Remove Pit Bull Prohibition in Gallipolis

Aggressive dogs are found among any breed or crossbreed; and breed specific legislation and breed bans are not effective solutions to the problem of dog attacks; and the problem of dog attacks is best dealt with through a comprehensive program of education, training and legislation encouraging responsible ownership of all breeds.

Based on the inherent inability to properly determine a 'Pit Bull' based on physical attributes Gallipolis City Ordinance 505.14 is erroneous at its foundation. (The determination about whether a dog is a pit bull breed is left to the police)

Due to the factually flawed foundation on which City of Gallipolis Ordinance 505.14 was    written, this legislation which prohibits Pit Bull ownership within Gallipolis City Limits, should be repealed. 

WE the undersigned petition the City of Gallipolis to repeal Ordinance 505.14.

BELOW IS A COPY OF ORDINANCE 505.14:

505.14  DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS DOGS.

     (a)     As used in this section:

       (1)     A.     “Dangerous dog” means a dog that, without provocation, and subject to subsection (a)(1)B., hereof, has chased or approached in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack, or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person, while that dog is off the premises of its owner, keeper or harborer and not under the reasonable control of its owner, keeper, harborer or some other responsible person, or not physically restrained or confined in a locked pen which has a top, locked fenced yard or other locked enclosure which has a top.

           B.     “Dangerous dog” does not include a police dog that has chased or approached in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack, or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person while the police dog is being used to assist one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

   (2)     “Menacing fashion” means that a dog would cause any person being chased or approached to reasonably believe that the dog will cause physical injury to that person.

   (3)     “Police dog” means a dog that has been trained, and may be used, to assist one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

   (4)     A.     “Vicious dog” means a dog that, without provocation and subject to subsection (a)(4)B., hereof, meets any of the following:

        1.     Has killed or caused serious injury to any persons:

         2.     Has caused injury, other than killing or serious injury to any person, or has killed another dog;

    B.     “Vicious dog” does not include either of the following:

       1.     A police dog that has killed or caused serious injury to any person or that has caused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person while the police dog is being used to assist one or more law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties;

                    2.     A dog that has killed or caused serious injury to any person while a person was committing or attempting to commit a trespass or other criminal offense on the property of the owner, keeper or harborer of the dog.

   (5)     “Without provocation” means that a dog was not teased, tormented or abused by a person, or that the dog was not coming to the aid or the defense of a person who was not engaged in illegal or criminal activity and who was not using the dog as a means of carrying out such activity.

      (b)     Except when a dangerous or vicious dog is lawfully engaged in hunting or training for the purpose of hunting and is accompanied by the owner, keeper, harborer, or handler of the dog, no owner, keeper, or harborer of a dangerous or vicious dog shall fail to do either of the following:

  (1)     While that dog is on the premises of the owner, keeper, or harborer, securely confine it at all times in a building, in a locked pen that has a top, locked fenced yard or other locked enclosure that has a top, except that a dangerous dog may, in the alternative, be tied with a leash or tether so that the dog is adequately restrained;

   (2)     While that dog is off the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer, keep that dog on a chain-link leash or tether that is not more than six feet in length and additionally do at least one of the following:

  A.     Keep that dog in a locked pen that has a top, locked fenced yard or other locked enclosure that has a top;

  B.     Have the leash or tether controlled by a person who is of suitable age and discretion or securely attach, tie or affix the leash or tether to the ground or stationary object of fixture so that the dog is adequately restrained and station such a person in close enough proximity to that dog so as to prevent it from causing injury to any person;

 C.     Muzzle that dog.

      (c)     No owner, keeper or harborer of a vicious dog shall fail to obtain liability insurance with an insurer authorized to write liability insurance in this State providing coverage in each occurrence, subject to a limit, exclusive of interest and costs, of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) because of damage or bodily injury to or death of a person caused by the vicious dog.  (ORC 955.22)

     (d)     It is unlawful to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell any pit bull dog within the City.

     “Pit bull terrier” is used herein includes any American Pit Bull Terrier, any Bull Terrier, any Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.

      (e)     If a violation of subsection (b) hereof involves a dangerous dog, whoever violates that subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense and of a misdemeanor of the third degree on each subsequent offense.  Additionally, the court may order the offender to personally supervise the dangerous dog that the offender owns, keeps or harbors, to cause that dog to complete dog obedience training or to do both, and the court may order the offender to obtain liability insurance pursuant to subsection (c) hereof.  The court, in the alternative, may order the dangerous dog to be humanely destroyed by a licensed veterinarian, the Dog Warden or the Humane Society.

     (f)     If a violation of subsection (b) hereof involves a vicious dog, whoever violates that subsection is guilty of one of the following:

 (1)     A misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense.  Additionally, the court may order the vicious dog to be humanely destroyed by a licensed veterinarian, the Dog Warden or the Humane Society.

 (2)     A misdemeanor of the first degree if the dog causes injury other than killing or serious injury, to any person.

      (g)     Whoever violates subsection (d) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.  Additionally, the pit bull dog shall be confined by the Dog Warden until removed from the City or by order of the Court.  (Ord. 2009-11.  Passed 3-9-09.)