every day.

Write a letter to the Editor of your local newspaper. Education is the key to making Marion a safer community.

Attend the next City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 26 at 7:00p - make sure your opinion is known.

Share this story with everyone you know. This is an issue that affects all dog lovers - not just the Pit Bull lovers in Marion, AR. Today it may be Marion and Pit Bull Terriers - tomorrow your town and Dobermans or German Shepherds or Chows Chows or ...

Go to the shelter and save a Pit Bull's life!

As always - thank you for caring about our dogs!

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http://www.pawsofmarion.org/