Marty
05-04-2006, 02:16 PM
Grand Rapids,MI -- The pit bull debate continues.
Hudsonville City Commission last week delayed action on a proposed ordinance, which will be taken up again Tuesday.
At a special morning meeting last week, commissioners debated whether to keep the existing ordinance or adopt a new version dropping the city's pit bull ban.
The issue arose when Robert and Laurie VanLaan protested the ban.
They have owned their pit bull, Nena, five years and had obtained a city license annually. But this year, city staff informed the VanLaans, after issuing a 2006 license, that the licenses had been issued in error.
Commissioner Darl Redder, who wants to see the ban lifted, said there are "constitutional and practical issues" the commission has to consider.
"No one wants to see anyone get mauled by a Chihuahua or a pit bull," Redder said. "We have to be careful if we (adopt an ordinance that is) breed-specific."
But Commissioner Norm Unema does "not want to wait for these attacks (before we) do something."
Unema noted the ordinance banning pit bulls would allow pit bulls already in the city.
Kathy Warmelink presented a petition with 34 signatures from residents opposed to ending the pit bull ban.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1146754449135040.xml&coll=6
Hudsonville City Commission last week delayed action on a proposed ordinance, which will be taken up again Tuesday.
At a special morning meeting last week, commissioners debated whether to keep the existing ordinance or adopt a new version dropping the city's pit bull ban.
The issue arose when Robert and Laurie VanLaan protested the ban.
They have owned their pit bull, Nena, five years and had obtained a city license annually. But this year, city staff informed the VanLaans, after issuing a 2006 license, that the licenses had been issued in error.
Commissioner Darl Redder, who wants to see the ban lifted, said there are "constitutional and practical issues" the commission has to consider.
"No one wants to see anyone get mauled by a Chihuahua or a pit bull," Redder said. "We have to be careful if we (adopt an ordinance that is) breed-specific."
But Commissioner Norm Unema does "not want to wait for these attacks (before we) do something."
Unema noted the ordinance banning pit bulls would allow pit bulls already in the city.
Kathy Warmelink presented a petition with 34 signatures from residents opposed to ending the pit bull ban.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1146754449135040.xml&coll=6