Incident adds to calls for pit bull dog ban

By BARBARA GOLDMAN

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 12:05 PM EDT

"At least it was me and not one of the kids in the neighborhood," said Farra.

The owner of the dog, Marlene Smith said the dog is half boxer and part pit bull.

"He's not a vicious dog," said Smith.

Smith said she was planning on taking the dog Thursday for a rabies vaccination. According to Smith, the front door of her house was slightly ajar and the dog got out.

"He loves everyone," said Smith. "He's a sweet dog."

Smith was sited to court for violation of a city ordinance.

Maysville is currently in the process of passing an ordinance prohibiting ownership of pit bulls within the city. The ordinance would require any pit bull found within the city after Sept. 1, 2008 to be seized and impounded. A pit bull seized will only be released to an owner producing evidence that the pit bull dog is to be permanently taken out of the city. If such proof is not provided, the pit bull dog would be destroyed.

"After today, I'm fully for it," said Farra.

The ordinance was read last Thursday at  commission meeting. It will be read again and voted on at the July 10 meeting at 5:15 p.m.

According to City Manager Ray Young, complaints from residents prompted the proposed ban.

"We have had a lot of complaints in neighborhoods where parents are scared for their children," he said.

Young said although there had been no major incident involving a pit bull yet, there have been several instances in which pit bulls have chased or jumped on people.

"I don't think we need to wait till something happens," said Young. "If property owners won't be respectful of their neighbors we have to step in."

Young said  although the city has received complaints on other dogs as well, the complaints have primarily been about pit bulls.

"A dog will behave if they're trained really well. Dogs can be trained," said Young.

Young said he believes the breed is more suited to big grassy areas where they can run.

Maysville Mayor David Cartmell said Monday morning's incident was one of the reasons commissioners are considering the ordinance.

"With their demeanor, you never know what might happen," said Cartmell. "We've received more and more complaints about pit bulls."

A pit bull owner of four years, Brian Beckett said he hopes the city will find an effective and fair way to solve the problem.

"I don't think that a pit bull ban is the step to take," said Beckett.

Beckett has owned his dog since taking it in as a drop off. Although Beckett lives in Mason County, the dog ordinance would prohibit him from taking his dog to the veterinarian. A dog ordinance in Bracken County prohibiting pit bulls would further prohibit Becket from taking his dog in the other direction on Kentucky 9 for medical care.

Beckett said he feels the Maysville ordinance will not make the problem go away.

"I think the community should really take a serious look at what would be the most effective way to deal with and solve these problems," said Beckett.

Beckett said he would support a muzzle law or a harsher leash law but not a breed specific ordinance.

"I think we as people can find a better solution that won't infringe on someone's rights," said Beckett.

City Commissioner Judy Pfeffer said, "I am going to support the ordinance, but personally I hate to take away people's freedom and rights."

Pfeffer said it is a safety issue. At last week's commission meeting, Pfeffer said she asked Maysville Police Chief Kent Butcher how many calls the police have been receiving a month concerning the breed of dogs and Butcher said around 30.

"Our police officers don't need to be chasing down loose dogs," said Pfeffer.

City Commissioner Rick Litton said he is in favor of the ordinance.

"The city commission is very concerned about vicious animals. We felt like in our community these dogs need to be contained," said Litton.

Litton said after the commission has made other attempts it is having to take an aggressive step.

"We hate to do this, but when you can't control a certain breed you have to put safety issues first," said Litton.

City Commissioner John Mains said, "I'm all in favor of banning them. They're just trouble. There are some exceptions, but they might be good to you but not good to your neighbor."

Fleming, Lewis, and Robertson counties currently do not have any ordinances prohibiting pit bulls. Lewis County Dog Warden Bryan Grierson said within the city of Vanceburg pit bull owners must have $100,000 liability insurance and the animals must be locked up.

On Sunday evening Grierson said he received a call in the county, pertaining to a pit bull that chewed up a gentleman pretty badly. Grierson said victim had to be taken to the hospital. This was the second incident with this particular pit bull, said Grierson. The pit bull had just gotten out of a 10-day quarantine after biting a person on a four wheeler.

Pit bulls in Lewis County must remain on a leash, chain or on the property and under control. The owner of the pit bull has agreed to have the dog humanly euthanized.

"Not all of them are bad. Any dog can bite," said Grierson.

Grierson said he had seen the dog that had bitten the victim since.

"It just wagged its tail and looked at me. Something happens and it gets triggered."

Grierson said he supported an ordinance against aggressive dogs.

Bracken County has had an ordinance banning pit bulls since September, 2004. Bracken County resident and former county attorney Edward Rudd helped to spearhead the ordinance.

"We had several instances when the police had to respond to pit bulls near small children," said Rudd.

Rudd said in one incident the police were forced to shoot the dog and it still wouldn't back down.

"We haven't had any problems since that I'm aware of," said Rudd.

Bracken County Dog Warden Pat Taylor said, "People move into the area with the pit bull and a lot of them are pretty good dogs, but not all of them. When we approach them we give them a certain period of time to find a new home for the dog."

Taylor said the county works with a pit bull rescue group out of Ohio.

"So far it's worked out. People's options are finding the dogs a home or bringing them to the shelter. Most find homes," said Taylor.

Contact Barbara Goldman at barbara.goldman@lee.net or by calling 606-564-9091 ext.274.