Erlanger reviews pit bull ban

[size=-1]Florence,KY -- [/size]City council may lift its ban on pit bulls in favor of regulating all "vicious animals."Resident Katie Jones asked council on Jan. 2 to reconsider the 21-year-old ban. She was cited by the Kenton County dog warden for owning a five-year-old pit bull, but argued her dog is not a danger to the community.

"She's a good dog," Jones said. "She's part of our family."


After researching the issue, the Public Safety committee has decided to recommend council update the pit bull ban, which was passed in 1986 in response after residents complained about the dogs.

"Our ordinance is 21 years old, so it is kind of outdated," said Chairman John Dunhoft.

He recommended council instead regulate all "vicious animals."

Police Chief Marc Fields said only four Kenton County cities ban pit bulls: Ludlow, Bromley, Erlanger and Elsmere. Others allow - but regulate - all vicious animals.

"If you pattern your ordinance the way Covington has, it will be responsible owners that can have this breed," Fields said.

Covington residents must register a "vicious animal" with the city, have insurance to cover potential injuries and property damage caused by the animal, and only adults aged 18 and up may walk the animal in public.

"It puts the onus on the owner to control the animal," said Mayor Tom Rouse.

But Councilman Paul Hahn said not every animal owner is responsible, and while not every pit bull is dangerous, some may be.

"I believe we are treading on thin, thin ice," he said.

Fields said national statistics indicate pit bulls don't attack people as frequently as many believe, however.

"What they have more propensity to do is attack other dogs, because that's what they were bred to do," he said.

The police department would enforce the vicious animal ordinance, he said.

Council meets next on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the city building.

http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070117/NEWS01/701170339
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Well, thats a step in the right direction.