Ohio Canine Advocates Fight Dog Warden Over Breed Specific Legislation
 Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Remember Shana Klein, the animal rights activist and President of Canine Advocates of Ohio, who initiated a boycott against the Garfield Heights pit bull ban?  She has contacted ConnieTalk.com regarding an update to breed-specific legislation (also referred to as "BSL") in Ohio; and a Geauga County dog warden's words have sparked controversy between the national Best Friends Network - a national animal rights organization - and the Ohio Canine Advocacy Group.  Both groups have the animals' best interests at heart, and both groups oppose laws against specific dog breeds:  but both have different views of the Ohio HB366 bill.

Denise LeBeau of the Best Friends Network published this article regarding the HB366 bill, where she quotes Matt Granito, a dog warden in Geauga County, who reported that the tricky wording of the bill seems like it would protect Pit Bulls and their mixes, but in fact, does not.

The HB366 bill - brought forward by Representative Webster, of Hamilton, OH and cosponsored by Representative Schindel of Leroy Township, OH - seeks to remove the term "pit bulls" from the sections of the Ohio Revised Code which contain the definition of "vicious dog" in state law.  The bill would also authorize local ordinances and resolutions to define "dangerous dog" and "vicious dog" more broadly than the state does.

Warden Granito advised the Best Friends Network that this amendment to the bill would allow local authorities to add breed specific legislation locally, and that it would harm more animals than help.

"Animal organizations clamor to get any breed specific legislation off the books and at first glance this is what HB 366 seems to do," Denise with BFN wrote.  "But it's not throwing out breed specific legislation it's just putting it into the hands of those less governed!"

Except - here's the twist - local breed specific legislation already is allowed in Ohio.

Shana Klein, President of the Canine Advocates of Ohio, asserts that H.B. 366 does not make things worse for dog owners in Ohio, and that it was never intended to stop BSL in the first place, but only to remove the "pit bull" language in Ohio law.

Klein told ConnieTalk, "Rep. Webster and many others do not believe the Bill [H.B. 366, which is still before the Ohio State Legislature's 127th General Assembly] will pass without allowing localities to pass whatever laws they believe are necessary to protect the local community."

"We all know that BSL does not keep the community safe, and I, for one, am completely opposed to BSL; however, having breed specific language removed from state law is our first step.  Yes, localities will still be able to pass [BSL]; however, localities will also be able to remove BSL totally and pass reasonable legislation, such as anti-chaining, leash laws, etc.

"If we want to amend the Bill to prohibit BSL entirely, let's do it, but no matter the form HB 366 MUST PASS in order to remove BSL!"

"I am shocked," Shana said, "that Best Friends did not brush off Matt's comments.  He is not an attorney; he speaks out of both sides of his mouth; and, obviously, has no clue what he's talking about.  If you want to remove breed-specific legislation from Ohio State Law, please help me.  We need active support now more than ever."

Another BSL opponent writes, "Every issue and concern mentioned by Mr. Graniot are CURRENT issues and concerns.  Aren't we talking about improving the [state] law as it is currently written?  Why is he reiterating them?  Law must trickle from top to bottom, from the State level to the local level.  Removing pit bulls from the vicious dog designation at the State level MUST happen for the local municipalities to follow suit."

Indeed, since BSL is already allowed to be passed by local municipalities, pit bull bans - and other local bans on various dog breeds - will be protected as long as the Ohio Revised Code remains the same (which it would, if HB366 did not pass).

We know that both sides of this argument have the best interest of our furry friends in mind.  To learn more about Canine Advocates of Ohio and how they propose to stop BSL, visit canineadvocatesofohio.org; they will continue to provide updates on their website as to their progress.

Or, if you have conflicting issues, questions, or concerns about the bill, you may view the proposed Bill or contact its Rep.'s here.

To see where this issue stands in your state if you're outside of Ohio, visit the Best Friends Network at BestFriends.org .

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