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P'burg won't target pit bulls
Dog ordinance will not be breed-specific, council members say.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
By ANDREA EILENBERGER
PHILLIPSBURG | Town council members aren't planning to target pit bulls
in an ordinance they're crafting to curb violent dog problems.
Officials have been mulling ways to promote responsible dog ownership
and crack down on residents who fail to prevent their dogs from
attacking, but they said Tuesday their solution won't be breed-specific.
"I'm happy to hear the township has decided to take the direction of a
breed-neutral ordinance," said Barbara Haywood, the director of My Dog
Votes, a T-shirt company that tackles political issues.
Haywood, of Montclair, N.J., leads efforts to promote dog-friendly and
dog-safe government. She also founded a national campaign for
responsible dog ownership.
A group of town residents who attended Tuesday's council meeting, some
wearing red My Dog Votes pins, said they're leading local efforts of
that campaign.
Resident Debi Pruznick told council that along with educating the
community about safe dog ownership and handling, enforcing regulations
is key.
She suggested a part-time animal control officer isn't enough for the
town.
Town attorney Joel Kobert suggested officials review a draft ordinance
he crafted; it is modeled after the state's vicious and potentially
threatening dog law.
Kobert said after reviewing state and case law on the matter, he
suggests officials stay away from a breed-specific ordinance.
Officials plan to review Kobert's draft and other information from dog
associations and other towns.
The subject is set for discussion at the July 10 work session, and
Council President David DeGerolamo invited Haywood and Pruznick to
attend the session.
Officials also noted it is the irresponsible behavior of some dog owners
that creates the problems.
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail
at
aeilenberger@express-times.com.
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