Shon
09-21-2004, 10:50 AM
It is now illegal to have more than one pit bull at a location in the city of Tiffin for more than 90 days.
Tiffin City Council approved an ordinance to limit one pit bull - full or or mixed breed - per household, giving the owner three months to find another home for puppies.
Tiffin Police Chief David LaGrange said D'Andre Woods of Tiffin was charged twice with letting pit bulls run loose. He said the second charge, a felony, is pending in the Seneca County Common Pleas court.
"There's a lot of concern about the number of pit bulls at one of the residences," said LaGrange.
He said Woods' property is at a corner of West Market Street and Lindsay Avenue. LaGrange said the most recent complaint against Woods was about two months ago.
Council President Paul Elchert said if an owner cares for the dogs properly, they are typically good pets. Fourth Ward Councilman James Boroff said the law is not an anti-dog measure.
LaGrange said one of Woods' pit bulls attacked another dog and is in the custody of the county dog warden. He said he is concerned that a pit bull could attack a child.
"Let's impose something that should not be allowed, to prevent any incident," Boroff said.
Third Ward Councilwoman Lori Ritzler said council was not targeting one property but protecting the safety of the whole city.
She said she has gotten complaints from citizens during June and July.
"They were concerned about the safety of children and neighbors," Ritzler said.
The ordinance also requires dog owners to keep pit bulls on a leash and muzzled outside their property. A violation of the ordinance has a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Each day of violation of the ordinance is considered a separate offense. Woods advertises pit bull breeds on his Web site, Bluestone Kennels.
His Web site said, "We currently do a few breedings a year to insure our type of dog stays in demand for the public."
It also said no dogs are bred or sold for illegal purposes but all dogs are sold for performance and confirmation. Woods could not be reached for comment.
In other council news, Elchert said he wants the public to know the city is waiting on a grant from the federal government to improve North Sandusky Street. He said the grant, that is part of the federal transportation bill, would pay for reconstructing the road, curbs and rebuilding the approach ways on either side of the Kennedy Bridge.
Tiffin City Council approved an ordinance to limit one pit bull - full or or mixed breed - per household, giving the owner three months to find another home for puppies.
Tiffin Police Chief David LaGrange said D'Andre Woods of Tiffin was charged twice with letting pit bulls run loose. He said the second charge, a felony, is pending in the Seneca County Common Pleas court.
"There's a lot of concern about the number of pit bulls at one of the residences," said LaGrange.
He said Woods' property is at a corner of West Market Street and Lindsay Avenue. LaGrange said the most recent complaint against Woods was about two months ago.
Council President Paul Elchert said if an owner cares for the dogs properly, they are typically good pets. Fourth Ward Councilman James Boroff said the law is not an anti-dog measure.
LaGrange said one of Woods' pit bulls attacked another dog and is in the custody of the county dog warden. He said he is concerned that a pit bull could attack a child.
"Let's impose something that should not be allowed, to prevent any incident," Boroff said.
Third Ward Councilwoman Lori Ritzler said council was not targeting one property but protecting the safety of the whole city.
She said she has gotten complaints from citizens during June and July.
"They were concerned about the safety of children and neighbors," Ritzler said.
The ordinance also requires dog owners to keep pit bulls on a leash and muzzled outside their property. A violation of the ordinance has a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Each day of violation of the ordinance is considered a separate offense. Woods advertises pit bull breeds on his Web site, Bluestone Kennels.
His Web site said, "We currently do a few breedings a year to insure our type of dog stays in demand for the public."
It also said no dogs are bred or sold for illegal purposes but all dogs are sold for performance and confirmation. Woods could not be reached for comment.
In other council news, Elchert said he wants the public to know the city is waiting on a grant from the federal government to improve North Sandusky Street. He said the grant, that is part of the federal transportation bill, would pay for reconstructing the road, curbs and rebuilding the approach ways on either side of the Kennedy Bridge.