WAF assisted Representative Bobby Faucheux of Louisiana in revising HB-8 (click on bill to read letter). Glen Bui revised the
California State dangerous dog law into a stronger law which was sent to Louisiana and used to revise HB-8. Glen Bui recieved a
letter from Rep. Faucheux telling him thank you and advising WAF that the laws WAF sent him would be revised into HB8.
Santa Cruz - Defeated
WAF sent Leigh Schlosser of Powerhouse Kennel to Santa Cruz, Ca. to speak at the hearing to oppose guardianship for animals.
There were four speakers opposing the ordinance and two supporting it.
SB 236 - Removed
WAF recieved an e-mail from AKC asking us to assist in California. WAF made contact with the Senators that were to vote on the bill
which would require permits to sell dogs and litters of puppies,etc. California representative Leigh Schlosser arranged a delievery
of WAF's opposition to the Senate Committee on Good Friday the 13th. and had a large group ready to attend a hearing. WAF
contacted dog food companies and other corporations to help oppose the bill. WAF recieved several phone calls from Senate
Consultants asking us about Federal laws and other issues we brought up in our opposition letters. It was confirmed by several
Senate consultants that SB236 infringed on peoples rights and W.A.F. recieved an e-mail from the Senate Committee's consultant
stating she was recommending the bill be removed from the calendar because of concerns WAF's opposition raised. Strong
opposition from local and national organizations and dog owners flooded California opposing the bill. SB236 was pulled from the
calendar for this year.
B839/SB2270 - Removed
WAF 's opposition on these bills consisted of Nationwide opposition (e-mails,fax's and phone calls)until the last days of hearings.
Kevin Barnett served 155 members of the House opposition in Talahassee. Kerrie and Laura served Senators in Broward Co.
Lisa Barry arranged a TV segment on Channel 6 in Orlando opposing the bills. Several Fax's from WAF reps. in Florida were sent
along with many phone calls (WAF board members from Washington placed calls on a daily basis and fax's). WAF's chairman
spoke with the Governors office several times where one aid owned an APBT. On the week of May 1st, 2001 the bills did not make
the hearings. It is over for this year. Congrats to everyone and every organization that opposed the bills. Officially, HB839 ended
March 13th 2001 when the bill was placed on the wrong calendar, WAF consultants addressed rule 5.6(b) with the legislators in
Florida. WAF kept the opposition up to ensure Florida knows how the country feels about specific breed legislation. HB839 was a
local bill from Broward County which attempted to by-pass the state law prohibiting BSL at the local level. WAF will be posting the
information on HB839 and when and how it was stopped on the WAF website 2002.
HB 216
WAF contacted Rep Richard Brewester of New Hampshire and we spoke to him several times. He gave us his word he would not
move to pass HB216 at the upcoming hearing. We fowarded legislation to Rep. Brewester to solve the problems that prompted
him to propose HB 216.
HB 567
WAF sent faxes to Maryland to all the delegates sponsoring HB-567. We Followed the bill and didn't expect it to pass.
Walla Walla, Wa
Thanks to WAF member Shana Blumenberg on two days notice. Shana along with WAF consultants and the local Humane
Society were able to convince the city council to adopt a new dangerous dog ordinance without being breed specific. WAF will
assist the city with education on responsible ownership. (click to read newspaper articles) Union Bulletin 7-24-01 , Union Bulletin 7-
26-01
Pierce County Fair
WAF members and the Northwest Pit Bull Terrier Club spent four days promoting responsible ownership and dog bite prevention.
WAF used ASTs/APBTs for Obedience and Agility demonstrations. The NWPBT provided a Pit Bull drill team. The dogs also
performed tricks and the crowds loved it!
Western Washington State Fair
W.A.F. spent a day with a major dog food distributor helping responsible ownership.
Bremerton, Washington
WAF recieved a call for assistance regarding an APBT named Hercules that had been deliberately hit by a motor vehicle. The city
seized Hercules and wanted to euthanize him, because after he was hit and provoked by citizens he bit a man trying to block the
dog returning into his yard. WAF was able to rescue Hercules and has him in our custody. WAF is considering civil action against
Bremerton for failing to prosecute the citizen driving the motor vehicle.
Jeff Harris - Orange County, California
Mr Harris had his two APBT's seized. The recommendation from the county Humane shelter was to return the dogs. The counties
legal council agreed. The director of the shelter, because of political pressure, ruled against the decision. Mr. Harris with the legal
help from WAF appealed and won. The director of the shelter still refuses to release the APBT's and legal action is being taken
against Orange County. (Mr Harris won in Jan 2002)
Red Oak, Iowa
Dorothy Herren who owns an AST asked for WAF's help. Sharon Coleman along with AKC and WAF attempted to assist Dorothy
with resources to stop legislation for limit laws and a breed ban on the Wolf Hybrid. The legislation passed, however the owner of
the Wolf-Hybrid is taking legal action against the city.
Los Angeles, California
Legislation attempting to repeal the state law preventing BSL at the local level is proposed by the city council of LA. WAF spoke to
all members of the city council concerning the issue and provided the city with statistic's from LA Co. to help prevent a repeal.
Washington DC
WAF sent Victor Chudowski (DC Dog Coalition) the revised "one strike" dangerous dog law allowing for courts to take away
ownership privileges that has been used at the state level. Victor gave it to the DC Council. WAF is supporting Victor and will
stand behind him offering any assistance needed.
Pontiac, Michigan
WAF assisted members with resources to stop Ordinance 2119, a breed ban on the APBT/AST that was passed without public
notice. WAF arranged a protest with front page press and TV news coverage. Dr Al Stinson who has been very successful in
Michigan with Legislation took time to attended the protest and addressed City Council on BSL. WAF received press coverage 5
times and was interviewed 2 times on WJR Detroit Radio. WAF reviewed incident reports from Pontiac Animal Control on dog
bites. Press coverage on the truth behind the Ordinance told the facts to the citizens of the city. Several phone conversations and
two meetings with the Mayor pressured the Mayor into making a public statement that the city would revise Ordinace 2119 into a
non-breed specific law. Still pending is the outcome. Dr Stinson offered his help in June 2001 when upon his request, WAF
presented a letter to the city council at an October meeting, requesting they contact Dr. Stinson and Cindy Cooke from UKC. On
12-13-01 WAF filed civil action against Pontiac because inside sources told us they were going to stall it out as long as they could.
We do know at one point in Pontiac that National Opposition was so strong the Mayor was extremely shook up and begged us to
stop promising the ordinance would be repealed. In October we brought back national opposition and the Mayor wrote several
letters back to APBT owners. WAF will focus on justice for passing illegal law in Pontiac.
Community Fest
WAF members and members of the NWPBTC spent a day at the Western Washington Fairground Pavilion with five APBT's and one
AST promoting responsible ownership. The School districts, Hospitals, City Governments, Red Cross, United Way, Boys and Girls
Scouts of America, Animal Control, Humane Societies, Law enforcement, Fire districts and private business were all there to
promote community safety in the Pudget Sound.
Major victory in LA
Jeff Harris won a long battle and the California Superior Court ruled in favor of the APBT WAF assisted with all the legal resources
and support.
Pontiac, Michigan
Civil action was taken 12-13-01. A 500,000,00 lawsuit was filed and a second one is on it's way concerning the illegal adoption of
Ordinance 2119. In the action Animal control officer Erin Stacks was named along with the Animal Shelter and City Council. The
city killed over 50 Pit bulls we know of for no reason. The city keeps stalling on the repeal of 2119 and now put it off until late
January 2002.
Alabama
WAF has been working with an attorney and Loyce Fisher to stop a Supreme Court ruling on the Pit Bull being dangerous. Major
victory at the Circuit Court level. On 12-17-01 the court denied a stay of proceedings from the city, the Pit Bulls may go to the
custody of the women fighting for them. Loyce is working hard and facing a heavy battle. She is doing this because she loves
animals and has serious concern for the treatment of them at the Huntsville Shelter. She is funding this battle from her own
pocket.
Garner, North Carolina
WAF assisted and sent an Affidavit by Glen Bui on the APBT and Canine Behavior that's been used in Washington and California
Superior Courts to save Pit bulls. BSL was stopped there 12-18-01 thanks to several that opposed the ordinance.
Bremerton, Washington
Hercules, who WAF rescued months ago(the APBT that was mobbed and hit by a car), caused serious concern to WAF regarding
the actions of law enforcement. WAF sued Bremerton 12-11-01 for Gross Negligence/Failure to protect and serve/Violations of the
Washington State Constitution.
Missouri
WAF is working with APBT owners to repeal a breed specific ordinance.
