Sandy City Council Meeting - BSL

The Sandy City Council meeting went well. The issue was tabled until they can do further research on the issue. They are going to have a group that includes a local dog trainer and a veterinarian to provide input on ordinances. There was a big turn out (so much that there were people out in the hall. Many people spoke to the council in opposition to the ordinance. It was an honor to be there and I am so happy that the City Council was receptive to the many many people who spoke in opposition of the ordinance.

I really enjoyed hearing the speakers talk about their beloved dogs who were therapy dogs, assistance dogs, show dogs, and family companions. There was plenty of representation from the dog trainer community and some from the veterinary community as well. Aside from the AC officer who was proposing the ordinance, there was only one person who spoke in support of BSL. Her stories were heart breaking and I wish she were able to understand that it was the fault of irresponsible owners and not the breed itself. She said that a neighbor dog used to jump over the fence when it was still on it's chain. That's not the dog's fault. No responsible person would chain a dog outside like that anyway. That dog has likely had little to no training and has not gotten proper exercise, nutrition, and socialization. How could that possibly be the dog's fault?

All in all I think it was a good step forward. Hopefully they will have a good team including a good trainer (crossing our fingers it's our own NeoMommy) and a good veterinarians to help draw up an ordinance that focuses on education of the public and punishing the deed rather than targeting any specific breeds.

I think BSL is a slippery slope. People will move on to other breeds and the list will continue to grow with time if this passes. I despise the part about dogs bearing pit bull or rottweiler like traits. Most people don't know how to identify different breeds anyway. Just last Monday I was at petsmart and had a pit bull owner if Dylan was part Pit? How on earth people get pit from him I will never know but I've been asked on multiple occasions.

The animal control officer sited several instances of dog bites and dog attacks including attacks on other dogs. Stating that Pitbulls and Rottweilers are responsible for the fatal attacks and mauling's on people and other animals. I do admit that my dear Puck was killed by a couple of pit bull's but I believe that most dogs who aren't socialized with cats are capable of killing them. My dear Marley was nearly killed two months ago by an Austrailian Cattle Dog though. Will they be the next breed to be added to the list?