Law may leash in pit bull breeders

South Bend, IN -- A proposed animal control ordinance aimed at discouraging pit bull breeders from locating here could impose tough new regulations on St. Joseph County pet owners as well.

The measure is expected be presented to the County Council for first reading on Sept. 13 and could get a public hearing in October.

"We're seeing a lot of pit bulls here," said Dr. Carol Ecker, president of the Humane Society of St. Joseph County board of directors.

The Humane Society provides animal control services in Mishawaka and unincorporated St. Joseph County. South Bend has its own animal control department.

Ecker said she believes the dogs are being bred here and then taken elsewhere to be trained to fight.

"We know who they are," she said of the breeders.

The proposed ordinance would require pit bull breeders to pay $100 apiece to license puppies. The pups also would have to be implanted with microchip identification tags.

Owners also would be required to keep the animals in "six-sided" cages -- cages that have tops and bottoms as well as sides -- and would have to post "dangerous dog" signs in front of their homes.

"This is all about dogfighting," said Ecker, who said she believes dog fighters are coming from as far away as Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis for contests here.

Dogfighting and even training dogs to fight are felonies in Indiana. Ecker said that, in addition to breaking the law, the dogfights are bringing guns, violence and drugs to the community.

The regulations for pit bulls would be applied to other dangerous animals as well.

A dangerous animal is defined in the ordinance as one that has, off its owner's property, attacked another animal or livestock, or which has, unprovoked, attacked or attempted to attack a human being whether on or off the owner's property.

Controlling dangerous dogs is a main thrust of the proposed ordinance, according to Ecker, who said she is aware of people who are afraid to let their children outside because they live next door to pit bull breeders.

"We want people to be safe in their neighborhoods," she said.

Breeders of fighting dogs their neighborhoods," she said. Breeders of fighting dogs wouldn't be the only ones affected by the proposed ordinance.

The new regulations would include mandatory rabies vaccinations and county licenses for all dogs, cats and ferrets in unincorporated St. Joseph County.

The inoculation requirement coincides with state law, which already requires those animals to be vaccinated against rabies.

Residents who fail to inoculate their pets as required would be subject to $75 fine under the ordinance.

The measure also would require anyone whose dog or cat delivered a litter of young to either purchase a $50 "minor breeder permit," agree to turn the animal over to the Humane Society or have the animal neutered or spayed.

Owners could be required to obtain a $100 major breeder permit if their dog or cat has delivered more than one litter in 12 months' time, or if they have custody of multiple dogs or cats that have delivered more than one litter within that time period.

The ordinance would apply to all those who breed animals, whether the breeding is on purpose or accidental.

Definitions in the proposed measure are broad enough to identify someone who feeds pregnant stray animals, including feral cats, for three days or more as being subject to the breeder permit regulations.

The ordinance also would establish an Animal Control Commission that could review and make recommendations to the county commissioners on animal control measures and enforcement.

The ordinance would supersede the county animal control ordinance passed in 1990 and incorporate many of the standards it set for the care of pets and other domestic animals.

Those provisions include a requirement that owners of dangerous animals and attack dogs get a permit for the animals and carry a minimum of $300,000 in liability insurance.

Ecker said many of regulations in the proposed ordinance are intended to discourage people from letting their pets reproduce.

Cats in particular are a problem. Ecker said that as many as 40 to 50 cats and kittens are dropped off at the Humane Society shelter each day.

"This is what costs you money," said Ecker, noting that one female cat and its descendants can account for the birth of as many as 3,000 kittens in a four-year period.

The ordinance would require all dogs, cats and ferrets owned by residents of unincorporated St. Joseph County to have a county license.

As proposed, local veterinarians would collect the animal license fees when the pets are vaccinated against rabies.

Pet owners would not be able to buy the tags through their veterinarian unless the animal has been altered and injected with a microchip.

The microchips would allow Humane Society workers equipped with readers to identify stray animals and animals involved in disputes.

 

Wow.... I don't even know what to say. People need to start actively fighting against BSL and doing something. We're all in for it...

B

 

The measure also would require anyone whose dog or cat delivered a litter of young to either purchase a $50 "minor breeder permit," agree to turn the animal over to the Humane Society or have the animal neutered or spayed.

Owners could be required to obtain a $100 major breeder permit if their dog or cat has delivered more than one litter in 12 months' time, or if they have custody of multiple dogs or cats that have delivered more than one litter within that time period.

I think this is a smart idea. It may prevent people from breeding.... MAY. But it could also lead to animal abuse of dogs that have unwanted litters. I'm not sure about this. But I think it is ridiculous that they are gonna pin the fee on people who are feeding stray animals....

 

Modern Day American Communism!!! Simple as that.

 

Peeps need to reread. Pits are singled out from the start, other dogs first have to break the law.

Equality and fairness should be the key word.

Dangerous dog laws equal for all dogs.

The people who need to be outraged here again is the pit community and every other person whos dogs will be misidentified.

How many pits will die because the people will not be able or willing to carry the insurance plan.

F**K the BSL'ers and everyone who likes'em. I am losing my tolerance even for the the unimformed, they are willing to say " Oh I think it is a good idea" before they even know know what the Hades they are talking about. Scr*w them to. AS*H*LES, the whole bunch.

 

I agree then it contradicts itself by saying that a dangerous animal is one having shown agression or attacked another person or animal. so wtf, if one pitbull attacks does that mean them all or just that one pit bull and if they know who the breeders are that do these illegal things, why don't they just arrest them?? hmmmm looks like a way to make some serious money for the county and eckert to me.

 

when a person turns the dog into the humane society, what are they going to do with them? somehow I just don't think that they are going to house them, looks like lights out for rover.

 

yeah that is my question, a dangerous dog is one who has shown aggression or attacked outside its property, so any responsible breeder would not breed a dog that has shown aggression or attacked, so why should everyone be punished for the stupidity of some??