File #: Res 0043-2004    Version: * Name: Ban the passage of dangerous dog local legislation that is specific as to breed, so that NYC may ban ownership or possession of pit bulls in the City.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 2/4/2004
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to repeal State law which currently bans the passage of dangerous dog local legislation that is specific as to breed, so that New York City may ban ownership or possession of pit bulls in the City.
Sponsors: Michael E. McMahon, Yvette D. Clarke, Lewis A. Fidler
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2005*Michael E. McMahon City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/4/2004*Michael E. McMahon City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/4/2004*Michael E. McMahon City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 43

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to repeal State law which currently bans the passage of dangerous dog local legislation that is specific as to breed, so that New York City may ban ownership or possession of pit bulls in the City.

 

By Council Members McMahon, Clarke and Fidler

 

Whereas, Attacks by dangerous dogs can lead to either serious physical injury or death; and

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as 800,000 people nationwide, more than half of them children, require medical attention for dog bites each year, and about a dozen people die each year from dog bite injuries; and

Whereas, Attacks by dogs on people have often involved dogs of the pit bull breed, and on December 2, 2003, the New York Daily News reported that a four-year old girl was bitten on the ankle by a pit bull; and

Whereas, Dog bites and attacks can be largely preventable through appropriate public health laws which place restrictions on the ownership, possession or handling of dogs deemed to be dangerous; and

Whereas, Certain cities, such as Denver, have banned ownership of pit bulls; and

Whereas, Currently, Section 107 of the New York State Agricultural and Markets Law prevents municipalities, including New York City, from passing any laws which regulate dangerous “dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed”; and

Whereas, In order to properly protect all individuals living and working in New York City, the City must have the ability prohibit the ownership or possession of breeds of dogs deemed dangerous; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to repeal State law which currently bans the passage of dangerous dog local legislation that is specific as to breed, so that New York City may ban ownership or possession of pit bulls in the City.

 

 

DP

LS# 3576

12/9/03