Thank you for contacting the campaign about ordinances regulating dog breeds. It is good to hear from you.

Tammy recognizes that a dog’s breed is just one factor in determining its behavior. A host of other variables, many related to the owner’s temperament and training expertise, play a role as well. While an outright ban of particular breeds can be a knee-jerk reaction to dog problems, communities should be free to set their own rules. 

As you know, local dog breed bans are usually not handled at the federal level. However you may be interested to know that throughout her time in Congress, Tammy has been a strong advocate for animal rights. During the current session of Congress she received an 88% rating from the Humane Society on animal protection issues.

Once again, thank you for reaching out. Please do not hesitate to follow up with any further questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Karin Johanson, Campaign Manager (for Tammy Baldwin)


Note:  Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who currently holds a seat in Congress (2nd Wisconsin district) is running for a Senate seat in November 2012. 

Hi Mayor Day,

The American Bar Association (ABA) has just passed a resolution urging breed neutral laws:

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges all state, territorial, and local legislative bodies and governmental agencies to adopt comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous dog/reckless owner laws that ensure due process protections for owners, encourage responsible pet ownership and focus on the behavior of both dog owners and dogs, and to repeal any breed discriminatory or breed specific provisions.

I would really encourage a quick look of this document - Please see attached.  I'd appreciate any opportunity to discuss this with you at your convenience.

Thank You,

David M.

Link to Attachment: http://www.abanow.org/2012/06/2012am100/ 

Dan Sebring(R) is running for a seat in Congress in Dsitrict 4. Here is his response to a constituent's question on Breed Specific Legislation:

As a candidate for Federal office, I have to tell you that my position would be that it's not the role of the Federal Government in Washington, D.C. to determine what breed of dogs might or might not need to be regulated.  That would be an issue for local government.  If it were to come up for a vote in Washington, D.C. I would vote against regulation of dog ownership because it's not the role of the Federal Government.
 
Sincerely,
Dan Sebring
Candidate, US House of Representatives
WI - 04

http://www.dansebring.com/ 


When he was questioned further, he replied: 


I'm not a career politician, I've never run for local office. But if I had my position would be one of personal responsibility.  Unless your dog, not it's breed has proven to be a danger to the community the government should have no say. 
Dan Sebring

Jim Brey(D) is running for a vacant Assembly seat in District 25 (Manitowoc). Here is his response to a constituent's question on Breed Specific Legislation:   

Thank you for your question - I'd be glad to answer you. 
I don't think there is a need for breed specific legislation. I think there can be good and bad animals in each breed; it is more about the environment the dog is raised in than it is about the breed. My wife worked for a local vet when we met - she tells a story of a Rottweiler who was a very large very intimidating looking dog. Every time the owner brought the dog she had to let it off its leash so it could go behind the counter and sit on my wife's lap to get a "hug!" Then there was the rat terrier who was just nasty most of the time. It is unfortunate that people have used some animals in a way that gives them a bad reputation - but we don't need to legislate against them. I hope that answers your question. 

If there is anything else please don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks!

Jim

phone: 920-682-9713
email: [email protected]
website: www.jimbrey.org

facebook: BreyFor25thAssembly 

Bernie Starzewski(D) is running for a vacant Assembly seat in District 25 (Manitowoc). Here is his response to a constituent's question on Breed Specific Legislation:  

If that means banning Pits and other breeds then I would NOT support it. Dogs are dogs. Its the owners that are responsible for teaching them bad things.

Barry Nelson(R) is running for a vacant Assembly seat in District 25 (Manitowoc).  Here is his response to a constituent's question regarding Breed Specific Legsislation:  


Personally I'm not a fan of animals like Pit Bulls. I'm even less of a fan though of government controlling our lives.

I wouldn't support legislation that requires special insurance or that sort of regulation.

If an owner of any animal would like a microchip that would be their choice. I've heard they work in the case of lost animals.

We are all responsible for what we do and what we fail to do. If an animal of any kind gets lose and attacks a person I'd expect that animals owner to be held responsible accordingly (including pain and suffering) and consider the need to have the animal put down.

Representative Bob Ziegelbauer is an Independent who represents Assembly District 25 (Manitowoc) in Wisconsin. Here is his response to a constituent's request for him to state his position on Breed Specific Legislation.

It all depends.
I understand the difficulty in legislating in this area, which is why I do not expect proposals to come forward any time soon, and if they did they wouldn't go anywhere. On the other had I am not entirely comfortable with the way certain breeds are used to intimidate by various malefactors.
It's one of the imperfections of modern life that we'll all have to learn to live with.
 
BobZiegelbauer
State Capitol:
207-North, PO Box 8953; Madison, WI 53708-8953 
Phone: (608) 266-0315 or Toll Free: 1-888-529-0025 
Fax: (608) 282-3625
Website: http://www.bobziegelbauer.com
Find us on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rep-Bob-Ziegelbauer-I-Manitowoc/116226171781832#!/pages/Rep-Bob-Ziegelbauer-I-Manitowoc/116226171781832?v=wall
In the District:
1213 S. 8th Street, PO Box 325, Manitowoc, WI 54221-0325 
Office: (920) 683-5107, Cell: (920) 323-7497

I support the City of Cudahy Vicious Dog ordinance.  It is posted in front of the Dog Park at Warnimont.

Pat Jursik


In response to this letter dated April 29, 2012

Dear Ms. Jursik:

I am writing to ask you to clarify your stance regarding Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL.  Specifically, I would like to know if you are supporting such legislation in-and-throughout Milwaukee County, WI.

While I am grateful for all you do to ensure the safety of us Milwaukee County residents, I am concerned about a rumor I heard that indicates you are trying to enforce legislation that will prohibit the citizens of this country from owning certain types of dogs.

As I’m sure you are aware, entire breeds of dogs have been labeled as “dangerous” because of the actions of a few of their members and/or the behaviors of animals mistaken as their types.  As I’m sure you are equally aware, reputable national organizations including the ASPCA and the Best Friends Animal Society have conducted studies of BSL and have decisively concluded that such legislation is both ineffective and unnecessary in terms of protecting the populace in a given area from dangerous animals.

If you would like to study the issue of BSL further before announcing your position, I will be happy to provide you with a plethora of information that discusses both sides of the matter.  After all, if this county adopts BSL in any form, the legislation will affect, if not alienate, thousands of families that have whatever type of dog(s) is identified as “dangerous” in their homes…so I will be happy to put forth the effort to collect and send any information you would like to review to your office.

Thank you for the time and consideration you have given to this letter, my inquiry, and my offer.  Thank you, too, for weighing your position on BSL with an open mind after considering all of the evidence available on the topic.  Finally, thank you in advance for responding to this correspondence.

Sincerely,

 

Here is Representative Sensenbrenner's response to a constituent's letter about proposed Breed Specific Legislation on military bases. 

Here's what breed discriminatory laws look like. Right here in Cudahy Wisconsin. Do you think what happened to Lennox can't happen here? That it's just a problem in Belfast, Ireland? Think again...