BSL: Its in the name. It's BS.

[CrazyDogLady]

So I live in a small town in Iowa, and I've volunteered at our small animal shelter for nearly 3 years. When I say small, I mean it. We have six dog runs inside, one outside, and a doghouse and a chain to a fence. And we have six cat cages.

Anyway, we just recently got a new chief of police in town and I am disgusted to even say, he has instructed that his men pull over anyone walking a pitbull or bully breed type dog being walked by its owner, demand to see the dangerous dog insurance, and if they cannot produce it the dog will be confiscated until they can provide proof of insurance to the city. If they can't, we must euthanize the dog.

Also, if any bully breed is running loose, to impound it for its 7 days and euthanize it.

Luckily, it seems that his men aren't exactly following his orders, but that could all change.

I'm disgusted by this man and shocked.

While at a puppy adoption event a friend of mine was holding a small 12 week old pitbull mix, and the chief of police was acting all nice to her and asking her questions about how long we keep them before they're pts, etc etc...

Then he turned around to his buddies and said something to the extent of "we'll see if we can't do something about that..."

Luckily said pitbull puppy was adopted shortly after to a very nice woman in Nebraska....

But holy geezus... how could someone be so... horrible?

[jayneliz]

Very often, people are motivated by ignorance. They hear horror stories about a certain breed of dog and develop an aversion to the breed. Occasionally, those people can be educated.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your new chief is simply drunk with power and having a lack of real *crime* to battle, he's picking on dogs.

If your town has a ban on specific breeds, lobby to get the law changed. Campaign for a different chief. Write to your town's newspaper about your experiences.

[jayneliz]

Incidentally, I googled your town and found the City's webpage, complete with the email address of the town's mayor.

[salt lady]

i read the article on the new police chief sounds like power happy. i agree i think you need to contact the newspaper and let the people know what kind of person they are getting. i would also ask the mayor if this is his policy. but of course you do want to walk softly at first. you sure do not need any problems with the new chief of police. wish i could be there to help i really hate when this sorta thing happens. but i know it happens alot.