[RDOWS]

Tennessee Senate Bill 3827 which would make ownership of a "pit bull" in Tennessee a Class A Misdemeanor now has a companion House sponsor.

House Representative Janis Sontany filed HB3984 today. It has not yet been sent to a House Committee. Once the bill is assigned to a committee, we'll send out the contact information for the individual committee members. In the meantime, Representative Sontany's contact information is below.

Janis Sontany
D - Nashville
District 53 - Part of Davidson County
District Address
188 Chilton Street
Nashville, TN 37211
Nashville Address
32 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0153
Phone (615) 741-6861
Fax (615) 253-0325
Staff Contact: Delano Brent
Internet E-Mail Address
rep.janis.sontany@legislature.state.tn.us

[screamin'eagle]

I received this response from Rep. Sontay today...

"I signed the House bill as a courtsey to Sen. Kilby because it was the
bill filing deadline. It is my understanding that he is developing
amendatory language regarding vicious dogs and irresponsible pet owners.

I told Sen. Kilby's assistant that I had no intention of moving any
breed specific legislation - you have my commitment.

Janis Sontany

P.S. I have a pit mix myself. "

[screamin'eagle]

RDOWS:

I feel that they were trying to pull the wool over our eyes with this BS, but are there any updates as far as your tracking?

I think that the first Bill introduced by Sen. Kilby received a good enough negative response from responsible owners that it was stopped to silence the noise. I am weary of Rep. Sontay though. I know someone else that replied to what she wrote in the email that I received and posted above with the question as to why she then re-introduced the Bill after it had been quited. Her response was,

“Because by signing it, I control it and if Sen. Kilby were to try to pass it as written (which he has committed not to do), then if I don't move my bill in the House, his efforts would be negated because all bills must pass in the same form in both Houses - Senate and House of Representatives.Janis Sontany”


I don't buy it at all, and I was just wondering the latest update...

[drskigirl]

I'm wanting to put together a packet of information to try and submit to our illustrious Tn leaders regarding this bill. The Senators office assured me that while the bill was submitted he didn't intend to have the original wording. If anyone has any stats on dog bites that would help. My information is going to go over pit's "killing" innocent people as opposed to drunk drivers, domestic violence and our new threat of illeagals killing in this country as well. Additional information will be our famous pits such as Sgt. Stubby from WWII, Petey from our gang and any others I can come up with. If my 19 year old son can give the next 5 years of his life to this nation's military and defend the rights of America then I expect that the dog he loves to be here when he gets back!

Originally Posted by drskigirl I'm wanting to put together a packet of information to try and submit to our illustrious Tn leaders regarding this bill. The Senators office assured me that while the bill was submitted he didn't intend to have the original wording. If anyone has any stats on dog bites that would help. My information is going to go over pit's "killing" innocent people as opposed to drunk drivers, domestic violence and our new threat of illeagals killing in this country as well. Additional information will be our famous pits such as Sgt. Stubby from WWII, Petey from our gang and any others I can come up with. If my 19 year old son can give the next 5 years of his life to this nation's military and defend the rights of America then I expect that the dog he loves to be here when he gets back!

Please don't drag all the stupid crap that has nothing to do with dogs into it. There are plenty of things to present without making yourself look foolish.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by drskigirl I'm wanting to put together a packet of information to try and submit to our illustrious Tn leaders regarding this bill. The Senators office assured me that while the bill was submitted he didn't intend to have the original wording. If anyone has any stats on dog bites that would help. My information is going to go over pit's "killing" innocent people as opposed to drunk drivers, domestic violence and our new threat of illeagals killing in this country as well. Additional information will be our famous pits such as Sgt. Stubby from WWII, Petey from our gang and any others I can come up with. If my 19 year old son can give the next 5 years of his life to this nation's military and defend the rights of America then I expect that the dog he loves to be here when he gets back!

Apples and oranges. You should never make a comparison between dogs and humans.

[screamin'eagle]

Overtime we have learned that responses fashioned like business plans for public safety are more effective than emotional stories and heart felt responses.

For anybody that's interested here's a link just to get a few of what some locals are saying, and for drksigirl there is a link to a statistics site if you read through the comments...
http://www.nashvilleistalking.com/20...-of-tennessee/

[drskigirl]

Well, the response I've received has been great. 3 children killed by their own parents everyday as opposed to how many by pit bulls every year. I've come home from a hard day of work thinking that someone out there might appreciate the fact that I was going to invest my time in making a clear, concise report and personally take it to Nashville and pass out as many copies as I could to anyone in the state capital that I thought might help. I didn't have expectations that every senator or representative would read it but even if 1/4 of the people I contacted did then I thought "Wow, at least did something." A person standing there handing them something is what they remember not a phone call or an email from a faceless person. Yes, I'm very passionate about this issue and I'm a great writer who can blend facts with emotion because that's what a good writer can do. Instead I receive responses which make me feel like I'm wrong from trying to help! You don't want to help fine but don't try and put me down for it!

[Michele]

Originally Posted by drskigirl Well, the response I've received has been great. 3 children killed by their own parents everyday as opposed to how many by pit bulls every year. I've come home from a hard day of work thinking that someone out there might appreciate the fact that I was going to invest my time in making a clear, concise report and personally take it to Nashville and pass out as many copies as I could to anyone in the state capital that I thought might help. I didn't have expectations that every senator or representative would read it but even if 1/4 of the people I contacted did then I thought "Wow, at least did something." A person standing there handing them something is what they remember not a phone call or an email from a faceless person. Yes, I'm very passionate about this issue and I'm a great writer who can blend facts with emotion because that's what a good writer can do. Instead I receive responses which make me feel like I'm wrong from trying to help! You don't want to help fine but don't try and put me down for it!

No one is putting you down. Since both sides are "emotional", it's best to send your message out as businesslike as possible. Put positive articles in your package (Sgt. Stubby, K-9's, etc..). Do a google search for all positive american pit bull terrier articles.

And as I said in an earlier post, comparing humans to dogs is mixing apples and oranges. It won't fly.

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by Michele No one is putting you down. Since both sides are "emotional", it's best to send your message out as businesslike as possible. And as I said in an earlier post, comparing humans to dogs is mixing apples and oranges. It won't fly.

I agree.......COMPLETELY!

I have a hubby over here that thinks he should write folks comparing "pit bulls" to terrorists! He see the logic in it, where in reality there is none!

When you fight a fight such as this, you need more operative responses and comments, regarding the issue at hand, not human violations and what-not, here is ONE REASON TO NOT DO SO:

Do we ban parents from society?
Do we ban kids from society?
Do we ban certain "races" from a town?

The answer to these are all NO!
When folks read this crap, they see it some-what like this....dogs are NOT, and I repeat NOT HUMAN!

[screamin'eagle]

You may perceive it as an attack, but my best is advice is that you don't waste time reinventing the wheel!

What you must understand is that 1) everyone has a sob story so they are ineffective when trying to persuade policy makers. Instead what is effective at persuading policy makers is offering real and tangible alternatives. The fact of the matter is that the policy makers are trying to provide (atleast as an illusion) public safety for its constituents. If loose "pit bull dogs" are causing a nuisance there are no amount of sob stories from elsewhere, SGT Stubby articles, and it doesn't matter what famous person has owned a staffordshire, etc. This is perceived as a public safety issue, and they need to understand cost effective alternatives to BSL!

What does matter is demonstrating why enacting BSL is costly, unconstitutional, nearly unenforceable. Demonstrate the leash laws/viscous dog laws that are already on the books that aren't being enforced. Demonstrate that other cities, etc. have had failed BSL and how. All of this information is out there. Here are a few links of "How to fight BSL" from people who are in this fight everyday nationwide...

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL...m#Alternatives
http://www.dogwatch.net/strategy.html
http://www.rott-n-chatter.com/rottwe...dspecific.html

[drskigirl]

Thank you screamin eagle for the web addresses. The first one understand a bull actually has a packet already in place and I will be using that when I personally go to Nashville to present to people. Some of you others need to take a look at it because it has both facts and emotion put in the way that I intended to do my piece. Like I said...a face is always remembered more than a phone call or an email and I would rather know I tried with ALL MY HEART than to have only used a faceless copy of some form letter that could easily be informed.
I conclude that I will probably not be back to this site because the negativity I have felt on wanting to go out and do something was overwhelming. Boogieman..I was nearly killed by a drunk driver so to me knowing that the man that hurt me physically received no jail time but the dog who loves me could make me do jail time isn't "stupid crap".

[fearlessknight]

Maybe it is not stupid crap, but it is not within reason of comparing the two......
All anyone was doing was trying to HELP YOU fight BSL, the right way,.....because there is a right way and a wrong way, and way that will accomplish absolutely nothing....to not come back to this site becuase of that, is simply childish!

Originally Posted by drskigirl Thank you screamin eagle for the web addresses. The first one understand a bull actually has a packet already in place and I will be using that when I personally go to Nashville to present to people. Some of you others need to take a look at it because it has both facts and emotion put in the way that I intended to do my piece. Like I said...a face is always remembered more than a phone call or an email and I would rather know I tried with ALL MY HEART than to have only used a faceless copy of some form letter that could easily be informed. I conclude that I will probably not be back to this site because the negativity I have felt on wanting to go out and do something was overwhelming. Boogieman..I was nearly killed by a drunk driver so to me knowing that the man that hurt me physically received no jail time but the dog who loves me could make me do jail time isn't "stupid crap".

Once again leave all the stupid crap out and focus on dogs. Period. You've watched too many tv shows IMO and I gave you the best advice I thought from the post you made. If you come off as a simpleton babbling here, think of how you will come off in front of lawmakers and city officials. Sorry if that makes you want to whine some more, but it was in the best of intent to help you. Do as you please though.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by drskigirl Thank you screamin eagle for the web addresses. The first one understand a bull actually has a packet already in place and I will be using that when I personally go to Nashville to present to people. Some of you others need to take a look at it because it has both facts and emotion put in the way that I intended to do my piece. Like I said...a face is always remembered more than a phone call or an email and I would rather know I tried with ALL MY HEART than to have only used a faceless copy of some form letter that could easily be informed. I conclude that I will probably not be back to this site because the negativity I have felt on wanting to go out and do something was overwhelming. Boogieman..I was nearly killed by a drunk driver so to me knowing that the man that hurt me physically received no jail time but the dog who loves me could make me do jail time isn't "stupid crap".

Lordy, lordy!!! What next.

[fearlessknight]

Hey screaming Eagle...........

Do you think you post some more factual info for us...My husband needs a reality check! And quick!

Dear Lord....some people!

[screamin'eagle]

Originally Posted by fearlessknight Do you think you post some more factual info for us...

FK, I don't know if you meant more info specific to the TN issue (because for damn sure in TN goes...NC, GA, AR, KY, etc that border us are probably close behind IMO. That being said the information that I would like to relay to a policy maker is that first of all symbolic politics won't help. By that I mean that legislatures usually will not persue endeavors with stron opposition. That's why its important to mobilize there efforts before the ball gets rolling. For example, in the state of TN, this bull was introduced a few weeks prior by a senator Kilby from the Knoxville area (see what I mean by being close to NC?). It was greatly opposed not only by "pitbull" people, but also owners of other working dogs (hunting groups, etc.) that believe that if this fuse it lit their dogs will be next which I also believe. Once the opposition was vioced Sen. Kilby backed off and the rest of the TN legislature left the issue as well, and committed to rewording the legislation. Later Rep. Sontay decided to sponsor the Bill in her own words as a courtesy for the aforementioned senator. She signed it (apparently state legislature politics are beyond me) but verbally committed to the fact that she owned a pitbull mix herself, and would not back the bill with its current wording. To me that was an attempt to backdoor this bullshit, but I take her at her word for now.

In regards to building an effective packet it has been documented that city councils at hearings have actually ignored the sob story bs, but listened to alternatives. Its almost like talking to your boss, atleast this is what all of my bosses have always told us...if you're offering solutions you have my ear, but if its aimless bitching take a hike.

That being said people have to study what has been effective in places where BSL has been repealed. (Miakoda should have great insight as to what has been effective in her fight in Louisiana as well).

I would choose to demonstrate that many major animal organizations including the AKC, the HSUS, the American Veterniary Association, etc. have made public statements against BSL. Here's a good link to many of those...http://www.stopbsl.com/bslposition.htm

Secondly, I would demonstrate that there are real alternatives to BSL that are producing better results in communities. Things such as enforcing leash and dangeruous dog legislation already on the books, regulating bybing, strenghting animal abuse/neglect penalties, etc. yield results. Making more dumb ass laws don't. Here's more in depth list http://www.stopbsl.com/nowwhat.htm

Id also talk about irresponsibility in the media in regards to reporting dog/pitbull attacks. These are all over the net, but again have been consolidated at this link http://www.stopbsl.com/newsarticles.htm

Here is a blog that Drycreek posted a while back giving a report card as to what's happened in Aurora, CO over the past 2 years after enacting BSL
http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogbl...-colorado.html
A couple of thiings to remember here that aren't mentioned...Aurora is a suburb of Denver which has has BSL for over 20 years! After 20 years, and two years specifically there has been more strain than before BSL in actually regardless of how irresponsibly the media reports. There are also some good links at the bottom on this blog.

http://www.bdnhumanesociety.com/calgary_solution.htm
Here is an example of an effective dog bite/attack model compared to Toronto style BSL that many US cities are trying to enact. Again this voices an alternative to a failed scenario.

...this is what I mean by offering solutions as oposed to bitching about problems. Many politicians could give a rats ass about what dog breed constituents own. Opposition (there are some county meetings/hearings on BSL that draw 2 por APBT supporters to voice their opinions). This is unacceptable for people that proclaim to have passion on the matter, and opposition in numbers will prove helpful. It is time that people start mobilizing other bulldogs breeds, hunting groups, constitutional rights watchgroups, etc. because their rights are also near to being violated.

I hope I've made sense, and did provide some information, but seeing as to how I'm about to exceed the max characters allowed in a post I must sign off LMAO...just my 2 cents!

[Galadriel]

If you want to try to compare deaths cause by APBT's as opposed to other sources, I agree that you shouldn't use people as the comparison.
Here are a few suggestions for what I would use, if I were going to do it, though.....
Look up statistics on horse related fatalities and maiming.
Deaths related to infections from cat scratches and bites.
More than 200 people die from bee stings every year in the US.

There are many more, no doubt, but it's been a long day and my brain is fried.
I DO know that the 3 listed above are responsible for more deaths every year than "pit bulls" and none of them are on a list to be banned. Could be a good place to start.

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by screamin'eagle FK, I don't know if you meant more info specific to the TN issue (because for damn sure in TN goes...NC, GA, AR, KY, etc that border us are probably close behind IMO. That being said the information that I would like to relay to a policy maker is that first of all symbolic politics won't help. By that I mean that legislatures usually will not persue endeavors with stron opposition. That's why its important to mobilize there efforts before the ball gets rolling. For example, in the state of TN, this bull was introduced a few weeks prior by a senator Kilby from the Knoxville area (see what I mean by being close to NC?). It was greatly opposed not only by "pitbull" people, but also owners of other working dogs (hunting groups, etc.) that believe that if this fuse it lit their dogs will be next which I also believe. Once the opposition was vioced Sen. Kilby backed off and the rest of the TN legislature left the issue as well, and committed to rewording the legislation. Later Rep. Sontay decided to sponsor the Bill in her own words as a courtesy for the aforementioned senator. She signed it (apparently state legislature politics are beyond me) but verbally committed to the fact that she owned a pitbull mix herself, and would not back the bill with its current wording. To me that was an attempt to backdoor this bullshit, but I take her at her word for now. In regards to building an effective packet it has been documented that city councils at hearings have actually ignored the sob story bs, but listened to alternatives. Its almost like talking to your boss, atleast this is what all of my bosses have always told us...if you're offering solutions you have my ear, but if its aimless bitching take a hike. That being said people have to study what has been effective in places where BSL has been repealed. (Miakoda should have great insight as to what has been effective in her fight in Louisiana as well). I would choose to demonstrate that many major animal organizations including the AKC, the HSUS, the American Veterniary Association, etc. have made public statements against BSL. Here's a good link to many of those...http://www.stopbsl.com/bslposition.htm Secondly, I would demonstrate that there are real alternatives to BSL that are producing better results in communities. Things such as enforcing leash and dangeruous dog legislation already on the books, regulating bybing, strenghting animal abuse/neglect penalties, etc. yield results. Making more dumb ass laws don't. Here's more in depth list http://www.stopbsl.com/nowwhat.htm Id also talk about irresponsibility in the media in regards to reporting dog/pitbull attacks. These are all over the net, but again have been consolidated at this link http://www.stopbsl.com/newsarticles.htm Here is a blog that Drycreek posted a while back giving a report card as to what's happened in Aurora, CO over the past 2 years after enacting BSL http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogbl...-colorado.html A couple of thiings to remember here that aren't mentioned...Aurora is a suburb of Denver which has has BSL for over 20 years! After 20 years, and two years specifically there has been more strain than before BSL in actually regardless of how irresponsibly the media reports. There are also some good links at the bottom on this blog. http://www.bdnhumanesociety.com/calgary_solution.htm Here is an example of an effective dog bite/attack model compared to Toronto style BSL that many US cities are trying to enact. Again this voices an alternative to a failed scenario. ...this is what I mean by offering solutions as oposed to bitching about problems. Many politicians could give a rats ass about what dog breed constituents own. Opposition (there are some county meetings/hearings on BSL that draw 2 por APBT supporters to voice their opinions). This is unacceptable for people that proclaim to have passion on the matter, and opposition in numbers will prove helpful. It is time that people start mobilizing other bulldogs breeds, hunting groups, constitutional rights watchgroups, etc. because their rights are also near to being violated. I hope I've made sense, and did provide some information, but seeing as to how I'm about to exceed the max characters allowed in a post I must sign off LMAO...just my 2 cents!

Thank you SE, between the 2 of us we can educate! LMAO! I appreciate that post LOTS!