Vote To Ban Pit Bulls Takes Unexpected Turn
Alternative content
Whitehall & Pit Bulls
A heated debate over a proposed ban takes an unexpected turn.
NBC 4
A heated debate over banning breeds takes a surprising turn, but it may not be the end of the discussion.
WHITEHALL, Ohio—The heated debate over whether to ban vicious dogs, such as pit bulls, took an unexpected turn in one Central Ohio community.
The city of Whitehall was deciding whether to ban the animals.
Whitehall City Council wasn’t supposed to vote on the issue for another two weeks.
Council member Chris Rodriguez asked to suspend the rules and make an immediate decision.
Rodriguez said the citizens deserve better than the continued theatrics surrounding the issue, and he wanted to get the issue off the table.
Council member Jacquelyn Thompson, who proposed the ordinance, said she was surprised by the rule suspension and believes it was planned.
The proposed ordinance was voted down with a 5 to 2 vote.
The debate isn’t over just yet, though.
Council member Leslie Lacorte said she is going to propose an ordinance to put the issue up for a vote by citizens on the November ballot.
Under state law, all dogs known as pit bulls are considered vicious, including American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and American bulldog.
Currently, vicious dog owners are required to put up a six-foot fence, have liability insurance and to have their dogs micro-chipped.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail
.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Listen Up!
We have exactly more than enough signitures! BY-BY Jackie! THANK YOU ALL!
There was a drive in sign up held this past weekend! We got a great number of people! Whitehall YOU ROCK!
The Votes are IN! It will be up to you NOW WHITEHALL PEOPLE! Come this Novemeber! PLEASE! PLEASE! Help KEEP THIS PETITION DRIVE ALIVE! We have all work so hard for this. It will be on the ballot in NOvEMBER! So if you are in favor of JACKIE THOMPSON, and her BAN of PIT BULLS, well then disregard this. IF NOT, GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!
LET"S SEE WHAT WHITHALL IS MADE OF! BACK BONE OR SPINELEDSS!
cherokee-that is a crock ‘o’ bull!Since your city counsel voted on this issue,couldn’t you make a case that they are engaging in a pattern of intimidation? Since you voiced your opinion and they’ve since tried to “silence” you? Call Channel 4,see if they’ll persue it.Or better yet a lawyer!
Cherokee, too bad you can’t take your “vicious” dog and turn it on City council! This is the animal race war and disgusts me. There’s an article about an 11 year old stealing scooters, should we lock up all 11 year olds? Oh no, they might all start stealing!
If there’s a petition to be signed that’s accessible online, please pass along the link to it.
Best of luck to all of those who own these so-called “vicious” breeds.
To the city council members, I hope there comes a time in your life where you can experience the love and affection of these animals for who they are and not what a human being has turned them into. You don’t know what you’re missing.
Yeah. I voiced my opinion at the city council meeting. And, now I am being singled out, as a owner of a “ Vicious “
dog. Lilcherokee is on the War Path now!
I recieved a letter yesterday from the city council, and I have to build a 6 foot fence, and purchase a 64 foot pen. FOR WHAT! My dog has not harmed no one. She does not go outside the gates, and she does not pose any threat. Even my mailman said that I have the friendliest dog on his route! Just because she is classified as a “Pit Bull”, does not mean that she is vicious. I am going to the next meeting!
I will have a petition to “ REMOVE “ the “ Pit Bull”, who started all this! I am so sick of hearing that because a dog is “ Pit Bull” in a breed, thay are vicious. I moved to Whitehall because I thought it was a nice community. It was a better neighborhood. I came from a dangerous, crime ridden community to have a better life. Did I make the wrong decision? I invite the city council to come to my house and visit my so called “vicious” dog! She is not any way, shape or form vicious. She is loving and she gives me kisses. She even slleps with my cat, for crying out loud! So if that is vicious, I give up.
Where might one see the petition?
I attended the city council meeting in Whitehall. I had the chance to voice my opinion on the “Outlawing of Pit Bulls”.
I have to ask, if Jaquelyn Thompson was a dog, would she be considered a “PIT BULL”, or a “BULL DOG”. This woman clearly needs to step down! Anyone who is a registered voter, may sign my petion to remove her from city council.
This is a document from the Franklin County Commissioners regarding identification and enforcement of pit bulls
http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2009/07/27/whitehall_news/news/whmcgowan _20090722_0501pm_2.txt
Terms from laws are interpreted everyday by people who are assigned to enforce them, in most legal cases, Police Officers. That is why we have courts. In this case, it’s the Franklin County Dog Warden making an interpretation.
If you have a pure bred American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or American Bulldog and you are going to argue to the courts that any one of these dogs is not a “Pit Bull” type dog, I’m willing to bet you will lose big time. I believe it is widely accepted among dog experts that these dogs do in fact fall into the category of “Pit Bull” type dog.
If I were in court about my dog I would use a Murphy v State of Ohio defense long before I would invest any money/effort in trying to say my Staffordshire Bull Terrier isn’t a “Pit Bull” type dog. Murphy v. State of Ohio opens up the possibility that a defendant may rebut the presumption that a specific dog is “vicious” simply because it is a pit bull type dog. I am stock piling evidence (video/witness accounts) of how non vicious my dog is should I ever need it.
Anyway, hopefully HB 79 passes and the local municipalities follow suit of the state law and enact non breed specific legislation and all this will be moot.
An interpretation of the term “Pit Bull” is not “COUNTY code”. Please provide a link to this “COUNTY code” to which you refer?
“Actually they are correct and you are incorrect. There is no “COUNTY” code. The county follows the ORC (Ohio Revised Code) which is state code.“
You are right though that in might not be “code” in the county, it is however their additional language to the ORC, starting at “for enforcement purposes…“
thanks for posting the links on 79 BTW.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement