Sorry it cut off the end....

TEXAS

Amarillo city council found out they can not ban pit bulls. We looked into it and spoke to City Attorney Marcus Norris. He tells us that the city is not allowed. State law prohibits breed specific ordinances. What the city does do is mimic Lillian's Law which would file felony criminal charges against a pet owner whose dog causes unprovoked bodily injury if the dog is not on their own property.

Austin - city leaders are looking at revising an existing dog ordinance. New regulations on how dogs are declared dangerous. Some members raised concerns about the new guidelines, saying it gives Animal Control too much authority. It's a hard issue because people react differently to animals. Big dogs scare some people, and the last thing in the world we want is good dogs being subjected to a dangerous dog or vicious dog designation because that impacts families

Austin - City - Starting Oct. 1, chaining or tethering unattended dogs including the use of fixed-point and trolley or pulley restraints will be a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Harris County - commissioners passed new ordinance making sales of animals on the roadside illegal. Passed 09/25/07

Houston - BREEDER PERMITS: Anybody who sells in the city dogs or cats that have not been spayed or neutered. $100 annual fee. First-time offenders will get a warniing with 30 days to comply. Citation can carry a fine of $50 and $2,000. Effective 07/01/07

SAN ANTONIO - UPDATE - The San Antonio Chapter 5 Animal Ordinance is on the move. San Antonio's Animal Rights Brigade will hold a rally at City Hall on October 16th supporting the animal ordinance which requires spay/neuter of all outdoor cats and ALL DOGS unless dog owners purchase an Intact Dog Permit and Litter/Breeder Permits. San Antonio City Council begins considering the ordinance at a B Session (work session) the next day. No date has been set for the official vote. This ordinance is an Animal Rights Manifesto and is California's AB1634 & more.

VIRGINIA

Norfolk - September 25, 2007, Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell declared the following Norfolk ordinance regulating pet surgical procedures unlawful: Sec. 6.1-78.1. Cosmetic alterations to companion animals prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to cosmetically alter any companion animal. The only exception to this shall be for procedures performed under proper anesthesia, by a veterinarian licensed in the commonwealth. For purposes of this section, "tail docking", "ear cropping", "debarking" and "declawing" shall be considered cosmetic alterations. "Microchipping", "tattooing"; and "ear tipping" shall not be considered cosmetic alterations. (Ord. No. 42,466, § 9, 11-21-06; Ord. No. 42,541, § 1, 1-30-07)

WASHINGTON

Enumclaw - City passed breed selective legislation against pitbulls, etc. text available upon request.

Olympia - Thurston County - city of Olympia maybe be considering breed selective legislation. Proposal was made by animal control representative on the Council.

WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington D.C. - City - B17-89 - consultation with the Department of Health, the Mayor may establish a list of potentially dangerous dogs breeds. Such list shall be revised periodically and shall be based upon information including breed characteristics and evidence of adverse incidents in the District. text available upon request

WISCONSIN

Madison - SB162 - An Act relating to extending domestic abuse restraining orders and injunctions to include abuse to animals and threats of abuse to animals. text available upon request

Madison - proposed bill that would cover large-scale dog breeders would need to get a state license, provide humane care and reimburse buyers for veterinary bills under a bipartisan bill state lawmakers. The measure marks another attempt by the Legislature to clamp down on inhumane treatment at puppy mills and give recourse to people who unknowingly buy sick dogs from them. Wisconsin has no regulations governing dog breeding. A bill introduced in 2003 that called for licenses was never scheduled for a vote on the Assembly floor. Under the latest version of the bill, DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) would set standards for humane care. Breeders who either sell 60 dogs annually or have at least eight breeding females would have to get a state license. Fees would range from $75 to $125, depending on how many dogs are sold.

Madison - LRB2829/3 - A act to amend 20.115 (2) and 93.20 (1) and to create 173.35 and 137.37 of the statues relating to: sale of dogs, regulation of certain dog breeders, grant rule -- making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. text available upon request