Steve Zgonc is running for 5th District alderman.  Zgonc previously served on the council from 2005 to 2011. Here are his comments on the proposed Breed Discriminatory Legislation in Watertown.

What is your position on the issue of controlling certain breeds of dogs in the community as a safety measure?

Safety is always a major concern for me.  Some breeds of dogs are proven to be more dangerous than others.   Owners of these breeds have to know this and take more precautions with their pets.  Still, the owner of any pet is still responsible for any actions of their pet.  There has to be strict penalties in place for the owner if there is any neglect to ensure the safety of other citizens.

(reprinted from the Watertown Daily Times, Saturday March 23, 2013)

Two weeks ago we posted the following information about the Milwaukee law firm, John T. Fields and Associates. 


“Our Milwaukee divorce lawyers will fight like a pitbull...to protect you and your children from the person you used to trust.” 

Are you shocked by this language? These are the inflammatory words the Wisconsin law firm of John T. Fields and Associates are using on their website. We find this unacceptable as it enforces the false stereotypes surrounding these great dogs. 

Reinforcing false stereotypes about this breed is highly prejudicial and discriminatory. It is quite Ironic that this is coming from a law firm, since law firms are supposed deliver justice, not reinforce bigotry  Perhaps they should hire a marketing firm, as I'm positive there are better ways to advertise than to unfairly target innocent dogs.

Please respectfully contact Attorney John Fields via the Contact tab on his website or call him at 262-782-8322 to voice your displeasure.

Since then we have learned that in two Florida cases consolidated on appeal, The Florida Bar v. Pape and The Florida Bar v. Chandler, 918 So.2d 240 (2005), two Florida attorneys were disciplined under the Rules of Professional Conduct for using advertisements analogizing themselves as pit bulls.

We have a process for filing grievances in Wisconsin against lawyers.  Here is the link:  
http://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/lawyerreg/file.htm

We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to either call in a grievance (608) 267-7274 or (877)315-6941 or fill out the Grievance form at the link above and mail it in to voice your displeasure.

Here is sample wording that may help you to file your grievance: 

On Attorney Fields website, http://pitbull-attorney.com, he states the following:  "Our Milwaukee divorce lawyers will fight like a pitbull... to protect you and your children from the person you used to trust."
In two Florida cases consolidated on appeal, The Florida Bar v. Pape and The Florida Bar v. Chandler, (2005), two Florida attorneys were disciplined under the Rules of Professional Conduct for using advertisements analogizing themselves as pit bulls.  Although advertising rules are very different from state to state, the core values are the same.  I'm sure the State Bar of Wisconsin doesn't want this type of advertising demeaning their profession.  I think most bars would agree that this type of advertising does so. 


Reinforcing false stereotypes about a breed of dog is prejudicial and discriminatory.  I find it quite ironic that this language is coming from a law firm.  Their job is to deliver justice, not reinforce bigotry.  I'm positive there are more professional ways to advertise than to unfairly target a particular breed of dog.  

Thank you to Attorney Fred Kray, of Pit Bulletin Legal News Network for providing information for this blog. 

Even in non-election years, we, as voters, have the right to let our elected officials know how we feel about an issue and try to influence their votes regarding it.  And as pet lovers, now is the time for us to exercise that right.

On March 8th, Wisconsin state senator, Tim Carpenter, put bill, LRB 1643/1, before his colleagues and asked them to co-sponsor the legislation.  LRB 1643/1 was drafted to make significant and meaningful changes to Wisconsin’s laws regarding animals seized by a city, county, town, or village.

The deadline for state legislators to express their support for this potentially “game-changing” bill is 12pm on Friday, March 22, 2013, which is a mere two weeks away from the date this post was published.  So, as voters and animal lovers, we must make the most of this limited window by contacting our respective state representatives and senators to ask them to support LRB 1643/1…and by asking everyone we know to do the same.

If you are unsure about who your district’s current state senator or representative is, you can easily research your legislator’s name by clicking here.  When you contact your state legislator, make sure you tell the individual you want him or her to support LRB 1643/1 and remember to share your name.

Among the significant changes LRS 1643/1 is drafted to achieve are shortening the length of time animals seized under Chapter 173 or Chapter 951 are held in captivity by a city, county, town, or village and enabling courts to require owners to reimburse the entity that seized their pets to pay for costs incurred by the authoritative body to house and care for their pets after they were seized.

To learn more about why you and each of our state’s legislators should sponsor LRB 1643/1 as well as the exact changes the bill purports to make to Wisconsin’s laws, click here.

We are deeply saddened by the tragedy in Walworth County this week. A young boy was attacked by two dogs and ultimately died from his injuries. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends at this very sad time.

The major media sources have failed to report on this situation in a fair, unbiased manner therefore we will not share any links. We will not participate in the media hype and sensationalism that the local television, radio stations and newspapers are currently engaging in.

When we have more details from a fair, balanced source, including the police report;  we will share them.

“Our Milwaukee divorce lawyers will fight like a pitbull...to protect you and your children from the person you used to trust.” 

Are you shocked by this language? These are the inflammatory words the Wisconsin law firm of John T. Fields and Associates are using on their website. We find this unacceptable as it enforces the false stereotypes surrounding these great dogs. 

Reinforcing false stereotypes about this breed is highly prejudicial and discriminatory. It is quite Ironic that this is coming from a law firm, since law firms are supposed deliver justice, not reinforce bigotry  Perhaps they should hire a marketing firm, as I'm positive there are better ways to advertise than to unfairly target innocent dogs.

Please respectfully contact Attorney John Fields via the Contact tab on his website or call him at 262-782-8322 to voice your displeasure.

-Kelly Herbold
Wisconsin Voters for Companion Animals