Representative Ralph Poppell rocks!

This is Representative Ralph Poppell’s response to my letter.

October 25, 2007 

Thank you for your copying me on your recent e-mail, in which you expressed concern with regard to House Bill 101. I am pleased that you took the time to contact me, and I appreciate being able to have the benefit of your views regarding this legislation.

As you know, this proposal was recently referred to the House Committee on Agribusiness, of which I am a member, for review and potential consideration. There is a possibility that, during the Committee process, this legislation could be amended and substantially alter the intent of the language. As such, my staff and I will continue to monitor the proposal for potential changes.

In the interim, however, please know that I feel that it is the owner of the dog that should be responsible for the actions of his or her dog – regardless of the breed. It is not logical to impugn particular breeds of dogs merely because of stereotypes and negative publicity. Simply, pet owners need to be accountable for the behavior of their animals, not the government.

Should this proposal be considered by the Agribusiness Committee, I will be certain to remain mindful of your remarks. Once again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Representative Ralph Poppell

State House District 29

Response to my letter to Governor Crist

Here is the response I received from Governor Crist’s office:

October 18, 2007  
 

     Thank you for writing to Governor Charlie Crist to voice your concerns relating to dangerous dogs and the banning of specific breeds of dogs.  The Governor appreciated receiving your letter and has asked that I respond on his behalf.

     Florida law (Section 767.14) currently prevents local municipalities from crafting a “dangerous dog” ordinance aimed at a specific breed of dog.  As you may be aware, there is a bill that has been filed that seeks to change this law.  Representative Thurston is sponsoring House Bill 101, which calls for the deletion of language which prevents local municipalities from imposing a ban on specific breeds of dangerous dogs.  You may track the progress of this bill through the legislative process by going to the following website: http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Year=2008&billnum=101 

     The Executive Office of the Governor will follow this bill and all other bills as they move through the legislative process.  Generally, Governor Crist does not take a position on a specific bill until it has been adopted by the Legislature and presented for his action, as bills can be amended substantially during the legislative process.  Please be assured, if final legislation is presented to the Governor on this topic, he will consider your input as he decides whether to sign or veto.  

     As a final point, you may wish to share your comments with members of your local legislative delegation to express your opposition to this bill and provide them any information which they might use to make a decision on this issue.

 

     Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with Governor Crist.   

   Sincerely, 
 
 Randy J. Ball, Policy Coordinato

 Executive Office of the Governor 

 Public Safety Unit 

RB/mmm

E-mail the AgriBusiness Committee

I e-mailed each Representative on the AgriBusiness committee today.  I wish others would do the same to defeat this Bill.This is the e-mail list of those Representatives, including the chair:

bryan.nelson@myfloridahouse.gov, debbie.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov, bill.galvano@myfloridahouse.gov, bill.heller@myfloridahouse.gov, martin.kiar@myfloridahouse.gov, carlos.lopez-cantera@myfloridahouse.gov, ralph.poppell@myfloridahouse.gov , juan.zapata@myfloridahouse.gov, denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov

Denise Grimsley IS the chair, and she answered my e-mail this evening as such:
——-
We have just received the bill and I have not had an opportunity to review.  Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Denise Grimsley
State Representative
District 77
205 South Commerce Avenue, Suite B
Sebring, Fl  33870-3604
863.385.5251

Rep Denise Grimley’s response to my letter

We have just received the bill and I have not had an opportunity to review.  Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

 

Denise Grimsley

State Representative

District 77

205 South Commerce Avenue, Suite B

Sebring, Fl  33870-3604

863.385.5251

HB 101 Location

This is where HB 101 is as of today.  This information was lifted from this page: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=37111

This is where HB 101 is as of today.  This information was lifted from this page: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=37111

HB 101 - Dangerous Dogs

GENERAL BILL   by Thurston Dangerous Dogs: Eliminates prohibition of breed-specific local government regulation of dangerous dogs. Effective Date: July 1, 2008. Last Event: Now in Committee on Agribusiness on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:48 AM -  Committee on Agribusiness -  Environment & Natural Resources Council

Event	Time	Member	Committee
Now in Committee on Agribusiness	Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:48 AM		Committee on Agribusiness
Referred to Committee on Agribusiness by Environment & Natural Resources Council	Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:48 AM		Committee on Agribusiness
Now in Environment & Natural Resources Council	Monday, September 17, 2007 2:17 PM		Environment & Natural Resources Council
Referred to Environment & Natural Resources Council	Monday, September 17, 2007 2:17 PM		Environment & Natural Resources Council
Filed	Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:59 AM	Thurston

Statutes Referenced by this Bill

767.14