History

History of adapt4dsm.org by Director:

November 19, 2009

We continue to be very involved with the vicious dog ordinance changes, after hours of research, speaking with those involved in animal control, those who have been involved with developing Model Dangerous Dog Ordinances since 2006 it has become apparent that unless there is a re-writing of the current ordinances nothing will change.  The current ordinances are antiquated and discriminatory against responsible owners by involving certain breeds.  The public has not been included in decisions that impact their lives when it comes to “Responsible” ownership.  The proposed changes do nothing but put a small bandage on a large cut, it’s time for the citizens of Des Moines to work together with the city to change these ordinances, let’s make Des Moines a model city on a NATIONAL level!  We can do this!  It’s time owners are held responsible for their animals!

I have contacted Shallee Keenan, Program Coordinator for the Des Moines Neighborhood Resource Office, she has graciously offered to print an article in the electronic newsletter about our group and our efforts.  This newsletter should go out this Friday.  I strongly urge each and everyone of you to get involved in your neighborhood association and positively promote our organization/efforts. 

This is a copy of the article I have sent to Shallee: (If it does not open, click the icon in the upper right hand corner)

November 12, 2009

My response to Mr. Wetmore:

Mr. Wetmore,
 
Unfortunately I will be returning from AZ on the 23rd and do not arrive in Des Moines until after 10PM.  As you know this topic is very important to me, but my 85 yr. old father is my priority. I am going to try and get an earlier return flight although this is unlikely without a large cost.
 
I would like to know what your final proposals are regarding the vicious dog ordinance after receiving recommendations/suggestions from myself and other public citizens that conferred with you, Kandi, and Scott. 
 
 
I would also like to suggest that when public input is requested that acknowledgement be sent when that input is received, via phone or email. This will greatly improve public perception that the city is interested in public opinion.
 
I look forward to your response.
Cindy Holliday

I am very appreciative that the city managers are notifying us of these meetings.  Please review the proposed changes presented by Sgt. Raudabaugh at the workshop and my suggestions for the changes.  Email us if you have questions!

You are all very important in continuing our fight to own our breed of choice and holding owners responsible.

November 9, 2009

Received this email from Randy Wetmore, Asst. City Manager

Want you to know the recommendations are not on the Council agenda tonight.  Most likely the meeting on the 23rd.
 
Randy Wetmore
Assistant City Manager
City of Des Moines, IA 50309
515-283-4218

October 26, 2009

At this time it is unlikely that any reference to pit bulls will be removed, it was suggested that we can propose this once our programs are in place and showing that they are working.   So people it’s time to get busy!  We will all need to volunteer in some way or another.  I will be pursuing a 501 (c) 3 status, at this time it is costly so it will take me time, I am funding this as I can afford it.  If anyone has a legal contact willing to help us “pro bono” please let me know!  I do believe the city is listening to us.

Recommendations submitted by myself to Randy Wetmore and Kandi Rendl at the City Managers Office:

 

October 19, 2009

Met with members of the vicious dog committee, this consisted of Sgt. Scott Raudabaugh, Supervisor Animal Control Svcs., Randy Wetmore  Asst. City Manager, Kandi Reindl Asst. to the City Manager, and public representation by Dana Fedman, Susan Smith, Wendy Rains, and myself as Director of Adapt4DSM.org.  We were to have discussed the proposed changes to the current ordinances, this was not completed in the time frame we were given.  Mr. Wetmore then asked that we submit via email our recommendations.

October 17 & 18, 2009

Great Iowa Pet Expo held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, what a great w/e for our group!  There is a ton of news, new supporters, etc.  I will try to get this all entered this wk. right now I need to prepare for our proposal to the vicious dog committee which we will present tomorrow.  As a “growing” public citizen group the city must listen to us and involve us with regards to items affecting all of us as responsible dog owners.  I will keep everyone updated on our progress and what our next step will be!  You are ALL very much appreciated, we will prove ourselves to the city and protect our rights as responsible dog owners!!  I am proud of you!! 

A big thank you to Brandon & Camille Roth for allowing us to share their booth at the Expo, their pit bull Cash wowed everyone!  Stephanie thank you so much for donating your awesome artwork, it drew people into the booth, the winner is very excited.

Dana, your expertise is priceless (!), thank you so much for all you do and give, I can’t wait until we face the committee tomorrow!

 

October 14, 2009

Very positive and productive day.  Received a call from Randy Wetmore, Asst. City Manager for the city of Des Moines.  I was invited to participate on the committee for the revision of the current vicious/dangerous dog ordinance.  We have succeeded in getting the city to realize the importance of public input! 

I also spoke with a board member for the City of Des Moines Neighborhood Associations, I explained our plan to him and he was very impressed and felt positive that the neighborhood associations would want to become involved in our plan.

This w/e is the Greater Iowa Pet Expo, I cannot think of a bigger opportunity to recruit public citizens to become involved in our cause!  I encourage EVERYONE to spread the word about this group, get involved and stay involved.

Thank you to Scooper_Troopers for sharing their booth with us!

October 12, 2009

I will contact Mr. Wetmore on Friday 10/16/09 if we have not heard anything regarding the ordinance revision meeting.  It is vital that we are present at these meetings to present facts vs. inaccurate data regarding bite statistics.  One of our offers was to develop an accurate data base for dog bite data, recommended by the AMVA task force.  Currently there is no electronic data base that accurately records dog bite/vicious dog/dangerous dog data. 

October 6, 2009

Logo design completed, it is awesome, on the home page.  Ideas presented, artistic work done by Stephanie Fitzsimmons, owner wooffactory.com, check out her artwork!  We are lucky to have her on board!

October 6, 2009

Neither I or Dana Fedman have been contacted regarding any meeting on the vicious dog ordinance, I then sent this email to the city leaders:

Dear Mr. Wetmore,

Per the city council workshop held on September 28, 2009, we were advised that the public’s input would be sought for proposed changes to the current vicious dog ordinance. While some changes proposed are needed, there are others that effectively discourage dog owners from compliance with the licensing requirements.  

In addition, we believe the ordinance in its current form – with the exception of A/C’s handling at-large dogs – does not begin to proactively identify dangerous behavior before an incident. Rather than intervening at that point, the ordinance does not kick in until after an incident, then piles on with costs to the City for impoundment procedures, and then educates, requires licensing, insurance, safe containment, and additional fines. In our view, this is too little too late.

Our group encourages responsible dog ownership and compliance with city regulations. We advocate for licensing and safe containment.

We have listened and now have the public’s ear. We are intimately aware of their concerns regarding public safety.

As stated at the workshop, our goal is to make Des Moines a nationally recognized model city for responsible dog ownership and public safety. Without public support and buy-in, this cannot be accomplished.

 I am requesting that Dana Fedman and myself, as representatives of ADPT4DSM.ORG, be actively involved in any revisions to the current ordinance. Dana Fedman will be out of state from 10-21 through 10/26, I will be traveling 11-4 through 11-10.  We wish to attend meetings with city staff and be available for discussions with staff whenever needed regarding proposed changes to the ordinance. The current suggested revisions presented by Sgt. Raudabaugh at the workshop were drafted without public involvement.

Please place us on the schedule. Please allow us the chance to make a difference for Des Moines.

Respectfully,

Cindy HollidayDirector,

ADAPT4DSM.ORG

October 5, 2009 Leader Meeting

Meeting Agenda & Objectives

• Action Item Review & Status Update
• Gathering Support Update:
  • Local Media Outlets/Reporters
    • Latest incident reported by KCCI
  • Des Moines City Council Workshop Recap
  • Drafting Proposed Ordinance
  • Membership/Volunteers Position Statement
  • E-mail Administration/Maintenance
    • Responses
    • Security (key)
  • Website www.adapt4dsm.org (CTRL+click)
    • Copyright by reporting organization (KCCI, DSM Register) – links?
    • Member authorization
    • Supporter Links:  logo, e-mail authorization, and reciprocal link on their website?
    • Volunteer of the month
    • Tip of the week
    • Blog “how to”
  • Pet Expo Volunteers
    • Flyer
    • Volunteer sign-up
    • Membership sign-up
    • Posters
  • Neighborhood Associations – Next Steps
    • Contacting
    • Developing education/presentation of plan
• 501(c)3 Process  http://www.sos.state.ia.us/business/Nonprofits/MinCodeReq.html (CTRL+click)

Miscellaneous 

October 2, 2009

Spoke with councilwoman Christine Hensley, I felt this was a very positive conversation.  We addressed public safety as well as the fact that the citizens of Des Moines are serious about developing Des Moines into a nationally recognized model city for responsible ownership and public safety in regards to dog ownership.  She expressed her gratitude in the public interest and assured me we would be involved in the ordinance revision.

September 29, 2009

Letter written to city manager, mayor, and city council members asking that they check out validity of facts presented at the workshop.  Advised that adapt4dsm.org would do back ground checks on any person who would be educating children in the school system.

September 28, 2009

City Council Workshop Flow Chart presented to City Council members, Mayor, and City Manager.  Also attached to this chart were the estimated costs to the city of DSM if they implemented a breed ban.  This cost analysis was created by John Dunham and Associates, New York, an economic consulting firm hired by Best Friends.  Click on picture to see larger view.

Proposed changes to the current ordinance as presented by Sgt. Raudabaugh, Supervisor Animal Contorl Services, he is a city employee.

9-28-09 Council Workshop Ordinance Revision presented by Sgt. Raudabaugh
Vicious Dog Ordinance
1. Options

• Considered a total ban of Pit Bull breed dogs
• Considered ways to revise the ordinance and increase public safety.

2. Pit Bull Ban

• Difficult for animal control to enforce
• Personnel would be diverted from enforcing the other laws and would be spending time trying to find the Pit Bull breed dogs
• Chances of success are not high
• Ban one type of dog and another vicious type of dog may take its place
• Not fair to those who are responsible owners

3. Ordinance Revision

• Addresses the issue in a direct manner
• Attempts to reduce number of bites
• Applies not only to pit bulls but all vicious
• dogs by breed or behavior

4. Definition of a Vicious Dog In City

Ordinance

• Attacks a human or domestic animal one or more times
• Tendency or disposition to attack
• Snaps, bites or disposition to snap or bite
• Staffordshire terrier breed, American pit bull, American Staffordshire. Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being one of the above breeds

5. Vicious Dogs

• 465 is the number of Pit Bull dogs that the Clerk’s office was aware of July 1, 2009 239 of those 465 are licensed by the City
• Of the 380 vicious dogs impounded in 2008, 371 were pit bulls
• In 2007 326 vicious dogs were impounded, 320 were pit bulls

6. Dog Bites

Dog bites for 2006. Last year numbers kept.  Top 5 breeds Bites Licensed %

• Labrador Retriever 56 2,244 2.5%
• Pit Bulls 43 151 28.5%
• German Shepherd 41 724 5.6%
• Boxer 22 336 6.5%
• Rottweiler 20 348 5.7%

7. Present Confinement Regulations

• Securely enclosed pen with key or combination lock
• Secure house
• Pen must have a six foot fence, secure top, sides embedded in the ground not less than two feet, or attached to a floor
• Cannot leave pen unless on a leash not longer than six feet and in control by someone 18 or older

8. Recommendations

• Inspect the confinement arrangement either by on-site inspection or with photographs after impoundment. Cost to owner.
• Require a basket muzzle on a vicious dog when off of owners property.
• If owner is a repeat offender with a vicious dog found running at large three or more times the owner cannot own any vicious dog for five years.

9. Recommendations Cont.

• Increase liability insurance from $100,000 to $300,000. Owner to provide proof of 12 months of insurance. Require insurance company to notify if cancelled for any reason.
• Require mandatory training of owner by the city’s animal control contractor, cost covered by owner when not properly confined/leashed.
• Increase vicious dog license from $15 for spayed/neutered and $35 for not spayed to $55.
• Require all vicious dogs to be microchipped before licensing, with cost covered by owner.

10. Recommendations Cont.

• The owner of a dog declared vicious because of behavior, but not under impoundment, would be required to attend a vicious dog ownership class, but if the owner does not complete the class the dog would be impounded and held for seven days and then destroyed in a humane manner.

11. Recommendations Cont.

• A dog already in impound would remain in impound until the owner completes the class and is issued a city pet license. If the owner does not make application to attend the class or complete the class the dog would be destroyed in a humane manner at the end of the period of impound.

12. Recommendations Cont.

• Collect animal shelter fees even if the owner does not reclaim their impounded vicious dog.
• Require a vicious dog owner to notify the City Clerk’s Office of a change of insurance company or coverage and/or sale of dog and to provide proof of the name and address of new owner.
• These steps must be done within one business day of the occurrence.

13. Recommendations Cont.

• Require anyone owning an animal that bites a person and/or a domestic animal to provide their name, address and telephone number to the person that was bit and/or the owner of the domestic animal.
• Require the owner of an animal that bit to produce their animal to the chief humane officer or animal control for quarantine. (Home or shelter for quarantine)

14. Cont’d

• Require a vicious dog owner to provide their insurance company name, policy number and a telephone contact number of their insurance company to the person bit or the owner of a domestic animal that was bit.
• Add to the dangerous animal definition, a vicious dog that is not properly confined or leashed and is
• involved in an unprovoked bite and causes death or serious injury requiring professional medical care to a person or domestic animal.

These are the current suggestions open for discussion for revising the current ordinance.

The council recommended that the ordinance be revised vs. implementing a breed specific ban, it was also noted that public input would be included in the revisions of these recommendations!  This is a very positive sign that our efforts are working, the city is very interested in public involvement.  After this meeting I spoke with one of the assistant city managers and his words, “we can only succeed with the publics input and willingness to work together”!  While Sgt. Raudabaugh has been unwilling to meet with us he does not support a ban, I feel that in time he will see our validity and be willing to work with this group.  We do not agree with all of these recommendations, we will be involved in this process and the writing of the new ordinance.  By doing this the public image of animal control can only improve, by being involved we can make this happen!  It’s time to leave the past behind and work for the future, we can do this!

We have been invited to give input on the ordinance changes as we don’t agree with everything, one of the goals I presented to the council was to eventually remove any breed specifications.  Before this can happen we will have to “prove our worth” which I am confident we can and will!!  Please review and provide input via the blog or email stopdsmbsl@gmail.com

September 26, 2009

Scheduled to have pictures taken of Bo and I for the DSM Register story!

These are done!!

September 25, 2009

Met with Dana Fedman and Jason Pulliam a reporter from the Des Moines Register.  I was very impressed by Jason as he stated when he covers a subject he prefers to get to both sides of the issue.  He listened to our story and how we want to become involved in making Des Moines a model city for dog ownership, what our plans are to accomplish this, and why the current ordinances need to be changed.  We gave him FACTS and also expressed our dismay at the media hype regarding specific breeds of dogs.  I also expressed my disappointment in the fact that a public servant would refuse to talk/meet/work with a citizen, also the disappointment in the lack of communication between the public and city officials.  City officials have to work with the public to succeed!   We talked at length for approximately 90 minutes.  He met my pit bull Bo who came through and showed what an awesome dog he is.  Tomorrow a photographer is coming to take pictures of Bo and I, the story should be in Monday’s edition of the Register.  This was a very positive experience for all of us who are promoting responsible dog ownership!

September 24, 2009

Confirmed the 9/28 at 07:30 AM workshop would discuss the vicious dog ordinance.  Our focus will be the inability of the city of Des Moines being able to afford and enforce a ban, allowing our public citizen group to present our plan.

Dana Fedman and I will be meeting with a reporter from the Des Moines Register on 9/25/09, hoping that our program will be printed in the paper.  Will update tomorrow evening of how this went.

I cannot express in words my gratitude to Stephanie, Dana, Brandon, Camille, and Kim, the leadership group, without their dedication to this cause what has been accomplished would not have been possible.  All the members who have volunteered their time are so very important to this cause.  Each and everyone of you is GREATLY appreciated!

September 23, 2009

Rumors started flying that the council was going to discuss the ban on 9/28, after research we were told the ban was going to be discussed at the morning workshop and was not on the agenda for the 9/28 meeting at 4:30 P.M.  Calling the city clerks office and getting consistent information is very frustrating!

September 21, 2009 Leadership Meeting

Meeting Agenda & Objectives

• Action Item Review & Status Update
• New Admin Team Member:  Stephanie – Website Management
• City Council Meeting – Monitoring 9/28/2009
• Partnering with Des Moines Animal Control Officer Status
• Gathering Support:
  • Local Media Outlets/Reporters
  • Neighborhood Associations
    • Contacting
    • Developing education/presentation of plan
  • Next ARL Public Forum – Agenda, Speeches, Forms, etc.
  • Website http://www.adapt4dsm.org/
    • History – leadership notes
    • Education
    • Forms
    • Volunteer
• Miscellaneous
• Schedule Next Meeting

September 18, 2009

Received a call from Captain Steve Waymire, Sgt. Raudabaugh’s supervisor at the Des Moines Police Department he gave me information on how to complain if there is a problem with animal control and also gave me his number 515-283-4881.  I understand his loyalty to another police officer but made it very clear that a public servant is required to meet and work with citizens who pay their salaries.  He did apologize “if “ Sgt. Raudabaugh made the statement of refusing  to meet and made the statement that people lie all the time.  (Not only did Sgt. Raudabaugh make these statements he repeated them several times throughout our conversation) I advised him about our group and what we hoped to accomplish making it very clear that bans do not work and this city does NOT have the money to enforce a ban.  I still don’t understand public servants who are not willing to work with the public!  He offered to set up a meeting when and if I felt that was necessary.  I appreciated the fact he called and discussed this issue with me.

September 11, 2009

After conferring with several personal contacts, highly experienced at both the state and federal levels of government I decided to file a letter regarding Sgt. Raudabaughs refusal to meet with me.  This is a copy of this letter:

September 6, 2009

I was to have met with the vicious dog committee on 9/1 but this mtg. was delayed as one of the members was sick.  It is rescheduled for after the 10th, I will keep you posted on this.  My purpose is to get the city to delay the city council hearing on banning pit bulls, give our group time to organize and professionally submit a plan which will be a win-win situation for both the city and all dog owners.  My end goal is to make DSM a model city for all dog owners, this can be done if we work as a group and continue to recruit any dog owner or people opposed to breed specific laws.  The key to success is education and all of us working towards the same goal, responsible dog ownership and public safety!

I have spoken with Sgt. Scott Raudabaugh Supervisor of Animal Control and he was unwilling to meet with me, or listen to our plan, as a public servant whose salary is paid by the taxpayers I found this disrespectful to me as a citizen.  I will address this in a professional way with his superiors, in the meantime if you have any complaints with a person who is a public servant please address them with that persons superiors, stay respectful and professional. (See the city council page for contact information).   As a citizen you have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, the city employee also has this right, be honest, straight forward and keep your cool!  If we don’t present ourselves in a positive way we will lose.

The city council hearing is tentatively scheduled for 9/28.  It is vital that you attend and bring as many friends as you can, we will be discussing our plan and how to speak at the council.  Even if you don’t speak numbers count remember they are elected officials and we have to let them know we cannot support someone who is for breed specific laws.

A website has been purchased and will be built.  There will be a blog for people to communicate, it will be moderated, we will keep this professional and respectful, as mad as we get we cannot show this anger.  Eventually I want to invite the city council members to the website so they can see what we are accomplishing.

September 3, 2009

I called Sgt. Scott Raudabaugh, Supervisor Animal Control Services, while he was not rude in his speaking he flat out refused to meet with me or share any information whatsoever regarding the pit bull ban.  This is highly inappropriate for a public servant (a Des Moines Police officer) to refuse to meet and/or work with a public citizen or citizens group.

August 31, 2009

Advised that city council would address pit bull ban on 9/28/09.

August 30, 2009

Public meeting at the ARL-this presentation is on this website for those who could not attend.  From this group we obtained several citizens/business owners who volunteered to become actively involved in this campaign.

August 28, 2009  

Advised that meeting 9/1/09 was cancelled due to a member of the committee being unavailable.

August 25, 2009

Meeting with vicious dog team at the ARL to give them an update on what our group is doing and our accomplishments.

August 23, 2009

Leadership meeting

Meeting Agenda & Objectives

• Action Item Review & Status Update
• Development of Yahoo email address-password to all leaders
• General letter with information
• General format for answering emails
• How to notify others, add contacts to address book
  after questionnaire is rec’d
• Get public information group up
• Step up for 8/30 @ 3PM  Plan: Mtg. at ARL Public
  • Sign in sheets
  • Agenda-Plan
  • Can we use ARLs copy machines?-not used
  • Get ARL to post on their website-no
• Mtg. 9/1 Cindy received an invite to meet with city members on the vicious dog committee to present our objectives
  • Present our plan to city members-goal is to give us 90 days to develop our proposal to the city to hold owners responsible
  • Recruit public to help post our flyers

What do we want professionals to do?  Get letters if they cannot attend city council mtg.

Meeting Agenda & Objectives

• Action Item Review & Status Update
• Development of Yahoo email address-password to all leaders
• General letter with information
• General format for answering emails
• How to notify others, add contacts to address book
  after questionnaire is rec’d
• Get public information group up
• Step up for 8/30 @ 3PM Plan: Mtg. at ARL Public
  • Sign in sheets
  • Agenda-Plan
  • Can we use ARLs copy machines?
  • Get ARL to post on their website-held
• Recruit public to help post our flyers

Since the ARL is not officially part of our organization we cannot expect them to incur costs associated with this proposal.  We are able to use their facilities for public education.

August 21, 2009

Received call that city council agenda did not include the pit bull ban discussion.  We continue to get increase in numbers of citizens who are willing to become involved.  Decision was made to develop and educational inservice for the public.

August 19, 2009

Second leadership meeting

Meeting Agenda & Objectives

• Introduce Tom Colvin with the ARL
  • ARL position
• City Council Meeting
• Emergency Step-up Plan
• Databases:
  • Database format:  Excel vs. Access?
  • ARL – statistical dog bites (Work effort:  ARL or volunteers?)
  • Veterinary contacts
  • Community supporters
• ARL public meetings
• Calgary model

August 15, 2009

First leadership meeting held to establish our focus and present ideas:

Meeting Agenda & Objectives

• Determine focus
• Dialog to vet calls
• Costs to pit bull owners
• Volunteer list for educating public-cost to city
• Networking-Scooper Troops-develop signed letter
• Develop letter/petition for group to assemble bring to mtg.
• Ideas for enforcement-low cost
• Agenda for training-ARL times, purpose
• Mission statements regarding BSL from national organizations
• Request to speak-city council
• Badges for those opposed to BSL

August 10, 2009

I posted the following ad on Craigs List:

If anyone is willing to help support a Dangerous Dog law vs. breed specific bans in the Des Moines area please contact me at backiniowa@gmail.com There will be a city council mtg. at city hall, 8/24@07:30 The public can speak. We have to be professional and respectful, I have a ton of data and am willing to type up everyone’s speech. It’s important to hit the council with facts and not “my dog is great” stories. If you are a responsible owner please speak up! 

I received more than 30 emails within 5 days, from these emails I had 4 individuals who volunteered large amounts of time to get this off the ground.  In the meantime I was gathering “FACTS” to present to the council and present to the public.

July 15, 2009

I met with Tom Colvin at the ARL, he explained that there had been an incident in Des Moines which involved a “loose” pit bull that attacked an Irish Wolfhound while being walked by it’s owner, Mrs. Wendy Rains.  He explained the current ordinances and the role of both the city humane officer and the ARL’s contract with the city.  I advised Tom that I will fight this as BSL as long as I could do this my way, what is being done to fight BSL in other cities is not always successful, I am driven to succeed.  I strongly feel this can only be done if the public becomes involved.  The city of Des Moines cannot afford a ban, nor do they have the staffing to enforce a ban.  With involvement from the public we can succeed in making Des Moines a model city for responsible dog ownership.

July 10, 2009

Contacted by a close friend who knows my dog Bo and I, she asked if I had heard about the proposed pit bull ban in Des Moines, I told her no when did this come about?  My friend is a volunteer at the ARL and asked if I would meet with Tom Colvin to discuss this with him, I agreed.