Your voice is needed imediately in Watertown

Speak up against the proposed breed-discrimiatory ordinance.

August 28, 2013

As you may be aware, the City of Watertown has been discussing the implementation of a breed-discriminatory ordinance for some time. Although progress has been made in educating alderpersons on why an ordinance targeting a particular breed is bad policy, we haven’t swayed them entirely. At present, the proposed ordinance still contains language mandating that any pit bull terrier dog be deemed a “high risk dog,” which subjects the dog’s guardian to burdensome, costly and exceedingly discriminatory regulations.

Please speak up to protect your companion animals, your property rights and your tax dollars. Tell Watertown alderpersons that breed discrimination is wrong and makes the community more vulnerable to truly dangerous dogs while, at the same time, punishing responsible dog owners and innocent dogs.  Breed-discriminatory ordinances also waste taxpayer dollars and infringe on constitutional property rights.

We urge you to take action by contacting the mayor and the alderpersons immediately. To be persuasive in getting your message across, please be sure to use a polite tone in all communications.  The facts speak best: Breed discrimination makes communities less safe, costs taxpayers greatly, infringes on property rights, and punishes responsible citizens.

Watertown Alderpersons:
Emily McFarland* - [email protected]
Ken Berg* - [email protected]
James Romlein* - [email protected]
John Coughlin* - [email protected]
Fred Smith - [email protected]
Mark Kuehl – 261-0358, 303 S. Eighth St, Watertown, 53094 
Steve Zgonc - [email protected]
Augie Tietz - [email protected]
Robert Stocks - [email protected]
Mayor John David - [email protected]

*Voted AGAINST Breed Specific Legislation- please thank them and ask for their continued support!  

The Watertown City Council will have their final vote on September 3, so it is very important for us to voice our opinions now!

Thank you,
Pam McCloud Smith, WFHS President

Headlines

August 21, 2013
Watertown Council passes first reading of dog restrictions
Watertown Daily Times

• The Watertown City Council will have their final vote on September 3.

February 14, 2013
Dog ordinance changes draw overflow crowd
Watertown Daily Times

• The Watertown Public Safety Committee attracted a crowd of more than 100 people at its Wednesday night meeting.  The committee was discussing proposed changes to the vicious dog ordinance in the city.
  

BSL Resources

Here are articles/websites that offer ideas and talking points for a polite email or public statement addressing why breed-specific legislation doesn’t work.

http://www.wivotersforcompanionanimals.com/breed-specific-legislation.html

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/breed-specific-legislation/fact_sheets/breed-specific-legislation-flaws.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/breed-discrimination-hits-watertown-wisconsin

https://www.facebook.com/wivoters

http://stubbydog.org/resources/