Stop BSL in Oshkosh

Have you heard the news???? The City of Oshkosh is proposing Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) that would affect the owners of several breeds of dogs. That's bad news for dog owners of every breed, not just owners of those breeds being targeted. BSL starts by targeting the current "bad" dog breeds of society, and then moves on to target more and more breeds. The city has been very quietly trying to slip this legislation in under the noses of residents. Is it because they are afraid of the outcry?? It is immensely important that you speak out on this issue right away. Let your voice be heard! Tell the City of Oshkosh that you do not want BSL. Don't think that someone else will sign the petition or contact the City Council. Every voice counts! Your voice counts!

The city wishes to require pet owners of targeted breeds to pay a $100 vicious animal licensing fee, require dogs to be muzzled in public, have dogs housed in an approved escape proof kennels when outdoors in their own back yards. There is also consideration of mandatory spaying an neutering of these targeted breeds. The city would allow dog owners of targeted breeds to take their dog to an AKC Canine Good Citizens class, but how long will they allow this exemption??? The city is threatening to take loving dogs who have never done anything wrong or hurt anybody or anything away from their responsible owners and kill them if owners do not comply to the city's legislation! 

It is important to note that not a single canine welfare organization supports Breed Specific Legislation, including the Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/dangerous_dogs.html).

Why BSL does not work:

• BSL does not improve public safety or prevent dog bites.
• BSL ignores the plight of victims and potential victims of non-targeted breeds.
• BSL is costly. 
• BSL requires each and every dog to be identified as a breed - something that has proven impossible to do accurately and objectively.
• BSL makes targeted breeds more desirable to irresponsible and criminal owners.
• BSL does nothing to make irresponsible dog owners accountable.
• BSL punishes responsible dog owners.

The American Temperament Test Society tests the temperaments of all breeds of dogs. The 2007 test results can be found at http://www.atts.org/stats1.html. Let's point out some of the results:

• American Pit Bull Terrier- Percentage Passed: 84.3%
• American Staffordshire Terrier - Percentage Passed: 83.4%
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier- Percentage Passed: 88.8%
• Presa Canario - Percentage Passed: 88.5%
• Dogo Argentino - Percentage Passed: 90.0%
• Dogo Canario - Percentage Passed: 100.0% 

Compare this "vicious" dogs targeted by the city's proposed BSL to these "family" dogs:

• Golden Retriever - Percentage Passed: 84.2%
• English Setter- Percentage Passed: 75.0%
• Collie - Percentage Passed: 79.4%
• Dachshund (Standard Smooth) - Percentage Passed: 70.2%

Does it seem fair to target specific breeds???

Breeds affected by the proposed city legislation include: American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers,  dogs of mixed breed known as pit bulls, any dog that has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds bull terrier, any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs, pit bull terriers or a combination of any of those breeds.  Other breeds included under the proposed ordinance are:  Dogo Argentino, Canary Dog (Canary Island Dog, Presa Canario, Perro de Perso Canario), Presa Mallorquin (Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Ca de Bou), Toso Inu (Tosa Fighting Dog, Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff), Cane Corso (Cane Di Macellaiio, Sicilian Branchiero), Fila Brasilerio and any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds.

Please sign the petition and then follow that up by contacting the City of Oshkosh.

Oshkosh City Council

Mayor Frank Tower: ftower@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Burk Tower: btower@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Dennis McHugh: dmchugh@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Brian Bain: bbain@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Jessica King: jking@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Tony Palmeri: tpalmeri@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
Paul J. Esslinger: pesslinger@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Pamela R. Ubrig/City Clerk
Angela J. Joeckel/Deputy City Clerk
215 Church Avenue
P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
Phone: (920) 236-5011 · Fax: (920) 236-5039

Please take a stand against BSL!!!!!

(Photo Caption: Six month old, Faith, loves to hang out with her best-friends Jenna and Ryan. These are two of the "vicious" dogs the City of Oshkosh is worried about. Please help Baby Faith protect her dogs from BSL.)