Richland Bans Pit Bulls, MS

Richland Bans Pit Bulls
Pit Bull Ban


By Gene Adams
gene@wlbt.net

Some dog owners in Richland are facing a big decision, to give up their animals or move out of town. That is after the board of aldermen voted to ban certain breeds, including pit bulls, from city limits.

"A pit exerts about 2 thousand pounds per square inch of jaw pressure when they bite and they're trained and bred not to let go," said Richland Police Chief Russel James, "So the idea that a child or someone who can't defend themselves very well might get attacked is something we're very concerned with."

Chief James says he is hopeful that attacks will soon be on the decline.

Tuesday Richland leaders passed an ordinance banning certain pit bulls, Staffordshire bull terriers, and American Staffordshire terriers within Richland city limits.

Owners have six weeks to decide what to do with their animals. As of June 1 the dogs will not be allowed in Richland.

Animal control officer Anthony Bethany has been going to known owners and letting them know their options: give the animals away or sign the animals over to the city.

Jason Roland, who raised his two pit bulls from puppies, says he is left with little choice. "If I've got to get rid of them, I guess I'll have to leave myself, me and my family pack up and leave, because I can't leave my dogs behind," said Roland.

Roland says his dogs are gentle enough to play with his two year-old daughter.

But Richland police officer Terry Aldridge has scars along his thigh from a run-in with another pit bull who was harassing a little girl last year. "I'm just lucky it was me and not the 2 year-old," said Aldridge,"I had a chance to fight the dog off and the children...they wouldn't have."

Roland says the ordinance is branding all pits as dangerous and he would rather move out than give up his pets. "People look at the name 'pit bull' and they think 'Oh, my goodness, that dog's going to kill me,' but it ain't like that. These dogs are family."

The ordinance goes into effect on June 1 of this year.

http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=4792636

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Its sad when dog owners have to make a choice like this,give up everything you own and have worked hard for becuase of b.s.l . good for him for taking a stand,im wondering if humans were banned where would god move? well all we can do is spread the word that pitbulls are pets and family. and not monsters