-
What is BSL?
BSL, or breed-specific legislation, is legislation, or a law, on the federal, state, or municipal level that outright bans or restricts specific, named breeds of dog. BSL is unconstitutional because it has not been scientifically proven that there is any such thing as a vicious breed or breeds, and therefore no rational basis, like safety,…
-
Watertown, Wisconsin Inflexible on “Pit Bull” Ban; Resident Gets Frosty Reception
When last we heard from Watertown, Wisconsin, it sounded like the Safety and Welfare Committee and the city council were willing to take into account their constituents’ worries about being made to choose between their homes and their dogs. However, Alderman Bob Stocks, who had prior been sympathetic to his constituents’ concerns about the…
-
Wauconda, IL “Pit Bull” Kills Shih Tzu. Result? Two Dog Victims
July 31, 2013 update: Sadly, word came today that “Chuck,” the dog being called a “pit bull,” will be killed following a 10-day rabies quarantine. Again, what a pity. “Chuck” in the hands of a responsible owner could have had a long and happy life, and so could the Shih Tzu, Shibui. …
-
Pennsylvania HB 82 Would Force Animal Owners to Give Up Their Animals Whether Adjudicated Guilty of a Crime or not
Editor’s note: It is contrary to the law, to say the least, that an animal owner would be forced to relinquish his/her animals regardless of whether charges of animal cruelty are dismissed or not. With the repeated false-claim reports of animal cruelty against law-abiding dog owners and shelter operators lately, HB 82 opens up…
-
The sixth amendment gives you the right to face your accusers, but only in a court of law. What if you never get there?
The sixth amendment to the Constitution states that, In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the…
-
Illinois HB 1166 is advertised as an anti-hoarding bill, but it’s really an anti-breeder and even an anti-companion animal bill
March 18, 2011 update: HB 1166 has been kicked back down to the Rules Committee. Let’s hope it stays there. March 11, 2011 update: You can track HB 1166‘s status here. HB 1166 is scheduled to be heard in committee March 15: Animals Subcommittee Hearing Mar 15 2011, 1:05PM Stratton Building, Room 413…
-
The ‘No-Kill’ movement’s historical trouble with momentum and the factioning that’s not helping
When Nathan Winograd’s groundbreaking book Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America came out a few years ago, those of us who were true animal welfarists — not that faction of animal welfare that was leaning dangerously close to animal rightism — finally had a voice. We rejoiced…
-
Illinois State Rep. Jim Sacia tells it like it is about the HSUS
Editor’s note: Illinois State Representative for the 89th district Jim Sacia has posted a few times about the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) on his blog, but the blog post I’ve excerpted below is the most poignant. It is literally an answer to prayer (at least mine anyway) that elected officials start outing…