Marty
05-17-2006, 06:14 PM
Jackson,MS -- Owners of pit bulls in Richland are petitioning aldermen to reconsider its pit bull ban.
Meanwhile, Jackson city leaders are learning more about one councilman's plans for a breed specific ordinance.
Opponents of Richland's pit bull ban asked the board of aldermen to reconsider the breed specific law that goes into effect June 1st.
Chris Pena, President of the Magnolia Canine Club, asked the board to allow them to present an alternative to the ban.
He says the media is the number one problem pit bulls have.
Pena said, "If you hear about a dog bite on the news it's gonna be a pit bull bite. You don't hear about your labrador retrievers. You don't hear about your huskies. You don't hear about the other breeds of dogs that attack people."
Mayor Mark Scarborough said the board is open to an alternative proposal.
Scarborough said, "The total deal with us is the safety issue and we're not gonna sit back and wait and have to react to something happening and if education and working with these owners improve things, yes we're willing to look at things."
The board adjourned following the pit bull discussion, a few miles away in Jackson , Ward three Councilman Kenneth Stokes was introducing an ordinance to regulate pit bull ownership.
Stokes said, "It's going to make sure that people who own pit bulls are recognizing there is a safety issue that must be observed and they must realize that these animals in so many cases are vicious."
Ward One Councilman Ben Allen said, "Pit bull owners that are responsible know that there's a problem. They know it and I've gotten many many e mails Mr. Stokes from responsible pit bull owners, but we have a problem. So this will get contentious. It's gonna get emotional, but I support you. I think it's what we need to do."
The ordinance will be discussed by council members in the upcoming planning committee.
That planning meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m.
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=4914883&nav=2CSf
Meanwhile, Jackson city leaders are learning more about one councilman's plans for a breed specific ordinance.
Opponents of Richland's pit bull ban asked the board of aldermen to reconsider the breed specific law that goes into effect June 1st.
Chris Pena, President of the Magnolia Canine Club, asked the board to allow them to present an alternative to the ban.
He says the media is the number one problem pit bulls have.
Pena said, "If you hear about a dog bite on the news it's gonna be a pit bull bite. You don't hear about your labrador retrievers. You don't hear about your huskies. You don't hear about the other breeds of dogs that attack people."
Mayor Mark Scarborough said the board is open to an alternative proposal.
Scarborough said, "The total deal with us is the safety issue and we're not gonna sit back and wait and have to react to something happening and if education and working with these owners improve things, yes we're willing to look at things."
The board adjourned following the pit bull discussion, a few miles away in Jackson , Ward three Councilman Kenneth Stokes was introducing an ordinance to regulate pit bull ownership.
Stokes said, "It's going to make sure that people who own pit bulls are recognizing there is a safety issue that must be observed and they must realize that these animals in so many cases are vicious."
Ward One Councilman Ben Allen said, "Pit bull owners that are responsible know that there's a problem. They know it and I've gotten many many e mails Mr. Stokes from responsible pit bull owners, but we have a problem. So this will get contentious. It's gonna get emotional, but I support you. I think it's what we need to do."
The ordinance will be discussed by council members in the upcoming planning committee.
That planning meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m.
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=4914883&nav=2CSf