BSL in Tennessee

In January 2008, Tennessee State Senator Tommy Kilby proposed a bill that would make ownership of a pit bull a misdemeanor. Pit bull owners from across the country rallied to oppose the bill. House Represenative Janis Sontany sponsed a companion House Bill in an effort to remove the breed specific language.

I contacted Represenative Sontary on March 26, 2008 regarding the status of the bills. She advised that the bill had not moved in the House and she had not seen anyamendatory language. She is still waiting on the Senate.

To follow the status of the bills from their inception, please click here.

Tennessee Cities with Breed Specific Legislation

The list of cities below should open the eyes of anyone who thinks BSL is not a concern in Tennessee. Moreover, a review of the various ordinances reveals that pit bull owners are not the only ones who should be concerned. Why? Because many of these ordinances are worded such that they apply to ANY DOG that has the physical appearance and characterists of being a "pit bull." This means several breeds - not only "pit bulls" - can and will be affected by these ordinances depending on the subjective judgment of the individual making the breed identification.

This below list should reinforce the need to always educate and promote responsible ownership. Breed specific legislation in Tennessee is not an isolated occurence, and the responsible dog owners must be proactive in curbing the passage and spread of legislation based on ignorance, fear and hype.

Please be the voice for Tennessee dogs and their responsible owners. Please fight for all the dogs who have lost their lives due to ignorance and fear. We have to be their voice... we have to fight for them!

BSL Passed

Brownsville*

Dyer

Estill Springs

Fayetteville

Grand Junction*

Greenbrier

Halls

Harriman

Henderson

Jefferson City

Kimball

Lewisburg

Manchester

Morrison

Red Boiling Springs

Ripley

Rogersville

Signal Mountain

Somerville

South Fulton

South Pittsburg

Sparta

Springfield

Wartrace

Watertown

White Pine

*Click link to access ordinance.

Victories

Monterey

Shelbyville

Hohenwald

Woodbury

Bedford County

Sumner County

Putnam County

Knox County

A new year - A new partnership!

Bless the Bullys is proud to announce that we have teamed up with Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee (RAOT) in a collaborative effort to fight breed specific legislation in Tennessee.

RAOT has been a voice for animals and their responsible owners, breeders, and rescuers in Tennessee for over fifteen years. RAOT was formed by a group of diverse individuals who wanted to contribute to their communities and make a difference to people and animals alike. RAOT sponsors educational seminars on animal related topics, hosts a growing rescue network, conducts obedience classes, provides a state-wide network to facilitate access to a number of animal-related activities and services, and monitors animal-related legislation to keep members informed about issues important to them.

Since its formation in 2004, Bless the Bullys has promoted and encouraged responsible pit bull ownership and been a voice for pit bull owners across the country. Breed specific legislation, however, does not only target "pit bulls," and for that reason this new alliance was formed. It is our hope to unite all animal owners across the state of Tennessee in an effort to fight adverse animal legislation.

RAOT is seeking new members who share our common goal - ensuring that the responsible animal owners of Tennessee can own the animal they desire and that our animals are not adversely affected by legislation. Membership support and funding are necessary to fight breed specific legislation, and by becoming a supporter, you not only helpt to further our education efforts, but you enable us to greater assist Tennessee residents. We need your support to give RAOT an even stronger voice with the ability to make even more of a difference across the entire state of Tennessee.

Visit Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee (www.raot.org) to become a supporter! Be the voice for animals and responsible owners in Tennessee!

**CURRENT BSL ALERTS**

There are currently no alerts that we are aware of in Tennessee.

We need your help to fight breed specific legislation in Tennessee.

Please take a moment to write to the officials below to voice your POLITE and RESPECTFUL opposition to BSL. I cannot stress enough how very, very important it is that all your communication be respectful and non-argumentative!

Please also send educational materials on the many reasons why BSL is not the answer to a community's problems Please help these city leaders understand that irresponsible owners are the root of "dog problems" and, as such, any law that focuses on particular breeds of dogs instead of irresponsible owners is ineffective.

Wherever you live - in Tennessee or somewhere else - know that this can happen to you at any time! Please write today - it could be your city tomorrow!

Johnson City, Tennessee

UPDATE: JANUARY 29, 2008

The media has reported that Johnson City is considering a pit bull ban. However, I had a very positive discussion with Debbie Dobbs who sits on the Johnson City Animal Control Board and who is also the director of animal control in Johnson City.

Ms. Dobbs states that Johnson City IS NOT looking at a breed ban. The issue was brought up but no action has been - nor does she foresee any action being taken. Ms. Dobbs was adament that she was misquoted sevearl times by the newspaper, as well. She further said that the Board believes in "deed, not breed."

Ms. Dobbs went on to say they would like to see an ordinance that established levels of dangerous dogs based on their behavior, and expressed interest in reviewing the new ordinance approved by the Knox County Commision. I forwarded a copy of that ordinance to her for review.

At this time, I am taking Johnson City off "ALERT" status. However, Johnson City and/or nearby residents will want to attend council meetings and keep an eye on this for any developments over the next few months.

Tips for calling state/city officials

* Plan your call. Keep to the point and discuss only one issue.

* Organize your thoughts ahead of time and make notes to help you stay on track.

* Prepare a one-page fact sheet concerning the issues you want to discuss.

* Whether you call or write, ALWAYS BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL.

TALKING POINTS (breed bans and MSN)

*Any law enacted should be both reasonable and enforceable.

*Any law enacted should protect the health and welfare of dogs without restricting the rights of owners and breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

*In many communities in Tennessee - including the most rural areas - the cost to spay or neuter a dog is well over $100. Communities at local and state levels should encourage and offer affordable opportunities, programs and incentives to dog owners to spay or neuter their dogs, not laws mandating surgical procedures that their constituents STILL cannot afford.

*The state leash law is not enforced in many rural areas in Tennessee. As a result, dogs typically run loose. Educating the citizens with respect to responsible dog ownership practices will have more far-reaching positive effects than passing of adverse pet legislation.

*A strong leash law that is actively enforced is an effective means of birth control for dogs and an excellent tool for community safety.

*Breed specific ordinances are difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. Enacting a spay/neuter ordinance specific to pit bulls would require additional funding and personnel, both of which are either greatly lacking or completely absent across the State of Tennessee.

*A mandatory spay and neuter law against "pit bulls" cannot be adequately enforced as "pit bull" is not a breed of dog. Animal control officers would be charged with making subjective determinations as to a dog's breed thus opening Knox County to liability in the event of false identification.

*The citizens are burdened with higher taxes in an effort to pay for a law that is, in essence, unenforceable as animal control officers would be expected to go house to house to personally examine each and every dog that falls under the description of "pit bull."

*Because animal control officers are tied up with "pit bull inspections," they are unavailable to enforce the law against the true irresponsible owners and dogs that are a true danger in their community thus leaving the citizens vulnerable.

*Breed specific legislation is ineffective as it does not focus on the root of the problem - irresponsible dog owners. Rather, owners will simply choose another breed to continue their cycle of irresponsibility.