Shon
05-13-2004, 05:33 PM
BROOKSVILLE -- Bracken County Fiscal Court heard requests Wednesday from local pit bull owners who are opposed to a proposed countywide ban on the dogs.
Last Month, Bracken County Animal Control Officer James Moore requested the court pass an ordinance banning vicious dogs, mainly pit bulls, because of the danger they pose to area residents.
While serving three years in his present position, Moore said he has encountered many problems because of a pit bull's bred viciousness.
'My first day on the job, I destroyed a pit bull that had killed another family dog,' Moore said.
Moore said several county residents have been seriously injured by the dogs, including a 3-year-old girl, and a woman who was recently attacked twice in a seven-minute span.
Moore said he has put several pit bulls to death at their owners request.
Pit bull breeder Tim Poe came to the meeting to oppose banning the dogs from the county, but also said the dogs should not be allowed to freely roam, unchecked.
'All my dogs are either chained or kenneled,' said Poe. 'I believe them to be gentle. I wouldn't keep a bad dog. I even trust them around my kids.'
Also opposing the ban were pit bull owners Michael Bess and Allison Edwards.
'I have a pit bull named 'Kittty' but I've often thought of re-naming her 'Licky' because that's all she likes to do, is lick you.' said Edwards. 'I don't have children of my own but she is just like a child to me. I love her like my own child, and she stays in the house with me. How would you feel if someone put a ban on your child?'
County Attorney Ed Rudd said Bracken County's current laws relating to aggressive animals are debatable and make offenders difficult to prosecute.
'The laws in the county cover every situation (relating to vicious dogs) known to man,' said Rudd. 'But you can't prove half of them in a court of law.'
Poe said he moved into the area because Bracken County was one of the few places that didn't have laws against keeping vicious pets.
'In Cincinnati, you need $100,000 liability insurance to posses dogs like these,' said Poe. 'I moved here to raise my family and raise my dogs.'
Moore said he had never heard a complaint or experienced trouble from Poe's dogs because they were properly maintained.
'Kennels are available with a concrete floor and a roof so that dogs can not escape,' Poe said, presenting an option to the court other than a complete ban.
Resident Tracey Florer supported the ban saying he is concerned about his children's safety because his neighbor keeps bit bulls.
'What if one of those dogs attacked my little girl,' said Florer. 'Measures need to be taken to protect the innocent.'
Florer said his neighbor's dogs have never crossed onto his property but he is worried about the damage that could be caused if they do.
'If they were in a kennel it would satisfy my mind a little, but I would still be worried,' said Florer.
'I think it is unconstitutional that the court can take away someone's possessions like that,' said Poe.
Poe related having a vicious dog to Second Amendment rights of owning a gun.
'The gun doesn't kill people, the person holding the gun does,' said Poe.
Poe believes a dog's temperament reflects the owner's care for the animal.
'People need to be responsible for what their dogs do,' said Poe. 'But I believe it is still their right to keep them.'
Rudd believes something must be done about the dogs.
'We can't just tell people to be responsible,' said Rudd. 'That just won't work.'
Last Month, Bracken County Animal Control Officer James Moore requested the court pass an ordinance banning vicious dogs, mainly pit bulls, because of the danger they pose to area residents.
While serving three years in his present position, Moore said he has encountered many problems because of a pit bull's bred viciousness.
'My first day on the job, I destroyed a pit bull that had killed another family dog,' Moore said.
Moore said several county residents have been seriously injured by the dogs, including a 3-year-old girl, and a woman who was recently attacked twice in a seven-minute span.
Moore said he has put several pit bulls to death at their owners request.
Pit bull breeder Tim Poe came to the meeting to oppose banning the dogs from the county, but also said the dogs should not be allowed to freely roam, unchecked.
'All my dogs are either chained or kenneled,' said Poe. 'I believe them to be gentle. I wouldn't keep a bad dog. I even trust them around my kids.'
Also opposing the ban were pit bull owners Michael Bess and Allison Edwards.
'I have a pit bull named 'Kittty' but I've often thought of re-naming her 'Licky' because that's all she likes to do, is lick you.' said Edwards. 'I don't have children of my own but she is just like a child to me. I love her like my own child, and she stays in the house with me. How would you feel if someone put a ban on your child?'
County Attorney Ed Rudd said Bracken County's current laws relating to aggressive animals are debatable and make offenders difficult to prosecute.
'The laws in the county cover every situation (relating to vicious dogs) known to man,' said Rudd. 'But you can't prove half of them in a court of law.'
Poe said he moved into the area because Bracken County was one of the few places that didn't have laws against keeping vicious pets.
'In Cincinnati, you need $100,000 liability insurance to posses dogs like these,' said Poe. 'I moved here to raise my family and raise my dogs.'
Moore said he had never heard a complaint or experienced trouble from Poe's dogs because they were properly maintained.
'Kennels are available with a concrete floor and a roof so that dogs can not escape,' Poe said, presenting an option to the court other than a complete ban.
Resident Tracey Florer supported the ban saying he is concerned about his children's safety because his neighbor keeps bit bulls.
'What if one of those dogs attacked my little girl,' said Florer. 'Measures need to be taken to protect the innocent.'
Florer said his neighbor's dogs have never crossed onto his property but he is worried about the damage that could be caused if they do.
'If they were in a kennel it would satisfy my mind a little, but I would still be worried,' said Florer.
'I think it is unconstitutional that the court can take away someone's possessions like that,' said Poe.
Poe related having a vicious dog to Second Amendment rights of owning a gun.
'The gun doesn't kill people, the person holding the gun does,' said Poe.
Poe believes a dog's temperament reflects the owner's care for the animal.
'People need to be responsible for what their dogs do,' said Poe. 'But I believe it is still their right to keep them.'
Rudd believes something must be done about the dogs.
'We can't just tell people to be responsible,' said Rudd. 'That just won't work.'