Council gives pit bull owners two more weeks to come up with ideas
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- City lawmakers gave second round approval to banning residents from adopting pit bulls after a certain deadline, but left the doggy door open for amendments that might alter that ban.
The council voted 4 to 1 to approve a second reading of Councilman Aaron Rochester's proposal allowing pit bull owners to keep their dogs and require all pit bulls to be registered. No new pit bulls could be adopted, nor could owners replace pit bulls that died.
Councilman Jim Rixner cast the dissenting vote, contending the proposal doesn't give teeth to controlling pit bulls that would remain and takes too long to make a difference before all those dogs died.
At the conclusion of the 2 1/2 hour discussion, the council asked an ad hoc group that presented new proposals Monday to go back to the drawing board and return with suggestions at the Sept. 8 meeting.
On July 28, the council charged the group to offer other ideas than Rochester's pit bull ban. Mayor Mike Hobart called the group's ideas "warm and fuzzy" proposals.
Dawn Bain of Kinglsey, Iowa, who represented the American Kennel Club, and Sherry Flansburg of Sioux City, who owns other breeds of dogs, outlined the committee's proposals, which included:
-- Require all owners of pit bulls to register their dogs with the city clerk's office and note the type of breed of the dog on that form.
-- Require pit bull owners to tattoo numbers or microchip their pets so if they are found running lose, their ownership could be determined.
-- Allow the kennel club to put on dog classes and education seminars for pet owners.
"It has to be the owners' responsibility," Flansburg stated. 'We need to find a way to keep track of owners."
Hobart said pit bull owners should be required to muzzle their dogs when outside, their owners should have to install fences around their yards and only people 19 and older could walk the dogs on approved leashes.
Responding to comments that most dog owners are responsible, Councilman Brent Hoffman pointed out many of them are not registering their pets with the city. Only 3,500 have been registered out of an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 pets, he said. That resulted in only $50,000 in revenues last year that foots the Animal Control contract. The contract costs taxpayers around $300,000 a year.
Angie Tague of Sioux City recommended the council allow pet owners to register their pets for free during a two-week amnesty period, which, in the long run would bring in more license revenue.
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "We need to make enforcement stricter."
Rochester said his proposal gives current owners six months to register their pets and replace any that die during that time. The measure would exempt people who show pit bulls and the shelters that care for them.
Several people, including Dennis Benson of Sioux City, related stories of pit bull attacks and asked the council to ban the breed.
Rick Borg of Sioux City said he has spent more than $4,000 to erect a fence and a strong kennel to hold his pit bulls.
"I feel I got slapped in the face by being a responsible pet owner," he asserted. When his old dog dies, "You're telling me I can't get another one."
Rixner said the council would be taking away his constitutional rights, saying, "You have a right to property in this country." City Attorney Andrew Mai said the proposed ordinance would stand up to a court test.
The council voted 4 to 1 to approve a second reading of Councilman Aaron Rochester's proposal allowing pit bull owners to keep their dogs and require all pit bulls to be registered. No new pit bulls could be adopted, nor could owners replace pit bulls that died.
Councilman Jim Rixner cast the dissenting vote, contending the proposal doesn't give teeth to controlling pit bulls that would remain and takes too long to make a difference before all those dogs died.
At the conclusion of the 2 1/2 hour discussion, the council asked an ad hoc group that presented new proposals Monday to go back to the drawing board and return with suggestions at the Sept. 8 meeting.
On July 28, the council charged the group to offer other ideas than Rochester's pit bull ban. Mayor Mike Hobart called the group's ideas "warm and fuzzy" proposals.
Dawn Bain of Kinglsey, Iowa, who represented the American Kennel Club, and Sherry Flansburg of Sioux City, who owns other breeds of dogs, outlined the committee's proposals, which included:
-- Require all owners of pit bulls to register their dogs with the city clerk's office and note the type of breed of the dog on that form.
-- Require pit bull owners to tattoo numbers or microchip their pets so if they are found running lose, their ownership could be determined.
-- Allow the kennel club to put on dog classes and education seminars for pet owners.
"It has to be the owners' responsibility," Flansburg stated. 'We need to find a way to keep track of owners."
Hobart said pit bull owners should be required to muzzle their dogs when outside, their owners should have to install fences around their yards and only people 19 and older could walk the dogs on approved leashes.
Responding to comments that most dog owners are responsible, Councilman Brent Hoffman pointed out many of them are not registering their pets with the city. Only 3,500 have been registered out of an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 pets, he said. That resulted in only $50,000 in revenues last year that foots the Animal Control contract. The contract costs taxpayers around $300,000 a year.
Angie Tague of Sioux City recommended the council allow pet owners to register their pets for free during a two-week amnesty period, which, in the long run would bring in more license revenue.
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "We need to make enforcement stricter."
Rochester said his proposal gives current owners six months to register their pets and replace any that die during that time. The measure would exempt people who show pit bulls and the shelters that care for them.
Several people, including Dennis Benson of Sioux City, related stories of pit bull attacks and asked the council to ban the breed.
Rick Borg of Sioux City said he has spent more than $4,000 to erect a fence and a strong kennel to hold his pit bulls.
"I feel I got slapped in the face by being a responsible pet owner," he asserted. When his old dog dies, "You're telling me I can't get another one."
Rixner said the council would be taking away his constitutional rights, saying, "You have a right to property in this country." City Attorney Andrew Mai said the proposed ordinance would stand up to a court test.
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kristin wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:16 AM:
mv wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:28 PM:
Tracey wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:27 AM:
So all these professional people that work with dogs are wrong?? HELLO! "
Tracey wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:24 PM:
Tracey wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:21 PM: