From the Meade County Press:

“Sturgis resident Russell Keeton addressed the Sturgis City Council recently, urging members to approve an ordinance that would help to protect citizens from pit bulls.

Keeton was prompted by a July 25, Murray Addition attack that left a cat dead, and a dog and Keeton injured. Keeton told the council that two pit bulls came into his yard that morning, and began what he described as ’25 minutes of absolute chaos’ and sheer terror, as the animals tore apart his dog. During the attack, Keeton was also bitten, although he has said that he is not sure which dog it was that actually bit him. Keeton told council members, ‘As citizens, we have a right to not be endangered by these animals.’

He compared the breed of dogs to Africanized bees. ‘When they start their frenzy, they dont give up like a regular dog,’ Keeton said. He said it took not only him, but also his wife, daughter, grandson and three neighbors to stop the attack.

… Keeton feels the city should require pit bull owners to register the animals, keep liability insurance on them, and keep the animals restrained at all times. He said that although many owners are responsible, there is still a need for regulation. In fact, according to Keeton, many towns in the Black Hills, as well as every major city in the area, already have ordinances that apply to pit bulls.

When someone wielding a steel post is the only thing that can halt an attack, it proves the danger of the dogs, Keeton told the council. In fact, it makes them more dangerous than a mountain lion on the loose in the city. ‘Those two dogs in particular were more dangerous than a mountain lion; a lion would have been frightened off more easily,’ he said.”

Read this article in its entirety here.

Clearly the problem in Sturgis is a free-roaming dog problem which could be solved with a simple leash law and adequate Animal Control enforcement.   Please write the Sturgis Mayor and City Council at the following addresses and politely inform them that breed-specific legislation is unenforceable and ineffective:

MAYOR:

Maury LaRue (2009)
1951 Junction
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.347.4422 (w)
605.490.1974 (cell)
sturgismayor@rushmore.com

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

WARD 1

Mark Chaplin (2008)
729 Lazelle St
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.720.3792 (h)
605.347.1771 (cell)
mlchaplin@rushmore.com

Tom Ferguson (2007)
2024 Cleveland
Sturgis SD 57785
605.720.0239(h)
605.490.9642 (cell)
candtferguson@rushmore.com

WARD 2

Sherry Scudder (2008)
1220 Cedar St #101
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.720.2768 (h)
605.347.7718 (cell)
Sherry@mchasd.org

David Hersrud (2009)
1422 Spruce St
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.347.5061 (h)
dhersrud@rushmore.com

WARD 3

Roger Call (2008)
2361 Camaro Circle
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.720.3763 (h)
605.490.3194 (cell)
rcall@rushmore.com

Jamie McVay (2009)
2591 Camero Dr.
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.720.5780 (h)
605.490.2249 (cell)
jrmcvay@hotmail.com

WARD 4

Steve Anders (2008)
1222 Cedar Dr
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.720.6390 (h)
605.490.1477 (cell)
Anders316@yahoo.com

Bernadette Usera (2009)
2405 Glenn Dr.
Sturgis, SD 57785
605.347.9424 (h)
busera@rushmore.com

CITY ATTORNEY

Candi Thomson
Morman Law Office
850 Main St
Sturgis SD 57785
605.347.3624 (w)
candi@mormanlaw.com