Nick Sachs is calling for the termination of John Weaver after enduring a volatile interview.

Read the details:  HERE

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Click Here to sign the petition!

Dear Aberdeen,

I want to thank those that came out to show their support for freedom, liberty, and the right to own dogs in Aberdeen. I saw some familiar faces in the crowd and I saw a lot more that I did not recognize. I observed that there were dog owners in the gallery and not just “pit bull people” which is a clear sign that many people in our city do not support banning breeds. Your silent voice was heard!

When I was notified of the upcoming meeting on Friday, January 21, 2011, my initial reactions was, “What!? Aberdeen does not have a pit bull problem!” I then searched the American News website and was unable to find a single story about any dog attack. Imagine my surprise when over the weekend I received the information packet assembled by Aberdeen Animal Control Officer, John Weaver, which reported 39 animal attacks in 2010. Of those attacks only 20% have been attributed to the group of breeds that are called “pit bulls”. Another disconcerting statistic from Officer Weaver’s dog bite info is that over the past 2 years a staggering 60% of the dog bites were inflicted by dogs at large. Aberdeen has a leash law. When asked what he does if he finds a dog running at large, Officer Weaver replied, “If it is a nice dog I catch it and take it back to the owner and tell them to keep it inside. I understand that sometimes dogs get out.” I searched the Municipal Code of Aberdeen in an attempt to find a section or clause that allowed for selective enforcement and was unable to find such; I was able to find the following:

Sec. 6-1. - Enforcement of animal ordinances.

It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to carry out and enforce all provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 6-2. - Animals running at large.

No person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of any mammal, reptile, insect, bird or amphibians shall allow it to run at large.

I called and found out that the fine for having an animal at large is $92.00 and each subsequent violation is also $92.00.

Each time the Animal Control Officer violates his duty to enforce the laws of our City two things happen.

1. The dog owner receives a clear message that Aberdeen is not serious about enforcing the animal laws.

2. The taxpayers are further burdened because $92.00 in revenue has been wasted at the discretion of someone that promised to enforce all provisions.

What does all of this have to do with the “pit bull problem”? Since pit bull attacks represent only 20% of the total attacks in Aberdeen, it makes sense that we look for a solution that addresses the bulk of the problem. Since 60% of the total bites are inflicted by dogs at large and since Officer weaver admitted in a public forum that he often fails to enforce the City’s leash law, one can clearly see that increased enforcement of something as simple as a leash law could potentially reduce dog bites by as much as 60% in Aberdeen without passing any new laws. Additionally, collecting $92.00 from every leash law violator and not just those that are not “nice dogs” would bring in additional revenue to the City’s already strained budget.

What could be done with the additional revenue? Considering Officer Weaver works 40 hours per week, that leaves us without Animal Control a whopping 76% of the time, or the Aberdeen Police Department has to be taken away from their work to handle animal issues. According to my research, the average salary for a police officer in Aberdeen, SD is $34,293.00 per year. With 260 working days per year, a police officer makes approximately $131.90 per day. One ticket for an animal at large would cover over 70% of the cost. The bottom line is that if our Animal Control Officer was required to execute his duties as prescribed in the Municipal Code of Aberdeen we could see a 60% reduction in dog bites across the board and the City could realize a 70% reduction in the cost to employ John weaver.

We do not have a “pit bull” problem. We do not even have a general dog bite problem. We have an Animal Control problem and until that department can demonstrate that it can enforce the basic leash law in Aberdeen, how can the people accept new laws, new restrictions and new expenses?

It is imperative that those opposed to banning any breed of dog in Aberdeen show their support by signing the online petition. A link to that petition can be found at www.PitPack.com. It is also equally important that we continue to fill the Council Chambers, as a show of solidarity, until this issue has been put to rest. I welcome your comments. You can reach me at Jason@pitpack.com or (605) 848-0642.

Together we can win and build a better Aberdeen for all dogs and all people!

Sincerely,

Jason Collins

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Click Here to sign the petition!

ATTENTION ABERDEEN (AND THE WORLD): Our lovely Animal Control Officer, John “Pit Bulls Have 3,000 Pounds of Bite Force” Weaver is calling for a city wide ban on the breed. There is an open meeting Monday, January 24, 2011 at 4:00 PM on the 3rd Floor of the Muni Bldg. If you love dogs of any breed you need to be there to show opposition for the proposed ban. Like it - Repost it - Fight it!

Contact the following people with your KIND encouragement and FACTS about pit bulls:

Mike J. Levsen - MayorPhone: (605) 626-7025
email: mayor@aberdeen.sd.us

Lynn Lander - City Manager
Ph: (605) 626-7025
Fx: (605) 626-7039

email:  lynn.lander@aberdeen.sd.us

Jim Kraft, NE District Council Member
email: james.kraft@aberdeen.sd.us

Jeff Mitchell, NE District Council Member
email: jeff.mitchell@aberdeen.sd.us

Todd Campbell, NW District Council Member
email: todd.campbell@aberdeen.sd.us

Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, NW District Council
email: jennifer.slaight-hansen@aberdeen.sd.us

Clint Rux, SE District Council Member
email: clint.rux@aberdeen.sd.us

Laure Swanson, SE District Council Member
email:  laure.swanson@aberdeen.sd.us

Tom Agnitsch, SW District Council Member
email: tom.agnitsch@aberdeen.sd.us

David Bunsness, SW District Council Member
email: david.bunsness@aberdeen.sd.us

These people need to receive as many well-written letters as possible so they can get a clear picture of the level of support that the anti-BSL community has.

Please provide your support and write, call and fax. Then repost this announcement to as many places as possible.

Click Here to sign the petition!