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Topeka City Council Members Repealed Breed Discrimination
  1. Signatures
    243 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. city council member (+ 8 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • city council member (K Hiller)
      • city council member (J Alcala)
      • city council member (J Woelfel)
      • city council member (l wolgast)
      • city council member (djswank)
      • city council member (barcher)
      • city council member (jpreisner)
      • city council member (rharmon)
      • city council member (s oritz)
  2. Created By
    Ledy VanKavage
    Collinsville, IL
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Sep 29, 2010

On September 28, 2010, the city council and mayor unanimously approved Topeka's new animal control ordinance, including the repeal of their breed discrimination.

UPDATE-On September 28, Topeka City Council members did the right thing and repealed their breed discriminatory ordinance targeting pit bulls. The charge was lead by Katie Barnett, a KU Law Student and Best Friends Animal Society Intern. Thanks to all the city council members and the city attorneys for helping creating safe, humane communities.

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Topeka is considering repealing its breed specific ordinance and enacting a generic dangerous dog and anti-tethering ordinance.

This change would save lives and taxdollars. Topeka's animal control has run over budget an average of $30,000 per year for nine years- a whopping total of $272,751.55 plus vet bills. According to a memo from Topeka's City Attorney's office, the main reason for the increase in animal control costs was their breed discriminatory law- dogs seized from their owners and held as unlicensed pit bulls. Helping Hands Humane Society who houses the canines has to kill hundreds of adoptable dogs of other breeds in order to comply with the law regarding "held" pit bulls. The dogs are held for the most part, not because they attacked anyone, but simply because they resemble pit bull terriers.

Recent Signatures

Please Enact New Comprehensive Animal Control Ordinance

Greetings,

I commend the intensive research done by your City Attorneys in drafting the new comprehensive animal control ordinance. The memo drafted by their office is extremely thoughtful and convincing.

If you choose to enact this measure, you will be helping create a safe and humane community. As noted in the memorandum, breed discriminatory measures are extremely expensive and fail to enhance public safety.

By enacting a comprehensive breed neutral dangerous dog law and chaining restrictions you will serve your constituents well. Chained dogs often act as "attractive nuisances" to children. Chained dogs are often frustrated and because of this bark to alleviate the frustration leading to neighborhood noise complaints.Chained dogs are also responsible for 25% of fatal dog attacks since 1966. Because of these facts the state of Texas enacted chaining restrictions.

Topeka can become a leader for other communities through enacting this impressive public safety measure and rejecting breed discrimination.

Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.

[Your name]

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