Illegal breed ban unanimously approved by Duncanville, TX City Council

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City leader contact info is below. Please write POLITE letters and emails, or make polite phone calls, to the leaders of Duncanville to educate them on the fallacy of breed bans, which focus on dogs only and not on owners. Duncanville should strengthen and enforce a dangerous dog ordinance.

 

I would also encourage all of you to prepare yourself for a similar fight in your own city. These things tend to spread like a bad rash and the "everybody's doing it" mentality is typical of a lot of cities. Arm yourself with information, with statistics, with proof that breed bans have not worked, and that some breed bans are even being lifted.

 

More to come...

 

Thank you,

-Holly

 

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http://www.todaynewspapers.net/articles/2008/06/12/duncanville/news/dvnews1.txt/Breed ban backedBy ANGEL MORRISWednesday, June 11, 2008 10:47 AM CDTManaging EditorDuncanville City Council took a step toward a breed-specific dog ban with a unanimous vote June 3.The council approved a resolution supporting the introduction and passage of breed-specific legislation for local municipalities concerning dangerous dogs."Because of a rising number of pit bull attacks I support (this ban). I'd also like to thank the council for taking the initiative to champion this issue and further protect the citizens of Duncanville, " resident Kevalyn Townsend

said during a public forum about the ban possibility.A number of residents spoke in favor of such a ban, citing personal attacks or ones they had witnessed. All who spoke specifically cited the pit bull breed.Along with three separate attacks on animals in May, one woman was also attacked as she and her grandchildren walked their dogs in a Swan Ridge Estates alleyway. The city ordered that animal destroyed but had not confirmed rulings on the pits involved in the other animal attacks at press time.While state legislation prohibits breed-specific bans, some cities have enacted such bans successfully. A recent victim believes Duncanville can do so, as well."I've done a lot of research and if other cities can do it, I believe Duncanville can do it," Mary Ellen Miles said, citing Madisonville, Texas, as one city with a successful breed ban.Miles also noted that courts had

reinstated a Denver, Colo., breed ban after it was removed by the state.According to Duncanville Animal Control officers, there were 10 animal attacks involving pit bulls in 2007. In the first five months of 2008, there have been seven pit bull attacks. This number comprises attacks on humans and other animals including livestock, according to Public Information Officer Tonya Lewis.Now the city must determine which breeds to ban, and how such a ban will impact residents moving into the city with those breeds versus those already in the city.The Madisonville referenced by Miles requires registration of dangerous dogs and at least $100,000 of liability insurance coverage should the dog attack.Enforcing the ban is another issue the city will face. Step one, however, is appealing to the state for lenience toward the ban."This is quite a task taking on the state and it will make

an interesting session even moreso," Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Burton said, thanking Councilman Scott Cannon for championing the cause. "We've had too many people injured (so) it is worth it."City Secretary Dara Crabtree said they hope to find strength in numbers when it comes to the ban."We will be sending a letter to the area cities requesting them to adopt a similar resolution and ask them to send it to their representatives requesting their support," she said. "And we will be working with the Texas Municipal League on this matter."

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City SecretaryDara CrabtreeP.O. Box 380280Duncanville, Texas 75138972-780-5017dcrabtree (AT) ci (DOT) duncanville. tx.usCity Manager Kent Cagle972-780-5017kcagle le.tx.usAssistant City Manager Jeanne Fralicks972-780-5004jfralicks (AT) ci (DOT) duncanville. tx.usMayor David Greenhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagegre en.shtmlCouncilman Ken Weaverhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagewea ver.shtmlCouncilman Scott Cannonhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagecan

non.shtmlCouncilman Paul Fordhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagecan non.shtmlCouncilman Grady Smithyhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagesmi they.shtmlCouncilwoman Johnette Jamesonhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagejam eson.shtmlCouncilwoman Dorothy Burtonhttp://www.ci. duncanville. tx.us/messagebur ton.shtmlCity of Duncanville, TexasP.O. Box 380280Duncanville, TX 75138-0280