Joplin, Missouri - Dangerous-dog laws topic of council session - City Council members on Monday will look at health-board recommendations that would change Joplin's animal ordinances to try to reduce the risks of dog bites. The Joplin Health Department's advisory board was asked several months ago by the council to study ordinances that would make the city safer and to report back to the council, said Dan Pekarek, health director. The health board's efforts included examining breed-specific legislation that bans breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers. Pekarek said he will tell the council that the health board does not recommend banning particular breeds, though some cities have done so. Please click Joplin City Council for contact information.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - Dog Advocate Challenges KCK Pit Bull Ban - A metro dog advocate said the pit bull ban in Kansas City, Kansas is reducing the public's safety. On Monday night, concerned dog owners met with the Public Works and Safety Committee. The mission of Kansas City, Kansas Animal Control is to protect human life and health from animals. The city has outlawed pit bulls for more than 15 years and a group of dog advocates said it needs to be repealed.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - Dangerous dog Q&A - Questions & answers about Omaha's newly approved Dangerous Dog Ordinance.

FORT RILEY, KANSAS - Pit bulls banned from Fort Riley - The Fort Riley policy about pit bull dogs now bans the breed on the military post, as of Oct. 1. Civilians no longer will be allowed to bring a pit bull or a cross of the breed on post to Rex's Bark Park or to any events on post. The policy change affects soldiers, family members and civilians who own a pit bull, American Staffordshire terrier or a cross of the breed.

Sarpy County, Nebraska - Sarpy County to discuss possible dangerous dog ordinance - When Omaha passed its "dangerous dog" ordinance, Sarpy County officials and representatives from the county's five cities were paying close attention. Next week they'll sit down with Mark Langan of the Nebraska Humane Society to discuss the possibility of adopting similar rules.

Omaha, Nebraska - Omaha City Council passes restrictions on dangerous dogs - The Omaha City Council passed a series of restrictions on pit bulls and other dogs that are deemed to be potentially dangerous. The new restrictions include having the potentially dangerous dogs spayed or neutered, having microchips to identify the dogs and requiring that they be muzzled and leashed when not on their owners' property. The dogs would need to attend behavioral classes, and owners would have to take responsible ownership classes. The ordinances also mandate that "reckless" owners be banned from having animals for four years if they violate the city's rules on three occasions within two years. Muzzling requirements for pit bulls do not take effect until Jan. 1, 2009, to give owners time to prepare. The rest of the new restrictions will go into effect in 15 days.

Springfield, MO - Councilman Opposes Pit Bull Law - Springfield's pit bull law faces new opposition from within city government. Councilman Doug Burlison says he's been against the pit bull ordinance since before he ran for city council last year. He says the law is wrong because it singles out one specific breed, pit bulls.

Pit bull owner Betty Browning says her five pound Chihuahua is the dog with the bite, not her pit bulls. She says people have a misconception about the dogs.

Burlison says he is working on getting more council members on his side before bringing forward a formal proposal to repeal the ordinance.

Missouri - HB 1777 Neglect is Abuse, Too - HB 1777 will make it easier to prosecute animal abusers. Current law demands that "substantial harm" must be done to an animal before a perpetrator can be found guilty of animal neglect. This requirement makes it very difficult to prosecute starvation cases. However, HB 1777 provides that a custodian and/or owner of an animal is guilty of animal neglect if he or she negligently fails to provide adequate care or adequate control. Click HERE for more information.

In March of this year, Jess answered a plea on MPR's homepage for foster homes and contacted MPR to offer her help.  Soon thereafter, she and her husband Andrew, began fostering Mr. Biggs.  After only about a month or two of fostering Mr. Biggs, she was completely in love and realized that she could not part with him.  That's when Andrew and she decided to adopt him.  Jess says, "Adopting Mr. Biggs was one of the best decisions of our lives!  He is the most loving, gentle, goofy guy and we just adore him.  He makes us smile several times every day."

Jessica and Andrew live in Springfield with their 3 dogs (2 pit mixes (Biggie and Foxy) and a Weimaraner named Lucia). Jess is an attorney by profession.

Jessica states, "I first became interested in Pit Bulls after my husband and I adopted a stray puppy a few years ago. We were surprised when our veterinarian told us that our puppy was a Pit Bull mix, because she did not fit the mold of the man-eating Pit Bull portrayed by the media. We quickly learned that the media's negative portrayal of the Pit Bull was far from accurate.

After living with our Pit Bull mix for a couple of years and educating ourselves on the breed, I became interested in Pit Bull rescue because Pit Bulls are misunderstood and mistreated. I am committed to educating friends, family, (and anyone else who will listen) about Pit Bulls, and the fact that they make great family pets. Nothing is more rewarding to me than helping the most vulnerable and mistreated of all dogs--Pit Bulls.

Jessica's caring, hard work and commitment are such an asset to MPR and we are so very fortunate and thankful to have her on board.

~ MPR Volunteers