Thank you to everyone who called, emailed, tweeted, shared, attended, or spoke in opposition to the proposed Breed Discriminatory Mandatory Spay Neuter Legislation that was proposed by Madison Alder Strasser. There was an extremely large turnout at the City Council meeting, with most people speaking in opposition to the proposal, and only a handful who were in support of it. Three of the four speaking "for" the ordinance were not Madison residents.
It was "placed on file" which means "tabled." Effectively the proposed ordinance is dead, although the issues it addressed can always be revisited through a future proposal.
WKOW Coverage
http://www.wkow.com/story/25013691/2014/03/19/city-council-will-not-be-voting-on-pit-bull-ordinance-proposal
NBC 15 Coverage
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Madison-alderman-wants-to-curb-pit-bull-population-243308381.html?device=tablet
Wisconsin State Journal
http://m.host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/madison-drops-proposed-mandatory-pit-bull-neuter-spay-law/article_032d05ef-5cb6-5644-8253-d59a173020ff.html
Isthmus The Daily Page
http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=42342&sid=cddf23258dffe922ac7a656f02caf7f1
Madison City Channel Media File of the meeting:
http://media.cityofmadison.com/Mediasite/Play/871b53eb3199470ca52e0bebfd96375d1d?catalog=f6706bc9-c8ac-4d8d-83cc-5f6495e2c318
It was "placed on file" which means "tabled." Effectively the proposed ordinance is dead, although the issues it addressed can always be revisited through a future proposal.
WKOW Coverage
http://www.wkow.com/story/25013691/2014/03/19/city-council-will-not-be-voting-on-pit-bull-ordinance-proposal
NBC 15 Coverage
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Madison-alderman-wants-to-curb-pit-bull-population-243308381.html?device=tablet
Wisconsin State Journal
http://m.host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/madison-drops-proposed-mandatory-pit-bull-neuter-spay-law/article_032d05ef-5cb6-5644-8253-d59a173020ff.html
Isthmus The Daily Page
http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=42342&sid=cddf23258dffe922ac7a656f02caf7f1
Madison City Channel Media File of the meeting:
http://media.cityofmadison.com/Mediasite/Play/871b53eb3199470ca52e0bebfd96375d1d?catalog=f6706bc9-c8ac-4d8d-83cc-5f6495e2c318
Madison Alders who OPPOSED Breed Discrimination:
Alder Maurice Cheeks: "Congrats on a big win last night! It was great to see so many folks show up and stay so long last night.
Hopefully all future efforts for animal related legislation will start off by seeking to leverage the deep expertise & love of those that are working on these issues day in and day out. "
Hopefully all future efforts for animal related legislation will start off by seeking to leverage the deep expertise & love of those that are working on these issues day in and day out. "
Alder David Ahrens: "Thanks for your email on the ordinance proposal requiring the neutering of pit bulls. As you wrote, the problem of identifying a particular dog as a "pit bull" and not a mix of other breeds is impossible. Further, the cost of the procedure may be prohibitive for many dog owners.
I am particularly concerned about the enforcement of this law. Given the low level of staffing of the city's animal control unit, I think that it is highly unlikely that the ordinance would be enforced in a uniform and timely manner. This leads to "discretionary enforcement" which is unfair and often enforced in a discriminatory manner.
I've knocked on thousands of doors and have been confronted loudly and at times aggressively by all kinds of dogs. A lunging german shepard is easily as terrifying and I assume, dangerous, as a pit bull or any other kind of dog.
As a result of the substantial and vocal opposition to this measure, the author of the bill is seeking further discussions with many individual and organizations such as the Dane County Humane Society that oppose the measure.
However, if the proposal comes before the council in anything like its current form I will vote against it."
I am particularly concerned about the enforcement of this law. Given the low level of staffing of the city's animal control unit, I think that it is highly unlikely that the ordinance would be enforced in a uniform and timely manner. This leads to "discretionary enforcement" which is unfair and often enforced in a discriminatory manner.
I've knocked on thousands of doors and have been confronted loudly and at times aggressively by all kinds of dogs. A lunging german shepard is easily as terrifying and I assume, dangerous, as a pit bull or any other kind of dog.
As a result of the substantial and vocal opposition to this measure, the author of the bill is seeking further discussions with many individual and organizations such as the Dane County Humane Society that oppose the measure.
However, if the proposal comes before the council in anything like its current form I will vote against it."
Alder Larry Palm: "I am opposed to the current language.
Thanks for sharing your opposition,
Larry"
Thanks for sharing your opposition,
Larry"
Madison Alders Who Supported Breed Discrimination
Alder John Strasser: "I do not feel that this ordinance is discriminatory. It is not me or the city or animal control that is identifying these pit bull type dogs to be singled out. Irresponsible breeders and a segment of the population has identified these dogs as a valuable commodity and status symbol resulting in their mistreatment and over breeding. The dogs are the victims. The dogs are the ones suffering. The dogs are the ones being stigmatized. What this ordinance will do is change the equation to reduce the demand there by reducing the supply and value as a commodity allowing them to return to being the companion animals that you want them to be.
The data from cities around the nation supports this result. I have seen the data. Our animal control officers are in direct contact with cities that have successfully reduced the pit population in the shelter system to the benefit of the dogs and the community. This really does work."
The data from cities around the nation supports this result. I have seen the data. Our animal control officers are in direct contact with cities that have successfully reduced the pit population in the shelter system to the benefit of the dogs and the community. This really does work."
If you received a response from your alderman on this issue and you would like to share it with us, please email us at wivotersforcompanionanimals.com and we will add it to this page. When voters make informed decisions at election time, the animals win! Thank you.
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