Совет Миннеаполиса рассмотрит отмену запрета на владение опасными породами собак для лиц с судимостью

Minneapolis is set to end ban on felons from owning potentially dangerous large dogs after unveiling shamefully woke new term for criminals - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Minneapolis may drop a rule requiring convicted felons to obtain a special permit to own a potentially 'dangerous' pet. Since 2008, city ordinance has required people convicted of drug, murder, assault, or burglary offenses to obtain a $250 permit to own an animal weighing more than 20 pounds or considered a potential danger to the public. People convicted of these crimes currently must pay the fee for a 'prohibited animal' permit, but on August 27, the City Council will vote on whether to lift the requirement. The proposal, called the 'Bark Down Barriers' ordinance, will 'remove barriers for certain justice-impacted people to adopt and own dogs.' 'Justice-impacted' is a broad term for people who have a past conviction but are now living among the general population. The change would also allow the city to deny permits to people convicted of animal cruelty or who used an animal to commit a crime. Additionally, the city would still be allowed to limit or prohibit someone from owning an animal if that person does not adhere to the rules for owning the pet. Eighteen people have applied for the permit since 2020, of which 11 were approved and seven denied. Convicted felons currently must pay a $250 fee for a 'prohibited animal' permit, but on August 27, the City Council will vote on whether to lift the requirement State law has required people convicted of drug, murder, assault, or burglary offenses to obtain a $250 permit to own an animal weighing more than 20 lbs or considered a potential danger to the public Permits were often denied because the animal was considered a risk to the public, Tony Schendel - director of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control - per the Star Tribune. Schendel believes the current rule is 'unnecessarily restrictive,' creating more of a hassle than meaningful protection for the community. 'This ordinance we feel prohibits justice-impacted residents from owning a pet who really are, we found, good animal owners,' he told the council on Thursday. 'They’re often looking to help get their life back on track,' he added. Another spokesperson for animal control told Fox9 Minneapolis - St Paul that felons make great pet owners since they need help with stability. Resident John Hudson spoke at Thursday's meeting. He has been out of prison for a year after spending 21 years behind bars, beginning his sentence at age 16. 'What an animal means to me, with no kids, is family. Most people treat their pets like family but this ordinance put in place [means] you have to pay to have family,' he said. Mike McKinney, who has a felony conviction, supports the new proposal The amendment must still be approved by the full City Council and, if passed, would take effect almost immediately Mike McKinney, who has a felony conviction, supports the new proposal, saying he has worked to build a life beyond his past mistakes. 'A fee on my dog doesn't answer for my past. It just punishes me for still being here and trying to build the best life possible,' McKinney told the council. The amendment must still be approved by the full City Council and, if passed, would take effect almost immediately.