LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge - proposed ordinance would allow animal control officers to use
their own judgment as to whether a dog poses a threat to public safety even
if the dog is in a fenced yard and even further by giving animal control
officers probable cause to investigate any resident's complaint about fenced
dogs that in their opinion, could pose serious and imminent threats. The
proposed ordinance allows a dog owner to be charged with a misdemeanor if it
severely bites or mauls a person or animal while it is in a fenced yard.

MARYLAND

Baltimore County - considering a proposal to impose significant restrictions
on pit bull owners that requires the dogs to be kept in a locked cage or
muzzled. The proposal includes any animal deemed menacing by the county's
animal control office and requires pit bull owners to post warning signs.
Proposal Failed 6-1 vote 1015/07

Frostburg - new proposed ordinance to classify a dog as a nuisance or as a
danger. When a dog receives the nuisance moniker, it has been determined to
pose a threat to public safety by: Chasing or menacing a person or domestic
animal in an aggressive manner without being provoked, Running at large or
being impounded no less than two times within 12 months. Having the owner
cited two or more times within 12 months by the Allegany County Animal
Control, Acting in a highly aggressive manner within a fenced yard or
enclosure and appearing to be able to jump over the fence or leave the
enclosure. Damaging the property of anyone other than the owner. Dogs that
are behaving even worse may be declared dangerous by: Attacking, though
unprovoked, a person or domestic animal and causing serious injury,
Continuing to break nuisance dog rules after already being classified as
such, Having been classified by Allegheny County as a vicious animal.
Owners of dogs declared nuisances must provide evidence to the city that the
pet has been licensed, vaccinated, and neutered or spayed. In addition, the
dog will be allowed outdoors only within an enclosure or on a 4-foot or
shorter leash and muzzled. A public meeting on Nov. 15. - the mayor and
council will decide whether to require owners of dangerous dogs to have
liability insurance policies for their pets. A dog declared dangerous is a
life sentence for the animal, with no pardons no matter how much time
passes. A first violation of the rules brings a minimum fine of $500. A
second violation carries a $1,000 fine. Subsequent violations have fines of
$1,000 and up to 90 days in jail, for the owner, that is. Any dogs already
in the city are grandfathered in meaning that a dog that broke the rules
before the ordinance is enacted won't be declared a nuisance or dangerous.
Ordinance is based upon one provided by the Humane Society of the United
States

Wicomico County - new ordinance rules a dog can be considered dangerous
after one bite. Old legislation allowed a dog to bite twice before it was
considered dangerous. Passed 10/16/07 and goes into effect immediately when
signed

MASSACHUSETTS

Lynn - City Council President Timothy Phelan said last week's brutal dog
attack has stirred up a range of emotions and has resurrected the debate on
a possible pit bull ban in Lynn. Phelan said he met with City Solicitor
Michael Barry and Animal Control Officer Kevin Farnsworth on Thursday and
plans to meet with members of the police and the City Council next week to
strategize ways to either ban the particular breed, or enforce stricter
muzzle laws for safety measures. Aggressively pursue ways to increase
fines, change ordinances and also attempt to ban pit bulls from the city.

MICHIGAN

Lansing - one-page petition asks for state and/or federal legislation that
regulates dog ownership, rather than a breed-specific ban on dogs.

Hazel Park - City Council held a study session recently to consider whether
to adopt a new ordinance aimed at modifying the definition of a "dangerous
animal" and whether homeowners can keep them in their yards. Proposed
ordinance is an attempt to keep the owners of pit bulls from ever taking
their animals out of a confined space without a leash and muzzle. Under the
proposed ordinance, any resident that owns a pit bull, or other dangerous
animal as defined by law, would be required to register with the city and
keep liability insurance worth $1 million. The ordinance would also require
that pit pull owners hang a "beware of dog" sign, fit the dog with a
brightly colored collar and keep them in an enclosed pen when they are
outdoors. The pit bull permit would cost $50 if the ordinance were approved.
City Council did approve a different animal ordinance that aims to keep
residents from feeding stray animals. It is now illegal to place a container
on the ground to offer nourishment to stray animals, the ordinance reads.
"That can draw rodents," said Parisi. "That was driven by complaints by
residents. We live so close. There are so many houses close together, things
like that cause more problems. They made us aware that it was a problem."
Feeding stray animal ordinance was passed 10/23/07

North Muskegon - ordinance is NOT breed-specific, has a definition of
"dangerous dog", "vicious dog", and "cruelty" and a limit of three dogs and
four cats. The ordinance also allows a dog owner whose dog was declared
"dangerous" an opportunity to prove otherwise, and also allows a 21-day
period where this decision can be appealed. Passed 10/15/07

Van Buren Township - proposal/discussion to change the number of dogs
allowed in a home.

MINNESOTA

Apple Valley - One Twin Cities suburb is trying a unique approach. Leaders
in Apple Valley say they can't ban dangerous dogs outright so they're
looking for a loophole. A proposal would require dangerous dogs to live in
the 200 plus acres of Apple Valley that are zoned industrial. The catch is
people can't have homes on these properties, meaning its impossible for dogs
to live there legally.

Cottage Grove - discussing proposed changed to the city's dangerous dog
ordinance that could place more responsibility on dog owners. Proposed
changes to the Cottage Grove dog ordinance include forcing dogs deemed
dangerous to be leashed and muzzled when off the owner's property, posting
"Beware of Dog" signs and requiring notification of rental property owners
where a dangerous dog lives.

Minneapolis - proposing ordinance targeting dog owners that does not target
certain breeds, but rather the owners. The new ordinance would not allow an
individual convicted of a felony to own a dog larger than 20 pounds. The
owners of a dog that has been deemed dangerous would have to undergo
training. The dog would also have to be licensed and have a tracking
microchip implanted. The owner would also become financially responsible
for the animal and would have to have $350,000 in insurance

Minneapolis - proposed revamping of the Minneapolis ordinance governing
dangerous animals will be up for a public hearing. The proposal deals with
terms, requirements, fees and fines for owners of dangerous and potentially
dangerous animals and would set new requirements on felons who own an animal
that weighs more than 20 pounds or that poses a public safety danger if
misused.

MISSOURI

Joplin - proposed ordinance changes aimed at cutting down on animal
nuisances in the city. A panel of health department workers and
veterinarians are recommending that the city restrict people from keeping
litters of puppies and kittens. Another change would prohibit feeding feral
animals.

Kansas City - Animal Ordinance - breed selective. text available upon
request

Merriam Woods - Board of Trustees of Merriam Woods is expected to vote
Tuesday night (11/13/07) on an ordinance banning pit bull dogs inside the
boundaries of Merriam Woods. The ordinance, which is based on Springfield's
[AR] ordinance, focuses on responsible pet ownership more than prohibiting
the breed. If passed, the regulations would be effective immediately and
would impose several requirements on current pit bull owners. Every pit bull
would be required to be registered with the Merriam Woods Police Department.
Proof of current rabies vaccination, sterilization and microchip
implantation would be necessary to register the animal, along with a $50
fee. In addition, the police department would be required to photograph the
dog and maintain a registration file for every dog. "To protect the
public", pit bulls would also be required to be kept indoors or outside in a
locked pen on property that is posted with warning signs. If the pit bull is
being transported to or from its home, it will be required to be leashed and
muzzled and locked in a secure, temporary enclosure in a vehicle.

NEBRASKA

South Sioux City - proposed ordinance re-defines a vicious dog as one that
bites a person or injures or kills another animal. If a dog is deemed
vicious, the pet owner must take out extra homeowner's insurance totaling
$250,000. If the owners can't get insurance, their pet can't stay in the
city. There are also new regulations to follow regarding fencing, signage,
licensing and shots. The proposal does not eliminate dogs out of the city
by being breed specific, it does place more onerous issues on the people who
have dogs that are potentially dangerous.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Concord - HB585-FN - AN ACT requiring all animal shelter facilities, pet
shops and commercial kennels to collect a neutering deposit when placing a
cat or dog that has not been neutered. text available upon request

NEW JERSEY

Princeton Borough - special municipal panel focused on dog regulations in
Princeton is grappling with what changes, if any, the community should seek
to make Princeton a safer place for both people and dogs - potentially
dangerous or vicious dogs. One change that the Princeton's animal control
officer, Mark Johnson, would like to see -- on a statewide level -- is some
kind of reform that "puts a leash" on animal rescue organizations and puppy
mills that adopt or sell dogs to people who might love dogs but have no clue
about responsibly overseeing them. Changes could include a higher degree of
protection in the law for guide dogs and a requirement that veterinarians
report dog-on-dog bites to local or state officials. The dog subcommittee's
next meeting -- it plans to have two more before making its recommendations
to the health commission -- is planned for Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in borough hall.

NEW MEXICO

Bernalillo County - Animal Control Ordinance, Bernalillo County Code Chapter
Six, (the Ordinance) was enacted to protect animals from neglect and abuse,
to protect residents from annoyance and injury, and to encourage responsible
ownership of animals as pets. The Ordinance was last amended in April 1999.
The purpose of this public meeting is to present proposed amendments to the
Ordinance. The purpose of these amendments is to better align the Ordinance
with State and City laws, to clarify language in the existing Ordinance, and
to implement a new fee and permit structure. Commissioners and the Animal
Control and Protection Department are working to schedule several Public
Hearing Meetings concerning the pending revisions of the Animal Control
Ordinance.

Bernalillo County - proposed mandatory S/N changes to the ordinance. It
appears the exemption for "show dogs" has been removed and a "special
permit" is required. To obtain a "special permit" you must have records for
a microchip. (The county has no way to store information regarding
microchips and/or tattoos.) Ordinance limits six dogs or cats or
combination per household. Leashes may not exceed 6 foot. text available
upon request