Pit bull license deadline arrives

Council Bluffs, IA -- About a dozen people who never licensed their pit bulls before have already done so, according to the Council Bluffs City Clerk's office, as the compliance date nears on the new ordinance to control this animal.

The new ordinance that puts various requirements on pit bull ownership takes effect Saturday.

Since City Hall will be closed on Friday for the New Year's Day observance, people who haven't yet licensed their pit bulls have until 5 p.m. on Thursday to do so, the City Clerk's office said.

Licenses can also be obtained at the Council Bluffs Animal Shelter, 2821 S. 15th St., which closes at 5 p.m. Thursday and will also be closed on Friday.

The City Council in November approved the ordinance that prohibits pit bulls in the city, unless people have their pit bulls licensed by Jan. 1 and comply with the other regulations.

Included in the regulations is proof that the dog's owner has procured liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000 to cover any damage or injury that may be caused by a pit bull during the duration of its license.

The owner must keep the dog's license current through annual renewal, and the owner must be at least 18 years old.

The owner, at his or her expense, must have the pit bull spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian and offer proof of that to the director of the Public Health Department.

The owner must have an identifying microchip inserted beneath the skin of the pit bull by a person authorized by the Public Health director.

At all times when a pit bull is on the owner's property, the owner must keep the dog confined.

When the dog is away from the property, it must either be on a leash of a fixed length no longer than 4 feet and muzzled or in a secure temporary enclosure.

The owner must also have posted at each possible entry to the property where the dog is kept a sign saying "PIT BULL DOG" in lettering not less than 2 inches in height.

The owner must notify the public health director within five days in the event the pit bull has been lost, stolen, dies or given birth to a litter. In the event of a litter, the owner must bring the puppies to the Animal Shelter for destruction or permanently remove them from the city limits.

 

Ridiculous. Thats not too far from where I live and thats insane. Pits only. If something like this comes around to my area im leaving, its as simple as that. The sad thing is I cant even recall a recent pit bull bite in the news here, so its not that its a problem, just that they are getting pressure from outside sources. "In the event of a litter, the owner must bring the puppies to the Animal Shelter for destruction or permanently remove them from the city limits." That part really p***ed me off because only the good owners will actually do that, while the backyard breeders will keep selling them and probably charge more since they wont be so easy to get.