Geoff Hall, President of Wayside Waifs, celebrates Grandview’s decision to repeal the breed-specific ban with a pit bull puppy available for adoption. Effective immediately, Wayside Waifs is now able to adopt pit bulls to those living in the Grandview city limits. Visit www.waysidewaifs.org to see all of the animals looking for homes.
By Mary Wilson
After several months of discussion and education, the
Grandview Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the repeal of the
breed-specific ban on pit bulls in city limits. The ban was adopted by the
aldermen on July 26, 2005, at a time when the city was dealing with pit bull
dogs being bred and trained to participate in dog fighting, with the fights
occurring out in the open within city limits. Due to the inherent aggressive
behavior of the animals, the breed-specific ban was put in place.
When the ban was enacted, pit bulls living within city
limits were required to be registered as dangerous animals and owners were to
pay for an annual permit, inspection, insurance policy, specific housing arrangements
and follow restrictions when kept or brought outside. At the time,
approximately twenty pit bulls were registered that were known to be living in
the city.
“After comparing Grandview with what surrounding cities
around us have done, we’ve been able to fix the holes when it comes to
dangerous animals in general, to where all citizens are protected as well as
the animals,” said Ward 3 Alderman John Maloney. “We are looking to our
neighbors to see their best practices.”
Community Development Director Chris Chiodini and his staff
looked at neighboring Missouri communities, and found that some cities continue
to have the breed-specific ban in place. Grandview chose to pull the ban, and
in order for an animal to be deemed dangerous, the actions of the animal would
have to be determined to be a threat to the community as a whole.
“It’s the actions of the animal only, and has nothing to do
with the breed of the animal itself,” said Chiodini. “We had to tighten up the
ordinance and make sure that in doing so, we continue to protect not just
people, but the animals themselves.”
The ordinance approved last week removes any breed-specific
legislation, and made necessary changes so that the information on the
requirements for animals of any breed or kind deemed dangerous is easy to read.