Pit bull ban 'discrimination'

Pit bull ban 'discrimination'

Richland couple leads fight against city's breed-specific ordinance

By Sylvain Metz
smetz@clarionledger.com


Petitions opposing a Richland ban on pit bulls will be presented to the Richland Board of Aldermen on May 16.

Establishing strict laws governing dogs is one thing. But banning a specific breed is another, said Richland resident Chris Pena, president of the Magnolia Canine Club.

Pena is a pit bull owner who objects to a new city ordinance that will make it illegal to house a pit bull in the Rankin County city.

So he and his wife, Kristi, are taking their protest to the street, soliciting signatures for a petition that asks the Board of Aldermen to reconsider its actions.

The ordinance, which goes into effect June 1, is expected to affect about a dozen dog owners who have 15-18 pit bulls, Police Chief Russell James said. A police officer getting bitten a year and a half ago prompted the city to take a look at pit bulls and other vicious dogs.

The Penas, who also represent the local chapter of the Endangered Breed Association, say they have about 200 signatures from local residents.

"We ought to make all dog owners responsible," Chris Pena said. "We are against breed-specific legislation. When you single out a breed, that's discrimination in its purest form."

Mayor Mark Scarborough said he's willing to hear the Penas' argument.

"We'll definitely discuss it, but at this point, we are standing pretty firm on what we did," Scarborough said.

A dog breeder for 20 years, Chris Pena owns 20 pit bulls, which he keeps in neighboring Simpson County because of a Rankin County law.

Rankin County supervisors approved a strict animal control ordinance in 2004 that limits ownership of pit bulls to four older than 3 months of age.

"I drive 50 miles, back and forth every day, to take care of my dogs," Chris Pena said.

Efforts to limit pit bull ownership may be expanding.

Last week, Terry resident Allen Kelly told The Clarion-Ledger he plans to ask the Hinds County Board of Supervisors to ban pit bulls. Kelly was severely injured by two pit bulls in December while riding a bicycle on his street.

The Penas said they would challenge Kelly's efforts in Hinds County.

"We fight breed-specific laws," said Kristi Pena, secretary of the 60-plus member Magnolia Canine Club, adding Hinds County pit bull owners want to join the petition drive.

Supervisor President Doug Anderson said no one has approached the board about the issue. He said he would like to hear from both sides before taking a position. "I know that (pit bulls) are thought of as a very dangerous breed. But so are Rotweillers," he said. "I think I will keep an open mind."

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