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Proposed Breed Ban History in Indianapolis |
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Indianapolis City-County Council
In 2006, the Indianapolis City-County Council spent nearly six months investigating the issue of dangerous dogs in our community. What they discovered is that irresponsible dog ownership is at the heart of the problem. |
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Dangerous Dog Proposal Process
Let’s start at the beginning. In September 2005 City-County Councillor Sherron Franklin (12th District) introduced Prop 494, calling for stricter containment of dangerous dogs. The proposal specifically listed Rottweiler, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull, Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, or any mix there-of, as the breeds to be considered “dangerous”. Prop 494 did not call for the banning or destruction of these dogs, but did call for stricter containment of these specific breed descriptions. The Rules and Public Policy Committee voted unanimously to postpone. |
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If you have Adobe, you can view the original Prop 494 here http://www6.indygov.org/council/proposals/2005/PROP05-494.PDF |
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In June 2006, Prop 370 was introduced by Councillor Franklin. Prop 370 was basically the same language as Prop 494. The only significant change was that Prop 370 called for a restriction of dangerous dogs at-large in the city. The proposal was once again before the Rules and Public Policy Committee. |
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When Prop 370 was introduced the public interest made it clear that more discussion was needed before any decisions could be made regarding the proposed legislation. City-County Councillor Rozelle Boyd (Councillor At-Large) was the Committee Chair. Councillor Boyd held an unprecedented number of public testimony meetings so the Committee could thoroughly investigate the positions and opinions held by the public regarding dangerous dogs in our community. |
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All of the Councillors involved in the research, including Prop 370’s original sponsor, Councillor Franklin, worked very hard to develop a set of comprehensive ordinances that will address the issue of dangerous dogs in our city and hold the owners of these dogs accountable for their actions. Proposal 370 was passed in November 2006 and enacted in January 2007. |
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Enforcement
Now comes the hard part…getting the ordinances enforced. Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, the city agency charged with enforcement of animal ordinances, works very hard but is under-staffed and under-funded. Animal control has never been a priority in Indianapolis and now the problem of irresponsible ownership seems to be out of control. All of the dogs involved in the recent spate of reported attacks/bites have been in violation of city ordinances at the time of injury. However, Indianapolis Animal Care and Control has only 24 officers to serve a city of a million people! To get a look at all of the animal ordinances for Marion County, click here (http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=12016&sid=14) |
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Breed Ban
At no point did any of the ordinance versions that were proposed before the Committee or Council contain any discussion of banning pit bulls or any breed of dogs. Mayor Peterson was hoping to find a Councillor to support and sponsor his proposed breed ban but was not successful. The Mayor of Indianapolis does not have the power to propose legislation. All legislation must be proposed and sponsored by a Councllor. Again in 2007, Mayor Peterson is hoping to find a Councillor to sponsor a breed ban in Indianapolis. |
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Solution
Contact your City-County Councillor and tell them you want to see improved enforcement of existing animal ordinances. It is time for the city of Indianapolis to start holding the irresponsible dog owners accountable for their actions. To find your City-County Councillor, click here ( http://imaps.indygov.org/GovntProfile/) |
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To contact the Mayor’s office, call 317-327-5584. |
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Do the right thing. Do the responsible thing.
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