Text of Plattsburgh's Anti-Dog Resolution

[On July 12, the City Council of Plattsburgh, New York voted unanimously to approve the following resolution. Emphasis has been added to the original text. ]

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to repeal State Law which currently bans the passage of local dangerous dog legislation that is specific as to breed, so the city of Plattsburgh may ban the ownership or sale of dangerous dogs, including pit bulls.

WHEREAS, the city of Plattsburgh has seen an increase of attacks by dogs commonly know as pit bulls in the last few years: and

WHEREAS, these unprovoked attacks by dangerous dogs upon residents and pets of City residents in recent years have resulted in serious physical injury; and

WHEREAS, like Plattsburgh, many communities nationwide have reported increased incidents of attacks by dangerous dogs, especially attacks on children; however, unlike Plattsburgh, these cities, including Denver and Cincinnati, have been able to take decisive legislative action to protect their citizens by enacting bans on pit bulls, the breed determined to be most frequently responsible for attacks; and

WHEREAS, In contrast, Plattsburgh and other cities in New York State, are currently unable to enact such legislation; under Section 107 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, municipalities are prohibited from passing any laws which would regulate dangerous dogs in a manner which is specific as to breed; and

WHEREAS, in most cases of vicious dog attacks, certain specific breeds are consistently implicated, most notably, pit bulls; and

WHEREAS, While there may be exceptions, evidence strongly suggests that these breeds have aggressive and violent tendencies which can easily be provoked and, when they are provoked, such dogs have the potential to inflict serious bodily harm to their victims, including death; and

WHEREAS, in populated environments like Plattsburgh, the potential for owner negligence and disregard for leash laws poses a very high public health and safety hazard, one which can be minimized with the enactment of restrictions on the ownership, possession, or sale of dogs deemed dangerous; and

WHEREAS, in a city like Plattsburgh, where the inappropriate actions of one person can have severe consequences for many, and the potential harm of dangerous dogs to the community warrants effective and meaningful legislative action; and

WHEREAS, in order to properly protect the health and safety of all individuals living, working, and visiting the city of Plattsburgh, our city must have the ability to restrict the ownership, possession and sale of breeds of dogs deemed dangerous; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: that the Council of the City of Plattsburgh calls upon the New York State Legislature to repeal State Law which currently bans the passage of local dangerous dog legislation that is specific as to breed, so that Plattsburgh may ban the ownership or sale of dangerous dogs, within the City.