AR: Group pushing for pit bull friendly dog park

Sonny Scott , KTHV 7:37 PM. EST March 25, 2016


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A current Little Rock ordinance prohibits what they call “dangerous breeds” at dog parks.

It's been a controversial topic for years in the city, and now a group is trying to raise money for a new park that will allow all different breeds of dogs, including pit bulls.

“I feel like we are being singled out as pit bull owners. Not us personally but the pit bulls.”

Wes Love has been taking his pit bull to Murray Dog Park for four years. Then three weeks ago, he got the police called on him for having a pit bull on the property.

“It's not like we are trying to be sneaky. We can get our dog in here without you all finding out. It’s just we need somewhere to take our dogs,” Love said.

Love and many pit bull owners are now taking action to raise money with a GoFundMe page for a dog park that allows pit bulls.

“We want to do a dog wash and charge to wash dogs. Then 30 percent will go to the humane society and the rest of the funds go to the dog park.”

Under the city ordinance, if someone is caught with a pit bull at any of the Little Rock dog parks they could pay a hefty fine. The fine would be given to the owner only if the dog was not registered with the city properly.

Love thinks many people still go to the dog parks even with the ordinance in place.

Rickitha Hicks is one of those dog owners who takes her pit bull mix to MacArthur Dog Park.

“Majority of the time I won’t stay here that long. I just come when there's nobody here,” Hicks said.

Hicks said any dog can be dangerous. It’s just how you raise it. “Just because it is a pit bull doesn't mean they are vicious or anything else.”

Love and his friend Stephen Kuehner also created a Facebook page called "Little Rock Parks for Pits" to raise awareness that pit bulls need a place to play too.

“This is a huge issue for us because we can’t take him to be interactive with other dogs. This is the only life our dog gets and want him to have fun,” Love said.

The city says they do have a dog park at the Little Rock Animal Village that welcomes pit bulls. They are also working to change the signage at all the dog parks to make it clear for dog owners about their rules.

Group pushing for pit bull dog park | THV11.com