08/27/07 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 27, 2007 COMMENTS FROM MR. STEPHEN RANGE CONCERNING HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION Mr. Stephen Range, 1206 Johnson, South Bend, Indiana, advised that one of the flyers that he got from the City Clerk's office is volunteers needed, get involved, stay involved, 2007. He stated that he has tried to contact people on numerous times and try to get involved and will stay involved. He stated that he believes one of his skills dealing with animals would benefit the City of South Bend, especially with dogs. Mr. Range stated that he has done tons of research on dogs, the ordinance and everything. He did submit an application on June 20, 2007 to be a part of the Animal Control Commission and he stated that he did not know if they still had it on file. He stated that he has gone over some of the records and on August 24, 1987, the Council first passed the Ordinance dealing with the American Pit Bull Terrier, there was a Dr. Carol Ecker, who stated that she was a Veterinary and a dog breeder, and has a strong interest in the Human Society and the Animal Control and preferred that the Pit Bull not be singled out, however, irresponsible owners and breeders have caused the problem. She indicated that innocent owners and good Pit Bulls are going to having to suffer the inconveniences due to this ordinance. This is the ordinance about the American Pit Bull Terrier. He noted that he has mentioned on several occasion that this bill need to be amended especially the part on the American Pit Bull Terrier, because this ordinance was passed twenty (20) years ago and he knows what Dr. Ecker stated is true, because he is innocent, he doesn't have a criminal background, his dogs have never violated or been a public nuisance. Mr. Range stated that he has suffered tremendously because of this ordinance. Basically what he has been doing is going over the Ordinance, and he stated that you all have it stated here working together to be a world class 21 gc Century, this ordinance is twenty (20) years old and he believes that the entire chapter needs to be updated and revised. He stated that he started doing it on his own. But a lot of research and studying, unfortunately he could not make a packet for everybody, cause he doesn't have the funds to it so he created five (5) to hand out some of the changes that he has made and would like for the Common Council to start looking at it. Mr. Range stated that his ordinance is a very good ordinance; it is a 21 gc century ordinance. It is where all people and animals will be treated equally and fairly. It is not just about me wanting his dogs treated fairly, other people are suffering because of this ordinance. He would like to the Council to look at this Ordinance that he has prepared and think about it and look at the changes that he has made. Councilmember Varner asked if this Ordinance and the proposed changes are something that he put together or is this Ordinance a draft from an organization that Mr. Range is representing. Mr. Range stated that this Ordinance is not just about the Pit Bull Terrier, it is about the whole Ordinance. The Ordinance is so outdated and some of the terms that are in there that apply to other Ordinances in the Municipal Code have changed their rules, like zoning, and other things like that. He stated that this is just not about him; it is about other people in the community, people that he has talked to, even people from Animal Control. He has contacted people in the neighborhood and even people throughout the Nation and solicited their opinions of their Ordinances and what is happening in their area. This is not just his opinion what he has submitted, it is factual. Councilmember Varner asked if this bill is considered a Model Ordinance. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that the Council hears every now and then that a person had been attacked by a Pit Bull and she guesses given a period of time that cruel and inappropriate breeders and cruel and inappropriate and neglectful owners have created this generation of Pit Bull. Part of the problem is what are they going to do about these generations of Pit Bulls? They have been so mistreated and that has to be part of the bill. She asked Mr. Range to think about the point she has raised. She stated that she did not want him to answer tonight, but to think about it. She stated that she believes that a monster can be created out of any human being or any animal if enough energy is put into it. There is a point however, when the monster has been created and the monster has off- spring, so part of what has to be done is to think about what is going to be done with these generations of Pit Bull Terriers and other animals that are in existence and who 27