Post by RealPitBull on Jun 8, 2009 11:16:25 GMT -5
Tea rethinks outright ban on pit bulls
New approach would place series of requirements on their owners
John Hult • Argus Leader Media • June 6, 2009
TEA – The Tea City Council this week outlined a series of changes to its animal ordinance that could allow owners of pit bulls in the town to keep their dogs.
“I think what they’ve put together here is reasonable,” Mayor John Lawler said of the changes. “We’ve got to have some guidelines in place.”
The proposed changes focus on replacing the city’s outright ban on four breeds of pit bulls with a series of requirements that the owners of such dogs would have to meet to keep them.
If the ordinance passes, pit owners would have to carry $500,000 in liability insurance and post a sign in their yard or on their door warning of a pit bull’s presence.
Owners also would need to keep their dogs leashed and muzzled on walks and have the animals spayed or neutered by the age of 6 months.
The council specified that all leashes in Tea must be six feet in length and nonretractable.
The current ordinance specifies that all animals must be fenced in or on a leash while outside the home.
Jennifer McNamara, a Sioux Falls pit bull advocate who brings her animals to the Tea Veterinary Clinic, suggested that the council specify nonretractable leashes within the ordinance because big dogs can break retractable ones.
McNamara said she agreed with most of the proposed changes, but she took issue with the breed-specific language.
Some pit bull owners in Tea have considered moving because of the ban, she said.
“I don’t think you guys realize how many people have pit bulls in town,” McNamara said.
Council member Brian Fowlds said that the changes are meant to allay fears of responsible pet owners while addressing the concerns of the city’s residents.
“Realistically, you can have a pit bull now,” Fowlds said.
The changes also would require all pets to be immunized against rabies within three months and sets a fine of $50 for a first offense and $100 for a second offense for animals that go unlicensed.
The city requires all animals to be licensed, but Assistant Police Chief Brian Tvedt said problem animals often are not.
“Most of the animals we deal with are not licensed,” Tvedt said.
The council will hear the new ordinance, with this week’s changes, at a July 6 meeting.
New approach would place series of requirements on their owners
John Hult • Argus Leader Media • June 6, 2009
TEA – The Tea City Council this week outlined a series of changes to its animal ordinance that could allow owners of pit bulls in the town to keep their dogs.
“I think what they’ve put together here is reasonable,” Mayor John Lawler said of the changes. “We’ve got to have some guidelines in place.”
The proposed changes focus on replacing the city’s outright ban on four breeds of pit bulls with a series of requirements that the owners of such dogs would have to meet to keep them.
If the ordinance passes, pit owners would have to carry $500,000 in liability insurance and post a sign in their yard or on their door warning of a pit bull’s presence.
Owners also would need to keep their dogs leashed and muzzled on walks and have the animals spayed or neutered by the age of 6 months.
The council specified that all leashes in Tea must be six feet in length and nonretractable.
The current ordinance specifies that all animals must be fenced in or on a leash while outside the home.
Jennifer McNamara, a Sioux Falls pit bull advocate who brings her animals to the Tea Veterinary Clinic, suggested that the council specify nonretractable leashes within the ordinance because big dogs can break retractable ones.
McNamara said she agreed with most of the proposed changes, but she took issue with the breed-specific language.
Some pit bull owners in Tea have considered moving because of the ban, she said.
“I don’t think you guys realize how many people have pit bulls in town,” McNamara said.
Council member Brian Fowlds said that the changes are meant to allay fears of responsible pet owners while addressing the concerns of the city’s residents.
“Realistically, you can have a pit bull now,” Fowlds said.
The changes also would require all pets to be immunized against rabies within three months and sets a fine of $50 for a first offense and $100 for a second offense for animals that go unlicensed.
The city requires all animals to be licensed, but Assistant Police Chief Brian Tvedt said problem animals often are not.
“Most of the animals we deal with are not licensed,” Tvedt said.
The council will hear the new ordinance, with this week’s changes, at a July 6 meeting.
I look forward to learning much here