Post by RealPitBull on Feb 5, 2009 5:47:38 GMT -5
www.mcherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090204/NEWS/90204003
February 4, 2009
Ridgeland to hold public meeting on pit bulls March 17
By Leah Square
leah.square@mcherald.com
Ridgeland city leaders are expected to vote next month on a controversial proposal that calls for the banning of pit bulls and other “dangerous” dog breeds from the city but allows banned dogs currently existing in the city to remain if certain requirements are met.
City officials have been tweaking the proposal for months and this week presented a final draft that likely will be discussed in a public hearing and voted on March 17. The hearing is expected to be crowded as many residents have vocalized impassioned disdain for a breed specific ban while other residents have passionately supported such a ban during recent Board of Aldermen meetings.
The city’s proposed amendment to the animal control ordinance calls for the banning of pit bulls, Rottweilers, wolf-dog hybrids, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, the offspring of any banned breed and any dog declared “dangerous” or “vicious” as defined by the ordinance.
The proposal also includes a grandfather clause that allows up to three banned dogs per household currently residing in the city to remain as long as the dogs are not deemed dangerous or vicious and the owner, within 60 days from the effective date of the amendment, meets certain registration, training and enclosure requirements.
Any dog owner caught harboring a banned dog could be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned up to 90 days or both, the proposal says.
Mayor Gene McGee said the proposal does not punish responsible dog owners but instead takes dogs out of the hands of people who are attracted to certain breeds for malign reasons.
“We don’t want people to be irresponsible with their animals. There’s some language in there that protects those individuals that are responsible,” McGee said.
So-called dangerous dogs have been banned in other parts of the metro area.
Clinton does not allow pit bulls nor Rottweilers. Pit bulls also are prohibited in Richland.
Rankin County officials are tightening controls on pit bulls in the county by requiring registration with Rankin County’s animal control office and limiting where the dogs can be housed.
Ridgeland city leaders had anticipated a public hearing on the proposal would be held March 3, but aldermen agreed this week to set the hearing for March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall because of a scheduling conflict with Ridgeland High’s annual draw down fund raiser event. McGee and several city officials plan to attend the March 3 fund raiser.
February 4, 2009
Ridgeland to hold public meeting on pit bulls March 17
By Leah Square
leah.square@mcherald.com
Ridgeland city leaders are expected to vote next month on a controversial proposal that calls for the banning of pit bulls and other “dangerous” dog breeds from the city but allows banned dogs currently existing in the city to remain if certain requirements are met.
City officials have been tweaking the proposal for months and this week presented a final draft that likely will be discussed in a public hearing and voted on March 17. The hearing is expected to be crowded as many residents have vocalized impassioned disdain for a breed specific ban while other residents have passionately supported such a ban during recent Board of Aldermen meetings.
The city’s proposed amendment to the animal control ordinance calls for the banning of pit bulls, Rottweilers, wolf-dog hybrids, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, the offspring of any banned breed and any dog declared “dangerous” or “vicious” as defined by the ordinance.
The proposal also includes a grandfather clause that allows up to three banned dogs per household currently residing in the city to remain as long as the dogs are not deemed dangerous or vicious and the owner, within 60 days from the effective date of the amendment, meets certain registration, training and enclosure requirements.
Any dog owner caught harboring a banned dog could be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned up to 90 days or both, the proposal says.
Mayor Gene McGee said the proposal does not punish responsible dog owners but instead takes dogs out of the hands of people who are attracted to certain breeds for malign reasons.
“We don’t want people to be irresponsible with their animals. There’s some language in there that protects those individuals that are responsible,” McGee said.
So-called dangerous dogs have been banned in other parts of the metro area.
Clinton does not allow pit bulls nor Rottweilers. Pit bulls also are prohibited in Richland.
Rankin County officials are tightening controls on pit bulls in the county by requiring registration with Rankin County’s animal control office and limiting where the dogs can be housed.
Ridgeland city leaders had anticipated a public hearing on the proposal would be held March 3, but aldermen agreed this week to set the hearing for March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall because of a scheduling conflict with Ridgeland High’s annual draw down fund raiser event. McGee and several city officials plan to attend the March 3 fund raiser.
I look forward to learning much here