In preparation:

I have been talking with two rescue groups from area to help get folks to attend. Also Lowell Humane Society executive director ( Jill O’Connel ) and the Lowell ACO officer ( Bill Potter ). I wrote to city solicitor, city manager and mayor and all council members and attached lots of good info. One councilor ( Ammand Mercier ) has a daughter Pauline who is involved with PBRC. I have been trying to reach her to see if we can get to him. I am constantly told councilors are also controlled by mayor who is very much the drive behind this thing. I confirmed with city clerk that the meeting is open to non residents. Found out the Lowell Sun journalist who has been covering this is a Pit Bull owner.. Jennifer Myers. I wrote to her as well…. I obtained a copy of what they put in place Dec 23, 2008 ( basically Haverhill’s that many of us contributed to last year ) and what they are proposing to layer on top ( pit bull specific ). This includes muzzling when off of owners property, No open windows or screened doors in structures where dogs are present, required singe for areas dog is to be confined (indoor and outdoor), not allowed in city Dog Parks, special license ( max 2 per household), required spay/ neuter with medical exemption only . “ The ACO is authorized to immediately impound any PB in violation of article IV and which does not fall within the listed exceptions listed therein. The ACO is authorized to house and/or dispose of any impounded PB at his/her sole professional discretion. ACO is authorized to expand the provisions of article IV to include additional breeds of dogs upon ordinance amendment approval by Lowell City Council; based on a cursory showing of the reasons for such expansions. Any PB or any dangerous or vicious dog found within the city, as determined by ACO, or any police officer of the LPD, to be a dog trained for dog fighting, or a PB or any dangerous or vicious dog owned or harbored on property known for drug trafficking or gang activity shall be impounded and destroyed by the ACO. The ACO or any LPD officer may shoot a PB or any dangerous or vicious dog trained for fighting or kept in connection with drug trafficking or gang activity if it is reasonably believed that said PB or any dangerous or vicious dog is attacking or about to attack the ACO, the police officer or any person.

At the public hearing:

13 spoke in opposition and two in favor. The two in favor were Lowell residents. One had a dog attacked by a loose PB. The other had a dog attacked by a mastiff that blasted through a screen door. The 13 that spoke in opposition were a mix of outside experts, Lowell organizations and Lowell residents (I think 6). There were more ( about 12 ) residents there opposed but they did not speak, they sat with the opposed group so the numbers were noticed. Myself ( representing NAIA and Mass Fed of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners ), Emanuel Maciel ( New Bedford ACO and President of MA ACO’s Association, Alan Borgal ( Director of the Center for Animal Protection/ Animal Rescue League of Boston), Dr, Amy Marder ( Vet and behaviorist ), Mike Keiley ( Manager MSPCA MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Nevins Farms Methuen ), Kara Holmquist ( Advocacy MSPCA), Lowell Unleashed (group of 10- one speaker) all spoke against the ordinance with focus on different areas of expertise. This testimony combined with well delivered and highly factual testimony from local residents had very positive results. Some of the council openly admitted to coming to the meeting with minds basically made up to support this proposal. They all however voted to postpone the vote on passing the ordinance. This was lead by Councilor James Milinazzo’s (Public Safety Committee chair) reversal of the committee’s recommendation formed just two weeks ago on this ordinance. This move proves that democracy and local government can and does work when given a chance. Many of the organization present offered to help Lowell and the offer was accepted. There is lots of work to be done, as some councilors are not yet fully on board with going to something that is 100% non breed specific, but we do have the door open and we will be part of the ongoing efforts in the city of Lowell.

Holly

I sent letters to city staff, mayor and council as well as a letter to the editor of local paper acknowledging and commending them all on the dedication which they are demonstrating while addressing the issue of dangerous dogs in Lowell.

Representative Brad Hill sponsored HB 1948, the pragmatic dangerous dog bill, this legislative session. That bill was assigned to the Joint Municipalities Committee, which subsequently sent to it to “study”. That action usually indicates that the bill will not be considered for the remainder of the session. However, on July 28th, part of the bill was recommitted to the Joint Municipalities Committee, which then produced HB 5092. Among the many problematic provisions to HB 5092, the most egregious include:

- Imposing mandatory spay/neuter of all dogs over 12 months of age; or in the alternative, owners will have to qualify for and annually purchase an intact animal permit at a cost of up to $500 per dog.

- Limiting the number of reproductive events per female dog to one litter per year, with few exceptions.

- Requiring the reporting of all sales of puppies to local jurisdictions.

- Eliminating the practice of humane tethering, without allowances for hunting or sled dogs.

- Allowing towns and cities to impose breed-specific ordinances.

- Instituting state-mandated vaccination schedules, instead of allowing vaccination schedules to be provided by, and in consultation with, a veterinarian.

- Establishing unreasonable nuisance laws that can result in the forced sterilization, banishment, or euthanization of dogs.

Legislative staff in Massachusetts has confirmed with the Massachusetts Federation that the House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee currently has cognizance of the bill. This committee does not consider the policy of pending legislation. Instead, it acts as a manager of legislation, determining which bills will be sent to the full House for its consideration, and the timing thereof. Effectively, this means that at any time the House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee will send HB 5092 to the full House for its consideration and vote, effectively denying Massachusetts citizens the opportunity to participate in the legislative process by stating their objections to the bill in a policy committee hearing!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
It is imperative that Massachusetts residents contact the members of the Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee, and implore them to not send HB 5092 to the floor for a vote. Instead, encourage them to return the bill to study, or in the alternative back to the Joint Municipalities Committee for consideration and public comment on the policies contained in HB 5092.

Members of Massachusetts House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee

Representative Paul J. Donato RM. 185 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2960 FAX: 617-722-2713 Rep.PaulDonato@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Joyce A. Spiliotis RM. 236 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2430 Rep.JoyceSpiliotis@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Paul C. Casey RM. 238 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2380 Rep.PaulCasey@hou.state.ma.us

Representative James B. Eldridge RM. 33 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2060 Rep.JamesEldridge@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch RM. 167 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2230 Rep.AlicePeisch@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Denis E. Guyer RM. 443 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2460 Rep.DenisGuyer@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Tom Sannicandro RM. 473F State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2210 FAX: 508-626-0692 Rep.TomSannicandro@hou.state.ma.us

Representative James T. Welch RM. 43 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2030 Rep.JamesWelch@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Lori A. Ehrlich RM. 540 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2090 Rep.LoriEhrlich@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Bradford Hill RM. 542 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2489 Rep.BradHill@hou.state.ma.us

Representative Elizabeth A. Poirier RM. 542 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2976 FAX: 617-626-0108 Rep.ElizabethPoirier@hou.state.ma.us

Massachusetts residents are also encouraged to contact their own state representative and express their vehement opposition to egregious provisions of HB 5092, and urge them to do the same.

The new and improved STCA Legislative Committee has found a new way to allow you to “showcase” your wonderful Staf with everyone in attendance at the banquet! The slide show will also be available on CD for purchase during the Club Banquet.

For a donation, your AST can be seen on the “Big Screen” during our National Club Banquet. Your donations will go to help build our club’s Legislative Defense Fund, with proceeds earmarked to help various clubs around the country defray the costs of battling crippling BSL and various other laws and lawsuits aimed at making owning our breed, or purebred dogs in general a thing of the past.

For the full specifics on this fundraiser please check out the page below.

2008 National Specialty Legislative Committee Fundraiser

Also make sure to check out the new region specific legislative pages by clicking your appropriate region on the map found on our STCA Legislative Zones page.

The Legislative Committee and the STCA thank you for your support!