In 1998, Puerto Rico passed legislation that banned "pit bulls" and "Pit bull mixes" from the island. Earlier this week, they made a major step in repealing the 1998 ban when their www.elnuevodia.com%2Favanzalalegalizaciondelospitbulls-637470.html&sl=es&tl=en&hl=en">legislature passed a bill to repeal this ban. (this article was run through Google Translate, so it's a little rough to read).  The bill now just waits final signature from Governor Luis Fortuno.

The removal of the ban was strongly supported by the College of Veterninarians in Puerto Rico as well as the Pit Bull Association of Puerto Rico.

It is estimated 50,00 'pit bulls' currently live in Puerto Rico -- and because of the ban, more than 3,000 were killed in the past 2 years alone.

As people learn more and more about 'pit bulls' and the ineffectiveness of the laws that target them, more and more places are deciding to repeal their bans in favor of more effective (and rational) dangerous dog legislation that targets the dog based on its behavior, not "breed".

Here's a second article, with the same, yet somewhat contradictory numbers (including some different population numbers, which should have translated well). 

Congrats to the people and veterinarians in Puerto Rico.

Hat Tip to Jodi at Bless the Bullies on this, which is where I saw the news first.

In a 6-0 unanimous vote, the city of Oak Harbor, WA voted to repeal their breed-specific ordinance. The city's ordinance, originally passed in 2006, required all 'pit bulls' to be held in a secure pen, be muzzled while on leash, and other restrictions. The vote held last week repeals all breed specific language and is now focused on targeting dogs based on their behavior, not breed.  Commissioners hope that the change will decrease the number of these types of dogs that are killed at the shelter.

In August, when the issue first came up for a repeal, the difficulty of enforcement became a major topic of the conversation:

"From an animal control officer's point of view, this is a really difficult issue" said Police Chief Rick Wallace.

The Burden would be on the city to prove any delinquent dog's breed, and that may mean Oak Harbor would have to foot the bill for a doggie DNA test.

From an enforcement point of view, it's almost impossible, Wallace said.

"I don't want this to turn into an emotional thing " City Administrator Paul Schmidt said "We're looking at it strictly as a fact-based issue."

And the fact is, breed determination can be tricky and costly business.

"Our own insurance doesn't recommend BSL," said Schmidt. "We support the behavior based approach."

When you take emotion out of the equation, and base your decision solely based on facts, breed neutral legislation -- that targets aggressive dogs based on behavior, not the way they look - becomes the only logical conclusion. More and more cities like Oak Harbor are realizing this, and bypassing BSL for more effective and enforcable laws, and repealing the ordinances that are already in place.  Meanwhile, some who hold onto archaic ideals are being forced out of their positions.

Nice work by the fact-focused administrators in Oak Harbor.

Hat Tip: Stop BSL.

So, I was out of town last weekend getting some much needed R&R, so I have two weeks worth of news to go through today, so I'll probably be a lot shorter on commentary today. There is a LOT of stuff going on out there in the BSL/No Kill worlds, so I should have a good week of stuff coming up. For now, onto the roundup.

Cities and Laws

A host of cities in California rushed through talks of municiple bans on cat declawing before the state law that prohibits such bans takes effect. Santa Monica and San Francisco each passed restrictions that call for potential jail time for violators who declaw their cats. Los Angeles is also considering such a law. While I don't personally support cat declawing, I do think outlawing it is short-sighted and will impede progress in the no kill movement.

Hays, KS is still talking about potential restricions on owners of particular breeds of dogs. If you are in Hays, be sure to keep in touch with your commissioners.

Independence, KY has a new ordinance that allows animal control officers to declare a dog dangerous based on its behavior -- even before it bites.  Independence had been discussing breed specific regulations, but realized that targeting laws based on behavior vs breed is more effective.

Elkhart County, IN is looking at a new animal control ordinance that could end up being breed-specific.

Shelter experts in Elgin, IL recommended to the city to NOT go with Breed Specific Regulations. Experts across the country are unanimously opposed to breed specific regulations because they are not effective, and not warranted.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter ordinance is withdrawn from the city of New Orleans -- which is great news.

Jackson, TN also voted down a push for mandatory spay/neuter in their community.

Dallas' Mandatory Spay/Neuter ordinance is taxing local groups that are trying to help low-income pet owners comply with the law.

Dog bites and attacks

In Tulsa, a 1 year old girld was critically injured when she wandered outside unattended and up to a 'pit bull' that was owned by the family while it was eating.  I actuaally am pretty pleased that Fox News in Tulsa actually covered the fact that the dog being chained as its primary form of containment was a bad idea, and that children shouldn't be left alone around dogs -- particularly when they are eating.

A Vista, CA boy is recovering after being attacked by two Rottweilers.

Another dog attack in Omaha -- this one involving a Rottweiler. Omaha continues to have an increase in dog bites in the city after focusing all of their emphasis on particular breeds of dogs instead of upon responsible dog ownership.

A Labrador Retriever  in Pindale, WY killed a small Pomeranian. While many people continue to hold onto the idea that only pit bulls are dog aggressive, the reality remains that dog aggression -- while usually minor -- can manifest itself in all breeds without appropriate socialization.

A six year old girl in Indianapolis was bitten in the face by a Husky mix at her insurance office.

A nine year old Australian girl sustain major facial injuries after being bitten by the family's Alaskan Malamute that wanted to eat her breakfast.

A 65 year old North Carolina woman has been upgraded from critical condition to serious condition after being attacked by a pack of wild dogs.

An 11 year old Provo, UT boy was attacked by a German Shepherd that jumped the fence and attacked him.

A 10 year old Texas boy was attacked by a stray "German Shepherd".  Neighbors said the dog had been roaming the neighborhood for several days.

Some dogs in Bulgaria were put down after a child was killed by a group of street dogs. The dogs are a bunch of skinny mongrel dogs.  Dogs that become aggressive come in all shapes and sizes...it is upbringing and training that matter.

Abuse Cases

Memphis Mayor AC Wharton fired Animal Services Director Ernst Alexander this week. Investigations into the horrific abuse cases associated with the shelter are ongoing, but Alexander is now justifiably out.

An off duty state trooper in Elkhart, IA shot a Labrador Retriever he said was being aggressive. The owners think the action was unneccessary.

A Cambridge, MD man is facing 8 charges on counts of animal cruelty for the way he was keeping a litter of pit bull puppies in the dark with no room to exercise.

A breeder in Denver has been accused of selling sick and dying puppies to unsuspecting families. This is why if you want to get a new pet, you should either adopt, or get one from a well-respected breeder.

The Humane Society in Hamilton, OH is seeking help for a 'pit bull' pup that was rescued and was nearly starved to death.

Positive Press

Some positive press out in Denver surrounding a fundraising event for Colorado Pit Bull Rescue.

From the Toledo area, "Dog Advocate says 'pit bulls' are unfairly demonized". It's a great article -- nice job Ledy. Here's another story on her presentation.

The National Dog Show (televised on Thanksgiving Day) will feature some alumni of the show with a particular spotlight on Therapy Dogs. One of the therapy dogs will be Rufus, a Bull Terrier that won best in show in 2005.  Rufus would be included in breed bans across the US as one of the "pit bull' breeds. "Rufus dispells so many myths", says commentator David Frei. "Some communities target the breed, calling them dangerous merely based on appearance. Of course, it's ridiculous, and Rufus is out there proving how ridiculous it is. He adores children."

KCMO has welcomed some new canines to their police force.

A pit bull brings joy to residents of an assisted living facility in Florida.

Animal Advocates trying to clear misconceptions about pit bulls - this from Salt Lake City.

Miscellanious

A four year old boy was hit by a train while chasing his dog that got away. The boy will be ok (thankfully), but even more reinforcement behind the idea that people should take special efforts to train their dog to "come" for their own safety, as well as the safety of the dog.

A Fresno family has been forbidden from ever owning pit bulls again after they have had three aggressive dogs seized from them. Seems like they should keep them from owning ANY dog again, no just 'pit bulls'. By cracking down on problem owners like this we can make a real difference in public safety.

Critics in San Francisco are accusing the SPCA of valuing money over animal welfare.

A really good audio piece by Ryan O'Meara in the UK about how the Country-wide breed ban is costing the taxpayers in the UK millions of pounds, and has done nothing to improve pubic safety.

What a dog can do that Mike Vick can't -- a good feature on how one of Mike Vick's therapy dogs, Leo, is changing how kids perceive pit bulls -- in a way that Mike Vick could never do.

What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Stay in Vegas -- Winograd takes an empassioned view from the Best Friends Conference in Las Vegas on moving the No Kill Movement forward.