Vicki
Administrator
City commission to discuss pit bull ban again
By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net
The much-debated issue of whether to ban pit bulls in city limits is scheduled to resurface at Thursday's 6:30 p.m. Hays City Commission work session.
Following initial discussions in May, city staff has compiled additional information regarding pet regulations, and Police Chief James Braun will be present to address the issue of a breed-specific ban.
"There is not a recommendation from us," Assistant City Manager Mark Loughry said. "Just a little more information so they can decide where to go."
According to the research to be discussed Thursday, which includes copies of breed ban ordinances from other governments, some cities report their breed ban seems to be working. In those cities, it appears residents accepted the ban with little resistance, the document states.
In Topeka, however, officials reported spending thousands of dollars to hold pit bulls picked up in violation of the ordinance. The Topeka city commission estimates it will be nearly $100,000 over budget, largely due to the pit bull ordinance. Strong resistance from resident pit bull owners was cited as another concern.
Hays has a dangerous dog ordinance, which defines the characteristics of a prohibited pet. The definition includes any dog with a known propensity to attack, dogs that threaten residents on public property, any dog that attacks or bites, or any dog harbored for dog fighting.
A municipal court hearing is the procedure for legally determining whether a dog is dangerous. If a canine is given this distinction, several criteria must be met for the dog to remain in city limits.
A separate vicious dog ordinances prohibits the ownership of a vicious dog. If a dog is found to be vicious in court, the dog must be euthanized.
The issue of revisiting the city's dog ordinances emerged this spring, following an incident in which a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog.
According to police reports, a child was walking her Maltese on April 29 when a pit bull/mastiff mix jumped through a window of a nearby home and grabbed the smaller dog out of the child's arms.
The debate has evoked high emotions on both sides. Already, Facebook groups have been established to express both points of view.
The "People for the 'pit bull ban' in Hays, Kansas" group has 42 members, and the "People against the 'pit bull' ban in Hays, KS" group has 571 members, as of this morning. Both groups' Web sites also indicate the possibility of gathering petitions to support their stances.
Loughry said the commission's goal was to gather factual information before making a decision.
"It's easy to respond to something emotionally when you have a situation like we had," Loughry said. "So I think they just wanted to kind of step back ... and come at it from a logical approach rather than an emotional approach."
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/citypre070109
By KALEY CONNER
kconner@dailynews.net
The much-debated issue of whether to ban pit bulls in city limits is scheduled to resurface at Thursday's 6:30 p.m. Hays City Commission work session.
Following initial discussions in May, city staff has compiled additional information regarding pet regulations, and Police Chief James Braun will be present to address the issue of a breed-specific ban.
"There is not a recommendation from us," Assistant City Manager Mark Loughry said. "Just a little more information so they can decide where to go."
According to the research to be discussed Thursday, which includes copies of breed ban ordinances from other governments, some cities report their breed ban seems to be working. In those cities, it appears residents accepted the ban with little resistance, the document states.
In Topeka, however, officials reported spending thousands of dollars to hold pit bulls picked up in violation of the ordinance. The Topeka city commission estimates it will be nearly $100,000 over budget, largely due to the pit bull ordinance. Strong resistance from resident pit bull owners was cited as another concern.
Hays has a dangerous dog ordinance, which defines the characteristics of a prohibited pet. The definition includes any dog with a known propensity to attack, dogs that threaten residents on public property, any dog that attacks or bites, or any dog harbored for dog fighting.
A municipal court hearing is the procedure for legally determining whether a dog is dangerous. If a canine is given this distinction, several criteria must be met for the dog to remain in city limits.
A separate vicious dog ordinances prohibits the ownership of a vicious dog. If a dog is found to be vicious in court, the dog must be euthanized.
The issue of revisiting the city's dog ordinances emerged this spring, following an incident in which a pit bull attacked and killed a smaller dog.
According to police reports, a child was walking her Maltese on April 29 when a pit bull/mastiff mix jumped through a window of a nearby home and grabbed the smaller dog out of the child's arms.
The debate has evoked high emotions on both sides. Already, Facebook groups have been established to express both points of view.
The "People for the 'pit bull ban' in Hays, Kansas" group has 42 members, and the "People against the 'pit bull' ban in Hays, KS" group has 571 members, as of this morning. Both groups' Web sites also indicate the possibility of gathering petitions to support their stances.
Loughry said the commission's goal was to gather factual information before making a decision.
"It's easy to respond to something emotionally when you have a situation like we had," Loughry said. "So I think they just wanted to kind of step back ... and come at it from a logical approach rather than an emotional approach."
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/citypre070109