White County, TN - Pit bull ban shot down

White County won't ban pit bulls

Megan Trotter
Herald-Citizen Staff
Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009

SPARTA -- The White County Commission Monday night declined to ban pit bulls, citing that singling out that breed to ban was impossible on the county level.

The meeting room in the White County Courthouse was bursting at the seams with concerned citizens as the commission met to discuss a proposed ban on pit bull dogs in the county.

Recent attacks on citizens by dogs that were part pit bull, along with officers being attacked by the dogs belonging to law violators, prompted Sheriff Oddie Shoupe to bring the problem forward to the commission during its last meeting in July.

County Attorney Gary Dodson told the commission the proposal to ban specific breeds would not be legal unless the county was zoned properly.

However, officials admitted that there was still a vicious dog problem in the community that needed attention.

"We've already answered 372 calls this year. Last year it doubled that. That is $40-50,000 a year that you as tax payers are paying my department to go out and make these calls," said Shoupe.

It was suggested that the people gathered in protest of banning pit bulls get together to discuss ideas for diminishing the problem, as well as deciding what types of laws they wanted to pass. The County Commission requested they bring these ideas back to the next meeting.

"I'm not for banning dogs," said Shoupe. "I have been trying for three years to get this dog situation, this animal situation under control. We have a chance here to do it. These guys are listening to you. They'd be more than glad to help. Let's do it legally, the right way, and help one another and stand together as a group, without vigilantes."