December 21st, 2007 by Editor
If there is one lemonade-out-of-lemons-type thing about living in Illinois it’s that I have learned everything I need to know about what the face of corruption looks like. When corruption happens as often and as casually as it does in Illinois, one learns to spot it almost anytime, anywhere. That’s why when Kevin Fox, a resident of Will County, Illinois, was arrested in 2004 for the alleged murder/sexual assault of his 3-year-old daughter Riley, my interest was immediately piqued. After following the case for some time, it seemed something just wasn’t right about it. As it turned out, and as a court in Will County would prove, the “evidence” against Fox had been fabricated.
But this blog is about dogs, right? So what does Riley Fox’s murder and Kevin Fox’s frame-up have to do with dogs you might be wondering? Only that 4th amendment privacy rights, like those which were negated in the Kevin Fox case, are eroded or outright negated in the case of anti-tether legislation. This in turn erodes or negates 4th amendment privacy rights in all cases; cases like that of Kevin Fox. Read the rest of this entry »
December 13th, 2007 by Editor
From the Post Independent:
“A potential pit bull ban in the town of Parachute has a number of people up in arms and planning to attend the second reading of the proposed ordinance at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The ban, which would prohibit anyone within town limits from possessing a pit bull, was proposed by town board member Linda Waite.
‘Existing pit bulls could remain in town,’ said Mayor Roy McClung. ‘But there would be criteria in that they would have to be licensed and registered and sterilized (neutered or spayed). There would be no new pit bulls allowed, and breeding would be prohibited’.”
Read this article in its entirety here. Read the rest of this entry »
December 6th, 2007 by Editor
How many lawyers from the Illinois Municipal League does it take to screw in a light bulb? The answer? Well, the answer doesn’t really matter, because it would seem that the Illinois Municipal League prefers to be in the dark. Read the column “Legal Q & A Animal Control: Breed Specific Regulations” published by the Illinois Municipal League and my response which follows and you’ll see what I mean: Read the rest of this entry »
December 5th, 2007 by Editor
From Northwest Arkansas News:
“Little Rock officials hope to regulate pit bulls and classify them as a dangerous breed…
…Under the proposed ordinance, Little Rock residents still will be allowed to have pit bulls, and new residents can move with their dogs into the city after the ordinance passes. But they will have to register them with Animal Services, pose for a photograph with the dog, sterilize the animal and pay an additional fee to have a dangerous breed permit. Read the rest of this entry »
December 5th, 2007 by Editor
From Brownsville’s city site:
“Aldermen took the first step –passing on first reading – two tough new ordinances at the November 11 city board meeting.
Under scrutiny are any breed of so-called vicious dogs – especially pit bulldogs, and they are about to be illegal in Brownsville. City leaders have also taken steps to restrict the number of pets residents of Brownsville may own. Read the rest of this entry »
December 5th, 2007 by Editor
From PoliceOne.com:
“The presence of a pit bull in a house does not provide probable cause for issuance of a “no knock” search warrant, the Massachusetts Court of Appeals has ruled.
The police received information from an informant that the defendant had stolen property in his home and dispensed narcotics there. They also learned that he had two dogs, including one pit bull. Based on that information, they sought and obtained a no-knock search warrant on the grounds that the pit bull could alert occupants to the presence of officers, heighten danger to them and prompt the destruction of narcotics and evidence.
When the police executed the warrant, they found stolen property along with cocaine, heroin and packaging materials associated with distribution of illegal drugs.
The defendant was charged with the receipt of stolen property and various drug offenses. He moved to suppress the evidence against him, arguing that the affidavit failed to justify a no-knock warrant.
The court agreed.”
Read this article in its entirety here.
December 5th, 2007 by Editor
From the Spokesman Review:
“Spokane’s “dangerous dog” ordinance is unconstitutional because it denies pet owners the right of due process, a Superior Court judge ruled Friday in a case that may have far-reaching effects.
As a matter of law, the administrative procedures used in the city of Spokane regarding “dangerous dog” determinations and appeals from those rulings violate citizens’ due process rights, Judge Robert Austin said in his ruling.”
Read this article in its entirety here.
Read the decision here.
December 4th, 2007 by Editor
From WATE 6 in Knoxville:
“The mayor of Rockwood is trying to get pit bulls banned within city limits.
Mayor Mike Miller is drafting an ordinance to ban the breed.
…The mayor describes the ordinance as a pre-emptive measure rather than waiting until after something like a mauling happens.
…The ordinance will go before the Rockwood City Council at its meeting on January 21 at 7:00 p.m.” Read the rest of this entry »
