I am a resident of Conrad and an ardent dog lover. My experiences and bonds with pitbulls have taught me that it is not the breed that is problematic, but the irresponsible ownership that creates negative perceptions. The breed ban in Conrad, which includes Rottweilers, Staffordshire terriers, pitbull terriers, and any mixes thereof, is unjustly punishing good dog owners like me for the lapses of those who fail to raise their pets responsibly.

This ordinance is not grounded in factual or scientific evidence, but instead, is based on fear and bias. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, breed-specific laws have not proven to be effective in enhancing public safety. They only perpetuate stereotypes and discriminate against certain types of dogs and their owners.

These breeds have been brought to the brink of disrepute by misconception rather than fact. As was mentioned by the American Temperament Test Society, pitbulls, one of the banned breeds, have a percentage score of 86.7%—higher than collies and beagles, at 79.4% and 80.3% respectively.

In the interest of fairness, we urge the city of Conrad to reconsider this breed-specific legislation and devise policies that focus on the responsible ownership of all dogs, rather than targeting specific breeds. Please sign this petition to help us fight the unjust dog breed ban.

Please also send emails requesting that the city lift this ban. Contact information below:

Mayor Jeff Martin: jmartin@conradiowa.com

Council Member Peg Brown: pbrown@conradiowa.com

Council Member John Dinsmore: jdinsmore@conradiowa.com

Council Member Lindsay Kuhl: lkuhl@conradiowa.com

Council Member Todd Schnathorst: tschnathorst@conradiowa.com

City Clerk Lori Stansberry: conradclerk@heartofiowa.net

 

Example Email for you to use:

 

Subject: Request to Reconsider the Breed-Specific Ordinance

 

Dear City of Conrad,

I am writing to kindly request the City of Conrad to reconsider and lift its current breed-specific ordinance (BSO). While I understand the intention of the policy is to ensure safety, research and experience in other communities have shown that breed-specific laws are both unfair and ineffective in addressing concerns about aggressive animals.

Breed-specific ordinances unfairly target certain breeds based on stereotypes rather than individual behavior. Many dogs classified under these ordinances are well-behaved, loving pets and valued family members. Research from organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrates that breed alone does not predict a dog's likelihood of aggression. Instead, responsible ownership, proper training, and care are the real factors influencing a dog’s behavior.

By lifting the BSO, the city can:

• Encourage responsible dog ownership through non-discriminatory policies focused on behavior and training.
• Improve community relations, as breed-specific laws often alienate residents and create unnecessary hardships.
• Save taxpayer resources, as BSOs are costly to enforce and often lead to legal challenges.

Many cities have transitioned from BSOs to breed-neutral dangerous dog ordinances, which hold all owners accountable for their pets’ actions. This approach has proven more effective at enhancing public safety while promoting fairness.

I kindly ask that you consider adopting breed-neutral policies and prioritize education and enforcement of responsible pet ownership. This change would benefit all residents, ensuring both safety and fairness in our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to provide additional resources or attend a meeting to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]